Busan is bigger and hillier than it looks on a map, and its transit has a few quirks that trip up visitors coming from Seoul. Here is what actually matters.
The Subway Backbone
Four lines cover most of what you need. Line 1 (orange) runs the old city: Busan Station, Jagalchi/Nampo, Seomyeon. Line 2 (green) is the beach line: Seomyeon to Gwangalli to Haeundae. The Donghae Line (blue, technically a commuter rail) covers the northeast coast — Songjeong, Gijang — and is the secret weapon for the seaside temple. Your Seoul T-money card works on everything, including buses. Base fare is about 1,600 KRW.
The Buses You Actually Need
Three spots require buses, and they are the ones everyone asks about. Gamcheon Culture Village: from Toseong Station exit 6, take the green village bus (Saha 1-1, Seo-gu 2, or Seo-gu 2-2) — they are minibuses because the streets are too narrow for full-size ones. Haedong Yonggungsa: bus 181 from Haeundae, or a short taxi from Songjeong Station. Taejongdae: bus 8, 30, or 88 from Nampo/Busan Station. Naver Map handles all of this — Google Maps does not have reliable Korean bus data.
Taxis and the Hills
Busan taxis are cheap by Western standards — base fare around 4,800 KRW — and genuinely useful here because the city is built on ridges. The ride from Nampo to Gamcheon or from Haeundae to the temple runs 6,000–10,000 KRW and saves real time. Use Kakao T to hail; drivers rarely speak English, so show the destination in Korean.
From the Airport and KTX
Gimhae Airport connects via the light rail to Sasang (Line 2 transfer) — about 40 minutes to Seomyeon, or take the airport limousine bus to Haeundae directly. The KTX arrives at Busan Station on Line 1, perfectly placed for the old city but a 50-minute ride from Haeundae — if you are beach-bound, consider the airport bus or a taxi (about 25,000 KRW).
One Warning
Busan drivers are legendarily assertive and the hills make bus rides an experience. Hold the rail, tap on AND off, and enjoy the ride.