目錄
The most commonly used Korean for asking directions in Korea is not a single fixed conversation, but a few questions used for different situations: use 「어디예요?」 when you need to find a location, 「어떻게 가요?」 when you need to ask how to get somewhere, and once you reach a subway station, confirm the exit, transfer point, and station where you should get off.
In Chinese, all of these situations may be loosely expressed as “how do I get there?”, but Korean changes the question depending on whether what you are missing is the location, the route, or the direction. Once you understand this distinction, you can use the same approach to decide what to ask when looking for restaurants, stations, restrooms, or attractions, or when checking bus routes and walking distances.
Which Korean Phrases Should You Learn First for Asking Directions in Korea? Common Questions for Location, Routes, Direction, and Distance
When you actually need to ask for directions while traveling in Korea, first decide whether what you need is the “location” or the “route.” If you do not know where your destination is, use 「어디예요?」. If you know the name of the destination but do not know how to get there, use 「어떻게 가요?」.
These two expressions alone can handle a large number of situations involving restaurants, stations, restrooms, attractions, and more. If you also need to know the direction, exit, distance, or transfer point, you can then add other questions as needed.
| Information You Want | Common Korean for Asking Directions | Meaning in English |
| Where a place is | 어디예요? | Where is it? |
| Where something is located | 어디에 있어요? | Where is it? |
| How to get there | 어떻게 가요? | How do I get there? |
| Which direction to go | 어느 쪽으로 가야 해요? | Which way should I go? |
| Which subway exit | 몇 번 출구로 나가야 해요? | Which exit should I use? |
| Whether it is far | 여기서 멀어요? | Is it far from here? |
| Whether you can walk there | 걸어서 갈 수 있어요? | Can I walk there? |
| How long it takes | 얼마나 걸려요? | How long does it take? |
- Example: 화장실이 어디예요?
Romanization: hwa-jang-sil-i eo-di-ye-yo?
Translation: Where is the restroom?
If you already know you are looking for a restroom and only need its location, simply using 「어디예요?」 is the easiest option. - Example: 경복궁에 어떻게 가요?
Romanization: gyeong-bok-gung-e eo-tteo-ke ga-yo?
Translation: How do I get to Gyeongbokgung Palace?
The destination is already clear, so the question is about how to get there. That is why 「어떻게 가요?」 is used. - Example: 여기서 걸어서 갈 수 있어요?
Romanization: yeo-gi-seo geo-reo-seo gal su i-sseo-yo?
Translation: Can I walk there from here?
This is useful when you are not sure whether the distance is suitable for walking. It is also more likely to get you specific advice than simply asking whether the destination is far away.
What Is the Difference Between 「어디예요／어디에 있어요／어떻게 가요」? Comparing Questions About Location and Routes
All three may be related to “where is it?” or “how do I get there?” in Chinese, but the focus of the question is different. Both 「어디예요?」 and 「어디에 있어요?」 ask about location, while 「어떻게 가요?」 assumes that the destination is already known and asks how to get there.
「어디예요?」 is the shortest and is especially suitable for immediate use while traveling. 「어디에 있어요?」 states the idea of “being located somewhere” more explicitly. Answers to 「어떻게 가요?」 will usually include route information such as going straight, turning left, taking the subway, or taking a bus.
Asking Directions in Korea with 「어디예요?」｜How to Ask for Stations, Restrooms, and Shops
「어디예요?」 is one of the most useful ways to say “Where is it?” while traveling. You can simply put the name of a shop, station, restroom, or attraction before it without having to construct a long sentence.
When asking for directions, if you do not know how to pronounce the destination, you can also show the Korean name on your phone and then say 「어디예요?」.
- Example: 지하철역이 어디예요?
Romanization: ji-ha-cheol-lyeok-i eo-di-ye-yo?
Translation: Where is the subway station?
This sounds natural when you are simply looking for a nearby subway station rather than a specific one. - Example: 버스 정류장이 어디예요?
Romanization: beo-seu jeong-nyu-jang-i eo-di-ye-yo?
Translation: Where is the bus stop?
「버스 정류장」 means a bus stop or bus station and is something travelers encounter frequently. - Example: 이 가게가 어디예요?
Romanization: i ga-ge-ga eo-di-ye-yo?
Translation: Where is this shop?
This is convenient when used together with a map or shop page on your phone. 「이 가게」 means “this shop.”
