Trazy's Survival Tips for Travellers to Korea #2: Seoul's Public Transportation System

Welcome to Seoul!

Now that you’ve arrived, how do you get around this massive city? There are three options: Bus, Taxi, and Metro. For Bus and Metro, it is recommended to use T-money items as fares are discounted 100 won (about 10 cent) per trip. In addition you are allowed up to 4 free transfers when you use T-money items.

BUSES

   

All Credit for pictures to hikorea.go.kr

The Blue buses travel across the city and  drive through at least two districts.Green buses operate in at least one district and carry passengers to metro transfer points. Red buses are express buses connecting Seoul with the suburbs and cities surrounding it. Bus service is fast and direct, so if you need to go outside of Seoul and don’t want to take the train, take this. If you have subscribed to a local Telecom service there is free-WiFi for you. Lastly, Yellow buses travel in a closed circle around major districts.

Most buses end their service at 11pm, but some run till 3am.

To get more info for buses , download the mobile app Seoul Bus  and enter the bus stations ID number to find out more information on run times (see below as some end at 23:54 while another at 01:49) or for when buses are arriving at your current location.Use Google maps to give you a set course of which buses to take to arrive at your chosen directions. For those with a little knowledge of Korean, use Naver Map.

Popular Bus Routes

Some popular bus routes that you’ll want to take are:

#273 that travels to Hongdae, Sinchon, Gwanghwamun

#104 travels to Gwangjang Market, Myeongdong, Namdaemun Market

#472 stops at Seolleung, Sinsa “Garosugil“, and Apgujeong “Rodeo Street”

For the Blue, Green, and Red Buses, the standard fee is 1,150 won in cash and1,050 won with a T-money card. For the Yellow bus the standard fee is 950 won. When using the the T-money card, just place the card on top of the sensor ( See picture below) and your charge and remaining balance will be shown.

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TAXI

When you’re in a rush, a taxi will be there to get you to your destination as fast as possible. But, which taxi should you take?

The first option for taxis are silver, white or orange colored taxis. There are two types: standard taxi company and individually owned taxi (개인).

The next option is the deluxe taxi. While deluxe taxis are more expensive than normal taxis, they more comfortable and offer a more pleasant ride than the standard. They are usually black.

Your last option is the International taxi, usually found around tourist areas. If you want to make a reservation or inquiry call Navi Call (1599-8255), K-Taxi (1577-9977), N Call (1688-2255) and for online reservations visit here  (English).

The fees for each type of  taxi are as follow :

Tip: 1. When taking a taxi in Seoul make sure you’re not taking taxi’s labeled ( 경기고양 or  인천: Gyeongi Province or Incheon City). They may refuse to take you since they operate outside of  Seoul.

*If a taxi refuses to take you other than not being a Seoul taxi or refusing to use the fare meter (it’s against the law to do so) please report the license plate number, time and date of use, and the destination details (i.e. starting and ending destination) to happyride@seoul.go.kr or the Korea Tourism Organization Tourist Complaint Center (☎ 02-735-0101, 02-1330).

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METRO

Last but not least is Seoul’s metro system. Seoul Metro system is very clean and convenient. There are 9 lines on the Seoul Metro numbered 1-9. In addition, there  are other lines that go to Gyeonggi Province connected to the metro system such as Incheon, Airport Railroad and Bundang.

You can download the map here  and use the interactive map on the page to plan your trip easily. The website is available in Korean, English, Chinese (traditional and simplified), and Japanese.

The fee for a single journey ticket on the Seoul Metro is  1,150 won per ticket in cash and 1,050 won with T-money card. If you’re traveling long distances the fees are :

So how do you  take the Seoul Metro?

1. Locate the Metro Station.

2. Purchase a ticket at the vending machine or use your T-money card.

3. Locate the turnstile.4. Insert your ticket or place your T-money item on the sensor.

5. When you’re inside, some maps can help you. On the left is a map of the direction the train is headed. On your right are the times the metro will run.  In this case the Line 2 metro ends at 23:58.

6. There are also Screens letting you know when your train arrives 

7. Finally as you exit the train, insert your ticket or place your T-money item on the sensor again to exit the station. As you exit, you’ll notice signs (see picture below) which will help you figure out which exit to go through to reach your destination. 
 

 Was this helpful for you? Let us know in the comments section. For more survival tips  and new locations visit this blog and Trazy.com, your online guidebook to all things local  in Korea.

(This post is authorized reblog from Trazy).

[Singapore] - NeNe Chicken (치네네킨)

NTUC U Family organised family picnic at West Coast Park on 4 Oct 2014 from 17:00 - 21:00pm. Yes, 2 kiddos were excited and asked whether they can ride bicycle and fly kite. We granted their wishes for them to relax before exam...

