Seoul Night Bus, Last Trains and Taxis: Getting Home Late (2026)

By Gape · 7 min read · Published November 9, 2026

Quick answer: After the subway stops, the Seoul night bus network takes over: 14 “N” routes (올빼미버스, Owl Bus) leave between about 23:10 and 04:10 and cost ₩2,500 by card. On weekdays the subway runs until about 1 a.m. at the end of each line, so the last train from central stations leaves earlier, often before midnight. A taxi works anytime but costs 20–40% more from 22:00 to 04:00.

Facts below come from the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s own transport pages and press releases, checked on October 19, 2026.

How late does the Seoul subway run?

On weekdays, Seoul’s subway runs until about 1 a.m., measured at each line’s last station. That late-night extension came back in 2022 after a two-year pause during the pandemic: Line 9, the Ui-Sinseol and Sillim lines from May 30, 2022, and Lines 2 and 5–8 from June 7, 2022. Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays were left out of the extension, so service ends earlier on those nights.

“1 a.m. at the terminus” means your train from Hongdae or Gangnam leaves well before that, often before midnight. Lines 1, 3 and 4 share tracks with Korail (코레일), so their late timetables are set separately.

Two traps catch visitors:

• Transfers. The second line can stop before the first. If your route changes lines, check both last trains, not just the first one.
• Direction. Last trains differ by direction, and some short-run trains end partway down the line. Read the destination on the platform screen.

The fastest check is a map app. In Naver Map or Kakao Map, search your route and set the departure time to “now”; when trains have stopped, the app switches to night buses or walking.

How do Seoul night buses (N buses) work?

Seoul’s night buses are regular city buses with an N before the route number, such as N13 or N61. The city calls them Owl Buses (올빼미버스, ol-ppae-mi beo-seu). They run in the window from 23:00 to 06:00, linking central areas with outer neighborhoods across the city.

Tap your card when you board, as on any Seoul bus. Night buses come every 10 to 40 minutes depending on the route, so a missed bus can mean a half-hour wait.

There are 14 routes with 140 buses in total. Each route’s first departure is between 23:10 and 00:00, and the last leaves between 03:10 and 04:10, according to the city’s route table (updated March 20, 2026).

The ends are depot neighborhoods you won’t recognize. What matters is the length: most routes run 70–90 km across the city, so one bus can serve several districts, and searching by destination works better than reading this table.

How do you find the right night bus from Hongdae, Gangnam or Myeongdong?

Let a map app pick the route; the city lists only each route’s ends, and stops change when routes are adjusted. Do this before your last train leaves, so you can choose between the train and the bus.

1. Open Naver Map or Kakao Map and enter your hotel as the destination.
2. Set the departure time to when you’ll actually leave (for example 01:30).
3. Look for routes starting with N. The app shows the stop, walking time and the next arrivals.
4. Save the stop. Night buses use the normal bus stops, and the stop sign lists N routes with the others.
5. If the next N bus is more than 30 minutes away, compare a taxi fare in the app.

Seoul has also announced a second late-night service, the Firefly Bus (반딧불이버스, ban-dit-bul-i beo-seu). It is meant to link nightlife areas and subway stations, naming Hongdae, Gwanghwamun, Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), Myeongdong and Gangnam, and runs alongside the existing N buses. The city’s August 2026 plan said it would start in October 2026. As of October 19, we had not found an official route number, timetable or fare, so check your map app for it before counting on it.

What does a late-night taxi cost?

A regular Seoul taxi costs 20% more from 22:00 to 23:00 and from 02:00 to 04:00, and 40% more from 23:00 to 02:00. The increase applies to the base fare and to the distance and time charges.

Leaving Seoul’s city limits adds another 20%, and the late-night and out-of-city surcharges can stack to 60% in total. Deluxe (모범, black) and large taxis start at ₩7,000 for the first 3 km and add a flat 20% at night (base ₩8,400). These are the city’s fare rules updated October 14, 2026.

Taxis can be hard to hail on the street around nightlife areas after midnight. Booking in an app helps; our Kakao T guide covers setup with a foreign card and the app’s booking fees.

Can you use the Climate Card or T-money on night buses?

Yes. A T-money card pays the night bus fare like any other bus, and the Climate Card (기후동행카드) short-term pass covers Seoul-licensed city buses including late-night buses. Airport buses and buses licensed outside Seoul are not covered by the Climate Card.

Transfers get more time at night. Seoul’s rule allows 30 minutes between rides for a transfer discount, but from 21:00 to 07:00 the window is 60 minutes, with up to five rides in a chain. Our T-money vs Climate Card guide compares which card to buy.

What if you land at Incheon Airport late at night?

Late at night, four airport night buses run to Seoul from Terminal 1: N6000, N6002, N6701 and N6703. The airport lists ₩17,000 for adults on N6000 (Gangnam Express Bus Terminal) and ₩18,000 on N6002 (Cheongnyangni) and N6701 (Dongdaemun Design Plaza). Buy a ticket at the counter or ticket machine before you board. These are airport services, separate from the city’s N buses, so the Climate Card doesn’t cover them.

Departure times, stops and taxi zone fares are in our Incheon Airport to Seoul guide.

What changed recently

• August 12, 2023: The adult night bus fare rose from ₩2,150 to ₩2,500 by card.
• May 2025: Seoul announced a plan to move first and last trains on Lines 1–8 30 minutes earlier, with first trains at 05:00.
• December 12, 2025: Seoul Metro management withdrew the 30-minute-earlier timetable during strike talks. We found no sign it took effect, but check last trains in an app.
• August 20, 2026: Seoul announced the Firefly Bus for nightlife areas, due from October 2026.

FAQ

What time is the last subway in Seoul?

On weekdays, trains run until about 1 a.m. at the end of each line, so the last train from central stations often leaves before midnight. Weekends and holidays end earlier. Check your exact station in Naver Map or Kakao Map.

How much is the Seoul night bus?

₩2,500 for adults by card or cash, ₩1,600 for youths by card, and ₩1,400 for children. That’s ₩1,000 more than a daytime city bus (₩1,500).

Do Seoul night buses run all night?

Almost. Routes start between 23:10 and midnight, and the last departures leave between 03:10 and 04:10. Regular buses and the first trains start soon after.

Is it safe to take the night bus in Seoul?

Seoul’s night buses are ordinary city buses on fixed routes, run by the same companies as daytime buses. Sit near the front if you want to watch for your stop, and keep your map app open.

Is a taxi cheaper than the night bus for a group?

For three or four people going a short distance, often yes. Four bus fares cost ₩10,000, while a short ride at night starts at ₩5,800–6,700, so compare both in the app before you decide.