Getting around South Korea
South Korea is a modern, well-organised country, so getting around is much easier than you might expect. Trains, buses and hire cars make travelling between destinations straightforward, while metros and local buses are great for getting around the cities. During your Rickshaw trip, we’ll arrange most of your transfers for you, so you can simply enjoy the journey. For shorter local journeys, like getting from the station to your hotel, its often best to arrange these on the ground. You can keep things simple by hopping in a taxi, or use the excellent public transport and travel like a local.
Public Transport
South Korea’s public transport is superb – modern, spotlessly clean and extremely reliable, making it a great way to get around both in and between cities. The easiest way to use it is with a T-money card. Think of it as Korea’s version of an Oyster card: pick one up at the airport or any convenience store (7-Eleven, CU and GS25 all sell them), top it up with cash, and you’re set. It works across subways, city buses, and even many taxis, so there’s no need to fiddle with tickets or exact change.
To plan your route, download the Naver Map app before you go – Google Maps doesn’t offer walking or transit directions in South Korea due to local regulations, so Naver (or Kakao Map, its close rival) is the one everyone relies on. Both give clear, step-by-step directions in English, including which exit to take – handy in a city where some stations have ten of them.
By taxi
If you’d rather take a taxi, that’s an easy and affordable option too. You can hail one on the street, or book one in advance through the Kakao T app – Korea’s answer to Uber, and by far the most reliable way to get a ride, especially late at night. It’s worth downloading and setting up the app before you fly out, so you’re ready to go the moment you land. Fares are metered and reasonable, typically working out at around 1,000 KRW (roughly 55p) per kilometre, perfect for shorter hops or when your feet need a rest.
Car hire
Hiring a car and driving yourself is also possible, and road quality throughout South Korea is excellent, with clear signage in both Korean and English and traffic drives on the right. The one essential is an International Driving Permit (IDP), which is a legal requirement alongside your UK licence – you’ll need to arrange this before you leave, as it can’t be issued once you’ve arrived. In the UK, these are inexpensive and available from participating PayPoint outlets.
Do keep an eye on your speed, as speed cameras are common on Korean roads and are strictly enforced. For navigation, Naver Map is once again your best friend if your hire car doesn’t come with English-language satnav built in.
Self-driving suits itineraries that head off the beaten track, think Jeju Island or rural mountain regions with fewer public transport links, but for city-based trips, public transport and taxis will comfortably cover everything you need.
