Korea is becoming a major player in the modern world, and its transportation system shows it. From the subway to the taxi to the bus to the airplane, Korea's transportation system allows people to get anywhere, anytime, for a good price. It also is very foreigner friendly, because the Olympics came to Seoul in 1988 and English-ized every major system of transportation.
Subways
Korean subways are among the most traveled subways in the world. For a majority of the masses, they are usually the fastest way to travel and they are also relatively inexpensive. You can take a cab if you want, but with traffic, journeys across town can cost a lot of money, and may take longer.
There are subways in Seoul, Busan, Daegu and Incheon.
Regionally speaking, the subway systems easiest for foreigners to use are the ones in Seoul and Busan. They connect you quickly to government and public offices, cultural sites, shopping centers, airports, bus terminals, and more. The train is really easy to navigate, with each stop in English, Korean and Chinese, and each subway line a different color. It's so easy to understand that you can probably master the subway system after only a month of riding it.
Subways
As of February 2008, subways operate from 6am to 11 or 12pm. In Seoul, it costs 1000 won to get on the subway, with anywhere from 100 to 600 won transfer fee added on for various locations. A one-way fare almost always stays under 2000 won. In Busan, the prices are a hair more expensive.
Subway tickets can be purchased in the station at the ticket window or from the automated ticket machines nearby. There are three different kinds: regular tickets, prepaid tickets and magnetic-swipe transportation cards (usually called by their brand name, "T-Money” cards). Regular and prepaid tickets may be purchased at the ticket window or ticket machines. Regular tickets may be used only once, to the destination for which you purchase one. Prepaid tickets are sold in amounts of 5,000 won, 10,000 won and 20,000 won.
Sometimes there is extra money left on the ticket that doesn't pay for a whole ticket, but when that happens, usually you are still allowed to use it for one more ride. T-Money cards may be purchased and recharged at the ticket window or at most convenience stores (with some stores offering personalized or vanity T-Money cards and cell phone rings). Cards start at 2,500 won, and you can put as much as you want on the card. The benefit of having the T-Money card is that your fares are reduced by 100 won every time, and the fare is transferable (so if you decide to catch a bus right after getting on the subway, use the same card and there’s no charge for the bus). Then, after the money on the card runs out, simply re-fill it at the ticket booth, or at any of the conveniently marked locations in and around the stations.
Subway maps are available where subway tickets are sold, some of which are in English. Detailed information about station surroundings, connecting buses, operating hours and each station may be obtained by going to the subway's homepage at www.websubway.co.kr
Buses
Along with the subway, buses are a super popular form of public transportation. They go everywhere and are relatively cheap. In Korea, there are two major kinds of buses: intra-city buses and inter-city buses.
Intra-city Buses
There are many different intra-city buses, but they are clearly marked and relatively easy to navigate. The Seoul city bus is divided into four lines: Blue, Green, Red and Yellow. Blue buses operate on major roads, usually intermediate to long distances within Seoul. Green buses operate on lines within one district of Seoul, carrying passengers to transfer points. Red buses are express buses connecting Seoul with suburban areas. The service is rapid and comfortable, but there is no transfer discount. Yellow buses only travel in a closed circle of the major districts of Seoul. Long story short, you can take a Seoul bus anywhere in the city you want to go. In Busan and Daegu the bus lines are color-coded as well.
Every bus terminal will have bus maps. You can usually get an English map if you ask the attendant. In provincial areas, there is usually only one bus line (depending on the size of the city or town), and there is a bus map at each stop.
Unfortunately, provincial buses are less frequent, and you need to check the times carefully at the terminal before you go into the countryside. You might get stuck waiting by the side of the road for forty minutes.
Most one-way fares are 1900 won, and you may have to pay more if you cross city or provincial lines. You pay when you get on the bus by putting cash or a ticket in a fare box. You can also use your T-Money card. Tickets are usually sold in by every bus terminal in large ticket vending machines or at the ticket booth, but most people just pay with cash or T-Money card when they get on the bus. If you pay with large bills you may not get enough change in return, so have the right fare ready ahead of time.
Most intra-city buses operate from 4:30am to 11:30pm. Times may vary slightly depending on the area.
Inter-city Buses
The inter-city bus system is the one of the most economical ways to get around the country. You can get a round-trip ticket anywhere for less than 50,000 won, and you can catch inter-city buses from any major bus terminal. You just need to go to the terminal's central ticket office, find the city you want to go to, and buy a ticket. Buses for major hubs like Seoul, Busan and Daegu leave several times a day. All in all, it's pretty easy. Buses and destinations are usually clearly marked in English, and most drivers can tell you if their bus goes to a certain city or not.
You can also catch buses to and from airports. Called "airport limousine buses", they connect you from the airports to major hubs, and cost about 10,000 to 16,000 won, depending on the comfort of the bus and the number of stops it makes. There are also some limousine buses to and from major hotels.
Taxis
Nothing beats a car the comfort of a car, right? Luckily, the taxi system in Korea is well-organized and efficient. They cost a little more than the subways and buses, but they will pick you up on the spot and take you exactly where you need to go. They are also easy to catch, because you either flag down a passing cab or walk to the nearest taxi stand, which is usually by any major intersection.
There are three kinds of taxis: regular taxis, deluxe taxis and call taxis. Regular taxis are the cheapest and most popular. As of February 2008, the basic fare for a regular taxi in Seoul is 1900 won. The fare increases by both distance and time. This means that time is counted as you wait at stop lights. After midnight, fares start at 20% more than the daytime basic fare. If you go beyond city or provincial borders, there might also be extra charges. To get an idea about how much taxis cost, you can ride 4-6 km for about 5,000 won. If you think bigger, you can get across the entire city of Seoul (which is about the size of Chicago) for about 25,000 won. That same trip in Chicago or New York would cost well over 60,000 won. In Tokyo or London it would be at least 100,000 won
Deluxe taxis are nicer but more expensive. They are usually close to major tourist sites and big hotels, and offer special conveniences like free telephone service, printed receipts and credit card service. The catch is that are twice as expensive. The fares start at over 4,000 and increase faster than regular taxis. While you're in Korea, you’ll see that almost every foreigner avoids deluxe taxis like the plague. There is no real reason to take them because the cheaper, regular taxis are just as fast and safe.
