Spending less than S$2,000 for a 12 day trip to South Korea!

I am compiling a guide on how to experience South Korea on a budget. In May 2013, I visited Shanghai, Busan, Jeju, and Seoul for a total of 12 days on the road. I spent a total of about S$2,000. The only reason why I spent so much is because we ate luxuriously and shopped for make-up like CRAZY! If I were truly on a budget, I would have spent a total of only $1,500. But that is not me, I am pampered and spoilt & I needed my Black Pork Korean BBQ!!

Check out my elaborate blog posts about South Korea & Shanghai here:

• China: Shanghai
• South Korea: Busan
• South Korea: Jeju Part 1
• South Korea: Jeju Part 2
• South Korea: Seoul Part 1
• South Korea: Seoul Part 2

For further information regarding my itinerary, please click here:

• Discovering South Korea Itinerary!

I spent about $1088 for flights, housing, car rentals, major attractions like going to the DMZ and Lotte World and this is how I did it.

South Korea Costs

International Flights

Airfare is always one of the biggest bulk in your expenditure. I always check Zuji & Skyscanner for good deals first and than try to book directly. My dates are always flexible and I will always try to fly a mid-night flight if the flight will take 7 hours or more. As you know, I work shifts and in the hotel industry, and it is really difficult for me to take leave and I want to maximize it to the fullest. We booked multi-city tickets (it may add on extra charges, but for $460, we didn't really care) and flew to Busan straight, after transiting in Shanghai for 1 night, and than flew out from Seoul to Singapore.

Food served on China Eastern, not too shabby right?

Furthermore, flying at night not only save you 1 Annual Leave, it also saves you 1 night of accommodation and 1 whole day to explore the city. We flew at about 1am, and landed in Shanghai at about 5.30am. We had breakfast and than we took the first train out to the city! I know it sounds tiring, but if you're young and on a budget, this is the way to go!

Sunrise!

Also, we didn't fly with any budget airlines because it is about the same price, NOT including meals, baggage allowance, and the entertainment system (I was too tired after my shift and so knocked out all the way though). China Eastern is fine, the only problem I had was some China Auntie pretending that she was booked for my window seat. We had that sorted out in no time after my dear gung-ho of a boyfriend confronted her. Hahaha.

Domestic Flights

Now, I visited 3 cities in South Korea and the cities are not exactly near where you can just take an hour's train and you're there (like Japan). From Busan to Jeju, I flew with Busan Air and from Jeju to Seoul I flew with Eastar Jet. Do your research properly! There are plenty of affordable Korean domestic airlines that can get you to places! Sign up for their free membership and you also get additional discounts! Always use trial and error to find those flights!

Accommodation

My friends and I always stayed in a hostel/motel/guesthouse. You'd be surprised at how beautiful and cosy the hostels are! Of course we splurged a little and got the 4 pax bunk with ensuite for our stay in Jeju. To be honest, I felt the accommodation could be cheaper, but I just wanted a nice little house/room to go back to after a long day. I never regretted it!

Rainbow in Jeju Hostel!

Look at how beautiful those hostels are! They even provide basic groceries for you to cook your own breakfast every morning. Look out for hostels with laundry facilities, because if you only brought a limited set of underwear, you're gonna have a bad time if you don't wash it.

Doo Guesthouse (traditional housing)

Always look out for past reviews from other guests who have stayed there previously, location, and of course the pricing. It is always cheaper to get a family room of four, as compared to a room for 2. Of course if you don't mind, you can always bunk in with other (random) people to lower the cost.

Lee & No Guesthouse (MY FAVORITE OF ALL)

Like I said, I am spoilt, I wanted my own room. Besides, there were four of us, and we saved a lot when we got the family rooms.

Car Rental in Jeju

I always advice my friends who are visiting Jeju, has a SG licence, and above 21 to ALWAYS rent a car in Jeju. There are no trains in Jeju, only taxis and buses. We rented the Hyundai Sonata for about 3 days with full insurance, and each of us paid only S$42! (Total is about $165.)

