Our take on Seoul:
We have put together our costs breakdown and itinerary for our trip to Seoul in case you might find it useful for planning. There are many accommodation options and things to do here so we recommend a visit to the handy Seoul Visitor’s Guide along with some input from TripAdvisor, which the visitor guide conveniently provides on its site.
- Length of Time: Short Term Trip, 4.5 days from 3 May – 7 May
- Total Expenses for 2 in $US excluding airfare as of May, 2014: $532.45
- Accommodation for 4 nights at AirBnb (Jen’s Place): $242.16
- Entertainment Costs for 2: $33.61
Pavilion of Far-Reaching Fragrance - TrickEye and Ice Museum: $28.01
- Palace Entry: $5.60
- Food and Drinks for 2: $205.32
- Most Expensive: $29.14 – dinner at traditional restaurant
- Least Expensive: $13.07 – breakfast at café
- Transportation for 2: $51.36
- Train from airport to apartment: $14.01
- 2 Visit Korea cards for 2 days on Seoul Train System: $37.35 / 36,000 KRW
- Itinerary:
- Day 1 – arrival
- Day 2
- Gwanghwamun Square
- Cheonggyecheon (Stream)
- Seoul Metropolitan Library (former Seoul City Hall)
- Tapgol Park
- Insa-dong
Bukchon Hanok Village
- Day 3
- Gyeongbokgung Palace
- TrickEye and Ice Museum
- Jamsil Area
- Lotte World Adventure
- Lotte Department Store
- Seokchon Lake Park
- Day 4
- Heunginjimun (Gate)
- Seoul City Wall
- Bukchon Hanok Village
- Myeong-dong Shopping District
- Dongdaemun Design Plaza
- Good place for info: Visit Seoul – helpful guides, basic info like etiquette, national holidays, maps, and things to do/see
- IOS Apps Used: TripAdvisor City Guides – Seoul, MapMyWalk, Maps.Me Offline Maps, Google Offline Maps, WorldMate, TripRider, GuideWithMe Offline Travel Guides – Seoul, Google Translate, Electronic versions of Seoul guidebooks and maps: Official Seoul City Guides
- Internet Country Rating: Very fast. Our experience was that the Internet, at least where we stayed at our AirBnb accommodation was lightning quick.
First Impressions Rating: 8 out of 10 – Friendly and Clean:
After we got off the train, we exited the station and looked very touristy and confused, standing with our luggage and trying to get an idea of which way to turn. You have seen us where you live, standing out, vulnerable and probably a little anxious. A young guy was one of many friendly people we met who tried to help us, all without a hidden agenda. We got the impression people wanted to practise their English, and were eager to help out of common courtesy rather than gaining anything from helping us. Not to say that there are no pickpockets, or whatever in Seoul but it was a nice feeling to meet some genuinely helpful people on our first night. Over the next few days people randomly talked to us and asked questions about where we were from, if we liked South Korea so far, and usually ended with “Enjoy your stay!” Our impression from our trip to Seoul, albeit a very short trip, was that the people are friendly, the city looks clean and well kept, and we would like to come back for more.
