Korean Taxis Ultimate Guide: Taxi Types, Korean Taxi Apps, Fares

Author's Profile Picture
Korean Taxi Poster

Planning a trip to South Korea? While subways and buses are convenient, taxis remain one of the easiest and most comfortable ways to get around.

Whether you’re travelling late at night, rushing to your next destination, or simply want to avoid dragging heavy luggage through multiple transfers, Korean taxis offer a fast and stress-free option.

In this guide, Trip.com breaks down the different types of taxis in South Korea, how to hail or book a ride, estimated fares, the best taxi apps to use, and practical tips to help you travel around Korea with confidence.

Fly from Singapore to Seoul

Singapore-Seoul Air Route

Travelling from Hong Kong to Seoul is easy, with multiple daily direct flights operated by Cathay Pacific, Asiana Airlines, Korean Air, and several low-cost carriers, giving travellers plenty of options to choose from.

The flight takes about 3.5 to 4 hours, making it perfect for a quick getaway. Book in advance on Trip.com to easily compare flight times and enjoy exclusive deals.

Types of Taxis in South Korea

In South Korea, taxis come in several categories based on the vehicle, service quality, and fare structure. The most common types include:

Types of Taxis in South Korea #1 Regular Taxi (일반 택시)

These are the most common taxis you’ll see in South Korea, typically available in orange, white, or grey. They are the most affordable option, making them ideal for short trips around the city.

Most regular taxis are standard sedans that can accommodate up to four passengers, though trunk space is usually limited to one or two pieces of luggage.

As many drivers may only speak Korean, it’s helpful to have your destination written in Korean beforehand to ensure a smoother journey.

Standard Taxi

Types of Taxis in Korea #2: Deluxe Taxis (모범 택시)

Deluxe taxis are black, more spacious, and offer premium service at higher fares. Drivers are professionally trained, and some may speak basic English or other languages.

Deluxe Taxi

Types of Taxis in South Korea #3: Large Taxis (대형 택시)

Large taxis are labelled “대형택시” or “JUMBO TAXI” and are ideal for groups or travellers with large luggage. They can seat 5–6 passengers but are less common, so advance booking is recommended.

Large taxi

Types of Taxis in Korea #4: International Taxis (인터내셔널 택시)

International taxis are designed for tourists, with drivers who can speak English or Chinese. They’re usually available at airports, hotels, and major attractions, and can be booked in advance.

International Taxi

Taxi Options in Korea #5: Uber/UT

While standard Uber rides are not available in South Korea, you can book rides in Seoul through Uber’s local partner platform, UT, using the regular Uber app. It supports Traditional Chinese, making it convenient for travellers.

Uber
💡 Pro Tip: Book flights as soon as you confirm your itinerary as prices rise quickly during the peak season.

A Traveler's Guide to Taking Taxis in Korea

Kakao T App

Korea Taxi Guide #1: How to Hail a Taxi

  • Street hailing: If the taxi’s roof light is on and shows ‘빈차’ (available), simply raise your hand to flag it down.
  • Book via apps: You can also request a ride through apps like Kakao T, UT, or T Map Taxi for a convenient and reliable option.

South Korea Taxi Guide #2: How to Communicate with Your Driver

  • Prepare your destination address in Korean or show the location on your phone map for easier communication
  • While some deluxe or international taxi drivers may speak basic English, most drivers mainly speak Korean.

South Korea Taxi Guide #3: How to Pay

  • Multiple payment methods are supported, including cash, credit cards, WOWPASS, and T-money cards (transit cards).
  • If you book through an app, you can also link your credit card for seamless in-app payment.

Top Taxi-Hailing Apps in South Korea

Kakao T, Uber, Taba.

Kakao T is South Korea’s most widely used ride-hailing app. It supports both Korean and English interfaces and comes loaded with features—you can choose different vehicle types, check real-time fares, and book rides in advance.

Korea Taxi-Hailing App Recommendation #1: Kakao T

Kakao T is South Korea’s most popular taxi app, offering Korean and English interfaces. Users can choose taxi types, check estimated fares, and book rides in advance.

