Korean phrases for airports and transport

The short answerShow the exact Korean destination, ticket or address first, then ask one short question ending in -요. Confirm the terminal, line, direction, stop and departure time on the official display; a phrase helps communication but never overrides a ticket, sign or live service notice.

What matters

The phrases use broadly polite -요 style and approximate English-speaker pronunciation aids.
A city, airport or station name alone can be ambiguous when terminals, lines, exits, train products or bus stops differ.
어디예요 asks where something is, while 어디로 가요 asks where a service goes; neither confirms that the traveler is at the correct platform.
A route number can operate in two directions, and opposite bus stops may share a similar name.
A departure request, waitlist or screenshot is not a valid train or intercity-bus ticket unless the operator issued a confirmed booking.
Taxi estimates can exclude traffic, tolls or surcharges, and the Korean destination address is more reliable than an English attraction name.
Accessibility must be checked as a complete route across entrances, lifts, platforms, transfers and exits.
For immediate danger call 112; for fire, rescue or urgent medical help call 119 rather than relying on a transport phrase page.

Use the destination text before pronunciation

Save the airport terminal, station, line, train or bus number, destination and accommodation address as selectable Korean text. Show that text first and speak one question slowly. The easy pronunciation is an aid, not official romanization or a guarantee that another person will recognize a foreign rendering of a similar place name.

Ask one operational fact at a time: where, which direction, whether a transfer is required or whether this service stops at the destination. Compare the answer with the official ticket, platform sign or live operator display before boarding.

여기가 맞아요? — yeo-gi-ga ma-ja-yo? — Is this the right place?
어디예요? — eo-di-ye-yo? — Where is it?
어디로 가요? — eo-di-ro ga-yo? — Where does this go?
이 주소를 봐주세요 — i ju-so-reul bwa-ju-se-yo — Please look at this address.
천천히 말씀해 주세요 — cheon-cheon-hi mal-sseum-hae ju-se-yo — Please speak slowly.
영어로 도와주실 수 있어요? — yeong-eo-ro do-wa-ju-sil su i-sseo-yo? — Can you help me in English?

Confirm the airport terminal and arrival step

At Incheon Airport, identify Terminal 1 or Terminal 2 from the airline and current flight information rather than asking only for Incheon Airport. For departure, confirm the airline counter and check-in zone; for arrival problems, speak to the airline or airport service before leaving the relevant controlled area.

A baggage-belt screen, airline counter or airport information desk is a stronger operational source than another passenger. Do not display a full passport page, boarding-pass barcode or baggage tag to a stranger when only the destination text is needed.

제 터미널이 어디예요? — je teo-mi-neol-i eo-di-ye-yo? — Which terminal is mine?
제1터미널이에요? — je-il teo-mi-neol-ieyo? — Is it Terminal 1?
제2터미널이에요? — je-i teo-mi-neol-ieyo? — Is it Terminal 2?
출국장이 어디예요? — chul-guk-jang-i eo-di-ye-yo? — Where is the departures area?
입국장이 어디예요? — ip-guk-jang-i eo-di-ye-yo? — Where is the arrivals area?
항공사 카운터가 어디예요? — hang-gong-sa ka-un-teo-ga eo-di-ye-yo? — Where is the airline counter?
제 짐이 안 나왔어요 — je ji-mi an na-wa-sseo-yo — My baggage did not arrive.
수하물 서비스 데스크가 어디예요? — su-ha-mul seo-bi-seu de-seu-keu-ga eo-di-ye-yo? — Where is the baggage service desk?

Buy or verify a transport ticket

Name the destination and travel date, then confirm one-way or round trip, departure time, assigned seat and the final total. A ticket machine or staff member may offer several train or bus products that serve different stations; compare the issued details before leaving the counter.

Use an official operator channel and never accept a screenshot transferred by a stranger as proof of a valid reservation. If a foreign card fails, ask for a staffed payment option and keep another card plus modest Korean cash rather than entering invented Korean identity data.

표 한 장 주세요 — pyo han jang ju-se-yo — One ticket, please.
[목적지]까지 가는 표 주세요 — [destination]-kka-ji ga-neun pyo ju-se-yo — A ticket to [destination], please.
편도예요 — pyeon-do-ye-yo — One way.
왕복이에요 — wang-bok-ieyo — Round trip.
오늘 표가 있어요? — o-neul pyo-ga i-sseo-yo? — Are tickets available today?
몇 시에 출발해요? — myeot si-e chul-bal-hae-yo? — What time does it depart?
좌석이 지정돼 있어요? — jwa-seo-gi ji-jeong-dwae i-sseo-yo? — Is the seat assigned?
이 표가 맞아요? — i pyo-ga ma-ja-yo? — Is this the correct ticket?
카드가 안 돼요 — ka-deu-ga an dwae-yo — The card is not working.

Find the subway line, direction and exit

A subway route needs the current station, line, direction or next station, transfer and final exit. Show the Korean station name and line number. Do not board because the line color looks right; branches and short-turn trains can have different destinations.

