Subway

Eight subway lines and a surface line of the government-run Korean National Railroad (KNR) merging with them serve Seoulites and visitors most effectively. Colored differently between lines, Seoul subway lines link the farthest parts of Seoul and its satellite cities and cross each other at various transferable stations, marked by the symbol . In general, subway trains operate at intervals of 2.5 to 3 minutes during the morning and evening rush hours, and at intervals of 4 to 6 minutes during the non-rush hours. Line 1~4 : Seoul Metropolitan Subway Corporation. Eight subway lines and a surface line of the government-run Korean National Railroad (KNR) merging with them serve Seoulites and visitors most effectively. Colored differently between lines, Seoul subway lines link the farthest parts of Seoul and its satellite cities and cross each other at various transferable stations, marked by the symbol. In general, subway trains operate at intervals of 2.5 to 3 minutes during the morning and evening rush hours, and at intervals of 4 to 6 minutes during the non-rush hours. - Line 1~4 : Seoul Metropolitan Subway Corporation
- Line 5~8 : Seoul Metropolitan Rapid Transit Corporation

Tickets and Fare

* Vending machines are available for your convenience.

Vending Machine Information

1. Select either 1 service area or 2 service areas according to your destination.
2. If you need more than 2 tickets use the button for multiple tickets.
3. Deposit the correct amount. Change is available.
4. Receive your ticket(s) and change.

Useful Subway Information

Subway Crime Squad 112

Representative Tel. 82-2-520-5114 * ARS Tel. 82-2-520-5000

Tourist Information Desks

Bicycle Racks

You can park your bicycle at a subway bicycle rack, and use subway.

Bus

City Buses

There are approximately 400 bus routes connecting the farthest corners of the city. There are 8,500 city buses. 'The Exclusive Lane for Bus System' is imposed at daytime, which makes it possible to take a less time to come and go for bus passengers. You should pay fares by either cash, or the transportation card as you board. To stop the bus at your destination, push one of the stop buttons installed the interior wall of the bus.

Types of City Buses

Bus Fares

Transportation Card

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• By the transportation card as well as cash, you can pay bus fares. The Transportation Card is a pay-per-ride card with 2 % added value and can also be used to pay subway fares. 10,000, and 20,000won bus cards are sold and recharged at kiosks or news stands near the bus stop. A 1,500 won deposit is required when purchasing a Transportation Card, which can be returned to get the deposit back. When the passenger gets on the bus, he or she needs to place the transportation card on the card reader installed beside the driver to pay the bus fare by the card.
  

Then the card reader displays how much money left in the card for prepaid card of how much you spent for post-paid card. If one wants to pay the fares for more than one person, he needs to tell the driver how many people he pays the fare for and place the card on the card reader as many times as the number of the people.
For further questions, please call the Seoul Bus Transport Association at (82-2) 414-5005. Please call 120, if you have any complaints regarding the bus service.

Long Distance Express Buses

There are two kinds of buses -- Regular express buses and Deluxe express buses. The latter kind offers higher standard of service -- spacious seats and other facilities such as mobile phones and VCRs.

Seoul Express Bus Terminal

Address: 19-3 Banpo-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul
Transportation: Express Bus Terminal Station (Subway Line 3)
Tel: (82-2) 535-4151

Dong Seoul Express Bus Terminal

Address: 546-1 Guui-dong, Seongdong-Gu, Seoul
Transportation: Gangbyeon Station (Subway Line 2)
Tel:(82-2)446-8000

Taxi

There are three kinds of taxis -- general taxis, deluxe taxis, and call taxis. The last two types of taxis offer a high standard of service compared to the first, but are more expensive than the first. You cannot always expect that a taxi driver is fluent in English, so it is advisable to tell the landmarks (many major hotels and attracts) near the destination. Vacant taxis have indicator lamps on, in front of assistant driver seat and on the roof.

General Taxis

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• The fare is calculated by both the distance and time of travel. The basic fare is 1,600 won for the first 2 km and 100 won for each additional 168m. If the taxi is going less than 15 km per hour due to traffic congestion, an additional charge of 100 won per each 41 seconds is added to the basic fare.
  The fare between Gimpo Airport and downtown Seoul is usually around 13,000 won. It costs approximately 19,000 won to travel between Gimpo Airport and Jamsil, although it could be higher if there is heavy traffic. Extra 20 percent is added to the fare between midnight and 04:00.

