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Getting from Gimhae Airport to Busan City Centre

Busan, the colourful port city located in South Korea, is a melting pot of history, culture, religion, outdoor adventure and unique food experiences. Visiting the stunning seaside temple of Yonggungsa is a must, as is the more serene Beomeosa Temple where you can admire the surrounding architecture. Get lost amongst the winding streets of Gamcheon Culture Village and Dalmaji Hill, which is especially pretty during cherry blossom season. 

There are three main modes of transport when travelling from Busan Airport to the city centre: taxi or private transfer, the light rail (which requires also transferring to a subway line), and the bus. The taxi or private transfer is the easiest and most convenient option as you’ll be dropped off directly at your door, although it isn’t always the quickest option due to traffic. Taking the combined light rail and subway journey is a cheaper option but you may have to deal with crowded trains which isn’t ideal when you have luggage or children. Another affordable option is the public bus which runs all the way to Haeundae Beach in around 90 minutes.

*The limousine bus service that used to run to Haeundae and Seomyeon/Busan Station is currently suspended. There are plans to reintroduce this mode of transport in the coming year.

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Busan at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS
OPTION PRICE DURATION AVAILABILITY
Taxi €12.50 23min 24/7
Subway €2.30 21min 05:06–23:45
Bus €2.20 90min 06:40–23:23

How to get from Busan Airport to the city centre by taxi

If you’re looking for a hassle-free journey into the city or your hotel when you arrive in Busan, your safest bet is to take an airport taxi. Busan city centre is spread across different neighbourhoods, so depending on where your final destination is, the journey can take between 23 and 45 minutes, under good traffic conditions.

Taxi fare from Gimhae Airport to Busan

For a regular taxi from Gimhae Airport to Busan, you can expect to pay between €12.50 (KRW 18,000) and €17.50 (KRW 25,000) for up to 4 people, depending on which part of the city you are staying in. For deluxe or jumbo taxis, the fare will cost 40% more, and tolls and surcharges will be added on top of all taxi rides.

Cost

€12.50

Trip Duration

23 Min.

*Prices will vary unless booked in advance.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

Taxis from Gimhae Airport are available 24/7.

Where do I take a taxi from?

There are designated taxi stands located in front of the international and domestic terminal buildings on Platform 2 as you exit the building. You can find them across the road from Gate 3 at the International Terminal and Gate 4 at the Domestic Terminal.

Convenience

Taxis provide a seamless transfer option so you can avoid having to navigate crowded public transport routes and ticket purchases, especially if you’re travelling with luggage. A taxi will drop you directly where you need to go making it the most straightforward and convenient transportation option when arriving in Busan.

If you prefer to skip the taxi line altogether and have an English-speaking driver waiting for you upon arrival, you can pre-book a private transfer with Welcome Pickups. Not only will you be on your way even faster, but you’ll also gain access to 24/7 customer support, and your driver will point out all the city highlights along the way.

Editor’s Note

If taking a regular taxi, have your destination's address on hand in Korean in case your driver does not speak English.

Useful Tips

All Busan taxis use a taximeter so check that it has been reset with the correct tariff selected before starting your trip.
It's not customary to tip your taxi driver in Korea (and can sometimes be considered rude) so it is best to show your appreciation for good service by saying 'gam-sa-ham-ni-da'.
Taxis with a seagull (the official bird of Busan) pictured on the side of the vehicle signify that the driver speaks a language other than Korean.

How to get from Busan Airport to the city centre by light rail

The cheapest way to travel from Gimhae Airport to Busan is take the Busan-Gimhae Light Rail (BGL) and then transfer to the subway system. Depending on which part of the city you’re headed to, the journey takes between 21 and 32 minutes, excluding wait times.

From the airport, take the light rail to either Sasang Station where you can transfer to Busan Metro Line 2, or to Daejeo Station where you can transfer to Busan Metro Line 3. Once on board, Line 2 will get you to Seomyeon Station in 14 minutes, whereas Line 3 will take you to Yeonsan Station in about 24 minutes.

If you’re not a Busan native, booking a private transfer in advance is a much more straightforward and stress-free alternative to understanding metro maps and having to walk to your accommodation from the station.

How much does the light rail cost?

Taking the light rail and subway from Busan Airport to the city centre costs just €1.15 (KRW 1,600) per person. Tickets can be purchased from ticket vending machines at the airport station – there is an ‘English’ selection button on the home screen.

