The language barrier at subway stations in Seoul has been knocked down! Hailing a taxi in Seoul is as easy as in your home country! All your questions about using a public bicycle are easily answered by a helpful chatbot! Urban travel in Korea is going to be easier than ever in the New Year, thanks to three new transportation services that were released at the end of 2023.

1. Real-time Interpretation System using AI technology │ Released December 2023

What is it?│A service at Seoul subway stations that uses AI technology to provide real-time interpretation into 13 different languages.

Is it possible for people from different countries to speak in their native language and still communicate? With the new Real-time Interpretation Service at Seoul subway stations, it is! The system uses AI technology to interpret the conversation between foreign tourists and the Korean staff at the subway station. For example, a Chinese tourist can ask how to get to Yongsan Station in Chinese, and the Korean station worker will reply in Korean.

So how does it work? A mic is connected to a see-through touch screen that displays the words spoken. After the tourist asks a question in their own language, their question is translated into Korean and appears on the monitor for the Korean station worker to see. The staff can then respond in Korean and their reply will be translated into the language spoken by the tourist automatically using AI. Because the AI translates the spoken words immediately, there is no delay in communication. The touch-screen can also be used to look up information on T-locker and T-luggage, storage systems in place for tourists.

How to use│Select a language from the start screen → Speak into the microphone → Read the translated reply from the station worker

Supported languages│Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, Malay, Indonesian, Spanish, French, German, Arabic, Russian (13 languages total)

Location│Customer Support Center, Myeongdong Station (Seoul Subway Line 4)
* Machines to be added to Jongno 5(oh)-ga Station on Line 1; City Hall Station, Hongik Univ. Station, Euljiro 1(il)-ga Station, and Gangnam Station on Line 2; Gyeongbokgung Station on Line 3; Gwanghwamun Station, and Gimpo Airport Station on Line 5; and Itaewon Station and Gongdeok Station on Line 6 in 2024

2. Foreigner-exclusive taxi app TABA │ Released December 2023

What is it?│TABA is an app made exclusively for foreign tourists to make hailing taxis easier and more convenient in Seoul.

“Get a taxi in Korea.” That’s the catchphrase of TABA, a foreign tourist-exclusive taxi hailing app. Other taxi apps have a number of inconveniences and stumbling blocks for foreign visitors, from requiring a Korean phone number to register to only allowing payment with bank cards issued in Korea. TABA has approached it differently to remove all obstacles!

TABA is available in five languages, with user verification possible using one’s cell phone number from their home country, and payment accepted via international card (VISA, MASTERCARD, UnionPay, DISCVOER, AMEX, etc.). Because the app was created with the support of the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the app is also able to provide some great fare rates! The app can be downloaded from Google Play or the App Store.

How to use│Download the app and create an account → Verify identity using phone number from home country → Input a destination → Confirm the distance & rate before selecting a taxi type (standard, spacious, luxury) → Pay taxi fare before boarding using an internationally issued bank card

Language support│ English, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Thai (5 languages total)
* Vietnamese, Indonesian, and Russian planned to be added early 2024

3. English chatbot service for Seoul’s public bicycles, Seoul Bike│Released November 2023

What is it?│Get answers to all your questions about Seoul’s public bicycles, Seoul Bike , through the English chatbot.

It won’t take long walking around Seoul before you’re bound to spot bicycles with green tires. These are none other than Seoul’s public bicycles, Seoul Bike. An estimated 50,000 foreigners used Seoul Bike last year, leading to the addition of English service on the Seoul Bike ChatBot.

The chatbot can answer all your questions, like how to use the bicycles and fixing payment issues. No matter what question you have when using Seoul Bike, simply ask the chatbot or find it in the related menu for quick and easy answers. The Seoul Bike app can be download from Google Play or the App Store.

In addition, the app is also connected with 120 Dasan Call Center, Seoul’s hotline, so users can easily get connected to assistance. Dasan Call Center can provide interpretation service between users and the team in charge of Seoul Bike inquiries.

How to use│ Download the Seoul Bike app → Create an account and log-in → Select “Foreigner” on the main page and then purchase a voucher → Select a bicycle from the map → Select “Rent a bicycle” and then scan the QR code on the bicycle → Enter your questions in the chatbot or check the FAQ section

Language support│English
* Chinese and Japanese to be added at a later date

Cheaper, easier! Are you looking for more smart travel tips?

* This content was last updated in December 2023, and therefore information may differ from what is presented here. We advise you to check for updates before visiting.