Many people want to use a taxi in Korea, but are worried about the language barrier or safety. In this article, we will explain the types of taxis in Korea, their fares, how to use ride-hailing apps, and things to be careful about! We will introduce Korean taxi information that will be useful for your trip to Korea.
*The amount is based on the exchange rate as of September 2024.
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Taxi situation in Korea
First, let's look at the taxi situation in Korea. Unlike Japan, there are three main types of taxis in Korea, and the features and starting fare vary depending on the taxi you choose.
Regular taxis: A standard taxi that can be used easily
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Regular taxis are the most common type of taxi that runs around the city. They are characterized by a yellow license plate and a sign that says "TAXI" or "서울 (Seoul)" on the roof, and come in three colors: orange, silver, and white. There are different types of taxis depending on the color of the body.
- Orange and silver: Taxis belonging to a taxi company
- White: Private taxi
If you want to use a taxi that belongs to a taxi company, just choose an orange or silver taxi.
The starting fare for regular taxis is the cheapest of the three types of taxis, and varies depending on the region, but in Seoul it is 4,800 won (about 513 yen in Japanese yen). If the distance traveled exceeds 2 km, an additional fare is added, and usually 100 won (about 11 yen in Japanese yen) is added for every 130 to 150 m traveled.
Deluxe Taxi: A comfortable and superior travel experience
A deluxe taxi is a taxi with a driver who has been in the business for over 10 years and has never had an accident. The cars they use are marked with the word "모법"(model)" and many of them are luxury black cars with gold lines.
As the drivers are veterans with over 10 years of experience, they have an established reputation for their driving and service, so if this is your first time traveling to Korea, it would be safer to use a deluxe taxi rather than a regular one.
The base fare is 7,000 won (about 758 yen in Japanese yen) for the first 3km in Seoul, with an additional fare of 200 won (about 22 yen in Japanese yen) for every 151m, which is higher than the regular taxi fare. Also, please note that the fare varies depending on the operating company.
International Taxi: No need to worry about language! Taxi that speaks Japanese
If you are worried about language difficulties, we recommend using the International Taxi. This service was introduced by the Seoul Metropolitan Government in 2008 and has drivers who can speak foreign languages such as English and Chinese, and can also provide assistance in Japanese.
However, to use the service, you must make a reservation at least 24 hours in advance via the web, email, or call center, so be sure to check and make a reservation in advance.
The aforementioned regular and deluxe taxis include international taxis. Regular taxis have a slightly higher base fare, but deluxe taxis can be used for the same fare as regular deluxe taxis. There are also some areas where the fare is fixed, such as between the airport and downtown Seoul, so please check.
International Taxi
| web | ： | International Taxi Official Website (foreign language site) |
|---|---|---|
| Reservation Email | ： | reserve@intltaxi.co.kr |
| Call Center | ： | 1644-2255 |
How to take a taxi in Korea?
So, how should you actually use a taxi in Korea? In addition to catching a regular taxi, there are a few other ways to use an app.
Catch a taxi on the street
The most common way is to catch a taxi on the road. On busy roads, raise your hand to a taxi with a "빈차 (empty)" sign to stop it. However, it can be difficult to catch one during busy times such as at night.
Also, if you are getting on from tourist spots such as Myeongdong or Dongdaemun, you should be careful of "rip-off taxis". They are especially likely to appear late at night after the last subway and bus trains have left. Even during the daytime, there is a chance you may encounter a rip-off taxi, so it is safer to use public transportation when traveling from tourist spots.
When you catch a taxi, open the door and get in or tell the driver your destination. Korean taxi doors are manual. If you wait for the door to open, the driver will assume that you are not interested in getting in, so open the door immediately.
Use the taxi stand
You can also use taxi stands at airports, train stations, hotels, etc. It is easier and more reliable to find a taxi than catching a taxi on the road. If you are in a hotel, you can ask the concierge to call a taxi for you.
Use a ride-hailing app
In Korea these days, using ride-hailing apps has become mainstream. As the app has become more widespread, reserved cars (taxis marked "예약 (reserved)") are becoming more common, and it can be difficult to catch a taxi on the road.
The advantages of ride-hailing apps are that you can find out the fare before you get in and that they accept a wide range of payment methods, including cash, credit cards, and T-Money (Korea's transportation IC card).
Once you register on the app in advance, you can simply use the app to hail a taxi when you arrive, making using a taxi much easier.
Some people may think, "It seems difficult because I don't speak Korean," but don't worry, there are apps that you can use even if you don't speak Korean.
