Public Transportation in Korea - Bus, Taxi, Subway, Train, KTX, Car, Ferry in Korea

Transportaion

Planes

Air travel is an important form of transportation in Korea, with domestic and international flights available. Many international carriers provide direct flights to Korea, with Incheon International Airport being the most common destination.

Korea's Airlines

Korean Air and Asiana provide the majority of international flights, while smaller carriers will sometimes fly internationally within East Asia.

Korea's Airports

The following is a list of airports in South Korea. Airports marked in bold have international flights. For more information, visit the websites for Incheon International Airport, http://www.airport.kr/eng/airport and the Korea Airports Corporation (all airports except Incheon International Airport) http://gimpo.airport.co.kr/doc/www_eng/index.jsp.

Location	Airport	Airport Code
Busan	Gimhae International Airport	PUS
Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do	Cheongju International Airport	CJJ
Daegu	Daegu International Airport	TAE
Gunsan, Jeollabuk-do	Gunsan Airport	KUV
Gwangju	Gwangju Airport	KWJ
Jeju	Jeju International Airport	CJU
Jinju (Sacheon), Gyeongsangnam-do	Sacheon Airport	HIN
Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do	Pohang Airport	KPO
Muan, Jeollanam-do	Muan International Airport	MWX
Seoul	Gimpo International Airport	GMP
Seoul (Incheon)	Incheon International Airport	ICN
Ulsan	Ulsan Airport	USN
Wonju, Gangwon-do	Wonju Airport	WJU
Yangyang, Gangwon-do	Yangyang International Airport	YNY
Yeosu, Jeollanam-do	Yeosu Airport	RSU

Subways

Subways are one of the most common modes of transportation in Korea. Nearly 5.6 million passengers use Korea's subway systems each day. Areas with subway services include the Seoul Metropolitan Area (serving the city of Seoul and areas within Gyeonggi Province, Northern Chungcheongnam Province, and the city of Incheon), Busan, Daegu, Incheon, Gwangju and Daejeon.

Single use tickets may be purchased as well as rechargeable fare cards and phone charms. Some credit cards and cell phones also have 'smart chips' that can also be activated to operate like a transportation

card. With credit card smart chips, fare amounts are totaled monthly and should be paid off on the credit card's payment date.

Tickets and transit cards may be may be purchased at a vending machine or with the help of a station agent. Transportation cards as well as smart chips may be recharged at an automatic charge machine, by a station attendant, Nice ATMs in subways, and convenience stores and other shops that sell transportation cards.

Subways in Korea have similarities and differences with systems in other parts of the world. Many subway systems have fares based on distance, and tickets or cards should be swiped upon entering and exiting the station. Directional signs and station announcements are often in

both Korean and English. Commuters should queue on both sides of the train doors at spots marked on the floor and wait for passengers to exit the train before entering. This, however, isn't always the case. During busier hours, large numbers of people will fit themselves into arriving cars, despite the amount of space available.

Buses

Korea has three major types of city buses: Village, Local Regular and Local Express. Designated bus-only lanes on major roads keep city bus traffic moving quickly. Fares may be paid by cash as well as with rechargeable fare cards and 'smart chips' in credit cards or cell phones, in areas that utilize these services. Fares paid by transportation card and smart chip will be at a reduced rate.

Fares and information listed below are for the City of Seoul, and may differ by location.

Village: These buses are smaller, compared to the regular and expresses buses, and travel only within their given village areas. Village

bus fare is 700 won when paying by cash and 600 won when using a transportation card.

Local Regular (Shee-nae or Il-ban Bus): Local Regular Buses are either blue or green in color. Blue buses travel on major roads, while green buses are connector buses, and travel between subway stations. These buses have seating available as well as plenty of standing room. Bus fare is 1,000 won.

Local Express (Gwang-yok Bus): Local Express Buses are red in color. These buses have plenty of comfortable seating and little standing room. Buses travel longer distances and make fewer stops. Express bus fares are about 1,800 won.

The following are the current fares for the City of Seoul, as of December 1, 2009:

Transportation Cards

'Smart chips,' located in certain credit cards and cell phones, can also be activated to operate like a transportation card. With credit card smart chips, fare amounts are totaled monthly and should be paid off on the credit card payment date.

Transportation cards may be purchased at convenience stores, subway ticket windows and newsstands and cost between about 2,000 and 3,000 won. Seoul Citypass is a convenient form of payment for visitors utilizing the Seoul Metropolitan Subway and Seoul's bus system. One, two, and

three-day passes are available, offering 20 bus/subway rides per day and unlimited rides on the Seoul City Tour Bus.