However, registration usually requires phone verification, and overseas numbers may face limitations. Travellers may find it easier to use with an eSIM or a Korean SIM card.

How it works: Download the app in App Store or Google Play→ Create/log in to your Kakao account with Korean phone number → Verify your phone number by receiving the verification code→ Enter your pick-up and drop-off points → Choose your vehicle and payment method ( cash or credit card) → Tap "Call Taxi" and confirm your ride and track your driver in real time.


Korea Taxi-Hailing App Recommendation #2: Uber/UT

In South Korea, standard Uber rides are replaced by UT, Uber’s local taxi service. You can use your existing Uber app without downloading another platform.

Compared with Kakao T, it’s easier to get the hang of, making it a great pick for first-time visitors using a ride-hailing app in Korea. That said, coverage is mainly in Seoul and a few major cities, with limited service in suburban areas.

Highlights:

  • Available mainly in Seoul, Busan, Incheon (not nationwide)
  • Hails regular regulated taxis (not private Uber cars)
  • English-friendly interface (best for international travellers)
  • Accepts international credit cards & Apple/Google Pay
  • Sometimes harder to get a driver during peak hours
  • Can offer promotions/discount coupons for tourists

South Korea Taxi-Hailing App Recommendation #3: TABA

TABA is designed specifically for international travellers. It supports multiple languages, allows users to search destinations without typing Korean, and offers automatic message translation with drivers.

Getting around Seoul just got easier with TABA, an officially launched platform created in partnership between the Seoul Metropolitan Government and T‑Money.

Signing up is a breeze—just a mobile number, no Korean phone number or complicated verification required.

Payments are flexible too, with support for international credit cards like Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay, and JCB, making it both convenient and reliable.

Highlights:

  • No need for Korean phone number (big advantage)
  • Supports multiple languages (English, Chinese, Japanese, Thai)
  • Supports international credit cards (cashless only)
  • Easier onboarding for first-time visitors
  • Smaller taxi network → longer waiting time in busy hours
  • Mainly focused on Seoul area only

🔥Save More with Up to 5% OFF

Use our promo code to enjoy up to 5% OFF (up to S$3) on your attraction tickets, tours and eSIMs! Only for new users!

Taxi Fares in South Korea

Taxis in Korea

Taxi fares can vary slightly by city and vehicle type. Let’s take Seoul and Busan as examples:

Region/City

Ride Time

Starting price

Seoul

4:00 AM–10:00 PM (Regular hours)

₩4,800 (S$4.10)

10:00 PM – 4:00 AM (late night)

₩6,700 (S$5.70)

11:00 PM – 2:00 AM (designated nighttime hours)

₩5,700 (S$4.90)

Incheon / Gyeonggi-do

Daytime

₩4,800 (S$4.10)

Busan

Daytime

₩4,800 (S$4.10)

Example reference prices (calculated using a standard taxi):

Itinerary

Estimated Fare (Daytime)

Estimated Fare (Daytime)

