 | Seoul Transportation | Tips 1 - 10 of 206 |  |
 | |  |  | Taxies: Cheap Taxi to Incheon Airport | Tip Rating:   |  |  | |  |
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. Leave a Comment Theme: Car/Motor Home
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| | | | Subway: Seoul Subway | Tip Rating: | | | | |
About every popular destination in Seoul has a train stop so get a stored price ticket and zip anywhere through town. Don't worry about the language bit. Every arrival will be announced in English and Korean. Signs are also written in English and Korean. Also, if you are carrying a huge backpack like me, friendly , English-speaking Koreans will look out for you.... Some of my best interactions with the locals took place in the Korean tube. Yes, apart from being shoved in the peak hours and stumbling about like a spongy mad cow, I've learnt a thing or two about Korean culture here. Most of the locals take the public transport here as it is cheaper to driving their own car. So, it's not surprising to see a well-dressed, businessman taking the tube and speaking to you in perfect American English. Secondly, most of them even know where tiny Singapore is, thanks to our Korean ChannelNewsAsia anchor, Susan Chung. Take the Korean subway if you want to immerse yourself in the local culture, also it is far easier to use, compared to the Tokyo tube. As mentioned, do get a stored priced ticket if you intend to use the subway more than once. Not only does it save you time, you'll be spared of the indignity of coin-counting behind a cursing Korean queue. I paid 5,000won for a tiny orange ticket and it lasted me quite a while. Oh yes, and grab one of those subway maps from the airport or visit the website to print out one for yourself. The yin-yang signs denote the inter-change stations. Leave a Comment Theme: TrainWebsite: http://www.seoulsubway.co.kr/
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| | | | Cars, Subways and Buses: Cars, Subways and Buses | Tip Rating: | | | | |
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. Leave a Comment Theme: Car/Motor HomePhone: 1330 for free all-language info
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| | | | Subway: Getting Around | Tip Rating: | | | | |
The absolute best way to get around Seoul is the subway. It is clean, fast and safe. The lines are always expanding so no matter where you need to go in the city (and in some cases outside), it will get you there. Of course, just like Japan, the cars are crowded during rush hour and the trains stop at about midnight and start up again at 5:30 in the morning. The subway maps in the stations and in the cars is Korean and English, color coded, and numbered and all stops all called out in both languages on a speaker in all cars and there is also a ticker for the hearing impared to read. They even tell you which side of the car to step off of as you approach each stop. The system is extremely easy to navigate given the size of it. Many of the stations also double as underground shopping centers and meeting places for people; some pretty good fast food can be had in the subway. Back to the size, you can now ride the subway from as far out as Kimpo airport to NE Seoul and to Choneon to the south. Also, since the subway connects with the national train service, you could quite literally travel the whole country by subway/train. Lastly, the subway is very inexpensive. They just changed the the way rates are calculated to by distance. Basic rate is 800 won and goes up from there. The most you will pay is 2200 won to get anywhere in the city or to Incheon. A taxi by comparison will cost close to than that just to get moving. Leave a Comment Theme: Subway/MetroWebsite: http://www.subwayworld.co.kr/index.jsp
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on June 8, 2004
Seoul
on November 30, 2004
on January 15, 2007