Call taxis are taxis that you call to pick you up at a specific location. They are good especially for foreigners who don't speak Korean, because they can call for a taxi driver that speaks their language. (In Seoul you can call (02) 3431-5100.) The catch for this convenience is that you pay a certain amount over the taxi meter, kind of like an un-official tip. Each taxi company is different, so make sure you check it out before calling. You should also think about regular taxis before you call, too. They are cheaper and just as easy to get. Really, the call taxi is just like the deluxe taxi: it's nice to know it's there, but who needs it?
Keep in mind that, as with the restaurant, service people, including taxi drivers, don’t expect and rarely accept a tip. Their job is something that they choose to do, and the best way to show your appreciation is by being a decent, well-mannered customer. Be polite and friendly, and you both will get along just fine. If you do decide that your driver went above and beyond what was expected of him, by all means give him a tip. Just be ready for his initial refusals.
Trains
Trains are the most common way to travel fast around Korea. There are railroads criss-crossing the country, with trains every 15-60 minutes connecting Seoul to all major southern cities. The three major types are the KTX, the Saemaeul service and the Mugunghwa service.
The KTX is the fastest, yet most expensive. On the KTX you can get from Seoul to Busan in under three hours, but it costs 55,000 won. It makes few stops along the way, and a reservation is recommended.
The Saemaeul service is the second-fast line and makes a few more stops than the KTX. A ticket from Seoul to Busan costs 37,000 won, and a reservation is required. The whole trip takes four hours and ten minutes, but you’ll be comfortably seated the whole time.
The Mugunghwa service is the slowest train of them all, but it's also the cheapest. It takes almost five hours to get from Seoul to Busan, but it costs only 24,000 won. A reservation is allowed, but not required.
For all the trains, you should reserve your spot. If you don't, it might be standing room only, and you might not have a seat. All the trains are air-conditioned, but it's still no fun sitting on the floor for five hours.
Air Travel
If you don't want to travel on the ground, you can always take to the sky. Korea has dozens of airports, many of which offer extensive international and/or domestic service.
International Airports
There are five international airports. In Seoul there are two, Incheon (ICN) and Gimpo (GMP). Both provide international and domestic service, but Incheon is the airport most foreigners fly into. It is about a two hour drive outside of Seoul, and there is regular bus service between the terminal and the Seoul city center. Gimpo is a little closer and can be reached by a Seoul subway line.
Outside of Seoul, the international airports include Gimhae (PUS) in Busan, Jeju (CJU), Cheongju (CJJ) and Yangyang (YNY). Of these, Gimhae is by far the biggest. Jeju is also important because it is the only international airport on Jeju Island. It’s the only airport you will fly into if you want to vacation there.
Domestic Airports
There are also many domestic airports. These include: Wonju, Gunsan, Pohang, Ulsan, Sacheon, Yeosu and Mokpo. The international airports offer some domestic service, but if you want to reach the really rural areas, these are the airports for you.
Airlines
Korea is served by two international airlines: Korean Air and Asiana Airlines. Korean Air is the largest and Asiana is second. Both provide frequent domestic service and operate extensive international networks. There are also two small domestic airliners (Hansung Airlines and Jeju Air) that offer domestic service with much lower fares, but typically only running between major airports.
Whatever you do, there are lots of travel and transportation options out here. If you take your time, you're sure to find a good deal. Korea is a great jumping off point for trips around Asia, and domestic travel is easy and cheap. Just remember to shop around and book early.
To help you get around the country, here are some websites for the various modes of transportation:
Subway
http://www.seoulsubway.co.kr - Seoul Metro offers an extensive website with all sorts of information on what types of things can be found at each station throughout Seoul. And, its in English!
http://www.subway.busan.kr/english/main
Busan Transportation Corporation follows suit, offering quite a reliable website to help you navigate Korea’s 2nd largest city.
http://www.djet.co.kr/index.do
Daejeon’s online Subway website is just as packed with information, too bad it’s all in Korean.
http://www.daegusubway.co.kr/index.html
Daegu Metropolitan Subway Corporation offers a very simple, easy to use website in English.
http://www.subway.gwangju.kr
Though rather small and uncomplicated, Gwangju’s subway line has its own website, complete with an English version.
http://www.irtc.co.kr/eng/index.asp
Incheon also has its own subway line, though it connects to Seoul’s Metropolitan website.
However, its still offered in English.
Bus
http://bus.congnamul.com/SeoulRouteWebApp/view_english/map.jsp
This site offers amazing detail on the different buses running in Seoul, including a virtual bus route program.
http://www.kobus.co.kr/web/eng/index.jsp
This site offers the bus route and schedule information for inter-city buses, amazingly offered in English.
Train
http://info.korail.com/2007/eng/eng_index.jsp
Korail, Korea’s national railway company, offers an excellent website that is informative and easy to use. Here you’ll find information for KTX, Saemaeul and Mugunghwa trains.
Air
http://www.koreanair.com
Korea’s national airline, this site offers an easy to use English version.
http://flyasiana.com/english
The English version of Asiana Airlines’ website.
http://www.jejuair.net/
You will need some help with this one, as it’s mostly in Korean.
http://www.gohansung.com/
Ditto. This one is entirely in Korean.
