From the airport to the city centre South Korea
Incheon International Airport is located 50 km southwest of Seoul. The most convenient way to reach the center is by subway, with the AREX line serving the airport. This line costs 9,500 won, takes less than sixty minutes and ends at Seoul Station in the center.
The bus or cab options may also have their advantages, depending on the destination, but roads can easily become congested, so it's not always ideal after or before a long flight. However, the KAL Limousine (every 20 minutes, between 5 a.m. and 11 p.m., 18,000 won) serves the capital's major hotels and tourist spots directly, which is very convenient.
Other airports, including Gimpo, Seoul's second airport, cover the country for internal flights (north to south): Yangyang, Cheongju, Daegu, Muan, Gimhae, Jeju.
For flight details, visit www.airport.co.kr/wwweng/main.do
Arrival by train South Korea
As the border is closed, it is impossible to reach South Korea by rail.
Public transport South Korea
The cheapest way to travel between two cities is by bus. In Korea, there are two types of bus. The first is the express bus(gosok bus), which links two major cities without a stopover. Express buses can be normal, luxury (more expensive but more comfortable) or night buses. The other type of bus is the intercity bus(sioe bus), which serves medium-sized and small towns. Tickets can be booked directly at the bus station, or on one of the following websites: www.hticket.co.kr and https://txbuse.t-money.co.kr/. This is also where you'll find departure times.
If you're traveling by train, there are 3 different types: KTX, Saemaeul and Mugunghwa. The latter two are less expensive but much slower. For timetables and fares, visit http://www.letskorail.com. This is also where you can book a Korail Pass, which gives you unlimited train travel for a limited period.
The following cities have one or more subway lines: Seoul, Busan, Daejeon, Daegu and Gwangju.
Smart tip: the best way to get around the cities is to buy a Tmoney card. It entitles you to discounts on bus and subway travel. You buy it (cash only) and top it up at convenience stores (7/Eleven, CU, GS25, Emart24...). The card costs 4,000 won, to which the desired credit is added. This card is highly recommended for getting around Seoul in particular.
To reach one of the country's many islands, there are 3 main ports: Incheon, Busan and Jeju. The first two will also enable you to travel to other countries such as China, Japan and Russia. But all port cities will have departures to their offshore islands.
In South Korea, mobile applications play an essential role in facilitating travel, but can be difficult for foreigners to use. Google Maps, which is the most readable, is not the most accurate, and a lot of information is missing. For more accurate results, users often turn to Kakao T and Naver. Kakao T, developed by the Kakao company, offers real-time cab services, enabling users to book journeys easily. Naver offers a variety of services, including detailed maps, public transit routes and the ability to share one's location with friends. These applications have become indispensable tools for residents and visitors looking to navigate the busy streets of South Korean cities efficiently, but can be complicated to decipher for those who don't read Hangeul.
With a driver South Korea
Taxis are plentiful in Korea and cheaper than in France. It is good to know that for night outings, the rates are significantly lower before 11pm and after 4am. Care must be taken as some taxi drivers may take advantage of the language barrier to increase the fare. There are different types of rates depending on the prestige of the car you get into. The more luxurious it is, the more luxurious your ride and its price will be too!
By car South Korea
In major cities, you can rent a car. Rental agencies can be found near airports and railway stations. An international driving license is required. However, you need to be very careful, as the road signs and layouts are very different from what you're used to, so driving can be risky. To top it all off, parking in South Korea is a living hell, as the Koreans themselves will tell you!
Accessibility South Korea
This is one of the country's biggest weaknesses: transport is difficult to access for people with disabilities or parents with strollers (which is why many Koreans use baby carriers).