Welcome to SEOUL! Seoul, the capital city of South Korea, is a vibrant metropolis that seamlessly blends a rich cultural heritage with cutting-edge technology. You can explore the bustling markets, chat with locals over a steaming cup of traditional tea, or lose yourself in the rhythm of K-pop pouring from lively shops!
Here is everything you need to know to navigate the city and explore budget-friendly attractions!
Getting Around
The Seoul Metro offers the quickest and most efficient way to navigate the bustling city. By using the Seoul Metro Subway app, available for both iPhone and Android, you can easily plan your entire route from beginning to end.
Seoul Metro Map
TIP: The map may look confusing but fret not! Transferring between lines or traveling from one end to the other is easier than you think. Each stop on the Seoul Metro has a station manager available to provide guidance in case you lose your way.
Should you prefer traveling by bus within the city, they serve as an excellent transportation option, especially when heading to a particular destination or when the subway route is comparatively time-consuming.
Seoul has four types of buses that are color-coded to indicate their purpose:
🔵 Blue-colored buses run on long-distance routes and connect areas outside central Seoul to downtown Seoul
🟢Green-colored buses operate on short-distance routes and stop at most major subway stations and bus stations outside the center of Seoul
🔴Red-colored buses operate on express routes and facilitate travel between Seoul and its outer regions
🟡 Yellow-colored buses operate on routes that circle areas within downtown Seoul.
Wikipedia
TIP: When in doubt about which bus to board, consider downloading KakaoBus (available for iPhone and Android). This app offers real-time bus arrival updates, detailed bus route information, and live bus tracking. Otherwise, you can always approach a local for help; they are friendly!
T-money
In Seoul, both the Metro and Buses accept payment through T-money, a rechargeable smart card usable for fares across Seoul and various regions in South Korea. These cards are available in different colors and design themes, including options featuring popular K-pop bands like BTS or adorable Kakaotalk characters. Purchasable for ₩2,500 (~2.55CAD) at any local convenience store, you can conveniently top them up in increments of ₩1000, ₩5000, or ₩10,000. Often, people choose to keep their T-money card as a keepsake of their time spent in South Korea!
Korea Tour Card (T-money for Foreigners)
On the other hand, you have the option of selecting the Korea Tour Card, exclusive to tourists visiting South Korea. Different from the usual T-money, the Korea Tour Card not only serves as a payment method for public transportation on the country's subways and buses but also offers discounts at various attractions and stores, including Lotte. These cards can be acquired for ₩4,000 (~4.10CAD) at convenience stores or airports (their designs are not as nice as T-money’s though!)
T-money Designs (KakaoTalk Characters Edition)
Essential Apps to Download
1. Kakao Maps and Naver Maps
For precise city navigation, consider downloading these two map apps! Naver Maps is ideal for maneuvering through larger cities, whereas Kakao Maps offers superior accuracy for smaller towns. Both applications equip you with transportation directions (metro or bus) and estimated travel times to reach your desired destination.
2. Naver Papago
Are you worried about being unable to read or understand Korean text and speech? Don’t worry! Download Naver Papago and you are all set. Consider this app as the South Korean equivalent of Google Translate, equipped with features for text, voice, and image translation. Its user-friendly interface ensures swift and seamless translation. Notably, Papago is also widely recognized by Korean speakers! Therefore, this makes it the go-to choice for reliable translation when you need to hand over your phone to a local for assistance.
3. KakaoTalk
KakaoTalk is akin to Canada's Messenger and is widely used among South Koreans. The app offers a plethora of features, including texting, calling, exchanging cute stickers, and even transferring money to friends and family. This will serve as an ideal communication tool for reaching out to your Airbnb hosts.
Where to stay
There isn't a strict guideline on where to stay in Seoul. Your choice largely hinges on the type of neighborhood you prefer. For example, Itaewon boasts a vibrant array of pubs and nightlife venues. On the other hand, Myeongdong serves as a fashion hub, offering an opportunity to shop for the latest trends in South Korea. Additionally, it stands out as one of the prime locations in Seoul for savoring traditional Korean delicacies such as fish cakes, tteokbokki (stir-fried rice cakes in sweet red chili sauce), and spicy Korean fried chicken.
For more detailed information on accommodations, you can refer to this comprehensive guide written by Seoul Korea Asia.
Top 7 Free Attractions To Visit
1. N Seoul Tower
Ensuring you catch a glimpse of this iconic landmark is crucial. N Seoul Tower, also referred to as Namsam Tower or Seoul Tower, stands as the second highest vantage point in Seoul and is recognized as a prominent local landmark. Access to the observatory is not complimentary, with adult tickets priced at ₩21,000 (21.50CAD), which can be quite expensive. However, even if you opt not to ascend the observatory, you can still appreciate the tower's beauty from the exterior.
