The Disabled
| Travel Tips for the Disabled | ||||||||||||||||||
| Disabled travelers should take note of the many discounts offered and various facilities to avoid needless inconveniences during their stay. When planning a trip, try to take advantage of the benefits and services. Below is some basic information on transportation and shopping to make traveling more pleasant. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Transportation | ||||||||||||||||||
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| Subway: Most subway stations in Korea have elevators to provide easy access for the disabled. There are also lifts for wheelchairs to help the disabled who have difficulty using stairs. In addition, the platforms of most subway stations have Braille tiles that help blind passengers navigate the platform space and guide them to the doors of the subway cars. Every subway car has priority seats for senior citizens and the disabled. | ||||||||||||||||||
| [ Convenience facilities for senior citizens and the disabled at stations on subway lines 1~4 in Seoul ] | ||||||||||||||||||
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| Airport : Airports provide parking spaces designated for the disabled. They also have wheelchair rental services (may vary depending on an airport) and toilets for the disabled. Every airliner provides various services for the disabled and senior citizens. Although services may vary at different airports, airlines, and air routes, they are generally as follows: | ||||||||||||||||||
| - For departure: Check-in, filling out departure documents, escort service onto the plane - Aboard: Assistance for filling out embarkation documents, special care service - For arrival: Assistance for entry procedures and baggage inspection, escort service to needed transportation - Battery car service: A vehicle is available at passenger terminals for passengers who experience difficulty moving, including passengers in wheelchairs, senior citizens, pregnant women, and blind passengers. |
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| Tourist sites | ||||||||||||||||||
| Major tourist sites and cultural facilities offer discounts or free admission to the disabled. However, some small organizations or tourist sites may not apply the disabled discounts to foreigners. In order to benefit from discounts for the disabled, you need to show proper certification highlighting the disability. Tourist attractions such as Cheonggyecheon Stream, Seoul Forest, and Han Riverside Park Ttukseom District (weekends only) and cultural facilities including Seoul Museum of Art, National Museum of Contemporary Art, and National Museum of Korea offer wheelchairs, usually free of charge. To use a wheelchair, you need to provide identification, such as a passport. |
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| Other convenience facilities | ||||||||||||||||||
| Toilets for the disabled: Major tourist sites and transportation facilities have toilets for the disabled. They have entrances and stalls larger than those of regular toilets, and safety bars are installed. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Ramps: Major public facilities and tourist sites have ramps or elevators instead of stairs to provide easy access for wheelchairs and strollers. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Shopping | ||||||||||||||||||
| Traditional markets have narrow aisles and are crowded with people, so disabled persons are recommended to go the department stores or large shopping malls as they have more convenient facilities. The main location of Lotte Department Store and Yeoju Premium Outlet provide wheelchair service free of charge. If you are interested in getting medical devices or medicine, the street from Jongno 5-ga Station of Subway Line 1 to Dongdaemun Station of Lines 1 and 4 is recommended. The area is lined with shops selling various medical devices. You can buy small medical devices to measure blood pressure, body fat, and blood sugar levels at home, as well as many other products such as electric wheelchairs, portable massagers, and bathroom scales. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Recommended destinations | ||||||||||||||||||
Cultural facilities such as Seoul Museum of Art, National Museum of Contemporary Art, and National Museum of Korea have spacious hallways and free wheelchair service. If you want a more active tour, try a theme park. Theme parks like Lotte World Adventure and Everland rent wheelchairs. At Everland, attractions are recommended to those who can ride with assistance from guardians. For blind visitors, American Venture is more appropriate. Most theme parks also have medical units. In the case of an emergency, you can seek help. If you come to Korea to experience traditional Oriental medicine or have medical treatment, Chorakdang in Uljin and Ggotmaeul Oriental Medicine Clinic in Gyeongju are recommended. In addition to addressing your health issues, they will make your trip entertaining as they offer programs combining sightseeing and medical treatment. |
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| Hospitals and Emergency Numbers | ||||||||||||||||||
| In Korea, you need a doctor's prescription to buy certain medications. For anything apart from simple medicines such as fever remedies, you'll need to visit a hospital. | ||||||||||||||||||
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