Information of Rail-Ro
Rail-Ro means going ahead for the future via rail. By using a Rail-Ro ticket, you can use Korail trains without any restriction in Summer or Winter. Also the total ticket costs only 56500 won! How interesting it is! But there are some conditions for this ticket.
First, your age should be under 25. Even if you are a foreigner who has a passport, you can also use this package. This package opens only in summer or winter. In this summer in 2013, it is available from 6/1 to 8/31.
Furthermore, you can use this ticket freely within 7 days after purchasing. With this ticket, you can have unreserved seats or standing room on all kinds of trains except KTX.
In addition, it is possible for you to get 50% discounts on KTX twice a week. However, be careful not to forget to always bring your identification card when you need to buy this ticket. If you want more information, please visit http://www.rail-ro.com.
How to Buy the Rail-Ro Ticket
You can book a Rail-Ro ticket both online and offline. First, if you want it through offline, you need to go to any station and ask a clerk at the station. Then, he or she may send you a text message which is your ticket.
Through online, the first thing you have to do is to visit this web-site http://www.korail.com. After paying for a ticket, there are 3 ways to get it. One way is to get a paper ticket delivered to your address. Second, you can get a SMS message ticket just like the offline one. Third, you can download the Korail application through your smart phone.
Notice for buying a paper ticket: Because it takes time for the paper ticket to be delivered, be sure to book the paper ticket 2 to 3 days before your departure. Also, reissuing of paper tickets is not available.
Extra benefits of buying a ticket: “Rail-Ro Plus”
Buying a ticket often entitles you to extra benefits such as discounts at restaurants, special accommodation deals, performance entry vouchers or transportation discounts. To see full details, visit http://www.Rail-o.com/content/con_070000.php. For example, if you buy a ticket at Jun-Ju station, you can get a free accommodation in JK youth hostel, a free tour opportunity to visit the factory of ‘HITE beer’ company, and 30% discount on the garden exhibition in Sun-Cheon bay.
Interview
A lot of students in Ewha have experienced Rail-Ro. We have two “Railers”, a term indicating people who travel with Rail-Ro ticket; Lee, Jae-yeon (’11, Mathematics Education) and Jeong, Kyeong-ok (’11, Korean Language & Literature). With their stories, you may find some tips for becoming a future ‘Railer!’
Difficulties with co-travelers
While travelling, people are sometimes in conflict with friends because of various reasons. Both Lee and Jeong also had experienced some embarrassing moments during their 7 day trip.
“Despite the fact that we were best friends, we sometimes got into arguments because of getting tired and changing schedules,” Lee said. “After that, on the last day, we frankly shared our regretful mistakes that we made, and got closer to each other.”
Although they expected that a trip with their best friends would be no problem, they sometimes quarreled with each other. This is one of the things Railers should have in mind when they are preparing for their successful trip.
Advantages of Rail-Ro
Despite some of weaknesses and limitations of Rail-Ro, both of them highly recommended that students go through this program.
“Nowadays, people usually go abroad to enjoy their holidays. However, there are so many attractive places in Korea as well,” Lee said. “The special thing we could get from the Rail-Ro is that we can make a special memory with friends. We giggle whenever my Rail-Ro team members meet together and share our precious memories.”
