- These figures are for Seoul: ordinary taxis start at ₩4,800 and deluxe or large taxis at ₩7,000; other cities set their own fares.
- Use Kakao T to create a trip record: supported foreign cards can be registered, or choose direct payment and pay the driver in the vehicle.
- Check the meter and keep the receipt: a road toll can be legitimate, but an unapproved flat cash demand is not a normal sedan-taxi fare.
Seoul taxi types, fares and surcharges
| Taxi | Daytime base fare | Late night |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary sedan | ₩4,800 for 1.6 km | 22:00–23:00: 20%; 23:00–02:00: 40%; 02:00–04:00: 20% |
| Deluxe or large | ₩7,000 for 3 km | 22:00–04:00: 20% |
Seoul ordinary taxis add ₩100 per 131 m or 30 seconds at low speed before surcharges. Leaving Seoul can add a 20% outside-city surcharge; combined late-night and boundary surcharges can reach 60% for an ordinary sedan. Approved brand, international and app-only taxis can have separate or flexible fare plans shown before booking. Expressway and bridge tolls are collected in addition to the fare when the route uses them.
Kakao T for a foreign traveler
- Install Kakao T, verify the account, enable location and enter the exact pickup pin.
- Paste the Korean road-name destination or confirm the correct branch with the Naver Map versus Kakao Map guide.
- Choose the ordinary taxi option and review any call fee or flexible rate before requesting.
- Register a supported overseas Visa, Mastercard, JCB or American Express card. If registration fails, choose Direct payment / Pay to driver on an ordinary call and pay once in the taxi.
- Match the license plate before boarding and retain the completed-trip screen.
Direct payment is a real Kakao T option, not a request to pay twice. If the app already charged automatically, do not also hand over cash or a card. App dispatch also reduces ambiguous street negotiations, although it cannot guarantee availability at peak time.
Five overcharge-prevention rules
- Watch the meter: confirm it starts after departure. Decline an unexplained flat price unless the booked service clearly uses an approved predetermined fare.
- Show the Korean address: present the road address and map screen, not only an English venue name.
- Pay traceably: card or T-money payment and the printed receipt preserve plate, operator, times and surcharge details. Cash users should request a receipt.
- Separate tolls from overcharging: a displayed expressway toll is a legitimate additional item. Ask which route will be used before entering a toll road.
- Save evidence: photograph the plate, receipt and app trip. For Seoul taxi complaints call 02-120, then press 9 for foreign-language service. The latest city taxi page lists foreign-language hours as 09:00–18:00; outside those hours, the Korea Travel Hotline 1330 operates 24/7 and can help route a tourist complaint.
For an airport-specific comparison, use the Incheon late-night arrival guide. Keep the Korea payment guide available for card and cash fallbacks.
Official sources
Time-sensitive details were checked against the original sources below on 2026-08-29.
- Seoul Metropolitan Government: official taxi fares and surcharges
- Kakao Mobility support: overseas cards and direct payment for taxi calls
- Seoul Metropolitan Government: taxi complaint and foreign-language 120 instructions
- Seoul Metropolitan Government: English taxi receipts and complaint information