Deluxe Taxis

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• Deluxe taxis, called 'mobeom' taxis in Korean, are black with a yellow sign on the top and the words 'Deluxe Taxi' written on the side. They offer a higher quality of services. The fare is 4,000 won for the first 3km and 200 won for each additional 205m or 50 seconds if the speed drops below 15km per hour. There is no late-night surcharge.
  The usual fares between Gimpo Airport and downtown, and Gimpo Airport and Jamsil are about 23,000 won and 35,000 won, respectively, but could be more or less depending on traffic. Car phones are available and receipts are given. Deluxe taxi stands are located at hotels, bus and subway stations, bus terminals, and on major city streets.
  By calling (82-2) 3431-5100, you can take a deluxe taxi quickly and conveniently wherever you are. Also, you can make a reservation on the phone for a ride anywhere, at any time.

Call Taxis

When you take a call taxi (82-2-414-0150~5), it is better to haggle over the fare with a taxi driver before you get into the taxi.
Call Taxi only for Foreigners provided by World Cup Arirang Tourist Co Ltd.
Address:Iteawon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Tel : +82-2-793-1013

Visitors Guide Taxis

Visitors Guide Taxi was intended to lessen foreign travelers' inconvenience, as one of their biggest headaches has been the language barrier. Visitors Guide Taxis are black with a yellow sign on the roof and a label reading "VISITORS GUIDE" on both sides of the vehicle. The English-speaking and Japanese-speaking drivers were trained, tested, and finally selected from drivers of deluxe taxis, or 'moebeom' taxis in Korean. English and Japanese brochures on Visitors Guide Taxi are provided at major tourist sites including airports, hotels, and the Korea National Tourism Organization(KNTO) overseas branch offices. For more information, contact the Taxi and Logistics Division, Transportation Office of the Seoul Metropolitan Government by email at transit@www.metro.seoul.kr or at (82-2) 3707-9751~2.

Call Taxis for the Handicapped

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• Seoul ApartmentsCall taxi for the handicapped is a special taxi service for people with disabilities provided by the Seoul Metropolitan Government as part of efforts to facilitate travel of the physically challenged, which is the first of its kind in the country. 100 fleets of van that can accommodate 9 or 12 people are tentatively on service until the end of 2002 and will be initially put into service from 2003. The fare of call taxis for the handicapped is 40 percent of that of normal cabs.
  

The taxis will be linked to the central dispatch center with equipped with gadgets for GPS (Global Positioning System) to help keep track of their whereabouts. Call (82-2)1588-4388 for use of the taxi.
For more information on Call Taxi for the Handicapped, contact the Rehabilitation Division, Health & Welfare Bureau, Seoul Metropolitan Government at (+82-2) 3707-8353~9 or the Seoul Metropolitan Installation Management Corporation at (+82-2-2290-6510)

Free Interpretation Service

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• A special interpretation service is provided in some taxis on a request basis. Three languages are available among a passenger, a driver and an interpreter in English, Japanese and Chinese through a wireless phone installed in the taxi. If you need more information, call 017-200-3000

Rental Car

Rental cars are available for those visitors who choose to drive in Korea. Drivers 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
   Driving Driving safely in Korea takes some practice. Cars are driven on the right side of the road and most road signs are written in Korean and English.
   Due to the high traffic density and complex road systems, it is probably advisable to hire a driver along with the car, especially in large cities. Visitors who
   wish to hire a chauffeur-driven car must be prepared to pay the driver's meals and hotel expenses as well.

Major Car Rental Companies

Airport

Information

Located 52km west of Seoul, the capital of Republic of Korea, and just 15km from Incheon Port, the Winged City(or IIA) is a new state-of-the-art airport built on 5,610 hectares of reclaimed land located between two islands, Yeongjong-do and Yongyu-do. IIA opened on March 29, 2001 after the construction work of long standing since 1992. Geographically, located between Japan and China from East to West, and between and Siberia Southeast Asia from South to North, the location of IIA represents a premier regional gateway to major air routes to about 40 cities, each with more than one million people. All of these cities are within 3.5 hours-flying time.
The passenger terminal, 1,055 meters long and 149 meters wide, and a 4-story building with 2-story basement, is the biggest one all over the world, and it provides various concessions including business rooms, special stores, restaurants, and hotels.

Floor Information

Basement

In addition to providing five direct accesses to the Transportation Center, all types of support and convenience facilities are provided at this level.

Ground Floor-Arrivals Level

At the arrivals level, the Baggage Claim Area, Customs Check Area, and Meeters & Greeters Halls are provided on the landside, while the Baggage Handling Area, Ramp Operation and other apron area support facilities are located on the airside.