Of course if you have people to split it with, that's good for you, if not, rent a smaller car with partial immunity, that will lower down the costs for you.

Our ride: Hyundai Sonata

By the way, I loved the boot space of the Sonata! I can fit 3 dead bodies inside. HAHAHA.

I've read and heard of people who was lost and didn't have any transport back after sunset, and how they had to beg/hitchhike the locals to drive them out to the main road where they waited for 30mins for a taxi. Or how people have walked so much and spent so much time trying to get to the attraction, they were tired already before they even reached the attraction.

Every rental car comes with a GPS system

If you can't rent a car due to the legal age limit, try searching for taxi drivers who are willing to drive you around for the whole day! I am not sure how much it will cost, but it is def better than walking 45 mins to the museume.

To me, time is money. I hate wasting time walking to places. Ok, I hate walking.

Every rental car comes with a GPS system. I rented the car through KT Kumho Car Rental (of course after signing up as a member and getting 70% off), and requested for an English GPS system. Bear in mind the local addresses are still in Korean, so you need to keep the telephone numbers of the attractions you want to go to and you can just punch in the telephone number into the GPS system.

WiFi

THERE IS FREE WIFI EVERYWHERE!

I can't stress this enough. Do not buy/rent those egg Wifi thing you see at Changi Airport. It will be a waste of money! You walk into the shopping mall, there's Wifi, you walk into the cafe, there's Wifi, you take the TRAIN, there's also Wifi. It is everywhere and it's free! Even at the airport!

Besides, I can't stress this enough. You're on a holiday! Turn off your Facebook, Instagram & Twitter! You can brag about the places you've been when you rest at the nearby cafe...

Food & Shopping

I will not and do not want to touch on food and shopping because i'm embarrassed by how much we ate. It was almost Korean BBQ almost every night until I fell terribly ill with high fever. I had no budget when it came to food. My BF and I splurged on it and ate luxuriously. So it really depends on how you eat and shop as that's something we're all different.

My only tip is to go for all the street food! There's plenty of yummy street food that can fill you up, and even Korean BBQ along the streets in Seoul. Jeju was more or less restaurants and it was more expensive than in Seoul.

By the way, I did not shop too much for clothes, but I went crazy with make up stuff.

Getting Around

Taking the buses and trains are of course the cheapest way to get around. Not only do you save, you get to experience what the locals experience. Download this app "Jihachul". It is an app for the Korean Subway system and it is available in Korean, Japanese and English!

Awesome Korean Subway App

This app has the train system of all the major cities in South Korea like Seoul, Busan, Daegu, etc. It tells you the rough time estimate it takes from your current train station to your destination, the time the next train arrives & even which exit to take to change lines. What is so awesome about this app is that it doesn't require any internet connection because the trains run on a strict schedule (very much like Japan) which is also available on their Subway website.

Of course, planning your route and attractions plays a big part, you want to visit all the attractions in the East, for example, before visiting the West. It saves on time and transport fees!

Weather

I know you must be thinking, "What does the weather got to do with budget?". Well it does! You're saving S$2,000 for your Korea trip to pay for all the expenses, but have you forgotten the budget you're forking out to prepare for your trip?

Rainy & cold in Shanghai!

I visited in May, and the weather was JUST NICE. Nice and chilly when I was in Busan & Jeju, yet I didn't need more than my sweater and windbreaker! I did my research and after weeks of monitoring the weather and temperature, I decided to bring along 2 pair of jeans and 2 pairs of leggings. I wore the 2 pair of jeans when I was in Shanghai & Busan (because it was Mother cold), and the leggings with shorts when I was in Jeju (when it was NOT foggy, and it was nice and sunny). I learnt my mistake when I went to USA in 2012 thinking it was summer (all shorts and tank tops) and upon arriving in LA, it was 12-15C. I nearly died.

