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Transport

One of Korea's strengths is that it has an outstanding public transportation system, albeit with an interesting reputation. This is a guide on how to use public transportation in Gwangju.

K​akao Maps

KakaoMap is a highly recommended app which helps navigate around Gwangju, as well as the rest of Korea. Many GETs like to use Google Maps, but it cannot match KakaoMap in terms of accuracy. It is available in English and Korean. 

Kakao Maps will give you a number of different transport options. You can see when buses/ the subway is arriving in real time, down to the second. It also shows how much the fare is and how much walking time is needed. You can click on the route you'd like to choose for more detailed information. If you were to select the car option, it will show you the approximate taxi fare and can connect you to KakaoTaxi to call a taxi for you.

Kakao Maps

Transport Card

By using a transport card, you can save on transport fare as the fees are less compared to using cash. Transport cards also ensure free transfers. You can buy a transport card from any convenience store. You can also top up the credit at any convenience store by paying in cash (most stores don't accept card payment to top up transport cards).

It is possible to use your bank card to pay for transport fare if you activate T-money when getting your card. The money will be taken out of your bank account later. Here are two other options:

The T-Money card 

This is preferable because it can be used and topped up anywhere in Korea.

The HanPay card

This is used mostly in Gwangju and can be used to pay in some Gwangju taxis. HanPay can be used for transportation throughout Korea, with the exception of Gyeongsan Province (경산도) and Gangwon Province (강원도). HanPay can only be topped up in Gwangju.

Transport Card

How to Take a Bus

The bus is likely the transport you will use most in Gwangju as the subway line is not extensive. Buses run from approximately 05.40 to 22.50, depending on what the bus number is. You may use KakaoMap to plan your bus trip, or separately install KakaoBus. KakaoBus tracks buses in real time and enables you to star your most frequently used buses and bus stops so that they are immediately visible once you open the app.
 

Most bus stops have a board showing the bus routes and the arrival times of the buses. You can also use this board to check your transport card credit by hovering it over the card symbol. When the bus arrives, do not expect an orderly line up - those who dash for the door first get on first!

When you get on the bus you will pay by tapping your transport card on the card machine or putting your cash in the slot. There is often no change for large notes, so if you are paying with cash you should use 1000 KRW notes and/or coins.

You will notice that some seats on the bus have special covers on them. These are special seats for the elderly, people with injuries and pregnant women. Please do not sit in these seats unless you fit one of these categories.

There will be an electronic board at the front of the bus as well as announcements about upcoming stops - these are in both Korean and English. If your stop is coming up next, you need to press one of the red buttons dotted throughout the bus. It is important that you do this because, to increase efficiency, the bus does not automatically stop at every bus stop. In the rare circumstance that the bus driver does not open the doors for you to get off after you have pressed the button, you can shout "문 좀 열어주세요!" (Mun jom yeolo jusaeyo). This simply means "Please open the door".

To transfer to another bus/ the subway, you should tap your transport card on the machine upon exiting the bus. This ensures that when you tap your card upon entering the transfer bus/ subway, you do not get charged again. If you will not be transferring, there is no need to tap your card upon exiting.

Buses

How to Take the Subway

There is only one subway line running between the west and east of Gwangju. The subway is only useful if you live near to the line. It runs from about 05.30 to 23.40.

You may use KakaoMap to plan your subway trip, or separately install KakaoMetro. KakaoMetro tracks the subway train arrival in real time and enables you to star frequently used subway stations. It displays the the subway stations in both Korean and English.

To pay with your transport card, you need to tap the card upon entering and exiting the subway station. To pay with cash you will need to purchase a token for your trip from the machines located at the subway stations. You will tap the token upon entering the subway station and slot it into the gates upon exiting.

When the subway is arriving, music will start playing to alert you. Please allow those getting off to do so first before you get on. Like the bus, the subway has seats designated for the elderly, people with injuries and pregnant women. Please do not sit in these seats unless you fit one of these categories.

There are electronic boards throughout the subway as well as announcements about upcoming stops - these are in both Korean and English.

