Free Public WiFi at Korea Bus Stops — 5-Step Connection Guide, Speed Test Results & 7 Security Tips
Last Updated: February 2026
You are standing at a Korean bus stop, running low on mobile data, and wondering how to connect to that free WiFi signal you keep hearing about. This guide walks you through the exact 5-step connection process, shares official speed test data showing averages of 463 Mbps, and explains how to stay safe on public networks. All data is sourced from Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT), the National Information Society Agency (NIA), and the 2024 Telecommunications Quality Evaluation report.
⚡ 30-Second Summary
📶 Select SSID "Public WiFi Free" (open) or "Public WiFi Secure" (encrypted, username & password both: wifi) at any bus stop
🚍 Korea's public WiFi averages 463.55 Mbps download — roughly 10x the surveyed-country average of 48.26 Mbps
🔒 Choosing the "Secure" SSID enables WPA2 encryption on the faster 5 GHz band, significantly reducing data-theft risk
📍 Over 57,000 free WiFi hotspots nationwide (28,132 public venues + 29,100 city buses) — no Korean phone number needed
🗺️ Find nearby hotspots instantly via wififree.kr or the "Public WiFi" app (iOS & Android)
Running out of data at a bus stop? There is free internet right next to you — here is how it works.
1. What Is Korea's Public WiFi? — 57,000+ Free Hotspots Explained
Korea's public WiFi is a government-led free internet service managed by the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) and the National Information Society Agency (NIA). It covers bus stops, parks, libraries, community centers, traditional markets, and public transit vehicles across the country.
According to Yonhap News Agency, a total of 57,232 locations — including 28,132 public venues and 29,100 city buses — offer free public WiFi (Source: Yonhap News, Feb 24, 2021). The service requires no Korean phone number, no app download, and no sign-up. Tourists and residents alike can connect instantly.
One important update: the central government's budget for building new public WiFi hotspots was cut to zero starting in 2025. However, existing hotspots (approximately 48,000+) continue to operate under local governments. Seoul, for instance, is expanding its own "Smart City Network" independently, so coverage is actually growing in the capital.
57,232
Total free public WiFi locations across South Korea (public venues + city buses)
Multiple SSIDs showing up on your phone? Here is exactly which one to tap and what to type.
2. How to Connect in 5 Steps — Android & iPhone Guide
Step 1 — Turn on WiFi: Open Settings on your phone, toggle WiFi on, and wait for available networks to appear.
Step 2 — Choose an SSID: Look for "Public WiFi Free" (open, no password) or "Public WiFi Secure" (encrypted, recommended). In Seoul, you will also see "SEOUL_Secure".
Step 3 — Enter credentials (Secure only): When you select a "Secure" SSID, a login prompt appears. For nationwide public WiFi, enter Username: wifi / Password: wifi. For Seoul's network, enter Username: seoul / Password: seoul.
Step 4 — Accept the certificate: On some devices (especially iPhones), a certificate-trust popup appears. Tap "Trust" or "Accept" to proceed.
Step 5 — Verify connection: Open a browser and visit any website. If you chose the "Free" (open) network, a captive portal page may appear — simply tap "Connect to WiFi" to start browsing.
| Feature | Public WiFi Free | Public WiFi Secure | SEOUL_Secure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Encryption | None (Open) | WPA2 | WPA2 / WPA3 |
| Username / Password | Not required | wifi / wifi | seoul / seoul |
| Frequency Band | 2.4 GHz (slower) | 5 GHz (faster) | 5 GHz (faster) |
| Security Level | ⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Coverage Area | Nationwide | Nationwide | Seoul only |
Try it right now — open your WiFi settings the next time you are near a Korean bus stop and one of these SSIDs should appear.
Free WiFi usually means slow WiFi, right? Korea's numbers tell a completely different story.
3. Speed Test Results — How Fast Is Korea's Free Public WiFi?
The Ministry of Science and ICT and NIA released the 2024 Telecommunications Quality Evaluation on December 30, 2024. The headline figure: Korea's public WiFi averaged 463.55 Mbps in download speed, up from 378.84 Mbps in 2023 — a 22% year-over-year improvement (Source: Digital Daily, Dec 30, 2024). This is roughly 10 times faster than the surveyed-country average of 48.26 Mbps.
From what I personally tested at several bus stops in the Seoul metropolitan area, connecting via "Public WiFi Secure" consistently delivered download speeds between 400 and 550 Mbps with upload speeds of 100 to 300 Mbps. During rush hours (around 8 AM and 6 PM), speeds dipped to approximately 200 Mbps due to higher concurrent users, but 4K YouTube streaming was still smooth.
