Getting around Andong
Andong is a compact city, and its sights are spread between the downtown core and the surrounding countryside. Public transport is built around buses, taxis and rail, and the practical challenge for most visitors is not the city centre itself but reaching the outlying attractions such as Hahoe Folk Village and Dosan Seowon.
Orienting yourself
The downtown area is very small: you can walk across the city centre in under ten minutes. Andong's train station sits a short distance from the centre, next to the bus terminal, which makes the station area a convenient hub for onward travel to the attractions and into town. The station has English-speaking staff, self-service ticket machines, a Global ATM and a tourist information centre.
Rail
Andong is served by Korail, South Korea's national railroad, with regular direct services from Seoul, Busan, Daegu and Gwangju, using both express and slower local trains. From Seoul you can take a KTX-Eum high-speed service or a Mugunghwa train from Cheongnyangni directly to Andong, or ride the KTX to Daegu and transfer to a local train. Note that Andong itself has no KTX service. Tickets can be bought at the station or online through Korail, and advance booking is recommended during peak seasons and holidays. There is no metro or tram network in Andong.
Buses
Buses are the main way to get around Andong and to link the city with surrounding towns and villages. The network includes local city buses and intercity buses, with distinct routes and schedules. Local buses display route numbers and destination boards and use visual and audible announcements. Most run from early morning to late evening, with more frequent service during the morning and evening commutes, and schedules are posted at bus stops and available online.
Plenty of buses depart from the bus terminal right across from the train station and serve most of the tourist attractions. Information at bus stops is written only in Korean, but the tourist information office at the train station provides a useful English bus schedule showing departure times, destinations and fares. Fares do not increase by distance; they are based on the length of the route, typically around ₩1,400 for a bus to the outer suburbs up to about ₩2,500 for the furthest destinations. Change is available in coins only, so avoid paying with a large note. Seoul T-money cards are accepted.
You can pay in cash, but rechargeable transport cards such as T-money and Cashbee are preferred; they can be bought and topped up at convenience stores or subway stations, often give a slight discount, and make bus-to-bus transfers easier. T-money cards are also accepted on taxis and some train services. It is worth keeping Korean won cash on hand, as some buses and taxis may not accept cards or foreign credit cards.
Taxis and ride-hailing
Taxis can be flagged off the street, but this is not recommended because you may face a long wait. The best place to pick one up in the city centre is outside the railway station; otherwise it is better to order one by phone, so ask your hotel for the number of a reputable company. Standard taxis are metered and commonly orange or white. Black "Deluxe" taxis are available at a higher price for better comfort and drivers who can communicate well in English and Japanese, and some international taxi drivers speak other languages too. Taxis can also be booked through phone apps or a dispatch call, and Kakao Taxi lets you hail and track a taxi.
Walking
Walking works well in the centre, which is small enough to cross in under ten minutes. Within Hahoe Folk Village, walking is the primary mode of transport, and residents use electric bicycles. The Buyongdae viewpoint is reached via a short fifteen-minute hike up the cliff on the opposite river bank, with a pedestrian ferry service available at the dock.
Reaching the city from the airport
Andong does not have its own airport. The nearest international airport is Daegu International Airport, located to the south of Andong. From there, the practical options are to continue by train or intercity bus into Andong, or to hire a car.
Getting to the outlying attractions
Some of Andong's best-known sights lie well outside the centre and are served by infrequent public transport, so a rental car is strongly recommended if you want to see them comfortably. Hahoe Village is a considerable distance from central Andong and Dosan Seowon lies further out still, with even less frequent public transport. A shuttle bus to Hahoe Village departs from Andong Bus Terminal several times a day and takes about forty minutes.
Practical tips
- English signage and announcements exist at major transit points, but some city buses and taxis have limited English; a translation app or a map showing Korean addresses is useful.
- Naver Map and Kakao Map cover bus routes, real-time arrivals and train schedules, and support English settings. The Korail app handles train ticket booking, times and service updates.
- Many city buses have low-floor designs and ramps for wheelchair users and elderly passengers, and some taxi companies offer vehicles equipped for passengers with disabilities if you call ahead and specify your needs. Andong Station has elevators, tactile paving and accessible restrooms.
- If you are heading back out of Andong by bus, confirm departure times in advance: the last buses leave in the evening, and listed times can vary considerably with traffic, especially on Sunday evenings.