Seoul Transportation Tips by ShaneBarber

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Car/Motor Home
Getting TO/AROUND: It has been said over and over, but let me reaffirm- depending on your perspective, drivers in Korea are either the BEST or the WORST, in the WORLD. Considering most have only had their license for under 10 years, just picture total anarchy at 100kpm. Taxi drivers are proud of their abilities, however, and drive like F-1 racers, except they slam on the brakes. I can best describe it as a rollercoaster ride on a flat plane, with obstacles inches from them in each direction. If you've ever been on the Back To The Future interactive ride at Universal Studios, this is a good parallel, only, your life is actually on the line. Regardless, I have always felt safe in the hands of these drivers, aside from the nausea.

General rule- black taxies are AAFES, US hired transportation- they speak English, and expect a tip, and are a little more expensive, but always accept $US. White cabs are nationals, and sometimes they reluctantly accept $US, and often speak enough English to get you where you are going. I would always have won ready, just in case. Korean cabbies usually don't expect tips, but if you are American, they appreciate it and are growing used to tips.

Don't be surprised if you are inches away from peril; time is money, and they aren't afraid to run lights, u-turn illegally, graze pedestrians, or park/drive on sidewalks. I honestly feel safer IN cabs than AROUND them on the street.

Also, don't make a big deal out of it, but it is pretty common for these guys to play dumb and ask for more money than is on the meter, or to not reset the meter when you get in. A $1 extra is worth getting where you're going, I feel, but if you know Korean, you are more than welcome to toss around some allegations.

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