If you’ve only used the subway in Korea, buses can look intimidating at first—numbers, colors, and stops that fly by fast. But once you understand the basics (how to tap, how transfers work, and what bus colors mean), buses become the easiest way to get places the subway doesn’t reach.
This guide is written for foreigners and first-time visitors. It’s Seoul-focused (because most English questions come from Seoul travel), but the core “tap + transfer” logic is similar in many Korean cities.
Official Links (Bookmark These First)
- Seoul City – Public Transportation (how to tap on buses): https://english.seoul.go.kr/service/movement/public-transportation/
- Seoul City – Bus (fares/transfer basics): https://english.seoul.go.kr/policy/transportation/modes-of-transport/bus/
- TOPIS (Seoul Transport Info Service, bus types/colors): https://topis.seoul.go.kr/eng/page/transInfo_1_1.jsp
- T-money Foreigner Guide (transfer time rules): https://www.t-money.co.kr/ncs/pct/ugd/ReadFrgnGd.dev
- Visit Seoul – Bus overview: https://english.visitseoul.net/bus
The 30-Second Bus Basics (So You Don’t Panic at the Stop)
- Enter at the front door (near the driver) and tap your card.
- Exit at the back door and tap again when you get off.
- Tapping out matters for correct fare and transfer discounts.
Seoul’s official public transportation guide describes the basic tapping flow: tap when entering the bus near the driver, and tap again when getting off.
How to Pay: T-money vs Cash (What’s Actually Easiest)
T-money (or other transit card) is the easiest choice for most foreigners. It’s faster, you don’t need exact change, and transfers work automatically when you tap correctly.
Cash is possible, but it’s the “stress option”—you may need exact amounts, transfers can be less straightforward, and it slows you down at the front door when everyone behind you wants to board.
If you’re staying more than a day or two, get a transit card and keep it topped up. You’ll thank yourself later.
Bus Colors in Seoul (This Is What They Usually Mean)
Seoul buses are commonly categorized by color/type. TOPIS (Seoul’s official transport information service) introduces these categories and what they’re used for.
- Blue buses: longer routes that connect major areas across the city
- Green buses: feeder routes that connect neighborhoods to subway stations
- Yellow buses: circulator routes within a district
- Red buses: express commuter routes (often between Seoul and surrounding areas)
- Night buses: late-night routes (often marked with an “N”)
Human tip: If your goal is “get to the nearest subway station,” green buses are often your best friend. If your goal is “cross the city,” blue buses are usually the workhorse.
Transfers (The Part That Saves You Money)
Transfers in Seoul are designed to be seamless if you do one thing right: tap out when you exit. The transfer system uses your tap times to decide whether a discount applies.
Seoul City explains a common transfer rule of transferring within 30 minutes after getting off, and that the window can be longer overnight. The official T-money foreigner guide also describes a common rule: transfers within 30 minutes, extended to 1 hour during late-night hours (often described as 9 PM to 7 AM the next day).
Practical takeaway: If you’re transferring, don’t hang around. Walk straight to the next bus/subway and tap as usual.
How to Know When to Get Off (Without Speaking Korean)
Buses can feel fast because stops come quickly. The easiest strategy is to watch your location in a map app and prepare one stop early.
Human tip: When you’re one stop away, stand up and move toward the back door. You’ll look like a local, and you won’t have to squeeze through people at the last second.
The Most Common Mistakes Foreigners Make (And How to Avoid Them)
- Forgetting to tap out: you can lose transfer benefits and sometimes get charged differently than expected.
- Trying to pay cash without small bills: it’s awkward and slows boarding—use a transit card if you can.
- Standing at the wrong stop direction: opposite sides of the road can be totally different routes.
- Waiting until the doors are closing: buses move fast—signal early, board quickly, tap immediately.
FAQ (Quick Answers)
Q1) Do I really need to tap out on buses?
Yes. Seoul’s official public transportation guidance describes tapping when entering and tapping again when getting off. Tapping out is also tied to transfer rules and accurate fare logic.
Q2) How long do I have to transfer?
A commonly published rule is 30 minutes after you get off (and longer at night). See Seoul City’s transport policy pages and the official T-money foreigner guide for the transfer time explanations.
Q3) What does the bus color mean?
TOPIS explains the major categories (blue/green/yellow/red/night) and what they’re generally used for.