Getting around · Busan · South Korea
Getting around Busan
Public transport, passes, airport connections and when a car makes sense.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Chelsea Hicks, CC BY 2.0
Quick answer
Busan is long and hilly, but four subway lines, a light rail line and the Donghae Line commuter trains connect the main areas. Taxis are inexpensive for shorter hops, and buses fill in coastal areas such as Taejongdae and Gamcheon. No.
Key facts
- Main way around
- Metro
- Airports
- PUS
- Need a car?
- No
- Travel pass
- T-money / Cashbee card
Ways to get around
Metro
Line 1 runs through Nampo-dong, Busan Station and Seomyeon, and line 2 runs from Seomyeon to Gwangalli and Haeundae. Haeundae to Nampo-dong takes about an hour.
Use a T-money or Cashbee card, which works on the subway, buses and in taxis nationwide.
Bus
City buses reach places the subway misses, including Gamcheon Culture Village, Taejongdae and Haedong Yonggungsa; stops are announced in English and Korean.
Taxi
Metered taxis are plentiful and fairly priced; the Kakao T app works for booking and many drivers accept cards.
Taxis are often quicker than the subway between Nampo-dong, Gamcheon and Songdo.
Train
KTX high-speed trains connect Busan Station with Seoul in about 2.5 hours and Gyeongju in about 30 minutes; the Donghae Line commuter trains run from Bujeon via Centum and Haeundae to Osiria and Gijang.
Walking
Nampo-dong's markets, the beachfronts and coastal trails such as Igidae and Dongbaek Island are best on foot, but expect steep hills in older neighbourhoods.
Tickets and passes
T-money / Cashbee card
Rechargeable transport cards bought at convenience stores and stations, valid on buses, subways and many taxis across Korea, with transfer discounts.
Busan subway one-day pass
Unlimited subway rides for a day, worthwhile if you plan more than four or five trips.
From the airport
Gimhae International Airport is about 20 km west of the centre. The Busan–Gimhae Light Rail connects to subway line 2 at Sasang and line 3 at Daejeo; the trip to Seomyeon takes about 30–40 minutes and to Haeundae about an hour. Limousine buses run to Haeundae and the main hotel areas.
Do you need a car?
No. Public transport and taxis cover the city well and parking is difficult; a car is only useful for exploring the south coast beyond Tongyeong.
Reaching the day trips
| Destination | Travel time | How |
|---|---|---|
| Gyeongju | About 30 minutes by KTX, plus a bus into town | KTX to Singyeongju, then local bus |
| Tongdosa Temple | About 1 hour by intercity bus | Intercity bus from Nopo terminal to Sinpyeong, then a walk |
| Tongyeong | About 2 hours by bus | Intercity bus from Busan Seobu terminal at Sasang |
| Geoje Island | About 1.5 hours by bus | Bus from Busan Seobu terminal via the Geoga Bridge |
| Jinhae | About 1 hour by bus | Intercity bus from Busan Seobu terminal |
Questions travellers ask
+Do you need a car in Busan?
No. Public transport and taxis cover the city well and parking is difficult; a car is only useful for exploring the south coast beyond Tongyeong.
+How do you get from the airport to Busan?
Gimhae International Airport is about 20 km west of the centre. The Busan–Gimhae Light Rail connects to subway line 2 at Sasang and line 3 at Daejeo; the trip to Seomyeon takes about 30–40 minutes and to Haeundae about an hour. Limousine buses run to Haeundae and the main hotel areas.
+What is the best way to get around Busan?
Metro: Line 1 runs through Nampo-dong, Busan Station and Seomyeon, and line 2 runs from Seomyeon to Gwangalli and Haeundae. Haeundae to Nampo-dong takes about an hour.