Taxis in Korea are metered, take credit cards and transit cards, and nobody expects a tip. A regular Seoul taxi starts at ₩4,800 for the first 1.6 km, with a 20–40% surcharge late at night. Hailing on the street works outside busy areas, but an app is easier: K.Ride is built for visitors and takes foreign cards, Kakao T has the most cars, and Uber also works in Seoul.
Which app to use
| App | Languages | Foreign card | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| K.Ride | English, Japanese, Chinese | Yes, register it in the app | Made for visitors; sign up with email, Google or Apple |
| Kakao T | Korean, with an English option | Not always accepted | Biggest fleet; choose "pay the driver directly" and pay by card in the taxi |
| Uber | Many languages | Yes | Sends licensed taxis in Seoul; fewer cars than Kakao T |
The apps in detail
K.Ride
- Sign up With email, Google or Apple; you do not need a Kakao account.
- Pay Register an overseas credit card before you book. The fare is charged in the app.
- Check The estimated fare and any booking fee before you confirm.
Kakao T
- Why It is the app most Koreans use, so it finds a car fastest, especially at night.
- Pay If your foreign card is not accepted in the app, pick the "pay the driver directly" option and tap your card in the taxi.
- Catch Sign-up can ask for phone verification, which is easier with a Korean number.
Uber
- Why You probably already have it set up, with your card.
- Catch Fewer cars outside central Seoul, so waits can be longer.
Fares in Seoul
- Regular taxi ₩4,800 for the first 1.6 km, then the meter runs by distance and time.
- Late night 20% extra from 22:00 to 23:00 and 02:00 to 04:00; 40% extra from 23:00 to 02:00.
- Deluxe (black) taxis Cost more, with bigger cars.
- Leaving Seoul Rides outside the city can add a surcharge, and expressway tolls are paid by the passenger.
- App calls Some app taxi types add a call fee on top of the meter; the app shows it before you confirm.
Small things that help
- Show the driver your destination in Korean on a map app; addresses in English can be hard to match.
- Make sure the meter is on when you start. In app rides the fare follows the app's rules.
- Back doors on the curb side are the normal way in; in Korea you open the door yourself.
- Ask for a receipt (영수증, yeongsujeung) if you might need to find a lost item; it shows the taxi number.
FAQ
Do I need to tip?
No. Tipping is not expected in Korean taxis.
Can I pay with T-money?
Yes, most taxis take T-money and credit cards. Cash works too.
Why do some taxis pass me by at night?
Late at night many drivers take app calls instead. Booking through an app is usually faster than waving on the street.
Sources and last check
Fares are from the Seoul Metropolitan Government's taxi fare rules (base fare ₩4,800 since February 2023, late-night surcharges since December 2022), and app details from the app providers, checked on 26 October 2026.