Busan Subway & Bus: The Complete Guide
A rundown of Busan's subway lines, bus system, and transit cards, plus the transfer rules and navigation apps that make getting around easy.
Comparing Your Options
- 1
Learn the Busan subway map
Busan has Subway Lines 1 through 4, plus the Donghae Line and the Busan-Gimhae Light Rail. Visitors use Line 1 (Nampo-dong, Seomyeon, Dongnae) and Line 2 (Haeundae, Gwangalli, Seomyeon) the most — they cross at Seomyeon Station, the city's busiest transfer point.
- 2
Get and top up a transit card
Buy a Cashbee transit card at the airport or a city convenience store and top it up on the spot. It works across subway, bus, and even taxis, which is far more convenient than buying single tickets each time.
- 3
Make the most of free transfers
Transfer between bus and subway within a set window using the same card, and you won't be charged the base fare twice — just the distance-based difference. Using this system well can save a real amount on transport costs.
Busan subway lines at a glance
| Line | Color | Key stations |
|---|---|---|
| Line 1 | Orange | Nampo, Jagalchi, Seomyeon, Dongnae |
| Line 2 | Green | Seomyeon, Gwangan, Haeundae, Jangsan |
| Line 3 | Brown | Gu Nampo Market, Daejeo |
| Line 4 | Blue | Dongnae, Anpyeong |
| Busan-Gimhae Light Rail | — | Sasang, Gimhae Airport, Gaya Univ. |
Lines 1 and 2 alone cover nearly every major sight featured on this site — the two lines worth knowing well when planning your route.
Buying and using a transit card
Pick up a Cashbee card at the airport arrivals hall or a city convenience store (GS25, CU, etc.) and ask staff to top it up. It works by tap on subway, bus, and even taxis. If you have balance left before leaving Busan, you can get a refund at a convenience store (a small fee applies).
How the bus system works
Busan buses come in two types: regular buses (running within city districts) and seated buses (longer routes with assigned seats). Tap your card on boarding, and tap again before you get off so the system correctly calculates the transfer or distance-based fare. Some buses only announce stops in Korean, so it’s worth pairing the ride with a navigation app to confirm the stop name and when to get off.
Which navigation app to use
Google Maps doesn’t provide accurate public transit directions in Korea — no detailed bus numbers or transfer information. Use “Naver Map” or “Kakao Map” instead. Both have English interfaces and show the exact bus number, transfer stations, and estimated arrival time — essential apps for any independent trip around Busan.
Related reading
Check out City Tour Bus vs. Busan City Pass to help decide whether a pass is worth adding to your trip. If you’ve just landed and are still figuring out how to get from the airport into the city, see The Complete Guide: Gimhae Airport to Downtown Busan.
💰 Check before you book
Before you go, check the latest KKday discount codes — one code can shave a meaningful amount off your booking.
See the latest discount codes →💡 Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you complete a booking through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Affiliate Disclosure