Guide · MOV · 101
Cycling & Ttareungi
Seoul's ₩1,000 public bikes, the Han River paths, and how to rent with a foreign card.
In short
- Seoul's public bike, Ttareungi (따릉이), is very cheap. A 1-day pass is ₩1,000 (1-hour rides) and a 1-year pass is ₩30,000.
- You don't need a Korean phone number. Use the Tmoney GO app (best for foreign cards) or the "Seoul Bike" app's Foreigner option.
- Rent by scanning the bike's QR code, ride, and return to any station. Other cities have public bikes too; Kakao T Bike covers many cities nationwide.
- The Han River paths are flat, free of traffic and very pretty. It's the easiest good ride in Korea.
For trips that are too long to walk but too short for a taxi, a shared bike works well, and Seoul's Ttareungi is one of the cheapest bike-shares anywhere. Here's how to use it, plus info on scooters and some cycling tips.
Ttareungi: Seoul's public bike
Green-and-white bikes at unmanned docks by nearly every subway exit, park and bus stop. Rent at one station and return it at any other, a bit like a bike library. Open 24/7, age 13+.
| Pass | Price (1-hour ride type) |
|---|---|
| 1-day | ₩1,000 |
| 7-day (commuter) | ₩3,000 |
| 30-day | ₩5,000 |
| 6-month | ₩15,000 |
| 1-year | ₩30,000 |
Each "ride" resets if you return and re-rent within the pass period, so a 1-day pass = unlimited 1-hour rides that day. (A 2-hour ride type costs a bit more: ₩2,000/day, ₩40,000/year.)
How to rent (foreigners)
Get the app
Tmoney GO is the most popular choice in 2026. It bundles Ttareungi + scooters + bus booking and has the best foreign-card success rate. Or use the "Seoul Bike / 따릉이" app and pick English (top-right) + the Foreigner option. No Korean phone number needed.
Buy a pass
Register with email or Google/Facebook login, choose a pass, pay with an international Visa/Mastercard or mobile pay. Save your 8-digit rental code.
Rent the bike
Tap "Rent," scan the QR code on the rear wheel; the lock releases. Check brakes, tires and chain first.
Return anywhere
Dock at any station and lock it, then wait for the "returned" confirmation (voice + text). If the rack is full, use the app's temporary/nearby return.
Best rides in Seoul
- Han River (한강) paths: flat, bike-only paths along the river with great views. Yeouido is the famous part; Ichon → Mangwon is a nice, more local stretch that ends near the food at Mangwon Market.
- Seoul Forest → Han River: through the park (deer enclosure) then a ramp straight onto the river path.
- Cheonggyecheon stream: a green corridor through the city center (DDP ↔ Gwanghwamun).
- In spring (late March–April), the riverside cherry blossoms make an evening ride really special. See seasonal Korea.
Beyond Seoul & other options
- Kakao T Bike: private bike-share (incl. e-bikes) through the Kakao T app, in Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Gwangju, Incheon and more. It covers more places than the city public bikes.
- Public bikes in other cities: Daejeon, Gwangju, Gyeongju, Yeosu and others run their own (usually cheap) systems.
- Electric kickboards/scooters: app-based (various brands) in many areas; a helmet is legally required and a driver's license may be needed for some.
Rules & safety
- Use bike lanes where they exist; Seoul is enforcing bike-only lanes in 2026. No lane? Keep to the far right of the road (not the sidewalk).
- Wear a helmet (legally required; Ttareungi doesn't provide one, so bring your own). Don't use earphones.
- No cycling after drinking. Korea enforces this the same way as drink-driving.
- Use Naver Map / KakaoMap (not Google) for directions. Pick the bicycle mode for dedicated paths that avoid hills and traffic.
- Handy app term: 임시잠금 (imsi-jamgeum) = temporary lock (for a quick convenience-store stop mid-ride).
Common questions
Do I need a Korean phone number?
No. The Foreigner option and Tmoney GO work with email/social login and an international card.
What if my card keeps getting rejected?
Use Tmoney GO, or buy a Climate Card whose passes include Ttareungi and skip card registration.
Where can I ride?
Bike lanes and the Han River paths are ideal. Use Naver/KakaoMap bicycle mode; stay off sidewalks.
Is it only in Seoul?
Ttareungi is Seoul; other cities have their own public bikes, and Kakao T Bike covers many cities nationwide.
Sources: Seoul Metropolitan Government (bikeseoul.com / Ttareungi), Tmoney GO, VisitKorea bike-share info, and 2026 foreigner cycling guides. Fares per Seoul Bike 2026.
Last verified: July 2026. Fares, apps and lane rules change, so check the app/city site. General information; ride safely and wear a helmet.
Planning a Han River ride?
Ask others for their favorite routes or card-error fixes. Post in the community and tag it Transport.