Seoul Transportation Tips by kdoc13

'Mode': TO
Category: Airplane
Getting TO/AROUND: This is one of the nicest airports I have ever been in! Whether it is the place to get a massage after a long flight, or the bright and open feeling of it, it is just a very friendly airport to fly in and out of, even for kids. There are at least 2 children's areas where kiddies can pass the time, and plenty of places for Duty Free Shopping, so Mom and Dad can take home a bottle of Soju after having to deal with the kids on a long flight....

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Phone: 82-1577-2600
Website: http://www.airport.or.kr/Eng/home.jsp

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Subway/Metro
Getting TO/AROUND: The Seoul subway system is probably the best way to get to major points of interest around the city. It is pretty inexpensive, and faster in most cases than taking a taxi. About the hardest thing is figuring out where you are going. But, if you have directions in advance, learning to navigate the subways are actually pretty easy. There isn't as much complication as in a city like Tokyo, and they are safer than the trains in New York. Cleaner too.

Most tickets are pretty cheap, the website says 800 won for over three stops. I seem to remember it being a bit more, but still nowhere near as expensive as a taxi. I also seem to remember people who are older (like in their later 60's early 70's can ride for free. That may be for Korean's only, check the ticket salespeople for info.)

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

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Other
Getting TO/AROUND: Ok, if you take the public transportation around Seoul, which is often the best way to go. There is a combination card that is wonderful to have. It is called a T card, and you can get them at almost any bank. It is exactly like the Hong Kong cards, for those who have been there. For those who haven't here is how it works.

First, pick up the card at a bank. The card costs about 5000 Won and you will want to put at least 10,000 Won on it. After that it works like a debit card for public transportation, and at some convenience stores. I use it to buy Coffee at the 7-11 near work. You can scan in for the bus or the subway just like the locals do. And a lot of times for a much cheaper rate. The bus costs 500 won with the card, and 700 won if paying in cash. Over time it adds up, and the time saved is absolutely worth it.

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'Mode': AROUND
Category: Bus
Getting TO/AROUND: Thank goodness for the new bus system. It is actually easier to figure out now. As of July 2004, most of the bus routes have been changed. The busses are color coded to let you know which ones go to different regions, which ones take you to transport hubs, and which ones go all over the place. This is good to know, because you can never take one bus to get where you are going.

Also new is the transfer feature. If you have an old bus/subway card, or one of the new T-cards, you can scan it when you get off the bus and it will give you 30 minutes to transfer to a new bus/subway at a lower rate.

Check out the web page for bus routes, and rate info.

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Phone: 1330 for free all-language info
Website: http://bus.seoul.go.kr/eng/index.asp

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Bus
Getting TO/AROUND: Thank goodness for the new bus system. It is actually easier to figure out now. As of July 2004, most of the bus routes have been changed. The busses are color coded to let you know which ones go to different regions, which ones take you to transport hubs, and which ones go all over the place. This is good to know, because you can never take one bus to get where you are going.

Also new is the transfer feature. If you have an old bus/subway card, or one of the new T-cards, you can scan it when you get off the bus and it will give you 30 minutes to transfer to a new bus/subway at a lower rate.

Check out the web page for bus routes, and rate info.

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Phone: 1330 for free all-language info
Website: http://bus.seoul.go.kr/eng/index.asp