Second Floor-Arrivals Mezzanine Level

This level is linked to arrivals gates - the airside consists of Arrival Concourse and Arrival Passport Control, while the landside consists of airline offices, concessions and building support spaces. Arrival Concourse as the first airport space experienced by fatigued passengers upon their arrival, its design is focused on comfort and relaxation. A careful selection of finishes, colors, lighting etc. are complemented by the views through the continuous glass curtain wall as they move on moving sidewalks.

Third Floor-Departures Level

Marked by state-of-the-art roof structures and curtain walls, the departure level consists of the departure hall, where ticketing, check-in and security check take place, and where there are passport inspection areas, concourses and boarding lounges.

Fourth Floor-Departures Mezzanine Level

This level provides a concentration of comfort and convenience facilities dedicated to providing passengers comfort, while maintaining the segregation of landside and airside areas. In airside, various recreational facilities, transit hotels, CIP lounge and transit lounge are located for long stay transit/transfer passengers. In landside, restaurants and shops are located to provide services for pre-departure passengers and visitors.

Facilities Information

Airlines Information

Arrival Immigration

(1-Quarantine, 2-Passport Control, 3-Baggage Claim, 4-Customs Check, 5-Meeters & Greeters Hall)
- With your arrival card (already filled out on the plane) and passport, please walk to Passport Control on the 2nd floor.
- Check your baggage carrousel number on Baggage Information Display System (BIDS), and go down to Baggage Claim on the 1st floor.
- Collect your baggage, and move to Customs Check. If you have nothing to declare, walk to the green channel. If you have goods to declare, walk to the red channel for customs check.
- Meeters and greeters should check the Display Board in the Meeters & Greeters Hall to check the correct arrival gate for passenger.

Departure Process

(1-Check-in/Baggage Consignment, 2-Security Check, 3-Customs Check, 4-Passport Control, 5-Boarding Lounge)
- Check-in: At the designated airline check-in counter, please present your passport and airline ticket to have your seat assigned, and consign your baggage.
- Departure: After check-in, get a Boarding Pass and Baggage Receipt(s). Then at Money Exchange or Airport Ticket Booth, pay the appropriate Airport Tax and walk to the International Departures.
- Customs Declaration: If a Korean national is exporting and returning to Korea with a high-value item on an overseas trip, the item or items concerned must be declared to customs on departure. - Security Check: Passengers will be inspected for dangerous goods which will include a check for any restricted items.
- Passport Control: At the departure immigration, present passport, boarding pass and departure card. After immigration, check the boarding gate and if time permits, enjoy shopping in the Duty Free area.
- Boarding: Board the aircraft when instructed, from 40 minutes before departure.

Train

The train service in Korea is provided and operated by the Korean National Railroad (KORAIL). Tourists can use this fast, safe and reliable service with very reasonable prices. Trains are operated by strict schedules, and there is no delay or traffic jam like traveling by automobile, so that you can get your destination on time at any time of the year. KORAIL's routes literally cover all over the country, and there are three kinds of trains being operated: the Super-Express Saemaeul-ho, Express Mugunghwa-ho, and Limited Express Tongil-ho.
The Super-Expresss Saemaeul-ho
This train service provides various services for passengers: clean and spacious seats, the fastest train speed, pay-phone service, and tables for notebook computers on seats. For these reasons, so many business people like to use the Super-Express Saemaul-ho, yet it is the most expensive train service. The train is divided with the first- and second-class sections, and passengers can also use the dinning room section of the train.
The Express Mugunghwa-ho
Most passengers prefer Mugunghwa-ho to go from one city to another city. It also provides a very clean and comfortable service to passengers with most routes. The train is divided with the first- and second-class sections.

Seoul Station

Everyday about 90,000 people use the gate of the nation's capital, Seoul Station. The station was opened first in 1990 as Gyeongseong Station, and its name was changed to the current Seoul Station in 1946. In 1981, it was assigned as the historic site # 284. In 1988, the station was expanded to a compound of a train station and shopping arcade, and the Train Museum is open for public that visitors can see the history of trains and its services in Korea along with cultural center that often holds various cultural exhibitions in Seoul Station.
Address: 122, Bongnae-dong 2-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul
Transportation: Subway Line1 & 4: Seoul Station
Tel: 1544-7788(ARS)