For an accessible route, ask for the lift before passing a bank of stairs and verify every transfer station as well as the destination. The closest numbered exit may not be the usable step-free exit.

[역]은 어디예요? — [station]-eun eo-di-ye-yo? — Where is [station]?
몇 호선이에요? — myeot ho-seon-ieyo? — Which subway line is it?
어느 방향이에요? — eo-neu bang-hyang-ieyo? — Which direction is it?
이 열차가 [역]에 가요? — i yeol-cha-ga [station]-e ga-yo? — Does this train go to [station]?
갈아타야 해요? — ga-ra-ta-ya hae-yo? — Do I need to transfer?
어디에서 갈아타요? — eo-di-e-seo ga-ra-ta-yo? — Where do I transfer?
몇 번 출구예요? — myeot beon chul-gu-ye-yo? — Which exit number is it?
엘리베이터가 어디예요? — el-li-be-i-teo-ga eo-di-ye-yo? — Where is the elevator?
반대 방향으로 탔어요 — ban-dae bang-hyang-eu-ro ta-sseo-yo — I boarded in the wrong direction.

Confirm a city or airport bus

Read the route number, destination display and correct side of the road. Ask whether the bus stops at the exact destination and how many stops remain. A similarly named stop across the street can serve the opposite direction.

For an airport bus, also confirm terminal, bay, ticket requirement and last departure using the airport's current information. Luggage acceptance and unloading procedure belong to the operator, not to a general phrase guide.

이 버스가 [목적지]에 가요? — i beo-seu-ga [destination]-e ga-yo? — Does this bus go to [destination]?
이 정류장이 맞아요? — i jeong-nyu-jang-i ma-ja-yo? — Is this the correct stop?
어느 쪽에서 타요? — eo-neu jjok-e-seo ta-yo? — Which side do I board on?
몇 정거장 남았어요? — myeot jeong-geo-jang na-ma-sseo-yo? — How many stops are left?
내릴 때 알려주세요 — nae-ril ttae al-lyeo-ju-se-yo — Please tell me when it is time to get off.
공항버스 표는 어디에서 사요? — gong-hang-beo-seu pyo-neun eo-di-e-seo sa-yo? — Where do I buy the airport-bus ticket?
막차가 몇 시예요? — mak-cha-ga myeot si-ye-yo? — What time is the last bus or train?
짐은 어디에 실어요? — ji-meun eo-di-e si-reo-yo? — Where is the luggage loaded?

Use a reserved train or intercity bus

Show the full ticket and ask for the platform, track, gate or bay. Match date, departure station or terminal, destination, service number, time, coach and seat. Seoul Station, Suseo, an express-bus terminal and an intercity-bus terminal are not interchangeable.

Arrive with enough time to resolve a mismatch. If the service is delayed or missed, ask the official operator before buying a duplicate; the next departure is not automatically covered by the original ticket.

승강장이 어디예요? — seung-gang-jang-i eo-di-ye-yo? — Where is the platform?
몇 번 승강장이에요? — myeot beon seung-gang-jang-ieyo? — Which platform number is it?
이 기차가 [목적지]에 가요? — i gi-cha-ga [destination]-e ga-yo? — Does this train go to [destination]?
몇 호차예요? — myeot ho-cha-ye-yo? — Which coach is it?
제 자리가 어디예요? — je ja-ri-ga eo-di-ye-yo? — Where is my seat?
버스 타는 곳이 어디예요? — beo-seu ta-neun go-si eo-di-ye-yo? — Where is the bus boarding area?
출발이 늦어졌어요? — chul-ba-ri neu-jeo-jyeo-sseo-yo? — Has the departure been delayed?
버스를 놓쳤어요 — beo-seu-reul no-chyeo-sseo-yo — I missed the bus.

Show a taxi driver the exact Korean address

Use a managed taxi stand or legitimate booking method, match the vehicle to the passenger and luggage count, and show the full Korean road address plus building name. An attraction or neighborhood name can lead to a different entrance or branch.

Confirm whether tolls or another disclosed charge are separate. Do not negotiate an unofficial flat fare with an unsolicited driver at the airport. Keep the receipt or app trip record until luggage and payment are resolved.

이 주소로 가 주세요 — i ju-so-ro ga ju-se-yo — Please go to this address.
[장소] 정문으로 가 주세요 — [place] jeong-mun-eu-ro ga ju-se-yo — Please go to the main entrance of [place].
여기에서 세워주세요 — yeo-gi-e-seo se-wo-ju-se-yo — Please stop here.
트렁크를 열어주세요 — teu-reong-keu-reul yeo-reo-ju-se-yo — Please open the trunk.
통행료가 따로예요? — tong-haeng-nyo-ga tta-ro-ye-yo? — Is the toll charged separately?
카드로 결제할게요 — ka-deu-ro gyeol-je-hal-ge-yo — I will pay by card.
영수증 주세요 — yeong-su-jeung ju-se-yo — Receipt, please.
이 차가 제가 호출한 택시예요? — i cha-ga je-ga ho-chul-han taek-si-ye-yo? — Is this the taxi I booked?