Foggy & cold in Busan, as it is a port city

Now, if I went in WINTER. I had to buy heatec leggings and inner wear, boots, wool socks, heat packets, jackets, the list goes on! We live in Sunny Singapore, where the weather is always HOT or RAINY. We do not have winter clothes, and travelling to winter countries means spending about a good $300 on all these items.

In a lava cave in Jeju where it was cold & Kenneth was all garang.

IF you intend to invest in such items as you travel to winter countries every year, than yes, good for you. If not... Beg, Steal or Borrow. The only way to save on such items.

Winter Wonderland in Hokkaido, Japan!

Trust me, you'd want to invest in a good pair of socks and boots (even a hat or a scarf) because you're gonna be so miserable you cannot enjoy your vacation thoroughly. I've been to Hokkaido dead in their winter. I know what it is like when you wear 2 pairs of heatec under your jeans in -20C weather, AND it doesn't work.

Remember to always do your research and be prepared for the worst! Hope you'll enjoy Korea as much as I did!

Taken on beautiful U-do Island!

TIPS: Travelling in Korea

Here are some tips and recommendations about travelling in Korea! You may or may not follow my advice, but I believe this will make your planning and travelling easier!

Booking through 3rd party websites

I am sure some of us may book through 3rd party websites like booking.com or hotels.com. Always email the hotel/hostel with confirmations prior to your departure to ensure they have received your reservations.

Sign up as a member

When booking airfare or making a car rental reservation, sign up as a member first before purchasing your ticket as they offer discounts to members! I received 75% discount for my car rental in Jeju!

Renting of car

I would recommend renting a car in Jeju. There are no trains in Jeju and walking from bus stop to the attraction's entrance will be a very long distance (like 20 mins long). We rented a car for about $160+ for about 36 hours. It is affordable in Jeju, so if you have a driver with you, RENT A CAR! It really saved us a lot of time from waiting for buses and energy. 

International Driving Licences 

If you're renting a car in Jeju, please bring along your International Driving Licences. They will not rent it to you unless you have it. Making one in Singapore is easy, you just have to apply and pay for it online and send in the confirmation together with a passport sized photo.

Ask for English navigation

If you're renting a car, email the company to provide you with English navigation/GPS. It is based on first come first serve basis so you have to reserve it in advance. Most navigation comes complimentary with the car rental.

Bring a light jacket/windbreak along

If you happen to go during the shoulder period when Spring transits into Summer, please bring a light jacket/windbreaker along. Temperatures drop like crazy at night and you want to be prepared.

Language
Most Koreans in Seoul are able to speak a little bit of English, so do not worry. We only faced difficulty in Busan and Jeju and so, we just ordered what we knew like Ramyeon or Jajangmeyon or point at pictures.

Medicine & Hydration

This really shouldn't be a tip, but a necessity for all travelers around the world. I fell terribly sick in Jeju after several nights of Korean BBQ (sore throat) and when I climbed Mt. Hallasan, the cold wind blew against my shirt (drenched in sweat) and I caught a terrible cold! I had very bad flu and fever that evening.

iPhone Subway App

For iPhone users, there's a Korean Subway App for you to download. It has a white train logo with blue background and it's just called Subway. It is really good because it helps you plan your travel route and tells you the fastest or cheapest route to take, what time the train arrives and what time you will arrive at your destination. It has subway maps of the major cities in Korea like Seoul, Busan, Daegu, etc.

 

 

Discovering South Korea: Busan!

So, my boyfriend, Gilbert, has recently finish his university education, and we decided to embark on a journey to South Korea for his graduation trip! I think for me, this is my Nth graduation trip. I've been to a few countries, after my last exams (Thailand), after my graduation ceremony (Vietnam), and now, after Gilbert's exams, to KOREA!

We visited 3 cities, Busan, Jeju and Seoul, which I will blog about in different entries. We did a lot of activities, ate a lot of awesome Korean food, so I might break the post up into different days to shorten the length of the posts.