*Rechargeable T-money cards – a prepaid smart card – can also be purchased from ticket vending machines which can then be used on public transport and certain venues throughout the city. To use them, tap on and off as you enter and exit the subway/metro/bus.

Cost

€1.15

Trip Duration

21 Min.

Light rail and subway services run approximately every 4 to 10 minutes.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

The light rail operates daily between 05:06 and 00:10. Line 2 operates daily between 05:16 and 23:40 and Line 3 operates between 05:43 and 00:07.

Where do I take the light rail from?

The Busan-Gimhae Light Rail can be accessed from both the international or domestic terminal, although it is closer to the domestic terminal. Directions are clearly signposted in both English and Korean, so you can easily find your way by following the signs.

From International, pass through Gate 3, walk across the crosswalk and turn right. From the Domestic Terminal, you’ll need to walk through Gate 4. You will then see the Light Rail Airport Station (Purple Line).

Convenience

The light rail and subway system is a very cheap way to travel from Busan Airport into the city centre and during peak traffic, can be quicker than taking a taxi. Keep in mind, however, that the subway is the most popular commuter choice for locals which means subways can often be very crowded, making the experience a little overwhelming and challenging, especially if you’re travelling with children or luggage.

Editor’s Note

Metro Line 2 is green; Metro Line 3 is orange.

Useful Tips

Station signs and stop announcements are provided in both Korean and English, as well as Chinese and Japanese.
The subway is wheelchair-accessible.
Your ticket is needed to transfer to the subway and to exit the station, so hold onto it for the entire journey.

How to get from Busan Airport to the city centre by bus

The local 307 intracity bus regularly departs from Busan Airport, making several stops along the way before terminating in the popular tourist area of Haeundae. The total journey takes around 90 minutes, excluding wait times.

How much does the bus cost?

A single-journey ticket all the way to Haeundae Beach costs €1.10 (KRW 1550) per person and can be purchased from ticket vending machines at the station using a debit/credit card, cash, or a T-Money card.

Cost

€1.10

Trip Duration

90 Min.

The 307 bus runs every 15 to 20 minutes throughout the day.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

The 307 bus runs between 06:40 and 23:23.

Where can I take the bus from?

Intracity buses depart from in front of Gates 2 and 4 on P1 of the Domestic Terminal and from Gates 4 and 5 of P2 of the International Terminal.

Convenience

While the public bus is the slowest transport option, it makes numerous stops along its route so you are more likely to be dropped close to your desired destination. It is also an affordable option for those travelling on a budget.

If you plan on having lots of luggage on you or simply prefer to avoid overly crowded buses – a problem during peak hours in Busan – we recommend pre-booking a private transfer instead so you can travel directly to your destination most comfortably.

Editor’s Note

T-Money cards are reloadable smart cards that you tap on and off on public transport throughout Busan.

Useful Tips

During increased traffic, the bus journey time can increase considerably.
It is cheaper to pay for your fare with a T-money card than with cash.
There is a free airport shuttle bus that runs between the domestic and international terminals every 10 minutes between 05:00 and 22:40.
Once you reach your stop, exit through the rear doors of the bus, not the front.

Welcome Pickups has a Net Safety Score of 99 of 100

We’ve introduced a metric indicating how safe travellers feel when using our services during the COVID-19 pandemic. After every ride, we ask each traveller to leave a review.

  • 20 minute gap between transfers

  • Regular Car Sanitisation

  • Contactless ride

  • Sanitiser in every car

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Frequently asked questions

What is the closest airport to Busan?

The closest airport to Busan is Gimhae International Airport (PUS) which is located around 16 km from the city centre and can be reached in as little as 23 minutes during light traffic when travelling by taxi or private transfer.

How do I get from Gimhae Airport to Busan?

Currently, there are three modes of transport available from Gimhae Airport to Busan: taxi or private transfer, a combined light rail and subway journey, or the bus. A taxi or private transfer takes 23 minutes during light traffic, whereas the light rail/subway can take as little as 21 minutes, excluding waiting times. If taking the public bus all the way to Haeundae Beach, the journey takes 90 minutes, excluding wait times.

What’s the cost of a taxi from Busan Airport to the city centre?

Depending on the location of your final destination, you’ll pay between €12.50 (KRW 18,000) and €17.50 (KRW 25,000) for a regular taxi that can seat up to 4 people, excluding tolls and surcharges.

If you prefer to budget and plan ahead, we recommend pre-booking your private transfer to secure a guaranteed set rate fare without the hidden extras for the same price as a regular taxi.

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