Useful to know! Recommended ride-hailing app for traveling to Korea: "Kakao Taxi (Kakao T)"
Here we will introduce a ride-hailing app that can actually be used in Japanese. It is the most popular ride-hailing app in Korea, "Kakao Taxi (Kakao T)".
What is "Cacao Taxi"?
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Kakao Taxi is operated by Kakao Mobility, a subsidiary of Kakao, the company that develops the chat tool KakaoTalk, and it is said that more than 80% of taxi drivers in South Korea use Kakao Taxi.
The advantage of using the app is that everything from dispatching to payment is easy and smooth. We will introduce how to use this convenient Kakao Taxi!
How to register and use "Kakao Taxi"
First, we will introduce the steps to dispatch a vehicle when using the service for the first time.
The initial setup requires phone number authentication, so it's best to install and set it up before traveling to Korea.
<How to use Kakao Taxi for the first time>
1. Download the app (before traveling)
2. Register for a Kakao account (before traveling)
3. Hailing a taxi (after arriving at the destination)
4. Make payment (after arriving at the destination)
Download Kakao Taxi here
Google Play / App Store
First, download the "Kakao Taxi" app. It's free to download. The app itself is written in Korean, but you can operate it in Japanese, so don't worry. Search for "Kakao Taxi" and it will come up.
Once the download is complete, open the app. Your location will be used to dispatch a vehicle, so please turn on location services.
Next, tap "Start with Kakao Account." You need a Kakao Account to use it, but whether you have one or not, you can start by clicking "Start with Kakao Account."
If you don't have a Kakao account, tap "New Registration" at the bottom left of the login screen. If you already have an account, enter the information you provided when you registered (your Kakao mail ID, email address, or phone number) and password to log in.
If you don't have a Kakao email address, you'll need to create a Kakao domain email address, so select "I need a new email."
Check "Agree to all" and tap the "Agree and proceed" button at the bottom.
Verify your phone number. Select Japan's "+81" from the list of country codes, enter the number without the first "0", and tap "Verify".
Create a "Kakao Mail" to be used in your "Kakao Account" and tap the "Next" button. You do not need to confirm your Kakao Mail to use Kakao Taxi, so you do not need to install a separate email app.
After creating the email, set a password. Enter a password consisting of 8 to 32 letters (uppercase and lowercase), numbers, and symbols, then tap "Next."
Next, set up your profile. Once you've entered everything, tap the "Confirm" button.
When you see the message "Your Kakao account registration is complete," your account creation is complete. Tap "Start" to proceed.
Next, the phone number authentication screen will appear again, so similarly select Japan's country code "+81", enter your phone number (10 digits) without the leading "0", and tap "Send".
Once you receive the verification number via SMS, proceed to "Next".
When you are prompted to enter your payment information, select "Skip" and return to the app's home screen.
Once the home screen appears, your registration for Kakao Taxi is complete!
Next, we will explain how to register a Japanese credit card.
Select "Manage payment methods" from "My information" at the bottom right.
Next, select "overseas issued card" and enter the details of the credit card you will use for payment. Although "credit card" is displayed, this refers to credit cards issued in Korea, so if you are using a Japanese credit card, please select "overseas issued card".
By registering your card information, you will be able to make in-app payments.
From here, we will introduce the procedure for ordering a car with "Kakao Taxi".
From the home screen, select "Taxi" in the top left.
Select the departure point. If you are in your current location, it is easiest to set it from the map, but you can also set the pick-up location by entering text. Note that you can only enter in Korean or English.
This time, we will set "Seoul Station (서울역)" as the departure point. There are many departure point options, so choose the closest one from these.
Next, set your destination. In this example, set it to "Myeongdong Station (명동역)". The address will be displayed in Korean, so it's a good idea to check in advance whether the address is correct.
Once you have decided on your destination point, press "Set as destination."
Once you set your destination, the route from your starting point will be displayed. The estimated travel time and fare will be displayed, so check them. This time, select "Regular Taxi." By the way, if you have not registered your credit card information in the app, you can only call a "Regular Taxi."
Press "Call" to complete the dispatch. A nearby taxi will be dispatched, so you can check the face of the taxi driver, the car's license plate number, and how many minutes it will take to arrive, and then wait for the taxi to arrive.
Once you get in the taxi, it's just like using a regular taxi. When you arrive at your destination, pay the fare displayed on the ride-hailing app and you're done.
[Frequently Asked Questions] Can I use it even if I don't understand Korean?
