Seoul Village Bus Fares and Youth and Child Discounts
The standard fare on Seoul village buses is 1,200 won for both card and cash payments. Check age-based discount registration, early-bird discounts, how to tap your card for transfers, and the conditions for using the Climate Companion Pass and Modu Card.
Check the route and stops you plan to use under Find a Village Bus on the left side of this site.
Complete discount registration for your transit card to qualify for youth or child fares.
Tap the same transit card on the reader when boarding and getting off.
Transfer within 30 minutes of getting off. During designated nighttime hours, the limit is 60 minutes.
To receive transit fare refunds, check the sign-up requirements and card registration on the official Modu Card website.
The standard fare for Seoul community buses is 1,200 won, whether paid by card or in cash. Register for youth or child discounts first. To transfer, tap the same card when getting off. For Modu Card refunds, check the eligibility requirements on the official website.
Fares and policies are based on Seoul and Modu Card guidance accessed on November 11, 2026.
How do I use community bus discounts and transfers?
Prepare a transit card, then check your discount registration and tap the card when boarding and getting off. The integrated transit card transfer discount does not apply to fares paid in cash. Follow the card issuer’s instructions to register for child or youth discounts.
· Use the community bus finder on the left side of this site to find a route by neighborhood or number.
· If you qualify for a child or youth fare, register the card you will use for the discount.
· Tap your transit card on the reader when boarding.
· Tap the same card when getting off.
· When transferring, board with the same card within the transfer time limits below.
Seoul instructs passengers to register for discounts after purchasing a card. Tmoney users can check the discount and registration instructions linked from Seoul’s fare guide. Before traveling, check the Seoul Transit Fare Guide again.
Seoul community bus fares and age requirements
The standard base fare for Seoul community buses is 1,200 won. The listed youth fare is 600 won. Children pay 400 won.
The amounts below are the fares adjusted on August 12, 2023. They were checked as of November 11, 2026. Early-morning discounts apply only when paying with a transit card.
Category | Transit card base fare | Cash base fare | Early-morning card fare
Standard | 1,200 won | 1,200 won | 960 won
Youth | 600 won | 600 won | 480 won
Children | 400 won | 400 won | 320 won
Discount category | Age requirement | Exceptions based on school enrollment
Youth | Ages 13 to 18 | Includes students aged 24 or younger enrolled in elementary, middle, or high school
Children | At least 6 but less than 13 years old | Includes elementary school students aged at least 13
Meeting the age requirement alone does not automatically activate the card discount. The card must be registered for child or youth use. If a school enrollment exception applies to you, check the registration procedure with the card issuer.
Seoul’s “Transit Fare Guide” states the following about discount registration:
Available for use after purchasing a transit card and registering it for child or youth use
The fare table and discount registration requirements can be found in the Seoul Transit Fare Guide.
Early-morning discount and city bus transfer calculation example
The early-morning discount applies to the first boarding before 6:30 a.m. It gives a 20% discount on the transit card base fare. When transferring to the next mode of transport, the fare difference is calculated using regular fares.
This example is for a standard-fare passenger transferring from a community bus to a city bus. It uses the standard city bus base fare of 1,500 won. It assumes that the transfer conditions are met and the total travel distance is within 10km.
Calculation item | Calculation | Amount
Early-morning community bus fare | 1,200 won × 80% | 960 won
Fare difference for transfer to a city bus | 1,500 won - 1,200 won | 300 won
Total with no distance surcharge | 960 won + 300 won | 1,260 won
The total of 1,260 won is calculated by adding the amounts listed in Seoul’s guidance. The early-morning discount is not applied again to the 300 won transfer fare difference. If a distance surcharge applies, the actual amount charged increases. The calculation is based on Seoul’s Early-Morning Discount Guide.
Integrated transfer time limits and tapping when getting off
To receive a transfer discount, transfer within the specified time after getting off. One person must use the same single card. You must tap when getting off as well as when boarding to keep the transfer valid.
