Seoul Taxi Fare Calculator
Estimate what the meter should show in a regular (mid-size) Seoul taxi, so you can tell a fair fare from a rip-off.
Tolls are extra and paid by the passenger. The range assumes that during slow traffic the car creeps at up to 15 km/h (charged by time instead of distance). The surcharge is taken from your departure time.
How Seoul taxi fares work
| Base fare | ₩4,800 for the first 1.6 km |
| Distance fare | +₩100 per 131 m |
| Time fare (at or below 15 km/h) | +₩100 per 30 seconds |
| Late night 22:00–23:00 and 02:00–04:00 | +20% |
| Late night 23:00–02:00 | +40% |
| Outside Seoul city limits | +20% (max +60% with late night) |
| Tolls | Extra, paid by passenger |
Source: Seoul Metropolitan Government, mid-size taxi fares, in effect since 1 February 2023 (current as of September 2026) — news.seoul.go.kr. Deluxe (black) and jumbo taxis charge more and are not covered here.
Example routes
Daytime = 14:00 departure. Night = 23:00–02:00 (+40%). Tolls not included.
* Includes the +20% outside-Seoul surcharge (+60% at night). Distances are approximate road distances; traffic varies a lot, so treat these as a sanity check, not a quote.
What if the driver doesn’t turn on the meter?
- Ask before you go. Point at the meter and say “Miteogi kyeo juseyo” (미터기 켜 주세요 — “Please turn on the meter”).
- Don’t accept a flat price for a normal city trip. If the driver insists, get out before the car moves and take another taxi.
- Take a photo of the taxi number plate and the driver ID card on the dashboard.
- Ask for a receipt — “Yeongsujeung juseyo” (영수증 주세요). It shows the car number and time.
- Call 1330 if you need an interpreter on the spot or help reporting overcharging.
24/7 interpretation and travel help in English, Japanese and Chinese (more languages during the day). Dial 1330 in Korea; from a foreign phone +82-2-1330.
Quick answers
Who pays the tolls?
The passenger. On airport routes the tolls are added on top of the meter fare.
Can I pay by card?
Most Seoul taxis accept credit cards and T-money. If you only have cash or one specific card, ask before you get in. See also Paying in Korea and taxi apps without a Korean number.
Is the late-night surcharge based on when I leave?
The meter applies the surcharge for the time band you are driving in. This calculator uses your departure time, so a trip crossing 23:00 or 02:00 may differ a little.