Hi there!
After trying out budget traveling for the first time for my Melbourne trip last year, I'm back again for my second budget traveling, and this time it's hot favourite - Seoul city! First of all, I am one that dislikes taking up tour packages. However, if you are one that prefers to avoid the hassle and let the pros do the job, it is perfectly alright.
Almost everyone wants to go to Korea under the great influence of KPOP music. I used to be a KPOP fan as well and there are so many bands that I was supporting that I was on social media almost every hour, checking out the latest news and updates of them. I also took up Korean lessons, hoping to be able to converse in Korean one day, but gave up after three months. I took up KPOP dance classes and went performing around Singapore, and that interests me for about three years. I used to love bands like SISTAR, Miss A, 4 Minute, Beast, BAP, BTS, Big Bang, and 2NE1; but now I am diverting back to English songs such as ones by Maroon 5, One Direction, Miley Cyrus and Fifth Harmony.
I keep my budget at the same rate of $2,000 as I am taking economy flight instead of a budget airline. I have checked many budget airlines and all of them offers flights at undesirable timings with connecting flights. I thought might as well just top-up another $200-300 for a decent direct flight that arrives in Seoul in the morning and departs back to Singapore in the evening, to enjoy a full 8.5 days in Seoul. (Actually, it's supposed to be 10/9.5 days but I carelessly book the wrong departure flight.. Sigh..)
1) When is the BEST time to Visit?
The best time to visit Korea are during Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November). The temperature is at a comfortable 22degC, which is not too cold (like Winter) or hot and humid (like Summer). Spring and Autumn are also popular periods as the streets are filled with lovely pink cherry blossoms during Spring and fiery autumn leaves during Autumn, which makes almost every photo look extra beautiful.
2) Get Everything Planned and Written
I carry a travel journal every time I am off for a holiday, and in this book it carries all the required information that I would probably need during my holiday. A checklist - all the required items to be done prior to departure such as visa and travel documents. Packing list - so that I wouldn't miss out anything important and prevents me from over-packing. Information on all the places that I am going, the address, nearest subway station, opening hours, admission charges, website, etc. My daily itinerary with timings - to keep myself on track and make sure that I don't idle at a place for longer than required. My daily meals chart - a chart where I plot down what to have for breakfast, lunch and dinner; when to prepare my own meals, when to do grocery shopping and when to eat out. This is also another way to save up some money as it can be quite costly to eat out for every meal; and of course the recipes to my planned meals. My daily outfits - I bring clothes that can be mixed and matched easily, creating multiple looks so I wouldn't have to bring so much clothing which helps to reduce baggage weight. I also put in some common Korean words and phrases, as well as my daily expenses so that I wouldn't overspend and be kept within my budget.
3) Avoid Expensive Places as Much as You Can
I usually write down a list of places that I would like to go, and then start removing places that I feel it's not worth going for its price tag, such as places like theme parks. I generally choose places like architectural buildings, unique cafes and malls, traditional streets, museums, parks; places that have lots of room for photo-taking without the need to spend a lot. It really depends on individuals, but for me, I like to explore places that you wouldn't be able to find in Singapore, and it is even better if it is free. For example, Common Ground, a shopping mall with its exterior made entirely out of containers; Bukchon Hanok Village, a street filled with Korean traditional houses.
4) 100% Public Transport + Walking with A Planned Itinerary
I ever mentioned this before, but I think it's worth mentioning again. Try opting for 100% public transport + walking whenever you can, especially if you are traveling alone. It not only helps to save up quite a bit, it also allows you to explore many more places that you did not intend to. I plot down all the places that I planned to go on Google Maps, and with the aid of Google, I plan my day-to-day schedule by grouping places that are near to one another, or places that shares the same subway station. This actually helps to save up some traveling cost and time. By planning your itinerary ahead of time, it also allows you to visit all the places you planned to go in a systematic order.
