Going to Seoul

[mrsterryn]

So managed to get a J Syd to Incheon rewards flight beginning of December. Mr Terry has promised to behave and not be in hospital lol
Just wondering if people have recommendations. In particular for hotel with closeness to transport
Zero Korean language
Old lady
Fat so no clothes shopping
Walking fine, no hiking
Will be travelling along for the week
Thinking hop on hop off ?
Anything I need to book well in advance ?
Yep totally bemused but ....at least a new country and airports

 

[Hvr]

It's been a few years since I went to Seoul but one thing I would suggest you consider is a visit to the DMZ.

A Complete Guide For How To Visit The DMZ From Seoul – The Soul of Seoul

There are quite a few places to visit the DMZ in Korea. Here is how to visit the DMZ from Seoul whether it's Imjingak, JSA, or Cheorwon.

thesoulofseoul.net

Korea DMZ Half Day from Seoul Guided Tour - No Shopping | Trip.com

These are just couple of tours from a quick google search.

It's cold, very cold, so make sure you take warm clothes.

I had my destinations written in Korean and found locals happy to point in the correct direction as required.

Happy travelling.

 

[jboy90]

My thoughts from a few trips:
>DMZ is a must. Do the tour that takes you to panmunjom and into the JSA. Book this now to avoid disappointment!
>Consider a food tour in Seoul. I did this as an airbnb experience and it was great fun (and you get to skip the queue's of all the stalls)! Airbnb: Holiday Rentals, Cabins, Beach Houses, Unique Homes & Experiences
>I loved the Seong-Su neighbourhood for a day
>If you want to visit the Samsung Leeum museum, you must book in advance (we didn't and were rejected on entry)
>In a single day, you could knock over Namsan Tower, Myeondong and the palace area (lots of walking, but do-able)
I stayed at the Conrad - location may not be the best if it's your first visit as you need to take the Subway every day. If that wasn't your thing, I'd consider either Lotte Hotel, or the Grant Hyatt for a more central location.

You'll have great fun. The language barrier wasn't too bad actually. The food was great and am keen to head back again!

 

[Sprucegoose]

You will be bemused, the whole point really?




Budget?

Cultural must haves?

Time planned?

 

[mrsterryn]

Forgot to say (thanks Sprucegoose . )
No DMZ, as husband will want to go and we shall do that together
Budget ....now there is the difference what I want, what I should spend and then of course what I will spend overall... $4000 ....$7000 ? Including accommodation. Not flight as that part is done
Week for the trip
Cultural must haves , part of my bemusement have had a look at loads of YouTube's still wondering which is the best

 

[ausfox]

As indicated by Sprucegoose the metro network is incredible and easy to use.

 

[Black Duck]

Culture- National Museum for the history and art -lovely space and lots to see. Jogyesa Temple plus the palaces near Insadong area. Insadong is touristy but there are still some great galleries and a couple of worthwhile tea shops and nice for a general wander around.

I will try and start a list for you but currently in Seoul and heading to the countryside in a few minutes so I might be a bit slow sorting things.

My preference is staying Insadong side of the city rather than Gangnam area or that side of the river. Lots of good hotels ranging from reasonable to high prices. Also lots of cheapest but not ones I would recommend.

Getting around is pretty easy.

I will get back to you.

 

[mrsterryn]

Thank you so much Blackduck
I do appreciate the feedback

 

[Sprucegoose]

Forgot to say (thanks Sprucegoose . )
No DMZ, as husband will want to go and we shall do that together
Budget ....now there is the difference what I want, what I should spend and then of course what I will spend overall... $4000 ....$7000 ? Including accommodation. Not flight as that part is done
Week for the trip
Cultural must haves , part of my bemusement have had a look at loads of YouTube's still wondering which is the best

That's a reasonable budget. Having some Korean-speaking people is handy, but everything is navigatable.

Korea is a fascinating culture and quite different in parts to its neighbours.

While there is some good Youtube advice probably best to make your own original mistakes!