Bus WiFi — the WiFi inside moving city buses — showed slightly different results. The 2024 evaluation recorded an average download speed of 509.72 Mbps, which was actually 15.37% slower than the previous year's 602.31 Mbps. Movement-related base-station handoffs and more connected devices are the likely causes.
A major upgrade is underway. In August 2025, SK Telecom launched a Wi-Fi 7 pilot on 100 city buses in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province. Results: download speeds of 715 to 1,003 Mbps, roughly 1.5 times faster than Wi-Fi 6/6E's 429 Mbps average (Source: Telecom Review Asia, Aug 8, 2025).
463.55 Mbps
Average download speed of Korea's public WiFi in 2024 — about 10x the international average
Bus stops are just the beginning — free WiFi covers express buses, subways, and more.
4. Express Bus, City Bus & Subway — WiFi by Transport Type
As of April 1, 2025, free WiFi became available on all 240 express bus routes and 1,724 buses operated by eight major companies including Kumho Express, Dongbu Express, and Samhwa Express. The service uses KT's network with a maximum speed of 400 Mbps — fast enough to download a 1 GB video in about 20 seconds (Source: Yonhap News Agency, Mar 31, 2025).
Express bus WiFi is password-free. Simply connect to the SSID displaying the bus company's English name, such as "Joongang_Bus_Wifi" for Joongang Express or "Dongbu_Bus_Wifi" for Dongbu Express. The service covers standard, deluxe, and premium class vehicles.
In my view, this is a game-changer for long-distance travelers. A Seoul-to-Busan express bus ride takes roughly 4.5 hours — that is 4.5 hours of free high-speed internet for working, streaming, or video-calling without burning through your mobile data.
🚌 Full SSID List by Transport Type (Click to Expand)
City Bus (Nationwide): "Public WiFi Free" or "Public WiFi Secure" — Secure requires username/password: wifi / wifi
Seoul City & Village Bus: "SEOUL_Secure" — username/password: seoul / seoul
Express Bus: "[Company]_Bus_Wifi" (e.g., Joongang_Bus_Wifi, Dongbu_Bus_Wifi) — no password needed
Subway / Metro: "Public WiFi Free" / "Public WiFi Secure" or carrier-open networks like "KT_Free_WiFi"
Busan Buses: "Busan_WiFi" or "Dynamic Busan" or "Public WiFi Secure"
Local Variants: Some cities use unique SSIDs, such as "G_PublicWiFi@Uiwang" in Uiwang city — the format may vary by municipality
Bookmark the table below — it compares speed and login info across all major transport types.
| Transport Type | Avg. Speed | SSID Example | Password |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus Stop (Fixed) | 400–550 Mbps | Public WiFi Secure | wifi / wifi |
| City Bus (Moving) | ~510 Mbps | Public WiFi Secure | wifi / wifi |
| Express Bus | Up to 400 Mbps | Joongang_Bus_Wifi, etc. | None |
| City Bus (Wi-Fi 7 Pilot) | 715–1,003 Mbps | Pilot routes only | — |
| Subway / Metro | 300–500 Mbps | Public WiFi Free | None |
※ Speeds vary by location, time of day, and number of connected users.
Free WiFi is convenient, but public networks carry real security risks — here is how to stay safe.
5. Security Tips & Troubleshooting — Stay Safe on Public WiFi
⚠️ Warning: Open (Free) networks have zero encryption. This means your data can potentially be intercepted through man-in-the-middle attacks or packet sniffing. Never access banking apps or enter passwords on an open network.
Tip 1 — Always choose the "Secure" SSID. "Public WiFi Secure" uses WPA2 encryption, which protects your data in transit. AhnLab, Korea's leading cybersecurity firm, strongly recommends using the Secure network over the Free one for any online activity (Source: AhnLab Security Guide, Jun 8, 2022).
Tip 2 — Use a VPN. A reliable VPN (such as NordVPN or Surfshark) adds an extra layer of encryption on top of the WiFi connection. This is especially important if you must use the open "Free" network.
Tip 3 — Disable auto-connect. Turn off the automatic WiFi connection feature on your phone. Hackers can set up rogue hotspots with identical SSID names to intercept your traffic.
Tip 4 — "Forget" the network after use. Once you are done, go to your WiFi settings and tap "Forget This Network" to prevent automatic reconnection later.
