Is it rude to take calls on public transit?

Yes. Keep your phone on silent and avoid taking voice calls while on the subway or bus. Most Koreans use text or Kakaotalk for business coordination while in transit.

Can I use credit cards instead of T-Money?

Many major credit cards (Visa/Mastercard) now work on subway turnstiles in Seoul, but they do not always trigger the transfer discounts. Use a T-Money card for the best rates.

How do I know where to stand on the subway platform?

Naver Map will often tell you which 'car' is closest to your exit. Look at the floor or the platform signage to see where that car will stop.

Navigating Korean Public Transportation for Business Meetings

Use the T-Money card for seamless transfers between subways and buses and rely on the KakaoMap or Naver Map apps for real-time scheduling. Budget 30 minutes of buffer time for every commute to account for walking distances within large transit hubs.

Buy and top up a T-Money card. Purchase a T-Money card at any convenience store (CU, GS25, 7-Eleven) immediately upon arrival. Load it with 30,000 KRW to start; you can top it up at subway station kiosks using cash.
Download the right mapping apps. Google Maps is unreliable in Korea for transit. Download Naver Map or KakaoMap. Change the language settings to English and input your destination addresses in Korean or English to see exact platform numbers and exit gates.
Plan for the 'last mile'. Korean subway stations are massive. Always check which 'Exit' number is closest to your office building. Walking from the platform to the street level can take up to 10 minutes.
Master the transfer rules. You get free or discounted transfers if you switch between a bus and subway within 30 minutes (60 minutes after 9:00 PM). Ensure you tag your card on the reader when exiting a bus or subway to trigger the transfer logic.

Is it rude to take calls on public transit?: Yes. Keep your phone on silent and avoid taking voice calls while on the subway or bus. Most Koreans use text or Kakaotalk for business coordination while in transit.
Can I use credit cards instead of T-Money?: Many major credit cards (Visa/Mastercard) now work on subway turnstiles in Seoul, but they do not always trigger the transfer discounts. Use a T-Money card for the best rates.
How do I know where to stand on the subway platform?: Naver Map will often tell you which 'car' is closest to your exit. Look at the floor or the platform signage to see where that car will stop.