Checklist of fares and travel routes when transferring subways with infants and children

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

First check the age of the accompanying child and the transportation card/ticket to be used, and save the transfer station and destination exit on the map. To prevent children from being separated from the crowd of people, it is recommended that an adult first check the next route/direction before transferring and then move together, and to allow separate time for restrooms, snacks, and breaks during the scheduled time.

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

In the Seoul Transportation Corporation's fare information, the basic fare for children's transportation cards is 550 won within 10 km, and is applicable to children aged 6 to 13 or elementary school students. Up to 3 children under the age of 6 are free of charge per guardian, and child fares apply for each additional child from 4 children, so please check the family composition and number of tickets.

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.

Rather than telling your child to go ahead in a transfer passageway, hold hands with an adult and create a flow of looking at route signs together. If you have a baby car or luggage, consider the location of the elevator and the possibility of waiting, and it is safer to wait for the next train right before the train doors close rather than trying to get on board together.

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

There are cases where they try to pay for children with just one adult card, or do not check the criteria for free admission for children. Also, you should avoid boarding through a different door while being separated from your child in a rush to transfer, so prioritize whether everyone in your group gets on the next train at the same location rather than how many minutes it takes.

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 you're going somewhere for the first time, compare a route with one transfer and a route with fewer stairs, and find a place to wait near your destination in advance. Tired children can slow down their navigation significantly, so make sure to include time in your schedule to stop at transfer stations for water, restrooms, and directions.

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.

• Check your child’s age and type of transportation card/ticket.
• Check the number of infants allowed
• Preview of transfer station, exit, and restroom locations
• If the train is running late, wait for the next train.
• Check regularly to see if everyone in your group is moving together