Subway

How to Take a Taxi

Taxis are numerous in Gwangju and it is easy to catch one. If a taxi is shining its red light at the top, this means it is empty and you can flag it down. If the red light is flashing, this means the taxi is reserved and you cannot flag it down. If the red light is off, this means there are already occupants in the taxi.

Taxis are metered and very affordable. Rates increase slightly between the times of 00.00 and 06.00. You can pay with both cash and card. Taxis generally don't accept transport cards, although some Gwangju taxis might accept HanPay.

Some useful taxi vocabulary to know:
Please take me to (location).
(Location)에 가주세요. ([Location]-eh gajusaeyo)

Please go straight.
직진 해주세요. (Jikjin haejuseyo)

Please turn right.
오른쪽으로 가주세요. (Oreunjjok euro gajuseyo)

Please turn left.
왼쪽으로 가주세요. (Winjjok euro gajuseyo)

Please stop here.
여기서 내릴게요. (Yogiseo naerilgaeyo)

If you feel like you have been ripped off with regards to taxi fare, or have any other complaint, please take a picture of the driver's information which is displayed on the dashboard. You can report taxi drivers by dialing 120. 
 

 

KakaoTaxi

KakaoTaxi is an app to catch a taxi anywhere in Korea. KakaoTaxi is available in English.

You can set your starting point as your current location, or choose a different starting point. If you tap the map itself, you can manually manipulate your starting point. Once you have selected your destination, click "Request Taxi" and it will send out the request to taxis in the area. If a taxi accepts your request, you will get a notification and you will be able to see the driver's picture and licence plate number so you can be sure to get into the correct taxi when it arrives. The app will track the driver's location so you can see where they are. If you catch another taxi before your taxi arrives, then you can cancel the request.

Sometimes, although not often, a driver might call you to determine exactly where you are. If this happens and you don't understand them, it is best to tell them you are a foreigner (so they know to look out for a foreigner) and tell them something identifiable that you are near. For example, "I'm a foreigner. I'm in front of 7/11." translates as "외국인입니다. 세븐일레븐 앞에 있어요." (Waegukin imnida. Saebeunilraebeun (7/11) apeh issoyo).

Taxi
Kakao Taxi

Transport to other cities

It is easy to reach other cities from Gwangju, and many websites and apps available to book tickets.
 

Buses

For buses, you will depart from Gwangcheon Terminal (광천터미널), colloquially known as "U-Square". You can buy tickets in person from the terminal or book online from the Kobus site and collect your ticket from the machines at the terminal by swiping your card (machine instructions available in English). Alternatively, you can use the Kobus mobile app and reserve a mobile ticket. 

On the Kobus site, it is not possible to book tickets from Incheon International Airport (인천공항)* back to Gwangju. Many people might want to assure they have a bus back to Gwangju after a long flight. You can book this using an app called 
시외버스 모바일. You can collect your ticket from the bus machines at the airport by entering in your card details.

 

*Please note that owing to COVID 19, there are no longer buses running between Gwangju and Incheon Airport. This information is being left up in the event that things resume back to normal. 

Korea Train Express (KTX) and Super Rapid Train (SRT)

Both the KTX and SRT depart from Songjeong Station (광주송정역). These options are more expensive than taking a bus, but also much quicker. The SRT is quicker and slightly cheaper than the KTX, but does not have as many routes around Korea.

You can book a KTX on the 
Korail site or using the Korail app.

You can book a SRT on the 
SRT site or using the SRT app.

There are also other train options that depart from Gwangju Station (광주역) but it is far more likely you will use the KTX or SRT departing from Songjeong Station.

 

Airplane

The Gwangju Airport (광주공항) offers some domestic flights, most commonly to Jeju Island. It is better to use other forms of transport inland.

The Muan International Airport (무안국제공항) is relatively close to Gwangju and offers international flights to countries such as Japan and Thailand. It might be more convenient to consider this option instead of going to Incheon for international flights.

Intercity Transport
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