Taxi's
A taxi is very common form of transport in Korea. There are two types of taxi services in Korea: On-base taxi services operated by, or contracted with, AAFES, and the Off-base (local) commercial Korean taxi's.
On-Base AAFES Exchange Taxi Services
Each military installation has a base taxi service operated by the Exchange, and also contracted commercial (downtown) taxi's who are allowed to operate on-base. These taxi's will deliver you where ever you wish to go on or off base to include the Incheon airport if you wish.
AAFES Taxi App: There is an AAFES TAXI app you can download called Exchange Taxi Plus (This PLUS replaces the outdated Exchange Taxi app) to your phone to order a taxi for pickup from anywhere on-base, and within their range of operations off-base.
You can also call 1544-9080 from your Korea cell phone for the same service, although the app is the most efficient way. As mentioned, you can order a taxi pickup off-base, but, what these base taxi's will not do (are not allowed to do) is to pick you up if you 'wave' them down while off base.
Email: taxi@usfktaxi.com
Subject: PICK-UP FROM INCHEON AIRPORT [your name]
Email Body:
Name:
Contact Number:
Number of Passengers:
Number of Luggage & Size:
Pick-Update:
Pick-Up Time:
Pick-Up Point Airport Location:
Flight Number / ETA:
Drop-Off Location:
Number of Passengers:
Off-Base Commercial Korea Taxi Services
Korea has standard (often orange, silver, or white) and deluxe (black) taxis, plus special international taxis driven by multilingual drivers. You can hail taxis on the street or book them through apps like Kakao T or the K-RIDE app. International taxis are a good option for tourists, as they can be booked at airports or online and provide customized services.
The off-base local Korean taxi's are not allowed on-base. If you take one from downtown, they will bring you to the base gate you ask for (if they understand you) where you must get out, enter the base and continue your travel another way. Many of the local drivers speak some English, or at least enough to get you to and from well-known locations. However, it would be wise to look for taxis with a “translation services available” sticker on the side.
There are several types of local taxis in Korea
- Standard taxis: These are the most common type, typically orange, silver, or white. They have yellow license plates and "TAXI" signs on the roof.
- Deluxe taxis: Also called "moim" taxis, these are black, have a higher fare, and offer a more premium service.
- International taxis: Drivers speak foreign languages like English, Japanese, and Chinese, and they cater to tourists, offering services like airport pick-up, drop-off, and city tours.
- Van taxis: These are suitable for groups of 6–10 people and have the same fare structure as deluxe taxi
Rates vary based on type of taxi and/or the time elapsed from the trip. Tipping the driver is not normally expected in Korea. It is also customary to not expect small change after paying. On the other hand, drivers who often work around military bases are more likely to expect a small gratuity.
How to hail an off-base taxi
- Hailing on the street: You can simply wave down a standard taxi as it approaches.
- Using a phone app: This is a very popular method:
- Kakao T: A widely used app for calling taxis, which allows you to see the driver's information before they arrive.
- K-RIDE: Another option, recommended for short-term visitors.
- TADA: An app-based ride-hailing service that is popular in Korea.
- Calling by phone: You can also call a "call taxi" by dialing 1333, which is a service operated by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.
- At the airport: You can hail an international taxi directly from the information desk at major international airports like Incheon and Gimpo.
Using Uber Taxi in Korea
Uber operates a "Uber Taxi" service in South Korea, which allows users to request licensed, local taxis through the app, similar to other cities.
- Requesting a ride: You can request a standard taxi, and in some cities like Seoul and Gwangju, you can also choose other options like a premium "Deluxe Taxi" or an eco-friendly "Green" (EV) option.
- App features: The Uber app provides 24/7 availability, upfront pricing, and safety features like driver and vehicle details and the ability to share your trip with loved ones.
- Payment: You can pay for your trip through the app.
- Airport pickups: Uber provides specific pickup points for airport rides, for example, at Incheon International Airport
While the Uber app is available, local ride-hailing services like Kakao T are also widely used and are sometimes considered a primary alternative.
