Essential Korean Travel Phrases: Subway, Taxi, Shopping, and Hotels

Korea is an easy country to travel in, with efficient transport and signs in English on major routes. Still, a few Korean phrases make your trip smoother, help you in smaller towns, and create warm moments with locals. All the phrases below are polite and safe to use with anyone.

Asking for directions

• 실례합니다.

  [sillyehamnida]

  Excuse me. (to get someone's attention politely)

• 화장실이 어디예요?

  [hwajangsiri eodieyo]

  Where is the restroom?

• 지하철역이 어디예요?

  [jihacheollyeogi eodieyo]

  Where is the subway station?

• 여기서 멀어요?

  [yeogiseo meoreoyo]

  Is it far from here?

• 걸어서 갈 수 있어요?

  [georeoseo gal ssu isseoyo]

  Can I walk there?

Answers often include 오른쪽 (right), 왼쪽 (left), 직진 (straight ahead), and 건너편 (across the street).

• 오른쪽으로 가세요.

  [oreunjjogeuro gaseyo]

  Go to the right.

Subway and bus

Seoul's subway lines are color-coded and numbered, and stations have announcements in Korean and English. A rechargeable transit card makes rides easy on subways and buses.

• 이 지하철 강남역에 가요?

  [i jihacheol gangnamnyeoge gayo]

  Does this subway go to Gangnam Station?

• 어디에서 갈아타요?

  [eodieseo garatayo]

  Where do I transfer?

• 다음 역이 어디예요?

  [daeum yeogi eodieyo]

  What's the next station?

• 교통카드 충전해 주세요.

  [gyotongkadeu chungjeonhae juseyo]

  Please top up my transit card.

Taxis

Show the address on your phone if possible, but these phrases help.

• 여기로 가 주세요.

  [yeogiro ga juseyo]

  Please take me here.

• 공항까지 얼마나 걸려요?

  [gonghangkkaji eolmana geollyeoyo]

  How long does it take to the airport?

• 여기서 세워 주세요.

  [yeogiseo sewo juseyo]

  Please stop here.

• 카드로 계산할게요.

  [kadeuro gyesanhalkkeyo]

  I'll pay by card.

Shopping

• 이거 얼마예요?

  [igeo eolmaeyo]

  How much is this?

• 좀 깎아 주세요.

  [jom kkakka juseyo]

  Could you give me a little discount?

• 다른 색 있어요?

  [dareun saek isseoyo]

  Do you have another color?

• 입어 봐도 돼요?

  [ibeo bwado dwaeyo]

  Can I try it on?

• 그냥 구경하고 있어요.

  [geunyang gugyeonghago isseoyo]

  I'm just looking.

Bargaining is sometimes possible at traditional markets, but not in department stores or chain shops.

Hotels and accommodation

• 체크인하고 싶어요.

  [chekeuinhago sipeoyo]

  I'd like to check in.

• 예약했어요.

  [yeyakaesseoyo]

  I have a reservation.

• 와이파이 비밀번호가 뭐예요?

  [waipai bimilbeonhoga mwoeyo]

  What's the Wi-Fi password?

• 짐 좀 맡겨도 돼요?

  [jim jom matgyeodo dwaeyo]

  Can I leave my luggage here?

When you need help

• 도와주세요!

  [dowajuseyo]

  Help, please!

• 길을 잃었어요.

  [gireul ireosseoyo]

  I'm lost.

• 병원이 어디예요?

  [byeongwoni eodieyo]

  Where is the hospital?

• 약국이 어디예요?

  [yakgugi eodieyo]

  Where is the pharmacy?

• 영어 할 수 있는 분 계세요?

  [yeongeo hal ssu inneun bun gyeseyo]

  Is there anyone who speaks English?

Korea's tourist information line and emergency services can help in English, so keep those numbers handy on your phone before you travel.

Politeness tips

• Start with 실례합니다 or 저기요 when approaching strangers.
• End interactions with 감사합니다.
• Speak in 해요체 or use the formal phrases above; they are appropriate everywhere.

Train and intercity travel

For longer trips, Korea's high-speed trains connect major cities in a few hours. At a ticket counter, the counters from our numbers articles come in handy.

• 부산 가는 표 두 장 주세요.

  [busan ganeun pyo du jang juseyo]

  Two tickets to Busan, please.

• 몇 번 출구로 나가요?

  [myeot beon chulguro nagayo]

  Which exit number should I take?

Subway exits are numbered, and Koreans often give directions by exit number, so listening for 번 출구 (exit number) is very useful.

Travel is the perfect chance to put your Korean into action. Even a few phrases will earn smiles, open conversations, and make your journey more memorable.