Seoul Transportation Tips by jburron

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Subway/Metro
Getting TO/AROUND: The subways here are basic. Within 2-3 rides with a local you should have a grasp of how to: (i) identify stations (black poles at street level) (ii) read a map (versions in English, Korean, Chinese and Japanese are available at the stations), (iii) know how to change/transfer trains (easy, there are lots of simple-to-follow maps in the stations) and (iv) find the right exit (again, lots of good maps in the stations).

If you need directions try to have a Hangul/Korean language map--locals are used to reading that and may take a bit to figure out an English map.

New link here.

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

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Car/Motor Home
Getting TO/AROUND: As mentioned in another tip: use the subway whenever possible (especially to that black hole of traffic Kangnam!). The trains are regular, run from about 6AM to midnight and are clean, fast and easy to navigate.

If you must go by car/taxi do so in the middle of the day or late at night (after 10PM) to avoid traffic. As well, you might expect 2-3 HOURS to get from one part of the city to another. Yes, the same distance that might take 30-60 minutes on the subway can take 2 hours (easily) in the surface. This really sucks if you're in a cab and have only so much in won on you (although I believe many take credit cards).

Another idea, if the subway is not convenient and you're short on dough, is to take a bus. Call 1330 for multi-language directions. be prepared, though, buses in Korea can become PACKED with people, often accelerate and turn and brake abruptly. As well, you need to keep a good eye out for your stop (there are English announcements for the major stops). Another thing, I heard (but have not seen) that buses will sometimes not pick up people at a stop because they are running late--they need to stick to the schedule and cannot afford the time.

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Phone: 1330 for free all-language info

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Bus
Getting TO/AROUND: Starting July 1, 2004 the buses are color-coded based on their routes. The yellow bus tours downtown; it operates from 6:30 a.m. until midnight and costs 200 won (USD 0.17). The blue busses are cross-towners with routes that go from one part of Seoul to another (some of these routes are really long, as you may know/find out). Green buses are for the short-haul routes such as within a Gu (or district) and the like. Red buses will be bound for North Korea...just joking, they are for the express routes (places outside of Seoul city/in Gyunggi-Do).

Believe it or not, the new buses operate using a global positioning system (GPS) so that commuters can use their cell phones to check the arrival time of each bus.!

One thing here, though is the buses give change! All you need to do is put a bill in (maybe 5,000 won is the max) and a machine spits out the change. Good deal!

Not that all of this matters to us foreigners...you still have to know the city well and it helps to be able to read Hangul as the busses roar by. Or we can call 1330 for 24-hour help or the website (in English!).

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Phone: 1330 for free all-language info
Website: http://bus.seoul.go.kr/eng/index.asp
Other Contact: 414-5005 bus info tel #

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Subway/Metro
Getting TO/AROUND: On Sunday I had to go to Hannan-Dong from Yeouido so I checked the Seoul Subway website's route-finder. It said that it would take 30 minutes to get there. Go to Singil, change from Line 5 to Line 1 and then at Yongsan change again to another part of Line 1 (following the Han River)--should take 30 minutes.

It actually took about 50 minutes (to go 7 stations!). The reason is the Line 1 trains (especially on that part of the track and especially, again, on Sundays, have extremely long waits between trains...like TEN to TWENTY minutes! And, with two transfers this gets multiplied.

For that distance I'll take a cab next time. The cost would be a bit more but time would most definately be cut down.

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

'Mode': TO
Category: Car/Motor Home
Getting TO/AROUND: This has happened twice, so it may not be a coincidence (once to me, once to a friend of mine). There is limosine bus that goes from Hannan-Dong through Yeouido and on to Incheon Airport. I usually get it at the stop that is ourside the Kookmin Bank, across from the Korea Stock Exchange, near Yeouido Station (Line 5).

The last time I went there, though, I was approached by a Black/Deluxe Cab driver. I know the trip is 60-70,000 won (USD 50-60) so I passed, but he insisted...and the rate was 12,000 won (exactly that of the limobus!). The reason: he had a fare to pick up there and wanted to cut his costs.

The second time was recently. My friend and I were waiting and looking at the limobus's route in the shelter. A taxidriver approached...same story: 12,000 to the airport.

I can't sayt that it's happen to you, but if you get approached with a deal like this: take it! The driver has the meeter running the whole time (don't be alarmed) but you only pay 12,000. What a deal.

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'Mode': AROUND
Category: Subway/Metro
Getting TO/AROUND: If you've ever lost anything in Seoul there is one place you can go: http://www.lost114.com/ There are items, kids and animals that people have lost or found here...in true Korean fashion it's all online, of course.

The Seoul Metropolitan Subway Corporation has their own site too. There are 6 different locations depending on which line you figured you lost it on, but basically all of it is centralized online at http://www.seoulsubway.co.kr/english_subway/lost/lost3_1.jsp (Notice the English isn't 100%, but you'll be able to figure it out.)

Good luck!

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Website: http://www.seoulsubway.co.kr/english_subway/lost/lost3_1.jsp

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Other
Getting TO/AROUND: If you take the Subway you'll know that there are about 2 minutes between wach stop and each transfer takes about 5 minutes, so you can plan your trip pretty well. But, if you go above ground or don't know the route you have a pretty good chance of being late for appointments (some routes take 30 minutes or 3 hours, depending on the time of day/day of the week).

The only advice here is to ask your host to suggest the best route and add extra time on to whatever you decide on as a schedule, take the subway whenever possible and avoid rush-hour. If you show up early you can always have a coffee at one of the many shops all over the place or even partake in a relaxing sauna visit.

Also, you can call your party from any subway (they all have payphone in them...somewhere) or from your cellphone (or even textmessage them, as I have done many a time).

(Photo credit.)

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