[Latest] Taxi fares in Korea are surprisingly common! Summary

Seoul taxi basic fare to increase by 1,000 won, distance and time rates also to increase

As of February 1, the base fare for medium-sized taxis in Seoul has increased from 3,800 won to 4,800 won. This is the first increase in the base fare for medium-sized taxis in Seoul in four years since February 2019, and taking into account the increase in the already-applied late-night surcharge and the rise in prices in Korea, it is important to take this into account when planning your tourism budget.

In addition, the applicable toll section will be reduced from 2km to 1.6km, the surcharge will increase by 100 won per fare, and the distance will be reduced from 132m to 131m.

The hourly rate has also increased, from 100 won every 31 seconds to 100 won every 30 seconds. This means the fare meter will rise faster than before, and even shorter distances will cost more than before.

The base fare for large taxis in Seoul will also be increased by 500 won from the current 6,500 won per 3 km to 7,000 won. The fare zone and charter fees for foreign tourist taxis will increase by 5,000 to 10,000 won in line with the adjustment to the base taxi fare.

Please note that there is a 40% surcharge during certain late-night hours.

During the night (10pm to 4am the following morning) the rate increase will be greater and rates will be higher.

Starting from December 1st of last year, the start time for the late-night increase was brought forward by two hours, from midnight to 10am. A situation-adjusted fare system has been introduced between 11pm and 2am the following morning, when passenger numbers are at their peak, with the surcharge increasing from the current 20% to 40%. Therefore, if you take a mid-sized taxi during this time, the basic fare will be 6,700 won.

Plans to increase service improvement measures in conjunction with price increases 

The Seoul Metropolitan Government has implemented measures to improve services in line with the increase in taxi fares. It has decided to promote methods to improve the effectiveness of reporting in order to address the disadvantages caused by the accumulation of inappropriate reporting by some passengers.

If a taxi company regularly accumulates 10 or more inappropriate reports, or if a private taxi regularly accumulates 3 or more inappropriate reports, measures such as re-implementing supplementary training and suspending support for communication costs will be considered.

We are also re-implementing our Inappropriate Fare Refund Scheme, which provides for voluntary refunds of taxi fares if allegations of inappropriate behaviour by the taxi industry arise.

Meanwhile, if a driver receives praise from citizens or is recommended by an association or other organization, they will be given a Seoul Metropolitan Government-certified friendly taxi driver sticker along with the citizen award. You can report unfriendly taxi drivers at any time by calling 02-120. You must remember the exact vehicle number when reporting, and provide supporting documentation.

*For foreign tourists, please use the complaint cards in the taxis or visit the Korea Tourism Organization website: https://www.touristcomplaint.or.kr/jp/gate

Many local taxi fares also set to increase

Taxi fares have increased in Seoul, and local governments are planning to increase them again.

Gangwon Province raised its basic taxi fare by 500 won, from 3,300 won in April last year, and on Jan. 1 last year, Ulsan Metropolitan City raised it by 700 won to 4,000 won.

Daegu Metropolitan City also raised its base rates to the same level as Ulsan Metropolitan City on the 16th of last month.

Daejeon Metropolitan City plans to raise taxi fares by 3,300 won in the first half of this year, but the taxi industry is demanding an increase to 6,000 won.

The taxi industry in Chungbuk has been demanding that the basic fare be raised from 3,300 won to 4,800 won, the same as in Seoul, and Chungbuk plans to raise the fare within the first half of the year after conducting an external investigation.

Busan Metropolitan City is also considering raising taxi fares.

Incheon Metropolitan City has decided to raise the basic toll by 1,000 won from 3,800 won immediately, and Gyeonggi Province is considering raising the basic toll by more than 1,000 won from 3,800 won in March and April.

Gwangju Metropolitan City is considering raising the basic toll fee from 3,300 won to 4,000 won, and Gyeongsangnam-do has also decided on the same increase as Gwangju Metropolitan City, but has postponed the implementation date.

In South Jeonnam, the fare will increase by 500 won from 3,300 won, and public hearings and a price policy committee are scheduled to be held soon to decide on the final fare.

Meanwhile, Chungnam and Sejong cities are not considering raising or lowering the basic toll fee, while Jeju Island has decided to keep the fee unchanged until the first half of the year.