Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Boffo97]

Let's say I want to use the buses to go someplace that the local station does not offer direct service to.

Can I just tell the local station my destination, and they'll figure out where i need to connect (Possibly just giving me 2 tickets) or do I need to figure out the connection and buy my new ticket there?

I just don't want to go to the station and be griped at in Korean, since I still don't speak it at all.

[oldtactics]

Definitely cannot buy connecting tickets. You'd have to figure out the connections yourself and buy the tickets when you arrive.

Use this: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/TR/TR_EN_5_1_3_1_1.jsp

And be sure to read which bus terminal you'll be arriving at - some cities have multiple terminals and you might have to transfer between them, depending on where you're going.

[Zyzyfer]

If you can't really do the Korean thing, you should probably figure out where you need to connect on your own. People working at a specific bus station generally aren't going to know what another bus station (which might be a different company even) services, and the staff more than likely will just say to you that their buses don't go there.

[nathanrutledge]

It's like you're reading my mind - I was just thinking this same thing a few days ago!

As far as I can tell, NO, they don't offer anything beyond the direct tickets. I say this because I haven't seen that option on any of the bus terminal websites, as opposed to Korail where you can by transfer tickets.

A few points to remember -

1. There are two different types of bus terminals - Express and Intercity. Frequently, these terminals are together or nearby. For example, Express Bus Terminal in Seoul (the subway station) is actually a complex of THREE bus terminals. Yatap station in Bundang is technically TWO terminals. So, you might go to a bus terminal and find it does not offer service to where you want to go, but the OTHER terminal in town (which may be two windows down from the one you're standing at) might have that particular route.

2. There are multiple bus companies. Although they all use the same terminals, and when you buy a ticket you don't really know it, there are different companies that run on different routes AND offering different levels of service. Some bus companies don't have a presence at some stations - Songtan Bus Terminal, for example, has only one bus company (KD) that operates out of there (as far as I can tell). So they probably don't have all the information of the other companies at other terminals.

3. Finally, as the buses are much more affected by traffic conditions AND they are run by multiple companies, it makes it that much more difficult for them to offer transfer tickets.

Just my observations and experiences.

[Boffo97]

OK... going from Jeomchon to Songtan... and I'm fairly sure (looking at Songtan's schedule) that Chung'ju connects to both.

Thanks for the help.

[nathanrutledge]

Another thing to look at is nearby terminals. Songtan terminal is a fairly slow place. How about going to Pyeongtaek terminal instead? It's just down the street from Pyeongtaek station, which is three subway stops away from Songtan Station, or you could take a taxi for about 8,000-10,000 won.

Osan Terminal is another option - it sits right outside Osan Station, which is 2 stops from Songtan, or a 5000-7000 won taxi ride away.

[waseige1]

Korea has a way cool English service available. Just dial area code-1330 and an English speaker helps you find the best way. I have used it and had great luck.