© Анна Шаталова・Pexels License

South Korea

Seoul

Old and new Seoul face each other across the Han River, tied together by one of the world's largest metro networks.

Ride-hailing & taxis (택시)

Kakao T owns 90% of the market but won't take overseas cards in-app. Use k.ride, its official visitor version, or the Uber app you already have. Street cabs run on the meter, plus a 40% surcharge from 11pm to 2am.

Updated on July 30, 2026

How to ride

  1. 1
    Pick your app
    Install k.ride, Kakao's official visitor app, first. Already use Uber at home? It works in Seoul as-is.
  2. 2
    Using Kakao T? Choose Pay Driver Directly
    Set payment to Pay Driver Directly - overseas cards can't be registered in-app.
  3. 3
    Book and match the plate
    Check the app's quoted price, book, and match the plate against the car before getting in. Driver chat auto-translates.
  4. 4
    Hailing a cab on the street
    Flag one down when the 빈차 (vacant) sign glows behind the windshield. Black cabs are the premium mobeom tier.
  5. 5
    Paying
    k.ride and Uber auto-charge your registered card. In-cab terminals may reject overseas cards - carry cash or T-money as backup.

Typical costs

How the meter adds up3

Regular taxi flagfall (daytime, first 1.6 km)
Then KRW 100 per 131 m, plus KRW 100 per 30 s in slow traffic. Set in Feb 2023, unchanged as of July 2026.
4,800 KRW ≈ $4
Regular taxi flagfall (night surcharge)
20% from 10-11pm and 2-4am, 40% from 11pm to 2am. Distance and time charges rise at the same rate.
5,800〜6,700 KRW ≈ $4–5
Deluxe & jumbo taxi flagfall (first 3 km)
20% night surcharge 10pm-4am. Then KRW 200 per 151 m. The black premium tier.
7,000〜8,400 KRW ≈ $5–6

Estimates use exchange rates as of November 3, 2026

Payment

Tap to ride
Nearly every cab has a terminal, but some reject overseas-issued cards
IC card
T-money - the same card as the subway and buses, taken by almost every taxi
App tickets
k.ride and Uber take overseas cards in-app; Kakao T is Korean-issued only
Cash
The sure thing for street hails and pay-driver rides - change is given

Quick facts

Hours
24 hours
Fares from
4,800 KRW+

Heads-up

  • Crossing the Seoul city limits adds an automatic surcharge

    On top of the night surcharge, crossing the Seoul city limits adds an automatic 20% (up to 60% combined with night rates), and expressway tolls are on the passenger. All of it is official - not a rip-off.

  • Illegal cabs quote inflated flat fares late at night

    Late at night around Myeongdong and Dongdaemun, some illegal cabs quote inflated flat fares instead of the meter. Skip any driver who touts for your business - stick to apps or official stands and you'll never meet one.

Timetable

Operating hours 24 hours
Typical duration Traffic-dependent - figure around 30 minutes between central districts
Check the official site for the latest times and service status
Editor Naotaka