Getting Around Gwangyang
Gwangyang is a city in the Jeonnam-Gwangju region of South Korea, best known as the home of POSCO's Gwangyang Steel Works. It sits on Gwangyang Bay, with the Seomjin River and Hadong county to the east, Gurye to the north, and mountains such as Baegunsan rising inland. For a visitor, the practical geography to keep in mind is that the city has two distinct centres: Gwangyang-eup on the western side, and Jungma-dong (also called Donggwangyang, or "East Gwangyang") on the eastern side near the port and the steel complex. How you get around depends heavily on which of these two areas you are staying in or heading to.
Arriving by Train
Gwangyang Station (광양역) sits on Suncheon-ro in Gwangyang-eup and is served by Mugunghwa and S-Train services on the Gyeongjeon Line. If you are coming from Seoul on a KTX bullet train, it is usually faster to ride the KTX to nearby Suncheon Station and then transfer to a local bus or taxi for the roughly twenty-to-thirty-minute trip into Gwangyang. In other words, the high-speed network does not reach Gwangyang directly, so plan on a short connecting leg by road.
Arriving by Long-Distance Bus
Gwangyang is well linked by express and intercity buses from major cities, including regular services from Seoul's Central City Bus Terminal and from Busan. Seat classes range from standard to deluxe or premium, and the coaches are comfortable and luggage-friendly.
Note that the city has two main bus terminals, and which one you want depends on where you are going:
- Gwangyang Bus Terminal (광양터미널) — in Gwangyang-eup on the western side, closer to the historical sites and the Bulgogi Specialized Street.
- Donggwangyang Bus Terminal (동광양터미널) — in Jungma-dong on the eastern side, near the port, the POSCO complex, and most modern hotels.
Check which terminal your service uses before booking, since the two are on opposite sides of the city.
Arriving by Car
Driving gives maximum flexibility. From Seoul, the route runs along the expressway through Suncheon–Wanju and then the Namhae Expressway, exiting at Gwangyang IC. A car is recommended if you plan to explore the surrounding nature, go island-hopping, or travel with a lot of luggage.
Arriving by Air
If you arrive via Yeosu Airport, when flights are available, take a taxi or local transport from the airport into Gwangyang for a quick entry to the city. This option suits travellers arriving by air and heading straight to Gwangyang or onward along the southern coast.
Local Buses
City buses run regularly between Gwangyang-eup and Jungma-dong (Donggwangyang), which makes them the practical way to move between the city's two main areas. Routes 77 and 99 are the most frequent trunk routes. Standard Korean transportation cards, including T-money, are accepted, so you can tap on and off rather than hunting for change.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are easily hailed in the downtown areas and outside the bus terminals. The Kakao T app works well throughout the city, so ride-hailing is a reliable option if you would rather not flag a cab on the street.
Walkability
Walking is realistic within a given district — around the shops, restaurants, and accommodation of Gwangyang-eup or of Jungma-dong — but the two centres are separate, so you should expect to use a bus, taxi, or car to move between them. For the outer areas, such as the mountains, the coastline, and remote villages, walking is not practical; renting a car or using your own vehicle is more convenient.
Practical Summary
- Between the two city centres: city buses (routes 77 and 99 are the most frequent), or a taxi.
- Within a district: walking works well for everyday errands and meals.
- Short hops and late nights: taxis, including via the Kakao T app.
- Mountains, coast, and outlying villages: a rental car or your own vehicle.
- Paying for buses: use a standard Korean transportation card such as T-money.
- From Seoul by rail: KTX to Suncheon, then a local bus or taxi into Gwangyang.
- From Seoul by road: expressway via Suncheon–Wanju, then the Namhae Expressway to Gwangyang IC.
- From the air: Yeosu Airport, then taxi or local transport into the city.