Getting Around Seoul

That's the 4G GPS screen to the left.

I generally have a good sense of direction. I read maps very well. The man, well, can be trusted to google out the addresses and bring up the map. But to get us there, I'll have to navigate. When I travel, I like to understand a city via its public transportation system. The fifth largest metropolis in the world, Seoul's 10.3 million people move through its public transport system extensively.

The subway is a breeze to go through. There's an app to help you get to wherever. I prefer using hardcopy maps. I've got the lines and main stations locked in my head and learnt the proper pronunciation of at-least the names of the stations. Many subway lines; not difficult at all to go through. Although those platforms are tiny man! Oddly, it's never as crazy-packed in Seoul during week day peak hours like in Singapore or Tokyo. The one thing I dislike about its underground platforms- the lack of ventilation. Friggin hot man. I'm a spoilt Singaporean who doesn't know how to save energy. Long walks, but nothing insurmountable. Wear comfortable shoes and walk. It averages 24°C in the city now. Sunny. Comfortable.

Google Maps suck ass in Korea. Don't bother using it for accuracy. Use either Naver or Daum. Those are precise and will take you to wherever you want to go. Seoul doesn't speak much English. Be prepared with addresses in both English and Korean 'hangul' ('hancha', in Chinese script isn't going to help at all) so that you could ask for directions. Otherwise, Google Translate does a competent job. Seoul just started using a new postal code system, so some yet-to-be-updated addresses that you got off the internet prior to February 2012 might not be searchable on the GPS.

Cab fares are surprisingly affordable. Thought they'd be priced similarly to Tokyo's. But no. Honestly, I think fares are much more reasonable in Seoul than in Singapore. They start at KRW2400. The 20% increase per kilometre between midnight and 5am isn't a big deal compared to ours. BUT...you might get ticked off if you hop into a cab to travel like 1km. However, cab fares to and fro the hour-long journey from town to airport and vice versa, will set you back by USD60 - 80 per trip. Every cab driver has no problems using their GPS. It's the first thing they reach for when new customers get in.

We've gotten chauffeured around in the day, taken the friends' cars to head out in the evenings and all; taken the coaches out of town. Seen so much of the city while getting an education (and briefing) to its public transportation policies and systems. The one thing I haven't had enough guts to do- take a bus alone. I can't speak or read Korean. Although I don't mind getting lost, time doesn't permit the luxury of simply wandering around.