Seoul, South Korea — Travel Tips
Getting There By Air
Incheon International Airport (ICN)
Tel: (32) 741 0104 or 1577 2600 (airport information).
Website: www.airport.or.kr/eng/airport
Located 52km (32 miles) west of downtown Seoul, Incheon has the largest, state-of-the-art passenger terminal in the world and operates 24 hours.
Airport facilities include ATMs, banks, bureau de change, post office, left luggage, restaurants, cafés, shops and entertainment (golf course, billiards, electronic game room), hospital, pharmacy, car hire, business center, Internet lounge and mobile phone rental.
Limousine buses head to different parts of the city. KCAT (Korea City Air Terminal) runs every 10-15 minutes to East Seoul (tel: (02) 551 0777/8; website: www.kcat.co.kr) (journey time - 1 hour). KTX, a high speed train service, begins operating in 2009 and will take 45 minutes to the city center. Taxis are located on the first floor of the arrivals area or use Premium Pass, a VIP limousine service (tel: (02) 2063 3545; website: http://airportservice.co.kr).
Getting There By Road
Due to the division between North and South Korea, it is impossible to enter Seoul by overland routes, however, of the nine major highways connecting cities throughout South Korea, six radiate into the city making it easily accessible by road from other parts of the country.
Emergency breakdown services
Korea Automobile Association (tel: (02) 565 7001; website: www.kaa21.or.kr)
Getting There By Rail
The main railway station is Seoul Station (tel: (02) 392 1324). It's the main hub for the über-modern high-speed Korean Train Express (KTX), bookable in advance, which takes just two hours 40 minutes to reach Busan in the far south.
Korail, the Korean National Railroad (tel: (32) 741 7788; website: www.korail.go.kr) operates fast, comfortable and reliable trains to most parts of the country from here. It also sells the KR Pass, which offers discount rail travel to foreigners for limited periods (three, five, seven and 10 days) and can be purchased at overseas offices or online. Korail Pack includes accommodation and sightseeing and can only be purchased through AJU Incentive (website www.ajutours.co.kr).
Getting Around in Seoul, South Korea
Public Transport
City buses are classified by one of four colors: blue, green, red or yellow and many have bilingual signs. Blue and red buses are the speediest but yellow buses are the most useful for foreigners, traveling a loop around downtown Seoul calling at main rail stations, tourist and shopping areas. Check bus routes on http://bus.congnamul.com. Most buses run until 2300, and some until 0200.
The Seoul Subway (Lines 1-4 Seoul Metro, tel: (02) 1577 1234; website: www.seoulmetro.co.kr / Lines 5-8 Seoul Metropolitan Rapid Transit Corporation, tel: (02) 6311 2200; website: www.smrt.co.kr) is one of the fastest in the world and connects with buses. Trains are clean, frequent and punctual and its eight color-coded lines (and 400 stops) have signs and announcements in English. Trains run from 0600-2330 every two-six minutes in rush hour (0700-0900 and 1600-1900) and five-12 minutes at all other times. A 30-day Metro Pass is available.
The rechargeable T-money Card (tel: (02) 735 8688), available from convenience stores and subway ticket counters, can be used to pay for public transport and, in the future, even taxis. A one-to-three day Seoul City Pass allows for 20 trips a day on bus and subway and unlimited journeys on the Seoul City Tour Bus and also acts as a discount card on tourist attractions.
Taxis
There are four types of taxi in Seoul: regular taxis, deluxe taxis, high-tech brand taxis and luggage friendly eight-seater jumbo taxis, some with a 'free interpretation' online service. Deluxe taxis (tel: (02) 3431 5100) are black and yellow and offer a high level of service. Brand taxis include Kind Call Taxi (tel: (02) 1588 3382), KT Powertel (tel: (02) 1588 0082) and Jumbo Taxis (tel: (02) 888 2000).
Driving in the City
To hire a car foreigners need to be over 21 years, with a year's experience and an International Driving Permit. Roads are well paved, traffic lights functional, and most drivers comply with basic traffic laws in Seoul. Kumho Rent-A-Car (tel: (02) 797 8000; website: www.kumhorent.com), affiliated to Hertz, is the largest hire car provider in the country. Other car hire agencies include Avis (tel: (02) 862 2847; website: www.avis.co.kr), Car for You (tel: (02) 532 7333; website: www.carforyou.co.kr) and Kumsung rent a car (tel: (02) 602 9045; website: www.ksrent.co.kr).
Car Hire
Cycle paths have been introduced along the canals and rivers running through Seoul, taking cyclists into the city center and there are also bike trails in the easily reached surrounding hills and mountains. Bicycle hire is available from Filthy Bikes (website: www.mtbk-adventure.com).
