Positioned 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 may seize your coronary heart the second you arrive. Seoul is the type 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 beneath glowing neon indicators.
When you’re planning to go to Seoul and are searching for ideas for travelling in Seoul on a funds, you’re in the best place. This submit is about easy methods to minimise the bills of your Seoul journey while concurrently maximising the enjoyable.
Seoul is without doubt one of the extra reasonably priced cities in Asia, particularly compared to Tokyo and Hong Kong. Sure, it may be costly, however it’s additionally excellent for anybody on a tighter funds. Sights, meals, and transport are all comparatively low-cost, and with the following tips, you’ll be capable of 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 without doubt 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 record and easy methods 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 without doubt one of the finest on the earth, 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 may prime it up as you go and even get a refund earlier than you depart South Korea. Utilizing the cardboard presents decreased fares, which means a journey throughout town will 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 a good way to get round cheaply and removes the concern of getting money or incurring undesirable bank card charges.
If you wish to submit your Seoul journey on Instagram, you can even buy the Seoul Cross. This bundle comprises a T-Cash card and a limiteless SIM card geared toward vacationers. These will be bought in any respect the airports and are an incredible addition to any Seoul itinerary.
Keep in Hongdae
When you’re not accustomed to Seoul, it may be overwhelming making an attempt to resolve the place to remain. The metropolitan space spans 605 km² and is the fourth largest on the earth. With no clearly outlined centre, in all places is an choice. Understanding what every neighbourhood presents will make it easier to discover the proper spot and minimise costly late-night taxis.
Most journey guides advise staying in Myeongdong, and this can be a good choice. Positioned pretty centrally, it’s a great place to begin 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 road meals right here most days — a should for anybody searching for the most effective issues to do in Seoul.
If Seoul’s nightlife is on the prime of your agenda, take into account staying in Hongdae or Gangnam. Each have a wealth of bars, eating places, and golf equipment. Hongdae is residence 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 road stalls providing tremendous low-cost late-night snacks.
Gangnam is famend as the house of glitzy glamour and Okay-pop, so it’s barely costlier, and lots of the massive lodge chains are right here. Many of the massive golf equipment and a few fairly swanky eating places are on this space. Nonetheless, you may nonetheless discover some nice, reasonably priced choices in the event you discover a bit — all price including to your Seoul itinerary.
Eat Domestically
When Korean meals is so scrumptious, why would you need to eat the rest 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 seek out. Nonetheless, these locations can usually have inflated worth tags and can shortly impression your funds.
Korean meals is normally 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 in at simply $2–3. They’ll normally be bought in eating places and from road distributors. Consuming native is without doubt one of the finest issues to do in Seoul for meals lovers.
Korean BBQ is one other nice choice in the event you’re watching your spending, so long as you don’t select a high-end place. You may have pork stomach, rice, Korean beer, and soju (a powerful 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 social gathering, and there’s no finish of cool locations to drink and spend the night. The price of hopping between these each night time will shortly add up. As one of many highest shoppers of alcohol on the earth, it’s no shock that Seoul has discovered an reasonably priced various.
Welcome to comfort retailer consuming. It’s precisely because it sounds. House owners 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. Every little thing is affordable, and you may even order meals for supply if you would like one thing extra substantial. This distinctive native expertise is well probably the greatest issues to do in Seoul on a funds.
Take pleasure in Seoul’s Historical past
Because of the devastating results of the Korean Struggle, lots of Seoul’s historic buildings are sadly not standing. In comparison with most European cities, Seoul may be very trendy. Nonetheless, 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 major 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 excellent for any Seoul journey information or Seoul itinerary.
If you wish to see conventional Korean buildings, head to Bukchon Hanok Village. Positioned in North Seoul, it has been restored to appear like a standard Korean village. It’s free to stroll round, and it’s a good way to find out about Korea’s previous. Visiting Bukchon is well probably the greatest 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 possibly shut fairly early (round 1 am, relying on the road). This could make getting residence after an evening out barely tough. Taxis will be hailed on the road; nonetheless, they gained’t all the time cease for vacationers and might overcharge.
Though different taxi apps do function, the principle one is Kakao Taxi. Conveniently, it has an English language choice, making it preferrred for vacationers. The app will provide you with an estimate of the value and route, which means you gained’t get ripped off. Solely Korean financial institution accounts will pay by way of the app, so select the ‘pay to driver’ choice to make use of money or a card. Figuring out these native tips 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 college and avidly comply with their groups within the league. It’s a well-liked and reasonably priced type of leisure.
Most video games happen in Jamsil and are filled with followers. Fortunately, you hardly ever have to e-book upfront; tickets begin from simply 10,000 gained ($7). Even in the event you don’t know a lot about baseball, it’s nonetheless probably the greatest issues to do in Seoul for enjoyable, ambiance, and native tradition.
Whereas Koreans take their baseball critically, they’re additionally there to have enjoyable. Count on cheerleaders, songs, and an enormous vary of snacks and beers. The sport itself may not be thrilling each minute, however the power is infectious — an ideal addition to your Seoul journey information.
Loosen up 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 price exploring it’s. Alongside the river, there are 11 river parks, every with its personal character and sights.
Throughout Seoul’s heat summer time evenings, that is the place you’ll discover households, teams of associates, and {couples} gathered with picnic blankets. Comfort shops have popped up in many of the parks, making it an inexpensive and straightforward method to benefit from the night. You may even order meals deliveries straight to the parks — simply probably the greatest issues to do in Seoul for a relaxed night time out.
The preferred park is Yeouido, which has lots to supply, however it may possibly get busy throughout peak instances. Throughout the summer time, Nanji is residence to a funds infinity pool and household water park, whereas Ttukseom is ideal for flower lovers. Bike rent is extremely low-cost and a good way to discover the parks by way of the riverbank cycle tracks — a peaceable spotlight so as to add to your Seoul itinerary.
When you’re planning a visit to Asia, be sure you take time to take pleasure in Seoul.
It’s a vibrant, thrilling, opulent, and traditionally wealthy metropolis. The meals is exclusive, the persons 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 things 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 funds traveller, discovering the most effective issues to do in Seoul will fill your Seoul itinerary with recollections you gained’t neglect.
E book your journey and discover out for your self why Seoul is one in every of Asia’s most fascinating capitals.
Have you ever been to Seoul? Something you’d add to this budgeting ideas information?
Go away a remark and tell us your ideas for Seoul and if there’s something that may assist our group plan the journey of a lifetime there.
Blissful adventuing!
Comply with extra of Natalias’ adventures right here on The Cotswold Inventive
