life in seoul : travel
Travel within Seoul
Subway
Is the most reliable and usually fastest way around Seoul. Subway tickets are only one-way, and cost between 900 won and 1100 won.
Subway Hints
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If you use the subway often, buy a T-money card which you can swipe as you travel on the subway and buses in Seoul. Get one for 2000 won from convenience stores and newspaper stands, and top them up with more money at subway stations.
- Each subway station has at least four exits, so iif you're meeting someone at a station, specificy the exit number.
- On weeknights, the subway stops around 11.30pm, and an hour later on Friday and Saturday night.
Subway Information, including subway map
Bus
Can be an easy and fast way to get around Seoul too, as long as you don't travel in peak hour. Most buses cost 900won per journey. Buses that travel from Seoul to outer suburbs and Seoul's satellite cities cost a bit more, around 1500 won.
Bus Hints
- Pay at the front door as you get in (drop a 1000 or 5000 won note into the clear plastic box, and your change will drop into the metal tray) or swipe a T-money card.
Unlike the subway, buses in Seoul have little information about their route on the bus themselves. Currently, the places they stop are written in Korean on the side and at the front of the bus.
- Some buses announce the next stop over the intercom, in both Korean and English.
- Buses in Seoul are notoriously jerky, with the driver constantly riding the clutch to slow down. If you suffer carsickness, bring a baggie!!
Explanation of the Seoul bus system: numbers, colours etc
Interactive bus route map (this map rocks, just make sure you use the same English spelling as on subway maps)
Taxi
Bicycle
Seoul is not the most bike-friendly city, and bikepaths are not provided on city streets. There are bikepaths in many parks, and cycling on the sidewalk is quite acceptable If you ride on the road, wear a helmet and be very cautious, since cars are not used to sharing the road with cyclists. Bike racks are provided at most subway stations.
Overview of riding a bike in Seoul
Ibike tour around Seoul (instructions for some rides, or pay to take part yourself)
Cycling along the Han River
Cars & Scooters
Renting a car
Buying a car in Korea
Drivers' license in Korea (halfway down the page)
Buying a scooter
Travel Around Asia
By Plane
Incheon Airport official website
By Ferry
Ferry terminals in Korea, domestic and international routes
Travel Agencies
Travel Around Korea
General Travel Information
KNTO, the national tourism organisation, has a great website with information on sightseeing, festivals, accommodation, transport, tours and a trip planner. You can also call them on 1330 (operates 24 hours) for information, or to book accommodation, tours, etc.
ESL Cafe forum on travel around Korea
Tours
The Royal Asiatic Society offers cheap 1 - 2 day tours on weekends.
The US military's travel agency, the USO, also offers tours around Korea, including the DMZ (demilitarized zone). Tours are available to anyone - you don't have to be a member of the military to join.
Adventure Korea Travel Club: is a club that organises weekend tours around Korea for foreigners.
By Train
Trains are a great way to travel in Korea but sometimes tickets sell out fast. Trains usually cost slightly more than intercity buses.
Train Hints
- there are 3 types of trains: KTX (superfast); Saemaeul(fast); and Mugunghwa (slow). Their price and travel time varies accordingly, but all are clean and comfortable.
- if you can go through the complex and expensive process of becoming a "Barota" member,(I think this info is out of date) you can reserve tickets online. Otherwise, you'll have to buy them at the station.
- there are 3 main stations for long-distance, Seoul Station, Yongsan Station and Cheongnyangni Station. Difference trains leave from different stations, and most trains do not stop at all of these stations.
- Seoul and Yongsan station have Tourist Information Desks. Foreigners can buy train tickets from here, a cheeky privilege that sometimes beats long ticket queues!
- Trains have both seated and standing tickets. This means that trains can be quite noisy and crowded.
- You can get almost full ticket refunds from stations
Korea Railroad, including information about KR Railpass
Train schedule (if no results come up, change the departure station)
General information about trains, including a route map
By Bus
Buses go almost everywhere in Korea, and are pretty cheap. There are 5 bus terminals in Seoul, the three main ones are Express Bus Terminal, Nambu Bus Terminal and Dong Seoul
Terminal.
Bus Schedule for Express Bus Terminal
Types of Buses
By Plane
Airports in Korea and Domestic Flight schedules