Asking Directions in Korea with 「어디에 있어요?」｜Finding Facilities and Objects
「어디에 있어요?」 literally means “Where is it located?” In many situations, it can be used interchangeably with 「어디예요?」, but 「있어요」 makes it more explicit that the question is about the location of a place or facility.
This expression sounds natural when asking for hotel facilities, floors in a department store, or lockers inside a station.
- Example: 물품 보관함이 어디에 있어요?
Romanization: mul-pum bo-gwan-ham-i eo-di-e i-sseo-yo?
Translation: Where are the lockers?
You can use this directly when looking for lockers at a station or shopping mall. - Example: 엘리베이터가 어디에 있어요?
Romanization: el-li-be-i-teo-ga eo-di-e i-sseo-yo?
Translation: Where is the elevator?
This is suitable for finding facilities in department stores, hotels, and large stations. - Example: 택시 타는 곳이 어디에 있어요?
Romanization: taek-si ta-neun go-si eo-di-e i-sseo-yo?
Translation: Where is the taxi stand?
「타는 곳」 means the place where you board, so this is useful at airports and stations.
Asking Directions in Korea with 「어떻게 가요?」｜How to Ask Once You Know the Destination
「어떻게 가요?」 does not ask where the destination is. It asks about the route, transportation method, or way to get there. It is usually preceded by 「place＋에」, as in 「서울역에 어떻게 가요?」.
The other person may reply with 「지하철로 가세요」, meaning “Take the subway,” or 「쭉 가세요」, meaning “Go straight,” or explain where you need to transfer.
- Example: 서울역에 어떻게 가요?
Romanization: seo-ul-lyeok-e eo-tteo-ke ga-yo?
Translation: How do I get to Seoul Station?
The destination is Seoul Station, and the question is about which route to take. - Example: 이 호텔에 어떻게 가요?
Romanization: i ho-tel-e eo-tteo-ke ga-yo?
Translation: How do I get to this hotel?
If you show the hotel page on your phone, you can still ask for directions even if the hotel name is difficult to pronounce. - Example: 공항에 지하철로 어떻게 가요?
Romanization: gong-hang-e ji-ha-cheol-lo eo-tteo-ke ga-yo?
Translation: How do I get to the airport by subway?
If you have already decided to take the subway, you can add 「지하철로」 to specify the transportation method.
Korean Direction Expressions for Asking Directions: How to Say Go Straight, Turn Left, Turn Right, Across From, and Cross the Street
When listening to directions, it may actually be more important to recognize words such as “straight,” “left,” “right,” and “across from” than to know how to ask the question itself. Koreans often combine landmarks with directions, such as 「편의점에서 오른쪽으로 가세요」, which means to go right after reaching the convenience store.
| Korean Direction Word | Meaning in English | Common Expression |
| 쭉 / 계속 | straight on, continue | 쭉 가세요 |
| 직진 | straight ahead | 직진하세요 |
| 왼쪽 | left | 왼쪽으로 가세요 |
| 오른쪽 | right | 오른쪽으로 가세요 |
| 건너편 | across from | 건너편에 있어요 |
| 앞 | in front | 앞에 있어요 |
| 뒤 | behind | 뒤에 있어요 |
| 옆 | next to | 옆에 있어요 |
| 근처 | nearby | 근처에 있어요 |
| 길을 건너다 | cross the street | 길을 건너세요 |
Korean Direction Expression ①｜「쭉 가세요／직진하세요」 Means to Keep Going Straight
「쭉 가세요」 is something you will hear very often in everyday directions and means to keep going straight. 「직진하세요」 also means to go straight, but it gives a more explicit directional instruction and is also common in navigation systems, taxis, and somewhat more formal explanations.
- Example: 여기서 쭉 가세요.
Romanization: yeo-gi-seo jj uk ga-se-yo.
Translation: Go straight from here.
「쭉」 conveys the idea of continuing in the direction you are already facing and is very common in spoken directions. - Example: 이 길로 계속 직진하세요.
Romanization: i gil-lo gye-sok jik-jjin-ha-se-yo.
Translation: Continue straight along this road.
「계속」 means to continue, while 「직진하세요」 clearly indicates that you should not turn. - Example: 신호등까지 쭉 가세요.
Romanization: sin-ho-deung-kka-ji jj uk ga-se-yo.
Translation: Go straight until the traffic light.
Directions in Korea often include landmarks such as 「신호등」 and 「편의점」. Once you catch the landmark, you can then focus on the direction.
