How to travel cheap in Seoul, South Korea

Last January, I revisited Seoul to experience the winter season. In terms of affordability, South Korea is a great gateway for Filipinos who want to travel to a new location, perhaps see snow, and still save.

The following are my personal thoughts on how I saved as I experienced my trip. This may or may not be applicable to you. After all, travel expenses depend on personal preference. 

Here’s how I went about my trip:

PRE-DEPARTURE PREPARATIONS

Airline Tickets: You must be alert about when airlines will run their promos. Catching the cheapest airfare will save you money. 

Tips:

• Subscribe to airline’s e-mail alerts
• Visit airline’s official website to monitor their promo schedules
• Usually, airline promos change every 3 to 5 days.

Accommodations: This will depend on your preference. But this must be secured before your trip to ensure you have a place to stay when you get there, plus you’ll need it to fill up your immigration card as well.

Options:

• Hotel. If you prefer a more luxurious stay, you might want to try finding a room via Agoda. Price range: P2,000 up (or $45)
• Hostel. If you want to meet fellow travelers from across the globe and are willing to share a room or do without some of the fancier amenities, try Hostel World. Price range: P600 (or $13.53) up for dorm type & P1,000 (or $22.59) up for private room
• AirBnB. If you want to stay with locals in their own flats, perhaps stay in a private residence instead of in a hotel. (READ: 6 tips: Beginner’s guide to Airbnb, an alternative to hotels). 
  
• Couchsurfing – if you want to stay with locals and in their own flats. Price range: FREE

Getting your attraction tickets. Some attractions are discounted when purchased online. Another advantage of buying online is that you are not required to queue and waste your time paying for your tickets.

Tips:

• Read the disclaimer on their website if tickets can be rescheduled/refunded if ever you suddenly change your itinerary.

Do visit Grand Korea Sale website for “print at home” discount coupons.

For discounts on: Train tickets/Attractions/Restaurants/Hotels/Shopping/etc), click here.

SUBWAY MAP. Using your smartphone, download the offline map of the subway system of South Korea. The application is available for both Apple and Android. It will be your best friend throughout your holiday.

Seoul, South Korea: My roundup itinerary

COUCHSURFING. It was my first time to participate in a CS community. At first, I felt hesitant to do it, even when I was already waiting to meet my host in Myeongdong. Thankfully, I managed to survive my 5-day trip making wonderful memories, and I met new friends from various sides of the world. 

TRANSPORATION CARD (T-Money). This is an all-around card which you can use to pay for your transportation and purchases from the featured stores. The advantage of having T-Money is that it provides a 10% discount whenever you board a train. 

WALKING AROUND. I did a lot of walking. You will enjoy hopping from one place to another on foot. Seoul is a beautiful city. The weather is fairly cool throughout the year.

I listed down as well the attractions that I visited during my first visit: 

VISITED LAST OCTOBER (AUTUMN)

Gyeongbokgung Palace

• Closed every Tuesday
• Admission Fee : KRW 3,000.00 (P122.46 or $2.76)
• Nearest Exit: Gyeongbokgung Palace Station (Seoul Line 3 – Exit 5)

Changdeokgung Palace

• Closed every Monday
• Admission Fee : KRW 3,000.00 (P122.46 or $2.76)
• Nearest Exit: Anguk Station (Seoul Line 3 – Exit 3)

Bukchon Hanok Village

• Open daily
• Admission Fee: FREE
• Nearest Exit: Anguk Station (Seoul Line 3 – Exit 2)

N Seoul Tower

• Opens daily
• Admission Fee : FREE; other option: Observatory KRW 9,000.00 (P367.39 or $8.29)
• Nearest Exit : Myeongdong Station (Seoul Line 4 – Exit 3)

Namsan Cable Car

• Open daily
• Admission Fee : KRW 8,500 return (P346.98 or $7.83)
• Nearest Exit : Myeong-dong Station (Seoul Line 4 – Exit 3) 

Cheongyecheon Stream

• Open daily
• Admission Fee : FREE

Gwanghwamun Square

• Open daily
• Admission Fee : FREE
• Nearest Exit: Gwanghwamun Station (Seoul Line 5 – Exit 2)