Ask for directions and an accessible route

Show the destination and ask for the nearest practical route, not merely a compass direction. Confirm the building entrance, floor and side of the road because a map pin can sit behind a wall, inside a complex or across a major crossing.

For mobility needs, name the required feature and ask whether the entire route is step-free. An elevator at one exit does not guarantee lifts across every transfer or entrance.

[장소]에 어떻게 가요? — [place]-e eo-tteo-ke ga-yo? — How do I get to [place]?
걸어서 갈 수 있어요? — geo-reo-seo gal su i-sseo-yo? — Can I walk there?
여기에서 멀어요? — yeo-gi-e-seo meo-reo-yo? — Is it far from here?
입구가 어디예요? — ip-gu-ga eo-di-ye-yo? — Where is the entrance?
몇 층이에요? — myeot cheung-ieyo? — Which floor is it?
길을 잘못 들었어요 — gi-reul jal-mot deu-reo-sseo-yo — I went the wrong way.
계단 없는 길이 있어요? — gye-dan eom-neun gi-ri i-sseo-yo? — Is there a route without stairs?
휠체어로 갈 수 있어요? — hwil-che-eo-ro gal su i-sseo-yo? — Is the route wheelchair accessible?

Report a card, ticket or lost-item problem

Go to station staff, the operator counter, airport desk or police according to the situation. Give the route, direction, service number, coach, time and item description without publishing passport or card data. A transport card balance problem is separate from a lost bank card.

For a lost item, keep the ticket, taxi receipt or trip record and contact the relevant operator promptly. Do not follow a device location into a private or unsafe place and do not pay a stranger to release an item.

교통카드가 안 돼요 — gyo-tong-ka-deu-ga an dwae-yo — My transport card is not working.
잔액이 부족해요? — ja-nae-gi bu-jok-hae-yo? — Is the balance insufficient?
표를 잃어버렸어요 — pyo-reul i-reo-beo-ryeo-sseo-yo — I lost my ticket.
가방을 두고 내렸어요 — ga-bang-eul du-go nae-ryeo-sseo-yo — I left my bag behind when I got off.
분실물 센터가 어디예요? — bun-sil-mul sen-teo-ga eo-di-ye-yo? — Where is the lost-property office?
이 시간에 이 노선을 이용했어요 — i si-gan-e i no-seo-neul i-yong-hae-sseo-yo — I used this route at this time.
직원에게 도와달라고 해 주세요 — ji-gwon-e-ge do-wa-dal-la-go hae ju-se-yo — Please ask a staff member to help.

Use emergency phrases only after calling the right service

For immediate crime or danger call 112. For fire, rescue or urgent medical care call 119. Give the location first and keep the line open; do not delay the call while trying to pronounce a perfect sentence or contact a tourism service.

Use station intercoms and ask another passenger or staff member to call when the phone is unavailable. Move away from tracks, traffic, fire or another continuing hazard when safe, and follow official instructions.

도와주세요 — do-wa-ju-se-yo — Please help me.
경찰을 불러주세요 — gyeong-cha-reul bul-leo-ju-se-yo — Please call the police.
119에 전화해 주세요 — il-il-gu-e jeon-hwa-hae ju-se-yo — Please call 119.
구급차를 보내주세요 — gu-geup-cha-reul bo-nae-ju-se-yo — Please send an ambulance.
여기가 제 위치예요 — yeo-gi-ga je wi-chi-ye-yo — This is my location.
영어 통역 부탁드립니다 — yeong-eo tong-yeok bu-tak-deu-rim-ni-da — English interpretation, please.
선로에 물건이 떨어졌어요 — seol-lo-e mul-geo-ni tteo-reo-jyeo-sseo-yo — An item fell onto the tracks.

Save two offline show-the-screen cards

For an ordinary route question, save: 이 주소로 가고 싶습니다. 가장 쉬운 대중교통 경로와 타는 곳을 알려주세요. 엘리베이터가 필요한 경우에는 계단 없는 경로도 알려주세요. It asks for the easiest public-transport route and boarding point, plus a step-free route when required.

For a missed or wrong service, save: 이 표의 목적지로 가야 하는데 잘못 탔거나 놓쳤습니다. 현재 사용할 수 있는 공식 변경 방법을 알려주세요. It asks the operator for the official recovery option. Show only the relevant ticket details and keep passport numbers, booking barcodes and payment information private.

Save the destination, terminal and accommodation address offline.
Keep the live ticket separate from a public screenshot.
Verify every answer against current operator information.
Use the restaurant and café phrase guide for food-service interactions.

Some links may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. Recommendations stay editorially independent.

Official sources to re-check

Ask a local

A question about Korean phrases for airports and transport?

Use this form for a question connected to this guide. Your question is not public until it has been reviewed and answered. Replies are written manually in Korea, not in real time. Time-zone differences and fact-checking may delay a response, and no reply time is guaranteed.

Not for urgent help: use the appropriate police, ambulance, embassy, medical or immigration service when waiting could cause harm or disrupt imminent travel.