KampungboyCitygal’s 7 Days Seoul & Busan Itinerary – click here.
#1 Pay a Visit to the Korea Plaza by Korea Tourism Organization @ Menara Hap Seng
Are you planning a visit to Korea soon? Head to Korea Plaza at Menara Hap Seng to collect guide books, brochures, maps, discount coupons, as well as to receive consultation about travelling to Korea. I got a whole lot of information there; and my favourite guide book is Seoul’s Best 100. We referred to it a lot as we move around Seoul.
Operating Hours:
Monday-Friday : 9am to 6pm
Every second & forth Saturday : 10am-5pm
In March and September, Korea Plaza is open on the third Saturday, from 10am-5pm.
#2 FREE Hanbok Experience @ M Plaza, Myeongdong
Located on the fifth floor of M Plaza, the center offers tourist information on the city of Seoul in addition to various Korean cultural programs. For free hanbok (traditional costume) experience, just register yourself at the counter (English/Chinese/Japanese language options available) and wait for your time slot. The staff members also offer information on lodging, tourism, shopping, festivals, and performances. Amenities include free internet and coin-operated lockers.
#3 Print Discount Vouchers
It’s great to be a foreign traveler in Korea. As part of the Visit Korea Year campaign, Korea is offering a wealth of discounts exclusively to foreigners throughout 2012. Coupons are offered on everything from skin care, cafes, multi shops to theatre performances and short-term rental phone services. We printed out a huge stack of skin care/cosmetic brand coupons to enjoy 5-10% discounts on total bill. Skin Food, The Face Shop, Innis Free, Tony Moly, Etude House, etc. You name it, they have got it.
If you plan to do some shopping at Doota Mall, print this out! We got to redeem this goodie bag stuffed with bb cream, book mark, key chain, Doota Mall discount voucher book, etc. Redeem it at the customer service counter at Doota 1F. Just show them the voucher together with passport. Promotion valid till 31/12/2012, no purchases is required!
#4 KTX Pass & Free Shuttle Buses to Jeonju & Busan
Dynamic Busan
Two shuttle bus routes are provided for foreigners, free of charge, until the end of 2012. The first route is from Seoul to Jeonju, while the second route is from Seoul to Busan, Korea’s second largest city after Seoul, located on the southeast coast.
Boarding locations and times are available on the website. However, reservations must be made in advance and confirmed via email. There is only one bus running per day for each routes, so seats are really limited. If the number of applicants exceed the number of seats, successful applicants will be notified via email after a balloting process. We failed to secure a seat, so KTX 3 day pass is the next best option. At 58,200 for 1 day pass and 84,600 won for 3 day pass, the KTX pass costs so much lesser than a two way ticket to Busan (~100,000 won).
KTX counter
For online/offline purchase of the KTX pass, you’ll need to make a payment. However, your E-ticket is automatically cancelled and the amount is not charged if you do not change it into Korea Rail Pass after your entrance into Korea. It is charged only after your exchange at rail station in Korea. Print out the payment receipt and exchange it to a KTX pass at Seoul Station. Remember to purchase your KTX ticket using the KTX pass.
#5 Tax Refund
If you’re a visitor to Korea (non-resident) and are buying goods above 30,000 won at a tax refund eligible outlet, you may claim for tax refund upon your departure. There are two companies who handle tax refund in Korea; namely Global Blue (blue) and Tax Free Korea (red). Look out for the blue/red signs at the store front before you shop.
Most skin care/cosmetic brand stores are entitled for tax refund. Some even allow me to claim for tax refund even after I use the discount coupons. Remember to ask beforehand!
Here’s a complete guide on how to do tax refund at the airport: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SH/SH_EN_7_1_4.jsp
#6 Money Changer in Seoul
Well, this is complicated. Rates are generally better in South Korea as most banks and Foreign Exchange Bureaus mark to market their exchange rates. You may exchange your money at the Seoul airport, but exchange rates may not be the best. So what we did is to change RM into USD at Malaysia, and keep about RM 500 worth of wons to be used on the first day. Then, we head to Myeongdong upon arrival and to look for a Foreign Exchange Bureau to get our wons. Remember to compare the rates, and sometimes we manage to negotiate for a better rate.
A simple illustration (based on the rates which we got when we were in Korea):
RM to USD : RM 3.03 = USD 1
USD to Won: USD 1 = 1128 won
which means that RM 3.03 will get you 1128 won in Seoul.
At a rate of RM 2.80 (Malaysia’s money changer rates) per 1000 won, RM 3.03 can only fetch us 1082 won.
That’s a whopping 4% savings! We managed to save a few hundred bucks from here.
#7 It’s Cheaper to Take Cab Sometimes
Orange Taxi = taxi with foreign languages service
If you are traveling in a group of 3-4 person, that’s it. If you are using a T-Money card, the basic fare within 10 km is 1050 won, regardless of the number of stations. So if you are travelling in a group of 4 and you are heading to somewhere within 3-5 stations away, it is cheaper to take cab. Regular taxis start at 2400 won for the first two kilometers and are metered at 100 won every 159 meters. For example, to get to Myeongdong from Seoul Station, a standard cab fare is about 3000 – 3500 won. If we use the subway, it would have cost us 4200 won.
That’s about it! I think I’m beginning to sound like an ajjuma (aunty in Korean) – saved 5%, taking cab is cheaper by 1000 won, bla bla bla. But every penny counts no?
