Korean Job Discussion Forums

Cacique · Joined: 01 Sep 2004 Location: Seoul

I'm coming up to Seoul this weekend from Masan, and plan on buying a mountain bike. I'm wondering how hard it is travel both within Seoul and cross-country with a bike?

Within in Seoul I'd be looking at taking the subway if possible, with the bike. I'm wondering if it's permitted to take a bike on the subway and if there are any special rules about that?

Also, getting the bike down to Masan; what would be the best way? Putting it on the undercarriage of the bus, somewhere on a train (?) or would a TakBae company deliver a bike? That might just save me the hassle.

Any bikers out there have any experience with this?

Thanks in advance.

spliff · Joined: 19 Jan 2004 Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand

subway no problem...buses forget it...

Bibbitybop · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Location: Seoul

Subway: Only if it folds in half. You might get lucky, but if it doesn't fold, you are going to take up a LOT of room and the subway authorities may stop you.

City bus: Only if it folds in half.

Intercity bus: A full bike can fit under the bus and should be no problem.

spliff · Joined: 19 Jan 2004 Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand

Cacique · Joined: 01 Sep 2004 Location: Seoul

Cacique · Joined: 01 Sep 2004 Location: Seoul

If I can't take it on the subway, then I guess i'm riding from Kkachisan Station to Jongno 3 station. It's about 15 subway stops, all along line 5.

Anybody ever ridden this route before? Is it a good or bad ride? Any bike lanes or paths to follow?

Cheers.

spliff · Joined: 19 Jan 2004 Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand

xtchr · Joined: 23 Nov 2004

When I bought my bike, I put it in the luggage section underneath the bus to get it home (about 100kms away), and it was not really a problem.

But, it was a few years ago now, and it was from Gwangju (Jeollanam-do) and things are a bit more relaxed here anyway.
It was to a wee country town, so the bus was nearly empty, only 3 other passengers, and no other luggage.

I asked at the info booth at Gwangju bus station before I bought the bike just to be sure. No one could give me an answer, it seems I'm the first person in the world ever to have done it Rolling Eyes

. The best the girl could tell me was an eventual 'it depends on the driver'.

Anyway, give it a go, best of luck.

Cacique · Joined: 01 Sep 2004 Location: Seoul

Well, the trip was a success. I took the mountain bike on two subway trips in the city (one was a long one of about 15 stops, the other a shorter one of about 8 stops). I had no problems or hassles from anybody while I was taking it on or off.

About taking the bike to Masan, I had a friend call ahead to the GoSeok Bus Terminal and they told her I could take the bike on the bus. When I got to the bus station the ticket agent confirmed this and the driver gave me no grief about putting it in one of the luggage compartments. The bus was sold out too, but even with all of the passengers, only 1 of the 4 luggage compartments were being used so there was plenty of room for the bike.

I also asked at the train station about taking the bike on board a train; they told that was "impossible." Similarly we called a few Tak Bae companies and none of them were willing to deliver a bike either. So, it would seem that for intercity travel the bus is the best way to go.

Cheers.