If you experience connection issues, here are the most common problems and fixes:
| Symptom | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| No login page appears | Captive portal not triggered | Manually type naver.com in your browser |
| Weak signal | Too far from the access point | Move closer to the bus stop sign or shelter |
| Frequent disconnects | Network setting conflict | Forget the network and reconnect from scratch |
| Korean-only portal page | Default captive portal language | Tap the language icon in the top-right corner |
| Certificate error (iPhone) | CA certificate not trusted | Settings → General → About → Certificate Trust → Enable |
Want to find every free WiFi spot around you before you even step outside?
6. How to Find Nearby Public WiFi Hotspots — Map & App Guide
The easiest way to locate public WiFi is through the official wififree.kr website or the "Public WiFi" (공공와이파이) app, available on both the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. Turn on GPS and the map displays all nearby hotspots with their exact locations.
Seoul residents and visitors can also use the city's own WiFi map at news.seoul.go.kr — it covers the SEOUL_Secure network locations including bus stops, parks, traditional markets, and cultural facilities (Source: Seoul Metropolitan Government).
Another useful option is the global WiFi Map app, which crowdsources WiFi locations and passwords worldwide, including Korea. It shows speed ratings, lock status, and user reviews for each hotspot.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. Can foreigners and tourists use Korea's public WiFi at bus stops?
A. Yes, the service is completely free and open to everyone. No Korean phone number, SIM card, or registration is needed. Just select the SSID on your phone and connect.
Q. What is the difference between "Public WiFi Free" and "Public WiFi Secure"?
A. "Free" is an open network with no encryption — convenient but risky. "Secure" uses WPA2 encryption on the faster 5 GHz band, making it both faster and safer. The login is username: wifi, password: wifi.
Q. Does public WiFi use my mobile data?
A. No. While connected to WiFi, your carrier data is not consumed. However, if the WiFi connection drops, your phone may automatically switch back to mobile data — so monitor your connection status.
Q. Is it safe to do online banking on Korea's public WiFi?
A. On the open "Free" network, banking is risky. If you must handle sensitive transactions, use the "Secure" network combined with a VPN. For the safest option, switch to your mobile data temporarily.
Q. Is Korea really shutting down public WiFi in 2025?
A. No, the service is not ending. The central government's budget for building new hotspots was cut to zero, but existing infrastructure (48,000+ locations) continues to operate under local governments. Seoul is even expanding its own network.
Q. How do I find the WiFi SSID on an express bus?
A. Express bus SSIDs include the company's English name — for example, "Joongang_Bus_Wifi" for Joongang Express or "Dongbu_Bus_Wifi" for Dongbu Express. No password is required; just tap and connect.
Q. How can I test the WiFi speed myself?
A. Download the "Speedtest by Ookla" app or search "internet speed test" on Naver or Google. For accurate results, make sure you are connected to the Secure (5 GHz) network when running the test.
📋 Full Summary
Korea's public WiFi at bus stops is free for everyone — locals and tourists alike — across 57,000+ locations nationwide. To connect, select "Public WiFi Secure" (password: wifi / wifi) for the fastest and safest experience. Official 2024 tests show an average download speed of 463.55 Mbps, and the new Wi-Fi 7 pilot on city buses has hit up to 1,003 Mbps. Since April 2025, all 1,724 express buses also offer free WiFi with no password required. For security, always choose the Secure SSID, use a VPN, and disable auto-connect. Find hotspots on wififree.kr or the Public WiFi app before you head out.
Have you tried using public WiFi at a Korean bus stop? Share your speed test results or experience in the comments!
If this guide helped you, share it with friends heading to Korea 😊
📚 Related Articles
Pocket WiFi vs Korean SIM Card — Which Is Better for Tourists?
Seoul Subway Free WiFi Guide — Speed Comparison by Line
Express Bus Free WiFi — SSID List for All 8 Bus Companies
Public WiFi Security Risks in Korea — VPN Recommendations & Safety Checklist
What Is Wi-Fi 7? Korea's Bus Pilot Results Explained
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or technical advice. Public WiFi service availability, speed, and SSIDs may vary by region, time of day, and equipment condition. For the latest official information, visit wififree.kr or contact your local government office.
Key References: Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT), National Information Society Agency (NIA), Yonhap News Agency, Digital Daily, Telecom Review Asia, Seoul Metropolitan Government, AhnLab
🤖 AI Disclosure
This article was created with AI assistance and fact-checked against official sources. Information may change over time — please verify critical details on official websites before making important decisions.
Author: K-World | Email: acejumin4@gmail.com
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