Incheon Airport → Myeong-dong

About ₩65,000 - ₩75,000

S$56 – S$65

Myeong-dong → Hongdae

About ₩10,000 - ₩12,000

S$8 – S$10

Seoul Station → Dongdaemun

About ₩7,000 - ₩9,000

S$6 – S$8

Gimhae International Airport → Seomyeon

About ₩15,000 - ₩18,000

S$12 – S$15

Top Seoul Hotel Picks

5 star

9/10Great810 Reviews
Dongdaemun Market Seoul|2.34km from downtown
Location: Very close to Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station (lines 2/3/4/5). Shopping: Hyundai Outlet, DDP Market (closed during Chinese New Year), Doosan Tower, Gwangjang Market, Lotte FITIN. Food: Dozens of restaurants in the alley across the street. Cosmetics: Olive Young is diagonally opposite. Myeongdong: Three stops on Line 2. Gangnam: A few stops from Dongguk University Station on Line 5. Hongdae: Reachable within half an hour!
FromPLN 683
9.4/10Amazing608 Reviews
City Hall/Myeong-Dong Seoul|0.3km from downtown
The hotel service is excellent, especially the staff at the front desk. They are very friendly to Chinese guests, and some even speak Chinese. Check-in was super fast, and they also helped us book restaurants and arranged a taxi. They even made sure our luggage was loaded and gave instructions to the driver – truly thoughtful and attentive! Definitely a huge thumbs up! The hotel is clean and tidy, and the location is great, making it convenient to get anywhere. Highly recommend this well-established hotel! (^O^)
FromPLN 1,344
9.4/10Amazing333 Reviews
City Hall/Myeong-Dong Seoul|0.21km from downtown
This hotel is perfectly located! It's just south of Seoul City Hall Square and west of Myeongdong. The subway station is only a few dozen meters from the lobby entrance, and Sejong-daero is right to the west. It's also not far from the major palaces and Namsan, so the location couldn't be better. The staff are very friendly, attentive, and welcoming. While the facilities might feel a bit more compact compared to newly built five-star hotels in China, they are well-maintained and perfectly adequate. Overall, it offers great value for money.
FromPLN 1,239
9.5/10Amazing1043 Reviews
Dongdaemun Market Seoul|2.68km from downtown
The room was a bit small, even though I booked a business room. The service attitude was incredibly perfunctory – polite on the surface, but they clearly didn't care about the guests at all. We arrived at the hotel at 6 PM, and they still insisted on an 11 AM checkout. When I asked for an extra half-hour, the front desk staff looked at me as if I owed them money. In the end, they just wrote '11:30' on a paper without saying a single word. Seriously, don't you have a mouth? Couldn't you even say something? Their impatient demeanor was truly terrible. This is by far the worst service I've ever experienced in a five-star hotel, and I've stayed in many across different countries. I will definitely not be staying here again. Absolutely dreadful.
FromPLN 1,964
8.9/10Very Good767 Reviews
Dongdaemun Market Seoul|2.26km from downtown
Convenient location, I choose this hotel every time. The Pullman's service is consistently excellent, with quick check-in and check-out. The rooms are spacious and bright, and the soundproofing is good. The breakfast offers a wide variety, and dining and shopping options are easily accessible nearby. It's truly a hassle-free stay for business trips – full marks!
FromPLN 640
8.8/10Very Good447 Reviews
Yongsan/Itaewon Seoul|3.44km from downtown
I booked this hotel through a Ctrip group deal, and the price during the May Day holiday was incredibly good. By April, the hotel's public rate was already 3-4 times what I paid! The hotel itself is quite luxurious, located halfway up Nanshan Mountain with a fantastic environment. However, there are too few elevators and they are incredibly slow. During peak hours after breakfast, I waited ten minutes for an elevator – the slowest I've ever experienced at a five-star hotel. The service was generally good. We were supposed to have two adult breakfasts included, but there seemed to be a communication issue between the hotel and Ctrip, as the restaurant only showed one. Ctrip eventually sorted it out, and the front desk, to apologize, even provided a complimentary breakfast for my child. (Though I must say, the restaurant staff weren't particularly enthusiastic.) Also, the kids' play area is only open from 6 AM to 6 PM, which is quite odd, haha. Our room had a city view, and the night scenery was absolutely beautiful.
FromPLN 1,555
8.6/10Very Good402 Reviews
Yongsan/Itaewon Seoul|4.43km from downtown
Very beautiful hotel. Greeted by staffs who helped open the car door, and get your bags and luggage to the check in counter every day! Only bummer was at check out timing is 11am, we tried asking for later check out timing during check-in and was told hotel is full. Managed to get a late check out of 12pm when we tried again the night before leaving the hotel. Hotel has a little mall,a coffee bean, CU, some expensive restaurants. It also has a sauna (30K won per pax), 1 hot and cold tub and one sauna room. Room amenities can be requested via the web app in your room. Rooms were very modern, however Water from the shower does flood the dry toilet area a little. Generally a great stay.
FromPLN 831
9/10Great825 Reviews
Seoul|4.07km from downtown
Very close to Yongsan train station. Link to 2 other hotels, there’s a ****** nearby. Local food is nearby walking distance too. Very convenient
FromPLN 425

