Seoul Subway Line 1 Guide: Seoul Station, Jongno, Dongdaemun

Seoul Subway Line 1 (Dark Blue) is the city's oldest metro line, opened in 1974. It runs through the historic heart of Seoul — connecting Seoul Station, Jongno, Dongdaemun, and Cheongnyangni — and extends far beyond the city to Incheon, Suwon, and Soyosan. For tourists, Line 1 is the key to old Seoul: traditional markets, ancient gates, and heritage districts.

Route Overview

• Color: Dark Blue (Line 1)
• Main section length: 7.8 km within central Seoul; full network ~200 km
• Service patterns: Local, Rapid, and Express trains (check the indicator on each platform)
• Ridership: Very busy at Seoul Station and Jongno-ga sections

Watch out: Line 1 has multiple branches north of Seoul (to Uijeongbu, Yangju) and south (to Incheon, Suwon, Cheonan). Always check the destination sign.

Must-Visit Stations

Seoul Station (서울역, 133)

The main transit hub of Korea. Transfer to AREX (to Incheon Airport), Line 4, and KTX high-speed rail. Exit 2 connects to Lotte Mart, duty-free shops, and Seoullo 7017 skywalk park. Exit 9a goes to the historic 1925 Culture Station building.

Jonggak (종각, 131) & Jongno 3-ga (종로3가, 130)

Old downtown Seoul. Jonggak Exit 3 for Bosingak Belfry and the Cheonggyecheon stream. Jongno 3-ga transfers to Lines 3 and 5 — three subway lines meet at Pimatgol, a historic alley with traditional eateries. Exit 15 puts you at Insadong's start.

Dongdaemun (동대문, 128)

Dongdaemun Gate — one of the Joseon Dynasty's Four Great Gates — stands outside Exit 6. This area transforms after dark: Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) by Zaha Hadid glows like a spaceship, and the wholesale fashion malls are open until 5 AM.

Dongmyo (동묘앞, 127)

Exit 3 leads to Dongmyo Flea Market — one of Asia's best vintage markets, with military surplus, vinyl records, and '90s K-pop memorabilia. Best visited Saturday afternoons.

Cheongnyangni (청량리, 124)

Transfer to Gyeongchun Line (toward Chuncheon for Nami Island trips) and Suin-Bundang Line. The Cheongnyangni Fruit Market outside Exit 2 is where locals buy seasonal Korean fruit.

Transfer Tips

• Seoul Station: to AREX (airport), Line 4, KTX, Gyeongui-Jungang — THE main hub
• Jongno 3-ga: to Lines 3, 5 — Insadong and Gwanghwamun area
• Sindorim: to Line 2 — access to Hongdae, Gangnam
• City Hall: to Line 2 — Deoksugung Palace, Myeongdong adjacent

Tip: Line 1 has a mix of local and express trains. Express trains (빨간색 급행) skip small stations — great for reaching Incheon fast, but ensure your stop is served. Local (all stops) trains have blue indicators.