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Taking a Taxi in Korea: Complete Guide
Korean taxis are cheap, safe, and everywhere. Here's how to hail one, use Kakao T, understand the types, and avoid common mistakes.
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Why Korean Taxis Are Great
Korean taxis are metered, air-conditioned, clean, and surprisingly affordable. A 15-minute ride in Seoul typically costs only 6,000-8,000 KRW ($4-6 USD), which is roughly one-third of a comparable ride in New York and one-quarter of Tokyo. They're everywhere in cities, and drivers are generally honest with the meter.
One difference from Japan: Korean taxi doors are manual, so you open and close them yourself.
Uber is not a practical option in Korea. Uber Korea merged with UT (a local platform) in 2024, and while the Uber app still works, it only connects you to regular Korean taxis. There are no separate Uber vehicles. Use Kakao T or k.ride instead. For app-based hailing, check our Kakao T Guide.
How to Take a Taxi
1
Hail or Use an App
Street hailing works fine. Raise your hand near the curb. The light on the roof means available. Or use Kakao T (카카오 T) app, which is Korea's go-to ride-hailing app. Create an account, set pickup/destination, and a driver comes to you.
2
Open the Door Yourself
Unlike Japan, Korean taxi doors are manual. You open and close them yourself. This catches some visitors off guard. Just grab the handle and get in the back seat.
3
Tell the Driver Where to Go
Show your destination on Naver Map or Kakao Map. Most drivers prefer seeing the map. You can also show the Korean address or name. If your driver doesn't understand, call your hotel/destination and hand the phone over.
4
Pay
Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, and other international cards) are accepted in all Korean taxis by law. Insert or tap your card on the reader between the front seats. If you have a T-money card or WOWPASS, touch it on the T-money terminal (look for the T-money logo on the device). Cash is also accepted, but drivers may not have change for large bills, so 10,000 KRW notes or smaller are best. Tipping is not expected in Korea. Just pay the metered fare.
Taxi Types & Fares
| Regular taxi (orange/silver), base fare | 4,800 KRW |
| Regular taxi, per 131m or 30 sec | 100 KRW |
| Deluxe taxi (black), base fare | 7,000 KRW |
| Late night surcharge (22:00–23:00, 02:00–04:00) | +20% |
| Peak night surcharge (23:00–02:00) | +40% |
| Typical Myeongdong to Hongdae ride | 10,000-12,000 KRW (~$7-9 USD, 15-20 min) |
| Incheon Airport to Seoul (regular) | 65,000–80,000 KRW (varies by traffic, tolls, and night surcharge) |
| Incheon Airport to Seoul (international) | Fixed ~75,000 KRW (may vary by destination area) |
Tips
Do
- Download Kakao T before your trip. It works better than Uber in Korea.
- Keep your hotel's Korean address saved on your phone for the return trip
- Use credit card or T-money. It's easier than dealing with change.
- Take a regular (orange/silver) taxi. They're perfectly fine and cheaper.
- Screenshot your destination in Korean before heading out
Don't
- Don't tip. It's not expected and can be confusing.
- Don't slam the door. Close it gently.
- Don't take 'call taxis' that approach you at the airport exit. Use the official taxi stand.
- Don't argue about using the meter. If a driver refuses, get another taxi.
- Don't sit in the front seat unless the back is full
Kakao T Pro Tip
Kakao T lets you set both pickup and destination with a map pin, so there's zero language barrier. You can also see the estimated fare before booking. During rush hour or late night, use 'Kakao T Blue' (premium) if regular taxis aren't available. It costs a bit more but drivers accept immediately.
k.ride for International Visitors
If Kakao T feels complicated or your international card gets declined, try k.ride. It is a separate app by the same company (Kakao Mobility), designed for international visitors. It accepts global credit cards directly and has a fully English interface. The trade-off is slightly higher fares (about 20-30% more than regular taxis) and limited coverage outside Seoul and Incheon.
Quick Reference
App
Kakao T (free, English supported)
Payment
Card, T-money, cash
Tipping
No. Never tip in Korea.
Late Night
+20-40% surcharge 22:00-04:00
Uber in Korea
Not available as ride-share. Use Kakao T or k.ride instead.
WOWPASS
Prepaid tourist card with T-money. Works in taxis.
Plan Your Visit
Seoul monthly averages to help you pack right
Jan-1°-8°18mm
Feb2°-6°25mm
Mar9°0°40mm
Apr17°6°65mm
May23°12°90mm
Jun27°18°130mm
Jul29°22°370mm
Aug30°22°290mm
Sep26°16°140mm
Oct19°8°45mm
Nov10°1°50mm
Dec2°-5°20mm
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