Seoul taxis are one of the best deals in the city. They're clean, metered, and the drivers are generally honest. But if you've ever sat in the back seat trying to show your hotel address on Google Maps while the driver nods politely and then takes a completely different route — you'll know why learning a few key phrases is worth it.
I've taken hundreds of taxis in Seoul (not an exaggeration), and these are the phrases that have genuinely saved me time, money, and confusion.
🚕 5 Essential Taxi Phrases in Korean
| Situation | Korean | Pronunciation | Meaning | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Telling destination | ___으로 가주세요 | ___ eu-ro ga-ju-se-yo | Please take me to ___ | |
| Stopping | 여기서 세워 주세요 | yeo-gi-seo se-wo ju-se-yo | Please stop here | |
| Turning | 좌회전 / 우회전 해주세요 | jwa-hoe-jeon / u-hoe-jeon hae-ju-se-yo | Turn left / Turn right | |
| Going straight | 직진해 주세요 | jik-jin-hae ju-se-yo | Please go straight | |
| Paying | 카드로 해도 돼요? | ka-deu-ro hae-do dwae-yo? | Can I pay by card? |
💡 Rian's Tip — Grammar: ___으로 / 로
으로 and 로 both mean "to / toward" — they're the same particle, just different forms.
Rule: if the place name ends in a consonant → use 으로 (e.g. 명동 → 명동으로)
If it ends in a vowel or ㄹ → use 로 (e.g. 홍대 → 홍대로, 서울역 → 서울역으로)
The most useful phrase: "명동으로 가주세요" or "홍대로 가주세요" — works every time.
📱 Kakao T — The App Koreans Actually Use
If you want to avoid language barriers entirely, download Kakao T before you arrive. This is the taxi app that Koreans themselves use the most — not just tourists. Think of it as Korea's version of Uber, but more widely used and more deeply integrated into daily life here. You set your destination in English, the driver gets directions automatically, and payment is handled through the app.
- Available on iOS and Android
- English language support available
- Shows estimated fare before you book
- Accepts international credit cards
- Used daily by locals — not just a tourist app
🌙 Late Night? Know These Phrases
After midnight, taxis can be harder to find and some drivers may refuse short trips. These phrases help:
| Korean | Meaning | Audio |
|---|---|---|
| 얼마나 걸려요? | How long will it take? | |
| 빨리 가주세요 | Please hurry (use politely!) |
💡 Rian's Tip — 할증이 뭐예요? (What is 할증?)
Before you get in a late-night taxi, you need to know one word: 할증 (hal-jeung) . It literally means "surcharge" — 할(割) means rate, 증(增) means increase. In other words: the meter goes up.
There are two types of surcharges you'll encounter in Seoul:
🌙 심야 할증 (Night Surcharge)
From midnight to 4:00 AM, all taxis in Seoul apply a 20% surcharge on top of the regular fare. The meter still runs normally — it just starts at a higher base and ticks faster. You'll see "심야" (night) displayed on the meter inside the taxi. This is completely standard and legal — don't be surprised when the fare looks higher than expected.
🛣️ 시외 할증 (Out-of-City Surcharge)
If your destination is outside the city boundary — for example, heading toward Incheon, Suwon, or other cities — an additional 20% surcharge applies on top of the regular fare (and on top of any night surcharge if applicable). The driver is required to inform you before departure, but it's good to know in advance.
Pro tip: Use Kakao T at night — the estimated fare shown in the app already includes the 할증, so there are no surprises when you arrive.
Related posts:
→ "Where is ___?" — The Only Korean Phrase You Need at Incheon Airport
→ Ordering Food in Korea: What to Say at a Korean Restaurant