If you're interested in my planned itinerary, please click here. Also, I have uploaded a PDF file with the rough estimate of my travel costs! Please note, I spent almost ALL my money. :(

Date of Travel: 19-20th May

Pusan Inn Motel

Pusan Inn Motel

Address: 1200-14, ChoRang Dong, Dong Gu

Tel: +82 514635505

Website: http://pusaninn.com/

Don't believe whatever directions the website says. We got quite lost trying to find the motel. Website says, "take Exit 10 and facing Starbucks..." But when we came out from Exit 10, there was no Starbucks in sight! & because we did not know which direction to walk to, we went back down into the station and asked for help, they couldn't really understand us, nor we them, and what we understood was to take Exit 10 again.

So, we just went out and walked towards our gut feeling, and about 50m away (blocked by trees and a bus stop), we saw Starbucks and eventually found our way to the Motel.

You don't expect much from a motel, considering the amount we are paying. There were no lifts in the building, and we stayed on the 3rd level. If you have difficulty climbing or have old folks or children I wouldn't advice you to stay here. The rooms were clean, a computer inside the room, and apparently, the air conditioner was not working. It was fine, because Busan was still cooling and we just opened the windows and turned on the fan.

When we checked in, the guy at the reception, just looked at our booking printout and handed us the keys. Just like that. No greetings, no checking of identity, only just a grunt to which level our room was. So, if you're a fugitive, this is a great place for you!

Pusan Inn Lobby

Jokes aside, if you just need a place where it's close to the Subway, clean, cheap and just a place to sleep and shower, this is probably the place to go. Besides the disgruntled guy at reception, I thought the location was very convenient! In the heart of Busan and close to everything!

Jagalchi Fish Market

Jagalchi Market

 To me, Busan is like a port, a place where seafood is freshest (maybe San Francisco of South Korea?). One of their famous attraction is the Jagalchi Market where they sold the day's catch. You can find anything from the sea here! From cockles as big as your thumb, to moving octopus, seaweed, and even crabs and lobsters!

Pork Skin

We were just walking around, and we thought this was cuttlefish mixed with Kimchi Paste, and so, we ordered it. It turned out to be Pork Skin mixed with Kimchi Paste. I could feel my arteries clogging. It cost us 5,000Won and it comes on a hotplate with seaweed, garlic, onions and chili. I just told myself it's full of collagen and it's good for my skin. Taste wise, it's alright.

Fresh Baby Eel

 Next, we continued walking and we saw this Ajuma skinning a live eel!


Similar to the Pork Skin, the live eels were washed, seasoned and placed on a hot bbq plate together with onions and other condiments. It's crunchy and oh do delicious! The hotplate of eels costs us 30,000Won!

Live Octopus, Sea Urchin & Seafood Soup

 In Jagalchi Market, there's the outdoor area and indoor area. For the Pork Skin and Live Eel, we ate outdoors and afterwards, we proceeded inside the building to continue our eating spree. This time, we had:

• Live octopus - 20,000Won
• Sea Urchin - 20,000Won (5pcs)
• Seafood Soup - 40,000 

The plate of live octopus was probably only 2 tentacles (from what the Ajuma showed me), she chopped it up, sprinkled with sesame oil, soya sauce and sesame seeds. It was still moving even though it was chopped up! The suckers still sucked to my tongue and inside of my cheek, but it could be easily removed with the flick of the tongue. 

I don't really like sea urchins, it's tooooo fishy for my liking and I had to put soya sauce and wasabi to mask a little of the fishiness. The insides were a little jelly like, and the experience wasn't very pleasant. I only had 1 half, and gave the rest to Gilbert.

Now, the seafood soup is the best! The broth is very rich and thick and the soup contains all kinds of seafood! From a clam that was the size of my palm, to huge prawns, scallops, clams, etc! We regretted eating so many things before drinking this soup, as it is really fantastic.

