Advice on Holiday in Korea during Winter Season (Jan 2018)

AppleLime on 24/07/2017 - 21:13

Hi all,

My family will be travelling to Korea for 10days from Jan 29-Feb 8. Heard it's the coldest month but airticket is cheap that's why I book. My son who has Autism ask why I book to go during winter. My answer is because is cheap and that's I can afford! Can anyone advice :
1) is Citbank Premium Airmiles Credit Card acceptable there in case not enough cash?
2) How much WON to bring for food only? I will use my credit card for all my shopping if possible.
3) I will bring US$ with me but where can I get the best exchange rate?
4) Accomodation : I thought of booking thru Airbnb. Has anyone any experience staying in accomodation book thru Airbnb? If yes, could you advice or share experience? Anyone know when will be the next flash sale for Hilton or Hyatt hotel? Don't mind booking them if they have 50% discount otherwise can't afford.
5) which area is best to stay where it is not so crowded and noisy? My son will feel overwhelming when it's too crowded n noisy. He wants to visit the IT world that's all. I am thinking of Hongdae/Mapo-gu area n friend suggest Myeongdong.
6) mode of transport : we are family of 4. Read travel by taxi is cheap. From ICN to Seoul which is the best mode of transport and how much?

Thanking all in advance for your advice,

Travel

Comments

  • dissin on 24/07/2017 - 23:22
    +1

    There's a lot of people and it can be overwhelming in the subway and shopping malls.

    If you are interested in snow sports, then Vivaldi Park is amazing & only 90mins away from Seoul by car. Lotte World theme park has huge indoor section. Weekday best perhaps.

    Myeongdong is the shopping area btw.

    I stayed with in-laws and friends so i cant comment on airbnb over there.

    Amex, Visa, Mastercard are fine.

    Taxi not too expensive but it all adds up in the end. The Subway and bus is great to get around, but you have to be quick to get on and off.

    Every 2nd shop is a restaurant in Seoul so finding food that locals eat is not a problem.

    Lots of free wifi everywhere including subway trains and buses.

    • AppleLime on 25/07/2017 - 08:08

      Thank you so much for the information. Appreciate very much.

  • donga100 on 24/07/2017 - 23:27

    1) Yes. Have never had any problems with any of my Australian debit/credit cards.
    2) Similar prices to Australia. Slightly cheaper.
    3) Don't bother with USD. You will just lose out on the exchange here and then again in Korea. Just take money out of your Citibank account/debit card from an ATM.
    4) I booked a number of places through Airbnb in Korea and all worked out well.
    5) Everywhere will be crowded and noisy, especially if you travel by public transport.
    6) Yes, taxi will be the best value for money with 4 people. Expect to pay around $50-$60 AUD.

    • AppleLime on 25/07/2017 - 08:12

      Thanks. Can I ask if I take out money from Citibank credit card will they incur any surcharge/fees? I have never done that before.

      • donga100 on 25/07/2017 - 20:58

        My understanding is that the only fee would be one charged by the local ATM but Citibank don't charge any conversion fee. It should be completely free if you use a Citibank ATM.

      • richrichie on 01/08/2017 - 16:12
        +1

        Don't take out money from your citibank "credit card". You will get charge all sorts of fees (see comment from cpho below).
        Open a citibank plus account, that one is fee free and the one that is always referred to by many ozbargain members

  • retiredfeline on 24/07/2017 - 23:33

    (3) Better if you take Citibank Plus card and get cash from ATMs.

    (5) Hongdae is the university area, lots of young people and entertainment. Myeongdong is the shopping area but quieter on the perimeter near Namsan.

    (6) Take the Airport Express (AREX), then change to the subway or taxi to get to your destination. Takes about an hour from ICN. Buy T-cards from a convenience store/stall and top up at the vending machines.

    • AppleLime on 25/07/2017 - 08:15

      Thanks. I will ask the bank re Citibank Plus. Appreciate for all the information.

      • retiredfeline on 25/07/2017 - 09:59
        +1

        Just be aware that there's no avoiding crowds in Seoul in public transport, shopping areas and theme parks.

        They may not have it anymore when you get there, but there's an augmented reality game you can play outside the Lotteria (hamburger chain) in Lotte shopping centre in Jamsil to win food. It was popular with adults too, some senior citizens were good enough to win prizes. You need a mobile number for the winning code to be texted to you.

        • AppleLime on 25/07/2017 - 21:27

          Thanks for letting me know. Will join in for sure if still there.

  • Findo on 25/07/2017 - 11:47

    It's bloody cold at that time of year, I went earlier this year myself. They seem like a largely cash based society, but then again I didn't pay for my holiday so I wouldn't know.

    • AppleLime on 25/07/2017 - 21:29

      Yes, I was told it's very cold but I always travel in Winter because it's cheap and to avoid sweating. I went Europe n Canada in Winter too.

  • donga100 on 25/07/2017 - 21:01

    By the way, you can get a sim card at the airport with unlimited data on amazingly fast 4G for about $40 from memory. It's totally worth it for the ability to have navigation (not google maps though as Korea don't allow it), tripadvisor, google, etc. everywhere you go. It also allows you to be able to dial the free translation service if you need it.

    • AppleLime on 25/07/2017 - 21:30

      Thanks. Can you recall who is the provider?

      • donga100 on 25/07/2017 - 21:44

        Pretty sure it was KT Olleh. There was a counter in the arrivals hall at ICN along with counters of other phone companies and car rental agencies. I believe it was actually a "rental" sim card that had to be returned to get this better data package.

        • AppleLime on 26/07/2017 - 22:33

          Thank you for the info, good to have some info. Rdgs.

  • cpho on 30/07/2017 - 01:36

    1) Dont use your credit card to withdraw cash. you'll be charged with a cash advance fee + ATM fee + exchange fee.
    If you have time, open a Citibank Plus account. You'll have free cash withdrawals at all Citibank as well as 7-11 ATM's in Korea (Literally one every couple blocks), and the best exchange rate because you won't cop the 3% international transaction fee.

    2) Food is dependent on where you go and what you eat. If you eat at the local small restaurants, it'll be roughly 50-80% of what you'd spend in Australia. If you go to the nicer restaurants or "Western" style ones, it'll be 80-110% of what you'd pay in Australia.

    3) Exchanging cash in Korea is quite competitive because they have so many forex stalls around. I generally found any of them will do. Note that the best exchange rate will be withdrawing from the ATM with the Citibank Plus debit card.

    4) Korean apartments are quite small, so the AirBnb's will be tight on space. At the price you'd pay for a family, I think a hotel would be more comfortable. Take a look at Orbitz, which usually has a 15% off "deal" all year round. If you're looking for cheap, then Hilton/Hyatt is the wrong place to look.

    5) Hongdae (which is in Mapo) / MyeongDong are both busy and noisy places. Nightlife in Mapo, shopping area in MyeongDong. Dongdaemun is fairly central and quieter than the places you suggested. By the way, I'm not sure what you mean by IT World. Do you mean iPark?

    6) Taxi is cheap, especially when there's 4 of you, but you'll find subway is much much faster during the day depending on where you want to go. After 8pm-ish then taxi will be faster. Be sure to look for the "international" taxis or book one. their drivers speak English.
    From Incheon to Seoul, take the non-express train from the airport (there's only 1 station). You only save 10 mins but pay double (4000won vs 8000won pp). Buy a T-Money (metro card) from a convenient store in the airport. the vending machines charge double what the stores charge.

    Donga mentioned getting a sim. the shop is on the way towards the airport train station. keep an eye out on your left as you walk towards the station. If you get to the vending machine for train tickets, you've gone too far.

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