2026 Seoul Subway Fares Guide: Transportation Cards, Single-Journey Tickets, Youth & Child Fares

Check both payment method and age category

Even on the same segment, the fare deducted at the ticket gate depends on whether you use a rechargeable/postpaid transportation card or a single-journey card, and whether you qualify as an adult, youth, or child. Instead of looking up a single fare number, check which card you have and whether an age discount applies.

Seoul Metro categorizes fares into Adult, Youth, Child, Free Transit, Commuter Pass, and Group Tickets. The figures here reflect official Seoul Metro fare announcements. Always check official displays and signs at stations on the day of travel.

• Adult Transportation Card: Base fare 1,550 KRW within 10 km
• Adult Single-Journey Card: Transportation card fare + 100 KRW (1,650 KRW for base distance)
• Youth Transportation Card: Base fare 900 KRW within 10 km
• Child Transportation Card: Base fare 550 KRW within 10 km

Adult fares: 1,550 KRW for cards, +100 KRW for single tickets

When adult passengers use a transportation card within 10 km, the official base fare is 1,550 KRW. A single-journey transportation card adds 100 KRW to the card fare, making it 1,650 KRW for the base distance. If you use cash or buy single tickets, remember that ticket machines require a 500 KRW deposit which is refunded upon return.

Note that 1,550 KRW and 1,650 KRW are base rates. Traveling beyond 10 km adds distance-based surcharges, and transfers with buses follow integrated transfer rules. Check your route in a transit map app alongside the official fare table.

Youth and child fares: Verify registered cards

The base fare for youth transportation cards is 900 KRW. This applies to ages 13 to 18 (and students aged 19 to 24 attending elementary, middle, or high schools). Since youth single-journey tickets are issued at the adult rate, young travellers should register their reusable card in advance to receive discounts.

The base fare for child transportation cards is 550 KRW, applying to ages 6 to 12. Child single tickets are charged at the same 550 KRW rate. If a traveller has recently had a birthday or changed student status, confirm card registration details with the issuer.

Free transit and toddler rules

Seoul Metro provides free transit for seniors (aged 65 and older), registered persons with disabilities, and national merit recipients. For severe disabilities and level-1 merit recipients, one accompanying caregiver also rides free upon presenting valid credentials at the station.

Toddlers under age 6 travel free up to 3 children per guardian; from the 4th child, child fares apply. Families travelling together should confirm their group composition and required tickets before heading to the fare gates.

Understanding base fare vs. total trip fare

The official distance fare table shows not only the 10 km base fare, but also increased fares for 15 km, 20 km, and beyond. For example, an adult card fare is 1,650 KRW up to 15 km and 1,750 KRW up to 20 km. Fares depend on rail calculation distance rather than straight-line distance.

Total fares may vary when travelling across the greater Seoul metropolitan area or switching between operators. Use these base rules to estimate your travel budget, and verify exact fares in map apps on your travel day.

1-minute pre-boarding checklist

Before tapping in, quickly run through these five items to ensure smooth transit.

• Confirm whether you are using a transportation card or single-journey ticket
• Check your age category (Adult, Youth, Child, Free Transit)
• Check if your journey exceeds 10 km or includes transfers
• Ensure sufficient card balance and prepare to tag on exit
• Verify any fare changes on official Seoul Metro channels