Seoul Citypass Plus functions like a normal transportation card but also includes special discounts and coupons for foreign residents and visitors. This T-money card must be charged upon purchase, and then may be used as both a transportation card and a debit card for payment wherever T-money is accepted.

Transfer Discounts

Transportation card users can also receive discounts when transferring between public transportation. When traveling from subway to bus, bus to subway, or between buses, commuters have 60 minutes to make the transfer. The fare for the second ride will only be an additional 100 to 500 won, depending on this distance. Bus riders should swipe their transit card when exiting the bus at the transit discount machine (hwanseunghaleen, 환승할인), located next to the exit door.

Taxis

Korea has three major types of taxis, regular (ilban), deluxe (mobeom) and international.

Regular taxis are usually silver or white in color and have either blue or white top lights. Cabs with blue top lights company owned, while ones with white top lights are privately owned.

Luxury taxis are black with yellow top lights, and can generally be found only in larger cities. These cabs are usually taken by the business class and are considerably more expensive,

but provide a roomier and more comfortable ride.

International taxi service is a new option in which taxi drivers are able to speak English or Japanese. These taxis must be reserved in advance, and fees can be calculated by meter, destination or time.

Taxis may be hailed on the street or can be found at taxi stands in busy areas. To hail a taxi in Korea, hold your arm out horizontally and wave your hand downward. Many areas also offer call taxi services for an additional fee.

Metered fares are based on distance traveled and surcharges for time of day or heavy traffic. In Seoul, fares start at 2,400 won for the first 2 kilometers, and 100 won for each additional 144 meters. A late-night surcharge for fares between midnight and 4 am is an additional 20-percent of the basic fare. Passengers are also responsible for any tolls incurred. Fares should be paid in cash, although some cabs do accept credit cards and T-money cards. Tipping is not expected in Korea, although is a good gesture if the driver performs an extra duty like handling bags.

With the exception of international taxi service drivers, taxi drivers will generally not speak English well. It is advised to have your destination written in Hangul to show the driver. Taxis with a 'FREE INTERPRETATION' sticker on their windows offer free phone interpretation services to help riders communicate with their drivers.

Riders often give drivers a landmark as a destination, instead of an exact address, and then direct him or her from there.

Helpful Terms:
Left (left side): oenjjok (왼쪽)
Right (right side): oreunjjok (오른쪽)
Here: yeogiyo (여기여)

Airport Limousine Bus

Airport limousine buses transport between Korea's airports and hotels or other major points in a city. Buses have comfortable seating but limited room for luggage. Standard limousines make several stops along a determined route, with fares determined by distance. Deluxe limousines have fewer but more comfortable seats and travel between airports and major hotels. Fares average 7,500 to 8,000 for standard limousines and 13,000 for deluxe limousines in Seoul.

Go-sok Bus (Express Bus)

Express buses provide a relatively inexpensive form of transportation between cities and provinces in Korea. Longer rides provide a rest stop, with restrooms and the option to purchase refreshments. Regular and deluxe services are offered, with deluxe featuring wider and more comfortable seats for a slightly more expensive fare.

Korean Railway

KORAIL is Korea's Railway service, which transports passengers and freight throughout the country. There are three main passenger trains that travel between cities in Korea:

Mugunghwa and Nooriro-ho (Regular): Mugunghwa and Nooriro-ho trains provide the most inexpensive train services in Korea. These trains accommodate large numbers of standing passengers, although seating is available. Mugunghwa trains offer cross-country service while Nooriro-ho trains cover relatively shorter distances. During holidays and peak travel times, cars can become quite crowded and seating sometimes unavailable. Fares are relatively inexpensive, with the longest fare from Seoul to Busan costing less than 24,000 won on weekends. The Mugunghwa train has no dining car, but purchase of snacks and beverages is available on the train.

Saemaul (Express): Saemaul is Korea's express train, and is also considered its most luxurious. A dining car is available for meal and beverage purchases. Fares for the Saemaul are higher than for the Mugunghwa train, with the longest fare from Seoul to Busan costing about 37,000 won. Travel time from

Seoul to Busan is 4 and half hours. Tickets should be purchased in advanced for major holidays.

