Transportation
●Arrival at Incheon International Airport
Ranked the best airport in the world for 12 consecutive years, Incheon International Airport is fully-accessible for everyone. Upon request, service agents will provide assistance with entry documents, immigration procedures, and baggage claim, as well as escort to transportation. The airport is equipped with electric vehicles pickup service for persons with mobility difficulties. You can move to general area of the airport, check-in counter, duty-free area, and boarding gate with this service.
Using one of the help phones located throughout the passenger terminal at entry gates 3, 7, 8 & 12, will connect you directly with the Airport Help Desk if you are in need of any assistance. Wheelchairs can be rented for free at the information desks on the departure level at entry gates 3 & 12, or the arrival level at entry gates 5 & 10.
◾︎ Incheon International Airport Help Desk - Tel: +82-2-1577-2600 - Location: Terminal 1, 2 (Details) * For in-flight services, please contact your airline. |
●Getting to Seoul
1.Airport Railroad Express
The Airport Railroad Express (AREX) is a railway line that connects Incheon International Airport and Gimpo International Airport to Seoul Station in downtown Seoul. The express train will take passengers to and from Incheon International Airport and downtown Seoul in just over 40 minutes nonstop. Express trains is operated at 20 and 40 minutes of every hour. Regular trains stop at various stations and take 60 minutes, but depart every 5-10 minutes. All stations and trains are fully accessible, while every train has designated areas for wheelchairs. (Details)
2.Airport Buses
Airport buses conveniently drop off passengers at major hotels and locations throughout the city. However, most airport buses are not fully accessible vehicles. (Details)
◾︎ Airport Bus Companies |
3.Taxis
Taxis are the most expensive option but some travelers might find them more convenient to use. There are four types of taxis: Standard, international, deluxe, jumbo. The type of taxi can usually be distinguished by its color. International taxis are 20 percent more expensive than standard taxis and drivers speak English, Japanese, or Chinese. Deluxe taxis are approximately 40 to 50 percent more expensive than standard taxis, but use larger, more luxurious sedans. Jumbo taxi vans can accommodate up to eight passengers at once and are the same price as deluxe taxies. Taxi stands for each type of taxi are located outside the arrival terminal. (Details)
4.Seoul Danurim Airport Pickup Service
If you are a wheelchair user, you can utilize the wheelchair lift vehicle provided by the ‘Seoul Danurim Accessible Tourism Center' for transportation from Incheon Int’l Airport to your accommodation in Seoul. This service is not available continuously, so please check the detailed information on the guidance page within the Seoul Danurim Website. (Details)
●Getting Around Seoul
1.Subway
Using the extensive subway network of Seoul is the most efficient way of getting around the city. Color-coded subways lines and multilingual signs and announcements help foreign travelers use the subway system with ease. Consistently voted one of the best subway systems in the world, the Seoul Metro is not only safe, clean, and easy to use, but has features in almost every station and train that improve accessibility and comfort for customers with visual impairment, hearing impairment, and mobility disabilities, such as the following listed below.
○Elevators
○Wheelchair lifts and ramps
○Audio & visual information systems
○Braille tiles
○Accessible service entry gates at subway station
○Accessible transit card vending machines
○Platform gap modification to bridge gap between train and platform
○Platform doors
○Accessible restrooms
○Priority seating area in every car
* Accessible facilities may not be up-to-date in some smaller and older subway stations.
Elevators
Nearly all of Seoul’s subway stations can be accessed by elevator. Most stations will have an elevator that goes from the street level down to the ticketing level. Taking another elevator at the ticketing level is usually required to get down to the platform. If an elevator entrance on the platform/street level has transit card readers, this indicates that elevator and the platform are directly connected. As many elevators have been retrofitted wherever they fit in the old stations, placement may not always be intuitive, but locations are clearly marked with signs. Locations of elevators at street level are usually not marked with signs, but the elevator entrances, consisting of big glass boxes, are fairly easy to spot from a street.
Wheelchair Access Gate
Most of the newer subway stations have entry gates without turnstiles, but many older stations still have them. Instead, these older stations has gates for wheelchair users access gates. Simply scan your transit card on the sensor and be on your way.
Wheelchair Lifts
Most old stations without elevators are equipped with wheelchair lifts. Simply call for an attendant at the station office for assistance.
Priority Seat
Every subway carriage has priority seats at each end for senior citizens, pregnant woman, and persons with disabilities. Blue triangle signs on the platform floor with man seated with walking stick indicate location of priority seats. All subway train also has seats for wheelchair and stroller users. You can check the location of that seats through a large blue square wheelchair sign on the screen door.
Screen Doors
Almost all Seoul subway stations are equipped with platform screen doors to prevent any accidental slippage onto the tracks. Doors will only open once the train has arrived.