Item to check | Applicable rule
Regular transfer time | Within 30 minutes after getting off
Nighttime transfer time | Within 60 minutes after getting off, from 21:00 to 07:00 the next day
How nighttime eligibility is determined | Based on the time you board the next mode of transport
Number of transfers | Up to 4 transfers, for a total of 5 boardings
Reboarding the same route or the same vehicle | No transfer discount
Failure to tap when getting off | May break the transfer and result in an additional charge
Seoul’s “Integrated Transfer Discount System” warns of additional charges if you do not tap when getting off. Tap your card on the reader when you get off, too. Without a record of getting off, you may be charged extra on your next boarding. Detailed rules follow the Seoul Integrated Transfer Guide.
How much extra is charged by distance when transferring?
For a typical transfer involving a community bus, the base fare covers a total distance of up to 10km. The base fare is the highest fare among the modes of transport used. Beyond this distance, standard-fare passengers pay an additional 100 won for every 5km.
A flat fare applies when using a Seoul city bus or community bus without transferring. Transfers between buses also count as transfers. Transferring several times does not mean that every leg of the trip is free.
The integrated transfer system includes metropolitan area subways and buses in Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon. GTX-A is also included. Check the detailed fares for metropolitan express buses or rail services with separate fares. Rules for each mode of transport are available in the Seoul Integrated Transfer Guide.
The difference between 2 hours at the base fare and 30 minutes to transfer
The time allowed at the base fare and the transfer waiting time are separate rules. The former is the time spent riding after boarding the bus. The latter is the time between getting off and boarding the next mode of transport.
Category | Period being measured | What to check
Maximum travel time at the base fare | After boarding a community bus | Seoul’s announcement that it will be extended from 1 hour to 2 hours
Regular transfer time | From getting off to the next boarding | Within 30 minutes
Nighttime transfer time | From getting off to the next boarding | Within 60 minutes during nighttime hours
Seoul announced the extension of travel time on June 30, 2026. It was included in “Changes to Life in Seoul in the Second Half of 2026.” The announcement explains that the maximum would increase to 2 hours from July 2026. The source is Seoul’s Guide to Policies for Daily Life in the Second Half of the Year.
However, the integrated transfer guide still lists 1 hour for community buses. These two guides alone do not establish the exact implementation date. Before taking a long ride, check the applicable rule with the Dasan Call Center at 02-120. The existing wording can be found in the Seoul Integrated Transfer Guide.
Comparing Climate Card short-term passes and Climate Pass
Do not plan to use a Climate Card 30-day pass now. Prepaid and postpaid 30-day pass services ended on October 1, 2026. Short-term passes and Climate Pass must be checked separately.
Category | Operation and eligibility | What to check before use
Climate Card prepaid 30-day pass | Last day of use: September 29, 2026 | 30-day passes can no longer be loaded or used
Climate Card postpaid 30-day pass | Last day of use: September 30, 2026 | Service has now ended
Climate Card short-term passes | 1-, 2-, 3-, 5-, and 7-day passes remain available | Check eligible routes and validity periods
Climate Pass | Registered Seoul residents aged at least 19 | Check Modu Card membership and card registration status
Climate Pass young adult benefits | Ages 19 to 39 | Separate criteria from the regular youth bus discount
The end dates for 30-day passes are specified in Seoul’s Service Termination FAQ. Climate Pass adds Seoul-specific benefits to Modu Card. You can check who qualifies for Seoul’s support in the Climate Pass Launch Announcement.
Can I ride Seoul community buses with a short-term pass?
Community buses licensed by Seoul are covered by short-term passes. This is specified in Seoul’s introduction, updated on October 12, 2026. Passes can be used on Seoul-licensed buses even when boarding or getting off outside Seoul.
Buses licensed by other regions are excluded. The Shinbundang Line and GTX are also not covered by short-term passes. Check the Seoul Short-Term Pass Coverage Guide, including the routes you will transfer to.