Korean Direction Expression ②｜「왼쪽／오른쪽」 Means Left and Right
경복궁에 가려면 몇 번 출구로 나가야 해요?
「왼쪽」 means left, and 「오른쪽」 means right. If you simply need to move in a certain direction, you can say 「왼쪽으로 가세요」. If you need to turn at an intersection, you can say 「왼쪽으로 도세요」.
- Example: 첫 번째 골목에서 왼쪽으로 도세요.
Romanization: cheot beon-jjae gol-mok-e-seo oen-jjok-eu-ro do-se-yo.
Translation: Turn left at the first alley.
「골목」 means alley, and 「돌다」 means to turn when used in directions.
5번 출구로 나가서 쭉 가세요.
- Example: 편의점에서 오른쪽으로 가세요.
Romanization: pyeon-ui-jeom-e-seo o-reun-jjok-eu-ro ga-se-yo.
Translation: Go right at the convenience store.
The convenience store acts as a landmark for identifying the direction; it does not necessarily mean that you turn inside the store. - Example: 횡단보도를 건너서 오른쪽으로 가세요.
Romanization: hoeng-dan-bo-do-reul geon-neo-seo o-reun-jjok-eu-ro ga-se-yo.
Translation: Cross the crosswalk and then go right.
「건너서」 means that you first cross the crosswalk and then perform the following action.
Korean Direction Expression ③｜Using 「앞／뒤／옆／건너편」 to Confirm the Destination’s Location
Once you are close to your destination, the explanation often shifts from “how to get there” to “where exactly the place is.” At that stage, 「앞」「뒤」「옆」「건너편」 become more important than left and right.
이 식당이 어디예요?
- Example: 은행 옆에 있어요.
Romanization: eun-haeng yeop-e i-sseo-yo.
Translation: It is next to the bank.
「noun＋옆에 있어요」 means that something is located next to a place. - Example: 카페 건너편에 있어요.
Romanization: ka-pe geon-neo-pyeon-e i-sseo-yo.
Translation: It is across from the café.
「건너편」 refers to the opposite side of a road, corridor, or other space.
저기 편의점 옆에 있어요.
- Example: 지하철역 바로 앞에 있어요.
Romanization: ji-ha-cheol-lyeok ba-ro a-pe i-sseo-yo.
Translation: It is right in front of the subway station.
「바로」 adds the sense of “right there” or “directly,” so hearing this usually means you are already very close.
Korean for Asking Directions in the Subway: How to Ask About Exits, Transfers, and Where to Get Off
When traveling around cities such as Seoul and Busan, asking for directions often happens inside subway stations. In these situations, asking “Which exit?”, “Where do I transfer?”, and “Which station should I get off at?” is more useful than simply asking for a direction.
In the Korean subway system, “exit” is 「출구」, and “which exit” is 「몇 번 출구」. “Transfer” uses 「갈아타다」, while “get off” uses 「내리다」.
이 버스 서울역에 가요?
Korean Subway Expression ①｜Asking Which Exit to Use
If you do not know which exit is closest to an attraction, you can simply ask 「몇 번 출구로 나가야 해요?」. Here, 「나가다」 means to go out, and 「〜아/어야 해요」 means “need to” or “should.”
네. 세 정거장 후에 내리면 돼요.
- Example: 명동에 가려면 몇 번 출구로 나가야 해요?
Romanization: myeong-dong-e ga-ryeo-myeon myeot beon chul-gu-ro na-ga-ya hae-yo?
Translation: If I’m going to Myeongdong, which exit should I use?
「가려면」 means “if you want to go,” followed directly by the exit you need to confirm. - Example: 이 호텔은 몇 번 출구가 가까워요?
Romanization: i ho-tel-eun myeot beon chul-gu-ga ga-kka-wo-yo?
Translation: Which exit is closest to this hotel?
If you already know where the hotel is and only want to find the nearest exit, asking with 「가까워요?」 sounds natural. - Example: 2번 출구는 어디예요?
Romanization: i-beon chul-gu-neun eo-di-ye-yo?
Translation: Where is Exit 2?
If you are inside the station and cannot find a specific exit, simply use 「어디예요?」.
Korean Subway Expression ②｜Asking Where to Transfer
「갈아타다」 means to change from your current form of transportation to another one. When you need to change subway lines, you can ask 「어디에서 갈아타야 해요?」.
