Call
k.ride, Uber Taxi, or a taxi stand
๐ Taxi
How to call, ride and pay for a taxi, even without speaking Korean.
Show destination
Use the app, or show a Korean address
Pay
Foreign card, Korean card, T-money or cash
Before you leave
Check your belongings and keep the receipt
๐ Need a taxi now?
Tap your situation to jump to the answer.
Taxi in Korea: 30-second guide
- 1Call a taxi
Easiest for visitors: k.ride or Uber Taxi. Or use a taxi stand at airports, stations and busy streets.
- 2Enter your destination
In an app, the destination goes straight to the driver. On the street, show a Korean address on your phone.
- 3Check the car
With an app, check the license plate before you get in.
- 4Ride
Most taxis use a meter. You can follow the route on your phone.
- 5Pay
Most city taxis take cards. Cash and transit cards are also common.
- 6Before you get out
Take your belongings and ask for a receipt.
Best taxi apps for visitors
๐ฅ BEST FOR MOST VISITORS
k.ride
Made by Kakao Mobility for international travelers. No KakaoTalk account or Korean phone number is needed.
- โ Register a foreign-issued card
- โ App in English, Japanese and Chinese
- โ Search destinations and chat with the driver in over 100 languages
- โ See the estimated fare before you book
- โ See the car and plate number
Uber Taxi
Best if you already use Uber
Use your existing Uber account. Enter the pickup point and destination, check the plate number and follow the ride in the app. It books licensed local taxis in Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Daejeon, Incheon, Ulsan and some smaller cities.
Kakao T
Already use KakaoTalk?
Kakao T is widely used in Korea. For most short-term visitors, however, k.ride is easier to set up.
App availability, languages and payment options can change. Check the app store listing before you travel.
How to get a taxi in Korea
๐ฑ Option 1: Use an app
- Pickup
- Destination
- Taxi type
- Payment
- Request
Check the plate number when the car arrives, then follow your route in the app.
๐ Option 2: Hail a taxi on the street
๋น์ฐจ means โAvailableโ. Look for a taxi showing this sign on the roof or windshield.
DO
- โ Wait somewhere safe where cars can stop
- โ Show the destination name or Korean address
- โ Check that the meter is running
- โ Use a taxi stand if there is one, which is the easiest way
DO NOT
- โ Stop taxis at intersections or bus stops where stopping is not allowed
- โ Get into an unlicensed car offered by a stranger
๐ฃ๏ธ I do not speak Korean
The easiest way is k.ride or Uber Taxi, because the app sends your destination to the driver. On the street, show a large Korean address instead of an English one.
Pick a place
Or use your hotel
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How much does a taxi cost?
| City | Regular taxi starting fare* | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ๐๏ธ Seoul | โฉ4,800 | First 1.6 km |
| ๐ Busan | โฉ4,800 | First 2 km |
| ๐ซ Incheon | โฉ4,800 | |
| ๐ฟ Gwangju | โฉ4,800 | |
| ๐ Daegu | โฉ4,500 | |
| ๐ณ Daejeon | โฉ4,300 | First 1.8 km |
| ๐ Jeju | โฉ4,300 |
*Starting fares can change. Distance, waiting time, night and out-of-city surcharges may be added. Check the meter or the app estimate before you ride.
Late-night taxis
๐๏ธ Seoul
- 22:00 โ 23:00+20%
- 23:00 โ 02:00+40%
- 02:00 โ 04:00+20%
๐ Busan
- 23:00 โ 24:00+20%
- 24:00 โ 02:00+30%
- 02:00 โ 04:00+20%
Other cities use different rules.
Do not assume 22:00โ04:00 everywhere. Check the city before a late ride.
Leaving the city?
Leaving the city boundary can add an out-of-city surcharge on top of the night surcharge.
Which taxi should I choose?
Standard taxi
Best for 1โ4 travelers
- โข The most common taxi
- โข Metered fare
- โข The lowest regular price
Choose this for most trips.
Deluxe / premium taxi
Best if you want more comfort
- โข Larger or premium car
- โข Higher starting fare
- โข Usually easier with luggage
Large / van taxi
Best for groups or many suitcases
- โข More seats and luggage space
- โข Higher fare than standard
International / tourist taxi
Best for language help, airport pickup or private sightseeing
- โข Seoul International Taxi
- โข Jeju Global Taxi
Passenger and luggage capacity varies by vehicle. Check the capacity in the booking app before you confirm.
Taking a taxi from the airport
- 1Follow the official TAXI signs
- 2Use the designated taxi stand
- 3Choose regular, deluxe, large or International Taxi
- 4Never follow drivers who approach you inside the terminal
International Taxi (Seoul)
Multilingual help and flat zone fares between Incheon Airport and Seoul. For a standard car the fare is about โฉ70,000 to โฉ95,000 depending on the Seoul district, and larger or deluxe cars cost more. Ask for the quote before you set off. Languages depend on the booking.
