Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
able, with seats on many routes guaranteed. The buses travel in special lanes that help them
bypass traffic jams, and many commuters find them a more pleasant option than a cramped,
standing-room-only subway journey.
Taxis are readily available throughout the province, and as in Seoul fares usually start
at about 2,200 won and stay under 10,000 won for journeys within a city. Residents of
Gyeonggi-do can run into trouble after the subway shuts down at night, when many are
forced to take Seoul cabs to their far-off places of residence. This is rarely a problem—in
fact many drivers are all too happy with the fat fares—but can quickly get expensive by
South Korean standards, with tariffs to most provincial cities from Seoul at around 30,000
won. Some drivers will want a slightly higher flat fee or “tip” to cover the cost of traveling
back to Seoul with an empty cab; fast or aggressive driving on longer trips (usually so the
driver can return to Seoul and pick up another fare as soon as possible) is another common
complaint.
Many of these issues can be avoided by making contact with a cab company based in
your city and asking for numbers or specific drivers you can contact for trips between Seoul
and your home when necessary. Many firms run special commuter services or offer dis-
counts for regular customers, and there are far fewer chances for problems when you're
with a driver who's returning to his home base.