Cheongnyangni Station

It was opened in 1914, and the current name became an official name for the station in 1942, and the station building was remodeled to the current one in 1959. The average passengers per day about 36,000, and 32 round trip trains are operated in this station. This station is the beginning point of Gyeongchun-seon, Jungang-seon, Taebaek-seon and Yeongdong-seon (Routes) connected to the East Coast and several National Parks. The station is also a center of business in the east part of Seoul, and there are many large side stores, and old style markets are crowded around the station.
Address: 588-1, Jeonnong-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul
Transportation: Subway Line 1 (KORAIL): Cheongnyangni Station
Tel: 1544-7788(ARS)

KR PASS

What is KOREA RAIL PASS (KR PASS) ?
KR PASS can be purchased at a sales representative abroad as a form of a voucher. You need to change the voucher with a KR PASS at a designated station in Korea. With this ticket, you can take every train run by Korean National Railroad Administration (except the subway) within a certain period without any restriction on the riding sections or the number of ride times.
* Relative site : www.korail.go.kr/

Types of KR PASS

- NORMAL PASS: This is a regular pass for children aged from six to twelve or adults.
- SAVER PASS : This is for 2~5 persons' group with a same schedule.
- YOUTH PASS : This is for the youth (13~25 years).
- Duration: 3-day, 5-day, 7-day, 10-day pass

KR PASS Fare

* Free of charge for children of 5 years or under.
* Half rates are allowed for the children of 6~12 years.
* 50% D.C. is allowed for the child (6~12 years) using the NORMAL PASS.
* In case of the SAVER PASS adult rates are charged for the youth or children included. * Fare in the parenthesis indicates online pricing.

User Restriction

It is not allowed for those who fall under the below items. Person of Korean nationality Foreigner with the length of over 6 months' stay

Voucher Purchasing

Travel agencies in the foreign countries sell the vouchers. The selling price is based on the Korean dollar (won), and one should pay the price with the local currency according to the exchange rate announced by the Korean Foreign Exchange Bank.
Questions: Tel.82-2-733-9494
E-mail: kises@kises.co.kr
Homepage: www.korail.go.kr/

Valid period

One must specify the date that you want to start using the PASS; it can be any date within 60 days from the date the Exchange Order was issued.

Additional services for KR PASS user

50% D.C. is applied when you use a special seat or a berth in Saemaul train.
30% D.C. is applied when you use a hotel designated.
10% D.C. is applied when you use a car-rental agent designated.
20% D.C. is applied when you use a dining car or a grill designated including those in the Seoul station,Dongdaegu station, and Busan station.
About 47% D.C. is available for the fare of "Swallow" and "Beetle 2" in case of a round trip to Japan.

Exchange Office and Information

Seoul Station (Tel. 02-392-781102-392-7811) / Yeongdeungpo Station (Tel. 02-6393-31002-6393-310)
Daejeon Station (Tel. 042-226-7788042-226-7788) / Dongdaegu Station (Tel. 053-954-7788053-954-7788)
Busan Station (Tel. 051-463-5783051-463-5783) / Gyeongju Station (Tel. 054-742-7788054-742-7788)
Gwangju Station (Tel. 062-528-7744062-528-7744) / Incheon Int'l Airport (Tel. 02-3149-297302-3149-2973)

Relative site Link

http://www.korail.go.kr/eng/index.html

Ticket Purchase Information

Tickets can be purchased at all train stations, selected tourist centers and the KNTC Tourist Information Center. Tickets can be purchased up to 3 months in advance, and it is very strongly recommended to purchase tickets in advance if planning to travel during holidays or peak seasons.
Passengers can get various discounts on tickets depending on days of the week: 15% on Tue./Wed./Thur. (all day) and 5% on Mon./Fri. (before 6PM). Fares vary by class: first- and second-class and bedroom section. After purchasing a ticket at a station, go to a gate that your ticket indicates. After passing the gate, get on a train with a number that your ticket also indicates for fast seating. If your ticket is for no seating, you can get on any train with any number (you are to stand in the aisle between seats to your destination unless there is an empty seat). In Seoul Station, there is an information center for foreign tourists that you can purchase tickets and ask questions on traveling in Korea

Information and Reservation Counters for Foreigners

Seoul Station (Tel. 82-2-393-7008) / Busan Station (Tel. 82-51-465-5599)
Daejeon Station (Tel. 82-42-256-7788) / Daegu Station (Tel. 82-53-959-1188)
Gwangju Station (Te. 82-62-528-7744) / Iksan Station (Tel. 82-63-857-7788)
Gimcheon Station (Tel. 82-54-437-7788)