Show more

Business travel

8.9/10Very Good871 Reviews
City Hall/Myeong-Dong Seoul|0.17km from downtown
Excellent stay at New Seoul Hotel Myeongdong! The hotel location was perfect very convenient and close to Myeongdong shopping street, restaurants, convenience stores, and subway/train stations, making it easy to travel around Seoul. Airport bus access was also very convenient. The room was clean, comfortable, and well maintained. Staff were friendly, helpful, and always welcoming during our stay.
FromPLN 263
8.4/10Very Good995 Reviews
Jongro / Insadong Seoul|1.15km from downtown
This hotel has an excellent location, very close to Jongno 3-ga Station and Euljiro 3-ga Station. Right in front of the hotel is Cheonggyecheon Stream, where you can enjoy a nice walk anytime. The hotel is located near the road connecting the two stations, and at night, the street comes alive with red tent stalls lining both sides. The staff here are incredibly kind and helpful. Their service was excellent, and they provided all the information we needed. We asked to borrow an adaptor and chopsticks, and they brought them to us right away. Very impressive service. As for the room and bathroom, they were spotlessly clean. If I visit this area again, I would definitely stay here again.
FromPLN 273
8.8/10Very Good1516 Reviews
City Hall/Myeong-Dong Seoul|1.61km from downtown
Staying at this hotel in Seoul is incredibly convenient. Getting here from Incheon Airport is a breeze – just take bus 6015 directly to the hotel, and for your return, you can catch the bus right outside. It's super handy! There are also several subway stations nearby. If you're coming from Line 2, exit 10 has an escalator, which is great if you're traveling with luggage. Check-in was fast and the staff were lovely, always smiling. The room itself was clean and comfortable. The housekeeping staff did an excellent job daily, even noticing I have long hair that needs blow-drying and kindly swapped out my old hairdryer for a newer, more efficient one. That was a really thoughtful touch!
FromPLN 318
8.1/10Very Good1463 Reviews
City Hall/Myeong-Dong Seoul|1.05km from downtown
This hotel is in a fantastic Myeongdong location. The decor and layout hint at its past glory, and the professional demeanor of the front desk staff reinforces that. However, its age is starting to show, which is probably why I was able to get such a great deal for a hotel in such a prime spot. There's some clutter by the hotel entrance, and at times, you'll see former employees protesting their layoffs. It really highlights the intense work pressure in South Korea – if they'd found new jobs, they wouldn't be spending so much effort and time here. It's quite disheartening.
FromPLN 259
8.8/10Very Good583 Reviews
City Hall/Myeong-Dong Seoul|0.39km from downtown
The hotel's location is incredibly convenient. It's right across from Lotte Duty-Free and diagonally opposite where my friend gets aesthetic treatments. The bustling Myeongdong night market street is just at the corner, making it super easy to buy cosmetics. Breakfast was just okay, and the room was really small, but the layout was well-planned and efficient.
FromPLN 544
8.7/10Very Good2251 Reviews
Dongdaemun Market Seoul|2.14km from downtown
Location: This hotel is reasonably close to Subway Line 5, but a bit further from Line 3. There are plenty of convenience stores nearby; if you turn right out of the hotel and cross an intersection, there's a large 7-Eleven with a microwave and hot water – very convenient for solo diners. On the way to Line 3, there's a large agricultural market selling mainly dried goods, with few snack stalls. There's also a Michelin-starred noodle shop nearby. Other shops are mostly commercial. Overall, it lacks a lively, local atmosphere. Lotte Department Store is very close, just two stops on Line 3. Across the road, there's a stop for Airport Bus 6001, named 'Baiton Hotel'. Service: The staff speak a little Chinese and are generally good. Environment: In the room, things like the air conditioning, lighting, and whether you need room service are all controlled via a panel. The air conditioning temperature adjustment isn't very comfortable for winter. Both the room and the hotel overall feel a bit dated.
FromPLN 326
8.8/10Very Good1859 Reviews
City Hall/Myeong-Dong Seoul|0.5km from downtown
Friendly and great service by the front desk staff. Initially was given a room on the 8th floor according to my request, but the room size was far too small than what I anticipated for 3 senior citizens. There was no walking space and no place for us to hang our clothes. However, the staff and the manager was helpful and kind to switch us to another bigger room on the 2nd floor. He even was willing to let me view the room first before I decide to take it up without added cost. When I called them during the night to say the room was very cold and cannot adjust the temperature since it is centralized controlled, they immediately sent a portable heater up to us. The front desk staff were all very courteous and helped us with our direction to find a nearby hospital for my sister who sprained her ankle and even wrote in Korean language for us to show to the hospital and also our tour meeting place to the taxi driver. On our last day, when it rained, they also offered us umbrella to get around outside. We could also order food in. Room was always cleaned up. Checking in and out also a breeze. Thumbs up for their excellent service. 👍👍👍👍
FromPLN 350
8.8/10Very Good1900 Reviews
City Hall/Myeong-Dong Seoul|0.67km from downtown
The room was spacious enough to lay out two 26-inch suitcases comfortably. Mineral water, towels, combs, and soap were provided, but you'll need to bring your own toothbrush and toothpaste. The room itself was clean and tidy, no issues there.
FromPLN 440

