Top 10 South Korea Travel Tips
Embarking on a journey to South Korea can be an exhilarating experience, but it's essential to be well-prepared for a smooth and enjoyable trip. These travel tips will help you maximize your adventure in South Korea and craft unforgettable memories in this lively and diverse country. Let’s go!
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Travel Tips
- For flights, Skyscanner is excellent for comparing the best airline deals.
- For accommodations, our family trusts Booking.com for reasonable prices.
- Organize your trips easily with a Travel Planner.
- For tried-and-true travel and hiking gear, check out our Amazon Storefront.
1. Visa Processing:
For Philippines Passport holders working in Singapore
- Handwritten Visa Application form
- 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm Colored Passport Photo on a white background
- Passport, valid for more than 6 months
- Photocopy of Passport Bio
- Certificate of Employment (company name, date hired, salary, company address, office landline number, and email address)
- Bank Certificate (account type, current type, account opening date, 6 months average balance)
- Bank statement/ passbook (3 months account)
- If by Invitation:
- Invitation letter from Korean National
- Korean National Identification Card
- Check out the website for more information about your passport status in Korea.
2. Arrival in South Korea
Currency: South Korean won
Electrical Outlet: Plug type F, two round pins with two earth clips on the side. 220V supply voltage and 60Hz.
From the Airport to the City:
Purchase the T-money card at 7'11 or G25 for 4,000 won. Stores are located on both sides of the airport lobby. Top up at least 30,000 won. Take the Elevator and proceed to Basement 1. Follow the sign that leads to KTX Trains. I arrived in the evening so I made sure to be out from the airport to catch the train before it closed down, and to give me some time to navigate my guesthouse.
Check out my Detailed travel Itinerary if you're interested in going to Nami Island, Jeju Island, Hiking trails, and my Seoul City Tour.
3. How to go around the city
All-around card transportation:
Get the T-money card as your all-in-one transportation card around Seoul buses, subway, and most taxis. Loading stations are available in most convenience stores and subway stations.
Card Price: 2,500 won and a typical fare is around 1,050 won.
Top-up 20,000 won/ 24 SGD or more 80,000 won/ 100 SGD.
Train:
A'REX (express train) 43 minutes to Seoul. There are two types of train service: the Express Train which goes straight to Seoul and the Commuters Train which drops by All stations, departing every 20-40 minutes. The trains can be boarded at the Airport Railroad Incheon Airport Station opposite the airport entrance. Tickets are purchased in vending machines located at the station entrance.
Airport Limousine counters near exit no. 3,5,10 and 12 on the arrivals floors of the passenger terminal.
Airport Buses run day and night, the Airport Information Desk is located at Gates 3,4, and Gates 11,12 on the first floor. Tickets are purchased in Gates 4,9 inside the arrival halls on the first floor or Gates 4, 6-8, 9c, 11, and 13 outside the terminal.
Taxi:
There are two types of taxis: Regular-grey and Deluxe-black with the regular being about an 80 USD ride from Incheon airport, versus deluxe being about twice that. There is a surcharge for late night and early morning of 20%. There is a so-called International Taxi with English-speaking drivers, which do a fixed price deal.
4. Buy Train Tickets
To purchase the ITX train, you need to get out of the MRT station and proceed to the nearest ITX machine right after you come out. Afterwards, you don't need to tap in back, proceed to the side of the train officer or the Ajhussi and show your ticket, then proceed to the ITX railway station.
Keep your eye on the ITX train it's different from the Korail Train or the normal train. ITX trains are 2-storey and have more comfortable seats, precisely come on time according to the ticket purchased in the ITX machine.
Both trains use the same railroad so be attentive to where you hop into and make sure to check the platform if you are at the right car number, check your ticket on the right side, the digits there will show you the car and seat number.
5. Trust the efficient train system
South Korea has one of the best train systems in Asia. I was able to travel outside of Seoul to nearby provinces in less than an hour.
Another interesting thing and what I love about the train is the Musical Arrival Song, it kept me entertained on my solo days travel around the city.
- How to get to Nami Island: Seoul to Gapyeong
- How to get to Mount Seoraksan: Seoul to Sokcho
6. Be early at the train station
Proceed to the train station ticket counter for the desired transaction. It is always a great idea to be early so you have plenty of time to figure out things, get lost, have a snack, and snap some photos along the way.
7. Learn some basic Korean words
- Hello - Annyeonghaseyo
- You're welcome - Cheonmaneyo
- Thank you - Kamsahamnida for the Wonderful Memories
- Goodbye Korea - Ahnyeonghi Gyeseyo Korea
- Excuse me (asking for help politely) - Sillyehamnida
- Where is the bathroom? - hwajangsireun eodie isseoyo?
8. Weather
Determine the weather when in Taiwan so you can plan out your activities appropriately. I love the beach and the mountains so I chose Summer for my trip.
- Spring: March to May, 25 degrees Celsius or 78 degrees Fahrenheit
- Summer: June to August, 30 degrees Celsius or 86 degrees Fahrenheit
- Autumn: September to November, less rainfall and still warm
- Winter: December to February, 8 degrees Celsius or 46 degrees Fahrenheit
9. Foods to try
These are my must-try foods in South Korea:
When you're around the winter season in Korea having a hot fishcake is a heavenly experience.
Korean Steamboat Buffet
Try out the Country's Coffee Madness and the delicious Ice Shaving Dessert
Coffee shops are everywhere in South Korea. It's a perfect treat for the cold weather. I also heard about their ice-shaving desserts, looking for it was a piece of cake as well. The fine ice melts in your mouth which is creamy and sweet. It's one of my favorite desserts now!
Samgyeopsal Buffet
A popular Korean dish that is a must-try when you're in Korea. The meal comprises slices of pork belly meat and is cooked on a grill at the table. You can eat the meat alone or pair it up with your lettuce and wrap the meat along with your preference for sauce, kimchi, and even mushrooms.
Lastly, at night try the Spicy Chicken and Beer Combo. Koreans have this chicken and beer obsession. They said it was the perfect match made from heaven.
10. Wrong Turns
Always remember that wrong turns are sometimes the right way, just because we came upon a place that is unusual and it's not what we expected doesn't mean it's a mistake or a terrible misfortune. Everybody has their own story in their travels, I don't have the perfect itinerary for my feet leads me to places I've never expected to be. At the end of the day, what matters most is how you perceive things. This is my story and I love wrong turns.
We got lost plenty of times on our trip but we don't carry the temper all day long. Just let it go and enjoy where you at. A place where hidden treasures are always in the unpaved path.
Check out my South Korea Travel Post:
Have fun and be safe ^__^
Do you want more adventure?
If you still have one more day to spare don't forget to check out Nami Island in South Korea, one of the most romantic places in the country.
Where am I going next?
My next adventure is to Bangkok, Thailand for a one-week foodventure.
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