Stayed out past the last train? A taxi can make the journey back to your accommodation simple. Save your address in Korean, check your pickup and payment details, and you can spend less time figuring things out on the pavement.
Here’s how Seoul late-night taxis work, including the night surcharge and a few small things that make the ride easier.
How much do Seoul taxis cost at night?
For a standard Seoul sedan taxi, the city’s published fares are:
- Daytime: a base fare of ₩4,800 for the first 1.6 km.
- 10 pm to 11 pm: a base fare of ₩5,800, with a 20% night surcharge.
- 11 pm to 2 am: a base fare of ₩6,700, with a 40% night surcharge.
- 2 am to 4 am: a base fare of ₩5,800, with a 20% night surcharge.
These are starting fares, not the price of your whole journey. Distance, slow traffic, tolls and trips outside the city can affect the total. Larger, deluxe and premium services have different rates.
The figures above were checked on 22 September 2026 against Seoul’s official taxi fare table. Check that page for any later changes.
Book through an app or hail a taxi?
Either can work. For booking by app, we recommend Uber or Kakao Taxi (Kakao T). Enter your destination and check the pickup pin before confirming. Make sure it points to somewhere the driver can actually stop, rather than the middle of a pedestrian street.
Check the vehicle type and any booking charge, too. A premium option may cost more than a standard taxi.
If you’re hailing one on the street, use a marked taxi and show the driver your destination before setting off. For a standard metered trip, check that the meter starts.
Save your address in Korean
A hotel name alone can be confusing, especially if it has several branches. Save the full Korean address in a screenshot so you can show it even if your signal drops.
Our guide to using maps in Korea can help you get your destination ready before going out.
If you book through an app, match the number plate to your booking before getting in. Give yourself a moment to check, even when several taxis arrive together.
How do I pay?
Before the journey, check whether you’re paying in the app or directly to the driver. This is particularly useful when your friends are sharing the ride and someone else made the booking.
If you need to use a foreign card, confirm payment before departure and keep a backup option. A card can be declined even when the taxi has a terminal.
At the end, check the fare and keep the receipt or booking record. Before closing the door, take one last look at the seat for your phone and bag.
What if the fare looks wrong?
A night surcharge can make a familiar route cost more after dark. Start by checking the meter, the booked taxi category and any tolls or booking charges.
If something still doesn’t add up, keep the number plate, trip time, receipt and booking record. Use the taxi app’s support or the complaint channel on Seoul’s taxi information page to follow it up.
Taxi or night bus?
A taxi suits a direct trip, particularly if you’re tired or your accommodation is far from a night-bus stop. If a bus route fits, the Seoul Night Bus Guide explains the other option.
Before you leave for the evening, save both your address and a possible route home. You’ll have less to organise when you’re ready for bed.
Now plan the fun part
Once you’ve sorted the journey home, choose the night you’d like to have. Explore SNL’s hosted Seoul nightlife experiences for your next evening out.
