6 reasons why subway transfer discounts are not available: How to check the exit tag, time, and card

Please organize “destination, direction, and payment method” separately before transferring.

On days when you need to transfer, check whether you can use the same transportation card from the time you board your first transportation method. If you use a family member's or companion's card instead or mix other payment methods, your usage history may not be linked to one continuous movement, so it is better to stick to the principle of using your own card.

Transferring isn't just about matching the route number. You must check at once the station you will get off at, the direction of the next train, the route you will take within the station, and whether you can continue to use the same transportation card. Especially if you have an appointment or are traveling on the last train, it is better to not just look at one recommended route in the map app, but also compare routes with different numbers of transfers and walking sections.

Fares and transfer rules should be read as actual travel conditions

The official guide explains that in order to benefit from integrated transfers, you must contact the transportation card terminal for both boarding and getting off. After getting off the first mode of transportation, you must board the next mode of transportation within 30 minutes, and the authorized time increases to 60 minutes from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. the next day.

The Seoul Transportation Corporation's fare guide also presents conditions such as use of transportation card, disembarkation tag, and authorized time for subway and bus transfers. Since the base fare and distance surcharge may vary depending on the route used and the type of bus, use this article as a guide to understanding the principle, and check the actual payment amount with the official information on the departure date and card usage history.

At large transfer stations, double check your directions.

When transferring from a bus to the subway, make sure the bus exit terminal tag is finished and then proceed to the subway ticket gate. When transferring from the subway to a bus, you need to be aware of the bus boarding time after getting off at the ticket gate, so if you eat, shop, or do errands for a long time, it may be treated as a new move rather than a transfer.

Immediately after getting off the train, rather than running with the flow of people, it is easier to get out of the way and check the line number, color, next station, and destination in order. At stations with long transfer corridors, you should not only look at the platform arrival time, but also include waiting time for the next train and walking time to the destination exit in your schedule.

Typical mistakes that ruin transfer discounts and travel time

Typical examples include omitting the get-off tag, exceeding 30 minutes or 60 minutes at night, and using a payment method other than a transportation card. In addition, since high basic fares and standards for total travel distance may apply among the methods of use, the payment results may be misunderstood if you expect the second method to be 0 won even if it is a normal transfer.

If the fare turns out to be higher than expected or you catch a train in the opposite direction, don't just rely on memory; check your card usage details, boarding/disembarking times, and current station. On days with construction, events, congestion, or train delays, your usual shortest route may not be the most convenient, so it's a good idea to save alternative transfer stations or other modes of transportation in advance.

Practical methods to apply to the day’s schedule

If the amount is different from what you expected, check the boarding and alighting records in your card usage history rather than moving on immediately. If the route is repeated, compare the actual payment amount and tag habits for a few days to find the cause, and if there is any doubt about the exception route or card status, use the official customer information of the credit card company or operating institution.

If you need to transfer multiple times, it is safer to check only the next section after getting off each time, rather than trying to memorize everything on the first section. Since your phone's battery may be low or communication may be unstable, keep a note or capture of the departure station, transfer station, arrival station, destination address, and alternative means of transportation when the last train is close.

Pre-departure checklist

If you check the items below first, you can reduce time and fare variables in the transfer process. Actual train operation, station construction, elevator equipment status, and fares may change, so give priority to the station electronic display board and official information from the operating organization just before departure.

• Use the same transportation card from the first boarding
• Check the exit tag every time you get off the bus or subway.
• Check 30 minutes until the next ride, or 60 minutes at night.
• Avoid assuming that the second mode of transportation is always free
• Check your card usage history for abnormal payments