11 Days in South Korea

To have the fullest fun, you must plan properly. Get the best plan and you'll never forget the experience you ever had. People always thought going to Seoul is expensive. Even my sister thought to spend RM10K for Seoul Holiday. It's ridiculous. Unless you join a tour travel, and yes, they are going to slash you out on every interesting places you wish to visit in Seoul. Joining a tour agent, to me, doesn't promise you, FUN. Sorry to people out there who loves joining tour agent. You got to walk the town in order to feel it. Go to subway, read the map, you'll get dizzy awhile. :) Seoul subway map has the most complex route I ever seen.

It is NOT IMPOSSIBLE to spend RM2,000 for accomodation, transportation, food and admission (for parks) for the 11 days itinerary in Jeju/Busan/Seoul.

We travelled using Air Busan not once but twice. We flew from Seoul to Jeju then Jeju to Busan. Isn't it convenient? I was waiting the right time to buy the discounted tickets just like our AirAsia. If you're lucky, you'll get 60% off from your tickets!

Accomodation, you don't have to be choosy. As long the place is safe, clean, nearer to subway, shops, that's all it matters. I don't need a 5-stars treatment when I'm on holiday. I just need a place to rest my head.

Walk. If you're willing to walk more, you'll save some money for food/subway. On our Day 7, we walked from Changdeokgung Palace and Garden -> Buchon Hanok Village -> Insadong ->Ssamziegil -> Gwanghwamun Square -> Gwanghwamun Sejong Belt -> Cheonggyecheon.
Amazingly we survived. :)

Food. Yes, I admit that some food are expensive. But if you are really look around, you'll get food worth your money. Imagine, budgetting 15,000 won a day, do you think is too little? Think again. Our first day in Jeju was pre-packed lunch at a convenient store. It tastes great and comes with a free drink.

Budget Travel Part 2

My bike at Nami Island

I started planning in Nov 2010 for my travel to South Korea in Sept 2011. Yeah, it's kinda long for others to plan. For me, its a fun and joy. Getting to know place, is to walk the town. There is no better way to appreciate what you are looking at than with a walking tour. Seoul is eminently walkable. The city centre and most of its attractions worth visiting are all easy to reach on foot.

I went to South Korea with my sister, my best friend and my sister's colleague. We went there for 2 freaking weeks. Here I want to share my itinerary. It's a modified version after the trip. We managed to go all the places listed in the itinerary.

Here ya goes! Jeju-Busan-Seoul Budget Travel.

Lodging
Day 1 - Lazy Bird Guesthouse 19,000
Day 2 to 3 - Yeha GuestHouse 19,000 x 2 = 38,000
Day 4 to 5 - BlueBackpacker 20,000 x 2 = 40,000
Day 6 to 10 - Namsan 3 Guesthouse 27,500 x 5 = 137,500

Charted Taxi at Jeju for a day 33,750

Transportation
Day 2 Air Busan from Seoul to Jeju 48,400
Day 4 Air Busan from Jeju to Busan  29,870
Day 6 Train Mugunghwa from Busan to Seoul 27,700

Food 15,000 x 10 = 150,000
Fares to Park in Jeju 30,000
Fares to Park in Seoul 30,000
Subway in Busan 10,000
Subway in Seoul 25,000
Taxi in Busan 2,200 / 4 = 550
Danubi Tram 3,500
Nami Island 21,000
Taxi to Airport 2,700 / 4 = 675

Total: 644,945 (~RM2,000.00) not included shopping.

Day 1
Reached Incheon 10:30pm

Day 2 Jeju - by Taxi
1. O'Sulloc Tea Museum
2. Glass Castle
3. Jeju Soingook Theme Park
4. Teddy Bear Museum
5. Oedolgae Rock
6. Jeongbang Falls
7. Seongsan IIchulbong Sunrise Peak

Day 3 Jeju - by Bus
1. Gimbyeong Maze Park
2. Jeju Loveland
3. Dongmun Market

Day 4 Busan
1. Haeundae Beach
2. Haeundae Traditional Market
3. Sajik Stadium

Day 5 Busan
1. Jagalchi Market
2. PIFF
3. Yongsan Tower
4. 40 stairs Theme Cultural Hall
5. Taejongdae
6. Gwangan Beach

Day 6 Seoul
Reaching Seoul around 4pm+. Tired. Doing laundry for 5 days clothing.
1. Dongdaemun

Day 7 Seoul
1. Myeongdong Catholic Church
2. Changdeokgung Palace and Garden
3. Buchon Hanok Village
4. Insadong
5. Ssamziegil
6. Gwanghwamun Square
7. Gwanghwamun Sejong Belt
8. Cheonggyecheon

Day 8 Seoul
1. Nami Island
2. Gwangjang Market

Day 9 Seoul
1. Namsan Seoul Tower
2. Sinchon
3. Hongik University
4. Ewha University
5. Gangnam Station Street

Day 10 Seoul
1. KBS
2. Hangang Park
3. 63 Building
3. Itaewon
4. Yongsan Electronic Market
6. Rodeo Street
7. Sinsa
8. Banpo Bridge

Day 11
1. Myeongdong - last minute shopping.It rained in Seoul during our last day. Luckily it didn't rain on other days.

Budget Travel Part 1

It has been long time. I wish I had done it earlier. Anyway, its better than none.

I will always love, Budget Travel. I don't believe one should spend a fortune to get to place they love. You can see the world on a shoestring. Sleeping accommodations does not always have to be 5-star hotel. For me, as long there is a clean bed and pillow, it will be just fine.

You're probably heard that the best things in life are FREE. When it comes to travel, some of the places you'll visit require an admission fee. But don't assume that free things to do are not worth putting into your itinerary.

How to save money on Airfares? Draw up a budget and stick to your plan. Keep in mind that most low fares require advance purchase time of two or three weeks or even months. Also watch carefully for fares that are advertised at low rates. And that's what I did.

One of the blog I found interesting is http://budgettravel2korea.blogspot.com the blogger currently studying Korean Language in Sogang University, Seoul.


One of her posting  7 days itinerary in Korea : Part 2 I find it quite interesting. At the ending of her posting, she put "Anyone has better ideas to reduce the budget and any unbeaten paths to explore with this kinda time limit?" I would say, YES!

Her 7 days itinerary with estimated budget RM1,800.00. That means per day spending ~ RM257.00. What if I take out RM57.00 for each day and I add another 3 days ? Doesn't it sound cool?