South Korea - Seoul
Just 9 hours flight, and you can arrive in a country that is a complete flip of culture and traditions. Seoul being the capital city and most populated city of South Korea, there are many places to visit if you are planning a trip.
Here are some tips that I find may be useful for planning a budget friendly trip to Seoul!
Step 1: Flights and Accommodation.
Travelling after a full year of studying may not be the easiest when it comes to money. With the limited amount of money you have saved up over a period of time, here are some things you could do to minimize some costs:
Flights: Always try to book your flights as early as possible. You may be travelling during peak periods, so to cut some costs, make sure to book your flights as soon as you have made your decision you want to go.
I booked my tickets with Cathay Pacific Airlines from Sydney. They are a common airline to book with when flying to Hong Kong, so I had a quick 1 and a half hours layover in HK whilst on my way to South Korea. I made sure to keep my eye on studentflights.com.au as they have cheaper flights for students aged under 26! I initially was set with flying with Air Asia, but Cathay popped up a few days later with flights that were $300 cheaper!!! Always make sure to keep an eye out on flights! You'll be sure to find affordable ones!
Accommodation: The best way to save when booking your stay in Seoul is DEFINITELY Airbnb! Many hostels are very affordable and they are usually 'pay on arrival' so you can reserve your stay via Airbnb, check in and pay as you arrive. I stayed in MyeongDong, which is considered the shopping and tourist district.
Step 2: Planning your itinerary.
South Korea is a very cultural country, so you can expect to visit some historical and traditional locations. The 3 places that I recommend everyone should visit when they are in Seoul are: Gyeongbokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village and the N Seoul Tower.
Gyeongbokgung Palace was the main royal palace during the Joseon Dynasty. It served as the home of the Kings, the Kings' household as well as the government during the Dynasty. Gyeongbokgung was destroyed many times, and restored back many times due to its' history.
Bukchon Hanok Village is a Korean Traditional village in Seoul with a long history. It is located between Gyeongbokgung Palance, Changdeok Palace and Jongmyo Royal Shrine. The traditional village is composed of many alleys, hanok (traditional Korean houses and is preserved to show a 600 year old urban environment.
The N Seoul Tower aka Namsan Tower aka Seoul Tower, is a communication and observation tower located on Namsam Mountain in central Seoul. It stands at 236m high, making it the second highest point in Seoul. It overlooks the city of Seoul, and the tower itself is lit up with the latest LED technology. It is definitely the place to visit during night time!
Remember that the weather in South Korea is completely flipped compared to Sydney. Make sure you are packing suitable clothing for the seasons you are flying into!
I hope this blog helps you with your initial planning for your trip to Seoul! There is a lot to explore within this big city!
- Antonia
Here are some tips that I find may be useful for planning a budget friendly trip to Seoul!
Step 1: Flights and Accommodation.
Travelling after a full year of studying may not be the easiest when it comes to money. With the limited amount of money you have saved up over a period of time, here are some things you could do to minimize some costs:
Flights: Always try to book your flights as early as possible. You may be travelling during peak periods, so to cut some costs, make sure to book your flights as soon as you have made your decision you want to go.
I booked my tickets with Cathay Pacific Airlines from Sydney. They are a common airline to book with when flying to Hong Kong, so I had a quick 1 and a half hours layover in HK whilst on my way to South Korea. I made sure to keep my eye on studentflights.com.au as they have cheaper flights for students aged under 26! I initially was set with flying with Air Asia, but Cathay popped up a few days later with flights that were $300 cheaper!!! Always make sure to keep an eye out on flights! You'll be sure to find affordable ones!
Accommodation: The best way to save when booking your stay in Seoul is DEFINITELY Airbnb! Many hostels are very affordable and they are usually 'pay on arrival' so you can reserve your stay via Airbnb, check in and pay as you arrive. I stayed in MyeongDong, which is considered the shopping and tourist district.
Step 2: Planning your itinerary.
South Korea is a very cultural country, so you can expect to visit some historical and traditional locations. The 3 places that I recommend everyone should visit when they are in Seoul are: Gyeongbokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village and the N Seoul Tower.
Gyeongbokgung Palace was the main royal palace during the Joseon Dynasty. It served as the home of the Kings, the Kings' household as well as the government during the Dynasty. Gyeongbokgung was destroyed many times, and restored back many times due to its' history.
The N Seoul Tower aka Namsan Tower aka Seoul Tower, is a communication and observation tower located on Namsam Mountain in central Seoul. It stands at 236m high, making it the second highest point in Seoul. It overlooks the city of Seoul, and the tower itself is lit up with the latest LED technology. It is definitely the place to visit during night time!
Remember that the weather in South Korea is completely flipped compared to Sydney. Make sure you are packing suitable clothing for the seasons you are flying into!
I hope this blog helps you with your initial planning for your trip to Seoul! There is a lot to explore within this big city!
- Antonia
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