Show more

Family friendly

8.6/10Very Good317 Reviews
City Hall/Myeong-Dong Seoul|1.04km from downtown
Great location near night market, shops, metro, airport bus and restaurants. Loved the dinosaur themed room. So much attention to detail. Checked in by hotel staff as arrived after midnight Staff were responsive by email before I arrived if had questions Loved the robots and dinosaurs at reception. Even towels delivered by robots to room. Knew about no cupboard space in advance and breakfast was only ok with little variety or menu change. Included for free and I couldn't eat breakfasr twice due to early starts. Would highly recommend staying here for the location and uniqueness of the robots etc.
FromPLN 423
9.3/10Great524 Reviews
City Hall/Myeong-Dong Seoul|0.6km from downtown
Got a corner room and coincidentally a family member is next to us unplanned. Anyway room is quite spacious and comfortable. Walking to myeongdong and nandaemum is do-able. Probably will stay again for its space..
FromPLN 537
9/10Great2803 Reviews
Dongdaemun Market Seoul|2.61km from downtown
Overall, our stay was great. The location is perfect, 4 metro stations, plenty of buses, a lot of cafes are near by. The room is pretty spacious, there was everything that you might need. The TV is smart, it’s possible to watch Netflix or YouTube. The room was clean, well-prepared. The check-in process is super fast, the staff is friendly. The WiFi was great as well, I joined zoom-call easily There were two minor things that we were a bit dissatisfied about: 1) the AC doesn’t have a night mode so it’s hard to adjust it, it’s either cold or hot.. we struggled. 2) we wanted to dinner at BBQ restaurant at the hotel, which works till 10pm as was stated at Ad. However, we came at 9, it was already closed, they said that the last order is at 8:30.. which is rare.. usually last order is 30 min before closing. So we left hangry. Anyway, the hotel is great, we would definitely come back and recommend all friends.
FromPLN 423
8.9/10Very Good913 Reviews
City Hall/Myeong-Dong Seoul|1km from downtown
My husband and I had an amazing experience staying at Skypark Hotel 3 in Myeongdong! We stayed here for 12 days, and it was the best decision ever. The rooms are clean, and the service and staff were fantastic - friendly, helpful, and super polite. They also offer amenities like drinking water, weighing scale for your luggages, and coin laundry. But my favorite part is its location! It's near everything - the airport limousine bus station, train station, Myeongdong shopping street, namsan tower, malls and shopping centers, convenience stores, coffee shops, and restaurants. This is now our go-to hotel in Seoul!
FromPLN 401
9/10Great520 Reviews
City Hall/Myeong-Dong Seoul|0.38km from downtown
Great location … easy access to metros and 6 minutes walk to the airport bus number 6701 stop at the Plaza hotel… a few minutes walk to Myeongdong underground shopping entrance 4 … that also takes you to Myeongdong shopping street… Along the way you can stop by the Lotte department store food court that has many different food stalls… The sushi stall is my favorite… The hotel itself is great … the room is spacious and clean… a good size bathroom that the toilet is separate from the shower… They also has a coin operated laundry that cost 3000 wons for the wash and to dry costs 4000 wons.. I did not get the breakfast because there are many options around the hotels for food and coffees.. a 7 eleven is just around the corner from the hotel… Thete is no negative things to say about this hotel …… overall it was a good stay and I will come back again in the future
FromPLN 373
9/10Great1346 Reviews
City Hall/Myeong-Dong Seoul|0.22km from downtown