Myeongdong Area / Myeongdong Cathedral

• Open daily
• Admission Fee : FREE
• Nearest Exit: Gwanghwamun Station (Seoul Line 4 – Exit 8)

Insa-dong Area

• Open daily
• Admission Fee : FREE
• Nearest Exit: Anguk Station (Seoul Line 3 – Exit 6)

VISITED LAST JANUARY 2015 (WINTER)

63 Sky Art 

• Opens daily 
• Admission Fee : KRW 13,000.00 (P530.67 or $11.97)
• Nearest Exit: Saetgang Station (Seoul Line 9 – Exit 3) 

War Memorial of Korea 

• Open daily 
• Admission Fee : FREE
• Nearest Exit: Samgakji Station (Seoul Line 3 – Exit 12)

Naminara Republic (Nami Island) 

• Opens daily 
• Admission Fee : KRW 8,000.00 (P326.57 or $7.37)
• Nearest Exit: Gapyeong Station (Chuncheon Line)

Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)

• Opens daily 
• Tour Fee: KRW 8,700.00 (P355.14 or $8.01)
• Nearest Exit: Dorasan Station 

Hangang Floating Island (Some Sevit)

• Opens daily 
• Admission Fee: FREE
• Nearest Exit: Express Bus Terminal Station (Seoul Line 3, 7 or 9 – Exit 8-1)

Dongdaemun Area

• Opens daily 
• Admission Fee: FREE
• Nearest Exit: Dongdaemun Station (Seoul Line 4 – Exit 8 or 9)

SUMMARY OF EXPENSES (2015)

		Korean Won	Philippine Peso
Air Fare Ticket			P4,000 ($90.23)
Travel Tax			P1,620 ($35.54)
Terminal Fee			P550 ($12.41)
Transportation (Seoul Subway Line)	Around Seoul	KRW 25,000 (P1,020.52 or $23.02)
Transportation (DMZ Train)		KRW 10,000 (P408.27 or $9.21)
Transportation (ITX)		KRW 8,900 (P363.30 or $8.20)
Transportation (Airport Express)		KRW 8,000 (P326.57 or $7.37)
Transportation (Taxi)		KRW 2,000 (P81.64 or $1.84)
Accommodation	Thru Couchsurfing	n/a	n/a
Meals		KRW 46,900 (P1,914.49 or $43.19)
Attractions		KRW 29,700 (P1,212.37 or $27.35)
Luggage Center	In Seoul Station	KRW 7,000 (P285.75 or $6.45)
SUBTOTAL		KRW 137,500 (P5,612.84 or $126.62)	P6,170 ($137.88)
OVERALL EXPENSES			P11,782.84 ($265.80)

Other places of interest:

Everland Resort

• Open daily 
• Admission Fee: KRW 46,000 (P1,877.75 or $42.36)
• Nearest Exit: Jeondae-Everland Station (Yongin Ever Line – Exit 3) 

Lotte World Theme Park

• Open daily 
• Admission Fee: KRW 31,000 (P1,265.44 or $28.55)
• Nearest Exit: Jamsil Station (Seoul Line 2 or 8 – Exit 4)

Dragon Hill Spa

• Open daily 
• Admission Fee: KRW 11,000 (P449.03 or $10.13)
• Nearest Exit: Yongsan Station (Seoul Line 1 – Exit 4) 

Mt. Seoraksan National Park

• Open daily 
• Admission Fee: KRW 3,500 (P142.87 or $3.22)
• Seoul Express Bus Terminal/Dong Seoul Bus Terminal bound to Sokcho Bus Terminal
• Bus Fare : KRW 16,000 per way (P653.31 or $14.73)

I’ve made a couple of sample itineraries for half day and whole day activities, which you can find on my blog. Have fun! – Rappler.com

Arnold Familaran a.k.a. Lakwatserong Unggoy is a professional civil engineer who always tries to escape his corporate world to wherever the travel itch takes him. He is the author behind LAKWATSERONG UNGGOY. Follow his journey as he travels the Philippines and some parts of the world in a cheaper and more affordable way.