How to Get to Seoul
We’ve had a lot of enquiries recently, on the Facebook group, about the best way to get to various places. Now, most of the basic info on routes is available in the intercity travel guide, but it can be a little confusing. You can take two kinds of buses, two kinds of train or one of two airlines to Seoul – which way makes the most sense? In this article, I’ll go through each way to get to Seoul, and you can decide which is right for you. (Please note, prices and schedules are subject to change. Also, the locations of the bus terminals and stops, airport, and train stations are all available on the New Ulsan Map .)
Seoul
Bus: The Intercity bus runs from the Intercity Bus Terminal, near Lotte Department store in Samsandong, to Dong-Seoul Bus Terminal. It takes approximatly 4.5 – 5 hours (depending on traffic), and costs 22,500 (23,900 at night). There are 30 buses per day, between 6am and 1:10am. Dong (east) Seoul bus terminal is near the Gang-byeon subway station (line 2), north of the Han river, just south of Konkuk University, and quite far east. Line 2 does run to City Hall (Seoul Museum of Art, Deoksu Palace), and the Euljiro 3-ga stop is quite near the Myeongdong shopping district. It’s also just one transfer (at Sindang) to line 6, to get to Itaewon.
The Express bus runs from the Express Bus Terminal right next to Lotte’s Youth Plaza, to the Express Bus Terminal (subway line 3) in Gangnam. It also takes approximatly 4.5 hours, but costs 29,000 (32,500 at night). There are about 42 buses per day. Here, you’re only a few stops from Apgujeong, the trendy Gangnam shopping and restaurant district. You can also take line 3 to Chungmuro and transfer to line 4 – one stop to Myeongdong, or two stops in the other direction to the massive Dongdaemun History and Culture Park (also a shopping area). Stay on line 3 to Jongno 3-ga to check out the Insadong traditional shopping street, or to Gyeongbokgung, an old palace. Transfer to line 6 at Yaksu to get to Itaewon.
If you live in Mugeodong, Okdong or Guyeongli, you might want to head to the Shinbok Rotary bus stop. Tickets are sold in the little booths at the end of the sidewalk.
Train: The KTX runs from Ulsan Station in Eonyang to Seoul Station, downtown Seoul. It takes approximately 2hrs 20 minutes and costs 47,500 (66,500 First Class), and 30 trains run between 05:22 and 22:52. Of course, unless you live in Eonyang, Ulsan Station is a bit of a drive – approximately 1 hour by bus from Donggu, 40 minutes from Samsandong/Seongnamdong, 20 minutes from Mugeodong. Seoul Station is a central location, on line 1, line 4, the Airport Railroad, and the Gyeonggui line. It’s fairly close to Itaewon, Myeongdong, City Hall, Namsan Park (with Seoul Tower), Namdaemun (more shopping), Insadong and Hongdae, the university party area by Hongik and Ewha Woman’s Universities.
The slow train runs from Taehwagang Station in Samsandong to Cheongnyangni Station in Seoul (on line 1, a few stops east of Dongdaemun or on the Jungang line). It departs twice daily, at 08:28 or 23:48, and takes 5.5 hours. Tickets are 26,000. Line 1 gives you easy access to Dongdaemun, Jongno/Insadong, and City Hall, with easy transfers to Itaewon or Myeongdong.
Airplane: Both Korean Air and Asiana have flights from Ulsan Airport, near Hwabongdong in Bukgu, and Gimpo Airport in Seoul. Korean Air has 5 flights between 08:30 and 20:55, for 69,000. Asiana flies twice a day (12:55, 18:25) for 89,000 (though discounts are often available). Flying time is about 45 mins (plus check in and security of course). Since the Airport Railroad was built, it’s easy to get from Gimpo to Seoul Station (20 mins), or out to Incheon Airport (35 mins). If you live in Donggu or Bukgu, this probably makes more sense than taking the KTX.
If you have a smart phone, download the app “Jihachul” (Subway) for Apple or Android. It has all of the Korean subway systems (Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Daejeon, Gwangju), and you can choose English, Hangeul or Japanese as your operating language. It not only gives you help with route planning, but also links you to maps so you can see what’s in the area of your stop. It will also tell you which station is closest to you when you’re above ground. Korail has an Android app or an Apple app for easy bookings and discounts on tickets, and the iKorway app (Apple only)is good for subways and buses in most Korean cities.