this timeKorean Family TravelI took a variety of Korean public transportation, including subways, buses, express buses and high-speed rail. Share your riding experience and precautions. Basically, children over the age of 6 need to purchase child tickets when taking public transportation, so pay attention!
T-money transportation card
Before introducing public transportation, let’s introduce Korea’s transportation card.T-money cardIt is one of the essential cards for taking public transportation in Korea. Other similar transportation cards include cash bee, NAMANE, etc. This time I will introduce the T-money card first. The card has a wide range of uses, including:
- Subway: Seoul Metro, Korea Railways Corporation (KORAIL), Airport Railway, Line 9.
- Bus: Seoul Bus, Seoul Country Bus.
You can transfer up to 4 times per day. You can enjoy transfer discounts when transferring to other means of transportation within 30 minutes starting from the sensing time of getting off the train. From 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. the next day, the transfer discount time can be extended to 60 minutes.
Note: There are discounts for MRT → bus, bus → bus (except for the same route)
In addition to taking direct public transportation, you can also directly swipe the card for shopping in many places. It is a very convenient card. However, for some public transportation vehicles, such as Korean express buses and KTX, you cannot directly swipe your card to enter the station and get on the bus, but you can still use it as a payment method to buy tickets.
The rich man thinks that buying a T-money card mainly saves time andTransfer discount, adults can also save at least 100 won each time they take the subway. T-money cards can usually be found at GS25, CU, and MINISTOP supermarkets in subway stations or near the subway. They are quite easy to buy. If you want to buy a child ticket for a child, please tell the clerk first when purchasing, and the clerk will Help with setting up. If you purchased a T-money card from Taiwan on a travel platform such as klook, you can also set it up as a child ticket in South Korea, no problem.
To check the balance in the T-money card, please refer toT-money card balance inquiryThis article.
Seoul Subway Subway
buy tickets
Steps to buy a one-way ticket.
Step 1: Select the language, there are Korean, Chinese, Japanese and English to choose from.
After selecting the line you want to take, you can choose your destination according to the "station". Or directly input the station name "representative number".
A very complicated Seoul subway station map. Although there are not many routes, the driving distance of each line is very long.
For more information, please refer to the official website of the Seoul Metro, which is available in Korean and English:http://www.seoulmetro.co.kr/kr/cyberStation.do
The rich man still recommended buying a T-money card, which can save a lot of time. However, the young rich man still insisted on buying a one-way ticket for this trip to South Korea, because every time he took the subway, the 500 won deposit would be refunded, and the young rich man said he wanted to take it. Save up to buy toys, and finally put the saved money inSokcho emart I bought two TOMICA cars, which is really something I inherited from my rich wife (laughs).
More Korean transportation card discount recommendations
Cost Calculation
The basic fare for each ride on the Czech subway is 1,250 won, and an additional 100 won is charged for every 5 kilometers beyond 10 kilometers. T-money cardThere is also free transfer within 10 kilometers by busOh, to make good use of the discount!
For details, refer to the official website:http://www.seoulmetro.co.kr/cn/page.do?menuIdx=687
subway station sign
Generally speaking, the full version of the subway station sign contains: representative numbers, Korean, English, Chinese, and Japanese. If you are a foreign friend who is not sensitive to the shape of oriental characters, then "Representative Number" will be your good friend (laughs). Take the "Shadang" Station of Seoul Line 4 in the following picture as an example: representative number: 433, Korean: 사당역, English: Sadang, Chinese: Shedang, and Japanese. The rich man suggested that when planning the itinerary, also record the Korean characters and representative numbers, so that it is convenient to ask for directions.
Have you noticed? The station numbers on Line 4 will start with 4XX. What if it is a two-line interchange station? The answer is that it will have two numbers. Take the previous station "Chongmuro" in Myeongdong as an example. It is the intersection of Line 4 and Line 3, so it has two representative numbers of 423 and 331 at the same time. The route map in the subway also has various languages, which is very good! But to present multiple languages at the same time, the text becomes a bit small, which is a test of eyesight.
Subway type
Some subway lines have different types of trains. Take Seoul Metro Line 1 as an example. From the picture below, you can see the trains in four colors: blue, yellow, gray and pink. Pink trains are direct trains with the fewest stops, and blue trains are regular trains with the most stops. If you get on the wrong train, it will take a lot of time, so be careful!
