South Korea travel tips

sunshinenz on 23/02/2024 - 15:12

Hi everyone, we plan to travel to South Korea during the northern summer. I'd like some tips please.

Is Daegu worth spending 2 days in (plus 5 days in Seoul and 3 in Busan)? Interests: diverse groups, so diverse interests: Korean drama filming locations, historical places, wars, entertainment parks, tech

Money: I plan to use a Wise card, withdraw cash at ATM, and use a Visa credit card where possible, is that sensible?

Transport from airport to Seoul, and within Seoul: as a group of 6, should we use public transport, or taxi?

Transport from Seoul to Daegu and Busan: should we use train, hire a car/driver, or hire a car and drive? Should we buy train passes for our 10-day trip?

Accommodation: is Airbnb popular in South Korea, or should we stick with hotels?

Admission tickets: should we just turn up at the site (palace, park) and buy admission tickets, or is there an online booking site that we should use to save time and money?

Anything else we should/shouldn't do?

Thanks

General Discussion South Korea

Comments

  • Superpower21 on 23/02/2024 - 17:52

    Klook for the admission tickets. Check the refferal system

    • sunshinenz on 23/02/2024 - 21:39

      Thanks. Saw Klook when trying to search about Korea but I've never used it before. Glad to hear it's useful.

  • CJ on 24/02/2024 - 17:55

    Its handy to take NZD cash and convert to KRW at local bank. Some shops charge 10% on cards, paying cash easier and cheaper. Just did my trip in Dec. I would always stick to any accommodation near subway stations to avoid taxi although taxi is inexpensive in Seoul.

    • sunshinenz on 24/02/2024 - 18:02

      What was the exchange rate like, compared with using an NZ debit card to take cash out at the ATM?

      • CJ on 26/02/2024 - 08:40

        I had my cash taken out at airport. Haven't done that overseas.
        I also have a Westpac no-fee card. On the same day of converting cash at a local bank, my Westpac card charged the same rate on another transaction.
        Dated 21/12/2023, it was 929 KWR=1 NZD.
        I couldn't use Westpac everywhere as some merchants charge 10% on cards. Cash is the king unless you only shop at chain stores, shopping malls, or the like.

        • sunshinenz on 26/02/2024 - 09:56

          Thanks. Was it easy/cheap to get a SIM card?

          • CJ on 26/02/2024 - 13:29

            @sunshinenz: at airport. We were only there for 5 days, costing us the same as NZ roaming. Decided not to get one.

  • Slogan on 24/02/2024 - 21:10
    +1

    If you're going to the DMZ, book it for the second or third day you're in Seoul. The DMZ is sometimes closed by the military with very little notice, and this will allow you to go a few days later if your original date gets blocked.

  • justaddwater on 26/02/2024 - 10:00
    +1

    buy loads of cosmetic and skin care products

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