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bikefast
Joined: 04 Jun 2009
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 Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 7:56 pm Post subject: Chuseok Travel Chaos |
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I have a pretty big vacation planned for the week leading up to Chuseok, but I've been told recently about the chaotic hellhole that is Korea during Chuseok. Let me tell you my itinerary, and I'd appreciate any feedback about whether you think it's a good idea.
Monday, Sept 28, morning -- Bus to Sokcho (originating in Seoul)
Tuesday, Sept 29, evening -- Bus to Gangneung
Thursday, Oct 1, morning -- Bus to Daegu
Friday, Oct 2, morning -- Bus to Gwangju, Yeosu
Saturday, Oct 3, morning -- Bus from Yeosu to Boseong
Saturday, Oct 3, evening -- Bus to Mokpo
Sunday, Oct 4, midday -- Bus back to Seoul
I think the first half of the week should be fine, but I'm worried about what happens once Chuseok officially starts. Is it going to be impossible to travel on that Friday, Saturday, Sunday? I don't want to get down south and realize that I'm never going to be able to get bus tickets. Or if I can get bus tickets, I don't want to spend all day on the bus b/c of traffic. What do you guys think?
Thanks a lot. |
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azzwell
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Location: where the girls from Super Junior cannot find me
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| Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 8:56 pm Post subject: |
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for legs three, four, and seven, take the train. Buy your tickets in advance from any train station.
go here.
http://info.korail.com/2007/eng/eng_index.jsp
write down your choo choo info, go to station, hand in paper, voila. That will solve some of the problem, and especially on the mokpo-seoul route, save a lot of time. |
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definitely maybe
Joined: 16 Feb 2008
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| Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 11:01 pm Post subject: |
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| azzwell wrote: |
for legs three, four, and seven, take the train. Buy your tickets in advance from any train station.
go here.
http://info.korail.com/2007/eng/eng_index.jsp
write down your choo choo info, go to station, hand in paper, voila. That will solve some of the problem, and especially on the mokpo-seoul route, save a lot of time. |
the roads are murder at chuseok, so this is advice worth listening to. |
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bikefast
Joined: 04 Jun 2009
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| Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 11:05 pm Post subject: |
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| azzwell wrote: |
for legs three, four, and seven, take the train. Buy your tickets in advance from any train station.
go here.
http://info.korail.com/2007/eng/eng_index.jsp
write down your choo choo info, go to station, hand in paper, voila. That will solve some of the problem, and especially on the mokpo-seoul route, save a lot of time. |
Thanks for the tip, but I checked and the trains are all booked. I guess I should've thought about this a little sooner. Thanks though. |
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Changwon Charlie
Joined: 22 Aug 2009
Location: Changwon
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| Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 12:56 am Post subject: Re: Chuseok Travel Chaos |
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| bikefast wrote: |
Monday, Sept 28, morning -- Bus to Sokcho (originating in Seoul)
Sunday, Oct 4, midday -- Bus back to Seoul
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This should be your schedule....it is madness what you are trying to do. Even if there was no traffic this would still be unenjoyable. You will see nothing except buses and motels. You will basically pay 200 000 just in bus fares and will see very little.
Sokcho and sereoksan should be fantastic as nobody will be there. All the mountains to yourself (well compared to normal) and at one of the most beautiful times of the year. |
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schwa
Joined: 18 Jan 2003
Location: Yap
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| Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 1:04 am Post subject: |
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| Changwon Charlie offers sound advice. Theres plenty to see & do on the northeast coast & its a gorgeous season. Zero traffic headaches with Charlie's schedule & Gangneung's just an hour down the road from Sokcho for a bit of variety. |
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Xuanzang
Joined: 10 Apr 2007
Location: Sadang
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| Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 4:07 am Post subject: |
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| Don`t crosscountry this place during one of their busiest times of the year. Those places in Gyeongsang will always be here. Enjoy the beauty of Gangwon-do. Nearby, more emptier than usual. You want to be relaxed. Not stressed from hours of bus rides and go seok terminals. |
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schwa
Joined: 18 Jan 2003
Location: Yap
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| Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 4:19 am Post subject: |
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| Oh & forget goseok (express) buses out of Gangnam if you're coming up this way. Go to the intercity bus terminal in Dongseoul (Ganghyeon subway stop) & the buses from there are more frequent, cover the distance an hour faster, are just as comfortable, travel a prettier route, & are cheaper. |
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Chris_Dixon
Joined: 09 Jan 2008
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| Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 6:09 am Post subject: |
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why not hire a car? so so so easy to do....but its still going to be frustrating driving. Last chuseok a 5 hour bus ride from Seoul to Daegu took me 9 hours....
if i was you i would take the train... |
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Chris_Dixon
Joined: 09 Jan 2008
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| Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 6:11 am Post subject: |
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.[/quote]
Thanks for the tip, but I checked and the trains are all booked. I guess I should've thought about this a little sooner. Thanks though.[/quote]\
Are you sure? my partner and i just booked ktx tickets to seoul and back... |
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tzechuk
Joined: 20 Dec 2004
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| Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 7:48 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for the tip, but I checked and the trains are all booked. I guess I should've thought about this a little sooner. Thanks though.[/quote]\
Are you sure? my partner and i just booked ktx tickets to seoul and back...[/quote]
You are going TO Seoul when people are leaving FROM Seoul. You are travelling in the opposite directions, so you are bound to be able to get tickets. |
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bikefast
Joined: 04 Jun 2009
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| Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 5:11 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for the tip, but I checked and the trains are all booked. I guess I should've thought about this a little sooner. Thanks though.[/quote]\
Are you sure? my partner and i just booked ktx tickets to seoul and back...[/quote]
Thanks, but as someone already said, it is not a problem traveling TO seoul and back. The problem is traveling FROM seoul and back.
We decided to change our itinerary; we'll spend a couple days in Sokcho and a couple days in the south of the country. This will cut out the time at Odaesan/Gangneung and Daegu. And we'll take the train back to Seoul from Mokpo on Friday. It shortens the trip, but as you guys have said, it probably wasn't a realistic itinerary in the first place. Thanks for your help. |
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Moldy Rutabaga
Joined: 01 Jul 2003
Location: Ansan, Korea
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| Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 7:50 pm Post subject: |
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Have a good time. If I had a choice, I would hide under a blanket in the basement during Chuseok. It is my least favorite Korea holiday; travel anywhere is just frustratingly impossible, and international flights will be a gougefest.
It's good to get your holiday done if possible before Chuseok actually begins on Friday, and then to go places accessible by subway. It is maybe still a little early to see autumn leaves in full at Seoraksan, and you can make a trip later in the month.
Ken:> |
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hagwonnewbie
Joined: 09 Feb 2007
Location: Asia
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| Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2009 8:49 am Post subject: |
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I'm flying home on Friday the 2nd. Home much time should I give myself to get to the airport in Incheon from Anyang?
I figured the airport wouldn't be too busy, as Koreans usually stay within Korea with their families, and it's only a 3 day weekend. I am concerned with the roads though. |
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seoulsucker
Joined: 05 Mar 2006
Location: The Land of the Hesitant Cutoff
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| Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2009 5:48 pm Post subject: |
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Seoul is by FAR the best place to be during Chuseok. It's not exactly a total evacuation, but the breathing room you get as the masses head out into the provinces is awesome.
If you want to get out, go by train. If not, have fun in traffic dude. |
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