South Korea

MOST IMPORTANT: Google Maps don’t work there so kindly download Naver Maps before your travel for a smooth navigating experience.

AIR

South Korea is well connected from Mumbai & Delhi in India via Korean Air and also very well across different international cities.

Incheon Airport is the largest airport in South Korea connecting 50 countries and has been declared the best airport for 12 consecutive years. The highlight of the airport is that it has a golf course, Casino, spa, Ice Rink, indoor garden & Korean culture museum within its premises which is entertaining even if one is in transit. They also offer FREE transit tours for long-haul flights within 24 hrs layover and no visas are required.

Arex Express Train – It’s a premium non-stop train serving the fastest way to reach Seoul City (Seoul Station) & vice-versa within 43 mins to 1^st terminal & 51 mins to 2^nd terminal. This train offers individual seats, airport departure procedures, cabin crew assistance, Free WIFI service, battery-powered cart service at international terminal 1 station, and even free shuttle service to affiliated hotels.

TRAINS

Korail is a government-owned operation of Korean Trains but certain high-speed lines are owned and managed by private companies. Korean Railways are integrated into subway systems in major cities making it extremely convenient for passengers and tourists to transit. The services and amenities inside the trains are impeccable with spacious seats with knee room, folding tables, good-sized restrooms, power outlets, free WIFI, luggage compartments & wheelchair facilities.

They have different classes first & standard (economy). Ticket vending machines are available across every station for seamless travel.

Note: While purchasing tickets ₩500 ticket deposit will be charged and the refund should be taken at the final destination. They have deposit refund machines.

KTX (Korean Train Express) is the current highest class of Korail services and they are super high-speed bullet trains. Seoul to Busan & vice-versa is the famous route on KTX and its covers the distance of 325kms just within 2.5 hours.

ITX (Intercity Train Express) runs among the group of intercity services & Mugunghwa-ho Trains serve as regional trains.

SRT (Super Rapid Trains) is another high-speed train which is highly popular if you are visiting Busan and they run 300km/hr.

Korail Pass – It is beneficial for foreign tourists who wish to explore South Korea using an extensive railroad system. Korail Pass can make your transport costs significantly cheaper if you are traveling through a good amount of High-speed Trains.

They have 3 & 5-days consecutive passes and 2 & 4 days select pass which means you have the flexibility to choose the dates of travel within 10 days. This pass gives you discounts on certain hotels, duty-free shops, Arex & local museums. Please Note: SRT, Metro & temporary tourist trains are not included in this price.

TAXIS

Taxis are available extensively almost everywhere, especially in cities. Korea has 2 major types of taxis – Ilban (Orange & Grey Taxis) and Mobeom (Deluxe Taxis which are black). They also have Jumbo taxis which are usually deluxe but these concentrate on larger groups. All taxis are metered. taxis. If any tolls come within your destination, passengers are supposed to pay for the same.

Orange & Grey Taxis are relatively inexpensive and the meter starts from ₩3300 in Seoul and an additional surcharge during midnight. However, the taxi drivers are usually old and they don’t understand English as they only speak Korean majorly. Though the taxis have GPS they rely on landmarks so it’s advisable if you would jot down the landmarks near your final destination or you can use google translator. If everything fails you can dial the 1330 helpline and they can assist you in communication with the driver.

Black Deluxe Taxis are a bit expensive as they provide WIFI on board and English-Speaking Drivers aboard majorly. However, the starting meter for these taxis is ₩6500 in Seoul and an additional surcharge during midnight.

If you are using taxis around the countryside it’s advisable to negotiate the prices whereas in cities meters should be used.

BUS

Even the buses have a vast network and are efficient and cheap. It is one of the reasons why Koreans can rely on buses for routine life and can live comfortably without cars. If you are paying by cash it is recommended to have an exact change of the fare amount. If paying by transport card you just need to tap it to the reader and it’s important to tap even while getting down to avoid higher fares. In Seoul, there are 2 types of buses – Blue (trunk bus) & Green (branch bus).

Blue Buses travel long distances across the entire city and their speed is faster as they only use median bus-only lanes. These buses have 3-digit numbers.

Green Buses connect neighbourhoods to subway stations and usually cover shorter distances. These buses have 4-digit numbers.

Tip: If you are confused as to where you are, you can take a green bus and there are high chances that they may drop you at a nearby subway station.

South Korean dishes have similarities to Chinese & Japanese cuisine but it’s distinctive because it has its typical flavor. It’s a delight for non-vegetarian lovers & foodies to visit South Korea as the dishes are extremely delicious along with the good nutrient value.

Though vegetarian dishes can also be served but explaining them becomes a challenge many times. Indian restaurants are also widely available to suit your taste but one needs to locate them beforehand as they might be far from your location.

Some of the famous dishes include:

• Bulgogi – A grilled beef dish that is the main meat dish served in almost every Korean meal. The meat is blended with spices, sesame oil, sauces, and wine. It’s salty and sweet and the best way of having it is to wrap it in lettuce and chew it.

• Kimchi – It’s the most famous South Korean staple side dish in Korea as well as internationally. Kimchi is made out of fermented vegetables blended with spices. Usually, it is fermented throughout winters in old times but now they refrigerate it. South Korea has special Kimchi refrigerators. There are many versions of Kimchi including cabbage, cucumber, radish, and green chili.

• Bibimbap – It means mixed rice wherein the plain rice is topped with meat, a variety of vegetables, sesame oil, and egg. Before consuming all the ingredients are mixed well together and it’s a healthy dish for a balanced meal.

• Kimbap – It’s a known snack in Korea and is similar to that of Japanese Sushi. Rice and other ingredients are wrapped together forming a rolled snack and it’s often sold on streets.

• Naengmyeon – It means cold noodles and a preferred dish during summers to beat the heat. It’s made of cold buckwheat noodles topped with several ingredients like veggies and meat and seasoned with mustard or vinegar.

• Ramyeon – It’s a spicy version of Japanese ramen cooked with meat and vegetables. It’s a famous dish among couples as it’s said that if some guy or girl invites you to their home to have Ramyeon with you its means that they like you.

There are several other dishes that Korean serve and eat which are native to them.

Soju is a famous alcoholic beverage in South Korea made from fermented rice, wheat, and barley. It is served with varied dishes due to its mild and neutral flavor. Makgeolli is the oldest Korean liquor made of fermented rice with Nuruk – it was really popular until the 1980s and later got projected as the farmers drink but now it is gaining its recognition back and is served in many bars.

Cheongju Rice Wine is made from fermented polished rice and later filtered to produce a clear drink with a sweet flavor. It was a drink enjoyed by the royals and still used as a welcome drink. Even beers are among the favorite drinks of South Koreans.

Korean also have many non-alcoholic beverages but major ones include Sujeonggwa (Korean Cinnamon Punch) – it’s consumed as a traditional dessert drink after your meal as it’s known to aid indigestion. It has a sweet and spicy aroma and is made from water, cinnamon, and dried persimmon giving it a dark brown color.

Yuja-cha is enjoyed during winters as it’s known to be a citrus-infused drink. Its made out of preserved fruits including Yuva, honey, sugar, and water which are then dissolved in water to form this delicious tea which is known as a health remedy.