The Koreana Hotel truly stands as a representative hotel in Korea, embodying understated luxury and elegance. It's nestled in the heart of Seoul, right next to Gwanghwamun Square and Cheonggyecheon Stream, offering stunning distant views of Namsan Mountain, especially beautiful at night. Opened in 1972, the Koreana Hotel played a significant role in international events, operating the main press center restaurant during the 1988 Seoul Olympics and later the Paralympics Athletes' Village restaurant. It has consistently served as an important hub for hosting international guests! We booked the Koreana Hotel this time because we had tickets for the Harry Potter 25th Anniversary Concert at Sejong Center for the Performing Arts on Friday evening from 7-9 PM. ^u^ For check-in, you need to prepare your ID card or passport. We were given a fantastic room on the 15th floor with an unparalleled night view. We are truly grateful for the hotel's excellent care! Although the room is around 30 square meters, it actually felt like 50 square meters. The decor is luxurious French style, comfortable yet elegant, and perfectly quiet. I had expected it to be somewhat old, but it's incredibly well-maintained and renovated, and the TV even connects directly to YouTube – a clear sign of how the world is changing and hotels are continuously improving! The bedding was also excellent with a very comfortable mattress. For travelers, getting a good night's rest, relaxing completely, and waking up refreshed and energized for the next day is crucial, and we both slept wonderfully! The room came with an iPad for ordering room service and hotel amenities, allowing many tasks to be completed quietly, which I absolutely loved. The hotel's response was incredibly fast; service requests were delivered within 5-10 minutes! We ordered abalone porridge for breakfast, and it was delivered promptly 20 minutes after we scheduled the preparation time. One portion was more than enough for both an adult and a child, and we enjoyed it very much! Do note that the hotel does not provide toothpaste, toothbrushes, facial cleanser, or combs – only soap! Other items are available in a paid amenity kit, so be aware when checking in. There are two bottles of complimentary water; it's more economical to purchase additional water at a convenience store.
FromPLN 275
9.1/10Great259 Reviews
Dongdaemun Market Seoul|2.75km from downtown
The hotel is clean and the location is great. The airport shuttle goes directly there, there's a lot of good food nearby, and it's very convenient to get to Dongdaemun.
FromPLN 1,197
9.3/10Great666 Reviews
Seoul|12.73km from downtown
The location is good, directly opposite of the lake and next to Lotte world mall. To MTR it’s 5-7mins. The front desk staff is not accommodative at all, any request is like „no, we can’t“ attitude. As of the cleanness and amenities, first of all, the shower head did not work properly, the aircon did not work during the first night ( better the second and third) and the tooth brush glass had stains when I checked in ( see photo attached ) Overall, not recommended for luxury stay, but if it’s just a family vacay, why not.
FromPLN 943

Show more

Show more

🔥Exclusive Hotels Deal: Up to 10% OFF for New Users

Discover the world with Trip.com! Book the perfect hotel anywhere in the world and get an unbeatable 10% discount if you're a first-time user! Download our app now and start planning your next trip with ease.

Just click this link and download the Trip.com App, after successfully registering as a member, use it when you place an order!

Seoul Travel Guide

FAQs about Korea Taxi

Disclaimer: This article has been provided by an individual contributor or third party platform. If there is any discrepancy regarding the copyright, please contact us directly and we will delete the content immediately.
Daisy

Daisy

Travel Lover

View profile

I’m a travel lover who can never say no to good food, stunning beaches, and the beauty of nature. Sharing my adventures and travel tips, I hope to inspire you to explore, taste, and unwind wherever you go.

218 articles
Travel Enthusiast Foodie Nature Lover
> >
Korea Taxi