Daily Life
Transportation
Korea's public transportation system is very extensive and cheap, accessing almost every place imaginable. Roads are often jammed, especially during weekends and holidays so it is best to use public transportation. Purchasing a debit transportation card will be useful as there are no extra costs when you transfer from a bus to a subway or from a subway to a bus. Remember to put your debit transportation card every time you get off the bus or the subway.
Private Transportation
- Bicycles- Cars - Motorcycles
Public Transportation
- Subways
- Buses
- Taxies
- Trains
- Ferries
- Planes
Subway
Subways are the best way to quickly get around if you live in a city Also, if you would like to avoid the increasingly heavy road traffic, taking the subway can be the best way to go. Subway lines go to most of the popular areas, with stops near the major train stations and bus terminals. Station signs are written in English and Korean, as well as Chinese characters at some stops. Announcements about the upcoming stop are in Korean and English.
Subway cars are safe and generally free of garbage and graffiti. Be aware of your surroundings though, especially during rush hours when everyone gets jammed in tightly. Because of congested car traffic, subways are the fastest and most convenient mode of transportation from the suburbs into the city.
Subway tickets can be bought at ticket vending machines (newer ones accept coins and bills, while older ones will only take coins) or from a ticket window near the entrance turn styles. Tickets are valid at any time. Frequent commuters can save time and money by buying debit transportation card, with the amount of each trip automatically deducted from the ticket. Senior citizens (age 65 and older) and the handicapped get to ride for free.
If using a machine, push the button for the amount of the ticket you wish to purchase,then deposit money.
The machine will create a ticket and return any change due to you. If using a ticket window, say the name of your destination station and pay the required amount of money. Although few ticket sellers will speak English, showing money and holding up your index finger (to signify "one ticket") can be understood by anyone. You will need to buy the larger fare debit tickets at a ticket window.
Take your ticket and feed it into the slot on one side of the turn style and walk through. Your ticket will be read and given back to you on the other side of the turn style if it is valid. Follow the masses to the platform and wait for the next train. Direction signs are in Korean as well as English. On the platform, station signs contain the name of the station, as well as the previous and next stations.
Subways are located in Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Incheon, Gwangju, and Daejeon.
Trains
Korail provides frequent train service to all major South Korean cities. The Korea Train eXpress (KTX) is South Korea's high-speed rail system. It is operated by Korail. The train's technology is largely based on the French TGV system, and features top speeds of 300 km/h or more.
Buses
The country has 3 major types of bus services: intra-city, long distance, and charter (tour). Although bus travel is generally safe, bus drivers want to get where they are going in a hurry. Drivers usually start driving again as soon as the last passenger gets on at each stop, so make sure you have a good grasp on to the handle as soon as you get on the bus. Rush hour riders can fill buses way beyond capacity.
Koreans who are sitting sometimes offer to hold the packages of those people who must stand. If you are standing and a seated Korean starts to take your belongings and place them on his or her lap, don't panic and yell for the police. When you or the person sitting down leaves, the person will hand the items back to you.
Taxis
Although taxi fares are relatively inexpensive, depending on the distance and the traffic condition, it can get costly.Before you hail a taxi, you need to know major landmarks around your destination, as your driver may not be familiar with that area.
Some taxies offer phone interpretation services, so you may use them to help you communicate with your driver.Although some taxis accept credit cards, always carry cash with you when taking a taxi. Every taxi has a meter on the dashboard stating the fare for the trip. If you need a receipt, ask the driver for one.
Air Travel
Fifteen Korean cities have air links with each other and/or with Seoul, Busan, and Jeju Island. Korea has two major airlines, Korean Air and Asiana. Korean Air belongs to Skypass and Asiana is a member of Star Alliance. Both airlines offer international and domestic service. No flights exceed an hour in length. Fares are generally the same any day, at any time.There are usually no extra fees for weekends or holidays, and advanced purchase is not required, though you should reserve in advance during busy times.
South Korea has three major international airports: Incheon International (ICN), Busan Gimhae (BUS), and Jeju International (CJU). There are also less frequent services to destinations in China and Japan from several regional airports in Korea. Most international flights from Seoul leave from Incheon International Airport and most domestic flights leave from Gimpo Airport.
* Transportation Card
Fifteen Korean cities have air links with each other and/or with Seoul, Busan, and Jeju Island. Korea has two major airlines, Korean Air and Asiana. Korean Air belongs to Skypass and Asiana is a member of Star Alliance. Both airlines offer international and domestic service. No flights exceed an hour in length. Fares are generally the same any day, at any time.There are usually no extra fees for weekends or holidays, and advanced purchase is not required, though you should reserve in advance during busy times.
