1. Get a T-money card
This is the first thing you should do when you arrive in Korea. I got myself a T-money card at the convenience store at the airport, it's something like a touch-n-go in Malaysia, but a more 'versatile' one. It costs 4000 won if not mistaken. You could use it to pay not just for buses and trains, but also your taxi fare. You can also use it to buy stuff at certain shops or convenience stores.
2. Never buy cosmetics in Myeongdong
Myeongdong is known for its streets with super many cosmetics stores but almost all the cosmetic branches do not have much sales or promotions. I presumed it's because they don't need promotion to attract tourists because the place itself is touristic enough lol. I bought most of my cosmetics at the cosmetic branches at some random streets in Ewha or Samcheongdong (I couldn't really remember) before I visit Myeongdong. Initially, I was a bit reluctant to buy because I thought Myeongdong will
be cheaper. However, the shopkeeper told us that Myeongdong will be more expensive as every store has different promotions, even if it's the same brand. Furthermore, branches in Myeongdong do not really have special promotions. Indeed, I bought my cosmetics at those random streets with extra 10 -20% discount off bills, countless buy 1 free 1 with tax refunds. Then, I went to Myeongdong to compare the prices. You wouldn't know how happy I was when I realized I bought the same stuff at a way cheaper price. Thus, don't buy cosmetics in Myeongdong, but you can go get free masks there haha.
3. Visit the Gyeongbokgong palace in the morning
The palace closes at 5pm during winter hence they do not accept entry after 4:30pm (Around 6pm during other seasons). I was supposed to visit the palace but was distracted by the entry-free art museum opposite to the palace on the way. Hence, we missed the opening hours lol. Quick tip: there are cheap hanbok rental shops around the palace, thus I personally feel that pre-book online for hanbok services is unnecessary as it seems to be more expensive online. Apparently, you get free entry into the palace if you are wearing hanbok aka korea traditional wear. If you want to save money and take instragram-worthy pics at the same time, why not.
4. 7-eleven in Korea is relatively expensive compared to other convenience stores
According to personal experience, prices in CU or GS25 are cheaper, not a lot cheaper, but still, you know. * hinting cheapskaters *
5. Forget about wifi routers. Get a sim card.
My trust for wifi routers has officially ended after trying wifi routers from 2 companies. I first tried using w*y* in thailand and gosh its just so slow. So I tried another company, travel reco****** in korea and it failed me too. Firstly, being connected to internet is so important when you're solo travelling, not just for social media, but mainly for google maps and navigation purposes. There's so much fuss when we're unable to connect or having super slow connection ( we are not even in rural areas). I mean, I paid for it hence I expect fast connection of course. But nope, sim card it is. Ok, if you're travelling in a big group, getting a wifi router might make more sense to you as that will save you a lot, but be ready for inconsistent internet speed. (from personal experiences)
6. Buses are very cheap and convenient
I travelled mainly with subway during my first few days. After I had my first bus experience around the third or fourth day, I'm addicted to it for some reasons. Firstly, I don't get such convenient bus system in Malaysia. Secondly, it's so much cheaper than subway ( main reason I guess). Sometimes it's free, I don't know why. Thirdly, you get to enjoy the view along the way. However, there's a risk in taking buses in korea. Koreans don't really speak English, thus when you get lost, it's quite hard to find the way back because everything written on the bus is in Korean, sometimes there are no English announcements.
A very IMPORTANT thing to take note in korea while taking buses: you MUST press the button if you're hopping off the bus at the next station. There was this time we did not press the button, assuming the bus will stop, but it did not. I literally stand in front of the door already and started pressing the button in vain. No one helped us, I assumed they do not understand English and are too busy to care. Then the bus just continued driving for like 15 minutes, literally almost out of Seoul already ( I think it's a long distance kinda bus). We were so freaked out but thank God we managed to stop at the next stop and found the return bas back home. Lesson learnt.
7. Bring more powerbanks out during winter
I don't really know the scientific reasons for phone batteries to drain so fast during winter. Our phones and camera 'dieded' so banyak times while we're taking pictures in Seoul and Nami Island. Powerbanks is the only way to revive them.
8. Train to Busan tickets are quite expensive
I didn't do much homework for Busan because we're only staying there for a night. I thought tickets for train to Busan is cheap but it turned out otherwise. I had to use my card and thank God I could use my card lol. If not I guess I'll stay in Seoul and cry because we're too broke already after all the cosmetic shopping. KTX is their high-speed train which costs around RM200++ ( 2 hours plus from Seoul to Busan). If you want to save money and have ample time, you can choose the normal train which is cheaper and costs around RM100++ ( around 6 hours ). I tried both, kindly advice you just choose KTX even if it's more expensive, sitting for 6 hours is just dreadful lol. Quick tip: pre-book your tickets earlier online on their train website
9. Taxi in Korea won't cost you an arm and a leg
Don't worry about getting conned by high taxi fares in Korea because all the taxis charge by using taxi meter. ( from personal experience) Hence, booking Grab or Uber is rather unnecessary in Korea because you can easily find a taxi anywhere in Seoul.
Hope it helps! Comment if you have any doubts! :)
Love,
Nicole
Post a Comment