Seoul transportation

Traffic jams in Seoul were unexpectedly horrible everyday for car drivers. For this reason, Seoul citizens often use public transportation to ease the craziness of the traffic and save time. As soon as I arrived to Incheon airport, the first thing I did was to purchase a T-money card. I believe everyone who lives in South Korea has this card. It costs approximately 2000 ~ 4000 won for each ($2). With this card, my transportation process has gone by quicker. T-money card can be used if I take a taxi, subway, or buses. Scan the card when you enter and scan it again when you leave. The card can be charged and recharged at anytime at any charging machine in any subway station. There's always an English option for the convenience of foreigners. Although the cost for riding buses and subway is almost the same here (~1000 ~ 4000 Won depending on my traveling distances) , I prefer using subway over buses because all the routes are much clearer with English description. With a subway map in my hand, I literally can go anywhere myself without being afraid of getting lost. To sum up, I'm most pleased with the Seoul subway system. It has definitely made my trip easier. 

My T-money card....Carried this with me the whole time in Korea

Here's some tips for you, Seoul travelers: 

• Download "subway" app

The subway app looks like this! If I was not mistaken, this app is accessible to any phone brand :)

• If you study abroad at Yonsei, Ewha, or Hongik Universities, green line (#2) on subway map is the route that you're gonna use the most.

* You should bring a paper copy of Korean subway map with you wherever you go the first few days in Korea just to get used to the system and some common locations. Here is the link of the most up to date subway map: http://metropoliphone.com/img/sub_seoul.pdf. You can find a pdf file on a lot of websites, not necessarily only the one I provided)

• Take the right exit when you get out of the station. You may not want to take the longest path of all to get out of the subway when you want to walk back to Yonsei.

*Google the direction before you go. 

• Subway is close around 12am/ 1am so always keep a physical address of Yonsei dorm or wherever you stay for the night with you. 
• If you forget your T-money card home, don't freak out. You can always purchase a one-round trip ticket at the charging/ticket machine in the station. 

That's everything I could think of right now. I bet you will enjoy Seoul subway as much as I do :p