Seoul is a sprawling metropolis. A casual traveler can see most of the city’s major attractions in a few days, but a more ambitious traveler can spend months exploring the many alleyways and remote neighborhoods. The city is a major cultural and economic center of South Korea, and it’s constantly evolving.
Incheon International Airport
If you’re traveling to Seoul from the US, one of your options is to travel to Incheon International Airport (ICN). Located 48 kilometers (30 miles) west of Seoul, the airport serves as the main hub for Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, Jeju Air, Polar Air Cargo, and many other domestic and international airlines. It is also the main gateway to the country of South Korea. As of 2016, Incheon Airport was the world’s fifth busiest airport and ranked eighth in Asia. The airport served over 56 million passengers in 2016 and is growing.
Getting from Incheon International Airport to Seoul is easy. There are several ways to get to the city center, including public buses, taxis, and express trains. The AREX train line connects the airport with Seoul Station. It takes roughly one hour to ride this train to downtown Seoul.
Public transportation in Seoul
There are various forms of public transportation in Seoul. Most buses are brightly colored and cover almost the entire city. These buses feature color codes to indicate their routes, including long-distance, short-distance, circular, and express routes. You can also find audio recordings in English on these buses, which can be helpful when trying to figure out how to get from one place to another.
Seoul has an excellent subway system. Most trains run at varying speeds and have different routes. You can also use a high-speed express bus. Seoul’s subway system is rated as one of the best in the world by CNN and Jalopnik. It features a network of 22 metro lines and 746 stations. This system connects the entire metropolitan area, including the neighboring Gyeonggi province. In addition to the subway system, there are 7,400 buses operating in Seoul, servicing an average of 5 million passengers a day.
Getting around with a GPS
One of the easiest ways to get around Seoul is to use a GPS. GPSs can be purchased in English or Korean, and can help you get to places quickly and easily. It can also be useful for finding out the location of restaurants and other attractions. It also allows you to take photos of the places you’re visiting.
It’s best to use a GPS if you’re unfamiliar with the city. If you want to avoid getting lost, the city’s roads are marked in English and Korean. The road signs in South Korea are also easy to understand.
Getting around by bus
Getting around Seoul by bus is a good option for those who are not familiar with the city’s subway system. The buses run on the same schedule as the subway, and you can buy a pass from a newsstand near the bus stop. Bus passes are available in increments of W5,000, W10,000, or W20,000. You can also use your T-money card to board and exit buses.
Seoul’s subway system includes 22 lines and 302 stations. You can buy tickets in English, and there are English-language signs at the stations. Fares are reasonably priced – W1350 per ride – and go up as you go over 6.2 miles. You can also get a 100-won discount if you have T-money.
Renting a hanbok
Renting a hanbok in Seoul is an excellent way to experience Korean culture while exploring the city. The rental shops generally have lockers for storing your hanbok. It’s best to reserve a hanbok well in advance of your visit, so that you can take advantage of the largest selection. If you forget to return your hanbok on time, you will have to pay the late fee.
Generally, hanbok rental shops are open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., but you should try to rent yours before it gets dark. Most rental shops offer additional services, including adding a small purse to your hanbok. You can also choose different designs, which symbolize different status. The staff at the store can help you match accessories to your hanbok, if you need any. The rental fee depends on the distance from the store to your tourist destination, the quality of the hanbok, and how much time you plan to use it for.