When I transferred at the "Gumcheon-gu Office" station to the "Gwangmyeong" station, I thought I was transferring on the same platform. There may be a total of 4 platforms due to the variety of trains, which is really dazzling. The wealthy family is traveling from downtown SeoulBright CaveShi Ke suffered a lot. After asking the station staff, I finally found the platform to Guangming High-speed Railway Station. But because the next train was still a long time away, I had to leave the station and take a taxi to save time. The cost can be referred toTransportation cost sharingThis article.
Special Design
The Seoul subway is designed for high-capacity, with large compartments. Although you can eat, it is still kept very clean. The high and low handles are very user-friendly design, so short people don’t have to worry about it.
The accompanying area can accommodate wheelchairs, large suitcases or baby strollers without being crowded.
When you're in a hurry, it might be a big help if you know which carriage is closest to the next transfer line. Take Seoul Subway Line 1 as an example. When boarding, small numbers will be marked next to the transfer stations on the map, such as 7-1 and 10-2. What does 7-1 stand for? It means that it is the closest to get off at the first door of Car 7 and transfer to Line 3.
route planning
The figure below is the calculation from Line 2 "Seolleung (220, English: Seolleung, Korean: 선릉)" station to Line 3 "Independencemun (326, English: Dongnimmun, Korean: 독립문)" station. A one-way ticket is 1,450 Korean won, T-Money card only costs 1,350 won, with a total of 17 stops. The journey time is 35 minutes, as well as the time of the last train. You can look at the route and transfer station names when planning to have a general understanding. English support is available. Great, the rich man thinks it’s very useful! People who have Kakao or Naver installed can also use route planning directly! For detailed Kakao Map sharing, please refer toKakao Map usage experienceThis article.
Usually route planning apps will estimate the ride time, waiting time, and transfer walking time. Don't underestimate the transfer time. If you don't estimate it well, you will have to wait for the next train. Some subway stations are very far away from each other. Share this with friends who may have to catch the train. Some transfers also have electric walking trails like airports that you can use, so be careful.
circular line
Because this time I live in downtown SeoulHotel Newv HotelIt is near Seolung Station of Line 2, so you have to take Line 2 every day and then transfer to other lines. It is worth mentioning that Line 2 is a circular line, and there are Seongsu (211) and Sinjeong ( 234) There are two branch lines with a total of 50 stations (201 → 243 + 211-1 → 211-4 + 234-1 → 234-4). It is an amazing driving distance.
The picture below shows me going there at around 7 o'clock in the morning on weekdays.War Memorial of KoreaThe photo I took at the time showed that there were so many people taking the circular line that there was almost no room to sit.
The following two entrances were taken at the Seolleung (220) station. They were hard to understand at first, but I got used to them after taking them a few times. The entrance in the left picture is 219 → 241, and the entrance in the right picture is 240 → 221. If the destination is "Hongik University (239)" station, because it is a circular line, you can enter the station at both entrances and you will reach the destination Hongik University Station. The bus route from the left entrance is 220 → 219 → (omitted) → 202 → 201 → 243 → (omitted) → 239, with a total of 24 stops. The bus route from the right entrance is 220 → 221 → (omitted) → 238 → 239, with a total of 20 stops.
Metro station facilities
locker
Larger subway stations also have paid lockers. But be careful. Perhaps due to the operating hours of the Seoul subway, the lockers are available from 5:00 am to 12:00 pm, which means that the stored items cannot be left overnight. But there is still a 1-month long-term rental plan!
Notice! You cannot leave it overnight and you cannot use cash.
The picture below is the locker fee schedule. The approximate sizes of the lockers are: small (S): 30 cm X 40 cm X 50 cm, medium (M): 40 cm But there may still be slight differences, and 100% may not be correct, it is for reference only.
The price of each size is different. Taking the medium (M) size as an example, the basic charge is 3,000 won within 4 hours. 4 – 12 hours, additional charge ranges from 800 won per hour. An additional charge of 3,000 won will be charged for 12-24 hours. The price for renting for 10 hours is 3,000 + 800X6 = 7,800 won, which is equivalent to about NT$200, which is not expensive. Payment can be made using transportation cards, credit cards, Payco, etc.
interactive map
Some Seoul subway stations have interactive maps, which can be selected in multiple languages. After clicking the attraction on the right, the map on the left will display the location. The rich man thinks that the design is very friendly to travelers, so give it a thumbs up.
shop
The rich man took the subway many times in Seoul this time, and the most special sight he saw was that there were people selling bags on the waiting platform. It was really a special sight, and there were many people watching. The business was not bad (laughs).
