Just as many of us travelling to Japan, this time I want to visit Seoul, Korea with 2yo somewhere in July-Aug,
any tips, places to visit? Things to avoid?
So far, SG airline from Syd around $750, is it ok price?
Travelling to Seoul
boomramada on 02/02/2019 - 12:55
Comments
Citibank ATMs in almost every 7-11.
They were a bit hit or miss for me. Some worked, most didn't.
Also in every Train Station. Worked for me everytime.
From my experience last month, most 7/11's in Seoul don't have citibank ATM's. The ATM's most have don't take overseas cards even though they support English. I tried both ING and Citibank Plus cards. Also found that ATM's at conveinice stores were often out of money, so pays to take out a little extra just in case.
interesting, noted on that point. Last I been was 2 years ago and didn't have troubles. Maybe the change in card provider for citi.
@KBZ: Just Checked my ATM receipts, The only 2 types of ATM's that I was successful with were Shinhan Bank and MtCashZone ATMs. Both charged W3,600 for each transaction which was refunded by ING.
Couldn't find an ATM at Incheon that would work with ING Debit card or CBA 28 Degrees credit card.
Also, I was able to buy T-Money card for the train with a debit card at a 7/11, but wasn't allowed to charge/recharge the T card with
the debit card, only cash.Ended up buying a ticket on the express bus into Seoul with credit card.
Debit card worked fine everywhere else in Seoul.I had the same problem at Incheon Airport, but luckily I had purchased an Arex ticket from Klook or KKday in advance (worth doing) so didn't need any cash. The Arex ticket got us to seoul and a free transfer to the nearest station to our hotel. The subway we exited at had a foreign bank friendly ATM.
Fully agree. Finding an ATM after hours to accept ING or 28 Degrees card was real a pain in Seoul. I'd rate it as the hardest of any city or even small town I've visited, including remote rural China to get cash out.
Seoul is next on my list. If interested there are some great tattoo artists around, for example. https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/245458650/wildro…
Hot and Humid ! Be prepare for it, bring an umbrella and laundry powder
I'm looking forward to that since Im escaping Canberra winter. :)
I just came back from spending 2 months in Seoul for work.
There is basically something for everyone no matter your tastes but even after that length of time I still kinda prefer Japan (where I have gone twice, totaling around 6 weeks).
Some tips:
- street food is great and relatively cheap. Even with restaurants I never came across any bad food. My favourites which I never had back home in Australia was dakgalbi (there's a chain that is everywhere called Yoogane and I ate there more than anywhere else) and jjimdak. Banana milk and makgeolli for drinks.shopping and restaurants will be OK to use card instead of cash. However street food and using public transport you'll need cash. I went through cash fairly quickly while I was there even though I prefer to use card wherever possible.
look for "Global ATMs" - not any ATM will do for cards issued overseas. Many of them had 100K won limits (roughly $125) which adds up if you were going to pay $3-4 for each withdrawal. However the ING Direct card came to the rescue to avoid those. I did find a few that didn't seem to have a limit though - the largest I withdrew was 300K won twice.
subway and buses will get you around easily without having to fight the horrible horrible traffic. Get a T Money card for transport (their smartcard system). This can also be used for some purchases e.g. at convenience stores
taxis are pretty cheap but would avoid using during the day given traffic woes
driving etiquette is terrible and drivers frequently ignore traffic lights / pedestrian crossings. This is especially so with the motorbike riders. Check more than once before crossing the road even if you have the green sign.
if you need to ask someone something in English try the younger generation. Didn't really come across any older/retired people that knew English
apps - google maps will give relatively poor public transport directions and no driving/walking directions. Better off installing the english version of Naver maps. Keep note of the subway directions it gives - when it says "fast transfer" that means that particular door of the train will be the fastest to transfer/walk to the next train. e.g. it will say "fast transfer 6-1" which mean you should try use 6-1 as that will line up with the stairs to the next subway line
I suggest getting some mobile data to help with getting around, even though it is quite expensive (was costing me like $100/month while I was there)
What to see:
- Didn't really uncover anything special that you won't already find in blogs / websites.
