Seoul, the bustling capital of South Korea, is known for its efficient public transportation system, with trains being the most popular mode of commuting. In 2024, the city continues to face challenges with traffic inefficiency and CO2 emissions, despite a significant percentage of the population using public transport.

Average Commute Times

The average commute time in Seoul is approximately 42.22 minutes, with a significant portion of this time spent on trains.
  • Bus - Bus commuters spend about 33.56 minutes on the bus, with additional time for waiting and walking.
  • Car - Car users experience an average driving time of 42.39 minutes, highlighting potential traffic congestion issues.
  • Train - Train commuters spend around 29.38 minutes on the train, with some time allocated for waiting and walking.
  • Walking - Those who walk as their primary mode of transport spend about 20.36 minutes walking.
Traffic Breakdown
Train
40%
Car
19%
Walking
18%
Bus
15%
Home
3%
Bicycle
3%
Motorcycle
2%
Seasonal Trends

Traffic tends to increase during the winter months as more people opt for public transport over walking or cycling. Summer months see a slight decrease in public transport usage as walking becomes more favorable.

Commuter Pain Points

Long waiting times for buses during peak hours can be frustrating for commuters. Traffic congestion during rush hours significantly impacts car commute times.

Best Travel Times

Traveling before 7 AM or after 8 PM can help avoid peak hour congestion. Midday travel is generally smoother for those using public transport.

Event Impacts

Major public events like festivals or sports events can lead to temporary spikes in traffic congestion. Public transport systems are often strained during large events, requiring additional services.

Sustainability Efforts

Seoul is investing in electric buses and expanding bike lanes to promote eco-friendly commuting. The city is also enhancing its subway network to accommodate more passengers and reduce car dependency.

Ride-Sharing Impact

Ride-sharing services have helped reduce the number of private cars on the road, easing congestion. These services provide flexible commuting options, especially during off-peak hours.

Worldwide
South Korea

Traffic Rankings

Seoul ranks 1st on the Traffic rankings in South Korea. The Traffic Index for South Korea combines user-contributed data on commute times, traffic dissatisfaction, CO2 emissions, and traffic system inefficiencies in South Korea, to provide insights into overall traffic conditions.

Worst to BestUpdated: Dec, 2024

Traffic Data

The following traffic data has been gathered from 121 user contributions.
Overall average travel
Distance
9.8 miles
Walking
9.4 mins
Waiting
3.2 mins
Driving Car
8.3 mins
Bus / Trolley
6.2 mins
Bicycle
0.9 mins
Motorcycle
0.4 mins
Train
13.5 mins
Other
0.2 mins
Total:
42.2 mins
Average when primarily using Bus
Distance
9.3 miles
Walking
7.0 mins
Waiting
6.4 mins
Bus / Trolley
33.6 mins
Train
3.9 mins
Other
0.4 mins
Total:
51.3 mins
Average when primarily using Car
Distance
11.4 miles
Walking
1.3 mins
Driving Car
42.4 mins
Total:
43.7 mins
Average when primarily using Train
Distance
12.4 miles
Walking
10.2 mins
Waiting
4.9 mins
Bus / Trolley
2.3 mins
Train
29.4 mins
Other
0.2 mins
Total:
47.0 mins
Average when primarily using Walking
Distance
3.9 miles
Walking
20.4 mins
Waiting
1.4 mins
Bus / Trolley
0.7 mins
Train
4.7 mins
Other
0.1 mins
Total:
27.3 mins
Seoul Traffic

"Key Takeaways"

Enhancing the efficiency of public transport could further reduce commute times and emissions.

Promoting alternative transportation methods like cycling could alleviate traffic congestion.

Key Indexes

Emissions

Seoul's CO2 emissions index is 2802.31, indicating a need for sustainable practices.

Efforts to reduce emissions are crucial as public transport usage is high.

Time

The average commute time index is 42.22, reflecting the efficiency of Seoul's public transport.

Despite efficient public transport, traffic congestion remains a challenge.

Inefficiency

The traffic inefficiency index stands at 163.12, suggesting room for improvement in traffic management.

High inefficiency can lead to increased commute times and frustration among commuters.