Transportation
The modes of public transport available in Korea include bus, subway, taxi, rail
and air. Since Korea is a country with a large population, it has well developed
mass transport networks such as buses and subways especially in and around
big cities. Taxis are relatively expensive but are used widely because they help
you save time. Practically all cities have a well developed bus transport system
and it is not an exaggeration to say that there is nowhere you cannot go by bus.
In a few large cities, including Seoul and other cities in Gyeonggi, the transit
system by mode of transport and by route is being implemented. Familiarize
yourself with the system to save time and money.
Bus
You can use cash or a transport card to pay your bus fare. The amount varies
depending on where you go: 1,000 won for city bus and 1,400 - 2,000 won
for direct bus. You get a discount if you use a transport card to pay the fare.
Transport cards and bus tokens are available at newspaper stands near bus
stops. When you pay cash, prepare exact change. Buses come every 5 or 10
minutes in large cities, including Seoul, and 20 minutes in smaller cities. The
fare varies depending on the distance in smaller cities. Go to the nearest bus
terminal to use intercity or express buses.
Airport Express (Incheon International Airport)
Electric Rail (Subway)
• Major Routes to Destinations in Gyeonggi
(Limousine/Regular Bus Boarding Locations at the Airport)
– Suwon : 7A (Incheon) – Gunpo – UiWang – Suwon (Hotel Castle)
– Seongnam : 7A (Incheon) – Gunpo – UiWang – Suwon (Hotel Castle)
– Jukjeon : 7A (Gimpo) – Gwacheon – Suji – JukJeon
– Yongin : 7A (Incheon) – Gimpo Airport – Suji – ShinGal – YongIn Terminal
– Ansan : 7B (Incheon) – Sosa Station – Ansan Station – Ansan Terminal
– Eiujeongbu : 7B (Incheon) – Ilsan – Wondang – Uijeongbu Bus Terminal
– Maseok : 7B (Incheon) – Guri – Donong – Gumgok-dong – PyeongNae –
Maseok
• To Seoul : 5A, 5B, 6A and 6B to various destinations in Seoul
• To Incheon : 2A, 2B, 3F and 4A – Dong (East) Incheon Station, SongNae
Station, Incheon Station, SongDo Resort, Airtport New City and
YongJong Pier
• To Daegu, Daejeon, Onyang (Asan), Wonju, Cheongju, Chuncheon,
Gwangju, Jeonju, Chungju, Pohang/Gyeongju, Ulsan and Busan :
8A and 8B
Electric Rail (Subway)The electric rail is the most commonly used mode of mass transport along with
the bus and is connected to the subway system in Seoul, Busan and Daegu.
It varies depending on the city and routes but the operating hours are from
5:30 am to midnight. They stop at all the major public agencies, bus terminals,
airports and shopping malls and are extremely convenient if you familiarize
yourself with the routes. Trains come at every 2 – 10 minutes. The basic fare
is 1,000 won and an extra charge is added based on the travel distance. If
you communte everyday by subway in the Seoul metropolitan area, it is more
convenient and economical to use the 30-day pass that allows up to 60 trips.
Refer to the route chart posted above the ticket counter at every station for
detailed route information.
Get Discounts on Your Bus/Subway Transit Using a Convenient
Transportation Card
Use a transportation and enjoy fare discounts when you transfer between bus
and the subway in the Seoul and Gyeonggi area. Simply tap your card on the
reader when you get off the bus to get a discount. However, this applies only
when you transfer to another mode of transport within 30 minutes after you get
off your previous mode of transport. This transit disount program is being more
widely deployed across other cities with a subway system.
Taxi
Taxi service operates 24 hours a day. You can tell them from private cars by
their roof lights of various colors. To get a taxi, simply wait at a taxi stop or hail
one by holding up your hand on a sidewalk. When you call a cab by phone, you
will be charged an extra fee (usually 1,000 won) in addition to the fare. There
are many companies you can call for a taxi (“call taxi service”) in Korea. Ask
people around you for a number.
▶ Various Types and Characteristics
• Regular Taxi
3-4 people can ride in a regular taxi. Has a fare meter installed. The basic fare
varies by area but usually between 1,500 and 2,000 won. Extra fare is charged
from midnight to 4 am or for corssing city borders. For example, if you take a
tax from Seoul to Suwon, you pay 20% extra in addition to the meter fare.
• Mobum (Premium) Taxi
The premium taxi service uses cars with the engine capacity of 3,000 CC or
greater. Mostly black in color and available in or near the Seoul metropolitan
area. The basic fare is 4,600 won, which is much higher than that of regular
taxi service. Instead there are no extra charges for nighttime or intercity trips.
• Large Taxi (Including “Call Vans”)
Up to 9 people can ride in a large taxi. This is a convenient option when you
carry a lot of luggage or have many people in your company. These taxis are
on call and you can call one anywhere anytime. The basic fare is 4,600 won
(same as premium taxi) but the final fare is negotiable.
Rail
Trains are the fastest mode of transportation except for airplanes. Most major
cities have railway stations, which are conveniently connected to bus and
subway stations. The KTX (express rail) is the fastest and the most expensive,
followed by Samaeul and Mugungwha. The KTX runs as fast as 200km per hour
and offers service on the Gyeongbu and Honam routes.
(Inquiries : KORAIL; phone : 1544-7788; Internet :
http://www.korail.go.kr)
▶ Major Railway Stations and Contact Numbers
Air
▶ Domestic Destinations
Domestic air service is available for major cities that are far from Seoul – Jeju,
Busan, Daegu, Gwangju, Mokpo, Pohang and Yosu, among others. Although
the number of passengers have declined for destinations for which the KTX
service is available, including Busan, Daegu, Gwangju and Mokpo, air service is
fast and safe and the overall demand is on the rise.
▶ International Destinations
Korean Air and Asiana are two major airlines of Korea and offer direct flights to
most major destinations in the world and provide connecting flights practically
anywhere in the world under alliances with the world’s major airlines.
▶ Major Airlines
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Last modified : 2009. 07. 23
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