- Example: 2호선으로 갈아타려면 어디에서 내려야 해요?
Romanization: i-ho-seon-eu-ro ga-ra-ta-ryeo-myeon eo-di-e-seo nae-ryeo-ya hae-yo?
Translation: If I need to transfer to Line 2, where should I get off?
You first specify the line you want to transfer to, then ask where you should get off. - Example: 어디에서 갈아타야 해요?
Romanization: eo-di-e-seo ga-ra-ta-ya hae-yo?
Translation: Where do I need to transfer?
Use this when you already know the route requires a transfer but only need to know the transfer station. - Example: 한 번 갈아타야 해요?
Romanization: han beon ga-ra-ta-ya hae-yo?
Translation: Do I need to transfer once?
This lets you confirm whether a transfer is necessary and also helps you judge whether the route is complicated.
Korean Subway Expression ③｜Confirming Which Station to Get Off At
「내리다」 means to get off. If the route shown in your navigation app is too complicated, you can simply ask 「어디에서 내려야 해요?」 to confirm your stop.
- Example: 어디에서 내려야 해요?
Romanization: eo-di-e-seo nae-ryeo-ya hae-yo?
Translation: Where should I get off?
This can be used for both subways and buses and is not limited to one form of transportation. - Example: 홍대입구역에서 내리면 돼요?
Romanization: hong-dae-ip-gu-yeok-e-seo nae-ri-myeon dwae-yo?
Translation: Is it okay if I get off at Hongik University Station?
If you already have a guess and only want to confirm whether it is correct, 「〜면 돼요?」 is very useful. - Example: 다음 역에서 내려야 해요?
Romanization: da-eum yeok-e-seo nae-ryeo-ya hae-yo?
Translation: Should I get off at the next station?
If you are getting close but still are not sure, you can use this for a final confirmation.
Common Korean for Asking Directions on the Bus: Does This Bus Go There?
When taking a bus, the most common things to confirm are whether the bus goes to your destination, where to get off, and how much longer it will take. You do not need to pronounce every stop name perfectly; in practice, you can also point to the destination on your map and show it to the driver or staff.
- Example: 이 버스 명동에 가요?
Romanization: i beo-seu myeong-dong-e ga-yo?
Translation: Does this bus go to Myeongdong?
This is the most direct pattern for confirming a bus route. 「이 버스」 simply means “this bus.” - Example: 여기까지 가는 버스가 있어요?
Romanization: yeo-gi-kka-ji ga-neun beo-seu-ga i-sseo-yo?
Translation: Is there a bus that goes here?
If the destination name is difficult to pronounce, simply point to it on your map. - Example: 이 정류장에서 내려야 해요?
Romanization: i jeong-nyu-jang-e-seo nae-ryeo-ya hae-yo?
Translation: Should I get off at this stop?
「정류장」 means bus stop and is useful for confirming where to get off as you approach your destination.
How to Ask About Distance and Time in Korea? Comparing 「멀어요／걸어서 갈 수 있어요／얼마나 걸려요」
All three are related to distance, but they ask different things. 「멀어요?」 asks whether the place is far; 「걸어서 갈 수 있어요?」 asks whether walking there is practical; and 「얼마나 걸려요?」 directly asks how much time it takes.
If you only ask “Is it far?” while traveling, the answer may simply be “It’s a little far.” If what you really need is to decide whether to walk or take transportation, it is usually more useful to ask directly whether it is walkable or how long it will take.
| Question | What It Asks | Common Answer |
| 여기서 멀어요? | Whether it is far | 네, 좀 멀어요 |
| 걸어서 갈 수 있어요? | Whether you can walk there | 네, 걸어갈 수 있어요 |
| 얼마나 걸려요? | How long it takes | 10분 정도 걸려요 |
| 걸어서 얼마나 걸려요? | Walking time | 15분 정도 걸려요 |
▌「멀어요?」 Asks Whether It Is Far
❌ Not enough information: 여기서 멀어요?
✅ More specific: 여기서 걸어서 얼마나 걸려요?
“Far” is subjective. If you need to plan your time, directly asking how long it takes to walk there will usually get you a more useful answer.
▌「걸어서 갈 수 있어요?」 Asks Whether Walking Is Possible
❌ Unnatural: 걸어서 가요 가능해요?
✅ Correct: 걸어서 갈 수 있어요?
「-(으)ㄹ 수 있어요」 means “can do,” so 「갈 수 있어요?」 means “Can I go?”
