Seoul Travel Guide: Tips to Navigate the Seoul Train System Like a Pro
Every country has its local train system. Sometimes these can be different between cities in the same country. By system, I am referring to the naming of the public transport itself (e.g. subway (NYC) vs MRT (Singapore) vs MTR (Hong Kong), the naming of each train line, how the platforms are labeled, how the exits are coded, etc.
When traveling to a new country or city, it is important to learn how the subway train system works, this will help you navigate the signage when you are there, and communicate with locals when asking for directions. This knowledge will also help you in using any local maps and navigation apps.
This post will explain how the Seoul subway system works. Understanding how this works will help you greatly when using the Kakao Map and Naver Map apps, the essential navigation apps for your Seoul travel.
Basic subway systems and wayfinding
Understanding basic subway systems will help you understand almost all subway systems around the world because they are essentially the same, however different countries personalize them differently due to the country’s development, culture, etc.
Train lines: These are the lines or routes. Each train line comprises multiple stops, also known as train stations. The “line” literally links all the stations into one line. Each line is assigned a unique number, letter or name or a combination of these. Each line serves 2 directions. These are usually coded by colour as well.
Train stations: These are physical locations that the train will stop at to pick up and drop passengers off. Each station is assigned a unique name and is usually accompanied by a unique number or letter. A train station can serve multiple lines, where users can change to a different train line.
Entrance/Exits: These are used in most metropolitan cities where the train stations are big enough to have multiple exits/entrances. These are usually coded with letters or numbers, and sometimes accompanied by the physical road name or landmarks or direction, e.g. Exit A-South Gate.
Platform: These are physical spaces, usually after the ticketing areas, by the train tracks where commuters can board and alight the train. Some stations have multiple platforms for different train lines, and train directions.
Train directions: Since each line serves 2 directions, most train systems use the last stop name as an indicator for which direction the train is going. While other system uses the next stop name as the indicator. E.g. take Train Line C, towards XXX.
The above are the basic ways of understanding most train labelling and wayfinding systems in the world. Some countries, such as Japan, go into more details such as labeling the car numbers on the platforms.
Navigating the Seoul Train System
How the above elements are labeled or coded in Seoul:
Train lines: All the lines are color-coded. Lines that operate within Seoul are numbered and there are 9 of them. Lines that connect Seoul to the broader part of the Seoul Metropolitan area, including Gyeonggi Province and Incheon are assigned unique names and there are 12 of these lines. See the full list here.
Train stations: Each station is assigned a number (sometimes combined with a letter) specific to the line it serves. A station serving multiple lines will have 2 numbers assigned to it. Each station is also assigned a unique name that is usually related to a landmark near the station or the neighborhood.
Language: Train station names are usually available in 3 languages: Korean, English, and Chinese
Entrances/Exits: These are also numbered and accompanied by the exit name, usually the street name where the exit is located. The wayfinding signage usually shows these numbers in yellow.
Train directions: Most stations in Seoul indicate train directions using the next stop’s name, so it is important to note this when planning your travel.
Use the images below to see how these code, colours, numbers and names are used in real life applications such as station exits/entrances and also on the local navigation apps, such as Naver Map.
An example of how a Seoul train station, train lines and exit numbers are typically displayed at station entrances/exits.
Example train route results by Naver Map app. Tap the image to zoom.
Additional Resources
Find all general info related to Seoul Train or subway, such as ticket fares, and station facilities at seoulmetro.co.kr
An interactive Seoul metro map you can use to get familiar with the train lines, also available in English.
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