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Visiting Korea Part 2: Playing in Traffic
With motorcycles on the sidewalk, loose traffic laws, and cars that like to play chicken, getting around
Korea is a unique experience by itself! Thankfully, Korea has a great public transportation system that will
help you navigate its sometimes perilous roads. So keep your eyes wide open, stay on your toes, and enjoy!
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The first thing a first-time traveler to Korea will notice if they go to Seoul is how insanely
crowded and chaotic of a city it is. Travelers who have been to Beijing may not be as surprised,
but those coming from the orderly cities of Japan will undoubtedly be amazed at how different
Seoul is from Tokyo. Although both cities are crowded, traffic in Seoul, both automobile and
pedestrian, tends to defy almost all laws and reason, unlike its Japanese counterpart. As your
shuttle bus approaches the Seoul city limits from Incheon International Airport, be sure to look out
the window, and get a taste of what driving in Seoul is like.
As you gaze out the bus window, you may have occasion to grasp the handle on the back
of the seat in front of you as you veer dangerously close to cars in adjacent lanes, as other
motorists cut in front of each other with reckless abandon, and as pedestrians stroll
lackadaisically along the narrow shoulders of the street and randomly walk into traffic. You will
also frequently witness drivers on motorcycles, scooters, and mopeds weaving in and out of
traffic, cutting through red lights, and zipping down the sidewalks. You may even see them weave
through traffic while going the wrong way. And yes, they drive motorcycles on the sidewalks. As a
pedestrian, it definitely keeps you on your toes. Speaking of which, crosswalks are virtually
meaningless in Korea unless they are accompanied by a stoplight – and even then, they seem to
be more of a general guideline than a rule. If you want to cross the street in an area that doesn’t
have a light, the trick is to find a decent sized gap, hold your breath, and just go. Most cars will
continue moving at you at full speed, as if they could care less that you are there. 99% of the
time, they will slow down just as they close on you. 99% of the time. I haven’t experienced the
other 1%, so I can’t tell you what happens, but I’m sure it isn’t pleasant.
Yup, Seoul traffic is truly a sight to behold.
The good news, though, is that Seoul has a well-developed public transportation system,
including subways, busses, trains, and taxis. Subway stops are almost always printed in English,
and you can usually pick up a subway map at your hotel lobby or front desk, also written in
English. Additionally, Seoul Metropolitan Subway has an outstanding website that includes an