Disability Discounts in Korea: Subway, KTX and Phone Bill Reductions (Incl. Low-Income)

The diagram below is a self-made illustration, not a real screen.

This guide covers disability discounts in Korea for public transport and mobile phone bills, for registered disabled people, basic livelihood recipients and near-poverty households. Phone discounts for basic pension recipients are in the basic pension guide, and general transit savings such as K-Pass are in the transit guide.

Who this suits

• Registered disabled people and their families
• Basic livelihood recipients and near-poverty households

1. Is the subway really free with a disability discount?

• Urban rail (subway and metro) is 100% off, so it’s free. For people with severe disabilities, one accompanying carer rides free too.
• GTX is 50% off. Privately run urban rail lines may set their own rates.
• Public buses run by the state or a local government are also 100% off.
• Just show your disability registration card (welfare card).

2. What are the KTX and train disability discount rates?

• Severe disability (formerly grades 1 to 3, one carer included): 50% off KTX, Saemaeul, Mugunghwa and commuter trains
• Mild disability (formerly grades 4 to 6): 30% off KTX and Saemaeul on weekdays only (not weekends or public holidays), 50% off Mugunghwa and commuter trains
• When booking online, choose “disabled” in the passenger details (after login). The carer discount is applied under the extra discount options.
• If booking online is hard, use Korail’s priority booking lines (1544-7788, 1544-8545).

3. How much are the phone bill reductions?

• Disabled people and national merit recipients: 35% off the base fee and call charges
• Basic livelihood recipients (living or medical benefit): 26,000 won off the base fee and 50% off calls, up to 33,500 won a month
• Basic livelihood recipients (housing or education benefit) and near-poverty households: 11,000 won off and 35% off calls, up to 21,500 won a month (Government24). The Ministry of Health and Welfare table lists up to 10,500 won a month for near-poverty disabled people, so check with each agency
• Budget MVNO plans are not covered.
• How to apply: check and apply via ARS 1523, or at your carrier’s store, the community center or Bokjiro. You can apply at any time.
• Disabled people also get 50% off landline and internet phone call charges and 30% off broadband.

4. In what order do you apply for the phone discount?

1. Call ARS 1523 to check eligibility.
2. Check whether your plan is an MVNO (budget carrier); those are not covered.
3. Apply via ARS 1523, your carrier’s store, a community center or Bokjiro.
4. If your benefit status changes, recheck the discount level.

Common mistakes

• Expecting the 30% KTX discount on a weekend with a mild disability
• Switching to an MVNO and not noticing the discount stopped
• Not checking the discount level after your benefit status changes

Checklist

• ☐ Disability card with you
• ☐ Weekday vs weekend train rates checked
• ☐ Phone discount eligibility checked via ARS 1523
• ☐ Checked whether your plan is an MVNO

Related guides

• Senior discounts guide
• Basic pension for parents guide
• Transit refund (K-Pass) guide
• Culture Nuri card guide

FAQ

Is the subway free?

Urban rail fares are 100% waived; for people with severe disabilities, one companion too. GTX is 50%.

KTX discount for mild disabilities?

30% on KTX and Saemaul, weekdays only (not weekends or holidays); 50% on Mugunghwa and commuter trains.

How much for housing/education benefit recipients?

Government24 says up to 21,500 won a month; the Ministry of Health and Welfare table lists up to 10,500 won for near-poverty disabled people. Check with each agency.

Are MVNO plans covered?

No.

When can I apply?

Any time.

Read next

• Energy voucher and electricity discount guide
• Medical expense cap refund guide
• Budget MVNO phone plan guide

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