While a lot of expats rely on the public transport system to get around Seoul, a large portion choose to purchase their own vehicles, whether it’s a bike, a motorbike or a car. While it’s great to have your own transportation so that you don’t have to rely on anyone/anything else to get to where you want to go, you should know that fuel (while slightly less expensive than in most Western countries) is expensive and traffic can be unbelievably bad at times.
Nearly everyone in Seoul has at least one car, even though the public transit system is more than efficient enough and often faster to use. Shipping your own car to Korea will set you back a very large amount, while buying a car in Korea can be much more manageable. In each situation, you should do your homework on the way things are done in Korea and remember to have all the necessary paperwork done and your fees paid.
Drivers are not a necessity in Seoul. It’s a very safe city and can be easy to find your way around – especially since nearly every driver in Seoul uses a GPS system. If you really have to find one, you can get more information in the “Renting a Car” section. Happy driving!