- I do suggest heading to Nami Island and the Garden of Morning Calm if you like nature however. There are lots of tours taking you there but I just did it myself.
- I also took a more few day trips to other cities using their bullet train (KTX) but not sure if you would have time. I went to Busan, Gyeongju, and Jeonju. If I was going at the time of year you are going I would have added Seoraksan National Park and the Boesong Tea Fields.Just curious how you got the ING fees rebated while you were away for 2 months? Do they now count overseas tap transactions in the 5 per month required, or did you share an account with someone still in tapping in Australia, or was it something else?
I am often away more than a month, and number of ATM's allowing fee free withdrawals is shrinking. So ING is now my preferred card for cash out, until the month rolls over.
With ING I send 1 c to my father five times via Paypal each month It meets the requirements. Plus transfer $1000 into the Orange Everyday Account each month.
I send 1 c to my father five times via Paypal each month. It meets the requirements. Plus transfer $1000 into the Orange Everyday Account each month.
That's great to know. I thought it had to be paypass transactions.
@petestrash: It doesn't matter whether the transaction is in Australia or not, it's international. No need for paywave/paypass either.
As already mentioned overseas purchases are fine and I used this for one of the months.
However one part I didn't mention is I was kinda doing visa runs back home so the max continuous time I spent in Korea was 3 weeks and then came back to Melbourne for a few days. During that time I did what I normally do and add 5 top ups to my myki.
Despite being a massive points collector I'd rather not go for the real cheap options like 1c transactions at Woolies or whatever - too many people doing this is why we can't have nice things.
Leaving for Seoul as we speak. Just wondering if it really is impossible to get cash out at ATM at Incheon airport. (Will need money to get into the city - thought it'd be easier to take the normal train rather than the Arex since I'm going to Myeongdong Station and will need to change train somewhere anyway)
Traveling solo and will have almost 3 full days in Seoul (at the end of the week - ie after the Korean new year). Not quite sure what I'll be doing yet.
Booked in for the CHEF show (a non verbal show like Nanta). Considering go to the palace (+ secret garden) & one of those old Korean villages. I'm not adverse to checking out local markets but not really planning on doing too much shopping. Anything else that you would recommend?
Can't say I tried every ATM at Incheon, but did try more than 6 with ING & Citibank Plus. I don't think I tried Airside, so you might have more luck there.
Arex through KKDay was around ~A$6 if you pay in TWD. It includes your transfer to line 4 by subway from Seoul to Myeongdong (don't exit the barriers into seoul station, use the transfer gates). You get a non stop service to seoul, a reserved seat and space for your luggage. I think it's worth the few extra dollars especially if you are travelling at a crowded time (which seemed to be always).
Whatever train you take you will need W500 cash for the deposit for temporary ticket they give you.
We walked from Gyeongbokgung Palace (경복궁) to Changdeokgung Palace, via the Bukchon Hanok Village (북촌한옥마을) (warning it is very hilly). There were a few picture worthy moments from the top of the hill, but all in all we were not really impressed with the Bukchon Hanok Village. The first bit of the walk from Gyeongbokgung Palace took us through an arty area which was interesting to look through.
We didn't do the secret garden, but saw the area and it looked pretty dormant a few weeks ago. Also it is only available by guided tour, you can't just walk around.
Thanks. What about the palaces? Are they worth visiting? What about the cultural village? Is there anything else you'd recommend?
@Love a bargain: Check my comment below https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/6917016/redir
We are kind of jaded, as we've done dozens of palaces around China, Japan and Taiwan. They are starting to feel all the same and unfortunately the experience has lost its novelty for us.
It hasn't got the Grandeur of the Palace Museum in Beijing, but the cost is minimal, and if you haven't been to many before it's worth a look.
@petestrash: Thanks. Gotta go back to the drawing board with what I'm gonna do. Might look up those free walking tours.
That area is full of history being close to the imperial palace it’s where a lot of prominent ministers lived. We were walking around tge small streets and came across a school witha plaque that read the birth place of Queen In Hyun. Pretty amazing.
Watch some korean historical dramas. Will really appreciate the area a lot more.
