Estimate taxi fares in Korea by entering distance and travel time. Calculates fares for Regular, Deluxe, and Jumbo taxis based on the current Seoul fare table (effective Feb 2024, valid through 2026), including base fare, distance fare, time fare, 3-tier late-night surcharge, and out-of-city surcharge.
| Type | Base Fare (Base Distance) | Distance Fare | Time Fare | Late-night Surcharge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular | 4,800 KRW (1.6 km) | 100 KRW / 131 m | 100 KRW / 30 sec | 20% / 40% / 20% (3-tier) |
| Deluxe | 7,000 KRW (3 km) | 200 KRW / 151 m | 200 KRW / 36 sec | 20% (10 PM~4 AM) |
| Jumbo/Van | 7,000 KRW (3 km) | 200 KRW / 151 m | 200 KRW / 36 sec | 20% (10 PM~4 AM) |
A. Under the current Seoul fare table (effective Feb 2024, valid through 2026), the base fare for a Regular taxi is 4,800 KRW (covers 1.6 km), while Deluxe and Jumbo taxis start at 7,000 KRW (covers 3 km). Base fares vary by region, and cities outside Seoul may have different fare tables.
A. Since February 2024, the late-night surcharge system has been updated. Regular taxis apply a 3-tier surcharge: 20% from 10 PM to 11 PM, 40% (peak) from 11 PM to 2 AM, and 20% again from 2 AM to 4 AM. Deluxe and Jumbo taxis now apply a flat 20% surcharge from 10 PM to 4 AM (newly introduced in 2024). During the 11 PM–2 AM peak window, Deluxe taxis (20%) are cheaper than Regular taxis (40%).
A. The out-of-city surcharge (20%) applies when a taxi operates outside its designated service area. For example, it may apply when traveling from Seoul to Gyeonggi Province or other suburban areas. It can be applied on top of the late-night surcharge.
A. Taxi fares consist of base fare + distance fare + time fare. After exceeding the base distance, the fare increases per set distance (distance fare). When the taxi slows below 15 km/h or stops, the fare increases per set time interval (time fare). In practice, the meter applies whichever condition (distance or time) is reached first. Note that as of the 2024 revision, Deluxe and Jumbo taxis use a 36-second interval (previously 30 sec) for time fares.
A. Deluxe taxis have higher base fares (7,000 vs 4,800 KRW) but longer base distances (3 km vs 1.6 km) and a slower time-fare interval (36 sec vs 30 sec). Since 2024, Deluxe taxis also apply a 20% late-night surcharge (10 PM–4 AM), but this is still lower than the Regular taxi's 40% peak surcharge (11 PM–2 AM). Deluxe taxis feature black vehicles with premium service and stricter driver requirements (10+ years accident-free).
A. Estimated fares shown on taxi apps (KakaoTaxi, Tada, etc.) are real-time estimates based on traffic conditions, so they may differ from actual meter fares. Dispatch fees (1,000~3,000 KRW) may be charged separately, and app-affiliated taxis may apply different fare structures.
Korean taxi fares consist of three components: base fare, distance fare, and time fare. The base fare is the minimum charge applied upon boarding, which includes a set distance (base distance). Under the current Seoul fare table (effective Feb 2024, valid through 2026), the base fare for Regular taxis is 4,800 KRW (1.6 km), while Deluxe and Jumbo taxis charge 7,000 KRW (3 km). After exceeding the base distance, additional charges apply per set distance (131 m for Regular, 151 m for Deluxe/Jumbo), known as the distance fare. The time fare kicks in when the taxi travels below 15 km/h or is stationary — Regular taxis charge every 30 seconds, while Deluxe and Jumbo taxis charge every 36 seconds (updated in the 2024 revision). The 2024 revision also restructured the late-night surcharge: Regular taxis now have a 3-tier system (22:00–23:00 at 20%, 23:00–02:00 at 40%, 02:00–04:00 at 20%), and Deluxe/Jumbo taxis now apply a flat 20% from 22:00 to 04:00 for the first time. Taxi fares are not standardized nationwide — each local government sets its own table.
Korean taxi fares consist of three components: base fare, distance fare, and time fare. The base fare is the minimum charge applied upon boarding, which includes a set distance (base distance). Under the current Seoul fare table (effective Feb 2024, valid through 2026), the base fare for Regular taxis is 4,800 KRW (1.6 km), while Deluxe and Jumbo taxis charge 7,000 KRW (3 km). After exceeding the base distance, additional charges apply per set distance (131 m for Regular, 151 m for Deluxe/Jumbo), known as the distance fare. The time fare kicks in when the taxi travels below 15 km/h or is stationary — Regular taxis charge every 30 seconds, while Deluxe and Jumbo taxis charge every 36 seconds (updated in the 2024 revision). The 2024 revision also restructured the late-night surcharge: Regular taxis now have a 3-tier system (22:00–23:00 at 20%, 23:00–02:00 at 40%, 02:00–04:00 at 20%), and Deluxe/Jumbo taxis now apply a flat 20% from 22:00 to 04:00 for the first time. Taxi fares are not standardized nationwide — each local government sets its own table.
Korean taxis fall into three main types: Regular, Deluxe, and Jumbo. Regular taxis are the most common type, featuring various colored vehicles (orange, silver, white) with the lowest base fares. However, their 3-tier late-night surcharge peaks at 40% between 11 PM and 2 AM. Deluxe taxis feature black vehicles with premium service, and drivers must have 10+ years of accident-free experience. Their base fare is higher but the longer base distance, slower time-fare accumulation (36 sec), and flat 20% late-night surcharge make them more economical during peak late-night hours. Jumbo taxis are van-type vehicles with fare structures identical to Deluxe taxis, ideal for groups of 5+ or passengers with heavy luggage. When choosing a taxi type, consider distance, time of day, and group size. Short trips (under 5 km) favor Regular taxis, while long-distance trips (over 10 km) benefit from the longer base distance of Deluxe taxis. For the 11 PM–2 AM window, Deluxe taxis (20% surcharge) are significantly cheaper than Regular taxis (40% surcharge).
Several strategies can help reduce taxi costs in Korea. First, avoiding rush hours (7:30–9:30 AM, 5:30–7:30 PM) minimizes time-based fare additions from traffic congestion. Second, during the 11 PM–2 AM peak window, choosing a Deluxe taxi (20% surcharge) over a Regular taxi (40% surcharge) can result in meaningful savings. Third, leveraging route recommendation features in taxi apps helps find optimal routes, reducing unnecessary distance charges. Fourth, when traveling in groups of 3–4, sharing a taxi can cost as much or even less per person than public transit. Beyond taxis, Korea offers diverse alternative transportation options. Seoul's subway system connects most areas within the city at a base fare of 1,400 KRW, with transfer discounts when combined with buses. Express and intercity buses serve longer suburban routes effectively. Recently, personal mobility options like electric scooters (PM) and shared bicycles (Seoul Bike 'Ddareungi') have become popular alternatives for short-distance travel. For long-distance journeys, comparing high-speed rail (KTX, SRT) with express buses in terms of both time and cost is advisable. Using a taxi fare calculator helps estimate costs before travel, enabling smart choices between taxis and public transport.