Korean Job Discussion Forums

Freaka · Joined: 05 Jun 2007

How is the public transportation system in Seoul? Will it be easy for me to get around without a car? (I currently live in Los Angeles where a car is an absolute necessity!) I plan on working as a private tutor in Seoul, and I'm assuming that I will have to go to my students' homes rather than having them come to me, and I have concerns about mobility. Are most parts of the city accessible by bus or subway? How long would it take to get across town from say, Gangbuk to Gangnam on a typical day without traffic, using public transportation? With traffic?

Thanks!

Ilsanman · Joined: 15 Aug 2003 Location: Bucheon, Korea

It's good, if you know the routes.

A car would be faster most of the time, except weekends and rush hour.

Considering gas is about $1.60 US a litre, I wouldn't recommend getting a car. But others might disagree with me.

icicle · Joined: 09 Feb 2007 Location: Gyeonggi do Korea

I live just out of Seoul in Gyeonggi but use the Seoul subway most weeks a couple of times at least ... I have found it very easy to get around on ...

A website which can give you a clear idea of how long it takes to get between places on the subway ... or to plan a trip is ...

http://www.smrt.co.kr/english_smrt/cyberstation_smrt/cyberstation.jsp

You can click on start and finish stations and it will give you best route, time and cost.

One thing you will quickly notice is how cheap it is to travel on public transport here ... compared to what I am used to ...

With its colour coded lines and English signs ... it is easy to find your way around on the subway ...

I haven't used the buses much in Seoul itself ... other than the one I catch to get from my town into Seoul ... but I know that there is a website which helps you to plan bus trips within Seoul as well .... I am sure someone will point you in the right direction for that one ...

I don't drive ... but if I did I would not be sure that I would want to drive here ... it sometimes does seem like drive at your own risk....

Icicle

Bibbitybop · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Location: Seoul

A car is usually slower for longer distances in Seoul. The subway doesn't fk with traffic.

Just curious, have you done your research about simply showing up to Korea and being a private tutor? What kind of visa do you plan on getting?

Freaka · Joined: 05 Jun 2007

pdx · Joined: 19 Jan 2007

The public transportation system is incredibly easy. I never rode public trans at home and after the first day I felt comfortable enough to get to anywhere in the city on the subway. Simple and easy. First thing you should do when you get to Korea is by a T-Money card: good for the subway and the bus (and sometimes taxis).

When you get to Korea you can call 1330 and ask about buses. Tell them where you start and where you want to end, and see what bus to take. They were always incredibly nice to my roommate and I.

dogshed · Joined: 28 Apr 2006

I don't visit Seoul that often but there have been many times where I am walking faster than Korean traffic. The only bad thing about the subway
is walking up and down all those stairs. The T-money card is the way to go. You don't have to calculate the fare and if you change your mind and get off at a different stop there is no problem.

There are a few subway routes that have branches. That confuses me. I missed a bus home because I got on the wrong branch of a subway train. How do I tell which branch is which?

So far I have not needed a city bus in Seoul. The signs seemed very confusing to me. Also, I've seen them stuck in traffic.

Freaka · Joined: 05 Jun 2007

Freaka · Joined: 05 Jun 2007

The only bad thing about the subway is walking up and down all those stairs.

I don't mind stairs! Great exercise! Smile

So far I have not needed a city bus in Seoul. The signs seemed very confusing to me. Also, I've seen them stuck in traffic.

I don't particularly care for buses, so this is good to know! Thanks!

mithridates · Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2007 9:24 am Post subject:

Here's what it's like to go from one station to the next if you're curious:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nYpvbZqHX0

No, you don't want a car unless you want one as a status symbol or like to drive in the country all the time. Behold, three minutes of traffic moving no more than a metre or two the whole time:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFdISnMceFk

The subway here is superb.