Unfamiliar with the Korean expressway and HiPass system? We’ve got your covered. Making the most of your stay in Korea means taking advantage of every opportunity to travel. For most trips that are over 2 hours away, OR when driving into Seoul, you may encounter at least one toll along the way. Setting up a HiPass system can make such trips less stressful and save you money. Here is what you need to know.
About Korean Expressways
Korean expressways are toll roads that crisscross South Korea. Korean Expressway Corporation manages the expressways in South Korea. The program began in 1968 and now manages over 4,000km of roadways.
Using Korean expressways can save you hours of drive time. Taking the expressway from Pyeongtaek to Sokcho can take as little as 3.5 hours while a non-express way trip could take 8-12 hours.
Learning about the Korean Expressways before jumping on the road can greatly reduce your stress and improve your travel experience. We recommend reading this blog and then watching the following video to help put the content into context.
Korean Expressway Toll Gates
A driver passes through two toll gates on a Korean expressway. The first gate marks the beginning of the toll fee and the second gate marks the end of the toll fee.
Drivers usually pay Korean expressway tolls upon exiting the expressway. However, there are some unique areas that do charge upon entering a small stretch of expressway. Such unique situations tend to occur in areas surrounding Seoul.
About Korean Expressway Tolls
Korean expressway toll fees are calculated according to the following criteria:
- distance traveled
- the type of roads used
- the type of vehicle
Korean expressway toll fees should be paid using either a Korean debit card with a transportation function (you need to set up the transportation function at your bank), cash, or a Hi-Pass card. Some (but maybe not all) expressway toll booths accept cash. To keep life simple, South of Seoul encourages drivers to get HiPass.
The Hi-Pass system allows drivers to pay tolls without having to stop at toll booths. As of 2020, over 50% of Korean drivers use a HiPass card.
Kakao Maps and Naver Maps tell you your estimated toll fee when they route your journey. If you use either of these apps to route your trip you should not be surprised by toll fees.
Make sure the expressway toll fees reflected in your Naver Map or Kakao Map apps are correct by customizing your app to reflect your information. Below you can see that the user has a small car using an alternate fuel and has HiPass installed. Such detail will ensure that their estimated tolls reflect their individual situation.
Pro-Tip: If you drive a 경차 (lightweight vehicle) you get a 50% discount on expressway toll fees. Such vehicles include cars such as the Matiz, Morning, Spark, and Ray.
Pro-Tip: HiPass users may get a discount for using a HiPass depending on the time of day and highway. Hi-Pass discounts vary between 5% to 50% depending on the situation.
About HiPass Lanes for HiPass Holders
A driver must choose between HiPass and Non-HiPass lanes at both the entrance and exit of their journey. As previously mentioned in this blog post, a driver passes through two toll gates on a Korean expressway and their lane choices need to match their payment options. If you have your information added to Kakao or Naver map apps, these apps may help guide you to the correct lane at each toll gate.
About HiPass On-Board Units
To use such HiPass lanes the driver must have both an On-Board Unit (OBU) which is installed at the front of the vehicle, and a Hi-Pass card that is inserted into the OBU. If a person only has a HiPass card they can not use the HiPass lanes as the lane needs an OBU to read the card from a distance.
The OBU, sometimes marketed as a “Hi-Pass device” or ETC unit (Electronic Toll Collection), is produced by a variety of manufacturers. You can find OBUs in a variety of locations such as:
- Pre-installed in your vehicle (For example: part of the rearview mirror)
- Expressway rest stop kiosks
- Coupang (Search: ‘HiPass’)
- GMarket (Search: ‘HiPass’)
- Car repairing centers and gas/petrol stations
The OBU devices come in many different shapes, sizes, styles, and price ranges. Some need to be wired into the vehicle while others run off of solar power.
Special Announcement for US Military: Purchasing a HiPass on Camp Humphreys
At Camp Humphreys, you may purchase an OBU and Hi-Pass in the Main PX Exchange BLDG 5700.
About HiPass Cards for HiPass On-Board Units
There are three types of HiPass cards. Depending on your Korean visa type and bank account situation, you can choose between:
- A re-fillable Hi-Pass Plus card (best of those without Korean bank accounts)
- An auto-loading Hi-Pass card connected to a Korean bank account. (best if you can’t get a Korean credit card)
- An auto-charging Hi-Pass card connected to a particular type of Korean Credit Card. (Most convient option available at KEB Hana Bank)
About Re-fillable HiPass Cards
Re-fillable HiPass cards do not require a Korean bank account or Korea FRC. You can purchase re-fillable HiPass cards at the following locations:
- Coupang
- GMarket
- HiPass expressway kiosks and offices
- Camp Humphreys HiPass office
Once you have a card and device, it may need to be registered and the form looks something like the following as of 2021:
To register for the Hi-Pass you will need your Korean vehicle registration, driver’s license, and possibly a registration fee depending on the situation.
