Fares checked

How we calculate and our sources

We show how we calculate, step by step

  1. 1
    Distance per ride

    The distance a map app shows

    Include the whole route, even the part after a transfer

  2. 2
    Fare for 1 ride (transit card)

    Base fare + distance surcharge

    DistanceSeoulBusan
    Up to 10km₩1,550₩1,600
    10–50km+₩100 per 5km₩1,800
    Over 50km+₩100 per 8km₩1,800
    Bus₩1,500₩1,550

    Bus fares are the same at any distance

  3. 3
    Transfers (changing trains or buses)

    Transferring on the way to one place still counts as 1 ride

    Seoul: add up the whole distance

    Seoul: pay only the higher base fare

    Busan: pay only the highest fare

    Busan 1-day / 3-day pass: bus fare is extra

    Single-ride tickets: no transfer discount

    With a single-ride ticket, you pay the full bus fare when you transfer to a bus

  4. 4
    3 options, total cost
    Transit cardFare for 1 ride × rides a day × days
    Cash (Korean won)Single-ride ticket: ₩100 more per rideSeoul: pay a ₩500 deposit tooYou get the deposit back laterBusan bus in cash (Korean won): ₩1,700
    PassEach day, we pick the lower cost: pass or cardRides the pass doesn't cover: paid by transit card

    Please noteThe calculated cost is an estimate.In Seoul, the fare depends on the distance you ride.In Busan, the fare is zone 1 or zone 2, based on the distance you ride.So we show approximate amounts.Depending on how you actually transfer, you may pay more than the total.Korea's transit transfer rules are complex.

  5. 5
    Result

    We show the cheapest of the 3 options

    If 2 options cost the same, both are shown as cheapest

Good to know
  • A 1-day Climate Card works only on the day you load it
  • Not 24 hours: until that day's last train
  • If you load it in the evening, you get fewer hours
  • Based on adult fares
  • Card prices are not included
  • We count only 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7-day passes (not 30-day)
  • For reference only

Our sources

We use only fare tables from the official operators and info from sellers

Update log

We add a note here each time we change fares or info