Seoul Metro Late-Night Travel: Owl Buses (N-Bus) Routes and Timetables

How the Owl Bus network works

Seoul's regular subway and day buses stop running around midnight, and the Owl Bus (also called N-Bus, from routes prefixed with "N") is the city's answer: a network of routes running through the overnight hours, radiating from central hubs like Gangnam, Hongdae, Jongno and Dongdaemun out toward residential districts across the city. Routes and schedules are set by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and are separate from daytime bus lines, even when they cover similar corridors.

Finding your route

• Use a Korean transit app (Naver Map or KakaoMap set to English) and search your destination during night hours -- it will surface an N-numbered route if one covers that path.
• N-route numbers and stops are also posted at major night-bus hub stops in Gangnam, Hongdae and similar late-night districts.
• Frequency is much lower than daytime service, often 30-40 minutes between buses, so build in wait time.

Fares and payment

Owl Buses use the same T-money/contactless transit card and transfer system as regular Seoul buses -- tap on with a T-money card, transport card app, or a contactless-enabled foreign card where supported. Fares are typically set slightly higher than standard daytime bus fares; check current pricing when boarding since transit fares are adjusted periodically.

Practical tips for late-night riders

1. Confirm the last Owl Bus departure time for your specific stop -- "night bus" does not mean every hour is covered.
2. Keep your phone charged; you'll likely be relying on a map app to track the bus in real time.
3. If no Owl Bus route serves your area, a licensed taxi is the fallback -- confirm the driver is using the meter or a booked-app fare.