Travel Tips

City Guide Seoul, the capital of , is a global center for commerce and technology. The metropolitan area is the second largest in the world with more than 25 million people. In addition to its sprawling, modern skyline and the Fortune 500 companies that are headquartered there, the busy metropolis’s history also runs deep. Seoul was founded more than 2,000 years ago in 18 B.C. and is home to four UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Changdeok Palace, , Shrine and the Royal Tombs of the Dynasty.

Airports Incheon International Airport (ICN)  The airport is located 32 miles (52km) west of Seoul on Yeongjong Island.  Airport buses, rail service, and taxis provide transportation from ICN to Seoul’s city center.  Transportation to the city center from ICN via airport limousine bus costs W15, 000 (US$14.00) and has an average trip time of 90 minutes. The airport limousine bus service stops at 20 of the major hotels in Seoul. More information can be found online www.kallimousine.com  Transportation to the city center via taxi costs on average W38,000 for a standard taxi and W63,000 for a black, deluxe taxi (US$34 or US$57). Prices can increase during high traffic times and after midnight.

Transportation  Metro: Seoul’s subway system is fast, clean and convenient. It’s also very easy for travelers to use since the signs and announcements are in English. Trains run from 5:30 a.m. to midnight. Prepaid travel cards for multiple rides can be purchased at subway stations as well as City Passes that allow the traveler to ride both the subway and the buses. Route costs vary based upon the length of travel and begin at W1,000 (US$0.90). Maps and additional information can be found online. www.smrt.co.kr  Taxi: There are two types of taxis in Seoul, and they can be differentiated by color. Regular taxis are generally blue, white, orange or silver. These taxis begin at a rate of W2,400 (US$2.20). The black taxis are the deluxe taxis. These taxis charge twice the cost of regular taxis, but are a convenient option for business travelers as drivers are trained in English, take credit cards and provide receipts.

Hotels Price Key $ 100-200 USD per night Grand Ambassador Seoul ($) $$ 200-300 USD per night 186-54 Jangchung-dong 2-ga, Jung-gu $$$ 300-400 USD per night Seoul 100-855 www.grand.ambatelen.com InterContinental Seoul COEX ($) 524 Bongeunsa-ro, Gangnam-gu Lotte Hotel Seoul ($$) Seoul 135-975 30 Eulji-ro, Jung-gu www.seoul.intercontinental.com Seoul 100-070 www.lottehotelseoul.com/kr Sheraton Seoul D Cube City Hotel ($$) 662 Gyeongin-ro, Guro-gu Conrad Seoul ($$) Seoul 152-887 23-1 -dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu www.sheratonseouldcubecity.co.kr Seoul 150-945 www.conradseoul.com JW Marriott Hotel Seoul ($$) 176, Sinbanpo-ro, Seocho-gu Seoul 137-040 www.marriott.com/SELJW

Restaurants Price Key Butcher’s Cut ($$) $ 25-50 USD 158-10 Samsung-dong, Kangnam-gu $$ 50-100 USD www.dinehill.co.kr/new/src/Butcherscut_about.asp $$$ 100-150 USD Korean Steakhouse

Maple Tree House ($) Hannam Bldg. 1002ho, 737-37 Hananm-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul www.mapletreehouse.co.kr Traditional Korean

Translation Services TransPerfect Ms. Choi, Hye-ryun T: (404) 525-7788 T: +82 (10) 3273.5022 www.transperfect.com E: [email protected]

C-ITIS Green Service www.c-itis.com/EN www.greentrans.co.kr

Contact Information State of Georgia - Korea United States Embassy Hee-jung Shin 188 Sejong-daero, -gu Director Seoul 110-710 – Korea Hyochang-Dong 5-23, Yongsan-Ku T: +82 (2) 397.4114 Seoul 140-896 – Korea T: +82 (2) 702.6093 E: [email protected]

*Information valid as of September 2013