Each bus, train car and station is kept relatively clean. People are discouraged from drinking or eating food while using public transportation here, and I think that definitely helps. My one suggested area of enhancement for the Seoul public transport network would be to expand the train and bus schedule beyond the current times. Trains stop running at 12 a.m. and buses stop running at around 1 a.m., but there is still plenty to do in the city at those respective times. To get home, people will typically take taxis, but it's not uncommon to see a mass migration of some of the night owls in the city at 5:30 a.m., when the train starts running again.
Other than that, I really enjoy the convenience of traveling in Seoul. Stations are nicely spaced out and the subway map itself is easy to understand. Fare per trip typically costs less than $1, which is great for us students trying to save money where we can. We can either use our Yonsei student ID or a card called a "T-Money card," since both can be refilled with cash at any station.
Using public transportation in Seoul is a great way to to get acquainted with Korean culture. There are so many stations that are centered around markets or underground shopping areas, and an added bonus is that each one has a bathroom! Subway stations are often an afterthought when you are traveling since they are really just a way to help you get from one place to another, but I feel like a station here can be a travel destination in itself.
