Okay, so I finally did it, went to South Korea. Had it on my list for ages. Thought I’d share how I actually went about it, the real steps I took, not just some generic list.
Getting Started – The Planning Bit
First off, the boring but necessary stuff. I had to check the visa requirements for my passport. Took a bit of digging on the official embassy site, found out what documents I needed, filled out the forms. It wasn’t too bad, just took some patience waiting for it.
Next up, flights. I spent a good few evenings just comparing prices on different sites, different dates. Flying mid-week seemed a little cheaper. Booked it a few months ahead, which I think helped keep the cost down a bit. Landed at Incheon (ICN), seemed like the main hub everyone uses.
Accommodation was another research hole. Looked at hotels, hostels, Airbnb. I ended up booking a small hotel room in Seoul first, near a subway station – figured that’d be practical. Then for Busan, I tried a guesthouse for a different vibe. Booked these online too, well in advance.
Money matters. I checked the exchange rate for Korean Won (KRW). Got a bit of cash exchanged before I left, just enough for the first day or so, like for the airport bus and a snack. Mostly planned to use my credit card, but made sure to tell my bank I was travelling so they wouldn’t block it. Also got a travel-friendly debit card for cash withdrawals there, just in case.
Making a Loose Plan – What to Actually Do
I’m not one for rigid schedules. My plan was more like a list of things I definitely wanted to see or do.
- Seoul: Myeongdong for the crazy shopping and street food scene, Gyeongbok Palace for the history fix, maybe Insadong for crafty stuff. Wanted to just wander around areas like Hongdae too.
- Busan: Heard the Haeundae Beach was nice, and the Gamcheon Culture Village looked cool in pictures. Figured I’d take the KTX train down there.
I didn’t book specific tours beforehand, just marked places on an offline map app (Naver Maps is way better than Google Maps there, by the way, especially for walking). Decided to figure out the details once I was there.
Actually Being There – The Experience
Landing at Incheon was smooth. Big airport, but well-signed in English. First thing I did after immigration and getting my bags was find a convenience store inside the airport to buy a T-Money card. You absolutely need this for subways and buses. Topped it up with some cash right there.
Getting around Seoul was mostly by subway. It’s fantastic, seriously efficient and clean. Stations are announced in English too. Used Naver Maps on my phone constantly to navigate the subway system and for walking directions.
Food! This was a highlight. I just dived in. Went for Korean BBQ, pointed at what looked good. Tried Bibimbap, Kimchi Jjigae (stew), and loads of street food in Myeongdong – tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), odeng (fish cakes), gyeranppang (egg bread). Sometimes menus had pictures, sometimes I used the Papago translate app on my phone to figure things out. It worked okay!
Sightseeing was a lot of walking. Gyeongbok Palace was huge and impressive. Myeongdong was bustling, maybe a bit overwhelming but fun. Took the KTX train to Busan – super fast, comfortable, booked the ticket online a few days before. Busan felt more relaxed than Seoul. Gamcheon Village was very colourful, lots of steep steps though.
Language: Yeah, outside tourist spots, not everyone speaks English. But people were generally helpful. Learned basic phrases like “Annyeonghaseyo” (Hello) and “Kamsahamnida” (Thank you). Used my translation app a lot for anything more complex. Pointing and smiling also works wonders.
Things I Packed That Were Useful
- Comfortable shoes: Non-negotiable. I walked miles every single day.
- Portable power bank: My phone battery drained fast using maps and translator apps all day.
- Travel adapter: South Korea uses different plugs (Type F mostly), so essential for charging electronics.
- Layers of clothing: Depending on the season, weather can vary. Layers helped adjust.
- Reusable water bottle: Stayed hydrated and saved money.
So yeah, that was my process. Lots of planning upfront, but kept things flexible on the ground. It was a great trip, definitely worth the effort. Just gotta do your homework first, then go for it.