▌「얼마나 걸려요?」 Asks About Time, Not Walking Itself
❌ Inaccurate: 얼마나 걸어요?
✅ Correct: 얼마나 걸려요?
「걷다」 means to walk, while 「걸리다」 in 「시간이 걸리다」 means to take time. To ask “How long does it take?”, use 「얼마나 걸려요?」.
How to Understand Korean Directions: Focus First on Landmarks, Direction, and Distance
When listening to a full explanation of directions in Korean, it is easy to get lost if the sentence is too long. In practice, you do not need to understand every word. First focus on three types of information: landmarks, direction, and distance.
For example, in 「편의점까지 쭉 가서 오른쪽으로 도세요」, the parts that actually affect your movement are 「편의점」「쭉」「오른쪽」. Even if you do not fully understand the rest of the grammar, you can still tell that you should walk to the convenience store and then turn right.
Useful landmarks to learn include:
| Korean | English |
| 편의점 | convenience store |
| 신호등 | traffic light |
| 횡단보도 | crosswalk |
| 사거리 | intersection |
| 골목 | alley |
| 건물 | building |
| 지하철역 | subway station |
| 버스 정류장 | bus stop |
| 은행 | bank |
| 약국 | pharmacy |
Korean for Asking Directions While Traveling: Three Situations—Subway Exits, Finding a Shop on the Street, and Taking a Bus
The most common situations in which you need to ask for directions in Korea are at subway exits, while looking for shops on the street, and when using buses or transferring. You do not need to aim for a long, fully formed sentence. Just make sure the destination, direction, or exit is clear.
▌Situation ①｜Asking Which Subway Exit to Use for an Attraction
A：경복궁에 가려면 몇 번 출구로 나가야 해요?
gyeong-bok-gung-e ga-ryeo-myeon myeot beon chul-gu-ro na-ga-ya hae-yo?
B：5번 출구로 나가서 쭉 가세요.
o-beon chul-gu-ro na-ga-seo jj uk ga-se-yo.
📌 Grammar Point: 「몇 번 출구」 asks for an exit number, while 「〜로 나가다」 means to go out through a particular exit. In the answer, 「쭉 가세요」 means to continue straight.
▌Situation ②｜Finding a Restaurant on the Street
A：이 식당이 어디예요?
i sik-ttang-i eo-di-ye-yo?
B：저기 편의점 옆에 있어요.
jeo-gi pyeon-ui-jeom yeop-e i-sseo-yo.
📌 Grammar Point: If the restaurant name is difficult to pronounce, simply show the phone screen and say 「이 식당이 어디예요?」. In the answer, 「옆에 있어요」 means “is next to.”
▌Situation ③｜Confirming Whether a Bus Goes to Your Destination
A：이 버스 서울역에 가요?
i beo-seu seo-ul-lyeok-e ga-yo?
B：네. 세 정거장 후에 내리면 돼요.
ne. se jeong-geo-jang hu-e nae-ri-myeon dwae-yo.
📌 Grammar Point: 「이 버스＋place＋에 가요?」 directly confirms whether the bus goes to the destination. 「〜면 돼요」 means that doing it that way is sufficient.
Cultural Notes:
- In Korea, a street address and the actual entrance may not always face the same direction, especially in large shopping complexes, underground malls, and subway stations with many exits. When knowing only the destination shown in your navigation app is not enough, asking 「몇 번 출구로 나가야 해요?」 before leaving the station is often easier than trying to find your way again outside.
- You do not always need to pronounce the full name of a restaurant or café when asking for directions. If the Korean shop name is long or you are unsure of the pronunciation, simply show Naver Map, KakaoMap, or the shop’s Korean name and then ask 「여기 어떻게 가요?」.
- Transfer stations in the Korean subway system can be very large. 「갈아타다」 only tells you where to change lines; it does not address how far you may need to walk inside the station. If you have a lot of luggage or are short on time, you can also ask 「많이 걸어야 해요?」 to check whether you will need to walk a long distance.
