Suwon is in the northwestern corner of South Korea, about 48km (29mi) southeast of Seoul. Almost all the hotels, restaurants and attractions (including the World Cup™ stadium) are east of Suwon train station, which is on the southwestern fringe of the city. The city centre was once fully enclosed within the walls of Hwaseong but urban expansion put an end to that. The main districts to familiarise yourself with are the train station area about 2km (1.25mi) southwest of Hwaseong, home to some budget accommodation options and where most buses originate; the area just south of Hwaseong, which contains banks, shopping centres, restaurants and hotels; and the area about 2km (1.25mi) east of Hwaseong, where you'll find the World Cup™ stadium and Hotel Dongsuwon Castle.
Getting There and Away
Most international visitors fly into Seoul’s Incheon International Airport and make their way into Seoul via the airport limousine bus, from where it’s a 45-minute train ride to Suwon. The airport limousine bus, however, is probably the most convenient way of getting to Suwon. From Incheon airport, catch the airport limousine bus from platform 3 or 12. It costs US$9/5.50 for adults/children. Buses operate every 20 minutes from 6.20am to 10.30pm, and the trip takes about one hour 30 minutes. A common taxi from Incheon airport to Suwon will cost around US$30 while a luxury taxi costs about US$70.
From Gimpo airport, 18km (11mi) west of Seoul, you can take either the airport limousine bus or a subway. Catch the bus from platform 9 for US$4/2.50 per adult/child. Schedules and operating times are the same as the Incheon airport bus and the journey takes about one hour 15 minutes. If you’d prefer to take the subway, take Line 5 from Gimpo airport, then transfer to Line 2 and then Line 1, which will take you all the way to Suwon. The trip costs US$1 and takes about one hour 15 minutes. The subway runs from around 5.30am to 11pm. A common taxi from Gimpo airport to Suwon will set you back about US$25 while a luxury taxi will cost about US$60.
A departure tax of US$10 must be paid on all international flights while a US$3 domestic airport tax is usually included in your ticket price.
Many long-distance buses stop in Seoul, from where it’s only a short hop to Suwon. Forget the bus if you’re just coming from Seoul (unless you’re coming straight from the airport) as the subway is far more convenient and efficient. However, buses can get you from Suwon to many other destinations in Korea. The Kolon express bus terminal, about 1km (0.6mi) northeast of the train station, has buses to Daegu (three hours, six daily), Daejeon (one hour 45 minutes, hourly) and Gwangju (four hours, every 30 minutes). For more obscure places, try the intercity bus terminal, just southwest of the express terminal.
Suwon is situated on the country’s busiest railway line with connections to/from Seoul (subway Line 1) and south to Daejeon, Daegu and Busan several times every hour.
Getting Around
Suwon is easily conquered on foot, but for the more obscure sights, a taxi is the best option. Common and luxury taxis are both available in town. There is a 20% surcharge if you catch a cab between midnight and 4am.
There are three kinds of local buses - common buses, common seat buses and luxury seat buses. The common bus has more routes and is less expensive (US$0.50) than either the common seat bus (US$1) or the luxury seat bus (US$1.10). Buses leave from Suwon station. The Suwon-Jamsil bus departs every eight to 12 minutes throughout the day and stops at Hwaseomun, Gyeonggi Police Office, Garak Market and Jamsil station. The Suwon-Gangnam line departs every 20 minutes and stops at Paldalmun, Janganmun, Hanil Town, Pajang-dong, Yangjae subway station and Gangnam subway station. The latter route is useful if you’re staying near the train station and planning on visiting the fortress.
If you want your own wheels, Suwon’s car rental companies can help. You need to be over the age of 20 and have an International Driving Permit. Prices per day are around US$60 for a car and between US$100 and US$120 for a van.
Getting To And From The Stadium
Suwon’s brand spanking new World Cup" stadium is at 228 Uman-dong, Paldal-gu, a bit more than 4km (2.5mi) from the train station northeast of the city centre. It is 2.5km (1.5mi) from the downtown area. The airport limousine buses from Incheon and Gimpo airports will drop you at Hotel Castle Dongsuwon, from where it’s only a 10-minute walk. There is a shuttle bus service from Suwon train station, which takes about 20 minutes. It will take around one hour 30 minutes by car from Incheon airport.