Jetty by Jagalchi Market

As I've mentioned before, Busan is a sea port city, and Jagalchi Market is just facing the jetty/sea too! After eating all the wonderful food, we went to the jetty for some fresh air and photo taking. Gilbert really loved the scenery behind us with all the ships and landscape. There were street performers by the jetty too. Too bad they performed in Korean and we couldn't understand their jokes. We did enjoy their singing and dancing though.

Gwangbok-Dong Street

Street Food & Shopping

So after we were done with Jagalchi Market, we walked to this street where they had pushcart or makeshift stalls set up selling all kind of things from formal blouses, cute socks to rice cakes. If we weren't so full, we would have eaten even more street food! Most of the stalls sold hiking apparels in striking colours. I understand in Busan, that is the normal, everyday wear for the Ajumas and Uncles.

Hur Shim Ching Spa

Address: 23, Geumganggongwon-Ro 20 Beon-Gil, Dongnae, Busan
Tel: +82-51-550-2200~1
Opening Hours: 5.30am – 10pm
Website: http://www.hotelnongshim.com/eng/html/03_spa/spa_01.php
Admission: Regular rate - W10, 000 per adult + W2, 000 Robe Rental

After a day of walking, eating and just enjoying Busan, we wanted to go to a 'Hotspring' or a spa to just relax the rest of the evening away. This enormous spa occupies some 1,300 pyeong (4,300㎡), and is able to accommodate a total of 3,000 spa-goers, with about 40 different baths including the longevity bath, hinoki wood bath, cave bath, and an open-air outdoor bath. There are also a variety of special event baths that use natural bath powders and seasonal Oriental herbal medicine ingredients according to the time of year.

I read some reviews that there was a strawberry milk bath, but when I went there, it was coffee instead. I ended smelling like my all time favourite beverage for a sleepy morning! It is normal tradition to have a shower before you went for a soak, and if your visit was impromptu, you're able to purchase soap and other bathing necessities at the locker room.

There are 2 lockers when you enter, first a small one just for your shoes, and the next would be in the changing room for you to hang your clothes and keep your bag. Afterwards, proceed for a bath, and into the spa pools you go! There's even a small cafeteria where you have sit on plastic chairs (in full nude by the way) and enjoy some light snacks and beverages while you take a break from all the heat from the spa pools. How do you pay? They just charge it to your locker key! & you pay when you check out or return the key at the front desk.

Taejongdae Resort Park

Taejongdae Resort Park

Address: 257, Jeonmang-ro, Yeongdo-gu, Busan  
부산광역시 영도구 전망로 24 (동삼동)  
Tel: +82-51-405-2004  
Opening Hours: 4am – 12am  
Website: http://visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264167  
Admission Fee: Free  
Danubi Train (다누비열차) – 1,500W  
Directions: From Busan Station, take Bus 88 or 101 (22 Stops, 40 mins) and get off at Taejongdae (태종대).

The next morning, we visited Taejongdae Resort Park as our flight was in the evening. We can take either Bus 101 or 88 from Opposite Busan Station. We had to walk down a few bus stops & check if the buses stopped at those bus stops.

According to Google Maps, it'll take about 45mins by bus journey to our destination, but the bus driver was driving like he would in F1! We arrived in 30mins and I also nearly flew out of my seat when he jammed break!

There are trams too to bring you round the park and it will cost you 1,500Won per adult and it starts at 10am. If you're not taking the tram, be prepared for a looooooong walk up hill. I suggest taking the tram halfway up, visit the attractions there, than walking down. If you're lazy, just hop on the tram and head down the hill/mountain again!

Be prepared for fog! It seems fog follows me everywhere I go! First it happened at the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, than at the Bund in Shanghai, and now, in Busan too! I was pretty upset that I could not fully enjoy the beautiful scenery!

Please remember to bring a water bottle and a light jacket/windbreaker. I went in May, so it was still pretty cool and temperatures drop without warning. Also, remember to wear proper shoes, you're gonna do a lot of walking!

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Check out my posts to other parts of South Korea here:

• Jeju Part 1

• Jeju Part 2

• Seoul Part 1

• Seoul Part 2