How to Choose Between 「어디예요／어떻게 가요／어느 쪽이에요」? Ask Whether You Need the Location, Route, or Direction
The three questions ask about location, route, and direction respectively, so they cannot all be replaced by the Chinese idea of “how do I get there?”
| Comparison | 어디예요? | 어떻게 가요? | 어느 쪽이에요? |
| English | Where is it? | How do I get there? | Which way is it? |
| What You Already Know | You know what you are looking for | You know the destination | You are already near the destination |
| What You Are Missing | Location | How to get there | Direction |
| Common Answer | 2층이에요 | 지하철로 가세요 | 저쪽이에요 |
| Travel Situation | Finding a restroom or station | Finding an attraction or hotel | At an intersection or inside a station |
▌If You Do Not Know Where the Destination Is, Use 「어디예요?」
✅ 화장실이 어디예요?
Where is the restroom?
This asks only for the location and does not require the other person to explain the entire route.
▌If You Know the Destination but Do Not Know How to Get There, Use 「어떻게 가요?」
✅ 홍대입구역에 어떻게 가요?
How do I get to Hongik University Station?
The answer may include walking, subway, bus, or transfer instructions.
▌If You Are Already Nearby and Only Need the Direction, Use 「어느 쪽이에요?」
✅ 지하철역은 어느 쪽이에요?
Which way is the subway station?
At this point, there is no need to explain the entire route again. The other person only needs to indicate left, right, or straight ahead.
How Does Korean for Asking Directions Compare with Japanese 「どこですか／どうやって行きますか」?
Korean and Japanese divide the basic information needed for asking directions in very similar ways. To ask about a location, Korean uses 「어디예요?」 while Japanese uses 「どこですか」. To ask how to get somewhere, Korean uses 「어떻게 가요?」 while Japanese can use 「どうやって行きますか」.
Both languages also add questions about exits, direction, and walking time as needed, rather than relying on a single “where is it?” expression for every situation.
◆ Similar Expressions: Japanese 「どこですか／どうやって行きますか」
- Example: トイレはどこですか。
Kana: トイレはどこですか。
Translation: Where is the restroom?
Japanese 「どこですか」 and Korean 「어디예요?」 both ask directly about a location. - Example: 駅までどうやって行きますか。
Kana: えきまでどうやっていきますか。
Translation: How do I get to the station?
「どうやって」 asks about the method, so the answer may involve walking or a form of transportation. - Example: 何番出口から出ればいいですか。
Kana: なんばんでぐちからでればいいですか。
Translation: Which exit should I use?
Japanese uses 「何番出口」 to confirm the exit number.
◆ Core Difference from Common Korean for Asking Directions:
Korean and Japanese are very similar in how they divide information into location, transportation method, direction, and exit. In real travel situations in Korea, short 해요-style expressions such as 「어디예요?」 and 「어떻게 가요?」 are common, while Japanese uses 「どこですか」 and 「どうやって行きますか」 for the same needs.
You do not need to memorize Korean for asking directions as one long dialogue. If you cannot find a place, ask 「어디예요?」. If you know the destination but are not sure how to get there, use 「어떻게 가요?」. Once you enter a subway station, narrow the question down to the exit, transfer point, station where you should get off, or walking time.
When listening to the answer, it is more practical to focus first on direction and location words such as 「쭉、왼쪽、오른쪽、건너편、출구」 than to try to understand every word in the entire sentence. If you still do not have enough information, follow up with 「어느 쪽이에요?」 or 「걸어서 얼마나 걸려요?」 to confirm exactly where you should go next.
FAQs
Focus on the direction and landmark first. Common direction words include 「쭉」 for continuing straight, 「왼쪽」 for left, 「오른쪽」 for right, and 「건너편」 for across from. Common landmarks include convenience stores, traffic lights, crosswalks, and subway stations. If you still do not understand, you can ask 「어느 쪽이에요?」 and have the other person point in the correct direction.
The most basic one is 「어디예요?」, meaning “Where is it?” If you already know the name of the destination but do not know how to get there, use 「어떻게 가요?」 instead. It is more useful to learn these two separately than to memorize only one general direction question.
Both can be used to ask about location. 「어디예요?」 is shorter and more direct, while 「어디에 있어요?」 more explicitly expresses the idea of something being located somewhere. Both are common when looking for restrooms, stations, or shops while traveling.
You can say 「몇 번 출구로 나가야 해요?」, which means “Which exit should I use?” If you already know the exit number but do not know where the exit is, simply ask 「2번 출구는 어디예요?」.
You can say 「걸어서 얼마나 걸려요?」, meaning “How long does it take on foot?” 「얼마나 걸려요?」 asks how much time something takes. Here, 「걸리다」 means to take time and is different from 「걷다」, which means to walk.