Gwangju

Getting around in Gwangju is really quite easy, though rush hour significantly adds to travel time. There are two basic options: buses and taxis. Taxis are generally cheap but buses are frequent and more or less comfortable. The recently completed subway line stretches from the southeast near downtown to the west southwest, forming an arc with the northern most point being near the bus terminal at Nongseong Station 농성역 - Nongseong Yeok.

By Subway

The subway is cheap - 1200 won to any location. The four main stops on the subway though there are 19 total are the Culture Center former Provincial Office, Geumnamno-4 & 5 pedestrian downtown, and Sangmu the unofficial commercial center and western-style downtown area. To get to the bus terminal, exit at Nongseong Station 농성역 - Nongseong Yeok and walk straight north 10 minutes past E-Mart and Shinsegae. The bus terminal is juxtaposed to those two buildings. To take a train, take the subway to Songjeong-ni station and follow the signs for the train station. The second subway line that will eventually form a circle around the city will break ground towards the end of 2009. Eventually there will be three lines in Gwangju.

By taxi
By taxi

Taxis are incredibly cheap by western standards. A taxi ride will cost 2200 won for the first two kilometers then 100 won after that. Basically, on a traffic free night, you can get across the city for around 10,000 won. Black taxis have a higher surcharge than white or silver taxis but due to the fact they charge on distances only, tend to drive more unpredictably.

By bus
By bus

Buses are arranged by colors. Red buses are express buses, running often, making very few stops, and covering large parts of the city. Bus number 1 connects Sangmu area to the train station to Chosun University. Buses 6, 7, and 9 cover the rest of the city making large squares that intersect in important locations. Yellow buses are standard buses that run every 10 - 20 minutes. Green buses are village buses that connect smaller communities and rural areas to transfer points. Purple buses are district circulator buses, generally going to the outskirts of the city. Every neighborhood 동 - dong to main locations around the city.