Seoul bus and subway transfers: tap-out rules and transfer timing

How to avoid losing transfer discounts when using buses and subways in Seoul.

Seoul transit discounts depend on correct card taps and transfer timing. Always use the same transportation card for the whole journey. On buses, tap when boarding and tap when getting off. On subways, gates handle entry and exit taps. Transfers usually need to happen within a time window and may not apply if you use cash, change cards, or forget to tap out on a bus. Late-night routes, long trips, and special services can have different fare behavior. If a fare looks wrong, check your recent taps and card balance. Habit matters: card ready before boarding, tap out when leaving buses, and avoid mixing cash and card on the same trip.

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