Seoul subway fares to increase to 1,550 won starting June 28

The base fare for a subway ride in the Seoul area with a transportation card is scheduled to increase by 150 won ($0.10) to 1,550 won starting June 28, meaning a round-trip fare will exceed 3,000 won for the first time.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced Tuesday that the hike was confirmed by the local governments of Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi Province, and Korea Railroad Corp. on April 24.

The subway fee adjustment marks the first fare hike in 18 months since the city increased the base fare from 1,250 won to 1,400 won in October 2023.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, Seoul Metro — the main operator of the Seoul subway system — will apply the adjusted fare starting with the first train on June 28.

Base fares for teenagers will increase from 800 won to 900 won, while fares for children will be adjusted from 500 won to 550 won.

Early morning discount fares for those who board the subway before 6:30 a.m. will increase as well, rising from 1,120 won to 1,240 won for adults 19 and older.

Discounted fares for teenagers and children boarding early will rise from 640 won to 720 won and from 400 won to 440 won, respectively.

Seoul Metro previously requested fare increases due to its mounting losses, which have grown to a cumulative deficit of almost 19 trillion won. It said its net loss in 2024 reached 724.1 billion won, up 40 percent from the previous year.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government said a consensus was reached at the latest interagency meeting that the new subway fare plan was necessary.