Explore all the districts, get out of seoul. Go to a free concert.
We havent been back for yrs but last time we were there we scored free cyworkd tickets to psy’s concert. it was the tr oppa gangnam style came out. I am a fan of his for yrs so I know his own songs.
kpop m kdrama hallyu wave is over.
try clubbing.. they waste a lot of toilet paper
Just spoke to a friend who said there is a Shinhan Bank ATM at Incheon (didn't remember where) that accepts ING Cards. So might be worth asking.
okay, answering my own question re ATM at Incheon airport.
There would be a currency exchange place outside every arrival hall. (They're in the same chain.) Each of them has 2 machines on the right side of the counter. The machine on the right is set at a slightly higher level than the one on the left. (Thought that's for disability access but there might be more to it.)
At the first one I went to, one of the machine doesn't work and the other had a temporary sign up saying it didn't work with VISA. Went to another one, this time, both machine appeared to be working. I tried the higher one on the right first. Selected foreign card, put in my PIN, the amount required and accepting the fee, it said invalid transaction (when I'm sure I entered the right PIN and had money in the account). Thought I'd try the lower one before I gave up, there's an instruction which says something like "press the green button for foreign cards". I did that, followed the instructions on screen and it worked. With the ATM fees refunded, the VISA rate is much better what the currency exchange offered.
However, as it'd turned out, getting currency exchanged in the city turned out to offer exchange rate better than the VISA rate. (I was in the Myeongdong area - the rates I've seen are within 1% of one another.) As such, it might be worthwhile to bring some AUD with you too.
I hope this experience will help someone.
Good to know. I haven't tried any ATM's attached to Currency exchange places for a while, as they always wanted to charge in A$ at unfavourable rates.
@petestrash: ATM withdrawals should be based on the VISA/MasterCard rate.
The rate offered by the currency exchange itself is shocking.@Love a bargain: Previously (Not in Korea) when I had tried an ATM attached to a currency exchange I was not able to withdraw in the local currency and leave the exchange to visa/mastercard like regular ATMs. It wanted to process the transaction in A$ and use their terrible rates. A bit like those EFTPOS terminals overseas which let you pay in A$ for "Your Convenience", but also charge a terrible rate. Since then I haven't bothered trying ATMs owned by currency Exchange. I will give them another go now.
@petestrash: It was processed in KRW (withdrawn amount + ATM fee) and I was not shown any AUD amount at any point in the process.
Anyway, good to be aware that something like that could happen.
Unless your on a budget, I'd skip N-seoul tower and go to Seoul Sky in Lotte World Tower instead (https://seoulsky.lotteworld.com/en/main/index.do). It is expensive KRW25,500 (~A$32), but much better than the tower view. Also google for discount codes, I found one for Mastercard giving about $15 off in January. If you can time it right go late afternoon watch the sun go down and see Seoul light up. There's also a theme park with kiddie area in the same building for your 2YO.
If going to the DMZ and seeing the JSA is your thing book in advance, as the tour company needs to submit your passport details days in advance. This is not required if you don't want to visit the JSA and just see the DMZ and Tunnels. Also as mentioned by Cluster above these tours can be cancelled at the last minute depending on the security situation at the time. I only made it into the JSA on my 3rd trip booking.
The Korean war memorial/museum is quite good if you are interested in that sort of thing and free.
All the various markets Namdaemun, Gwangjang, Dongdaemun etc areas are quite fun, but always crowded might be a bit much for a 2YO.
The palaces are ok, very similar to Chinese palaces if you have been to any of those. Changing of the Guard ceremony takes place at the top of every hour from 11:00 to 15:00 between Gwanghwamun Gate and Heungnyemun Gate at Gyeongbokgung Palace (경복궁) for free.
For transport the Subway is pretty handy. Buy a T-money card from a ticket vending machine or convenience store, then load it with funds for travelling. Each trip is a little bit cheaper than buying single tickets, plus allows transfers to buses. Single trip tickets are inconvenient because you usually have to line up to buy them each time, and when you get to the end line up at a refund machine to get your W500 deposit back.
For a show even a 2YO would probably enjoy I'd recommend seeing a NANTA show. It's non verbal comedy cooking show that's been running for decades.
