Contents
Introduction
Here are an information to use the highways in South Korea. Are you planning to visit Korea? Then what type of vehicle do you use for travel? There are many ways to travel to South Korea. But moreover, I recommend renting a car. Public transportation in areas of South Korea outside of major cities like Seoul, Busan, and Incheon can be inconvenient for traveling.
So, when you rent a car, how do you use and navigate hightways? I’ll guide you through everything you need to know about using highways in South Korea, including the payment system.
If you’re considering renting a car for traveling, install an app called ‘Naver map’, which is the most famous and trusted navigating app for Koreans. With this app, the fastest way to your destination is shown where you want to go. Of course, it can be checked how much you pay for highways.
Then how do you change the language setting from Korean to English? Check the link below.
Highways in South Korea, How do you use and pay?
1. Drive on the right side of the road
The roads of South Korea follow the rule of driving on the right side, similar to the US and most European countries. If you come to Korea from other countries where driving on the left side is the rule, make sure to follow this rule! Your left shoulder is always on the right side of the median strip or centerline, which is in the middle of the road.
2. How to pass the tollgate in Highway?
When you approach the tollgate, you can see several lanes marked in blue and others left unpainted. These lanes are marked as ‘high-pass lanes’ and regular lanes. If your vehicle doesn’t have a highpass device, use the regular lane.
Approach slowly to tollgate, and you’ll spot the machine that issues a pass. This pass calculates the highway fee from the tollgate where it’s issued to the tollgate near your destination. At the highway exit tollgate, a staff member is present to collect the fee. You can pay the fee using cash or credit card to the staff.
3. Highways in South Korea,What is High-pass?
The highways of Korea have two different payment systems to pass through the tollgates: high-pass system and the standard payment method. With high-pass system, you can pass through the tollgate without stopping.
In Korea, each tollgate has a different number of lanes. Then which lane is the High-pass lane? High-pass lanes are located on the left side of the tollgates, and they are colored blue on the roads.
When you pass the tollgate with high-pass, the device in your car is automatically paid, but you need to have a high-pass card in your high-pass device. In general, high-pass are sold at convenience stores, but when renting a car, request one from the staff.
Here are a few pointers for navigating the high-pass system below.
Check the balance on your high-pass prepaid card
If you’re unable to obtain a credit card that works with the highpass device, consider purchasing a prepaid card from a convenience store. You need to top up this card before crossing the tollgate.
Then how much do you need to top up? The highpass fee varies depending on your destination. Before you travel, determine the fee using Naver map.
Check the device in your rental car
The High-pass system, enabling seamless toll-payment, becomes highly convenient when equipped with a highpass payment device in you rental car. It varies depending on the car, but most rental cars are equipped with High-pass devices. Make sure to check with the rental car agent.
Don’t be panic if you hear an alarm while passing through a high-pass lane.
If you don’t have a high-pass device or card installed, an alarm will sound when you pass through the tollgate on the high-pass lane. Don’t worry, you can settle the fee later.
Immediately after passing the tollgate, you’ll find an expressway sales office on the right side. You can inquire about the fee at that office. Look for the words ‘EX’ or ‘한국도로공사’.
The Highways in South Korea, Have a happy trip with the highways in Korea!
With this information, accessing the highways becomes easy, even if it’s your first time. I firmly believe that renting a car makes your trip happier and more convenient. Remember the tips I shared earlier, and enjoy your trip in Korea!
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