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Korea Travel Tips: All you need to know
ESSENTIALS
Internet Access: SIM Card / Wifi Router
Several options available and considerations may primarily based on cost, data usage requirement, operating hours for pick up at arriving airport, availability of onsite purchase and fuss free setup/setup assistance.
In general, South Korea has excellent mobile network coverage and bandwidth. Video streaming is seamless on its mobile network.
Options Available:
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Unlimited Data Plan SIM Card
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Fixed Data Plan SIM Card
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Wifi Router Unlimited Data
Tmoney Card
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Purchase a Tmoney store value card at local convenience stores (available at Incheon Airport as well) or subway stations. Card deposit is ₩4000.
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Discounted fares available for child/youth 18 & below when passport is presented on card purchase.
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You can use this card conveniently on Airport Limousine Bus, Local Bus (e.g. Seoul/Busan), Subway (e.g. Seoul/Busan), Taxi & Convenience Stores.
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Top up (any amount from ₩1,000 to ₩90,000) available at local convenience stores and subway stations. Full refund available at service fee of ₩500.
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No card expiry date.
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Full details at www.t-money.co.kr
Korea Power Point & Plug
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Bring the correct adaptor for your device where required.
MOBILE APPS
Korea Subway Info App: Metroid HD (/KakaoMetro)
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If you plan to travel on Korea's subway, this will be a very useful app to install.
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With this app, you no longer need to carry the paper subway network map at all.
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Available on Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Daejeon and Gwangju subway systems.
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App can be used without internet access as the train timetable are downloaded and updated periodically when accessing the app.
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Enter your Departure and Arrival Stations and you will be presented with the travel time based on the Best Path, Shortest Path and Minimum Transfer, subway line number(s), stations along the path and arrival time.
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TIP - If the travel time difference between Best/Shortest path and Minimum Transfer path is minimal, then you may consider the Minimum Transfer path as it can be a fair walk when changing train lines, including up/down the stairs.
Note: Please install the app before arrival as the app may not be available on Google Play in South Korea
For iphone users, you may like to use KakaoMetro (or GoogleMap) instead
Google Map vs local KakaoMap & Naver Map
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Google Map does not function fully in South Korea as the Car and Walking routes features are not available. Also, also the zoom in map may not be as detailed, making it difficult to know your nearby places and to get around.
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The only possible use of Google Map in South Korea is to see if you are walking closer or in the wrong direction from your destination.
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Naver or Daum Maps are the comprehensive local maps used by Koreans, but available in Korean only (desktop versions).
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As such, KoreaToDo generally uses the more informational map in English available on VisitKorea for your location reference.
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In 2017, KakaoMap App (formerly Daum Maps App) launched the English interface for mobile. *Recommended*
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In early 2018, Naver Map App is also available in English. *Recommended to download & install too in case your destination name in English cannot be found in KakaoMap, you can try it on Naver Map*
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On The Go Language Translation of Korea's signage or menu
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Another handy app to use in Korea is "Google Translate".
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In Google Translate, you can use the camera function to translate any Korean signage or menu you come across, instantly.
For example:
TRANSPORT
From Incheon International Airport to Seoul City
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Airport Limousine Bus (17,000 won, one-way) offers the most convenient, economical and comfortable way to get to your hotel in town without the hassles of stairs, typical on Seoul subways when changing lines or exiting from the station.
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There are different bus routes to town with several drop off or pick up points. Details at Incheon Airport Official Website, www.airportlimousine.co.kr or klimousine.com.
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Once you have collected your luggage and come out to the arrival hall (of Terminal 1), you can purchase for your ticket at the ticket counters; or with your T-money, proceed to the respective bus berth outdoor. e.g. Bus# 6015 to Myeongdong at bus berth 5B. For the new Terminal 2, the bus berth for Myeongdong is at Number 28 of Basement 1.
Travelling within Seoul and Busan / Seoul-> Busan
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Besides using the subways and local bus, taxi (orange/silver in Seoul) in Korea is fairly inexpensive mode of travelling within the city. At times, for short distances (10-15 mins), it can be cheaper than subway if you have 2 or more travelling together. [Note: The deluxe black taxi is more expensive.]
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All Taxi are equipped with GPS. So, unless your destination is popular place like 'Seoul Station', if not, it is best to have the name of the place or/and address in Korean to show to the taxi driver. This is also the reason why we have included Korean names and addresses on our place of attractions for your usage.
Express Bus Ticket Reservation and Schedule
Getting around Korea on its extensive bus network is one popular way to get to another city at affordable prices.
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Express Bus Ticket Schedule, Prices & Reservation (English): www.hticket.co.kr
SHOP
Korean Brands
Currency Exchange Service
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Easily available at most tourist areas (e.g. Myeongdong, Dongdaemun).
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Offer competitive rates (check & compare) and commission free.
Korean Food Items to Pack in Your Check-in Luggage on your Departure Flight
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If you purchase Kimchi or Gochujang Chilli Paste, please remember to pack them in your check-in luggage on your departure flight out of Korea.
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♔ KoreaToDo recommends Klook.com, Asia leading in-destination service provider.
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