Buses

The public transportation system of Seoul was completely renovated on July 1st, 2004. Buses are newly classified into arterial bus, local bus, downtown circular bus, and inter-city express bus.

• Arterial Bus (Blue Bus)
  There are a total of 80 arterial bus (blue bus) routes, and 726 buses are in operation. The complicated bus routes penetrate Seoul along a South-North axis and an East-West axis.
• Local Bus (Green bus)
  Around 2450 buses operate in the 292 local bus (green bus) routes. The local bus runs along a short route for passengers transferring to arterial buses or the subway, and is similar to the city bus and community shuttle bus.
• Inter-city express bus (Red bus)
  The inter-city express bus is a bus that connects satellite cities such as Bundang and Ilsan to downtown Seoul. A total of 43 bus routes are operated.
• Downtown Circular Bus (Yellow bus)
  The yellow bus circles a short route in downtown areas of the city. The downtown circular bus routes are introduced to areas with heavy daytime traffic, such as Gangnam and Yeouido.
• Operating Hours: Buses operate from 5:00 a.m. – 2:00 a.m.
• Cost: tickets cost between 900 – 1,500 won, depending on distance travelled

Car Rental

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.

Cars are driven on the right side of the road and most road signs are written in Korean and English. Chauffeur services are available with the rental car. Be prepared to pay the driver's meals and hotel expenses as well.

Subway

Seoul City's subway system is one of the most convenient and fastest systems in the World. The system consists of 8 lines operated by the Seoul Metropolitan Subway Corporation (SMSC) and the Seoul Metropolitan Rapid Transit Corporation (SMRT), and one line run by the Korean National Railroad (KNR). Tickets can be purchased at all stations.

• Operating hours: The trains operate from 5:00 a.m. to midnight, depending on the route.
• Average charge: The fares range from 900 – 1,350 won depending on the route and distance.

Taxis

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
  The basic fare is 1,900 won for the first 2km and 144 won for each additional 168m. If the taxi is going less than 15km per hour due to traffic congestion, an additional charge of 100 won per each 35 seconds is added to the basic fare. Extra 20 percent is added to the fare between midnight and 4:00 a.m.
• Deluxe Taxis
  Deluxe taxis, called 'mobeom' taxis in Korean, are black with a yellow sign on the top. The fare is 4,500 won for the first 3km and 200 won for each additional 164m or 39 seconds if the speed drops below 15km per hour. There is no late-night surcharge. 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.
• Call Taxis
  When you take a call taxi (82-2-414-0150~5), it is better to secure the fare with the 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

Train

The train service in Korea is provided and operated by the Korean National Railroad (KORAIL). It is a fast, safe and reliable service with very reasonable prices. Trains are operated by strict schedules. The Super-Express Saemaeul-ho, Express Mugunghwa-ho, and Limited Express Tongil-ho trains operate on routes that literally cover the country.

Tickets can be purchased at all train stations, selected tourist centres and the KNTC Tourist Information Centre. 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.