Major city · South Korea
Uijeongbu의정부시
Skip as a base: one half-day for budae-jjigae street and a Suraksan hike, or a cheap bed north of Seoul on Line 1.
Uijeongbu sits in a mountain gap on the old invasion route north of Seoul, and it still reads as a garrison town: US and Korean bases, a Line 1 subway spine, and a light rail that ties into the Seoul network at Hoeryong. Travellers come for two things — budae-jjigae, the army-base stew the city claims, and the hiking on Suraksan and Dobongsan. Everything else is ordinary satellite-city infrastructure, so treat it as a half-day or a single night, not a destination.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- KRW
- Best months
- Apr–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (heat and rain), late Dec–Feb (ice on trails)
- Airports
- ICN · GMP
- Nights
- 0–1
Rules in force · 5
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- South Korea ↗Check K-ETA and visa status on the official sites before you fly; the list of nationalities exempted from registering online changes year by year.
- South Korea ↗Google Maps gives poor walking and driving directions in Korea; use Naver Map or Kakao Map for routes.
- South Korea ↗Buy a T-money card (or use a phone-based transit pass) for subway and buses; it also pays at convenience stores and many taxis.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Uijeongbu112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Uijeongbu, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Cards work almost everywhere, including taxis, convenience stores and many market stalls; carry ₩30,000–50,000 (≈ US$25–40) in cash for street food…South Korea-wide
- SIM or eSIMSK Telecom, KT and LG U+ sell tourist SIMs and eSIMs at airport arrivals; a passport is required, and data-only plans are cheapest.South Korea-wide
- Tap waterOfficially safe from the tap; most people drink filtered water, and restaurants serve it free.South Korea-wide
- TippingRestaurants and cafés: No tip; a service charge appears only in top hotels.South Korea-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.South Korea-wide
- SafetyVery safe by any big-city standard; the real risks are trail ice, military photography rules and late-night bar areas near the station.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree, clean public toilets in every subway station; paper goes in the toilet in new buildings, in the bin where a sign asks.South Korea-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police · 119 fire and ambulance · 1330 Travel helpline (24 h, English) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysPalaces close one weekday (Gyeongbokgung Tuesday, others mostly Monday); national museums open daily but close on 1 Jan, Seollal and Chuseok days.South Korea-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportICN Incheon International (Airport limousine buses from Terminal 1 stop 8B to Uijeongbu Station, about ₩11,000 (≈ US$8) and 1 h 30 min–2 h).
- Getting aroundLine 1 runs south to Seoul (about 40–50 min to City Hall) and the U Line light rail links Hoeryong, Uijeongbu and the northern districts.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee₩3,000–5,500 (≈ US$3–4)
- Beerdraught in a bar / can at a convenience store₩4,000–7,000 (≈ US$3–6)₩2,000–4,000 (≈ US$2–3)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi base fare₩4,800 (≈ US$4) (check)
- Metro or bus rideSubway ride₩1,400–2,000 (≈ US$2) (check)
- Budget bedFamily room or cottage (up to 4), a night, per room₩90,000 (≈ US$65)
- Mid-range bedMotel double room, a night, per room₩70,000 (≈ US$55)
- High-end bedMotel double room, a night, per room₩110,000 (≈ US$80)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₩50,000 (≈ US$40) · Mid ₩85,000 (≈ US$65) · High ₩160,000 (≈ US$120)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- ICN Incheon International (Airport limousine buses from Terminal 1 stop 8B to Uijeongbu Station, about ₩11,000 and 1 h 30 min–2 h) · GMP Gimpo International (No direct limousine confirmed; subway via Seoul, about 1 h 30 min (check))
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Feb
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Mar
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Apr
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
May
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jun
not flagged
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Aug
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
not flagged
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Oct
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Nov
Best
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Dec
Avoid*
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Best: Apr–May, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C) low), wettest Jul (14 rain days), driest Jan (3). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Uijeongbu: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
3 rd
Feb
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
3 rd
Mar
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
5 rd
Apr
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
6 rd
May
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
7 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8 rd
Jul
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
14 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13 rd
Sep
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7 rd
Oct
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
5 rd
Nov
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
5 rd
Dec
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
4 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Line 1 runs south to Seoul (about 40–50 min to City Hall) and the U Line light rail links Hoeryong, Uijeongbu and the northern districts. City buses fill the gaps to trailheads; taxis are cheap and easy to flag, with a stand outside Uijeongbu Station.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1 h
Line 1 from Uijeongbu Station, no change
Cheapest bed north of the river if Seoul prices spike.
