Vehicles

1. 자동차

   Ja-dong-cha

   Car

   Usage

   The general word for a car. In daily speech "cha" alone is enough

2. 시내버스

   Si-nae-beo-seu

   City bus

   Usage

   The regular city bus. In Seoul, blue means trunk routes and green means branch routes. Tap your transit card both boarding and alighting

3. 마을버스

   Ma-eul-beo-seu

   Neighbourhood shuttle bus

   Usage

   A distinctly Korean minibus linking metro stations with hillside neighbourhoods. A real help in steep areas like Bukchon or Ihwa-dong

4. 광역버스

   Gwang-yeok-beo-seu

   Wide-area express bus

   Usage

   The red buses between Seoul and Gyeonggi Province. Seated only, so a full bus will pass you by

5. 고속버스

   Go-sok-beo-seu

   Express coach

   Usage

   Intercity coaches on the expressway; the terminal is "go-sok-beo-seu-teo-mi-neol". The three-abreast "u-deung" class is worth the extra

6. 시외버스

   Si-oe-beo-seu

   Intercity bus

   Usage

   Makes more stops than the express coach and serves smaller towns. Check the terminal — it is often a different one

7. 기차

   Gi-cha

   Train

   Usage

   Trains in general; the station is "gi-cha-yeok". Conventional express services include the Mugunghwa and ITX

8. 고속열차

   Go-sok-yeol-cha

   High-speed train (KTX)

   Usage

   Signs and tickets write it as "KTX" in Latin letters. Seoul to Busan takes about two and a half hours. The rival SRT departs from Suseo

9. 지하철

   Ji-ha-cheol

   Subway

   Usage

   Found in Seoul, Busan, Daegu, and other cities. A T-money card gives you discounted transfers

10. 택시

    Taek-si

    Taxi

    Usage

    Most people hail one through the Kakao T app. Late-night rides carry a surcharge

11. 모범택시

    Mo-beom-taek-si

    Deluxe taxi

    Usage

    Black car, yellow roof sign. Pricier than a regular taxi but roomier, with more experienced drivers

12. 오토바이

    O-to-ba-i

    Motorcycle

    Usage

    A Korean coinage from "autobicycle". Delivery riders sometimes use the pavement, so stay alert on foot

13. 자전거

    Ja-jeon-geo

    Bicycle

    Usage

    The Han River has an excellent cycle path. To rent one, say "ja-jeon-geo dae-yeo"

14. 따릉이

    Tta-reung-i

    Seoul public bike share

    Usage

    Seoul's green bike-share, named after the sound of a bicycle bell. Rent through its own app; foreign visitors can register

15. 전동킥보드

    Jeon-dong-kik-bo-deu

    Electric scooter

    Usage

    Shared units are scattered around the city. Korean law requires a driving licence and a helmet

16. 비행기

    Bi-haeng-gi

    Airplane

    Usage

    The airport is "gong-hang". Seoul to Jeju is one of the busiest air routes in the world

17. 공항버스

    Gong-hang-beo-seu

    Airport limousine bus

    Usage

    Runs between Incheon Airport and hotel doorsteps in the city — easier than the metro with big luggage. Also called "ri-mu-jin-beo-seu"

18. 여객선

    Yeo-gaek-seon

    Passenger ferry

    Usage

    The scheduled boats to the islands. You need your passport to board, and sailings are cancelled in rough weather

19. 유람선

    Yu-ram-seon

    Sightseeing cruise

    Usage

    The Han River cruise or a harbour tour in Busan. The night sailings are the popular ones

20. 케이블카

    Ke-i-beul-ka

    Cable car

    Usage

    Found at Namsan, Songdo in Busan, Tongyeong, and many other spots. Tell the counter whether you want one-way or return

21. 구급차

    Gu-geup-cha

    Ambulance

    Usage

    Korea's emergency number is 119. Show "gu-geup-cha-reul bul-leo ju-se-yo" — please call an ambulance

22. 렌터카

    Ren-teo-ka

    Rental car

    Usage

    The standard way to see Jeju. You need an International Driving Permit, your passport, and your home licence

23. 트럭

    Teu-reok

    Truck

    Usage

    Use it when describing an accident or a jam. A pickup selling produce on the street is "teu-reok jang-sa"

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