Some subway stations have small shops where you can browse after exiting the station.
More Seoul transportation discounts to share
City bus
Buses in Seoul are divided into the following types according to their purpose:
Green bus (G): Officially known as a feeder bus, the purpose of green buses is to connect subways, railways and public communities. The bus number will have 4 digits.
Blue Bus (B): The official name is the main line bus, which mainly runs within Seoul. Compared with green buses, mainline buses travel longer distances throughout the city and usually travel on dedicated bus lanes so they are faster. The frequency of mainline buses is also relatively high, and the bus number will have 3 digits.
Yellow bus (Y): Officially known as circular bus, these buses are relatively rare and usually run in tourist areas. The bus number only has 2 digits.
Rural bus: It is also a green bus. It usually runs within the regional area. The bus number only has 2 digits.
Red bus (R): The official name is express bus. It is a cross-city means of transportation. It often travels on highways, but it is different from express buses.
Night bus (N): There will be an owl pattern on the bus. Because it travels at night, the fare is more expensive. The bus number starts with N.
Airport bus: The bus number starts with 6. There are a variety of airport buses available at Incheon Airport in South Korea. Please refer to the detailed routes. https://airportlimousine.co.kr/en/sub/sub01.php
The price of each type of bus is different. (XXX) is a cash price, which is 100 won more expensive.
| aldult | student | children | |
| Green Bus(G) | 1200 (1,300) | 720 (1,150) | 450 (450) |
| Blue bus(B) | 1200 (1,300) | 720 (1,150) | 450 (450) |
| Yellow Bus(Y) | 1,100 (1,200) | 560 (1,200) | 350 (350) |
| Red Bus(R) | 2,300 (2,400) | 1,360 (2,400) | 1,200 (1,200) |
| country bus | 900 (1,000) | 480 (1,000) | 300 (300) |
| Night bus(N) | 2,150 (2,250) | 1,360 (2,250) | 1,200 (1,200) |
This time, the rich man took the green No. 17 country bus from Gwangmyeong Cave to KTX Gwangmyeong Station. The fare was in cash, 1,000 won for adults and 300 won for children.
At the waiting area in downtown Seoul, the information on the stop sign includes "Bus Stop Name" and "Arrival Notice", but only the Korean version of the bus number and time is barely understandable.
Take the stop sign in the picture below as an example, the name of the bus stop: Yongchuan Market, it shows the upcoming bus number, and there are quite a lot of buses going to "Myeongdong".
There will be a small pavilion at the bus stop with a relatively large scale. The picture below is fromBright CaveBack to the bus shelter in Seoul. Bus stop name: Guangming Cave
The seats in Korean buses are not much different from ordinary buses. Some buses also provide free Wi-Fi. Unfortunately, the rich still cannot connect successfully. The quality of the bus drivers is also very good, and the environment inside the bus is kept quite clean and tidy.
High-speed rail KTX
From Seoul, you can take the KTX (Korea Train Express) to go to Busan, Daegu, Mokpo, Gangwon Province and other areas. For detailed information on each high-speed rail line, please refer to the map below. Originally, the wealthy family wanted to take the KTX to Gangneung on their return trip, but since the journey time is about 2 hours, which is about the same as the highway bus, they decided to go back to Sokcho directly. The rich man thinks that the high-speed rail speed is not very fast because the land in South Korea is mountainous.
KTX mainly passes through: Seoul, Busan, Yongsan, Dongdaegu, Gwangju, Songjeong, Daejeon, Sinkyungju, Jeonju, Cheonan, Asan, Iksan and other big cities. You can refer to the high-speed rail official website for detailed routes and stations:https://www.koreantrain.com/ktx-train-map.html
This time, when I was going to Gwangmyeong Cave from downtown Seoul, I already knew that there were not many buses connecting directly to Subway No. 1 from Gwangmyeong KTX Station and it would take a long time to wait, so I decided to take the KTX high-speed train back to downtown Seoul instead. Save time.
ticket
This time I took the high-speed rail to Seoul at Gwangmyeong KTX Station. The rich man’s wife purchased a one-way ticket through a self-service ticket machine. During the ticket purchase process, she could choose her own seat. The ticket price for adults was 8,400 won. The manual ticket booth is a bit further away. After buying the ticket, you can prepare to enter the high-speed rail platform.
