Using the Subway System

       The subway system in Seoul is a primary way of transportation if you want to explore all the things the city has to offer. It is set up similarly to the metro-system in France, but in my opinion it is much cleaner and much nicer to use. When you first enter the subway, you won't find stations to buy tickets at. You will be immediately sent through part of what I like to call the "underground shopping center in Seoul." Underground is basically a mall where you can find "Cold Stone Creamery" and clothing stores. If you couldn't find what you needed above the surface, try under the ground. Back to topic, though, if you are on a timely schedule, try to avoid shopping and instead navigate to the entrance gates of the subway. Here you have two options as a way of payment to get in: A T-Money Card or purchasing a ticket at the ticket machine. The easier of these two is to buy a T-Money card, which I will explain now.
       A T-Money card is either an actual card, like a credit card, or a cellphone charm, that you can buy at any convenience store and that you can put money onto to pay for you subway, bus, or even in some cases your taxi ride. My T-money card is Hello Kitty brand. :) After you put so much Korean Won, the Korean currency, onto this card, you can immediately use it to pay for your ride. To use the card, you simply scan it on the T-money scanner at the subway gate or when you first enter the bus and then you are in. IMPORTANT: Make sure that when you are done with your ride, you scan once again as you exit! You do this because if you don't, you will be charged for the full distance that your method of transportation goes! It is a huge waste of money, so you don't want to forget. On the subway, though, you don't have to worry because you have to scan to exit the gate.
       If you decide not to use a T-money card or if you just aren't going to be in the area long, you should just buy a ticket at the gate. To do this go to a ticket machine and press the language in which you speak. If you want a one time ticket, you should click so and then select which station in Seoul you will be exiting on. NOT the last station on your line if you are transferring. You may need to change lines, but you can do this without leaving the gates. I will explain this more in detail later. After you have selected your destination, you need to enter the amount of adults and children that need tickets. Your machine will then tell you how much you owe and you should insert your money in the slot. Your ticket will be deposited and you can scan it on the gate to enter.
      There is one more important thing I should mention about getting onto a subway, before you pass through an entrance gate. MAKE SURE THE GATE YOU ENTER IS TOWARD THE DIRECTION YOU DESIRE. Entering one gate could lead to the train heading in only one direction, and if it is the wrong direction, your trip could take hours longer than you want it too. The best solution for going into the wrong gate is to look for the handicap gate and press the call for help button. When you do this, someone will speak to you and you can speak English to tell them your problem and they will let you pass. This is if you bought your card at the station. You will have to buy a new one. If you have a T-money card, simply scan out of the gate again and enter the appropriate gate.
       When navigating the subway system, there are some things you should understand. There are multiple lines in the subway, each recognized by a different color on the map. Each color line will only travel on that line, so you will need to transfer lines if your origin is not the color you need to be on. You will want to find the subway station nearest to your destination and navigate to it planning for different line transfers. If you need to transfer to a different line, you will here bells or tweeting or some type of music play while riding that train signifying that you are entering a transfer station. Get off on the station that transfers to your line and follow the arrows on the wall that point you to your transfer colored line. These lines on the wall are colored to match the train line color. Once you have transferred, just ride until you reach your stop or the next transfer station.

       While riding the train, it is normal for it to be hot and crowded. There are seats on the side for people to sit on and bars to hold onto while standing up. In the back of each train car, there is a designated 6 seats that are for elderly only. Make sure you don't sit in these seats. Also, if you see an elderly person standing, offer them your seat. It is viewed as impolite not to do so and they may yell at you. When holding the bars on the subway, you are supposed to look straight forward, even if there is a person sitting straight in front of you. This way you create more space in the train for everyone else. When entering and exiting the train, be careful. If it is crowded you will want to push through the crowd so you don't miss your stop or train. Once the doors close there is no way to open them.

       Above all, enjoy your train ride. Public transportation can be a great thing, especially because it is cheaper and fairly fast, especially in Korea where it is kept so clean. Also be glad that you aren't walking because Seoul is a big city and walking it all is almost impossible. To see more information on this, please view my uploaded videos on my youtube account and remember they might not be there yet, as my time is constrained. And as always, if I have left anything out or if you have questions, please comment me and I will be sure to reply.