Busan Metro Guide for Visitors: Fares and Tips
A one-section adult ride on the Busan Metro costs 1,600 won with a transit card or the app and 1,700 won with a single-use QR ticket. Four lines cover Haeundae, Seomyeon and Nampo. Use a T-money card, check the station timetable for last trains, and transfer within 30 minutes to keep discounts.
- Lines
- 4 metro lines (1, 2, 3 and 4)
- Adult fare
- 1,600 won by card, 1,700 won by QR ticket
- Tourist passes
- 1-day 6,000 won, 3-day 13,000 won (app only)
- Official site
- Busan Transportation Corporation
What should I know before I ride?
Fares and rules checked October 19, 2026
Busan has four metro lines, run by one operator, and the same transportation cards work on the metro and city buses. The Busan city government says the lines are easy to follow because each has its own color, and its public transportation page adds that announcements are made in Korean, English, Japanese and Chinese.
- Worth knowing: Transfer stations are signaled by a bird sound, according to the city, so listen for it when you change lines.
- A common mistake: Paying with cash and expecting a transfer discount. The city says cash payers cannot receive one.
- Local tip: Foreign-card payment was still limited in 2026. Carry some cash for a card or ticket, and see the payment note in the FAQ.
How much does the Busan Metro cost?
An adult pays 1,600 won for one section and 1,800 won for two sections with a card, and about 100 won more with a QR ticket. The operator publishes these on its fare guide; it does not state an effective date or list which stations fall in each section.
| Passenger | Card or app, 1 section | Card or app, 2 sections | QR ticket, 1 / 2 sections |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult (19+) | 1,600 | 1,800 | 1,700 / 1,900 |
| Youth (13 to 18) | 1,050 | 1,200 | 1,150 / 1,300 |
| Child (6 to 12) | Free | Free | 700 / 800 |
The operator also lists free travel for seniors aged 65 and over with a benefit, but that is a local welfare entitlement, so visitors should ask at the station or call the operator at 1544-5005 before assuming it applies.
Which ticket or card should I use?
A transit card is the simplest choice for most visitors, and the Busan Urban Railway app is best if you want an unlimited day pass. According to the operator's quick guide, you can use any of three methods.
- Single-use QR ticket: Buy it at a station machine, choose your destination on the route map and insert bills or coins.
- Transit card: Sold at station card machines and convenience stores, and refilled in 1,000-won steps. Unused balance is refunded at convenience stores, not by the metro operator.
- Mobile app: Foreigners can register as non-members with an email address and a verification code, then use pay-as-you-go Metro Pay or a pass.
The app passes are 6,000 won (1 day, adult), 13,000 won (3 days) and 45,000 won (45 trips in 30 days), with lower youth prices. They do not cover buses, the Donghae Line or the Busan-Gimhae Light Rail, so a day pass pays off only if you ride the metro four or more times in a day.
Practical example: a visitor going from Seomyeon to Haeundae and back, then to Nampo, makes three or more trips and could compare a 6,000-won pass with about 1,600 won per card trip.
How do transfers work?
Tap a card, transfer to another mode within 30 minutes, and you pay only the highest fare among the rides. The operator's transfer page lists Hanaro, mybi, eb, T-money, cashbee and deferred-payment cards as eligible, and allows up to two transfers, or three when another type of transit is involved.
- Metro then city bus: The page's adult example totals 1,600 won, the same as bus then metro.
- Metro then express bus: The example total is 2,100 won.
- Cash: Cash payers get no transfer discount, so use a card if you plan to switch between metro and bus.
The Donghae Line is run by Korail, and the Busan-Gimhae Light Rail by BGL Co., so their fares differ. Busan's government gives the Donghae Line card fare as 1,300 won within 10 km, plus 200 won per extra 10 km.
How do I ride step by step?
Find the line and direction, tap your card or scan your QR code at the gate, and keep your ticket until you exit.
- Get a payment method. Buy a QR ticket or transit card at the machine, or set up the app before you arrive.
- Check the direction. Use the gate and platform that match your destination, which is named by the last station on the line.
- Enter. Tap the card on the reader or scan the QR or app code. Each person needs their own ticket.
- Board politely. Queue on either side of the door and let passengers off first. Folding bikes are allowed daily in the last car; regular bikes only on weekends and holidays.
- Exit and keep the ticket. Tap out or scan at the destination. If you bought the wrong ticket, the operator allows one free reprint at the same station within 5 minutes.
The train timetable page lets you pick a line and station and shows departures by hour for weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays or holidays. A sample station we checked listed trains from about 5:00 until about 23:10, so do not assume service until midnight.
Which stations matter most to visitors?
Seomyeon, Haeundae, Gwangan and Nampo cover most first-time sightseeing, and Seomyeon is the main change between Lines 1 and 2. For help choosing where to base yourself, see our guide to the Busan areas for first-timers.
- Seomyeon: Lines 1 and 2 meet here, so most cross-city trips pass through it.
- Haeundae and Gwangan: Both are on Line 2 and serve the beach districts. There is no station called Gwangalli; search for Gwangan.
- Nampo and Jagalchi: On Line 1, for the downtown markets and the fish market.
- Airport link: From Gimhae Airport, the light rail connects to Line 2 and Line 3.
Exit numbers matter at big stations, so check them on your map app before you leave the platform. Our Busan in 3 days plan shows how these stations fit into a trip.
FAQ
How much is a Busan Metro ticket for a tourist?
A one-section adult fare is 1,600 won with a transit card or mobile ticket and 1,700 won with a single-use QR ticket; two sections cost 1,800 and 1,900 won. Confirm on the Busan Transportation Corporation fare page.
Can I use a Seoul T-money card in Busan?
Yes. The Busan government says the same transportation cards work on the metro and city buses, and its transfer rules list T-money among accepted cards.
Is there a Busan Metro day pass for tourists?
Yes, in the Busan Urban Railway app only: 6,000 won for one day, 13,000 won for three days and 45,000 won for 45 trips in 30 days. They cover the metro, not buses.
Does the Busan Metro run all night?
No. Service stops overnight and times differ by line and station. Check the official timetable page for your station and plan a taxi or bus for late returns.
Can I pay with a foreign credit card?
Station machines were reported in mid-2026 to accept cash only, with card payment planned. The app has been reported to accept overseas cards; confirm in the app before relying on it.
Official sources and useful links
Links open in a new tab. Fares and times above were checked on October 19, 2026; verify on these pages.
- Busan Transportation Corporation the metro operator's English home page
- Busan Metro fare guide card, QR ticket and pass prices
- Transfer fare rules 30-minute transfer conditions and eligible cards
- Train timetables departure times by line and station
- Busan public transportation city government overview of metro, buses and rail
- VisitKorea (Korea Tourism Organization) official tourism information in English
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