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no this is really good tip! 😀
thanks for the tips…..
it will be easier for me next time ..
Hi! I’m going to Seoul next week ^^. I do not change a lot of won though. Plan to use credit cards which is easier. Do they accept cards in shops and restaurants? Thanks!
Hi dear it should be fine. Rmb to bring some usd, just in case 🙂
So happy I found this before my trip to Korea this weekend. 😛 Thanks!
Thank You so much for the tips…i am going there in June. Does the taxi in korea accepts credit cards like in Singapore?
Yes they accept t money card n credit card
Thank you for the invaluable tips and advice!
Just wondering if you know any place where we can try making kimchi for free or at low cost? I only managed to find one that was 50,000 won which is too expensive for kimchi haha! 😛
Hi, I like here. Do they accept uncolored discount coupon? Can you introduce which money changer will offer cheapest rate in Myeongdong.
Yes, you can print in B&W, they will accept it. We just walk around and compare until we found one which we think is reasonable.
Thanks.
Hi , some of the images , cannot be viewed. was hoping to print the vouchers and discount coupons.
thks
owen
Really love the way you organise your travel itinery & tips, it is very detail and i believe that it does inspire many to go travel free ＆ easy like you both.
thanks dear 🙂
Im going to Seoul end of this month too..I hope the rules of changing to usd wil lget a better rate in Korea still apply now adays..Plan to do the same like you, probably rm500 worth of won for the first day, then 5k worth of usd to change over there..Is it suitable to do so??I hope their money changer will accept that amount :p
hi nic, it’s not a rule per say, just after some calculation, it always work out to be cheaper to change in korea. they will be more than happy to accept USD 5k, u can even bargain for a better rate. 🙂 remember to compare across a few shops
Hi 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing a great info on your Korea trip. I’m going to Korea next month. Want to ask about the KR Pass. The 3days ticket, do we have to use the ticket for straight 3 days or can we use it alternate days, eg. use first day on 16/1, after that on 18/1 & until we complete the 3days? And it’s multiple usage in a day right?
Kamsahamnida ^0^
Hi Iza no you cant use it on alternate days. it can only be used for 3 straight days 🙂
hi again 🙂
ok, that’s what I thot….thanks yeah.
happy new year ^0^
Do you change the currency in bank like Hana Bank or KEB? Can we just go and change at any money changer available in seoul?
Hi leena, i just go to a random money changer 🙂
we will be going to korea this april~ do you think they still have the discount coupons and free ktx ride? 🙂
Yes there is, just click on the links and you will find it.
Hi, we are a group of 4 in a family 1st time visiting seoul next month, could you give us some advise which will be the best and cheapest service providers for short term use of their services. We thought of renting a sim card for use of communication and surfing internet using our own smartphone. OR would be cheaper to rent a phone from the providers and take their package but we do not know which package or provider to choose. Would appreciate your advise.
Regards
Carol Lim
Hi carol it depends on you. to rent a smartphone is more convenient but you will need to pay a deposit for the phone. read more about it here:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g294197-i8161-k5009482-How_to_get_3G_Internet_on_prepaid_phone_in_Seoul_Korea-Seoul.html
Hi,
thank you for the very nice info. Can you recommend a good restaurant where me and my wife could eat along with a birthday cake? We will be there in 2 weeks time to celebrate her bday but I still can’t find one to. (we are staying at beewon guesthouse near changdeokgung palace, insadong area)
appreciate it very much!
thank you!
hi kampung boy & city gal!
thank you for all the helpful articles
sooo excited to visit seoul this september & find those recommended spots you’ve mentioned!
looking forward for another travel guides from you guys.. keep posting ^^
Thanks for the tips! Will look up the links prior to our trip to Seoul in September =)
hi kampungboycitygal
would like to know whether i will be entitled for the 5% discount at Toyoko Inn if i apply the membership card on the spot when i check in? thanks alot
Can you plerese me how to exchange the online Voucher in Busan?
Any online reservation for city tour bus in Busan?
Hi, thanks for a very exciting travel report. It provides valuable ‘insider’ information which is very helpful for my year end trip to Seoul.
Hi, May i know if i just printed Myeongdong brunch coupon do i able to use it at others brunch too ?
Hi annie, no, thats y it is safer to print for one or two more branches
May I know did you apply visa for your Korea trip?
no visa is needed 🙂
im just wondering if i change USD to Won in Busan will it be cheaper than Seoul? by the way, im going on Christmas, do u think i will able to get better price during the public holiday? Appreciate your reply. Thanks!
Hi
Do Korea money changer accept Singapore dollar or they just accept USD?
some accept sgd but most prefer usd
Hi there, can I ask if I want to print the discount coupon do I have to print the whole page or will they accept just the portion with the coupon info? Thanks!
hi.. May i know how to print out the discount coupon(wealth discount)??
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Hi,
I will be going to Seoul coming month. I would like to know how can I find the money changer booth at Myeongdong area? Is there a map or building landmark u can advice us?
Thank you.
hi,
I would like to check about the T-Money card, can I purchase 1 card and use by 3 persons?
Do you know what is the best way and the cheapest way to get the mobile data that can be used by few persons at the same time?
We are a family of 7 who will visit Seoul for 5 days in July 2015. Can we photocopy one coupon (ex. Petite France) for 7 persons? Please reply.
Anyone know if it is much trouble to exchange British pounds for won? Thanks