Situated within the northwest of South Korea and divided by the scenic Han River, Seoul is a metropolis the place custom and innovation coexist in a approach that can seize your coronary heart the second you arrive. Seoul is the form of place the place you may spend your mornings exploring historic palaces and bustling markets, your afternoons climbing forested mountains on town’s edge, and your evenings feasting on scorching Korean BBQ below glowing neon indicators.
When you’re planning to go to Seoul and are on the lookout for ideas for travelling in Seoul on a price range, you’re in the correct place. This publish is about the best way to minimise the bills of your Seoul journey while concurrently maximising the enjoyable.
Seoul is likely one of the extra reasonably priced cities in Asia, particularly compared to Tokyo and Hong Kong. Sure, it may be costly, but it surely’s additionally good for anybody on a tighter price range. Points of interest, meals, and transport are all comparatively low-cost, and with the following tips, you’ll have the ability to take pleasure in a jam-packed Seoul itinerary with out breaking the financial institution.
As somebody who has lived in Seoul for nearly two years, I can’t sing town’s praises sufficient. Seoul, IMO, is likely one of the most underrated cities in Asia, and, though it’s gaining consideration as a fascinating journey vacation spot, it’s usually eclipsed by Asia’s massive hitters like Tokyo and Hong Kong.
This Seoul journey information will present you why the South Korean capital deserves a prime spot in your bucket checklist and the best way to do it with out breaking the financial institution.
Get a T-Cash Card
Contemplating how sprawling Seoul is, it’s surprisingly straightforward and low-cost to get round. The subway is likely one of the finest on the planet, providing clear, air-conditioned, environment friendly journey at a refreshingly reasonably priced worth. This Seoul journey information wouldn’t be full with out mentioning how nice the general public transport system is.
Like most capital cities, there’s a journey card often known as the T-Cash card. These can be found in most subway stations and comfort shops. You possibly can prime it up as you go and even get a refund earlier than you depart South Korea. Utilizing the cardboard provides decreased fares, which means a journey throughout town may be as little as 1,400 gained ($1).
The T-Cash card isn’t only for the subway; it additionally works on buses and registered taxis. It’s an effective way to get round cheaply and removes the concern of getting money or incurring undesirable bank card charges.
If you wish to publish your Seoul journey on Instagram, it’s also possible to buy the Seoul Move. This package deal comprises a T-Cash card and a limiteless SIM card aimed toward vacationers. These may be bought in any respect the airports and are an excellent addition to any Seoul itinerary.
Keep in Hongdae
When you’re not aware of Seoul, it may be overwhelming making an attempt to determine the place to remain. The metropolitan space spans 605 km² and is the fourth largest on the planet. With no clearly outlined centre, in all places is an possibility. Understanding what every neighbourhood provides will assist you discover the right spot and minimise costly late-night taxis.
Most journey guides advise staying in Myeongdong, and it is a good possibility. Situated pretty centrally, it’s an excellent start line to discover town. Myeongdong is most well-known because the place to go to for some retail remedy. All of the Korean magnificence manufacturers have houses right here, in addition to different Korean and Asian manufacturers. Though the nightlife and eating places aren’t something to get enthusiastic about, you’ll discover some superb avenue meals right here most days — a should for anybody on the lookout for one of the best issues to do in Seoul.
If Seoul’s nightlife is on the prime of your agenda, think about staying in Hongdae or Gangnam. Each have a wealth of bars, eating places, and golf equipment. Hongdae is house to Hongik College, giving it a budget-friendly, youthful vibe. Most of Seoul’s hostels are right here, so that is the place you’ll discover the most affordable beds. There’s a thriving Korean meals scene and avenue stalls providing tremendous low-cost late-night snacks.
Gangnam is famend as the house of glitzy glamour and Ok-pop, so it’s barely dearer, and lots of the massive resort chains are right here. A lot of the massive golf equipment and a few fairly swanky eating places are on this space. Nevertheless, you may nonetheless discover some nice, reasonably priced choices in the event you discover a little bit — all value including to your Seoul itinerary.
Eat Domestically
When Korean meals is so scrumptious, why would you need to eat anything whereas in South Korea? However when you land in Seoul, the temptation turns into clear. Seoulites love their meals, and each worldwide delicacies is simple to search out. Nevertheless, these locations can usually have inflated worth tags and can shortly influence your price range.
Korean meals is often ridiculously good worth. Some nice choices are gimbap (Korean sushi-style rolls), mandu (dumplings), and tteokbokki (rice truffles in a spicy sauce). What’s higher, they usually are available at simply $2–3. They’ll often be bought in eating places and from avenue distributors. Consuming native is likely one of the finest issues to do in Seoul for meals lovers.
Korean BBQ is one other nice possibility in the event you’re watching your spending, so long as you don’t select a high-end place. You possibly can have pork stomach, rice, Korean beer, and soju (a robust however tasty Korean spirit) for round $15. Some eating places even provide all-you-can-eat for a set worth.