My hubby wanted to use CapitaVouchers redeemed from credit card points. Therefore, he selected The Star Vista at Buona Vista. It's nearer to take taxi from there to West coast park. I decided to go to NeNe Chicken after checked restaurants directory from their website.

Two kiddos were quite surprised when I told them we're going to eat KFC, as fast food is the last on my food list! Then, I continued that KFC stands for Korean Fried Chicken :P 

Oh~! Nene Chicken is just a small stall with 24 seats only... luckily when we were there 2 customers were sitting at the  booth seats, and another 2 customers occupied 4 seats table. Then we had to sit on table with 8 seats.

 Xuan asked Zhi to watch her favorite Running Man's member, Yoo Jae Suk

on the TV ads as he's  the spokesman for Nene Chicken. 

They simply ignored me as I was asking which sets they like...

Ordered (Original) Crispy 2Pc ($7.90), Swicy 2Pc ($7.90),

Green Onion ($9.90) and Snowing Cheese ($9.90). 

This restaurant pager is given after you paid for your orders...

 Just few snaps while waiting :P

 

Vegetable Shop Wallpaper  

10-15 minutes later... the pager finally blinking and beeping~^^

Sad faces of Xuan & Zhi as I stopped them to attack these chicken!

Yap, you're right! photo ritual before eating :P

 

         Classic fried chicken with crunchy crust. 

Maybe I ate other flavors first before this original one. It tasted quite bland... 

I dipped some mustard sauce to add some flavor to it.

Anyway, it's still crispy although it's not even warm... I was wondering why they need about 10 minutes to prepare them... only buffalo sticks were a bit warm.

2 kiddos' most favorite... Snowing Cheese!

I like this bite-sized popcorn chicken too, but I just tried one piece

and let them both have the rest as it's just average portion. Should have

order this instead of crispy chicken...

 

Succulent 'Swicy'... Sweet and Spicy Sauce.

It's well marinated and finger-licking delicious. 

Although not couldn't really taste the spiciness... but, at least 2 kiddos 

had no problem handling this 5% spicy and 95% sweet sauce.

My only complain is it's difficult to eat! I prefer boneless either nugget or popcorn type. My kiddos do better job, they can eat and left with bone only! 

Oh yeah, they provided the gloves. It's more hygienic to put the glove on, and messy-free hand from sticking sauce on your fingers and inside your nails.

 

How about this green onion chicken?

Recommended this good combination of crispy fried chicken with green onion 

and Asian sauce too. 

My Korean friend and I went to Chez Maak Makgeolli House at Garosugil.

We ordered Korean Fried Chicken with ddeok (rice cakes) and spring onion as Anju 

(food to pair with liquor). 

Chimaek (치맥) = Chicken (치킨) + Maekju (맥주) is very popular in Korea. Popular Korean drama 'My Love from the Stars' featuring Cheon Song Yi crazed for Chimaek especially when it's snowing.

The set meal also come with Buffalo sticks and Dongchimi (Radish Water Kimchi). Buffalo sticks were much more crispier than normal french fries from McDonalds and KFC. They're also seasoned so you can just munch without chilli or tomato ketchup.

Happy to have Dongchimi as it's one of my favorite Kimchi. It's so refreshing especially after eating fried food. Even my daughter love it much. She was amazed that I said it's kimchi, as to she thought all kimchi is spicy!

 

My home-made Dongchimi (click the link for the recipe)

Next time I'll make dongchimi without pepper in separate container, so they can eat it.

Quickly all the seats were occupied... suddenly people started to come in while we're eating.

Photo a bit blur, used my left hand to take this photo 

(right hand was inside the glove).

 

 YesYes (네네~!) 'Korean Fried' Chicken (네킨)... 맛있다! ♥♥♥

It's so yummy that Zhi still remember Nene Chicken home delivery no. 6222 6363 ^^

September in 3G - Gangnam, Garosugil & Gwanghwamun [Day 3]

It's raining, not an ideal day to visit outdoor places of interest such as Gyeongbokgung Palace and Bukchon Hanok Village as scheduled. It has to be indoor activities, so we took taxi to COEX Mall.  Journey from Yongsan to Coex took almost 1 hour due to rainy day and traffic jammed.

Oh-uh... we didn't know that it's under major renovation and expected to be completed by December 2014. (Updated: The new and improved Coexmall is scheduled to open on November 27. Please check the news here).

Renovation in progress for fully-upgraded complex with a modern look  



 Only COEX Aquarium, Megabox, Exhibition Centre, 

Bandi and Luni's, few stores and some restaurants still opened

We walked around and found a food court...

We had Naengmyun (Cold Noodles), Sundae, Cheese Gimbap & Salad Gimbap.

 We walked to Hyundai Department Store near to COEX Mall,

and somehow we ended up at ASEM Tower.

ASEM Tower, World Trade Centre, and one unique and artistic building.

We walked to Bongeunsa Temple, which is just directly opposite of COEX Mall.