Here are some suggestions based on my couple of trips to Seoul.
Always use klook or KKday or google for discounts before going somewhere
Get Seoulpass if you want to travel multiple places. Seoulpass can be used as T-Money (Only worth it if you go to expensive ones like aquarium and towers)
If you want to eat something special book one of the Michelin Guide 2 star or above. (Need to book 1 month in advance)
Free walking tours pretty much everyday which you need to book on http://english.visitseoul.net/walking-tour
Try Airbnb Experience as there are lots of activities you can do.
Make sure you carry appropriate dusk mask at all times
Don't buy any street food from Myeongdong unless you have money to burn. (Everything cost 2-3 times more)
Will I don't know any Korean language, will there be a issue?
Getting around wouldn't be an issue but ordering food may be an issue if not in a touristy area.
Usually the good ones don't have English menus. (You can try and use google translate which uses phone camera to translate live though not so accurate)I suggest you do an Airbnb experience with local guide who can show you where to eat etc.
Are there pictures in the menu like those in Japan? I think if it's anything like in Japan then just pointing at the picture should do it.
Would you happen to speak Mandarin? In the main tourist spots, I noticed almost every store would have at least one employee who could.
I just googled about the dust mask suggestion - youre right akajin, pollution is a bit of an issue!
We went in November last year with our 2 yr old. The colder weather made it very easy to get around and see and do everthing without getting cooked. We prebooked a sim online from KT and then picked it up at Incheon on arrival. The KT staff install it, activate it, and make sure it works before you leave the booth. Prebooking saved 10,000W over the normal price. We stayed at the Lotte Hotel which has direct access to the Lotte Department store which has a huge and very good food hall and supermarket in the basement.
We found places to eat everywhere just by walking around and noticing where Korean people were going for lunch and dinner. The restaurants we found were all child friendly without exception often with high chairs. Taxis are not too expensive and have large boots for a stroller. We used them sometimes to avoid lugging everything up and down to/from the subway as some access points only had stairs (they might have had lift access too but i didnt always notice it).
Edit
The transport options from Incheon are great with train, bus, and taxis. Standard taxis are metered and the international taxis are fixed price paid at the booking desk in the terminal. With our luggage, stroller, and tired child we chose the International Taxi and it cost 65000w I think. More expensive than the alternatives but it made the trip very easy. Our departing flight left early in the morning and the same international taxi driver picked us up at the hotel and charged the same fixed rate.
enjoy the fast internet
Wired internet is great, but Australia is now on par for mobile speeds.
I only have 3G, if it works. They won't let me get ADSL, so I have to have satellite
@boomramada To help with travel planning - I work at STA Travel and we can layby SQ if you preferred the option to payoff the tickets over time.
MH is slightly cheaper over that time of year too and also offer layby fares if you didn't have a big preference on airline. Hit me up if you want help with the booking.I would have recommended a DMZ tour to the JSA, however I don't think it'll be suitable with a toddler. You are effectively under military escort, and it's very much no nonsense once you get into the base.
Your kid will love the patbingsu though… it's a shaved ice dessert. Some places take it to the same extreme as your crazy Canberrean milkshakes :) You can also get these massive towers of soft serve ice cream from the street vendors.
Finally spend an afternoon in a Korean bath. Unlike Australia, it's a family activity there.
I visited Seoul late last year and thought it was great. Stayed very close to Myeong-dong in Daweoo Inn Hotel. Cheap, comfortable, walking distance to many of Seoul's attractions. At night I grazed the great food stalls for a wide variety of food and snacks. Cartoon Street may be of some interest to your little one, although it pales in comparison to Akihabara in Tokyo. Main purpose of my trip was to visit the DMZ, although the border crossing was suddenly closed to tourists on the day I visited. Some places (like the infiltration tunnel) would be completely unsuitable for a 2 year old.
The palace was nice, if a little spartan compared to some of the grander buildings in China and Japan.
Finding an ATM that took international debit cards was a bit of a challenge. They exist, but maybe every fifth one I tried recongized any of my cards. Bring some cash to exchange as a backup.