Seoul transportation: the mere thought of it may be enough to make the prospective expat wince. The city itself is a complete labyrinth and seems, at first, very “unplottable”. In a city as huge as Seoul, no one blames you if you feel daunted by the transport system. In all actuality, however, the transportation systems in Seoul seem muddled, but do make sense. The subway systems is one of the most expansive in the world – and it’s still in the process of growing! Taxis are an economical way to travel; particularly if you’re more than one passenger. The two main airports are well organized and easy to get to (even from the darkest, dankest corner of the city). If you’re worried about the bus system, you should know that there are people in the city who will help you find out which bus goes where, even when you’re completely frazzled and alone.
As Seoul is one of the largest cities in the world, one would think that a car would be an asset for the average expat. This, however, is not necessarily true. Every part of Seoul is completely accessible to every other part, whether connected by subway or a bus line. The buses in Seoul are well taken care of, and while the drivers may seem to have a death wish at times, you always arrive at your destinations in one piece and on time! The subway runs from the very edges of the city and beyond straight into the heart of Seoul – you can even get as far as Cheonan, which is more than an hour away driving by car, on the subway.
Seoul traffic is considered among the worst traffic in the world. The fact that everyone in Korea owns at least one car is enough to convince the majority of expats to stick with public transportation, although there are many who choose to buy their own car during their stay. Generally speaking, however, it is less expensive, easier and often faster to use public transport in Seoul – even during rush hours.
Seoul has one of the largest and most impressive international airports in the world. As an international hub, Incheon International Airport has flights connecting to various parts of Asia and around the world. If you want to fly somewhere a little closer to home, you can find inexpensive flights to various parts of Korea, China and Japan from Gimpo International Airport. The airlines in Korea are reliable, safe and the service is excellent.
