Transportation of Korea

1) Train

Passengers trains, operated by the Korean National Railroad, are fast, reliable, and moderately priced. The trains run on a strict schedule and, unlike road transportation, are not affected by traffic congestion during the holiday seasons. An extensive network covers almost every part of the nation.
There are three classes of trains : the super-express Saemaul-ho, express Mugunghwa-ho and limited express T'ong-il-ho. The fastest and most comfortable service, and consequently the most expensive, is offered by the Saemaul trains. The coaches are well heated in winter and air-conditioned in summer, with comfortable seating and plenty of leg room. These trains also have sleeping compartments.
For most destinations, the trains are full on weekends and holidays, so purchasing tickets at least two weeks in advance is advisable. This may be done at railway stations or travel agents. The Korea Travel Bureau((02)753-9870) operates a ticket sales outlet at KNTO's Tourist Information Center. There are also special ticket counters for foreigners at some of the major railway stations.

<Railroad Station Information Counters>
  • Seoul (02)392-7811
  • Iksan (0653)855-7788
  • Mokp'o (0631)242-7788
  • Taejon (042)253-7788
  • Kwangju (062)524-7788
  • Tongdaegu (053)954-7788
  • Kyongju (0561)743-8052
  • Pusan (051)463-5783
  • Yosu (0662)662-7788
<Timetable & Fares (Korea National Railroad)>


2) Subway

The subway is the most efficient and convenient way for foreign travelers to get around Seoul and Pusan. Station names, ticket counters, and transfer signs are all clearly marked in English as well as Korean, the different lines are color-coded, and all trains have announcements in English and Korean. The subways themselves are clean and efficient, air-conditioned, and have automatic ticket dispensers and convenient bus connections. Each station has a large waiting area and the walls are decorated with various artistic works. Fares are inexpensive, but do vary with service areas, so check the cost for your destination before purchasing a ticket from the ticket counter or dispenser.

  • Seoul Subwaypusan

    Five subway lines serve Seoul and its suburbs. The five lines are color-coded : red for Line 1, green for Line 2, orange for Line 3, blue for Line 4 and violet for Line 5. Line 1 connects Seoul and Ch'ongnyangni Stations, the two major train stations in Seoul, passing through City Hall and Chongno in the heart of downtown. This line also merges with the surface electric train line of the state-run Korean National Railroad(K.N.R.), linking Seoul to its major satellite cities of Inch'on, Suwon, Uijongbu, and Ansan. Line 2 is a circular route encompassing both sides of the Han-gang River from City Hall through Ulchiro, across the river to Chamshil, Yongdong, and north again to the Shinch'on area. Line 3 runs from Taehwa in the northwest to Ori in the south, linking seoul with its two new satellite cities of Pundang and Ilsan. Line 4, a mirror-image of line 3, is anchored by Tanggogae in the northeast and Sadang in the south and is connected to the railroad line to Ansan. Line 5, which passes through central Seoul and runs to Kimpo International Airport, is newly completed. Line 7 and 8 are partially open and the subway line 6 is still under construction.
    • Fare :

    First section - 500
    Second section - 550
    Electric railway - graded fares by destinations

  • Pusan Subwaypusan

    The Pusan subway line was built from Nop'o-dong in the east through Shinp'yong in the west in accordance with Pusan's geographical features. It is the quickest way to get around in the city and all the more convenient for its well developed bus connections. A new line serving Haeundae Beach is under construction.

 




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