KTX (High-speed): Korea Train Express or KTX is Korea's bullet train. KTX trains can reach speeds of 350 km per hour, cutting travel time from Seoul to Busan almost in half. Average commuting time to Busan is 2 hours 40 minutes. Seoul Station and Yongsan Station have become the major hubs for the KTX in Seoul.

Ferries

Ferries to Japan

Ferries are available between the southern city of Busan and destinations in Japan including Hakata, Fukuoka; Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi; Tsushima; and Osaka.

Ferries to China

Ferries are available between the western cities of Incheon and Pyeongtaek and destinations in China including Longyan, Weihai, Iljo, Dandong, Qingdao and Tianjin.

Ferries to Russia

Ferries are available from the eastern city of Sokcho to Zarubino, Russia. Trips take about 16 hours.

Domestic Ferries

Ferries throughout Korea provide services to outlying islands. Although Jeju may be the most popular destination, there are many beautiful islands off Korea's coasts to explore.

Boryeong Ferry Terminal
Phone: 82-41-930-5000
Services: Anmyeon-do, Oeyeon-do, Godae-do, Nok-do, Sapsi-do, Wonsan-do, Janggo-do, Ho-do, Hyoja-do

Busan International Ferry Terminal
Phone: 82-51-660-0117
Services: Jeju-do, Geoge-do

Donghae Ferry Terminal
Phone: 82-33- 531 - 5891/2
Services: Ulleung-do

Geoje Ferry Terminal
Phone: 82-55-682-0116 (ARS) 82-55-681-3106
Services: Oe-do

Gunsan Ferry Terminal
Phone: 82- 63- 442 - 0115
Services: Geoje-do

Incheon International Ferry Terminal
Phone: 82-32-888-0116
Services: Jeju-do, Daenanji-do, Sonanji-do, Daemuui-do, Somuui-do, Daeyeonpyeong-do, Soyeonpyeong-do, Daeyijak-do, Soyijak-do, Daecheong-do, Socheong-do, Deokjeok-do, Baekryeong-do, Seungbong-do, Yuk-do, Jawol-do, Pung-do

Jeju Ferry Terminal
Phone: 82-64-757-0117
Services: Wan-do, U-do, Sangchuja-do, Hachuja-do
Jeju Ferry Information: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/TR/TR_EN_5_1_5_1.jsp

Masan Ferry Terminal
Phone: 82-55-245-0116~7
Services: Geoje-do

Mokpo Ferry Terminal
Phone : 82-61-240-6060~1
Services: Jeju-do, Heuksan-do, Hong-do, Gageo-do, Gwanmae-do, Docho-do, Bigeum-do, Anjwa-do, Amtae-do, Aphae-do, Ui-do, Imja-do, Jaeun-do, Jangsan-do, Jin-do, Palgeum-do, Haui-do

Pohang Ferry Terminal
Phone: 82-54-242-5111/5
Services: Ulleung-do

Wando Ferry Terminal
Phone: 82-61- 552 -0116
Services: Jeju-do, Gogeum-do, Geumdang-do, Geumil-do, Sinji-do, Cheongsan-do

Tongyeong Ferry Terminal
Phone: 82-55- 644-0364
Services: Dumi-do, Maemul-do, Mireuk-do, Bijin-do, Yeondae-do, Yeonhwa-do, Yokji-do, Chu-do, Chubong-do

Yeosu Ferry Terminal
Phone: 82-61-663-0117 (ARS) 82-61-663-0116
Services: Jeju-do, Geomun-do, Geumo-do, Sa-do, Yeon-do, Oenaro-do, Cho-do

Driving

Driver's Licenses Those who have an international driver's license are permitted to drive in Korea for one year from the issuance date. Drivers with licenses issued in their own countries may be issued a Korean driver's license with the following documents:

• Foreign Driver's License (original document)
• Embassy Certificate (licenses issued from US, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Spain, Belgium, Poland or Italy are exempted)
• Notarized Translation of License (if written in a language other than English). Must include license issuance date and period of its validity.

• Valid Passport and Proof of Entry and Exit Issued by Immigration
• Alien Registration Card
• Three Photos (3cm by 4cm)
• Fee of 11,000 won (5,000 won for physical exam, 6,000 won for license)

Korea Public Transportation Guide

The Korea Tourist Association has created an online guide to public transportation throughout Korea. Subway, bus, rail, express bus, ferry and flight information is available, including route maps and fare and schedule information. The website also has a Pathfinder feature, which provides detailed information on the best routes to a destination, using buses and the subway in the Greater Seoul Metropolitan Area.

Transportaion

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