Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Enigma]

I never take taxis here so I'm hoping some of you might be able to help me. I've heard that taxis charge a premium (50%?) for late night rides.
I'll be coming back from Canada in a few weeks and then catching a bus from Incheon to Gangneung. I then have to get to Donghae, however I think I'll miss the last bus (probably getting into Gangneung around 10:30/11:00pm.)
So I can either grab a hotel for the night in Gangneung, and catch the bus in the morning, or shell out for a cab. But I think it's almost 40kms so if I have to also pay a premium, that could be a lot of cash. Any of you know how much the premium is, and when it kicks in?

Thanks

[salgichawa]

Hi There,

Not sure but if you don't care about seeing the area I think the taxi would be cheaper...it would be similar...in this case I opt for a taxi because

The taxi is often less then the price of the hotel (which often now is more then 30,000 Won)

If you get the hotel you have to find it and get there and back which might not be such a problem, depends. Maybe you can see what you can find.

In the morning you will still have to work out how to get where you are going.

The taxi premium will often start at 11pm. It may still be about the same price whether you get a taxi or not. If it is not the weekend however the road will probably be pretty clear that time at night. If some guys at the bus station offer you a taxi all keen you may want to negotiate with them...but I normally don't anymore unless I am going a long way. Walk down the street.

It could easily end up more then the trip is worth with the meter. I think the meter is fair and the drivers are less of a problem in the usual taxis.

[oldtactics]

Just don't use the meter - Talk to a few drivers, offer them 30,000 to drive from Gng to Donghae, and if they all say no and ask for more, get a love motel. I've done those middle-of-the-night flat rates a half-dozen times and the drivers have always said yes.

[qwerty]

you can go to donghae from gangnam express bus terminal. They have buses until 11:30pm.
take train from airport and transfer to subway line 9 at gimpo airport. it takes little more than an hour.

http://www.kobus.co.kr/web/eng/02_service/service01.jsp

[BringTheRain]

Try to take a taxi right now. 50k says your **** will get ****ed.

[Steffie183]

It isn't a premium rate, it is simply the taxi rate. Since you have no other transportation option and the night taxis have to deal with more drunk people, they increase the rate. I haven't taken a late night taxi in a while but it should start around 3,500 based on the current day rates. This rate starts at MIDNIGHT, if it is 11, you are being cheated.

Pros: Less traffic, get there faster so you might have a lower rate.
You can get home
Don't have to stay in a love motel. I've seen Korean ahjummas clean and would not be comfortable staying in a love motel here. Ew.

Cons: More expensive than the bus/metro

I suggest trying the taxi route one time, see how much it costs and try to talk to taxi drivers into a flat rate the next time. If you use Korean when speaking to them, they are less likely to screw you over. I've been here 2 years, always use Korean, and have never once been screwed over by a driver.

You could also see if you could get off of work earlier so you can get to the bus stop in time. My fiancee did that when he worked outside of Seoul and they never tried to make him work late.

Good luck ^^