Can I Visit Seoul on an Easy Budget?

If you’re wondering whether or not you can visit South Korea’s capital city of Seoul on a budget, the answer is yes, you can – but it certainly takes some doing. Seoul is renown for being a relatively expensive city, from housing and food to shopping and entertainment. That doesn’t mean it isn’t possible to travel there for less, however. There are plenty of budget-friendly activities and shops that can help even the thriftiest traveler enjoy their time in Seoul.

Getting to Seoul on the Cheap

The first step in any budget vacation is usually the cost of getting to the destination. There are several ways to get to Seoul at a discounted price, starting with one of South Korea’s two main discount airlines. Jeju Air, Eastar Jet, Air Busan and T’way Airlines all fly to Seoul from various cities around South Korea. These low-cost carriers often have discounted tickets on specific days, as well as monthly or annual promotions that can help you save money. They also offer discounts for youth and elderly travelers, so keep that in mind when searching for tickets. You should also consider taking the bus or train to Seoul if you’re arriving from outside of South Korea. While flying is often faster and more convenient, both buses and trains are significantly cheaper than even the lowest-priced flights. There are direct connections from Beijing, Shanghai, Tokyo and Osaka to Seoul by train – check Korea 4 Expats for detailed information on ticket purchase, prices and boarding procedures. Finally, consider an international budget airline when flying to Seoul. Many airlines such as Jetstar Asia and Air Asia offer reasonably priced flights to Incheon International Airport (ICN), which is located just east of the city of Seoul. Many budget carriers also have monthly promotions such as extra discounts with specific payment methods or discounts on airport transfers that can help reduce your costs even further.

Accommodation

Having a place to stay is another major expense – especially when traveling in an expensive city like Seoul. Fortunately Seoul has a number of budget hotels that don’t sacrifice quality for cost. The Forest Guesthouse, for example, offers basic guest rooms with hotel amenities such as air conditioning and an on-site café at an affordable price. The Seoul Overnight for Less than 50 website also lists budget hotels around the city in case you don’t want to stay in a guesthouse. The best way to save money on accommodation in Seoul is probably by staying in a hostel or guesthouse. There are quite a few hostels around Seoul offering shared rooms and dormitories starting at around 10,000 won per night (about US$9) per person. Shared rooms usually come with free Wi-Fi, hot water and other basic amenities. One more option that could save you a lot of money is staying with a local through a hospitality exchange program such as Couchsurfing. You can find hosts willing to provide accommodation and even cultural exchange for travelers on low budgets, often for free or for a much lower cost than staying in a hotel or hostel would cost you.

Food and Drink

Eating out can be expensive but there are ways to enjoy tasty local cuisine without breaking the bank. When dining out in Seoul, always look for restaurants featuring promotional offers or set meals that offer two or three dishes for one low price. One such restaurant is Mapo Galmaegi, which is known for its affordable all-you-can-eat barbecue set meal. Seoul is full of small eateries serving delicious, affordable food like fried chicken and Korean barbecue at very reasonable prices, so you won’t have to break your budget just to try something different every night. You can also use coupons that many restaurants offer through their websites or through apps like Kakaotalk Coupons – these can often get you discounts of up to 20 percent off your bill. Alternatively, pick up some snacks at one of the local markets like Dongdaemun Market or Namdaemun Market, which sell a variety of traditional snacks like dried squid and kimbap (Korean seaweed rolls). Street food stalls can also be found all around the city selling fresh food like tteokbokki (rice cakes in chili sauce), hotteok (Korean pancakes), ddeokbokki (stir-fried rice cakes) and more – all for less than 5,000 won (about US$4). Finally, don’t forget about the variety of cheap but tasty convenience store food that can be found at 7-elevens, Emart 24s, CU’s and more all over the city. Cheap lunch sets cost around 2,000 won (about US$1.80) and include sandwiches, salads and noodles – perfect for busy budget explorers who don’t have too much time for dining out but still want their stomachs well fed!

Free Attractions

Seoul is home to countless free attractions meaning you don’t have to spend too much money enjoying the city’s main sights and sounds. Many of the best parks in the city are free to enter, offering lovely views whether it’s enjoying cherry blossom season in Yeouido or just taking a tranquil stroll through Namsan Park in the centre of the city. The area around Insa-dong is full of interesting shrines and temples like Jogyesa Temple which is free to enter but requires small donations if you want to take part in ceremonies or activities there such as live performances or tea ceremonies. You could also take an amazing look at traditional Korean architecture at Changdeok Palace in Jongno-gu or soak up some culture at the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History, both of which are also free to enter!

Discount Shopping and Museums

When it comes to shopping in Seoul, there are many street markets ( Ewha Woman’s University Fashion Street Market and Dongdaemun Night Market ) as well as large department stores like Lotte Department Store where you can find bargains if you look close enough. Discount shops like Outlet Korea often have good deals on well-known brands such as Adidas and Nike, while coupons that can be found throughout the city also help bring down costs even further. If Museums are more your thing then look no further than the Seoul World Cup Stadium Park which offers free entry into the stadium’s Samsung Design Museum (on Mondays only) and Mirae Art Hall on regular basis; while the Olympic Park plays host to the open air Olympic Museum which offers free entry all year round. Lastly don’t forget about the free passes offered by Historic Sites & Cultural Properties under the Seoul City Government which are valid for six months after application for tours that must be booked in advance!

Enjoying Seoul on a Budget: Conclusions

At first glance it might seem impossible to travel in Seoul without breaking the bank – but with some careful planning it’s definitely doable! Understanding what kind of budget options are available for each aspect of your travels – from getting there to where you stay, what you eat and what attractions you visit – will help keep costs down without sacrificing any of the fun on your trip to Korea’s capital!