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There are several ways to travel between Incheon Internat ional
Airport and downtown Seoul. The following options will help you
get downtown at minimal expense and with little difficulty.
Limousine
buses
KAL Limousine buses or Airport Limousine buses link the Incheon
International Airport and downtown Seoul at a reasonable fare of
10,000 won. Tickets are available at hotel : counters or airport
limousine counters. Travelers with large luggage may use these buses
with ease.
- For more information, visit www.airport.or.kr
or www.airport.co.kr
Taxis
Taxis are plentiful and inexpensive in Korea, clean and safe. There
are taxi stands in most busy city areas, and taxis can also be hailed
on the streets. As well, certain taxis can be requested by phone
(Tel : 02-3431-5100), though the fare
for these special call taxis is somewhat higher than regular taxis.
An increasing number of taxi drivers speak some English.
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Regular Taxis |
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The fare system is based on both the distance
and the time taken. Fares are 1,600 won for the first 2 km and
￡U100 for each additional 168 m. If the taxi is going less than
15 km per hour, an additional charge of ￡U100 per 41 seconds
is added to the fare. The fare between Incheon International
Airport and downtown Seoul is usually around 47,000 won (including
toll) though it could be higher if traffic is congested. Fares
increase 20% between midnight and 4 a.m. |
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Deluxe Taxis |
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Deluxe taxis, called 'mobeom' taxi in Korean,
are black with a yellow sign on the top and the words "Deluxe
Taxi" written on the sides. They offer more passenger space
and a high standard of service. Fares are 4,000 won for the
first 3 km and 200 won for each additional 205 m or each 50
seconds if the speed drops below 15 km per hour. The usual fare
between Incheon Int'l Airport and downtown is about 67,000 won
(including toll). Receipts are given. There is no late-night
surcharge. Deluxe taxis can be taken at stands located at hotels,
stations, bus terminals, and on major city streets. |
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Jumbo Taxis |
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Eight-passenger van taxis are in service. They
are installed with simultaneous foreign language interpretation
by phone, receipt-issuing equipment, and credit card processing
terminal. Fares are the same as deluxe taxis. Passengers carrying
large amounts of baggage may find them convenient. They can
be called at Tel : 02-992-7000 or Tel : 02-888-2000. |
City Buses
The city bus systems differ slightly from city to city in Korea, but most cities have local and express buses. They are numbered but since their signs are only in Korean, finding the right bus may be confusing to a first-time visitor. It is advisable to request assistance to find the bus stop and number that you need. The bus fare can be paid with either coins and bills or a bus card available at booths near bus stops.
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Local City Buses |
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Local buses are the most common means of transportation
in Seoul. They are frequent, reliable, and inexpensive. Seoul's
bus network serves every part of the city. The adult fare is
￡U600 regardless of distance. |
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City Coach Buses |
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City coach buses, called jwaseok bus, more comfortable
and they are air-conditioned. They stop less frequently and
travel through congested areas faster. The fares for the city
coach buses and the deluxe city express buses are ￡U1,200 and
￡U1,300 respectively. |
Subways
There are excellent subway train systems in Seoul, Busan, Daegu, and Incheon. The subway is the most efficient and convenient way for foreign travelers to get around the cities. Station names, ticket windows and transfer signs are all clearly marked in English.
- See http://english.tour2korea.com/cp/subway_en/seoulsubway.html for Seoul Subway Map.
Using Ticket Vending Machine
Other than over ticket counters at all subway stations, tickets can be bought at the vending machines of two types: at one of them only coins (10 won, 50 won, 100 won and 500 won) are used, but at the other (see instruction below) both bills (1,000 won) and coins may be used.
Lost & Found Centers
KNR Line - Guro Station Tel : (02)869-0089
Subway Line1, 2 - City Hall Station Tel : (02)753-2408
Subway Line 3, 4 - Chungmuro Station Tel : (02)2271-1170~1
Subway Line 5, 8 - Wangsimni Station Tel : (02)2298-6766~7
Subway Line 6, 7 - Taereung Station Tel : (02)949-6767
Car Rentals
Rental cars are available for visitors. Driving safely in Korea takes some practice. Due to the different traffic laws and an unfamiliarity with the roads, it is advisable to hire a driver along with the car.