 

[stm1sydney]

Gyeongbokgung (palace) - must see including changing of the guard
Bukchon Hanok Village - historic district
Myeong Dong Night Market - food
Namdaemun (market) - lots of food all day, shopping
Gwangjang (Kwangjang) market - fantastic food stalls
Insadong Street - very cool, some nice local restaurants in the side streets
The city gates
Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market - seafood restaurants upstairs
Shopping arcades attached to metro stations - some specialise eg vinyl record shops at Hoehyeon undergound shopping centre

Hotel - Hotel Manu - good value, very central, between the main train station and Namdaemun market

As noted above, the Seoul metro looks complicated but is surprisingly easy to navigate.

 

[mrsterryn]

Gyeongbokgung (palace) - must see including changing of the guard
Bukchon Hanok Village - historic district
Myeong Dong Night Market - food
Namdaemun (market) - lots of food all day, shopping
Gwangjang (Kwangjang) market - fantastic food stalls
Insadong Street - very cool, some nice local restaurants in the side streets
The city gates
Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market - seafood restaurants upstairs
Shopping arcades attached to metro stations - some specialise eg vinyl record shops at Hoehyeon undergound shopping centre

Hotel - Hotel Manu - good value, very central, between the main train station and Namdaemun market

As noted above, the Seoul metro looks complicated but is surprisingly easy to navigate.

Just checking all this is feasible as a first time visitor who likes to meander during the day ?
Walking isn't a big issue though I realise it will be very cold and possibly snowing
Thanks for the suggestions

 

[stm1sydney]

Just checking all this is feasible as a first time visitor who likes to meander during the day ?
Walking isn't a big issue though I realise it will be very cold and possibly snowing
Thanks for the suggestions

Yes, feasible I think, mostly by walking/meandering and catching the metro between locations eg to the fish market or myeongdong (or an uber up to the palace and Bukchon Hanok Village - there is a metro station nearby most places except the palace/village). The historic village is hilly, everything else is flat. It will be cold.

 

[goldenhorn]

Thanks for starting this thread. I've just nabbed a J reward SQ BNE-SIN-ICN flight for late October so we will have a week in Seoul before heading to the US. I visited there 30 years ago in 1989 when I was a young adult, but it was on a music tour, so I don't remember much other than I loved the food, the pollution was insane and you could buy copy everything (I might have returned with multiple pairs of fake Nike shows lol).

Also keen to read recommendations for hotels and things to do.

My thoughts from a few trips:
>DMZ is a must. Do the tour that takes you to panmunjom and into the JSA. Book this now to avoid disappointment!
>Consider a food tour in Seoul. I did this as an airbnb experience and it was great fun (and you get to skip the queue's of all the stalls)! Airbnb: Holiday Rentals, Cabins, Beach Houses, Unique Homes & Experiences
>I loved the Seong-Su neighbourhood for a day
>If you want to visit the Samsung Leeum museum, you must book in advance (we didn't and were rejected on entry)
>In a single day, you could knock over Namsan Tower, Myeondong and the palace area (lots of walking, but do-able)
I stayed at the Conrad - location may not be the best if it's your first visit as you need to take the Subway every day. If that wasn't your thing, I'd consider either Lotte Hotel, or the Grant Hyatt for a more central location.

You'll have great fun. The language barrier wasn't too bad actually. The food was great and am keen to head back again!

Food tour looks great! I'm definitely signing up. Thanks for sharing.

 

[mrsterryn]

Thanks for starting this thread. I've just nabbed a J reward SQ BNE-SIN-ICN flight for late October so we will have a week in Seoul before heading to the US. I visited there 30 years ago in 1989 when I was a young adult, but it was on a music tour, so I don't remember much other than I loved the food, the pollution was insane and you could buy copy everything (I might have returned with multiple pairs of fake Nike shows lol).

Also keen to read recommendations for hotels and things to do.


Food tour looks great! I'm definitely signing up. Thanks for sharing.

I have booked a hotel in Myeongdong. So far budget is doing fine
Interesting that there are late rewards flights available. I havnt been to South Korea at all.

 

[docjames]

Suggestions at conclusion of business for one evening in Seoul and one day departing back to Aus that evening on QF88?

Is a DMZ tour feasible or too long / too difficult? Other “must see” options?

Suggestions also bearing in mind with zero spoken Korean……

TIA.