So, you’ve crafted your South Korea itinerary: Jeju Island’s splendid beaches have claimed the top spot, immersing in modern history at the DMZ, and skyscraper chasing are on the list, with cultural trails in Gyeongju and Suwon also in your sights. However, a well-rounded holiday bucket list is not complete without well-fleshed-out logistics – case in point: getting around South Korea via public transport.
Fortunately, the country’s seamlessly connected vistas, as well as an abundance of English signage, make navigating the South Korea public transport system a breeze for the modern tourist.
Getting around South Korea: Key modes of public transport
The world-class transport network in South Korea features eight international airports, six domestic airports, the iconic KTX high-speed rail network, among the world’s busiest sea ports, and advanced subway systems. Additionally, all cities, big or small, boast extensive bus networks. Needless to say, navigating routes in South Korea is both swift and cost-efficient.
Train
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Trains in South Korea operate non-stop from as early as 5.30 am until midnight. Continually ranked among the best subway systems in the world for frequency, cleanliness, and user-friendliness, trains offer an efficient means to get around the city. In addition to the colour-coded subway lines, stations display signs in Korean, English, and Chinese.
To use the subway, you must choose between two passes: the single journey pass, available for purchase at the station, requires payment in exact change, along with a refundable deposit of USD 0.38 (500 won). Alternatively, the multiple journey pass, known as Tmoney, can be obtained from most convenience stores. Tmoney users enjoy free transfers between different subway lines and can switch between bus and subway lines at no extra cost. For a picturesque train experience, consider trying South Korea’s Haeundae Beach Train, Haeundae Sky Capsule, and Busan Green Railway.
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To further simplify transportation, consider using applications like Subway Navigation by Kakao, Metroid Korea Subway Info, and Seoul Subway, which provide maps, routes, timings, and transfer information in English.
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Bus
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Another convenient mode of transportation in South Korea is by taking a bus. Well-developed and budget-friendly, buses are readily available and colour-coded: blue buses connect various districts along the main route, green buses link subway stations and residential areas, yellow buses circulate within the city centre, and red buses connect the city with surrounding areas. Additionally, smaller green maeul (local) buses cover shorter routes within districts or neighbourhoods.
South Korea’s public transport includes the Incheon Airport Bus Service (IABS), a widespread network of high-speed buses transporting passengers from the international airport in Incheon to major cities across the country. Keep in mind that local bus travel might be slightly challenging for first-time travellers due to the lack of English signage and information at bus stops. For assistance, download applications like Seoul Bus to familiarise yourself with bus routes and timings.
Taxis
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Contrary to popular opinion, taxis in South Korea are an affordable and efficient mode of public transport. Every taxi uses a meter; however, the base price might vary based on the route and class of the taxi. Most taxis accept various modes of payment, including Tmoney, cash or credit cards.
South Korea offers a variety of taxi types, leaving you spoilt for choice. The regular taxi, the cheapest and easiest to flag down, comes in orange, grey and white colours. Around hotels and major tourist locations, the Deluxe Taxi with its luxurious black body and golden stripes is easy to find, though its fares are slightly higher. For larger groups, the Jumbo Taxi, accommodating up to 8 people, is available with the word ‘JUMBO’ written on it.
Travellers can also opt for the International Taxi, designed specifically for tourists. The drivers are fluent in English, Japanese, or Chinese, with language preferences indicated on the side of the cab. Typically black or orange, these taxis have ‘International’ signage on their doors. Although slightly higher in price, international taxis can be booked for three or more hours and offer airport pick-up and drop-off services. For a seamless experience, download the Kakao Taxi application on your smartphone or tablet.
Ferry services
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Ferry services in South Korea not only connect its 3,000-odd islands but also link it to nearby countries like China, Japan, and Russia. The four ports through which international passengers from these countries can enter South Korea include Incheon, Pyeongtaek, Busan, and Donghae.
Tourists can also travel to the various spell-binding islands in South Korea, like Jeju-do, Ulleungdo, Cheongsando, and Somaemuldo, via ferries. Tickets for these ferries can be purchased online, but be cautious of the country’s weather conditions (like fog level and wave height) that might lead to ferry service cancellations due to unfavourable weather.
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Decoding South Korean addresses
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The format of writing addresses in South Korea differs from most other countries, which may catch you off guard at first. When reading a South Korean address, note that the description starts with the most generic information, leading to more specific details. For instance, the country, province (if applicable), city, and district or borough come first in the address. This is followed by the street name, street number, building number, and finally the internal number.
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The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
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Publish date : 2024-08-13 17:50:00
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