How to Say "A Metro Ticket, Please" in Korean and Choose the Right Fare
Learn to buy a subway ticket in Korean: ask for a ticket, name your destination, and understand single-ride, zone, and T-money fare options at the ticket machine or counter.
By SofiaGetting around · Yapr Learn
Buying a subway ticket in Korea is quick once you know two or three set phrases. In this lesson you will learn how to say "A metro ticket, please" in Korean, how to name your destination, and how to ask about fares. Korean subways do not use distance zones the way some European systems do; instead, the fare is usually a base fare plus a small surcharge that depends on how far you travel, and most riders simply tap a rechargeable T-money card. We will focus on the words you need at a ticket machine or ticket office, with Hangul, Revised Romanization, and clear pronunciation notes.
By the end, you can…
- ask for a metro ticket in Korean using a polite set phrase.
- name my destination and ask for a ticket to that station.
- understand and ask about single-ride, base fare, and T-money options.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
지하철 표 한 장 주세요.
One metro ticket, please.
ji-ha-cheol pyo han jang ju-se-yo
The core phrase for this lesson. 지하철 means 'subway/metro', 표 means 'ticket', 한 장 is the counter for flat objects like tickets, and 주세요 means 'please give me'. Use it at a ticket window or when a staff member asks what you need.
여기서 서울역까지 얼마예요?
How much is it from here to Seoul Station?
yeo-gi-seo seo-ul-lyeok-kka-ji eol-ma-ye-yo
Use this to ask the fare to a specific station. 여기서 means 'from here', 까지 means 'to/until', and 얼마예요? means 'how much is it?'. Replace 서울역 with any station name.
편도 표로 주세요.
A single-ride ticket, please.
pyeon-do pyo-ro ju-se-yo
편도 means 'one-way/single trip'. Use this when you want a one-time ticket rather than a rechargeable card. The particle 로 marks the means or choice.
티머니 카드로 충전할 수 있어요?
Can I recharge a T-money card?
ti-meo-ni ka-deu-ro chung-jeon-hal su i-sseo-yo
T-money (티머니) is the common rechargeable transit card. Use this at a convenience store or recharge machine. 충전하다 means 'to recharge/top up'.
교통카드가 더 편해요.
A transit card is more convenient.
gyo-tong-ka-deu-ga deo pyeon-hae-yo
A useful comment or answer when someone asks which option you want. 교통카드 means 'transit card', 더 means 'more', and 편해요 means 'is convenient'.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The polite request pattern is noun + 주세요. For a ticket, say 지하철 표 한 장 주세요. If you want two tickets, change the counter: 지하철 표 두 장 주세요 ('two metro tickets, please'). The counter 장 is used for tickets, sheets, and other flat items. To ask the price, use A에서 B까지 얼마예요? For example, 여기서 강남역까지 얼마예요? means 'How much is it from here to Gangnam Station?' This pattern works at ticket machines with staff assistance and at ticket offices.
When to use it
Use 지하철 표 한 장 주세요 at a staffed ticket window or when speaking to a station employee. At a machine, you can often just select your destination on the screen, but knowing the phrase helps if you need help. If you plan to ride several times, ask about a transit card: 티머니 카드로 충전할 수 있어요? Korean subway fares are generally not divided into city zones like some European systems; instead, there is a base fare and an extra charge based on total distance. A single-ride ticket usually includes a small deposit that you get back at a refund machine after your trip.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
안녕하세요. 지하철 표 한 장 주세요.
Hello. One metro ticket, please.an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. ji-ha-cheol pyo han jang ju-se-yo네, 어디까지 가세요?
Sure, where are you going?ne, eo-di-kka-ji ga-se-yo여기서 서울역까지 얼마예요?
How much is it from here to Seoul Station?yeo-gi-seo seo-ul-lyeok-kka-ji eol-ma-ye-yo천 사백 원이에요. 편도 표로 드릴까요?
It's 1,400 won. Shall I give you a single-ride ticket?cheon sa-baek wo-ni-e-yo. pyeon-do pyo-ro deu-ril-kka-yoA little context goes a long way
Politeness matters in Korean service situations. The polite ending -요 and the verb 주세요 are appropriate with strangers and staff. With a station employee, a short 안녕하세요 before your request is natural and friendly. T-money cards are sold and recharged at convenience stores and station machines; they are usually cheaper and faster than buying a paper single-ride ticket each time.
One thing to watch for
Saying 지하철 표 주세요 without a counter, or using 개 for tickets.
Try this instead: Use the correct counter 장 for flat items: 지하철 표 한 장 주세요. The word 개 is for general objects and sounds wrong for tickets. If you need two, say 두 장, not 이 개.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask for one metro ticket in polite Korean?
Show a sample answer
지하철 표 한 장 주세요.
This uses the noun 지하철 표, the counter 한 장, and the polite request 주세요. You could also say 지하철 표 한 장 주실래요? in a slightly softer request form.
2How do you ask the fare from here to Gangnam Station?
Show a sample answer
여기서 강남역까지 얼마예요?
The pattern A에서 B까지 얼마예요? asks the price from A to B. You can replace 강남역 with any station name, such as 서울역 or 부산역.
3What phrase asks whether you can recharge a T-money card?
Show a sample answer
티머니 카드로 충전할 수 있어요?
This uses 티머니 카드, the particle 로 meaning 'with/by means of', and 충전할 수 있어요? meaning 'can I recharge?'. At a convenience store you could also simply say 티머니 충전해 주세요.
Remember the set phrase 지하철 표 한 장 주세요, and use 여기서 [station]까지 얼마예요? to check the fare. For repeated rides, a rechargeable T-money card is usually the easiest option.
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