Taking a Bus in Korea: Routes, Transit Cards, and Getting Off

In this lesson

What you will take away

• 01 Find a bus stop and the right route
• 02 Confirm your destination and stops remaining
• 03 Use transit-card and stop-button phrases
• 04 Ask where to transfer

Key phrase

이 버스가 시청에 가요?

▶ Listen

“이 버스가 ~에 가요?” asks whether a bus goes to a particular place. Replace the place name with your destination.

01

Find the bus stop

Before boarding, find the right bus stop. Ask “버스 정류장이 어디예요?” (Where is the bus stop?).

Check the stop sign and current route information. Buses heading in different directions may serve nearby stops.

Pattern

~ 어디예요? / ~ 어디에 있어요?

안녕하세요. 버스 정류장이 어디예요?

Where is the bus stop?

이 근처에 버스 정류장이 있어요?

Is there a bus stop nearby?

저쪽 횡단보도 앞에 있어요.

It is in front of the crosswalk over there.

Traveler

실례합니다. 버스 정류장이 어디예요?

Passerby

횡단보도 앞에 있어요.

Traveler

감사합니다.

02

Check whether the bus goes to your destination

Before getting on, confirm your destination: “이 버스가 시청에 가요?” means “Does this bus go to City Hall?”.

If you do not know the bus number, ask “몇 번 버스를 타야 해요?” (Which bus number should I take?). Check the actual route display.

Pattern

이 버스가 ~에 가요? / 몇 번 버스

이 버스가 시청에 가요?

Does this bus go to City Hall?

몇 번 버스를 타야 해요?

Which bus number should I take?

네, 시청 쪽으로 가요.

Yes, it goes toward City Hall.

Traveler

이 버스가 시청에 가요?

Driver

네, 시청 쪽으로 갑니다.

Traveler

감사합니다.

03

Board and tap your transit card

Many Korean buses use a card reader for transit fares. “교통카드로 탈 수 있어요?” asks whether you can ride using a transit card.

Not sure where to tap? Ask “카드를 어디에 찍어요?” (Where do I tap the card?). Payment methods can vary by area and bus.

Pattern

교통카드로 탈 수 있어요? / 카드를 찍다

교통카드로 탈 수 있어요?

Can I use a transit card?

카드를 어디에 찍어요?

Where do I tap the card?

여기 단말기에 찍으세요.

Please tap it on the reader here.

Traveler

교통카드로 탈 수 있어요?

Driver

네, 단말기에 찍으세요.

Traveler

네, 알겠습니다.

04

Ask how many stops are left

When your stop is approaching, ask “시청까지 몇 정거장 남았어요?” (How many stops until City Hall?).

“두 정거장 남았어요” means two stops remain. Also follow on-board announcements and the stop display.

Pattern

~까지 몇 정거장 남았어요?

다음 정류장이 어디예요?

What is the next stop?

시청까지 몇 정거장 남았어요?

How many stops until City Hall?

두 정거장 남았어요.

There are two stops left.

Traveler

시청까지 몇 정거장 남았어요?

Passenger

두 정거장 남았어요.

Traveler

알려 주셔서 감사합니다.

05

Press the stop button and get off safely

Many buses have a stop-request button. You can say “다음 정류장에서 내려요” (I get off at the next stop).

Wait until the bus has stopped and the door is open before stepping out. Follow local rules for tapping out with your transit card.

Pattern

다음 정류장에서 내려요 / 하차벨을 누르다

다음 정류장에서 내려요.

I get off at the next stop.

하차벨을 눌러 주세요.

Please press the stop button.

문이 열리면 내려요.

Get off once the door opens.

Traveler

다음 정류장에서 내려요.

Passenger

그럼 하차벨을 누르세요.

Traveler

네, 감사합니다.

06

Ask where to transfer

If you need another bus, ask “여기서 환승할 수 있어요?” (Can I transfer here?).

“갈아탈 버스는 어디에서 타요?” asks where you can board the connecting bus. Transfer fares and rules vary by region.

Pattern

~에서 환승할 수 있어요?

여기서 환승할 수 있어요?

Can I transfer here?

갈아탈 버스는 어디에서 타요?

Where do I catch the connecting bus?

저쪽 정류장에서 타세요.

Catch it at the stop over there.

Traveler

여기서 환승할 수 있어요?

Passerby

네, 건너편 정류장에서 타세요.

Traveler

감사합니다.

07

Practice the entire bus journey

Put it together: find a stop, confirm the destination, and tap your card after boarding.

As you approach your destination, confirm the remaining stops and press the stop button if needed. Always follow actual route and traffic guidance.

Pattern

정류장 → 노선 → 승차 → 하차

실례합니다. 시청에 가려면 몇 번 버스를 타요?

Excuse me, which bus number goes to City Hall?

이 버스가 시청에 가요?

Does this bus go to City Hall?

네. 두 정거장 더 가서 내리세요.

Yes. Get off after two more stops.

Traveler

실례합니다. 이 버스가 시청에 가요?

Driver

네, 시청에 갑니다.

Traveler

몇 정거장 남았어요?

Driver

두 정거장 남았어요.

Traveler

감사합니다.

08

6 useful words for taking a bus

Learn bus, bus stop, transit card, route, stop button, and transfer with natural Korean phrases.

버스

bus

버스가 언제 와요?

When does the bus arrive?

정류장

bus stop

정류장이 어디예요?

Where is the bus stop?

교통카드

transit card

교통카드로 탈 수 있어요?

Can I ride using a transit card?

노선

route or bus line

노선이 맞나요?

Is this the correct route?

하차벨

stop-request button

하차벨을 눌러 주세요.

Please press the stop button.

환승

transfer between transport services

환승은 어디에서 해요?

Where do I transfer?

Culture tip

Bus payment and boarding procedures vary by Korean city and route. Check local signs for when to tap your card, transfer eligibility, and where to board and exit. Wait for a complete stop before getting on or off.

Common mistake

“정류장” means a bus stop, while “몇 정거장” counts the stops remaining. “환승” means transferring to another bus or form of transport. Do not assume tap-out rules are identical everywhere.

Mini quiz

1. How do you check whether the bus goes to City Hall?

1. 이 버스가 시청에 가요? 2. 영수증 주세요. 3. 이거 매워요? 4. 조식은 몇 시예요?

2. How do you ask how many stops remain?

1. 봉투 필요하세요? 2. 몇 정거장 남았어요? 3. 사진 찍어도 돼요? 4. 주문할게요.

3. What do you press to request your stop?

1. Elevator 2. Stop button 3. Checkout counter 4. Wi-Fi

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