S$580 taxi fare sparks fresh concerns over tourist scams in South Korea

A staggering taxi fare of nearly 700,000 won (S$580) for a trip from eastern Seoul to Incheon Airport has ignited fresh concerns about tourist scams in South Korea. The incident involved a Taiwanese tourist who reported being overcharged approximately 10 times the usual rate for the journey. This case adds to a series of high-profile incidents raising questions about whether South Korea's tourism infrastructure is adequately prepared for its rising international popularity.

The tourist recounted on social media that he used Uber for the trip on May 30. He initially set Seoul Station as his destination but changed it to Incheon International Airport's Terminal 2 mid-journey, expecting the Uber app to automatically calculate the additional fare. However, upon arrival, the driver allegedly requested a separate payment using an in-car card terminal. Facing a tight schedule before his flight, the traveler paid 690,800 won, which included a 66,000 won toll charge. A typical taxi fare for the same route, including tolls, is usually around 70,000 won.

Uber stated that the driver had agreed to refund the amount paid through the in-car terminal, reportedly attributing the error to a mistaken extra zero entered during the payment process. The tourist has filed a report with authorities and is awaiting the refund. This incident is not isolated; similar cases have emerged in Busan, where a tourist was charged 80,000 won for a short ride, and in Seoul, involving drivers failing to use taximeters or applying incorrect surcharges.

These overcharging incidents occur as South Korea experiences a significant rebound in tourism, with over 2.02 million foreign visitors in April alone. Tourist complaints filed in Seoul increased by 66.6% in 2025, with taxi-related issues being the second most common complaint after shopping. The surge in complaints, particularly through Seoul's QR-code taxi system, indicates a persistent problem that authorities are working to address amidst the growing influx of international visitors.