The short answer
Seoul taxis are legally required to charge only what the meter says, and thanks to ride-hailing apps and card payments, the blatant rip-offs that gave the city a bad name 20 years ago have mostly disappeared. Still, overcharging of foreign visitors does make the news from time to time. If it happens to you, write down the license plate number, keep the receipt, snap a photo, then report it to 1330 (24/7 multilingual), 120, or the Tourist Complaint Center online. Administrative penalties can — and do — follow.
Seoul is one of the safest megacities on earth. For travelers, the realistic risks are almost always financial, and taxi overcharging is one of them. This guide first lays out the taxi types and fare structure clearly, then walks you through exactly what evidence to keep and where to report a rip-off so you’re not left empty-handed.
What types of taxis are there in Seoul?
Broadly, four kinds — distinguished by color, fare, and how you hail them.
| Type | What to know | Daytime base fare |
|---|---|---|
| Regular taxi | The most common. Split into privately owned (orange, white, etc.) and company-operated (mostly silver), but the meter rate is identical | 4,800 won / 1.6 km |
| Deluxe taxi | Black body, yellow roof light. Drivers must have an accident-free record. Roomier cars, quieter service, higher fare | 7,000 won / 3 km |
| Jumbo & premium ride-hail | Kakao Venti, Tada Next (jumbo vans), Kakao Black, Uber Black (premium sedans). Mostly app-only | Varies (6,000–8,000+ won) |
| International taxi (foreigner tourist taxi) | Drivers with foreign-language skills. Flat-rate airport and charter trips available. 20% foreign-passenger surcharge may apply | Metered: same as regular/deluxe |
For travelers, the “private vs. company” distinction makes no difference — both use the same meter rates. The only thing that matters is the car class.
How much does a Seoul taxi actually cost? (2026)
These are the Seoul city-approved fares, unchanged since the February 2023 increase.
| Fare component | Regular taxi (private & company) | Deluxe & jumbo sedan |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime base fare | 4,800 won / 1.6 km | 7,000 won / 3 km |
| Daytime distance rate | 100 won per 131 m | 200 won per 151 m |
| Daytime time rate | 100 won per 30 sec | 200 won per 36 sec |
| Late-night base fare | 10 p.m.–11 p.m. & 2 a.m.–4 a.m. 5,800 won / 11 p.m.–2 a.m. 6,700 won | 10 p.m.–4 a.m. 8,400 won |
| Late-night distance rate | 120 won (20% band) / 140 won (40% band) per 131 m | 240 won per 151 m |
| Late-night time rate | 120 won (20% band) / 140 won (40% band) per 30 sec | 240 won per 36 sec |
- Late-night surcharge: 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. The busiest window — 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. — carries a 40% surcharge; the rest is 20%.
- Out-of-city surcharge: Leaving Seoul city limits triggers an automatic 20% surcharge (except for integrated zones like Gwangmyeong). If both late-night and out-of-city apply, you could see up to 60%.
- Call fee: Hailing by phone adds 1,000 won (day) or 2,000 won (night). App call fees vary by platform and are regulated separately.
- Incheon Airport