It’s worth mentioning that KTX sells “standing tickets”.!
If you have not reserved a seat, this is an option, but you need to "purchase tickets on-site at the counter." For those who purchase standing tickets, the standing place is at "between two carriages』Oh, instead of inside the carriage, there may be a toilet next to it. Then there are still one or two temporary seats available in the carriage, which is very special.
Official website booking:https://www.koreantrain.com/
Comparison of seats in KTX carriages and temporary seats between carriages. Temporary seats will also block the entrances and exits of boarding and alighting, so passengers have to stand up when boarding and alighting (laughs).
If you need to ride multiple times, you can also buy a Korea Rail Pass (KORAIL Pass/KR Pass). This round-trip ticket can only be purchased by foreign tourists. If you make good use of it, you can save a considerable amount of money. KORAIL Pass can be used on many routes operated by KORAIL, including KTX, sightseeing trains, ITX, etc. But pay attention! KORAIL Pass is mainly based on railways and includes the following trains:
- Regular trains (KTX, KTX – Sanchuan, ITX – Sinchon, ITX – Youth Train, Mugenka, Nuriro)
- Sightseeing trains (Donghae Christmas Train, Jeongseon Arirang Train A-train, Peace Train DMZ-train, Seohae Golden Train G-train, Central Inland Circular Train O-train, Namdo Ocean Train S-train, Baekdudaegan Canyon Train V-train)
- Notice! Seoul subway is not included.
The following are KORAIl PASS prices.
For details, please refer to the official website introduction:https://www.letskorail.com/ebizbf/EbizBfKrPassAbout.do
Station environment
The picture below is the hall of Guangming KTX Station. The high-ceilinged roof environment is comfortable and bright, and there are not many people.
There are elevators and escalators in the high-speed rail station, so friends with large luggage don’t have to worry. Gwangmyeong KTX station can transfer to Seoul Metro Line 1 (yellow indicator in the picture below).
The transparent platform is also quite spectacular.
Guangming KTX Station is divided into east and west districts. The east area is towards "Seoul", and the west area is towards "Yongsan".
To Seoul, wait on the platform on the "West" side.
The arrival notification boards of high-speed rail and Seoul subway are available in Korean and English.
There are not many people at Guangming KTX Station, and there will be echoes of quiet and loud speeches.
After arriving at Seoul High Speed Rail Station, transfer to Seoul Metro Line 1 and prepare to go toSeodaemun Prison. There is a luggage conveyor belt along the connecting channel with the subway, which can help to save some effort in carrying luggage, which is very considerate!
More Seoul transportation discounts to share
Express Bus
Korea Express Bus is another tool for long distance travel in Korea.
There are three express bus stations in Seoul alone, including:
- Seoul Gyeongbu Terminal - You can get there from Seoul Subway Lines 3, 7, and 9, "Express Bus Terminal (339/734/923, English: Express Bus Terminal, Korean: 고속터미널)" station.
- Central City Terminal/Gangnam - Seoul Subway Lines 3, 7, and 9 can be reached at the "Express Bus Terminal (339/734/923, English: Express Bus Terminal, Korean: 고속터미널)" station.
- Dongseoul Terminal – Station "Gangbyeon (214, English: Gangbyeon, Korean: 강변)" on Seoul Subway Line 2.
Note: "City Center" Station and "Seoul Gyeongbu" Station are nearby, but don't go wrong if you are going to different destinations.
This time, I took an express bus from Yangyang, Gangwon-do, to and from Seoul. Express buses are divided into three classes: Economy, Excellent and Premium. This time I took a business-type car. There are 9 rows in a car, and each row has 3 seats. The seats are very spacious, and they can be lifted up to lie flat during long-distance rides. It’s good to have a good rest. The seats are kept clean and tidy. You can eat.
There is storage space above the seat, but remember to take it when you get off the car.
The seat in the car is very spacious. The rich man is 166 cm tall, and there is still a distance from the front seat.
For detailed ticket booking and other related information, please refer toXiangyang Bus StationandKorean express bus ticket bookingThese two articles.
further reading
South Korea Seoul Yangyang traffic cost sharing
It’s really tiring and difficult to bring a child and drag luggage. The subway transportation and connection information that I had sworn to plan was not completed in the end (laughs). This time, I took a few buses and taxis. , Share the cost for your reference.
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