No worries about no transportation late at night when heading home – Seoul launches late-night “Owl Buses”

▲ Seoul’s “Owl Late-Night Buses” launched for night owls have received widespread praise. (Photo / Screenshot from YouTube)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Recently, Seoul introduced “Owl Buses” to serve residents returning home late at night. Originally, there were only two routes, N26 and N37. After a successful trial operation, the service expanded on the 12th with seven additional routes to accommodate more late-night commuters.

Over the past three months, Seoul operated two dedicated late-night city bus routes, N26 and N37, targeting areas with high nighttime foot traffic. These buses mainly served popular late-night spots such as Hongdae in Sangsu, Dongdaemun, Gangnam, and Jongno, receiving positive feedback from citizens. In response to an 88% approval rate and public demand for expansion, seven new routes officially began service at midnight on the 12th, bringing the total to nine routes serving late-night commuters.

The seven new routes will form a radial late-night bus network centered around Jongno and Gwanghwamun, including N13 (Sanggye-dong to Songpa Depot), N16 (Dogoksan Depot to Oncheon-dong), N61 (Yangcheon Depot to Nowon Station), N62 (Yangcheon Depot to Myeonmok-dong), N10 (Ulleung-dong to Seoul Station), N30 (Gangdong Depot to Seoul Station), and N40 (Bangbae-dong to Seoul Station). Among these, N13, N16, N61, and N62 will run every 40 to 45 minutes. Long-distance routes will also adopt simultaneous departures from both ends to minimize waiting time between directions. Easy transfers will also be available at major interchange points such as Seoul Station, Dongdaemun, Gangnam, and Jongno.

Starting on the 12th, the fare for the “Owl Buses” will increase from the trial rate of 1,050 KRW to 1,850 KRW. Passengers can check arrival times and route information via digital display signs at bus stops,the Seoul Transportation Information websiteand other platforms.

Following a public naming contest, Seoul dubbed the late-night buses the “Owl Buses.” A cartoon owl driving a bus was designed as a mascot, featuring on both the bus bodies and LED signs alongside route numbers and owl icons. This branding is also used inside the buses and on station route maps to help distinguish them from regular buses.

▲ Cartoon design of Seoul’s “Owl Buses.” (Photo / From the official website of the Seoul Metropolitan Government)

%Jia???reacted positively to the thoughtful night bus service.%