Crackdown on overpricing taxis targeting foreign tourists in Seoul
In a bid to ensure a fair and pleasant experience for tourists visiting the vibrant city of Seoul, the Seoul Metropolitan Government has launched a 100-day concentrated crackdown on illegal taxi activities. This initiative, running from August to November 2025, aims to address issues faced by overseas tourists when using taxis in the city [1][2][4][5].
The focus of this crackdown will be on airports (Incheon and Gimpo) and tourist hotspots such as Myeongdong and Gyeongbokgung Palace. The Seoul Transportation Office plans to mobilize all enforcement personnel for on-site crackdowns, using QR survey participation by foreign tourists to identify offenders. Taxi receipt labeling will also be enhanced for transparency, and penalties for companies with frequent complaints will be strengthened [1].
While the specific penalties for offenders, such as fines or sanctions, are not explicitly provided in the sources, the crackdown includes strengthened penalties for repeat offenders and illegal taxi operations to ensure safer and fairer travel conditions for foreign tourists [1][4].
Since 2015, Seoul has been striving to improve taxi service fairness for overseas visitors. In the downtown area, taxis that refuse to take overseas tourists on short trips will be penalized. As of the end of June, Seoul has busted 139 cases of overcharging at airports near Seoul and 109 cases of taxi drivers refusing foreign passengers for short rides [1].
The base fare for cabs at night in Seoul ranges from 5,800 won to 6,700 won, depending on the time of the ride. An additional 100 won is charged for every 131 meters of travel in the city. In Seoul, the base fare for a single standard taxi ride up to 1.6 kilometers is 4,800 won ($3.46) [1].
Visitors to Korea can report taxi-related issues via card-sized survey slips available at Incheon Airport and Gimpo Airport. The card links users to a survey via QR code, which can be used to report violations. This service is available in English, Chinese, and Japanese [1].
Taxis that overcharge tourists at night will be subject to penalties in the downtown area of Seoul. Taxis that wait for foreign customers to demand prices above standard rates will also be penalized. The initiative targets illegal taxi activities such as overcharging, demanding tips, refusing short rides, and other inconveniences experienced by overseas tourists in Seoul [1].
The regular crackdown on illegal taxi activities in Seoul has been ongoing since 2015. This 100-day crackdown is aimed at rectifying illegal taxi activities ahead of the peak tourism season in South Korea [1]. The Seoul Metropolitan Government civil servants will be enforcing the crackdown, working tirelessly to ensure a positive and memorable experience for all tourists visiting the city.
Tourists visiting Seoul during the peak tourism season in South Korea can expect a safer and fairer travel experience due to the Seoul Metropolitan Government's intensified crackdown on illegal taxi activities, particularly at airports and tourist hotspots. This can significantly impact the lifestyle of overseas travelers as they explore the city, ensuring they are not faced with unnecessary inconveniences such as overcharging or refusal of service.
