Getting Around Pohang
Pohang is a coastal city in North Gyeongsang Province, and for visitors the practical reality is simple: local public transport means buses, supplemented by taxis. There is no metro or tram network to navigate, so you won't need to learn a subway map or buy a transit card for rail-style services. What you will need is a rough sense of how the bus system works, where the main terminals and stations sit, and how to reach the city from its airport.
Public Transport: City Buses
Local transportation in Pohang is served only by city buses. They cover many different routes across the city, and some of them reach out to the mountain areas as well, which is useful if your plans take you beyond the urban core.
- Two bus types: Buses are classified as Ilban-bus (general/normal bus) and Jwaseok-bus (seat bus). The seat buses are more comfortable and slightly more expensive than the general buses.
- How to tell them apart: General buses are painted blue and orange, while seat buses are painted green and gray.
- Frequency: Buses generally run at intervals of roughly 15 to 25 minutes along their own routes.
- Route information: Routes are listed in both Korean and English, but the Korean version is interactive and therefore more helpful for planning. If you only know your destination and not which bus to take, you can call a free travel information line for help in English, Japanese, Chinese, or Korean.
Because the network is bus-only, it pays to check your route before you set out rather than assuming you can simply turn up and figure it out at the stop.
Arriving by Train
Pohang is served by two train stations: Pohang station and Wolpo station. Trains run from Seoul, Daegu, and Busan, with several services a day from Seoul and Daegu. Times and destinations are available on the Korail website, which is provided in both English and Korean.
One important practical point for visitors: the main train station in Pohang is in Heunghae-eup, which is far from the center of the city. The old train station, by contrast, sits in the center of the city, directly across the street from the downtown shopping area. If your accommodation is downtown, be sure to check which station your train actually uses before you arrive, as the two are not in the same part of town.
Arriving by Long-Distance Bus
Pohang has two main bus terminals, and they serve different purposes:
- Shiwae (Intercity) Bus Terminal: This terminal handles nearby cities and almost every major city in South Korea, including access to Daegu and Busan. It also acts as the cross-country bus terminal. Note that its website is only in Korean and only accessible in Internet Explorer, so it is easier to get information on the ground or by phone.
- Gosok (Express) Bus Terminal: From here you can travel to Seoul, Gwangju, Daejeon, Masan, and the Seonsan Resting Place Transit Center. Its website is available in both English and Korean, making it the easier of the two to research in advance.
The two names translate roughly to "intercity/city" and "express," so match your ticket to the right terminal before heading out.
Taxis
Taxis are relatively inexpensive as long as you are traveling within Pohang city limits. The base fare is ₩2,200, rising to ₩2,400 after midnight, and the meter increases in ₩100 increments based on distance and time. For short hops around the center, or when bus routes don't line up with your plans, a taxi is a straightforward and affordable option.
Walkability
Walking works well in the downtown core, where the old train station sits directly across from the downtown shopping area, putting shops and services within easy reach on foot. Beyond the center, Pohang spreads out considerably, and the main train station lies far from the city center in Heunghae-eup, so you should not expect to cover the whole city on foot. Plan to combine walking in the center with buses or taxis for longer trips.
Getting In from the Airport
Pohang Airport lies about 10 km east of the city, past the POSCO site. It handles domestic flights only, with services from Seoul Gimpo and Jeju Island. Several flights per day to Seoul Gimpo Airport and Jeju Airport are available.
To reach the city from the airport, take city bus 200 towards Guryongpo. This is the practical public transport link between the airport and Pohang, so it is worth noting the route number before you arrive.
Ferries and Connections Beyond the City
Pohang is the terminus for a number of ferry routes serving the adjacent East Sea, including the main tourist route for Ulleung Island and Liancourt Rocks. If your trip extends beyond the mainland, the port is where those connections begin.
Practical Tips
- Local transport is bus-only, so build your plans around bus routes rather than expecting rail or tram service within the city.
- Check whether your train arrives at Pohang station (far from the center, in Heunghae-eup) or the old station downtown before arranging onward transport.
- Match your long-distance ticket to the correct terminal: Shiwae for intercity routes, Gosok for express routes.
- Use the free travel information phone line if you're unsure which bus to take; assistance is available in English, Japanese, Chinese, and Korean.
- Remember the after-midnight taxi surcharge when budgeting for a late night out.