Taxis in Korea: Types, Fares and How to Use Kakao T or k.ride (2026)
Short answer: You can hail a taxi on the street, call one with an app, or book an international taxi. Regular taxis are the cheapest. Pay with cash, a credit card or a transit card, and tipping is not required, according to the Korea Tourism Organization. For an app, VisitKorea names k.ride, Kakao Mobility’s English-language app for foreign visitors, as a foreigner-friendly choice.
This guide uses VisitKorea (last updated January 22, 2026 on the page) as the main fare source, because the Visit Seoul taxi page is dated December 2020 and shows different numbers. Only fares that appeared on an official page are listed.
Taxi types
| Type | What it is | Notes from official pages |
|---|---|---|
| Regular | Standard taxi, usually identified by a yellow plate and a “TAXI” roof sign | Cheapest and most common |
| Deluxe | Usually black, more expensive vehicle with a higher service standard | Fares start at 6,500 KRW in Seoul (up to 3 km) |
| Jumbo | Larger vehicle for up to 8 passengers | Visit Seoul says it costs the same as deluxe |
| International | Driver speaks English, Japanese or Chinese | Can be reserved in advance or hailed; trips from Incheon Airport use a regional fare table |
| Tourist taxi | Driver can act as a guide | Reservation required; available in Seoul, Gangneung and Jeju |
Visit Seoul warns that call vans may look like jumbo taxis but charge higher fares and do not use a meter. Legitimate jumbo taxis show “JUMBO” on the vehicle, while call vans show “VAN” or “CALL VAN”. That page is old, so use it only as a general warning.
How fares work
Taxi fares in Korea are metered. As read on VisitKorea on November 3, 2026, the regular taxi base fare covers the first 2 km and depends on the region:
| Region | Regular base fare (first 2 km) |
|---|---|
| Seoul, Busan, Incheon, Gyeonggi-do, Gwangju | 4,800 KRW |
| Gangwon | 4,600 KRW |
| Daegu, Ulsan | 4,500 KRW |
| Daejeon, Jeju | 4,300 KRW |
After the base distance, VisitKorea says the extra charge is “about 100 won per 130 to 150 m”, an estimate that varies by region. For deluxe taxis it lists 200 KRW per 151 m. The Visit Seoul page also lists a time-based “idle charge” for slow traffic, but its figures come from the 2020 table, so I am not repeating them.
Late-night surcharge: VisitKorea says it generally applies from 22:00 to 04:00 and is highest from 23:00 to 02:00, with the amount varying by time. Visit Seoul says deluxe taxis have no late-night surcharge. Because the two pages differ on the exact hours and rates, check the notice on the taxi’s meter or window. Other charges can apply:
- Driving out of the region may add charges.
- International taxis trips within or leaving Seoul are metered plus a 20 percent surcharge, per VisitKorea.
- Call services may add a small fee.
This guide did not find an official page with a single current fare example for a particular route, so none is quoted here. Apps show an estimate before you ride.
Payment and tipping
VisitKorea lists cash, credit card and a transportation card as accepted. Visit Seoul says most taxis accept cash, credit cards and T-money. VisitKorea states: “Tips are not required.” Keep the receipt, and ask the driver to confirm the meter is running at the start.
Taxi apps for foreigners
| App | What official pages say |
|---|---|
| k.ride | VisitKorea: operated by Kakao Mobility, a foreigner-focused version of Kakao T, in English, Chinese and Japanese, with Google or Apple login and overseas credit cards. The k.ride site lists standard, comfort, deluxe and luxury options, English/Chinese/Japanese interface and an estimated fare before you call. |
| Kakao T | Kakao’s service page says the app shows fares after you set a destination and lets you track the driver. The page names “venti, blue and black” options and an “Overseas Kakao T services” section. |
| Uber Taxi | VisitKorea: uses the Uber app and your existing payment information, with automatic message translation. |
| International taxi app | VisitKorea: lets travelers book, hail and pay. |
This guide could not find an official Kakao page that states which foreign cards or which phone numbers the domestic Kakao T app accepts, so This guide does not make that claim. The k.ride site says only that it accepts credit/debit cards and mobile payment, and it does not say whether foreign cards work. VisitKorea says k.ride supports overseas credit cards. If you want the simplest route as a visitor, VisitKorea points you to k.ride rather than the domestic app.
Phone support: VisitKorea lists International Taxi reservations at +82-1644-2255, taxi stand locations via 02-120 in Seoul, and the 1330 Korea Travel Helpline (+82-2-1330).
Quick checklist
- Choose the type: regular for price, deluxe or jumbo for space or comfort.
- Check the late-night rules if you ride between 22:00 and 04:00.
- Have a payment method ready: cash, card or transit card.
- If using an app, read the estimate and the payment settings before you confirm.
- Do not add a tip unless you want to.
Common mistakes
- Taking an unmetered call van instead of a jumbo taxi.
- Quoting fares from an old blog or old official page.
- Assuming the app estimate includes late-night or out-of-region charges.
- Using the domestic Kakao T app without checking whether your account and card will work.
This guide is general information, not personal advice. Fares and rules change, so confirm with the city, the operator or the app before you ride.
Sources
- VisitKorea (Korea Tourism Organization): Taxis in Korea
- Visit Seoul: Taxi information (older page)
- k.ride (Kakao Mobility): official site
- Kakao: Kakao T service page
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