I took a bus to K-Star Road during evening rush hour once, thinking it would drop me closer than the subway, and ended up stuck in traffic for almost 25 minutes longer than the subway would have taken. Since then, I've stuck to a simple time-of-day rule, which I'm sharing here along with the exact fares and card options to plan around.
Getting a T-money Card
T-money cards are sold at any convenience store near a subway station, including GS25, CU, 7-Eleven, and Emart24, for around ₩2,500-4,000 (about $2-3 USD), and can be topped up with cash at the same stores or at subway station machines. Buying the card is quick and doesn't require ID or a deposit for the basic version, making it the simplest option for a short trip. Just tell the convenience store clerk you want a T-money card and how much you'd like to load onto it, then tap it at any turnstile to enter and exit.
As of March 2026, iPhone users can add T-money directly to Apple Wallet and tap through subway gates without carrying a physical card at all, though topping up with a foreign credit card through the app carries a small service fee of around 3.7 percent. If you'd rather avoid that fee entirely, loading cash onto a physical card at a convenience store remains the cheapest way to keep your balance topped up throughout your trip.
Subway vs Bus Comparison
| Transit Mode | Rush Hour | Off-Peak |
|---|---|---|
| Subway (Bundang Line) | Consistent, no traffic delay | Fast, less crowded |
| Local Bus | Slower, traffic-dependent | Comparable to subway |
Subway lines running toward Apgujeong Rodeo Station, the starting point of K-Star Road, stay largely unaffected by surface traffic, which makes them the more predictable choice during Gangnam's peak hours, roughly 7-9 AM and 6-8 PM. Local buses cover some of the same routes but get stuck in the same congestion as everyone else during those windows, even though they can feel more convenient off-peak since they sometimes stop closer to your final destination.
For travelers coming from Myeongdong or Hongdae, the most direct route to K-Star Road is the Bundang Line straight to Apgujeong Rodeo Station, which avoids a transfer entirely. If you're coming from Itaewon or Yongsan, expect one transfer regardless of mode, since no single subway line connects those neighborhoods directly to Apgujeong-ro.
Transfer Rules and Fare Tips
Tapping the same T-money card when transferring from bus to subway, or the reverse, within 30 minutes of tapping out applies a free transfer rather than charging a full new fare, and this works even across different bus companies and subway lines as long as you tap out properly at your first stop before tapping in again. As of 2026, the base subway fare is ₩1,550 per ride when paying by T-money card, compared to ₩1,650 for a single-use paper ticket bought at a station machine, so the card pays for itself within just a couple of rides.
Step-by-Step Transit Plan
Step 1: Buy a T-money card at any convenience store near your first subway stop and load at least ₩10,000 for a day of travel. Step 2: Check the time of day; if it's during rush hour, take the subway directly to Apgujeong Rodeo Station Exit 2, the official start of K-Star Road. Step 3: If traveling off-peak, either the subway or a local bus works equally well depending on which stop is closer to your starting point. Step 4: After walking the length of K-Star Road toward Cheongdam Crossroads, you can catch a bus back or walk to Cheongdam Station on Line 7 if you'd rather take the subway home. Step 5: Tap your T-money card consistently for every ride to keep transfer discounts active throughout the day.
Final Tips and FAQ
Q. Can I use my phone's contactless payment instead of T-money?
iPhone users can now load T-money directly into Apple Wallet, but Android contactless transit payment coverage isn't universal yet, so carrying a physical T-money card as backup is still the safest choice for most tourists.
Q. Do I need a different T-money card for buses versus subway?
No, the same card works across both subway lines and buses citywide, including transfer discounts between them.
Q. Is a taxi a better option than public transit for this trip?
Taxis are convenient but cost significantly more than transit for short Gangnam hops, and traffic congestion during rush hour affects taxis just as much as buses, so they rarely save time when the subway is running.
Sticking to the subway during rush hour and keeping your T-money card topped up removes most of the transit guesswork. This completes the four-part Gangnam Hallyu series, from getting to K-Star Road, photographing the GangnamDol statues, visiting SM Entertainment's actual headquarters in Seongsu, and now navigating transit like a local.
This content is for informational purposes only. Fares, payment methods, and transfer policies may change without notice.
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