Door to door: About 30 min
Line 1 north, about 20 min
Only with a reason: Soyosan trailhead or the US base town.
Door to door: About 20 min
Line 1 north, about 10 min
Nothing a visitor needs that Uijeongbu does not already have.
Door to door: 1–1.5 h
Line 1 to Ganeung or Hoeryong, then bus west
Pairs with a DMZ tour day; check tour pickup points first.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Uijeongbu Station area
Line 1 and the U Line meet here; walkable to the market and budae-jjigae street. Best for one night.
Hoeryong
U Line interchange with Line 1; cheaper motels, 10–15 min further from the centre.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₩50,000–80,000 (≈ US$40–60) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₩80,000–140,000 (≈ US$60–110) excl. bed
- High
- ₩140,000 (≈ US$110)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel double room1 × 1 night × ₩70,000 | ₩70,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ₩85,000 | ₩170,000 |
| Airport limousine from ICN, one way2 × ₩11,000 | ₩22,000 |
| Line 1 subway fare to central Seoul, one way2 × ₩2,000 · check | ₩4,000 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × ₩20,000 | ₩40,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₩30,600 |
| Trip total≈ ₩168,300 per person per day, bed included | ₩336,600≈ US$250 |
2026 estimate in won; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Budae-jjigae, per personPortions are shared; price is per head at most places. | ₩6,000–12,000 (≈ US$5–9) |
| Coffee | ₩3,000–5,500 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Korean barbecue (galbi), per person | ₩20,000–35,000 (≈ US$15–30) |
| Beer: draught in a bar / can at a convenience store | ₩4,000–7,000 (≈ US$3–6) / ₩2,000–4,000 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Taxi base fare | ₩4,800 (≈ US$4) (check) |
| Subway ride | ₩1,400–2,000 (≈ US$2) (check) |
| Market parking | ₩1,000 (≈ under US$1) per 30 min (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Trail ice and loose rock on Suraksan in winter and after rain; hiking shoes, not trainers.
- Base areas are working military sites: no photography of gates, vehicles or personnel.
- Some bars near the station cater to soldiers and can be loud and heavy-drinking on weekends.
- Last trains south to Seoul run before midnight; check the day's timetable.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 112
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
- Travel helpline (24 h, English)
- 1330
Pocket card
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Uijeongbu의정부시
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
이 주소로 가주세요To this address, please
Emergency
- Police112
- Fire and ambulance119
- Travel helpline (24 h, English)1330
Embassy
No embassies in Uijeongbu; most are in Seoul. US military personnel use base channels, not the embassy.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- ICN → Uijeongbu Station, limousine bus: about ₩11,000 (≈ US$8), 1 h 30 min–2 h
- Uijeongbu → central Seoul, Line 1: about ₩2,000 (≈ US$2), 40–50 min (check)
- Taxi across town: ₩5,000–9,000 (≈ US$4–7) (check)
Say or show
- 안녕하세요 — Hello (annyeonghaseyo)
- 감사합니다 — Thank you (gamsahamnida)
- 이거 주세요 — This one, please (igeo juseyo)
- 얼마예요? — How much is it? (eolmayeyo)
- 안 맵게 해주세요 — Not spicy, please (an maepge haejuseyo)
- 지하철역이 어디예요? — Where is the subway station? (jihacheollyeogi eodiyeyo)
Tipping is not expected. 1330 connects to English-speaking operators.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Uijeongbu. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–May, Oct–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (heat and rain), late Dec–Feb (ice on trails) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for ICN: limousine bus times field-checked, Line 1 fallback, overnight rung.
- Two walking clusters with rescue anchors: Uijeongbu Station and the market, Hoeryong and the U Line.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (budae-jjigae street, Jeil Market, Mangwol Temple) and trail pages with daylight cutoffs for Suraksan.
- Hostile-arrival fixtures for late ICN landings so gates A–D can go green.