Subways

Subways in Seoul, Korea  

One thing we have found is the Korean Pass can not be used as a subway pass.
You will need a single journey ticket, which is a pain if you plan on taking the subway for a majority of your travel. Each ticket requires a deposit which is refunded at your end station by slipping your ticket into a machine.
A better option is subway card, also know as a T-Money Card (pictured top left) which can be bought at almost any conventicle store for a nominal fee. It can be reloaded at all the stations.
You need to scan your card going in and out of the subway gates. You can keep your card in a wristie wallet or bifold wallet and scan right through most fabrics instead of removing it from your wallet each time.
Korean subways are really smart. They have bike rails for bringing your bike into the subway and all stations have elevators at one exit to help people with luggage or wheelchairs. They also have many energy saving features like escalators that start if a person passes the metal gates.
In each subway car there are designated spots for older people, moms and children along with disabled people.
It is not customary to eat, drink and talk loudly on the subway. If someone does talk on their cell phone it is customary to cover your mouth so not to disturb others.
Subways do not run all night. They have different hours on different days and for different lines.


An interesting thing I found was most subways have full length mirrors to check yourself out. The Korean people take pride in their appearance but on the subway most everyone's attention was on their smart phones. 

 

Look up Koreans! There are so many handsome and pretty girls and boys around. 
Korean word for subway is; 'Jihacheol'

Useful websites 

http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/

http://www.eatyourkimchi.com/


TIP - download the subway app called Jihchul and get the maps before you leave your wifi area. It's really a great app and can be used off line.