Use official taxi stands only
Do not accept rides from people who approach you inside the terminal.
Taxi by city
Seoul
Best options: k.ride ยท Uber Taxi ยท street taxi
Large supply of taxis. International Taxi is available. The late-night surcharge changes by the hour. For taxi complaints, the 120 Dasan Call Center has foreign-language support.
Busan
Best options: k.ride ยท Uber Taxi ยท taxi stands
Starting fare โฉ4,800 for the first 2 km. Late-night surcharge hours differ from Seoul. Use the taxi stands at Busan Station, Gimhae Airport, Seomyeon and Haeundae.
Daegu
Best options: Taxi stands ยท apps
Starting fare โฉ4,500. Cash, credit cards and transit cards are accepted by most taxis.
Daejeon
Best options: Taxi stands ยท apps
Starting fare โฉ4,300 for the first 1.8 km, then distance and time are added. Taxi stands at Daejeon Station, the bus terminal, Yuseong and the Government Complex are handy.
Gwangju
Best options: Taxi stands ยท apps
Starting fare โฉ4,800. Use the taxi stands at Gwangju-Songjeong Station and the bus terminals.
Jeju
Jeju has no subway and its sights are spread out, so taxis are used more than in other cities. Jeju Global Taxi is a city-approved service for foreign tourists with English, Chinese and Japanese support and tour-style bookings.
Paying for your taxi
Credit / debit card
Most taxis in major cities take cards.
App payment
k.ride accepts foreign-issued cards and mobile payment. Uber Taxi uses the payment method on your Uber account.
T-money
Many taxis with a compatible reader accept T-money.
Cash
Korean won is accepted. Keep some when you travel outside big cities.
Do I need to tip?
No. Tipping is not normally expected in Korean taxis. Pay the fare shown by the meter or the app.
Keep some cash
Keep some Korean won when you travel to rural or remote areas, where card payment may not work.
How can I avoid taxi problems?
- 1Use k.ride or Uber Taxi
The route and fare estimate are visible in the app.
- 2Use licensed taxis
Look for a clearly marked taxi with a roof sign.
- 3Check the plate number
Especially when you booked with an app.
- 4Watch the meter
Street taxis should use the meter unless an authorized fixed fare applies.
- 5Get a receipt
It helps a lot if you lose something.
Lost something in a taxi?
You used an app
Open your trip history, then contact support or the driver through the app.
You have a receipt
Look for the taxi or company details printed on it and call that company.
You do not know the taxi
Search or report your item in the Korean police lost-property service. Drivers must hand in what they find, so it may show up in a day or two.
The LOST112 service moved to the Police Minwon24 portal in January 2026. It can be used in many languages. Items can take a few days to appear.
๐ Need help?
- Taxi problem in Seoul120
- Lost itemminwon24.police.go.kr
- Emergency112 / 119
- Travel help in many languages1330
Taxi FAQ
Can I use a foreign card?
In k.ride, yes: you can register a foreign-issued card. On the street, many taxis take cards, but do not count on a foreign card working. Keep a backup.
Can I use Uber?
Yes. Uber Taxi works in Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Daejeon, Incheon, Ulsan and some smaller cities. It books licensed local taxis.
Can I use Kakao T?
Yes, if you already use Kakao services. For most short-term visitors, k.ride is easier to set up.
Do I need cash?
Not in big cities, but keep some Korean won for rural areas and as a backup.
Do I need to tip?
No. Tipping is not normally expected in Korean taxis. Pay the fare on the meter or in the app.
Can I take a taxi late at night?
Yes. Taxis run late, but a night surcharge applies and it is harder to find one around closing time. An app helps.
Can I take a taxi with large luggage?
Usually yes. Ask for a larger car in the app, and check the capacity before you confirm.
Can I take a taxi between cities?
Often yes, but the fare can be high and out-of-city surcharges may apply. Compare with KTX or an intercity bus.
What if the driver cannot speak English?
Use the app, or show the Korean address on your phone. k.ride can translate your chat with the driver.
What if I leave something behind?
See โLost something in a taxi?โ above. Keep your receipt.
Official information
- Visit Korea: taxis
Taxi types and starting fares by region
- Seoul Metropolitan Government: taxi fares
Seoul fares and surcharges
- Busan Metropolitan City: taxi fares
Busan fares and night surcharges
- Jeju Global Taxi
Taxis for foreign tourists in Jeju
- k.ride (Kakao Mobility)
The taxi app for international travelers
- Police Minwon24
Lost and found property search and report
Schedules, fares and rules can change. Always check the official operator before you travel.
Information last verified: 2026-10-07 ยท Updated: 2026-10-07