2.Taxis
Taxis in Korea are some of the world's cheapest and one of the most convenient ways to travel in the city. There are five types of taxis in Seoul: regular, international, deluxe, jumbo, and accessible. The type of taxi can usually be distinguished by its color. Taxis are a great way to travel shorter distances or to locations where subway stations are not in the vicinity.
Wheelchair Accessible Call Taxis
Seoul boasts a fleet of wheelchair-accessible taxis for travelers traveling by wheelchair. Accessible taxis are white and yellow vans with a green stripe along the side, equipped with a ramp or lift, and can accommodate one wheelchair and five passengers. Accessible taxis are only available for foreigners traveling by wheelchair, as well as local residents with disabilities, and must be reserved in advance. Unfortunately, the demand for the service is currently exceeds the number of vehicles in the fleet, so expect an average wait time of 30-60 minutes for pickup.
* As the availability of accessible taxis is not always guaranteed, it is not recommended to rely on them as a primary means of transportation.
* There are a total of 747 wheelchair accessible call taxis in operation in 2023. Seoul’s wheelchair accessible fleet includes 661 vehicles equipped with a slope and a lift, three multi-passenger minivans, two buses with a lift and 80 regular taxis for persons with disabilities(non-wheelchair users).
Fares for wheelchair-accessible taxis are cheaper than for regular taxis and no extra service charge is added.
◾︎ Fare - KRW 1,500 for first 5km - KRW 280/km from 5-10km - KRW 70/km after 10km ※ Toll fees paid separately ◾︎ Website: https://www.sisul.or.kr/open_content/calltaxi/ ◾︎ Tel: +82-2-1588-4388 ◾︎ Hours: 24 hours |
Regular Taxis
Most regular taxis are currently orange, white or gray. These are the most common taxis in the city and can easily be discovered from just about anywhere.
International Taxis
International taxis are marked with an "International" sign. They are slightly more expensive than regular taxis, but drivers can often speak some basic English, Japanese, or Chinese. International taxis are less common and typically must be called for in advance.
◾︎ International Taxi Call Center - Website: https://www.intltaxi.co.kr/?lang=en - Tel: +82-2-1644-2255 |
Deluxe Taxis
Deluxe taxis are black with a gold stripe along the side. They are more expensive than regular taxis but are considered safer and more comfortable to use; drivers must have maintained an accident-free driving record for ten years to become certified as deluxe taxi drivers. Deluxe taxis are harder to hail down than regular taxis and usually need to be called for in advance.
* Regular, international, and deluxe taxis may not be able to fit a wheelchair due to extra trunk space required by LPG gas tanks.
Jumbo Taxis
Also black, jumbo taxis are larger vans. Though they are not accessible vehicles, they are large enough to fit a wheelchair if needed. Jumbo taxis must usually be reserved or called for in advance.
Taxi Rental
Taxis can be rented for up to a day. Though prices are steeper, renting a single taxi for an allotted period can be a more convenient alternative to hailing or calling for multiple taxis. If you travel by wheelchair, it is recommended to rent a jumbo taxi as regular taxis may not be able to stow a wheelchair in the trunk.
* Accessible call taxis are not available for rental.
/p>
3.Buses
The public bus system is very well developed in Seoul and can take you to locations that aren’t conveniently located near subway stations. In 2004, 66 of all public buses in Seoul were low-floor buses. That number currently stands at 4,840 buses (as of 2023), and the penetration rate of low-floor buses in Seoul is more than 70 percent. The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to increase this number to 100% in a few years. A low-floor bus is with no steps between the entrance and exit of a bus, which improves accessibility for the elderly and passengers with mobility disabilities. Ramps can be lowered and drivers help park and fasten wheelchairs in designated areas of the bus. All public buses have priority seats for the persons with mobility disabilities.
* Due to limited operation of low-floor buses, it is advised to use taxis and subways whenever possible.
Overall Breakdown The subway is the most economical and efficient mode of travel for longer distances, but it may not always be the best mode of travel for travelers with mobility disabilities. Be sure to always check the list of accessible features at your arrival, departure, and transfer stations. If you travel by wheelchair, it is advised to avoid stations where wheelchair lifts are the only option. Taxis are ideal for traveling shorter distances, or to locations without an accessible subway station close by. Regular taxis can be caught from most anywhere but may not be able to stow a wheelchair. If you plan on visiting several locations, renting a taxi, though more expensive, might be the most convenient option. Accessible call taxis are convenient but might not always be a viable option due to the long wait time. Due to limited operation of low-floor buses and the lack of English sign at bus stops, buses are not recommended. |
※ Hospital & Emergency Numbers
In the case of a medical emergency, dial 119 The caller's location will automatically be detected and an interpreter will be connected to the call. Ambulance dispatch is fast and free. For all other medical information, dial +82-2-1339. English-speaking doctors and medical officers are available to provide assistance.
