Seoul Transportation Tips by Ewingjr98

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Subway/Metro
Getting TO/AROUND: The subway is the cheapest and usually easiest way to get around Seoul. There are eight subway lines, some, like Line 1, stretch from one hour north of the city center to one hour south of the city. Cost is 700 Won (~US$0.50) for trips within the city and the most expensive rides to the far ends of the subway are only 1300 Won. You can either pay at the ticket counter or use the automated ticket machines. The machines are easy -- just look at the subway map above the machines for the price at the stop you want, press the button for that amount, and put your money in the machine. You can also buy a 10,000 or 20,000 Won multi-use ticket and get 10% free (i.e. pay 10,000 Won for 11,000 Won worth of subway use).

Almost 4 million people use lines 1-4 daily, I couldn't find ridership stats for the entire system.

Seoul Metro (서울메트;로) operates most of lines 1, 2, 3, and 4 and Seoul Metropolitan Rapid Transit Corporation 서울특별시도시철도공사 (SMRT) operates lines 5, 6, 7, and 8. Korail (한국철도;공사) operates parts of Lines 1, 3 and 4 along with the Bundang Line.

Line 9 is under construction and will run along the southern edge of the Han River, connecting Gimpo Airport, Youido, and Gangnam in phase one (2008), then continuing further east along the river for phase two. Another line is being built to connect the Bundang Line in the southeast edge of the city to Yongin, home of the very popular Everland Amusement Park. And probably the best news for us international travelers is the rail line to the airport will be complete to Gimpo Airport in 2007 and all the way to Seoul Station by 2010.

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Phone: 1330 for free all-language info
Website: http://www.seoulsubway.co.kr

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Bus
Getting TO/AROUND: The Seoul City Tour Bus is a convenient way to get your bearings and see all of the major sights in Seoul. For one price of 10,000 Won, you can get a ticket for a full day of unlimited rides. The bus stops at about 15 major sites in the downtown area including two palaces; the markets of Dongdaemun and Namdaemun; the shopping areas of Myeongdong, Itaewon, and Insadong; the Blue House (President's home); and both Yongsan and Seoul Stations. The bus also stops at about 15 of Seoul's largest hotels. The whole route takes about two hours if you do not get off the bus. You could easily make this an all-day sightseeing event if you get off the bus at your favorite attractions and take photos or shop. With an all-day ticket you can get on and off the bus as often as you wish.

Seoul City Tour Bus stops have English signs and are painted with a distinctive blue and red design. At any stop, just pay the driver, and he will issue your ticket. Buses run from 0900 to 2100.

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Website: http://www.visitseoul.net//english_new/citytour/cen_citytour.htm

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Car/Motor Home
Getting TO/AROUND: I have driven in a lot of countries, but Korea is definately one of the worst. If it weren't for the enormous volume of traffic, the lack of respect for the rules of the road, and the random no-notice construction, the highways would be fine. The narrow roads in town, along with the park-anywhere policy, and the lack of traffic law enforcement makes the towns and cities even worse.

If you happen to get in a minor accident, the best bet is to negotiate a quick settlement with the other drivers before the police arrive--even if there is no damage--otherwise the person at fault will be fined by the police...

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Phone: 1330 for free all-language info

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Other
Getting TO/AROUND: I highly recommend walking in Seoul. It is safe, many major sites are close together, you can interact more with the locals, and you get some great photo opportunities.

I walked throughout much of the city and it allowed me to discover many unique, and interesting sights. I usually had a general plan of something I wanted to do, but whether I actually did that particular thing was often irrelevant as I discovered many other places such as restaurants, parks, shops, hiking trails, and unique photo opportunities.

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'Mode': TO
Category: Car/Motor Home
Getting TO/AROUND: Do not take a Taxi from Incheon to Seoul unless you are in a hurry or have lots of extra money. There are frequent city buses to all parts of Seoul that only cost 12,000 won ($9) rather than 45,000 Won for a taxi (including the 7,000 Won toll). The buses go to many major hotels and tourist areas. If the bus doesn't go where you need to be, just take the bus to Seoul Station and take a local taxi (5,000 Won or less for most trips) or the subway (700 Won within the city).

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Website: http://www.lifeinkorea.com/Travel2/IABIe.cfm

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Bus
Getting TO/AROUND: The buses are an easy and cheap way to get around Seoul... if you can figure out the system. Normally buses cost only 700 Won. If you don't speak Hangul, many list the major stops in English on the side of the bus. Bus 82 goes from Itaewon to Myeongdong and Bus 23 runs between Itaewon and City Hall.

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Phone: 1330 for free all-language info

'Mode': TO
Category: Airplane
Getting TO/AROUND: Incheon Airport is the gateway to Korea. It is located an hour west of Seoul, on an island outside of Incheon. Incheon is a beautiful, modern airport that opened in 2002, just in time for the World Cup.

To get from Incheon Airport to Seoul take a bus or a taxi. The subway/train is being extended to the airport, but not yet.

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'Mode': AROUND
Category: Train
Getting TO/AROUND: Seoul Station is not only the hub of Korean Rail activity, it is also a historic building constructed by the Russians in 1900. Seoul Station has easy access to the subway, trains, and the new Korea Train Express (KTX). The new Seoul Station just opened in 2004 and has a department store, Bennigan's, Pizza Hut, Dunkin Donuts, and a few other restaurants.

122, Bongnae-dong 2-ga, Jung-gu

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Phone: 02-392-1324

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Other
Getting TO/AROUND: The easiest way to get around Seoul is by Taxi. They are everywhere, they are inexpensive, and the are safe. The gray taxis and white taxis are inexpensive, starting at 1,600 won. The black taxis are the luxury taxis, starting at 3,000 won.

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'Mode': AROUND
Category: Bicycle
Getting TO/AROUND: it is certainly possible to ride a bike in Seoul, but don't expect nice bike lanes or paths! The best place to ride is along the Han River in downtown where you will find twin trails that extend about 10 miles across the city, on each side of the river. Many of the bridges have pedestrian walkways so you can easily cross from one side of the river to the other. A few of the other parks also have bicycle paths, but not to this extent.

Within the city, I would think riding a bike would be similar to any major city in America (such as LA oy NYC). I have never seen anyone take a bike on the subway in Seoul, but maybe on the train if you want to ride in the country.

If you intend to ride your bike for sightseeing, you might be better off using the public transportation... The subways are very cheap & easy, taxis are dirt cheap as well. You won't find a lot of bike racks to park your bike, because Koreans just don't ride all that much.

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