“It’s been a long time since I took a long-distance bus, and I had the chance to try the overnight premium express bus, especially the Simya Premium.
Before getting on, there was that excitement, curiosity. I can’t resist such feelings. Checking the pre-information, it seems like it has leveled up beyond the usual express buses.
Trying it out was truly a new experience.
The external appearance was mostly as depicted in the images above. Departing from the Masan Express Bus Terminal, passing through my terminal, and heading to Seoul.
Of course, the same bus will probably go to Masan, Busan, Daegu, etc., when coming down from Seoul.
Among them, I happened to take the overnight premium express bus.
The 1 a.m. bus from Masan to Seoul took about 3 hours and 50 minutes, surprisingly faster than expected.
It took almost 30 minutes less compared to the KTX, which was 3 hours and 15 minutes. Probably because the late-night conditions result in less traffic, it seems to arrive about 10 minutes earlier than other buses on average.
The estimated arrival time was supposed to be 4:50 a.m., but it actually arrived at 4:40 a.m.
The seat number is on the chair. I didn’t know where the seat number was at first and wandered around for a while. It turns out it’s displayed above the chair.
The seats are truly limousine-class, and there are even curtains between passengers. This way, when traveling with strangers, you can protect your privacy with the curtains.
When traveling alone, a single seat would be the best, but that’s just my preference.
Honestly, for premium express bus “Myeongdang” seats, it seems like the best option is a single seat, preferably the one right at the front, second from the very front.
The cleanliness could be better. It wasn’t dirty, but there were traces of time on the shelves and various spots, making me wonder if they manage seat cleanliness well, especially with the ongoing pandemic.
There was even a wireless charger, but unfortunately, larger smartphones like the Galaxy Note Ultra don’t fit well.
The actual drawback was the cleanliness. It wasn’t dirty, but there seemed to be some signs of aging on the shelves and various spots. I couldn’t help but wonder if they manage seat cleanliness well, given the gradual shift to an endemic phase of the pandemic.
The cup holder on the table was there. The table can handle about 6kg, enough to support most food or personal items.
There is also a USB charging port located under the monitor. However, laptop charging is not supported. The output is weak, and attempting to charge barely works due to low current.
There’s an earphone jack on the left armrest, along with channel and volume control buttons. However, earphones are not provided separately for each seat, likely to prevent loss. It might be difficult for individuals to carry them, but you could probably request them from the driver.
There was a seat adjustment button on the right armrest, allowing the backrest to recline to an angle of almost 150 degrees. The leg rest can also be raised, providing a comfortable sleeping position.
There is a small light on the ceiling, and there are also lights on both sides of the seat.
You can request emergency assistance and use the restroom through the request button in the premium express bus.
However, since the bus stops at rest areas occasionally, unless it’s really urgent, it’s better to refrain from using these facilities due to other passengers. The driver might even ask, “Do any passengers urgently need the restroom?” with a playful tone.
You can search for the current location and check the remaining time during the journey. This is almost at the level of an airplane.
Air conditioning and lighting control are basic features.
The broadcast signal is somewhat intermittent, which is disappointing. While watching various broadcasts through SkyLife via the monitor, some channels are not subscribed, leading to automatic termination. It would be better if channels that are not available in the subscription list weren’t shown at all.
Without earphones, you can’t hear the sound. So, if you want to listen, earphones are essential (Note: Earphones must have a 3.5mm round jack, not USB-C or 8-pin).
You can fold the tables, and the load capacity is about 6kg, enough for most food or belongings.
There is also a USB charging port under the monitor. However, laptop charging is not supported. The output is weak, and attempting to charge barely works due to low current.
The emergency exit light was turned off shortly after departure, probably because it would be turned off soon after driving.
However, the premium bus Wi-Fi has some interruptions, so I mainly used my personal data rather than the bus-provided Wi-Fi.
Arrived at Seoul Gangnam Express Bus Terminal at 4:40 a.m. Luckily, buses were operating from this time, so I could comfortably take another bus home from here.
For reference, the subway also starts operating from 5:30 a.m. If you take the overnight 1 a.m. express bus from places like Masan or Busan to Seoul Gangnam, you can save time and even get some sleep.
In conclusion, the first experience with the Simya Premium Express Bus was enjoyable, and the facilities were satisfactory. Above all, the seats themselves allowed for a comfortable and deep sleep during the journey.
#SimyaPremiumExpressBus #PremiumExpressBusRestroom #PremiumExpressBusSeatReservation #ExpressBusMyeongdangSeatWi-Fi”