Korean Job Discussion Forums

[theSeeker]

I will arrive alone with heavy baggage. A bus will be out of the question. How much should a cab cost? Will they try to rip me off? Should i insist on using the meter, or should we negotiate a price beforehand? The lonely planet says it should cost 40,000 WON. Is that accurate?

Havent made a reservation yet, but will probably be headed to Inn Daewon.

Any other ideas for pubiic transport from Incheon Airport to Seoul?? Please send help.

I arrive approx. 4:45 pm, sept. 14, from San Francisco.

[little mixed girl]

u can catch the bus.
when ppl here talk about "the bus", they mean the airport bus.

it's like those big buses that u see travel groups in. they have more than enough room under the bus to fit your luggage in, and there are HS kids who are more than willing to lug it under the bus for you.

because in reality, it'll probably be HARDER to fit your stuff in the taxi. the trunk's not that big....the back seat can fit 1 or 2 medium pieces...

if u know where u are going then take the bus. saying 'seoul' is kinda vague because of all the places within seoul.

try to find an address for the place u are going to, and when u get outside the airport, ask one of the bus kiddies which one u should take. they all probably speak english.
then just pay your 7,000won and sit back til your stop...
ask if the driver can tell you when to get off.

then when u get off, you can take the taxi to where u want to go...

[mindmetoo]

The KAL limo bus provides some huge luggage space. It's about 12,000 won. A non-gold top taxi will probably run you about 40-50,000 won depending on traffic and where you're going. A few years ago I took a cab from Inchon to the Shilla hotel and that was about 40K. A gold top taxi will cost you major. If your Korean is weak, it wouldn't be hard to find someone at the arrivals curb who speaks good english to help you tell a cabbie where you want to go and how much you want to pay.

[mindmetoo]

Here's the bus info:

http://www.airport.or.kr/Eng/transportation/bus.jsp

[manlyboy]

[agraham]

...but if you do decide to take a taxi, ignore the guys who try to get you into their cabs. Instead, just get in the line by the head of the long line of cabs. The colored cabs are cheaper than the black ones.
Have the number for Tourist Info Centre with you. If you need to, you can call it on the driver's phone and they can translate for you (if you happen to be there when the TIF is open of course).

[the saint]

In you have a lot of luggage bear in mind that due to the boot in most Seoul taxis having a huge great gas cannister in it, a large suitcase won't fit in it. Try fitting two large suitcases in a taxi and you might have problems even if you don't have any more than that.

Get the bus to a hotel and then you can at least leave some luggage at the hotel (for a price probably) while you ferry it to your final destination in a couple of taxi trips.

[Shutterfly]

I am also arriving alone, on the same day. This has been helpful for me too, thanks!

[Pyongshin Sangja]

You caught crabs at Incheon Airport? Was that in the sports massage parlour in the basement?

[Derrek]

Unless I missed it, let me explain the bus situation.

As you exit the airport, you will be hounded by taxi drivers who will try to get you to take their cab. They will even lie to you that the bus is not running, or not going where you want, so ignore them completely.

Immediately after walking out the door, you will find several metal signs spaced every 20 to 40 meters along the edge of the front curb. They have different numbers on them, and names of buses. The signs will say where they are going. A new bus will come in every 5 to 15 minutes, usually.

A bit more sporatically, you will also find these little "newspaper stand- like" booths with a man inside. They are selling bus tickets. Go up to one, tell him where you are going, and he will either sell you a ticket, or point you in the direction of the booth you need. The ticket will be between 10,000 and 12,000 won. There is tons of space in the bus for your luggage -- don't worry. I brought a cartload of stereo equipment and luggage once, and no problem.

The ride into Seoul will take between 45 mins and an hour and a half, depending on where you are going. I always tell newbees to try to sit up front, and ask if you are there yet (I always asked, "Kangnam? Kangnam?" when I thought I was close, for example). This alerts the bus driver that you don't know where the hell you are going, and he'll be more likely to help remind you when you get there.

[Billy Pilgrim]

Yeah, buses are the way to go. Ask the nice girls at the information desk about what exit door the bus to your destination leaves from, leg it there, buy a ticket from the closest ticket window and go stand in front of the sign with your destination on it.

There are several "baggage boys", or whatever you want to call them, who you can get to check your ticket and put you in the right line if you are not sure. When a bus arrives, they will help load your bags on, and you're away.

[the saint]

[PEIGUY]

[theSeeker]

thanks everyone.

more specifically, how to get to Inn Deawon. which bus to take?? get off where? i hear there are no street signs in seoul and you cant really read building addresses.

ive hear bus 605, and/or 625 will get me there. true?