The Seoul subway system

ESL TEACHERS: The Seoul subway system is very easy to use. If you look on Google you can find many subway maps. I like the link below because it has an interactive page where you can plan your route.

http://www.smrt.co.kr/Eng/index.jsp

One thing that makes the subway really easy is that they number each station. If you know you're going from station 213 to 219 you can ignore the Hongul and just count the station numbers. The cars have flat screen monitors that announce each stop.

You can buy single ride tickets using the touch screen consoles. They have an English button. After you enter your destination stop it tells you how much money to put in. They charge a 500 Won deposit for the card.


Another view of the ticket console.


This is a picture on the platform. Note that I'm boarding at station 339. I needed to get to station 340, one stop away. The black arrow tells me that the train is going in the right direction.


This was my transfer to the green line.


This is a picture of a one-ride fare card.


You need your fare card to exit the platform, so don't lose it on the train. When you exit the platform you can get a refund of your 500 Won deposit using one of these machines.


Each station has a station map like this one. Note that they number each exit. Sometimes you'll be told directions like , "take exit #4 and go straight" so it's helpful to be aware of the exit numbers.


This show how there are signs in the subway station directing you to each numbered exit.


A picture of a subway entrance. Note that this is entrance/exit 10 of subway station 220.



If you spend a lot of time in Seoul you can get a fare card like this one. It works on the subway and in taxis.