One other Korean favorite that’s much less acquainted to Western menus is dak galbi. It’s a dish of stir-fried rooster and cabbage in a spicy sauce, with cheese usually sprinkled excessive. A filling but reasonably priced meal you gained’t tire of — one other must-try in your Seoul itinerary.
Drink at Comfort Shops
Seoulites like to occasion, and there’s no finish of cool locations to drink and spend the night. The price of hopping between these each evening will shortly add up. As one of many highest shoppers of alcohol on the planet, it’s no shock that Seoul has discovered an reasonably priced different.
Welcome to comfort retailer consuming. It’s precisely because it sounds. Homeowners place tables and chairs outdoors, usually on the road, with canopies and heaters to courageous the chilly winters. Koreans then sit round consuming, chatting, and consuming crisps or rooster. The whole lot is reasonable, and you’ll even order meals for supply if you need one thing extra substantial. This distinctive native expertise is well among the finest issues to do in Seoul on a price range.
Get pleasure from Seoul’s Historical past
Because of the devastating results of the Korean Warfare, a lot of Seoul’s historic buildings are sadly not standing. In comparison with most European cities, Seoul could be very trendy. Nevertheless, there are nonetheless many palaces and temples to see, and so they’re usually very low-cost to go to.
A mixed ticket to view the 4 important palaces — Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung (excluding the Secret Backyard), Changgyeonggung, and Deoksugung — plus Jongmyo Shrine prices a ridiculously low ₩6,000 ($4). Seoul’s museums are additionally free, making this a part of town’s tradition good for any Seoul journey information or Seoul itinerary.
If you wish to see conventional Korean buildings, head to Bukchon Hanok Village. Situated in North Seoul, it has been restored to appear like a standard Korean village. It’s free to stroll round, and it’s an effective way to find out about Korea’s previous. Visiting Bukchon is well among the finest issues to do in Seoul in the event you love historical past and tradition.
Obtain the Kakao Taxi App
The one downside of the Seoul Metro is that it may shut fairly early (round 1 am, relying on the road). This will make getting house after an evening out barely difficult. Taxis may be hailed on the road; nonetheless, they gained’t at all times cease for vacationers and may overcharge.
Though different taxi apps do function, the primary one is Kakao Taxi. Conveniently, it has an English language possibility, making it preferrred for vacationers. The app provides you with an estimate of the value and route, which means you gained’t get ripped off. Solely Korean financial institution accounts pays by way of the app, so select the ‘pay to driver’ possibility to make use of money or a card. Understanding these native methods is vital to planning a easy Seoul itinerary.
Go Watch Some Baseball
It could come as a shock, however Korea is mad about baseball. Many college students play after faculty and avidly observe their groups within the league. It’s a preferred and reasonably priced type of leisure.
Most video games happen in Jamsil and are filled with followers. Fortunately, you hardly ever have to guide prematurely; tickets begin from simply 10,000 gained ($7). Even in the event you don’t know a lot about baseball, it’s nonetheless among the finest issues to do in Seoul for enjoyable, environment, and native tradition.
Whereas Koreans take their baseball significantly, they’re additionally there to have enjoyable. Anticipate cheerleaders, songs, and an enormous vary of snacks and beers. The sport itself won’t be thrilling each minute, however the vitality is infectious — an ideal addition to your Seoul journey information.
Chill out on the Han River Parks
Slicing by way of the center of town, the Han River shortly turns into a well-known sight on any Seoul journey. However not all vacationers realise how value exploring it’s. Alongside the river, there are 11 river parks, every with its personal character and points of interest.
Throughout Seoul’s heat summer season evenings, that is the place you’ll discover households, teams of buddies, and {couples} gathered with picnic blankets. Comfort shops have popped up in many of the parks, making it an inexpensive and straightforward technique to benefit from the night. You possibly can even order meals deliveries straight to the parks — simply among the finest issues to do in Seoul for a relaxed evening out.
The most well-liked park is Yeouido, which has lots to supply, however it may get busy throughout peak instances. Through the summer season, Nanji is house to a price range infinity pool and household water park, whereas Ttukseom is ideal for flower lovers. Bike rent is extremely low-cost and an effective way to discover the parks through the riverbank cycle tracks — a peaceable spotlight so as to add to your Seoul itinerary.
When you’re planning a visit to Asia, ensure you take time to take pleasure in Seoul.
It’s a vibrant, thrilling, opulent, and traditionally wealthy metropolis. The meals is exclusive, the individuals are pleasant, and in comparison with its neighbours, it’s nice worth for cash. This Seoul journey information is your reminder to transcend the apparent and discover all the pieces town has to supply.
From palaces and markets to late-night BBQs and riverside picnics, there’s no scarcity of fantastic experiences. Whether or not you’re a foodie, tradition lover, or price range traveller, discovering one of the best issues to do in Seoul will fill your Seoul itinerary with reminiscences you gained’t neglect.
Ebook your journey and discover out for your self why Seoul is one in all Asia’s most charming capitals.
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Blissful adventuing!
Comply with extra of Natalias’ adventures right here on The Cotswold Inventive