A short-term pass becomes valid on the day it is loaded. Advance loading is not available, so load it on the day you will use it. Physical cards must be registered with Tmoney Card&Pay. Seoul states that unregistered cards cannot be refunded.
How do I prepare to receive Modu Card refunds?
Complete your membership registration first to receive Modu Card refunds. Residents of participating local governments aged at least 19 are eligible to join. You also need a supported transit card. Check the requirements in the Official Modu Card Eligibility Requirements.
· Check the official website to see whether your place of residence and age meet the eligibility requirements.
· Prepare a card that can be registered with Modu Card.
· Complete membership and card registration on the official website or app.
· Use public transport with your registered card.
· Check your travel history and each card issuer’s payment method on the website.
The basic requirement for refunds is at least 15 trips per month. Trips on city buses, community buses, and subways are included. The Shinbundang Line and GTX are also eligible for refunds. For an explanation of the program, see the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s Modu Card Introduction Guide.
Intercity, express, and airport buses are excluded from refunds. Services requiring separate tickets, such as KTX and SRT, are also excluded. Check the official website for individual refund amounts and detailed accrual requirements. (Verified requirement: at least 15 trips per month; refunds are also available for fewer than 15 trips in the first month of membership · Source: korea-pass.kr · Checked on 2026-11-13) If you cannot access the website, contact Modu Card customer service at 031-427-4415.
Pass benefits apply from September 1, 2026, to Seoul residents who are already members. The listed young adult age range is 19 to 39. Refund dates and payment methods vary by card issuer and operator. Transition and payment guidance is available in the Seoul Climate Pass FAQ.
Common mistakes when using discounts
To avoid missing discounts, check your registration and card taps separately. Child and youth discount registration is the procedure for applying age-based fares. Modu Card membership is a separate procedure for transport fare refunds.
Common misunderstanding | What you actually need to check
Buying a child transit card completes discount registration | Whether child or youth registration for the card is complete
A longer travel time at the base fare also means a longer transfer time | Riding time and transfer time after getting off are separate
The early-morning transfer fare difference also receives a 20% discount | The difference is calculated using regular base fares
Short-term passes and Climate Pass have the same coverage | Check eligible routes for short-term passes and refund eligibility for Climate Pass
Receiving a Modu Card is all you need to prepare for refunds | Check membership and card registration on the official website or app
Fare increase demands and the financial support agreement
Do not treat the reported fare increase demand as the current boarding fare. NewsPim reported the association’s demand for an increase on September 27, 2026. The association requested a base fare of at least 1,700 won. Seoul’s position is that it will consider trends in other public utility charges and other factors. This is covered in NewsPim’s Report on Fare Increase Discussions.
As of the November 11, 2026 check, no fare increase had been finalized. Neither the size of an increase nor its implementation date can be stated with certainty. Check Seoul’s fare guide for the actual fare.
The financial support agreement was reportedly reached on December 18, 2025. Herald Business reported the agreement’s details on the 21st of the same month. The figures below are plans reported at that time.
Item | Reported agreement details
Total number of services in 2026 | Increase by approximately 5% from 2025
154 routes operated by loss-making companies with insufficient service | Increase services by 12% in 2026
Seoul’s financial support budget | Increase from 41.2 billion won in 2025 to 50 billion won in 2026
The agreement details are based on Herald Business’s Report on Expanded Financial Support. These figures do not indicate service intervals at any particular stop. Check operating information for your route separately.
Where can I check first and last buses and estimated arrivals?
Use the community bus finder on the left side of this site to search by neighborhood or number. You can find the first and last buses and service intervals for each route. Also check estimated arrivals at your stop and travel times between two stops.
· Search for the neighborhood or community bus number you will use.
· Check your boarding stop and direction of travel.
· Check the first and last buses and service intervals.
· Check the estimated arrival at your stop again before leaving.
· Select your destination stop to check the travel time between stops.
If fare or travel time guidance differs, contact the Dasan Call Center at 02-120. For Modu Card membership and refund inquiries, call 031-427-4415. Check fares and operating information again before traveling, as they may change.
