How To Travel Around Seoul on A Budget
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You want to travel to South Korea but you need to do it on a tight budget. At the same time, you don’t want the budget constraints to cause a compromise with experiencing the best of Korea. Is this possible? Most definitely. I mean, Mandy did a 12-days trip to Korea with just SGD 1600!
A little travel planning for certain aspects of your trip (transport, accommodation, food and shopping) will prove to go a long, long way. Your every dollar will be stretched so far that you’ll be tempted to extend your stay. Here’s what you need to know:
Finding the cheapest flight
Most budget travellers turn to low-cost carriers like Scoot and AirAsia to fly to South Korea. Flight prices will fluctuate and sometimes, using the general rule of three-months advance purchase may not give you the best deal. Instead, it is imperative to watch out for seasonal flight deals and to follow the different airlines on Facebook to be in the loop for the latest promotions. Do make a note to check out Scoot's Morning Glory Tuesdays for flight deals to Seoul.
You can use flight comparison sites such as this Budget Flight Finder for a shortcut to finding the best flight prices. It is also possible that non-budget airlines such as China Eastern Airlines and Malaysia Airlines provide a better deal, so don’t leave them out in your search for the best flight prices. In general, consider yourselves to have bagged a good deal if you manage to find a return ticket of SGD 400 or less.
Booking unforgettable value-for-money accommodations
Some budget travellers view their accommodation as just a place to rest for the night, sometimes to make themselves feel better if it is far from luxurious. A little smart travel planning will go an especially long way in this component – less money spent does not necessarily mean a trade-off for comfort. If most hotels are well beyond your budget, look into guesthouses or hostels instead. A bonus to staying in guesthouses and hostels is that they offer common areas like a shared kitchen where you’ll have the chance to make friends with travellers from all around the world. Start a conversation on how lovely Korea is and before you know it, you’ll have a new best friend.
Alternatively, opt for a homestay with a local host, which you can look for through Airbnb or Couchsurfing. The hospitality extended to you will warm your hearts as it did Christine’s. For more unique residential experiences, why not stay in a Traditional Korean House (Hanok)? You'll definitely love the architecture and intricate detail put into every corner of the house. Also, you get to learn more about Korea's history and culture from the owners of the place.
Also, ensure that the location of your accommodation is central to save on transportation costs. When in Seoul, you won’t go wrong if you pick Myeongdong or Hongdae as a base. Before booking your accommodation, read the reviews. Lastly, accommodations that provide free breakfast will mean that you have one less meal to pay for each day, so do take that into consideration.
Knowing the best budget-shopping locations
This is the area where budget travellers will find themselves at their weakest. Seoul is a shopping paradise, and it’s best to set aside some money for shopping because there really are plenty of things worth spending on. You’ll be able to find quality stationeries (go crazy in ArtBox), clothings, accessories, bags and all things related to the K-pop fandom very reasonably priced.
The sheer variety of shopping spots available may render you dazed and confused as to where to even begin. You have to know where is the best place to buy what – clothes, skincare products, souvenirs etc. Do you hit Hongdae Shopping Street first, or begin with the shopping paradise of Dongdaemun? Is Myeongdong the one-stop-shop for big retailers (the answer is yes) and are there any lesser-known budget shopping spots you should know of? This is where the Seoul’s shopping guide for bargain hunters comes in handy. Aside from the areas mentioned above, Ehwa Womans University Shopping Street, Express Bus Terminal Underground Mall, Gangnam Underground Shopping Arcade and the Hongik University Street are definitely worth a visit. If you're looking for a huge shopping mall where you can find everything under one roof, head to Coex.
Another place that budget travellers should acquaint themselves with is the supermarket. The main ones are Lotte Mart, E-mart and Homeplus. There are those who would spend hours combing through a supermarket – and for a good reason too. You can pick up your daily essentials, food items and even souvenirs at great prices in one of the supermarket complexes in Korea. In fact, one of the first questions you should ask after reaching your accommodation is “where is the nearest supermarket?” Lotte Mart at Seoul Station in particular is extremely HUGE and you'll just get lost in it. Many tourists come here to buy souvenir snacks and uniquely flavours of ramyun that they can't find in their home country! Besides, they even offer cardboard boxes for you so it's easier for you to carry your whole shopping load home. Alternatively, you can also choose to ship boxes of awesome Korean foodstuffs back as well.
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Hunting down the best eateries
Image credits: Wikipedia
Similarly overwhelming will be the selection of eateries to choose from, and budget travellers can rejoice because a foodgasm in Seoul will not require you to break the bank. The best thing to do is to steer clear of high-priced tourist traps and keep a lookout for where the locals are eating. Kimbap restaurants such as Kimbap Cheonguk (picture above) scattered around town is one of the best places to go for a budget meal.
The hardcore korean-food lovers out there will find that hunting for the best places to eat in Seoul is a fun activity to do in itself. Arm yourselves with this guide to where to eat in Seoul, and set off for satisfying meals after meals after meals.
Also, street food in Korea is something every traveller has to try. We’re talking about Tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), Odeng (fish cakes), Hotteok (dessert pancakes) and more. Besides, it is SO affordable and absolutely delicious! After hunting down these 10 must-try street delicacies in Seoul, you might even find that you’ve hit your food intake capacity for the day. Gwangjang Market and Namdaemun Market are great places to have a satisfying meal without breaking the bank at all!
If you’re into hipster cafes, there are plenty of unique themed cafes, from Hello Kitty to Sheeps. Lovebirds can take their pick from these 7 awesome cafes for couples in Seoul.
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Drinking picks: Soju and Makgeolli
It is great to know that the two most popular alcoholic beverages in Korea, soju and makgeolli, are both affordable. While you can find them both basically anywhere and everywhere in the country, it is worth checking out the best bars in Seoul for Soju and Makgeolli fix for the ultimate drinking experience. An awesome place to try out would be the various fruit-flavoured sojus at Wala Wala! The watermelon soju and pineapple-mango soju are really refreshing and delicious.
Also read: 4 Cultural Tips To A Fantastic Time At South Korea Jjimjilbangs
Getting to other parts of Korea
Of course, many travellers don't just stop with Seoul when in South Korea. Many buses departing from Gangbyeon or Express Bus Terminal connect Seoul with other cities, and prices vary according to individual bus operators (regular or luxury). There is also the option of High Speed Railway from Seoul Station, which will be more expensive than taking buses. If you opt for this, do check for any discount combo tickets from Korea Tourism Organisation as they sometimes offer great deals.
Volunteer or work in South Korea
Instead of just travelling, why not consider volunteer or work in exchange for accommodation in South Korea? This is a great way to appreciate actually living in Korea – something tourists will not be able to experience. Sites to look into include Workaway and GoAbroad.
it really does seem like South Korea is quite a paradise for budget travellers, doesn’t it?