It was a pretty interesting (budget yet fun) experience that I thought you might be interested to know.
Exchange rate: 822 won : $1 SGD
Travel size: 3
Travel period: 23 days
Total: $2,881.60 ($125.30 per day)
Flight:
China Eastern Airline (transit at Pu Dong International Airport)
Cost: $700.65 ($2101.95 / 3)
Flight from Changi to Pu Dong was about 5 hours, transit about 2 hours, then another 2 hours flight to Seoul.
The return flight is about the same.
We booked a little late (less than 1 month before departure).
If you booked earlier, it might be a little cheaper.
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Lodging:
Airbnb near Mapo Station (fairly central location)
Cost: $938.16 ($2814.50 / 3)
Staying near most of the popular area like Hongdae is pretty lit and convenient.
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Got a 30-day unlimited data-only plan at Seoul Airport.
Cost: $90.21 (71,500 won).
A little costly, apparently my friend told me it'll be cheaper if I bought online.
And, depending on which mobile operator you have in Singapore, it might also be cheaper to get from them than to buy a new sim card in South Korea.
But there is an advantage in having a Korea sim card - if you want to book a cab or food delivery, but don't want to pay for roaming charges (which can be insane), then this option of getting a sim card there is awesome.
Trust me: there will be times where you want to order food delivery (because it's good and convenient) and times where you want to get a cab.
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Transport:
I spent a total of almost $140 on transport - which can be cut down
Cost: $138.20 (113,600 won)
There are 2 types of transport cards: Normal and Concession cards.
| Normal Card |
| Used for train/bus/cab payment |
| Cost: 4,000 won for the card Top up additional money for additional use Can refund the card at the Airport to get back the remaining funds in the card + 4,000 won - 500 won fee |
| Each train ride cost minimum 1,250 won Each bus ride cost minimum 1,200 won |
| Purchase from convenience stores or vending machines |
 |
| Concession Card |
| Used for train rides in Seoul |
| Cost: 2,500 won for the card Buy the concession at the value top up machine Concession is 55,000 won for 60 rides |
| Each train ride cost minimum 1,250 won So (55000 + 2500)/1250 = 46 rides If you took more than 46 rides, you already made your money worth |
| Purchase from the train station's control station |
 |
I spent 1 week in Seoul before I discovered the availability of the concession card.
Hence I spent extra to get the concession but did not maximise the full 60 rides
I spent quite a bit topping up my normal card in the first week and used about 50 rides in the next 2 weeks.
| Tip: If you are going to travel a lot, get the concession. You probably won't need the normal card since most places are accessible by train. |
Food:
K-BBQ, Skewer, Street Food, Cafes, Restaurants, Family Shops, etc.
Cost: $893.55 (734,500 won)
Meals are generally expensive there, but the portions are fairly huge.
An average meal can cost about $10 to $15 SGD.
| Tip: If it costs 5,000 won or below, it is a snack. If it costs above $5,000, it is a main course |
Tickets:
We went Everland, Seoul Tower, and Demilitarised Zone (DMZ)
Cost: 120.81
| Tip: Book the tickets online - it is a lot cheaper than buying on the spot |
Others (Optional):
Nami Island, Souvenirs, Masks, Historical Korean Costume, Sauna, Dumb Stuff
Others: $463.26 (380,800 won)
Discretionary spending - really depends on what you want to buy.
I spent like 70% of the money on gifts and souvenirs.
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Other Stuff to Note:
| Tip: If it has an English menu, it's probably a tourist trap |
| Tip: If you speak Chinese there, you are probably going to get judged real bad |
| Tip: They will love you if you are a tourist but can speak their language. It is not an English-friendly place. Most people there cannot speak English. Google Translate is your best friend there. |
| Tip: Reach the airport half hour earlier than check-in timing to do the GST refund process. More details can be found HERE The process is strange. Your items get checked outside the custom (you need to still have them with you) After they have verified, they will chop your receipts. You then proceed to check-in your baggage. You get your refund (in Korea won) after you passed the custom |
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Fooding Places:
This is not a food blog, but there was some food that was really great that I thought it will be good to share
K-BBQ
K-BBQ at Chungmuro Station
옛날농장
Chungmuro Station Exit 1, walk straight all the way. It's on the right
The beef is good, the pork is so-so.
More info can be found HERE.
Egg Drop
It's a good breakfast, and it's available in quite a lot of places
Must try breakfast!
Lamb Skewer
We ate at this place thrice - and spend $200 in just 3 visits
There's 2 types of lamb meat there, a 10,000 won and 12,000 won.
We recommend trying both and see which you prefer.
Address: Tojeong-ro 37-gil (nearest station: Mapo Station, exit 2)
Waffle University
Value for money - not the nicest, but extremely value for money
Decent waffle, huge servings of softy ice cream
Address: Majo-ro 1-gil (nearest station: Wangsimni station, exit 6)
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