How to Get to Wooido
First of all, one has to reach the ferry terminal in Mokpo, Cholla Province.
From Seoul, the most convenient way is to go to Mokpo by train. From Mokpo Train Station, the ferry terminal is a short, basic-fare distance away by taxi.
Train Fares and Timetable for Seoul to Mokpo
In Mukunghwa (Second Class), 5 hrs and 30 minutes' ride : W17,100
In Saemaul (First Class), 5 hrs' ride : Tues, Wed, Thurs. W22,300 ;
Mon, Fri, until 18 p.m. W24,800 ;
Fri, past 18 p.m., Sat, Sun. W27,300 .
Leaving everyday from Seoul St. to Mokpo St.:
07:05 (Mukunghwa (=M)), 08:05 (M), 09:05 (Saemaul (=S)), 10:05 (M), 12:05 (S), 14:05 (M), 16:05 (M), 17:05 (S). 18:05 (M). 19:05 (M). 21:05 (M), 22:03 (M).
Extra temporary trains running on weekends and holidays :
17:25 (M) and 23:05 (M).
Bus Fares and Timetable from Seoul to Mokpo
From the Kangnam Express Bus Terminal in Seoul, buses run from the Capital to Mokpo every 90 minutes from 05:30 a.m. to 19:00 p.m. The 382 kilometres journey takes 5 hrs and 20 minutes and cost W14,100 in Economy Class buses and W20,900 in Deluxe coaches. Late night Deluxe coaches leave at 22:00 and 22:40 during the week, and until midnight at 23:30 and 24:00 during the weekend but cost W23,000.
Second, from Mokpo Port, one needs to take a boat for Hongdo. There are two options: a speed boat and a normal slower boat. However, to reach Wooido, it is not worth paying more for the speed boat since one gets stuck at Dochodo, a mid-stop island. The timetable of the speed boats arriving at Dochodo do not fit in conveniently with that of the boats leaving for Wooido. There are not that many attractions on Dochodo nor enough time for tourists to search after them during the waiting period between the boats arrival and departure.
Speed Boats for Hongdo via Dochodo
Speed boats that leave Mokpo at 07:50 and 13:20, take 50 minutes to arrive at Dochodo and the fare is W11,900.
Normal Boats for Dochodo
The Daeheung Ferry No. 3 and No. 7 leave Mokpo at 07:40, 13:20, and 15:00, and take 2 hours and 40 minutes to arrive at Dochodo. The fare costs W7,000.
From Dochodo to Wooido
The Heunghae No. 3 leave Dochodo for Wooido only twice a day at 07:00 and at 12:00. Therefore, unless one is determined to spend the night on Dochodo to take the earlier ferry, one has no other alternative but to take the noon boat for Wooido. This is why it is better to take the slower Daeheung Ferry from Mokpo to Dochodo, enjoying the scenery on the way to the island and also to feel less bored on the mid-stop. The journey on Heunghae No. 3 takes 40 minutes.
Way Back
From Wooido, boats leave at 08:35 and 12:35 for Dochodo. However one must check with the ticket office at Docho Port (Tel: 0631-275-2300) whether they have the 08:35 boat since the Heunghae No. 3 goes to Mokpo to get refilled with oil every ten days or fortnight.
From Docho Port, boats leave for Mokpo at 06:40, 10:00, and 15:40. The most suitable link is to leave Wooido on the 12:35 boat, and leave Dochodo on the 15:40 one. Speed boats from Hongdo arrive at Dochodo at 11:40 and 17:50 but they usually arrive full from Hongdo in the vacation season, leaving no space for more passengers to get on at Dochodo.
Lodgings
In Donmok Village at Wooido, there are several houses that offer lodging. Generally, lodgings in private homes cost W15,000 for three people and W5,000 more for every extra person. Park Hwa-jin's house (Damoa Lodging : 0631-278-1859) and Seung-mi's house (0631-278-1740) are recommended. Especially at Park's, who owns a fishing boat and a fixed shore net, one can enjoy the freshly caught frog flounders, sea bass, and buy edible raw fish at W20,000 per kilo.
When Caught in a Typhoon
The greatest problem about going to Wooido is a typhoon warning. It is useful to plan the trip consulting the Meteorological Center's Internet homepage where there is an advanced weather forecast : www.kma.co.kr Also by calling 0631-131, one can hear the weather forecast of the Mokpo area, up to the next two following days.
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