Subway, Seoul

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Seoul is NOT some backward, Third World city. In fact, its subway system compares quite favorably with those of London, Paris, or Washington. It's extremely fast, reliable, and easy to use (all signs are in Korean and English). And the price is next to nothing. Of course, it can be very crowded, especially during the afternoon rush hour.

So don't bother driving in this city; it's far more hazardous and troublesome, especially to a foreign visitor. The subway goes almost everywhere.

Using the subways in Seoul is really easy. Get a subway map in English and you'll have no problem getting around. You can get to most places for 900 Won and from one end of Seoul to the other for 1300 Won. You can sit anywhere except for at the end of each car which is where seats are reserved for the elderly and handicapped. One Korean custom to keep in mind. If you are a man or a young student/adult and have a seat in a crowded car and see an elderly person standing, it is of good gesture to offer your seat to the elderly person.

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No worries about language here as the signs are in native Hangeul and English. Fortunately the trains are not packed like sardines during after work hours like in other big cities like e.g. Tokyo.

Changing metro lines is a breeze! if you want to get to the other line just follow the arrows and the colour code on the walls! It's even along the walls of the staircases.. Refer to Photo 1.

To check if you're on the right track.. just look at the signs for the train's direction of travel! Refer to Photo 2.

Tip: Some stations have clustered entrances/exits that are not accessbile to each other, so it would be good if you know exactly which Entrance number you are heading to before you make the exit with the ticket.

Tip2: One station i remembered did not have crossovers in the train platform area, so check before entering with the ticket as to which direction of travel you are heading to.

Tip3: Almost everyone buys their tickets from the man from the counter, and not from the automated machines. Most of the time it's faster and more convenient if you only have notes.

One last thing, do not throw the ticket!! You'll need it for every exit out of the system..

Clean and efficient, Seoul's metro will take you anywhere in the city. Signs are in English and all the most interesting spots of the city have a station. That means no worries about being cheated, getting lost or language barrier.

Seoul has quite a developed subway system. There are many lines, and it's everywhere. therefore, wherever you wish to go, usually it's there, All you gotta do is to buy a ticket and get it. However, to get the right place, you may have to transfer many lines, and that's not real easy. Usually subway's packed with people.. But anyways..
since you are down here to experience everything as a tourist, being packed in a subway won't be too bad, just for once.. maybe.
The cost is pretty cheap.. can be vary depends on how far you travel... it can cost from about 0.8 $to 2$ maximum.

The best and worst way to travel is via the subway system. Sure it's extensive and will get you everywhere but only if yoiu can figure out how it works.

Looking at the subway map, you can help but feel a little overwhelm. There are lines intersecting, oversecting and undersecting each other. It's more than likely you'll get lost within this system nadnever see daylight again.

So if you can ask the local, or anyone who's not running away from you.... Crazy foreigners

Seoul Subway is an efficient and quick way of moving around Seoul.

Since the subway network spreads almost all over the town, you can reach almost everywhere using these trains.

Fare depends on the distance, but varies from W900 to W1,200 (US$ 0,90 to 1,20).

Try to avoid the normal rush hours... Subway gets really crowded during these hours.

For me, subway is the best way to go around Seoul. It is very convenient to use (idiot proof ^^) as I have discovered. And all the signs are written both in Hangul and English.

For most places, the fare is 900W to 1000W (as of October 2004).