Re-fillable Hi-Pass Plus cards can be re-filled/re-charged at a variety of locations including
- HiPass expressway office
- Convenience stores (CU Mart, GS25, 7011etc)
- A Korean bank
- Korean expressway rest stops
About Auto Loading (자동충전) HiPass Cards
In order to use an auto-loading HiPass card, you will need to have a Korean FRC, a Korean smartphone under your name, and a Korean Bank account linked to your FRC and smartphone. Once the auto charging card has been activated and linked to a Korean bank account, a pre-determined amount is automatically added to the card each month. You can set up your auto-loading HiPass card on the HiPass website.
You can purchase an Auto Charge HiPass card at the following locations:
- Coupang
- GMarket
- HiPass expressway kiosks and offices
Pro-Tip: Not every bank may allow international residents to use an auto-loading card.
About Auto-Charging HiPass Cards
Auto-charging HiPass cards are connected to Korean credit cards. HiPass automatically charges for the fees used each month. The cards do not need to be loaded since you pay as you go.
It may be more complicated for international residents in Korea to obtain. Credit cards are only available for certain visas, with certain job types, etc. However, a number of South of Seoul volunteers on different visa types have credit cards through Hana Bank that offer an auto-charging HiPass card option.
Pro-Tip: Banks may confuse a request to set up an auto-loading card with a request for an auto-charging card.
Recognizing HiPass Lanes
Many entry and exit gates will clearly label the Hi-Pass lane in bright blue. These lanes are designated for cars with a Hi-Pass OBU (onboard unit) and Hi-Pass card.
Not all HiPass lanes have the same speed limit. Notice, the speed limit for going through the HiPass gate has been painted on the road over the blue line.
All other vehicles are expected to use the other lanes. Some entry and exit gates will have additional lanes for large work vehicles. These lanes often have large yellow frames but this may not be the case.
Common HiPass Errors Experienced by Foreigners
It’s common to experience one or all of the following challenges as a new user of the Korean expressway systems. Don’t panic, the system was not designed to be a burden. You will be ok and it is unlikely you will experience untenable financial consequences.
Error 1: Passing Through A HiPass Gate Without HiPass
If you accidentally run a HiPass lane and the siren goes off, don’t panic. Remember the place you entered and tell the attendant when you exit the tollway. Here are the options that you have. As of 2020, the Korean Expressway Corporation does not charge a ticket for making mistakes on toll roads, they simply charge you the price of the toll (so don’t panic).
Solution A: Pay at the toll when you leave
In our experience, we took note of the name of my entry gate and briefly explained our mistake to the toll agent, who made a quick phone call, then told me the amount I had to pay. It was a hassle-free exchange that took less than a minute. The price I was charged was also the same as the price listed on Naver. Another great reason for using Naver, it lists toll fees for your route.
If you need help communicating with the toll booth attendant use 1330.
Solution B: Wait for the HiPass Bill in the Mail
If you accidentally go through a Hi-Pass lane without an OBU, then you will likely be mailed a traffic ticket. If you go through the entry gate and forget to grab a ticket or if the ticket doesn’t print, don’t fret. The toll agent at the exit gate will calculate your toll at the next booth.
How to Pay Your HiPass Bill
If you get a HiPass bill in the mail you can pay the bill 1) at your Korean bank or 2) at a HiPass office, or 3) Korean bank transfer via ATM or smartphone. We always recommend having a Korean bank account to help make such situations as stress-free as possible.
If you accidentally forget to pay your expressway toll fee bill, they do not charge excessive penalties. In fact, there are often no late fee penalties. Just get it paid as soon as you can.
Error 2: Passing Through a Non-HiPass Gate with a HiPass Card
If you have a HiPass reader and accidentally pass through a cash gate, do not worry. Simply remove your HiPass card from your HiPass Reader and give it to the cashier. You do not need to pay with a card or cash, just hand them your Hi-Pass card
Error 3: Hi-Pass Card Has No Money
If you have a re-fillable or auto-loading card you may accidentally take a trip without enough money on your card, don’t panic.
Solution A: Pay as you exit
If you realize your mistake upon entering the expressway you can simply pay at the toll gate with your Korean debit card with a transportation function (you need to set up the transportation function at your bank) or cash.
Solution B: Wait for the bill
If you realize your mistake up exciting the expressway just wait for the bill in the mail and go get your card filled.
Avoiding Korean Expressways and HiPass System
If you are not fond of using the Korean Expressway and HiPass system, both Naver Map and Kakao Map apps allow users to set trip preferences including routes that don’t use tollways.
Founded in 2015, the South of Seoul team consists of volunteers on three continents working together to support English-speaking people traveling or living in South Korea. South of Seoul volunteers work with organizations and individuals across South Korea to improve equitable access to information across South Korea. Much of South of Seoul’s information focuses on Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea.
Blogs published under the authorship of “South of Seoul” include blogs compiled by multiple volunteers to improve access to standardized information unrelated to individualized personal experiences.
Korean expressway toll fees should be paid using either a Korean check card(which has transportation function) or a Hi-Pass card.
Not all the Korean check card has the transportation function. You must check if it is available with the relevant bank.
Thank you for this. We will clarify this in the blog post.