Taking a taxi in Seoul: check the car before the fare
Choose a taxi that fits your group and luggage, match the arriving vehicle with your booking, and show the driver your destination. The guide also covers nighttime surcharges, payment, receipts, and complaint contacts.
Taking a taxi in Seoul: check the car before the fare
When your booked taxi arrives, match its license plate with the vehicle number in the app. Show the driver your Korean road-name address and map pin, and check that the meter starts when you set off. Choosing a vehicle that fits your group and luggage, and understanding nighttime surcharges and payment, makes getting in and out easier.
Choose a vehicle for your passengers and bags
Standard midsize sedans are common, while deluxe taxis have higher fares. Rather than judging the fare category by appearance, look at the booking screen or the vehicle's fare information. If you have a lot of luggage or five or more passengers, consider a large SUV or van, but check the actual seating capacity and luggage space on the booking screen.[1][2] A call van is not a large taxi. It may not have a meter, so agree on the fare before getting in.[7]
An orange standard Seoul taxi.
Read the effective date and nighttime bands together
The fares below follow Seoul's fare schedule effective from 04:00 on February 1, 2023, as checked on September 12, 2026. Before riding, review the effective date and amounts in Seoul's official fare schedule.[1]
• A standard taxi's daytime base fare is 4,800 won for up to 1.6 km. Distance charges are 100 won per 131 m, and time charges are 100 won per 30 seconds. Nighttime base fares are 5,800 won from 22:00–23:00, 6,700 won from 23:00–02:00, and 5,800 won from 02:00–04:00.
• Deluxe and large taxis have a daytime base fare of 7,000 won for up to 3.0 km. Distance charges are 200 won per 151 m, and time charges are 200 won per 36 seconds. From 22:00–04:00, the base fare is 8,400 won and a 20% surcharge applies to distance and time charges.
Standard taxis' nighttime surcharge rates are 20%, 40%, and 20% in those respective time bands. When the 20% out-of-city surcharge also applies, the displayed surcharge rate can reach 60%. Actual tolls for the requested route are charged separately.[1] Traffic congestion can increase both the journey time and the metered fare.
A taxi.
Show the driver the address
Save the Korean place name and road-name address in large text so you can show them to the driver. If hailing a taxi on the street, a red 빈차 sign means it is available; a green 예약 sign usually means it has already been assigned to a booking.[2]
> Destination: [place name in Korean]
> Address: [road-name address in Korean]
> 이 주소로 가 주세요. (Please take me to this address.)
> 가능하면 미터기로 가 주세요. (Please use the meter if possible.)
The exterior of a Korean taxi.
Pay once and keep a record
Seoul and the Korea Tourism Organization list cash, credit cards, and transit cards as payment options.[2][3] Official guidance also says foreign-issued cards can be used, but bring a backup in case the terminal or card authorization fails.[8] If you prepaid in an app, check that you are not charged again in the vehicle. Distinguish the meter fare from the toll fee on the payment details.[4] For transit-card preparation, see the first-day Tmoney guide.
When getting out, ask for a receipt: “영수증 주세요” (please give me a receipt). Keep the full vehicle number, pickup and drop-off times, and payment record. QR complaint reporting supports English, Chinese, and Japanese; photos and videos can be sent to taxi120@seoul.go.kr.[2][5] Foreign-language assistance on 02-120 is available Monday–Friday, 09:00–18:00 KST, excluding weekends and public holidays. Press 9, then choose 1 for English, 2 for Chinese, 3 for Japanese, 4 for Vietnamese, or 5 for Mongolian.[2][6] Recheck contact details and opening hours when you need them.
A road in central Seoul.
To compare taxis with other transport after arriving at the airport, see choosing transport from Incheon Airport to Seoul.
Photo credits
• Seoul taxis (cover) — Ilya Plekhanov, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
• Orange Seoul taxi — U2em, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
• Kia EV6 taxi — Damian B Oh, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
• Taxi in South Korea — Joshua T. Garcia, Wikimedia Commons, CC0
• Road in central Seoul — Piotrus, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Some photographs have been resized for web publication. Use and modification of each photograph are subject to the license terms of its original.
Sources
• [6] Foreign-language assistance hours and language menu — 120 Dasan Call Foundation official guidance
• [7] Call vans versus large taxis — Korea Tourism Organization earlier guidance
• [8] Foreign-card payments in taxis — Korea Tourism Organization transport guide
• [1] Taxi fares — Official guidance
• [2] Taxi — Official guidance
• [3] Taxi — Official guidance
• [4] Taxi receipt and fare-display improvements — Official guidance
• [5] Taxi complaints by QR — Official guidance