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Seoul taxi night surcharge

TRAVEL TIPS · UPDATED OCT 29, 2026

Surcharge hours

10 PM–4 AM (regular mid-size taxis)

+20%

10–11 PM and 2–4 AM

+40%

11 PM–2 AM

Starting fare

₩4,800 by day · ₩5,800 at +20% · ₩6,700 at +40% (first 1.6 km)

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Regular Seoul taxis cost 20% more from 10 PM, 40% more from 11 PM to 2 AM, and 20% more again until 4 AM. The night fare table, what a ride costs, and when black deluxe taxis make sense.

Euljiro 1-ga intersection at night · Photo: The Seoul Institute (CC BY 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons

The night surcharge, hour by hour

1. 10 PM+20% from 10 to 11 PM

   Regular (mid-size) Seoul taxis switch to the night rate at 10 PM. The starting fare becomes ₩5,800 instead of ₩4,800.

2. 11 PM+40% from 11 PM to 2 AM

   The most expensive hours. The starting fare is ₩6,700 for the first 1.6 km.

3. 2 AM+20% from 2 to 4 AM

   The surcharge drops back to 20% (starting fare ₩5,800).

4. 4 AMDay fare again from 4 AM

   ₩4,800 for the first 1.6 km, then the normal distance and time fares.

What the meter charges

1. DAY₩4,800 start · ₩100 per 131 m · ₩100 per 30 sec

   The time fare runs when the taxi is slow or stopped in traffic.

2. +20%₩5,800 start · ₩120 per 131 m · ₩120 per 30 sec

   10–11 PM and 2–4 AM.

3. +40%₩6,700 start · ₩140 per 131 m · ₩140 per 30 sec

   11 PM–2 AM. The final fare is rounded to the nearest ₩100.

4. EXAMPLEA ₩15,000 day ride is about ₩21,000 at 11 PM–2 AM

   Our math: every part of the fare goes up by about 40% in the peak hours, so roughly multiply a day fare by 1.4 (by 1.2 in the +20% hours). Traffic and route change the real total.

Black deluxe and large taxis

1. DELUXE+20% from 10 PM to 4 AM, no 40% step

   Deluxe (mobeom, usually black) and large taxis add a flat 20% at night.

2. FARE₩7,000 by day, ₩8,400 at night for the first 3 km

   Then ₩200 per 151 m and ₩200 per 36 sec by day (20% more at night).

3. CHEAPER?A regular taxi still costs less, even at +40%

   Our math from the official fares: per kilometre and per minute, a regular taxi at its peak rate is still cheaper than a deluxe taxi at night. Pick a deluxe or large taxi for space or comfort, not to save money.

How it works: getting home at night

1. 1Check the time before you call or hail

   Leaving a few minutes before 11 PM keeps you at +20% for the start of the ride (our tip).

2. 2Make sure the meter is on

   It should show the starting fare (₩5,800 or ₩6,700 at night in a regular taxi) when you set off.

3. 3Pay by card and ask for the receipt

   A card payment and a receipt leave a record if anything looks wrong later (our tip). Overcharged? Seoul's 120 helpline (02-120 from outside Seoul) takes reports.

4. 4Compare with the last train

   On a big night out, the last subway can save you the 40% hours. See our last-train guide: seoulful.guide/lasttrain.

Say it in Korean (show this screen)

1. SAYPlease take me here.

   yeo-gi-ro ga ju-se-yo

   여기로 가 주세요Copy
2. SAYI'll pay by card.

   ka-deu-ro gyeol-je-hal-ge-yo

   카드로 결제할게요Copy
3. SAYPlease stop here.

   yeo-gi-seo se-wo ju-se-yo

   여기서 세워 주세요Copy
4. SAYA receipt, please.

   yeong-su-jeung ju-se-yo

   영수증 주세요Copy

Local tips

• Our tip: splitting a cab home with friends? The +40% hours are the ones to avoid, so leave a little before 11 PM or after 2 AM if you can.
• These are Seoul's regular taxi fares. Rides that leave Seoul can add an out-of-city surcharge.
• Fares can change; the meter and the official fare page have the final word.

FAQ

Sources: Seoul Metropolitan Government: Seoul taxi fares (updated Oct 14, 2026) · Seoul city news: taxi base fare ₩4,800 from Feb 1, night surcharge from 10 PM (Jan 31, 2023) · Incheon International Airport: taxi guide (fares and night surcharges) · Etoday: Seoul taxi base fare ₩3,800 → ₩4,800, night surcharge from 10 PM

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