Steps
- 01
Tap when boarding the first service.
- 02
On a bus, tap again before getting off.
- 03
In Seoul, reach the next eligible service within 30 minutes, or within 60 minutes from 21:00 to 07:00.
- 04
Tap the same card at the next boarding or subway gate.
- 05
Up to four transfers and five rides can be linked; the system may still add distance or fare differences.
- 06
For a multi-passenger bus-to-bus transfer, the boarding and exit locations and passenger count must match. Tell the new driver the original count before tapping. Multi-passenger subway transfer is not supported.
- 07
In subway interchanges, follow Transfer signs without leaving the paid area.
Before you start
- Use the same card for the complete journey.
- Keep enough balance for the next boarding.
- Check current rules for special or regional routes.
- For an AREX–subway transfer, match the line number and train direction before following Transfer signs. An exit number leads outside the station; it is not the connecting platform. Confirm the final connection separately from the AREX last departure.
Seoul Transfers: Gates, Direction and Transit Cards
- For an AREX–subway transfer, match the line number and train direction before following Transfer signs. An exit number leads outside the station; it is not the connecting platform. Confirm the final connection separately from the AREX last departure.
Checked: 2026-10-14
Easy points to confuse
- A transfer discount does not mean every later leg is completely free; distance and mode differences can add fare.
- The same bus route again, an expired transfer window, or a changed card starts a new ride.
- A multi-passenger bus transfer works only when the group remains together. It cannot continue as a multi-passenger subway transfer.
- Without a bus exit tap, the transfer start time and distance may not be recorded correctly.
Practical example
Example: for bus A, then subway, then bus B, tap off bus A and enter the subway within 30 minutes. The card links the legs and calculates the combined fare instead of charging each base fare independently. If two people paid for bus A with one card, they cannot carry that group payment into the subway; each person should use a separate card.
Sources and review date · 2
Checked 2026-10-14 · Review by 2026-11-14