OrientalTrips » Transportation

Mini buses in Seoul

Hyunwoo Sun — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 02:39:00 +0000

In Seoul, you'll see regular-sized buses and also some smaller-sized buses running around. I took this photo on one of those smaller-sized buses (which are called "마을버스" (maeul beoseu) - 마을 means a small town). There's two subway stations for subway line number 6 near my house that I can easily walk to, but when I want to take subway line number 2, I usually take one of these mini buses to go to the nearest line number 2 subway station and transfer there. And the transfer only costs an extra 100 won, so it's a fair deal :)

Sitting on a bus on a warm day…

Hyunwoo Sun — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 01:49:00 +0000

makes you feel sleepy. ^^

Have you been to Jeju Island?

Hyunwoo Sun — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 09:32:00 +0000

[Photo by Hyunwoo]

제주도 (Jejudo - Jeju Island).

제주도 is the largest island in Korea, but more importantly, probably the most beautiful place in Korea (in my opinion, at least). You've GOT TO check it out while you're in Korea!

It takes about one hour to fly from Gimpo Airport (in Seoul) to Jeju Airport, and a one-way flight costs about 100,000 won but you can get cheaper tickets too if you use the cheaper airlines.

I've been there three times, and I can't wait to go back there soon!

On the bus on a rainy day in Seoul

Hyunwoo Sun — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 04:36:00 +0000

Dear Buses, I’m Sorry. It’s Just Too Cold.

Hyunwoo Sun — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 13:23:00 +0000

Play the audio to listen to the sound that I recorded at a bus stop.

Seoul is a very nice city, at least in terms of transportation. The subway lines reach every little part of the city, and if you're not into transferring from one subway line to another, you can look up the bus lane info and you will usually find a bus or two that will directly take you to your destination in one go. The basic fares for both the buses and the subway are very cheap, and taking the taxi doesn't cost a lot either, so moving about in Seoul is very very convenient in general.

But when you're traveling during the rush hour, or when you're caught in traffic, taking the taxi is the worst idea (because it's too expensive) and it's the same with the buses. But you know when you want to look out the window while going somewhere, instead of having to be underground for the most part, taking buses is generally really good, and... could I say... inspring? Haha.

When it's winter in Korea, however, I HATE taking the buses, or to be more exact, I hate having to wait for the buses. Of course you can call up the number that's written at the bus stop to find out when the next bus is coming, but I just... tend to refuse to stand out in the cold for a single minute, because a winter day in Korea can get really really cold at times.

But good news for me! Yesterday was 입춘 (ipchun, 入春), the day that marks the start of spring. After a couple of short cold-weather periods, it will be spring again in Seoul, and then, I guess I will start taking buses more often again.