Monomousumi
N Seoul Tower | 105 Namsangongwon-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea
2. Gwangjang Market
Are you a fan of street food? If so, make your way to Gwangjang Market! Renowned as the oldest and most extensive food market in Seoul, it offers a diverse range of Korean delicacies. The market operates daily from 9 am to 6 pm, though I recommend avoiding peak hours to steer clear of the intense crowds and long queues. On average, each meal costs approximately ₩5,000 (5.12CAD) and is served in generous portions! Even with limited money, you can undoubtedly enjoy 2-3 satisfying meals at this price point.
When it comes to essential dishes to sample, I strongly suggest trying Bindaetteok (빈대떡), a mung-bean pancake that's deep-fried with vegetables, boasting a crispy brown exterior and a soft interior. To explore other must-try options, I recommend reading this article by Museum of Wander - Gwangjang Market: A Food Lover’s Guide to Seoul’s Best Street Food. They provide an excellent summary!
Migrationology
Gwangjang Market | 88 Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
3. Gyeongbokgung Palace
Gyeongbokgung Palace presents an ideal setting to bring your Korean Drama fantasies to life 👏 Brace yourself to be transported back to the days of the Joseon Dynasty, when it served as the royal residence of King Taejo in 1395. Admission to the palace is free, and you can access it through any of the four gates: Gwanghwamun Gate (main gate) to the south, Yongchumun Gate to the west, Sinmumun Gate to the north, and the entrance to the National Folk Museum of Korea to the east.
Don't miss the opportunity to witness the changing of the royal palace guards at 10 am and 2 pm daily, except on Tuesdays. It's advisable to arrive 15 minutes early, as it tends to get crowded and securing a good view might be challenging!
La Thaïlande est L'Asie
Gyeongbokgung Palace | 161 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
TIP: You have the option to dress up as a Korean Princess or Prince donning traditional Korean attire, known as the Hanbok, and exploring the palace. You'll find numerous rental shops in the vicinity, with some offering photography services for you and your companions at reasonable rates (15CAD). However, it's worth noting that being a touristy area, some stores might charge higher prices, so exercise caution when choosing where to rent.
4. Bukchon Hanok Village
Interested in delving deeper into Korean culture? Make your way to Bukchon Hanok Village, offering a captivating view of Korea's meticulously restored traditional houses, known as Hanok, dating back to the Joseon Dynasty. Entry is free, and the village serves as an excellent backdrop for capturing memorable moments with friends and family. Several of these Hanoks function as cultural hubs, guesthouses, eateries, and tea houses, allowing visitors to engage with and absorb the essence of traditional Korean culture.
The Seoul Guide
Bukchon Hanok Village | Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
5. Insadong Street
Insadong Street offers an array of diverse activities, including shopping for artistic trinkets that make for perfect souvenirs with your friends and family, as well as historical landmarks. The options seem limitless, and for more insights, you can explore this article by Agoda - Things to Do in Insadong | Seoul Attractions & Street Markets.
Flickr
Isadong Street | Insa-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
6. Cheonggyecheon Stream
Cheonggyecheon is a natural stream and public area stretching 10.9 kilometers through downtown Seoul, extending from Gwanghwamun to Dongdaemun. After dusk, visitors can delight in an enchanting spectacle of light and water, including the renowned SEOUL light display and other captivating features. Furthermore, this location serves as a venue for various celebrations, such as the LOTUS Light Exhibition held from late April to mid-May, showcasing a traditional lantern exhibition along the Cheonggyecheon Stream. Additionally, the Seoul Christmas Festival in December brings a grand Christmas tree and delightful light displays with a festive theme.
We highly recommend giving this place a visit!
Stuff.co.nz
Cheonggyecheon Stream | Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
7. Bukhansan National Park
Last but not least, we have the Bukhansan National Park. If you have a passion for nature and hiking, this destination is an absolute must-visit. Here, you can relish in the breathtaking panoramic views of Korea's mountains and revel in the crisp, rejuvenating air. What's even better is that the park entrance is entirely free.
The park offers a variety of hiking paths tailored to different levels of difficulty, including Easy, Moderate, Intermediate, Advanced, and Expert trails. You can obtain a helpful brochure outlining Bukhansan National Park's trail map at the Bukhansanseong Park Information Center. For more comprehensive information, you can refer to this article by Korea To Do - Bukhansan National Park 북한산국립공원, which provides insights into how to reach the park and the types of trails available.
Tagy Travel Korea
Bukhansan National Park | 262 Bogungmun-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, South Korea
TIP: We highly recommend visiting the National Park during Fall. The tree colors are absolutely amazing 😍
Seoul presents a wealth of attractions, making it an ideal addition to your upcoming travel plans. Even with a budget, there are so many activities you can enjoy!
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