Cabs in South Korea: Everything you need to know!

Annyeonghaseyo! Today I'm going to talk about an important topic for your trip to South Korea: Cabs in South Korea.
If you're planning to travel to Korea, or if you're just curious, this article is for you. Let's get started!

Information panel at the front of the cab

You may have noticed these Korean cabs with illuminated signs on the front. These signs indicate whether the cab is available or not. If the sign is redThis means that the cab is empty and ready to take passengers. If it is greenthe cab is already occupied. Simple, isn't it?

Cab applications

In Korea, there are several applications for booking a cab. KakaoT (KakaoTaxi) is one of the most popular. Uber is also present, but is less widely used than KakaoTaxi.

Used cars

Most cabs are comfortable sedans from brands such as Hyundai and Kia. Ilban" or ordinary cabs are usually white, grey or orange. If you're looking for something a little fancier, opt for "mobeom" cabs, which are black with a yellow stripe and offer luxury service.

Language level

Most cab drivers speak a little English, especially in Seoul. But it's always a good idea to have a few basic Korean phrases at hand.

Useful Korean phrases :

• "I'd like to go here, please" : "여기로 가주세요" (Yeogiro gajuseyo)
• "How much does it cost?" : "얼마에요?" (Eolmaeyo?)
• "Turn left": "왼쪽으로 가주세요" (wenjjok euro gajuseyo)
• "Turn right": "오른쪽으로 가주세요" (oreunjjok euro gajuseyo)

You can also find other useful words in our Korean word list What you need to know for your stay in South Korea.

Price list

General pricing : Cabs in Seoul are surprisingly affordable, especially considering the level of comfort and convenience they offer. Thanks to the difference in exchange rates, cab fares in Seoul are considerably lower than European standards.

Regular cabs : In Seoul, the basic fare for an ordinary cab is around 3,800 won during the day. However, this rate rises slightly at night, reaching 4,600 won between midnight and 4am. For each additional kilometer traveled, the fare increases by around 1,000 won. If the cab is stationary or moving slowly, a waiting charge of 12,000 won per hour applies.

Luxury cabs : Luxury cabs, recognizable by their black color and yellow stripes, have a higher base fare. The basic fare generally starts at 5,000 won, with additional charges for each kilometer traveled or for each minute of waiting.

Night rates : It's important to note that cab fares increase by 20% between midnight and 4am. This increase applies to all journeys made during these hours, whether you're in downtown Seoul or on the outskirts.

Tips for estimating costs : If you want to get an idea of the cost of your journey before you get into a cab, you can use navigation applications such as NaverMap or KakaoMap. These applications provide a cost estimate based on the route you plan to take.

Payment methods : Most cabs in Seoul accept payment by credit card, debit card, cash and even T-money cards, a popular transport card in South Korea.

Other information you need to know

Korean cabs are notorious for their speed! But don't worry, they're generally safe. However, traffic in Seoul can be dense, especially during rush hour. Be vigilant, too, and avoid scams by choosing the best cabs. official cabs.

Important simulations

• From Incheon airport to central Seoul: The cab ride takes about an hour and costs between 40,000 and 60,000 won (around €30 to €50).
• Gimpo airport to Gangnam: For GangnamCount on about 30 minutes and between 20,000 and 30,000 won (15 to 25 euros).

I hope you found this article useful! Next time you're in Korea, you'll know all about cabs. Have a good trip and see you soon!