 

Bongeunsa Temple represents Korea's past 1,200 years of history and tradition.

beautiful and tranquil Temple creates great harmony with modern and busy Gangnam area.

Korea is just so awesome in preserving their historical buildings, traditions and cultures. Even in bustling metropolis Seoul, you can find so many historical sites. I can feel the calmness and not being pressurised by the modernisation of the city. That's explained why I love Korea so much. 

  

Seoul skyline from Bongeunsa Temple.

beautiful landscape and...

elegant architecture of Bongeunsa Temple.

Please click this link to participate for Temple stay programs

(temple tour, tea ceremony, meditation, Making Lotus Flowers, Copying Sutras,..)

After praying and strolling around and taking pictures, we took a taxi to...

Gangnam Underground Shopping Center

(please click the above link for the direction)

Didn't expect that it's such a long shopping arcade! You can find almost everything here... from clothes, accessories, shoes, cosmetics products, household goods, children’s clothing, bags, lingerie, mobile accessories to furniture, interior items, paintings, carpets, and so on. You'll be amazed with the bargain price. I bought few pieces of clothes that ranging from 5,000 won to 15,000 won, and a pair of high heel shoe that only cost 10,000 won ^^

tired after shopping?!!

 why not grab something to munch before continue for gems hunting :P



My hubby brought Xuan and Zhi to Gwanghwamun Square...

Statue of Sejong The Great.

posing as royal guards in front of  King Sejong statue.

"The Story of King Sejong" Exhibition Hall

 informative and educative place to visit to know more about the life story of

The Great King Sejong, the creator of Hangul.

Admiral Yi Sunshin Exhibition Hall & Replica of Turtle Ship

little soldiers in front of Statue of Admiral Yi Shun Shin.

night strolling along Cheonggyecheon Stream.

and had sumptuous tables d'hote with grilled deodeok (더덕구이정식) - 17,000 / person

Deodeok Bap (더덕밥).

Add: 서울 중구 무교동 96 지하1층

Ph: 02-778-2959 

My Korean friend brought us to dine this healthy meal here before. Ah... why my hubby didn't pack the deodeok for me...

I was with my Korean friend at Garosugil area, and dining at Chez Maak. He recommended this place when I asked him to tell me good restaurant around Garosugil as I participated in Psy Wiki Korea Contest. I promised to treat him if I won the contest... but, I didn't win it ㅠㅠ 

Anyway, I decided to give it a try, because I like to drink Makgeolli :P

Psy Wiki Korea Dictionary

White Lotus Makgeolli - Snow with 6% of Alcohol

Chez Maak (셰막) is a Makgeolli House that famous for their Baekryun White Lotus Makgeolli and  Makgeolli Cocktails. They also serve Fusion Korean foods that matched well with Makgeolli.

I thought that they added carbonate, as this was my first time drank makgeolli with fizz. My friend said it's natural carbonate, as the makgeolli is still in the latter stages of fermentation. Oh?! That means I've to go to Korea whenever I want to drink fresh Makgeolli!

If you watched Korean drama, you often see that they poured Makgeolli from bronze kettle and served with bowls.

  

Yummylicious Crunchy & Crispy Chicken served with ddeok (rice cakes),

PaDak (Pa/파 = Spring Onion + Dak/닭 = Chicken) and sauce.

My friend told me that Padak is also Korean onomatopoeia of chicken flapping their wings ㅋㅋㅋ 

  

I like the right amount of sourness from this 1 year long fermented Kimchi Pancake 

Click for image for the clearer map from Konest

After clearing the generous portions of foods without any wastage... we walked along Garosugil and found this café...

Mug For Rabbit  (머그포래빗).

Minimalist decorated café, that created casual and friendly feeling. I like it's open air terrace that you can enjoying  Garosugil  atmosphere while chit-chatting. Actually, I was quite  hesitated  to climb up those wooden flying stairs with no railing, and have to balance myself with my high heels! Phew~!!!  luckily didn't tripped myself...

 Earl Grey Snow and Vanila Snow

Regretted for not ordering their Cupcakes or Organic Carrot Cake as it's their specialities

(just read the reviews from others bloggers). Will try them next time :P

super sweet Vanilla Snow... 

 Have you ever tried 'Earl Grey Vanilla' Snow?!

Mug For Rabbit is located opposite Youk Shim Won Gallery
and near 8seconds clothing store

Click the image for clearer map & credit

We stopped by at one of the art galleries in Itaewon

I'm always amazed to see those talented artists...

wondering how long did they take to create such awesome artworks?

Which "G" do you like the most? Please let me know... Annyeong~^^

Related Posts:

~ [Trazy] Gwanghwamun Square 광화문 광장

~ [Trazy] Coex Mall 코엑스

~ [Trazy] Bongeunsa Temple 봉은사

~ [Trazy] King Sejong Story Exhibition Hall (세종이야기)