5) Be Prepared for Many Stairs and Slopes
Before this, I never knew Korea has so many stairs and slopes. This is really something NEW that I have learnt from this trip. Many of the train stations do not have elevator and/or escalator, and really there are so many, so many stairs. Just the train station at where I stay, has a total of 9 flights of stairs. Imagine you are travelling around and you keep transferring between the train lines, the number of stairs that you have to climb per day is insane. I always feel so tired at the end of the day.. Not because of the walking, but because of stairs climbing. No wonder Korean girls are always so skinny and the elderly are so strong and fit despite their age!
6) Don't Get Lost in Korea
It will be handy if you have in hand all the places that you intend to go in Korean - its name, address, nearest subway station, which subway line is it and which subway exit to go to. Koreans are able to speak English but not many are fluent with it. Thus, it will be handy if you were to show them the Korean name and address when asking for directions.
Google Docs is a web-based document that allows you to create, edit and store documents online.
Other than writing the information down on my travel journal, I also downloaded the Google Docs app with all the required info in there. It also makes finding directions much easier as you can just copy and paste the address into Google Maps, rather than physically typing it in. It also makes it easier for me with all the important notes in my phone so I wouldn't have to keep opening up my bag to reach out for my journal.
Google Maps comes really really handy, especially if you are taking public transport and doing all the walking. It helps navigate your way with 95% accuracy. It tells you whether to take a bus or the train from point A to point B, or if walking, the distance that you need to walk. From the map, you can also see which train station exit you should go if you are not sure the way around.
7) Download the Necessary Apps
Here are some apps that might be useful for you:
Google Translate is useful to help translate Korean characters into your desired language, though it might not be 100% accurate but is definitely a great help especially if you are being offered a Korean menu or looking for shops that bear only its Korean name.
Most of the Koreans do not know how to speak English so this app is really useful when it comes to trying to bring the message across - to order something, to buy something, to get directions, etc.
Seoul Metro is an app that shows the whole subway map in digital form. Since Seoul is very well connected with subway stations all around the city, this app is useful to help locate the nearest subway station according to your location, and showing the various different routes and traveling time possible to get from station A to station B.
Visit Korea is a tour guide app that offers traveling information around Korea. You can search for many places that you would like to know or know more about through this app like attractions, dining places, hotels and shopping areas. For instance, 'N Seoul Tower', it shows you the address, website, contact, a short description of the place, its opening hours, directions to the place, parking facilities, handicapped facilities, available facilities, admission charges and some images of the attraction.
8) Get a Prepaid SIM Card with Data
With smartphones and tablets around these days, it is hard to live without wireless internet. Data SIM card is not exactly that affordable in Korea, but I feel it is still better to get one especially if you are traveling alone and/or traveling around using the public transport. So what if your accommodation has free WIFI? You can only use internet within the building, which means no more whatsapp, facebook, instagram and Google Maps once you leave the place. Turning to SMSs and overseas calls can be expensive! Since I am traveling on my own, with a prepaid data SIM card on hand, it also allows my family to be able to contact (whatsapp) me whenever they want to ensure my safety. I got my SIM card from EG SIM. There are many plans available and I got the Basic Plan which comes with 1GB Data for KRW30,000 (SG$35) and a top-up of KRW5,000 (SG$6) for a nano SIM card.
If you are sharing the cost amongst your family or friends, you may want to get a pocket WIFI instead. It goes at US$3.95/day (about KRW4,500/day) and allows you to connect up to 5 devices. However, the downside of it is that it has a relatively short battery life, which could only lasts for about 5 to 7 hours. I am not too sure about other brands but it is so for the one that I checked on. So personally I still feel the prepaid SIM card is of a better choice, at least my phone is able to last for the entire day.
9) Make Sure You Have the Right Power Adapter
I feel that this is one of the MOST important things that you definitely should not miss out! All of us uses electricity every day and it is going to be a nightmare if you miss this out and really couldn't get it anywhere near you, and worst your phone is dying on you. Korea uses round plugs of 220 volts, so type C or F would do the trick. Along with my travel adapter, I also like to bring along a multi-socket extension cord because there are just too many things that needs electricity and needs to be charged - phone, camera, laptop, iPod, hairdryer, straightener, etc.
Without further ado, check out my 9-day Seoul trip and itinerary!
More photos on https://www.flickr.com/photos/travelfoodiary/albums