Seoul Travel Guide

Getting There:

By Air: Seoul offers two airports. The Incheon International Airport (ICN) (+82 032 741 0104/ http://www.aiport.or.kr), the largest, is a state-of-the-art facility that still smells new. Located on Yongjong Island, 32 miles west of downtown, it harbors a long list of domestic and international airlines: Air Canada (+1 800 776 3000 / http://www.aircanada.ca) Air China (+1 800 227 5118 / http://www.china-airlines.com) Air France (+1 800 871 1366 / http://www.airfrance.com) American Airline (+1 800 433 7300 / http://www.aa.com) British Airways (+1 800 247 9297 / http://www.british-airways.com) Cathay (+1 800 231 0856 / http://www.cathaypacific.com) Delta (+1 800 221 1212 / http://www.delta.com) Garuda (+1 800 342 7832 / http://www.garuda-international.com) Japan Airlines (+1 800 525 3663 / http://www.japanair.com) KLM (+1 800 374 7747 / http://www.klm.nl) Korean Air (+1 800 438 5000 / http://www.koreanair.com) Lufthansa (+1 800 645 3880 / http://www.lufthansa.com) Nippon (+1 888 422 7533 / http://www.ana.co.jp) Qantas (+1 604 279 6611 / http://www.qantas.com) Singapore Air (+1 800 742 3333 / http://www.singaporeair.com) Thai Airways (http://www.thaiairways.com) United (+1 800 241 6522 / http://www.ual.com)

Passengers have two bus options into Seoul. The regular bus is economical, yet thin with amenities. Seats are not guaranteed and luggage storage is limited. A limousine bus assures each rider of a seat and includes air conditioning. Rides into Seoul generally take between 50-60 minutes.

Taxis are easy to locate outside the airport terminals. A regular taxi averages USD23-USD38. Jumbo taxis hold up to nine people and include mobile phone use. Expect to pay USD44-USD60. In addition to the regular fare passengers must also pay the express tolls into Seoul.

Rental car companies: Avis (+1 800 831 2847 / http://www.avis.com) Hertz (+1 800 654 3131 / http://www.hertz.com)

A train/subway system is currently under construction.

Gimpo Airport (+82 02 660 2114 / http://www.airport.co.kr/eng/dba/airport/gimpo) lies only 11 miles west of downtown. Its three terminals only handle domestic airlines and include: Asiana Airlines: (+1 800 227 4262 / http://www.flyasiana.com) Korean Air (+1 800438 5000 / http://www.koreanair.com)

There are three bus options and all exit every 20 minutes. Regular buses are inexpensive but offer no guaranteed seating. Despite the name express buses are no faster, but do assure seating. And KAL limousine buses are pricey but include air conditioning and use of mobile phones and fax machines.

Taxis can be found outside the terminals. A regular taxi averages USD13, while a deluxe cab charges around USD20.

An underground passageway connects all three terminals with the airport's subway station. Line number 5 leads directly into downtown and takes about 15 minutes.

Rental car companies: Hertz (+1 800 654 3131 / http://www.hertz.com) Jeju (+82 02 664 5486) Sambo (+82 02 666 1689) By Train: The Korean National Railroad (http://www.korail.go.kr) services all of South Korea. The Seoul Station (+82 02 778 6393), the city's main train stop, features the Gyeongbu line which fans out all over the country before terminating in Busan. The Cheongnyangni Station (+82 02 969 8003) is the main base for the Jungangseon line which covers the eastern seaboard. And the Seongbuk Station (+82 02 917 7445) offers the Gyeongchunseon line, big with tourists for its scenic one-day excursions along the Hangang River.

By Bus: The express bus terminal (+82 02 969 8003), located along the Hangang River, handles most of Seoul's out of town bus traffic via four lines. The Dong Seoul terminal (+82 02 917 7445) is smaller and only handles buses servicing South Korea's eastern coast including Gangneung and Busan.

By Car: Highway 1(Gyeongbu Expressway) enters Seoul from a south direction after starting in Busan, in South Korea's southeast corner. Highway 15 (Seohaean Expressway) fans into Highway 1 south of Seoul after following a scenic route along the country's western seaboard. And Highway 50 (Yeongdong Expressway) also connects into Highway 1 south of the city and represents the fastest thoroughfare east across the country to the Sea of Japan.

Getting Around:

The Seoul Subway Corporation (http://www.seoulsubway.co.kr) and the Seoul Metropolitan Rapid Transit Corporation (http://www.smrt.co.kr) combine to move more than 4 million passengers daily. Their eight lines cover downtown and the suburbs, attending all of Seoul's main attractions including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Jeongdong Theater, and the National Folk Museum. All stations are serviced every two minutes during rush hours and every five minutes otherwise. English marked signs make the subway tourist friendly. Fares: USD40 for one zone; USD50 for two zones. Hours: 5:30a-mid daily.

Seoul's 400 bus routes handle 30 percent of Seoul's daily traffic. The regular buses (USD40) are inexpensive, but involve more stops and longer destination times. The express buses (USD1) provide faster service, air conditioning, and a better chance of nabbing a seat. Village buses (USD30) only service short distances, usually between subway stations.

Taxis are easy to flag in the city and passengers can choose between inexpensive or pricey. Regular taxis are white or silver and charge less. Almost none of the drivers, however, speak English; having a written destination is recommended. The deluxe taxis are twice as expensive but worth the cost since most of the drivers speak English and are trained to cater to tourists. And as an added bonus mobile car phones are available.

Bicycling in Seoul is a death wish. There are very few bike paths, drivers have little regard for sharing the road, and heavy summer rains diminish visibility.

Driving is not recommended. Congestion is constant and parking is limited to private garages, many of which charge as much as USD6 an hour.2008-08-02T07:29:22.000 81