South Korea is one of the most visited countries by the Filipinos. Thousands of travelers from the Philippines are going to this country almost every season. We, Filipinos enjoyed their place, the weather, Korean beauty products, food and let’s admit it most of travelers going there are K-Pop fans. That is why me and my family decided to visit South Korea to see why a lot of Filipinos dream to be in this country.
WHAT COVERED IN THIS SOUTH KOREA TRAVEL GUIDE?
How to Get to South Korea?
How to Get from Incheon International Airport to Seoul?
Currency Exchange
Best Time To Visit
How to Stay Connected in South Korea?
Hotels and Budget Hotels in South Korea
How to Get Around the City?
Sample Itinerary
Money Savings and Travel Tips
HOW TO GET TO SOUTH KOREA
Most of all the international flights going to Seoul arrive at Incheon International Airport. It is the largest and also considered as the primary airport to South Korea. Here in the Philippines, we have Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, Air Asia and other international airlines who are traveling daily to Incheon.
HOW TO GET FROM INCHEON INTERNATION AIRPORT TO SEOUL
Via AREX INCHEON AIRPORT EXPRESS TRAIN.
This transportation method is the fastest way for you to be able to get to the city. Yet the price is higher in comparison to a normal train and bus. Through this Airport Express Train you can get to Seoul within just 43-45 minutes. Plus you’ll be able to relax more since they offer cozy seats with free WIFI and USB Charging Service As part of it, KLOOK is now offering a limited deal for AREX, you can get a one way ticket for only PHP 249.00. BOOK AN AREX AIRPORT EXPRESS TRAIN TICKET HERE.
ALL-STOP TRAIN
This is a fast and cheap way also to go to the city. For the All-Stop train, the ticket price is around PHP 196.00 or 4,100 KRW. The travel time will take you at about 58 minutes to 1 hour. This is not bad especially if you are on a budget and you are not in a hurry. Just take note that the trains from airport only runs from 5:2AM up until 11:40PM.
KAL LIMOUSINE BUS
It is one of the most convenient way to travel to Seoul especially if your accommodation is just near a bus station. Yet the travel time will take you about 1 hour and 3 minutes. The bus ticket will cost you PHP 620.00 per way. CLICK HERE TO BOOK. They also offer a comfortable seats and a WIFI on board. The first bus departs at 4:50AM and ends at 10:40PM.
NIGHT BUS
When you arrive at Incheon International Airport during late night, the only available way of transportation will be through TAXI but it is really way expensive. That is why they also offer this NIGHT BUS traveling from Incheon to Seoul. You just really have to wait for a quite while. During late night, these buses offers point to point destination depending on where you are heading. You just have to find the right line for your bus. The bus ticket is around PHP 302.00 or 7000 KRW. They have comfortable seats and WIFI on-board as well.
CURRENCY EXCHANGE
South Korean Won (KRW / ₩) wherein KRW 1,000 is equal to about USD $0.9 or Php 49.00. If you are to exchange your money to KRW, I recommend that you do NOT exchange your money at the airport since the rates there are not competitive.
In line with that you may exchange money by bank here in the Philippines or at the Seoul city already as they have a more competitive rate.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Autumn will be a perfect season to visit here. Yet if you want to explore and see the Cherry Blossoms, spring season is what suits you. On the other hand, if you to experience the snow and the cold temperature of South Korea, visit during winter season. I suggest you avoid visiting during summer season, as it is very humid.
Spring: (March to May)
Summer: (June to August)
Autumn: (September to November) are thinner.
Winter: (December to February)
STAY CONNECTED
To stay connected you may purchase a SIM card or rent a pocket WIFI. The 4G SIM card costs PHP 1,200.00 for 5 days unlimited internet use. BOOK HERE FOR SIM CARD. While the 4G pocket WIFI will costs PHP 149.00 per day which you could even share up to 3 other people. BOOK HERE FOR POCKET WIFI.
HOTELS and BUDGET HOTELS
When we went there, we stayed at 24 Guesthouse located at 6 Namdaemun-ro 1-gil, Bukchang-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea. They offer a cheaper price of accommodation with daily breakfast. Plus the rooms are very spacious and clean. It is located in the city center, so it will not be hard for you to go to different restaurants, shopping areas and MRT Stations. For a discounted rate, BOOK HERE!!!
HOW TO GET AROUND THE CITY
It is not so hard to navigate in Seoul since there are so many MRT and Bus stations. There are also many taxis around so it will not be hard for you to find one. You can use a navigator app but not Google Maps as driving and walking directions of Google do not work in South Korea. Below are some of the other mode of transportation you may consider.
SUBWAY
The whole Seoul metro is really impressive as it offers a cheaper way of transportation. It is also useful to buy a T-Card to save you from time and money. You may buy and reload it online.
BUS
The city also has an impressive and well-connected bus service that similarly makes use of the T-Money card. Just don’t forget to tap your card before exiting the bus or else you’ll be charged the maximum fare possible on that bus’ route.
WALKING
Seoul is not that big, so you can really walk from destination to another.
TAXI
There are so many Taxis in Seoul, so if you want a faster and convenient way of transportation, you may just ride a Taxi. Just take note that you must have a translator with you as some Taxi drivers find it difficult to speak in English.
SAMPLE ITINERARY
Arrival
Day 01: Seoul City Tour and Hanbok Wearing (complete places to visit blog SOON to be posted).
You may visit the following places:
Gyeongbokgung Palace
Deoksugung Palace
Changgyeonggung Palace
Changdeokgung Palace
Jongmyo (Royal Shrine)
N Seoul Tower Observatory
MBC World
Seoul City Tour Double-Decker Bus
COEX Aquarium
TrickEye & Ice Museum
Myeongdong Shopping Market
Day 02: Garden of Morning Calm, Nami Island and Petit France Whole Day Tour
Me, personally I enjoyed this trip! To get this full package tour, you may book via KLOOK with KToursStory as your travel guide. CLICK HERE TO BOOK. They offer the best package tour here! The tour will starts at 8AM and will end at arounf 7PM.
Day 03: Lotte World or Everland Whole Day Tour
I hope you’ll find this blog a helpful one. Enjoy South Korea and don’t forget to share your experiences here as well by commenting.
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