Visitors must meet the following requirements to rent a car:
- Have more than 1 year's driving experience.
- Have an international driver's license.
- Be over 21 years of age.
- Possess a valid passport.
Visitors who wish to hire a chauffeur-driven car should be prepared to pay the driver's meals and hotel expenses as well. The cost of hiring a driver in Seoul ranges from 144,000 won to 510,000 won for 10 hours a day, including the car rental.
For further details, contact the Korea Car Rental Union
Tel : (02)525-9077/8
Fax : (02)525-9079
E-mail : [email protected]
Domestic
Flights
Korea has a well-developed domestic flight network served by Korean Air and Asiana Airlines linking 17 major cities. Reservations can be made by calling the airline offices listed below.
The Korea Travel Bureau (Tel:02-753-9870) also operates a ticket sales outlet at KNTO's Tourist Information Center.
* For more information :
- Korean Air
Tel : 1588-2001
www.koreanair.co.kr
- Asiana Airlines
Tel : 080-669-4000
www.asiana.co.kr
Long Distance
Express Buses
Fast and reliable highway buses operate on expressways throughout the country, connecting almost all major points. Two express bus terminals serve Seoul.
The Seoul Express Bus Terminal is the main bus depot for trips out of Seoul to other major cities, conveniently located on Subway Line 3. Dong Seoul Bus Terminal is near Gangbyeon Subway Station on Line 2.
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Superior ExpressBuses |
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Superior express buses are somewhat more expensive
than regular buses, but they are popular for their spacious
seats and facilities such as mobile phones and VCR Televisions.
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Intercity Buses |
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Korea has excellent intercity bus services connecting
virtually every city and town. Since no English language schedules
are available, it might be advisable for the foreign traveler
who wishes to take this kind of bus to get help from a Korean
friend.
Various tour companies offer bus services to most of the well-known
tourist sites for visitors who prefer not to use the intercity
buses. For details about these tours, contact the travel agencies
scattered throughout the city.
Intercity Bus Terminals in Seoul
- Nambu : Tel :02-521-8550
- Dong Seoul : Tel:02-446-8000
- Seobu: Tel : 02-355-5103
- Sangbong : Tel : 02-435-2122
- Sinchon : Tel : 02-324-0611 |
Domestic
Ferryboats
Boats are one of the most interesting ways to travel around Korea. Ferries ply the waterways between Busan and Jeju, Mokpo and Hongdo, Pohang Ulleungdo, etc
Trains
Passenger trains operated by the Korean National Railroad are quite
fast, reliable, and very inexpensive by world standards. The trains
run on a strict schedule and are not affected by traffic congestion
during the holiday seasons. An extensive network covers almost every
part of the nation. There are three classes of trains: the super-express
Saemaeul, express Mugunghwa, and local Tongil. Firstclass seats are
wider and feature more leg room. Trains are usually full on weekends
and holidays, so ticket reservations and advance purchases are advisable
at railroad stations or tour agencies such as the Korea Travel Bureau
(Tel : 02-753-9870) at KNTO's Tourist Information Center. Some of
the major railroad stations have special ticket counters for foreigners.
Timetable and fares are available at www.korail.go.kr
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KR Pass for the National Railroad |
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An exchange voucher for a KR Pass can be purchased
abroad and swapped for a KR Pass at designated stations (Seoul,
Yeongdeungpo, Daejeon, Dongdaegu, Busan, Gyeongju, Gwangju)
and an Information Desk at Incheon Int'l Airport in Korea. The
pass allows free travel with reserved seating on Korean trains
(excluding subways) for a set period of time with no restrictions
on frequency or distance. Normal Pass, Saver Pass (for groups
of 2 to 5) and Youth Pass (for those aged between 13 and 25)
are available for 3-day, 5-day, 7-day and 10-day periods. The
voucher can only be purchased in the US and Japan but will be
sold in many other countries by the end of 2001.
For more information
- Seoul : Tel : 02-773-2535
- New York : Tel : 1-212-643-0766
- LA: Tel : 1-323-731-8944
- Japan : Tel:81-92-482-1489 |
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