Don’t be alarmed by the tone of South Korean hits like Parasite and Squid Recreation: a go to to the capital metropolis isn’t synonymous with financial malaise.
Sure, Seoul can certainly be stressfully costly, and it’s potential to drop tens of millions of received at glittering nightclubs and five-star eating places. However it’s additionally potential to see the very best of what town has to supply whereas preserving to a strict finances.
Keep in a neighborhood that’s best for you. Discover Seoul’s backstreets. Discover hole-in-the wall noodle joints, snack on avenue meals and refill on booze at comfort shops.
Learn on for these and extra recommendations on have a superb journey to Seoul on a finances.
Reap the benefits of Tradition Day
The final Wednesday of each month is designated as Culture Day, which suggests reductions or free admission to some 2000 cultural actions and sights throughout South Korea. Each locals and guests can benefit from, say, discounted tickets to the Coex Aquarium, free entrance to the royal palace of Gyeongbokgung and movie show tickets priced at ₩5000 (US$4).
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Don’t neglect your tax refund
In South Korea, all costs embrace a ten% gross sales tax – a tax that’s refundable for all vacationers buying any merchandise between ₩30,000 and ₩500,000 (US$25 to US$415). To assert the cash, merely present your receipt and passport at a tax-refund kiosk both within the retailer or at Incheon Airport. Many vacationers choose the latter as airport employees usually communicate English nicely and are acquainted with the method.
Whereas many shops take part within the tax-free system, not all of them do: look out for a sticker on the entrance or ask a retailer supervisor. Bear in mind that you would be able to’t redeem money for greater than ₩2 million (US$1650) value of receipts.
Give attention to Seoul’s neighborhoods, not its sights
Nearly any customer to Seoul will inform you that the very best experiences within the metropolis contain slender alleyways, vibrant neighborhoods and unbiased cafes. Whereas fashionable vacationer sights just like the N Seoul Tower and Lotte World can delight, the admission charges can add up. Your time – and your received – is often higher spent attending to know neighborhoods.
Begin by including explorations of Bukchon Hanok Village, Euljiro and Seongsu-dong to your itinerary: Bukchon Hanok Village is Seoul’s most scenic and historic quarter, whereas the opposite two supply glimpses into extra modern Seoul life. Every of those neighborhoods tells a narrative, and you would simply spend many days taking of their structure, streetscapes and ambiance.
Look into the Uncover Seoul Move
The Discover Seoul Pass presents free or discounted charges to most of the metropolis’s sights and strategies of transportation. To determine whether or not he go could be cost-effective for you, make an inventory all you’d love to do on the town. If you’re all in favour of main sights like Lotte World, the 63 Constructing and N Seoul Tower, it could be nicely value it – although among the sights included are already free or value little.
The go is obtainable in increments of 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours and consists of use of the AREX (the practice from Incheon Airport to Seoul), Seoul Bike (town’s bike-share system) and restricted traveler’s insurance coverage.
Rethink your late-night trip dwelling
As a result of the Seoul Metro doesn’t function from midnight to five:30am, many individuals depend on taxis to take them dwelling. But cab fares are topic to a hefty surcharge after midnight. For many of the day, Seoul cab prices are calculated by a mix of base fare of ₩3800 (US$3.15) for the primary 2km (1.24 miles) plus ₩100 (US$0.08) for every extra increment of 132m (433ft); from midnight to 4am, fares improve to a base fare of ₩4600 (US$3.85) and an extra 20% per increment.
The distinction may appear minimal, however the surcharge might double or triple your fare relying on how far you journey. Needless to say buses run each hour or so via the evening relying on the place you’re staying; should you plan on being out late, it can pay to get acquainted with the night bus schedule.
Get to know South Korea’s comfort retailer hacks
Stocked with every thing from packaged meals to facial cleansers and socks, South Korean comfort shops are each finances traveler’s greatest good friend. You’ll find them on virtually each avenue nook in Seoul.
Most comfort shops inventory not less than a handful of vegetarian or vegan-friendly snacks and supply two or three seats for consuming in. So if you end up in an upscale neighborhood with few finances restaurant choices, a fast chew at a comfort retailer is at all times a useful backup.
For those who’re headed to a nightclub and don’t need to pay ₩15,000 (US$12.50) for vodka sodas all evening, sneak to the closest comfort retailer to refill on drinks. With every thing from soju to craft beers, imported wines and top-shelf liquor out there at a fraction of the price of golf equipment, don’t be shocked to search out fellow savvy party-goers on line with you to take a look at.
Eat like a neighborhood
With the rising worldwide recognition of Korean barbecue, guests to the nation typically assume heavy meat dinners are the norm right here. Quite the opposite, indulgent barbecue – particularly with beef – continues to be thought-about a luxurious. Save the gas-stove feast for a special day, and hunt down extra typical delicacies as an alternative.
Baekban (Korean home-style cooking) eating places serve rice with one essential and some side-dishes for lunch, whereas hole-in-the-wall stew joints supply dinners below ₩30,000 (US$26). At Seoul’s conventional markets, you’ll find beneficiant parts of Korean-style noodles for lower than ₩10,000 (US$8.25).
Map out the place to remain based mostly in your wants
The precise neighborhood for you’ll rely on how lengthy you’re staying and what you’re on the lookout for out of your journey. For those who’re on the town for just a few days, search for lodging in Jongno or Euljiro. These corners of downtown Seoul are cheaper than Myeong-dong or Gwanghwamun, and also you’ll nonetheless have the ability to stroll to many of the metropolis’s high vacationer locations.
If going out at evening is a significant precedence, keep in Itaewon, the place you may stroll to town’s hottest golf equipment as an alternative of spending on cab fare. For those who’re on the town for an prolonged trip, look into faculty neighborhoods like Sinchon or Hongdae, which cater to short-term stays for trade college students. Eating places, cafes and even grocery shops listed here are usually cheaper than in Gangnam, a hub for enterprise vacationers.
Go to within the fall
Visiting Seoul on the proper time may help your backside line. June, July and August are South Korea’s excessive season for journey, with accommodations and airfare anyplace from 10% to 25% costlier than within the off seasons. Visiting throughout winter or spring may be equally value efficient, however the bitter chilly of the previous means you received’t have the ability to get pleasure from many free outside actions, whereas the latter coincides with yellow mud season (when desert sand and industrial pollution blow in from China, Mongolia and Kazakhstan). Not solely is fall typically thought-about Korea’s most stunning season, nevertheless it’s additionally the right time of yr to benefit from climbing in one of many nation’s many mountains (greater than 70% of South Korea is mountainous) and attending free festivals within the capital.
Carry money
Though you need to use your bank card at most institutions, some mom-and-pop retailers and unbiased clothes boutiques might cost you a ₩1000 (US$0.85) credit-card price. Money also can turn out to be useful when purchasing at conventional markets as distributors are extra open to negotiating costs with paper cash.
Each day prices in Seoul
Hostel room: ₩20,000–₩40,000 (from US$16.50 for a dorm mattress)
Fundamental room for 2: from ₩80,000 (US$66)
Self-catering condominium (together with Airbnb): from ₩100,000 (US$83)
Hanok (conventional Korean home) stays: from ₩120,000 (US$100)
Public transport ticket (one subway trip): ₩1350 (US$1.20)
Espresso: ₩4000 (US$3.30)
Gimbap (rice rolls): ₩4000 (US$3.30)
Dinner for 2: from ₩30,000 (US$26)
Beer on the bar: from ₩5000 (US$4.15)
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