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The network consists of multiple systems that form a larger, coherent system. These being the Seoul Metro proper, consisting of Seoul Metro lines 1 through 9 and certain light rail lines, that servesSeoul city proper and its surroundings; Korailregional rail lines, which serve the greater metropolitan region and beyond;Incheon Metro lines, operated byIncheon Transit Corporation, that serveIncheon city proper; and miscellaneous light rail lines, such asGimpo Goldline andYongin Everline, that connect lower-density areas of their respective cities to the rest of the network.[4] Most of the system is operated by three companies –Seoul Metro,Korail (Korea Railroad Corporation), andIncheon Metro – with the rest being operated by an assortment of local municipal corporations and private rail companies.
Its first metro line,Line 1, started construction in 1971 and began operations in 1974, withthrough-operation to Korail's suburban railways. As of 2022, the network has 331.5 km (206.0 mi) of track on lines 1–9 alone.
Most of the trains were built byHyundai Rotem, South Korea's leading train manufacturer.
The first line of the Seoul Subway network started construction in 1971.[5] The first section of subway was built using the cheapercut and cover construction method. Initial lines relied heavily on Japanese technology, and subsequent lines (until the early-2000s) procured technological imports from Japan and the United Kingdom (in particular,GEC Traction equipment used on wide-width Lines 2, 3 and 4 rolling stock from the 1980s).[6] For example, Line 1 opened in 1974 withthrough services joining surroundingKorail suburban railway lines influenced by theTokyo subway.[7] Today, many of the Seoul Metropolitan Subway's lines are operated by Korail, South Korea's national rail operator.[8]
The subway has freeWiFi accessible in all stations and trains.[9] All stations haveplatform screen doors. These safety doors were completed by 2017, however many stations previously had metal barriers installed decades beforehand.[10] The world's first virtual mart forsmartphone users opened atSeolleung station in 2011.
All directional signs in the system are written inKorean usingHangul, as well as English andKatakana/Chinese characters for Japanese and Mandarin Chinese. However the maps on the walls are in Korean and English only. In the trains, there are in addition many LCD screens giving service announcements, upcoming stop names,YTN news, stock prices and animated shorts. There are also prerecorded voice announcements that give the upcoming station, any possible line transfer, and the exiting side in Korean, followed by English. At major stations, this is followed byJapanese, thenMandarin Chinese, as well.[11]
Seoul Subway uses full-color LCD screens at all stations to display real-time subway arrival times,[12] which are also available on apps for smartphones.[13] Most trains have digital TV screens, and all of them have air conditioning and climate controlled seats installed that are automatically heated in the winter. In 2014, it became the world's first metro operator to use transparent displays for ads when it installed 48 transparent displays on major stations ofLine 2 inGangnam District.[12]All lines use theT-money smart payment system usingRFID andNFC technology for automatic payment byT-money smart cards,smartphones, orcredit cards and one can transfer to any of the other line within the system for free.[Note 1]
Trains on numbered lines and light rail lines generallyrun on the right-hand track, while trains on the named heavy-rail lines (e.g.Shinbundang Line,Suin–Bundang Line, andAREX) run on the left-hand track. The exceptions are the trains onLine 1, as well as those onLine 4 south ofNamtaeryeong station. These lines run on the left-hand track because these rail lines are government-owned via Korail or through-run to government-owned lines and follow a different standard to the metro, one that is followed by all national rail lines (with the exception of the otherwise self-containedIlsan Line) because much of the Korean Peninsula's early rail network was constructed duringJapanese rule.[14]
The system is organized such that numbered lines, with some exceptions, are considered as urban rapid transit lines located within theSeoul Metropolitan Area, whereas wide-area commuter lines operated by Korail provide a metro-like commuter rail service that usually extends far beyond the boundaries of the metropolitan area, rather similar to theRER inParis. The AREX is anairport rail link that linksIncheon International Airport andGimpo Airport to central Seoul, and offers both express service directly to Incheon International Airport and all-stop commuter service for people living along the vicinity of the line. While operating hours may vary depending on the line and station in question, the Seoul Metropolitan Subway generally operates every day from 5.30 a.m. until midnight,[20] with some lines operated by Seoul Metro ending services around 1 a.m. on weekdays.[21]
System map of the Seoul Metropolitan Subway, showing current lines
Ticket Vending and Card Reload Machine inSoraepogu Station,IncheonT-money smart cardMagnetic-stripe ticket + Upass turnstiles on Line 4 in July 2001
The Seoul Metropolitan Subway system operates on a unified transportation fare system, meaning that subways and buses inSeoul,Incheon andGyeonggi Province are treated as one system when it comes to fares. For example, a subway rider can transfer to any other line for free (with the exception ofShinbundang Line,EverLine andU Line, the latter two adding a flat charge of 200 and 300 won respectively). One can also transfer to any Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi-do, or someSouth Chungcheong Province city buses for free and get discounted fares on the more expensive express buses.[31]
In the case ofShinbundang Line, charges vary depending on the section used. TheSinsa -Gangnam section always charges 500 won, while theGangnam -Jeongja section or theJeongja -Gwanggyo section charges 1,000 won when used alone, and 1,400 altogether when used in conjunction with another. In total, the maximum added fee one can be charged is 1,900 won, which can be achieved by using all three sections.[32]
From 1974 until 1985, the subway's fare system was distance-based andEdmondson railway tickets, originally introduced for the Korean railways during Japanese rule, were used for fare validation. In 1985, the fare system changed to a zone-based system and magnetic-stripe paper tickets were introduced to replace the Edmondson system.