The Kakao Taxi app is also available in Japanese, so it's okay even if you don't understand Korean. However, please note that you cannot use Japanese to enter the boarding location and destination.
Also, if you search for an address in English or Korean, make sure you check the spelling of the address carefully. If you make a mistake, you may get off at the wrong place and end up lost at your destination. We recommend that you check before ordering a ride.
[Frequently Asked Questions] How do I pay?
If you have registered your credit card information in the app, you can make payments within the app. This is the smoothest way to pay, as it saves you time and effort.
If you can't pay within the app, you can still pay in the taxi. You can pay by credit card, T-Money, WOWPASS, or cash.
Related article
The new ride-hailing app for tourists, "k.ride," has also been launched!
Kakao Mobility, which operates Kakao Taxi, has released a ride-hailing app called "k.ride" for foreign tourists. Even if you don't have a Kakao account, you can use it by registering an account with your Google or Apple ID or email address.
What makes it different from Kakao Taxi is that you can search for your destination in Japanese and use the translation function to chat with the driver in Japanese, so even those who are worried about language or communication with the driver can use it with peace of mind.
Payment is the same as with Kakao Taxi, and the taxi fare will be automatically charged to the credit card you entered when registering as a member. If you are interested, please download it here.
Download k.ride here
Google Play / App Store
Things to note when taking a taxi in Korea
There are a few things to keep in mind when taking a taxi in Korea. It's a good idea to check the following points beforehand.
Beware of rip-offs and illegal taxis
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In Korea, there are taxis that target tourists and rip-off the customers, so it is important to be able to tell them apart. Black vehicles called "call vans," which look very similar to large taxis, are illegal taxis that do not have meters and the fare is determined by negotiation.
Rip-off and illegal taxis tend to appear in places where it is easy to catch tourists, such as late at night when many people are using taxis, around concert venues after the show has finished, and in tourist spots.
Basically, large taxis do not do kiosks, so if you find one, it is best to assume it is a call van. It is also best to refuse taxis that try to solicit customers or try to negotiate the price.
When it comes to avoiding rip-offs, make sure to check whether the meter is turned on before you leave.
If a driver tries to negotiate the price without using the meter, there is a high possibility that they are trying to rip you off. If you feel suspicious during your ride, we recommend that you take a photo of the driver's ID card next to the driver's seat, or write down the car's license plate number after you get off.
If you do encounter a problem, get off the bus in a place with as many people as possible and contact the police (112) or the Korea Tourism Organization's Tourist Complaint Center (1330). It will be helpful if you provide evidence such as your vehicle number and receipts.
You may be denied boarding
You may have had the experience of catching a taxi only to be refused when you told them your destination. There are no set reasons for this, but it seems that the most common reasons are that the route to your destination is in the opposite direction to the direction you are travelling in, or that you have to take a detour.
If you are refused a ride, try changing the pickup location slightly, such as moving a little closer to the intersection, to avoid being refused a ride.
If you still can't find one and keep getting refused rides, you might want to try using a taxi stand or asking your hotel concierge for help.
Doors are opened and closed manually
Unlike Japanese taxis, the doors of Korean taxis are manual. If you wait for the door to open like you would in Japan, you may miss the taxi you managed to catch because the driver may think you have no intention of getting in. Once you catch a taxi, make sure you open the door yourself and get in.
Sometimes you don't have coin change
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In fact, Korea is a credit card society. Taxis are often paid for with a credit card, and drivers may not have small change. It's a good idea to have small denomination 1,000 won and 5,000 won bills ready before you take a taxi.
If you are worried about handling small amounts of cash, we recommend using credit cards or cashless payments such as T-Money or WOWPASS whenever possible.
There may be a shortage of taxis late at night or early in the morning.
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In Seoul, taxis are very crowded late at night and early in the morning on Fridays and Saturdays. Therefore, it is possible that you will wait and wait until you can catch a taxi. Even if you do manage to catch one, you may be refused entry if the distance is short.
In particular, the competition for taxis on the road is fierce, and it can be hard to catch one. In such cases, it is best to use a ride-hailing app such as "Kakao Taxi."
Rates may vary late at night or early in the morning.
Extra fares are charged between 10pm and 4am during the late night and early morning hours. Please note that the fare is 20-40% higher than normal for both regular and deluxe taxis.
Use tools to make better use of taxis
It's important to use taxis wisely when traveling. When you're traveling and time is limited, you want to make things as easy as possible. Use this article to learn about the taxi situation in Korea, and choose the method that's easiest for you, such as using a ride-hailing app!
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The contents published are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change.
