Seoul is adding a dedicated late-night bus service for tourists this month. The Firefly Bus (반딧불이 버스, Banditbul-i Bus) launches in October 2026, running between the city’s main nighttime entertainment and cultural districts and linking them directly to subway stations.
What the Firefly Bus Does
The new service connects five of Seoul’s busiest after-dark areas: Hongdae, Gwanghwamun, Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), Myeongdong, and Gangnam. Buses run as shuttle-style loops between these hubs and the nearest subway interchange at each stop, operating after midnight when the metro shuts down.
This is different from Seoul’s existing N Bus (Night Bus) network, which was designed primarily to carry residents home from the city centre. The N Bus routes radiate outward to residential districts; the Firefly Bus stays within the tourist core, moving people between areas where they are most likely to be spending the evening.
Why It Matters for Visitors
Until now, getting from a late-night session in Hongdae to a further destination like DDP or Myeongdong after midnight meant a taxi or a wait. Taxis in Seoul are reliable and metered, but demand spikes sharply at last metro time, and fares between districts can reach 10,000–20,000 KRW depending on traffic.
The Firefly Bus addresses that gap at bus fare rates. The service uses the standard T-money card payment system, so no separate ticket or app is needed - tap on with the same card you use for the metro.
For an overview of how to top up and use your T-money card across buses and trains, see our guide to getting around Korea.
What to Expect at Launch
Seoul Metropolitan Government announced the scheme in August 2026 as part of a broader push to make Seoul a 24-hour destination. At launch, the city will monitor boarding patterns and congestion before confirming whether additional frequency or extended routing will be added.
Specific timetables and exact stop locations for each district were not published ahead of launch - details are expected to appear on the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s official transport portal and on the Kakao Maps and Naver Maps apps, both of which show real-time bus tracking.
Planning Around It
If you are heading out for a late evening in Hongdae, Myeongdong, or around DDP and want to stay flexible rather than booking a late-night taxi in advance, the Firefly Bus is worth using once routes are confirmed in-app.
For a full picture of Seoul after dark - including which areas stay lively until what time - see our Seoul nightlife guide.