In 1996, the Seoul Metropolitan Subway became the first subway system in the world to roll outcontactless smart cards, calledUpass, for fare validation. These cards were issued up till October 2014, when they were discontinued in favour of the newerT-money cards.
Currently, the fare system is distance-based and accepted payment methods are single-use tickets, transportation cards includingT-money and Cash Bee. Transportation cards can also be used on buses, taxis, convenience stores and many other popular retail places. Riders must tap in with a smartphone (KakaoPay andSamsung Pay/Wallet only), contactless-equipped credit or debit cards or other prepaid metro card at the entry gates. Popular methods of payments are using NFC-enabledAndroid smartphones (topped up or billed to the owner's credit/debit card via theT-money app) or credit or check (debit) cards with built-in RFID technology issued by the bank or card company.
The current single-use ticket is a credit card-sized plastic card withRFID technology, which can be obtained from automated machines in every subway station. A 500 won deposit fee is included in the price, and is refunded when the ticket is returned at any station. Multiple use cards are sold in convenience stores and the functionality is included in many credit/debit cards.
Fares (except for single-use tickets) are currently 1,400won for a trip up to 10 km (6.2 mi), with 100won added for each subsequent 5 km (3.1 mi). Once 50 km (31.1 mi) has been passed, 100 won will be added every 8 km (5.0 mi).[33] Single-use ticket users must pay RFID deposit 500won plus 100 won surcharge to fare.
Half-priced children's tickets are available. The city government also usesSeoul Citypass as a transportation card. Senior citizens and disabled people qualify forfree transit and can get a free ticket with a valid ID card or enter with a registered transportation card without having the fare deducted.
International travelers can also use a Metropolitan Pass (MPASS) which provides up to 20 trips per day during the prepaid duration of 1 day to 7 days. Depending on where you purchase the card, the service is limited to the Seoul metropolitan area or Jeju Island and does not work in taxis or certain convenience stores.[34][35]
On 23 March 2025, a Line 2 train derailed after colliding with a buffer while departing from a depot atSindorim Station. No injuries were reported.[37]
TheDongbuk Line, a light metro line in northeastern Seoul, is scheduled to open in July 2026 with 14 stations betweenWangsimni station and Eunhaeng Sageori station.[38]
TheWirye Line, another light metro line in southeastern Seoul, will open in September 2026 betweenMacheon station on Line 5 and will have two branches: one will head toBokjeong station on Line 8 and Suin-Bundang line, and one atNamwirye station, also a station on Line 8, with 12 stations planned in total. While technically part of the subway system, the Wirye Line will actually be atramway line.
Hagik station, betweenSongdo station andInha University station on theSuin–Bundang Line, will open as an in-fill station once the redevelopment of the surrouneding area is completed. This area will feature cultural, commercial, and medical facilities along with new residential areas.[39]
GTX A will open its central section betweenSeoul station andSuseo station (15.3 km) by September 2026, completing the entire GTX A Line. However,Samseong Station will still be under construction at the time of the opening, and there will be no intermediary stop betweenSeoul station andSuseo station.
