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10/12/2024
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Lions Bay, BC
CA
Yo - Rarely ever post on here but figured wtf.
I'm Canadian, going to be in Seoul for work and am staying over for a few days to catch the World Cup. I'm transiting from Gangnam on May 1 and back to Seoul / Hongdae on May 4. Cars / transfers in Korea are expensive, I'll probably end up booking a van taxi or similar to go both ways.
If anyone from around Vital land is going to be in Korea for the race, message here or PM so we can coordinate and save some money on cars to spend more money on beers.
Seems to be a few of us going based on the other thread, The wife and I are planning on getting the train from Seoul to the races figured that was the easiest option for us?
oh shit - good news. mind letting me know which other thread? I am probably just half dumb and didn't see it.
Have you ever been to Korea? Train / bus is cheap but a pain. Looking like a private transfer for 4 people is about $200 USD one way and takes 2.5 hours rather than 6-8 hours of pain a bus / train combo can take.
South Korea thread is HERE.
High speed rail should get you there from Seoul in +\- 90 minutes depending on route. That seems like the easiest way to do it. That’s my plan anyway.
Have you looked at car hire? We've got a car for 5 days (booked from the UK) for less than $200.
6-8 hours? 🤣 🤣 It does happen, but only if you're driving/riding a bus during a holiday or in bad weather. I forgot about a holiday once and it took me almost five hours in the morning instead of the three I expected
The KTX from Seoul to Pyeongchang Station via KTX is roughly 90 minutes. A taxi to the Yongpyong resort or the town of Daegwalyeong/대과령 is another 30 minutes and about 50,000krw. So 2 hours transit + whatever time it takes you to get to Seoul Station and waiting time. If you're in Seoul, less than 3 hours.
The bus options take about 2.5-4 hours, depending on the number of stops they make and traffic + transit to the bus station. If you take a bus to Daegwalyeong, you're right in the middle of town and a 5 minute cab ride from the resort. If you manage to get the resort shuttle from Seoul, well that's self explanatory.
Driving. Depends on the time of day and where you're starting from. Getting out of Seoul or the surrounding area is the longest part. It might take an hour to get to the outskirts of Seoul and then another 90 minutes to the resort. Avoid rush hour times at all costs. Just pull over and be a tourist. Daytime driving from central Seoul is probably 3-3.5 hours. Go at night, leaving at 8pm, 2-2.5 hours. I drive there from the southwest side of Incheon all the time and get there in just over two hours when I leave around 7:30-8pm.
For larger groups of people, definitely look into a rental car. Just remember that most highways are toll roads. Get your hi-pass card for automated payment and use the fast lanes at gates.
Yah I ended up doing the train, tickets just opened up today for the 1st. 26,300 krw for a business seat from Seoul to Jinbu and then 15-20minute cab to the hotel.
This is what I'm planning to do, too. KTX from Seoul to Jinbu station, then a cab to the resort. Seems like there are trains running every 50 minutes each way.
I'm traveling with one friend, and we'll be in Seoul for a few days ahead of time. It just didn't make sense to deal with a car.
Getting stoked for this trip!
Awesome! I’m in Gangnam area leading up to the event working and eating meat washed down with Korean beer. Seoul’s an awesome place to explore.
That's pretty cool. Have you spent a lot of time in Seoul before? It's the first time for my friend and I. He's traveled to other parts of Asia, just not South Korea.
We're gonna be staying in the Mapo-Gu area Sunday - Wednesday before the race. I think the only plan so far is to check out a baseball game at Jinbu (I think that's it) Stadium Tuesday night. I think we'll check out some temples and a market or two. Likely going to eat and drink our way around the city.
Yah I've been doing business over there for about 15 years now, used to go back 2 or 3 times a year, once a year since Covid. I haven't spent any time in the Mapo-Gu area - usually end up in Gangnam, Hongdae and Itaewon for the most part. I land in Seoul on Sunday and am there until Friday morning when I take the train out to the venue, staying at the Intercontinental Alpensia (I think about 10 minutes from the race venue?). Hoping to get there Friday mid day so I can catch a bit of qualifying. I booked before the schedule was out and rolled the dice on racing being Sunday and practice Saturday, F'd that one up.
Will send you a PM with my insta to chat on.
Mint, I sent a follow request on Insta.
That's pretty cool you're over there so often. Do you have any "must visit" restaurants, bars or other spots in Gangnam or Hongdae? We should try to meetup for a drink.
As for the event schedule, I've had the best time at world cups on practice day (Thursday.) It's four, two hour blocks of riders getting things figured out. They're doing the most laps, often off the bike to walk/inspect/discuss, and it's going on for about eight hours total. Qualies are cool, but a lot more standing around between sets of riders and many more spectators in the way.
I made the same assumption around race days, will be good to check out the XC though hopefully a couple of spicy sections.
We're staying at the same place, any idea on getting from there to the venue? figure its a 45 min walk worse case scenario.
Yah I spoke with the resort last week. Lots of uber and taxi options. I’m sure a bunch of drunk non Koreans will be in need of transport!
if it’s a dh/xc combo race weekend the xc is always Sunday, dh on Saturday.
yet further evidence of how poorly I research and plan things.
Uber in Korea isn't the same as in other countries. It's essentially just taxi's branded Uber. Kakao Taxi is more widespread, and in a small town like Daegalyong, more likely to be found. Download the KakaoT app. You plug in your pick-up point and destination, and choose the level of car you want. It also helps keep the driver honest, as you can live track the route.
KakaoT, Naver Maps or Kakao Navi for navigating as they'll have more detail than Google Maps, KakaoMetro or Subway Korea for trains, Kakao Bus.
The DH course is off to the side of the resort. Be prepared to potentially ride a shuttle to the bottom or take the Gondola up and walk down. Parking's probably gonna be limited to riders, teams, and event staff. The good news for the riders is that the lift ride takes just over five minutes, so they'll be able to turn a decent number of laps, potentially 10-15 minutes round trip.
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