Things to Know: Plan to Korea

This is just some random @ miscellaneous things that you might want to know when planning a trip to Korea:

1) Once you arrive in Incheon/Gimhae airport, how can you go to your guesthouse/hotel?

• From Incheon International Airport, you can take AREX Commuter Line. This train will go to Seoul Station and some other stations [link here]. Just look for the signage written 'Airport Railroad' on B1.
• From Gimhae International Airport, you can take Busan-Gimhae Light Rail to transfer to the Busan Metro train. If you are heading towards Busan Station, you have to make a few transfers. Look for the Purple Line [link here].

#MyExperience: It is a bit troublesome to drag your huge and heavy luggage around. Travel light and don't buy too much stuff when going back. ^_^

2) The first thing you need to look for once you touch down???

• T-money! 
• Buy one from any convenience shop (ex: GS25, Lotte Mart) and go find a top-up machine. You can find one near the entrance of any subway station. It is like a MetroCard (if you are from US) or Touch-N-Go (if you are from Malaysia).

>>>> More info on travel to/from the airport and T-money here.

3) Where to go to exchange money?

• Myeongdong
• Bank @ Seoul Station
• Namdaemun

Look for this symbol~

#MyExperience: I did try the one in MyeongDong and there's a lot of places to choose from and you can even compare between different money changer. Some even accept the not-so-famous currency. The guesthouse worker did recommend money changer at Seoul Station but I never get the chance to compare the rate. He said the rate is pretty cheap there. I've never come across a money changer in Namdaemun before but you could try to look for it.

4) How to choose a good guesthouse?

• My criteria would be $$$. The cheaper the better! However, I would rather pay extra rather than stuck in a dirty place. You can find the list of guesthouse and price for two person bedroom here.
• The location. It is much more convenient to have a guesthouse near the subway station, especially when it comes to dragging your huge luggage once you arrive and leave. Each subway station has elevators, so you can use that as you have a reason to. (WARNING: Some guesthouse is at 4th floor and they don't have an elevator. Good luck with your luggage!) Also, if the guesthouse is somewhere on a slope, it will be tiring for you to climb up the slope (psstt~ Even without a luggage to drag) 
• Mr Furry~~ Some guesthouse has pet around. So, please check with them if you have some allergy problem or just phobia. 
• Curfew?! Yes, some guesthouse has their own curfew. You might get lock outside if you didn't get back in time. Yikes! 
• Cooking.. If you plan to cook (to cut cost), you might want to look for a guesthouse that provide a kitchen. [Sila bawa sabun Taharah ye..]
• Washing machine. Only if you plan to stay long.. It's not free anyway. Bring your own detergent maybe.

 

Plan Trip to Korea (part 2)

Places to visit in Seoul Korea:

1. N Seoul Tower

2. Love padlock at N Seoul Tower

3. Teddy Bear Museum at N Seoul Tower

4. COEX Mall (Indoor aquarium and Kimchi Museum)

5. Gyeongbuk Palace

6. Ganghwamun Plaza

7. Cheonggyecheon  Stream

8. Yeouido Park near Han River

9. Banpo Bridge

10. Traditional Market (ex: Namdaemun, Dongdaemun, Myeongdong, Insadong)

11. Itaewon (Multi-cultural zone)

12. Apgujeong Rodeo Street

13. Hello Kitty Cafe at Hongdae

14. Theme park (Lotte World, Everland, Caribbean Bay etc.)

15. Nami Island

Check out Visit Korea website for more info.

Plan Trip to South Korea (part 1)

"I really want to go to Korea!!!"

Here is a list of things that you need to think about when you want to plan a trip to Korea:

• What is your budget?
• How long are you going to stay there?
• Where do you plan to go? - Jeju Island? Busan? Seoul?
• Where to stay? - Guest house? Motel? Hotel?
• Where to go?
• What to wear? (depends on the season at that time)
• What to eat?

Does this list overwhelmed you? Not to worry.. You don't have to answer it right away. You have to plan slowly and carefully. 

This is my advice to you: Decide when you are going first! I mean.. What season? 

• Spring    : March to May
• Summer : June to August
• Autumn : September to November
• Winter   : December to February

Spring and Autumn are the two best time to go to Korea, I would say. It's not too cold and not too hot. Plus the scenery would be so picturesque during those seasons. Summer would be scorching hot especially in August. While during the winter season, it's exciting to do winter sports but not so enjoyable to go for sight-seeing (based on my experience). But I am not saying it's impossible to go sight-seeing. If you come from a tropical country (like me), you might be a bit uncomfortable with the cold weather. Your hand and face would freeze! But you are not going to die. Don't worry.. It's a good experience though. Besides, when else can you experience snow.

Second, make sure you have enough budget! 

It's hard to say for certain what is the correct amount you need to have. Sometimes you have to plan your trip based on the amount that you have. 

• No matter what, buy your two-way flight tickets first! If you have enough money to buy the flight tickets and still have a few thousand in your bank account, you are safe. Another thing you could do is save more money after you had bought the flight tickets. I bet you would have a few months of time gap before the actual vacation right?
• Then, choose where to stay. If your focus is just Seoul, you can stay at one place. If you are on a tight budget, opt for guest house. It's really cheap. But take note that some of the guest house required you to share the room and bathroom with other guests. Depending on your preference and budget, check out the guest house's website first. <A list of guest houses>  
• Now, the most exciting part would be to decide where are you going to visit. You can just Google to see the recommendations. Easy-peasy.. However, don't forget to check how to go to (and come back from) this places and check if there's any entry fees and what's the opening hours. 

It's not that bad.. Planning your own vacation is more exciting. Although it is a lot of work, it's worth it! This entry is just meant to make you get started. I'll be posting more stuff! ;-)