Samseong station will open as an in-fill station onGTX-A, betweenSeoul station andSuseo station in April 2028. The opening of the GTX-A part of the station was delayed due to the construction delay of the Yeongdongdaero Transfer Complex, a complex that will connect Samseong station of Line 2, Samseong station of GTX-A,GTX-C, andWirye-Sinsa Line, andBongeunsa Station on Line 9.
GTX-C will open betweenDeokjeong station in the North andSuwon Station andSangnoksu Station to the South, splitting into 2 branches. The line will feature new dedicated tracks on its central section and share tracks withLine 1 at its ends. In total, the length of the line witll be 85.9km, with 14 stations.
The following lines have not started construction, but are considered to be approved after their plans and their financing have been finalized. Most of these lines are scheduled to start construction in the next couple of years.
TheWirye–Sinsa Line, a light metro line in southeastern Seoul, will open betweenSinsa station and Wirye with 11 stations planned.[41] Construction has been delayed due to issues with the contractors.
Line 9 will also be further extended to the East, with 6 new stations, fromOgeum station toHanam City Hall station, for a length of 11.7km. Completion is planned for 2032.
TheShinbundang Line will be extended north fromSinsa station toYongsan station, with 3 new stations over 5.3 km. Construction will begin in 2026 for a completion in 2032, upon the completion of the transfer of ownership of theYongsan Garrison to the Korean government.
TheSeobu Line is a new light metro line, which will have a length of 18 km and go through 16 stations, starting atGwanaksan station, which is also the last station of theSillim Line, and then go North-West across the Han River and up toSaejeol station onLine 6. Construction will begin in 2025.
Dongtan Metro is a set of 2 tramway lines, which will be part of the Seoul Metropolitan Subway, under the namesDongtan Line 1 andDongtan Line 2, with both lines connecting atDongtan Station.Dongtan Line 1 will have 17 stations over 16.9km, whileDongtan Line 2 will have 19 stations over 15.5km. Construction will begin in early 2025 for an opening by December 2027.
TheUi LRT will have a new Northern branch, starting fromSolbat Park Station, and reachingBanghak Station onLine 1, for a length of 3.5km and 3 new stations. Construction will begin in 2025 for a completion in 2031.
Line 3 will be extended to the East, with 8 new stations across the Han river and northwards fromSaemteo Park station toPungyang station, for a length of 17.4km. Construction should begin in 2025 for completion in 2031.
The Seoul Metropolitan government published a ten-year plan for expansion of the subway with the following projects under consideration.[43][44]
Gangbukhoengdan Line, a new line running in an arc north of Seoul betweenCheongnyangni station andMok-dong station with 19 stations planned. The line will provide transfers to Lines 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, AREX, Gyeongui–Jungang, Gyeongchun, Bundang and Ui line.[45]
Nangok Line is a branch of thelight metroSillim Line in the southwestern area of Seoul running between Nangok-dong and Boramae Park with 5 stations planned.[48]
The Incheon Metropolitan government is working on the Second Incheon Metro Network Construction Plan that inherits the Incheon Metro Network Construction Plan published in 2016. It includes the construction of five new tram lines. The draft is expected to be released in October 2020.[50]
^With the exception ofAREX onYeongjong Island (extra charge applied depending on distance) andShinbundang Line (extra charge of 500~1900 KRW depending on the sections used).EverLine andU Line will allow free transfers from 2014.
^Of which 92 are operated by Korail and 10 by Seoul Metro.
^Of which 210.5 km is operated by Korail and 7.8 km by Seoul Metro.
^Of which 10 are operated by Korail and 34 by Seoul Metro.
^Of which 19.2 km is operated by Korail and 38.2 km by Seoul Metro.
^Of which 25 are operated by Korail and 26 by Seoul Metro.
^Of which 40.4 km is operated by Korail and 45.3 km by Seoul Metro.
^Most trains run until Sangbong, very few trains operate to Kwangwoon Univ. and a few trains run to Cheongnyangni (However, express trains always go to Cheongnyangni)
^Most trains run until Wangsimni and a few trains run to Cheongnyangni
^ab"낙후한 지하철 1~4호선, 첨단 디스플레이 기술로 새단장 나선다" [1-4 outdated subway line, state-of-the-art display technology sets out renovation].etnews (in Korean). 15 March 2015. Retrieved21 April 2015.
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