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Subway in Korea

There are currently two subway systems in Korea, one in Seoul and one in Busan. Both are simple to navigate, the signs are in both Enlish and Korean as are the announcments (though they can be hard to understand). If you're worried about getting lost in the maze you need only put a relatively stunned look on your face and someone will ask if he or she can help out. If you plan on using the system a lot we suggest you get a 10,000 Won ticket, the cost per ride is contingent on how far you ride but it usually won't cost you more than a dollar.

The Seoul Subway system has one of the best maps of Seoul I have ever seen. It's a lot of fun. Check it out at: www.seoulmetro.co.kr

The Busan Subway system is much more simple. At present there are only three lines. Check out a map and the Busan Subway website at: www.subway.busan.kr

Trains in Korea

In Seoul, the main train terminal is located at Seoul Station on the red line, and the inter-city bus terminals are located in Kangnam, at Nambu station. Trains connect all the major cities in Korea and the cost is similar to bus travel. Both are fast, safe and efficient. Unless you are planning on staying in Korea long term, it is not recommended that you buy a car. Gas is expensive, parking is non-existent and the whole country is a traffic jam. However if you do buy a car- used cars are very cheap in Korea, and it is relatively easy to get an international driver’s license- just apply at your embassy. If you are driving in Korea and get stopped by the cops, your best defense is to only speak English, and pretend you don’t understand Korean. Most Koreans policemen speak little or no English, and will let you go. Alternatively if you are driving with a Korean friend and he or she gets pulled over, you should start babbling in all the Korean you can muster and your Korean friend should pretend he or she doesn’t speak a word of the language. That should throw the fuzz for a loop as well. There are also domestic flights connecting all of Korea’s major cities and Cheju Island, and flights are reasonably priced as well. Visit a travel agent (yohaengsa) to see what is available.

Buses in Korea

To give you an idea of how cheap travel is in Korea, the bus from Seoul to Busan, about the longest trip you can take in the country, costs less than USD $20. About the most annoying thing about bus travel in Korea is some long distance buses are equipped with karaoke machines- hard to sleep through strobe lights and crooning eighty year olds but this is a must for everyone at least once.

Local buses are always very prevalent as well. There are several different types. There are village buses, there are community buses, there are express buses and probably about 5 other types. Talk to other teachers and find out what buses go where, for how much and find out how long it takes. Most times this is the cheapest and fastest form of transportation though be warning - get in and hold on. Drivers often get paid by how many laps they can do on their circuit not how many passengers they pick up. If you don't hold on there is a good chance you'll be on your butt before too long.

Taxis in Korea

There are two different kinds of cabs in Korea. cheap cabs and luxury cabs (black). The cheap cabs will get you there fast and cheap. The black luxury cabs are also fast but you won't be quite as scared.

The cheap cabs are really inexpensive and late at night or on long runs the driver is open to negotiating the fare.

Don't get too upset if a cab driver goes past you when you're flagging him down. Even thoug hhe may not have a fare he might not be able to speak English or there could be a multitude of other reasons that he might fly by you and stop a block away to pick someone else up. Don't take it personally. Take a deep breath and try for the next one.

You do need to be wary when taking a cab. The odd driver has been known to take you on the milk route. That's often why negotiating a fare in advance on a long run is often a good idea. A good way to prevent any troubles is to be obvious about making sure hte ID picture of the driver matches the person driving the cab and make sure they realize that you made a mental note of their number. Realize that this happens all over the world and again try not to take it too personally.

Buying a Car in Korea

Cars are plentiful and used cars are incredibly cheap. Forget about bringing one home though. The standards of the cars produced for export are known to be different than the standards of cars produced for domestic purpose. Bringing a car home would be very expensive to bring it up to spec for local requirements.

If you plan on staying in Korea for a stretch it's not a bad idea to think about purchasing a car. It does give you freedom to explore but realize also that driving is very different over there and that the public transportation system is amazing.

Bicycles in Korea

Oddly enough bikes aren't big in Korea. In fact you would be hard-pressed to find a bike rack if you rode your bike to the local store.

There are loads of places to ride but realize that the streets are not bike friendly or at least that they have little or no bike awareness.

Motorbikes and Mopeds in Korea

Motorbikes and mopeds are not as common as one might think. Often motorbikes are only used by couriers and mopeds by delivery people.

Both are great ways to get around but realize that not bikes are allowed on highways and that driving in Korea is an adventure. Sometimes it's nice to have some steel around you and even better, a driver.

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Transportation in Korea - Bike, Subway or buying a Car?