Travel Guide to Seoul, South Korea with PHP 20,000

All-in? Yep! Airport taxes, airfare, accommodation, food, land transportation, pasalubong (souvenir), they are all included!!!

Traveling to Seoul gives an impression that it is an expensive country to visit. But in reality, it is way cheaper to travel to Seoul than it's neighbor Japan and as well as the lion city, Singapore!

And believe it or not, yes, it is possible to travel to Seoul with a Php 20,000 budget. That amount covers your entire expenses already with some money to spare for pasalubong or just add few more amount and you could buy your favorite KPOP merch. Php 20,000 is good for 5 days stay or you can extend it until 7 days but you have to sacrifice your shopping fund and some attraction/s that requires you to pay some fees, so I recommend to stick to 5 days. 

How? Well here are a few tips you can consider so that you can now visit the land of the morning calm (or your Oppa's hometown, LOL!) with a budget that won't hurt your savings or feelings. 

*If you want to apply South Korean Visa on your own, please check this post: HERE.*

1. Airfare 

BE UPDATED! Follow the social network sites (SNS) of different budget airlines that flies to Incheon / Busan from Manila. I recommend Cebu Pacific because they always offer cheap flights and I've never had a bad experience with them. Service is not extraordinary, but it's good. Don't expect too much and don't compare them with BIG and LUXURY airlines.

*Incheon Airport*

*You may also check Jeju Air and Air Asia, but as of this writing I haven't tried those airlines yet. But I will update this as soon as possible because I'm flying back to Seoul this March 2016 (via AirAsia) and also on April 2016 (via Jeju Air). 

Next, make sure that you are notified whenever they post or tweet something. Seat Sales usually happen when there is an occasion so your budget (or credit card) should always be ready.

I think the lowest roundtrip fare from Manila to Incheon is about Php 6,000 (with 20kgs baggage allowance, but no meal included). Book your flights at least 6 months before your target vacation leave. I paid for almost PHP8,000 because I chose a 40kgs baggage allowance going back to Manila, talk about PANIC BUYING! Of course I don't encourage you to splurge in shopping when traveling. My goal is for you to come back home happy and satisfied without hurting your savings! (I keep on repeating this phrase, haha. Because I really went over my budget the 1st time I went to Seoul.)

*Update: For my April 2016 trip, I'll be flying to Seoul via Jeju Air and the roundtrip fare only costs at least PHP 7,000. WHAT A GREAT DEAL! :)

2. Accomodation

NEAR THE SUBWAY. Look for an accommodation that is near the subway or near the places that you want to visit to save cost on transporation. For our stay last 2014, I chose to stay in Hongdae because I love its chill, artsy vibe, plus it's also a station away from YG Building, HAHAHA!

*Our last day at Rio House Hongdae! That's Lyka at the in-your-face foreground, LOL!*

When booking, always check the website of the hostel or guesthouse they might have a discounted rooms, do also consider checking online booking websites such as agoda.com or hostelworld.com or if you're more into staying in themed apartments or rooms, have a look at airbnb.com. 

For my recommendations, you may want to check this post where I listed my fave low-cost (but definitely comfortable) accommodations in Seoul: "Where to Stay: Seoul, South Korea (Under $30)".

3. Transportation

After the long walks and endless shopping in the big city, I know that it is really tempting to hail the taxi and just slouch your body until you arrive at your place. BUT, taking a taxi can be pricey compared to riding their subways, so I suggest you choose the latter.

One thing that makes me want come back to Seoul is that it offers an efficient public transportation system.

Their subway has tons of stations, it may be intimidating at first look but they have english signages all over the station so I don't think you'll have a problem with that. 

I also use this app called the "Jihachul / Subway Korea" which is available in iOS and Android for FREE. The app tells you how much a ride cost, you just input where will you depart and arrive. Oh, it also tells you what time the train arrives and your travel time as well, DAEBAK!

*Left: App's logo encircled. Center: Start-up. Right: Interface*

Lastly, buy yourself a T-Money Card, it's a prepaid card pass you use to pay in riding subways or buses. It's definitely more convenient than lining up every time you need to take the subway or bus. It only costs ₩3,000 (PHP 120), no harm done in your wallet. 

*My ordinary looking T-Money Card. You can buy other designs but I think they are more expensive, so, no thank you.*

4. Food

Kimchi, Samgyeopsal, Ramyeon, Kimbap, Tteokbokki, Gyeran Ppang. All of these delicious food are cheap and filling. Just like what the others are saying, eat where the locals eat! And most locals eat at the streets. 

*HUHUHU! Ang pogi ni Kuya! Charot! But seriously, he sells the best chicken BBQ. A stick costs 2,500₩ or 3,000₩. You can also choose the spicyness level, I'm a weakling so I choose: NO SPICE.*

There are tons of food trucks in the streets of Seoul, most of them are selling food at a range of ₩1,000 (PHP 40) - ₩3,000 (PHP 120) per order. An order of Twigim or Ttteokbokki is at least good for 2 people.

*At Cafe De Mie, Cheongdam. That's GD on the lower center, OMG!*

If you want to eat inside a restaurant, a meal usually costs around ₩6,000 (PHP 340) and up depending on the location. In my experience, I had the most expensive one in Cheongdam in a cafe called Cafe de Mie. I ordered cookies and a chocolate drink and I think I paid ₩12,000 (PHP 480). But I have no regrets, haha! It was so tasty and refreshing and I get to experience where G-Dragon ate, so, haha, no regrets at all!

5. Attractions

Whether it's a place you saw from your favorite K-Drama, the agency building of your favorite KPOP star you would like to visit or just a tourist spot you've been dying to see, Seoul offers a lot of cheap attractions and there are times that those spots are for FREE!

Below are some my recommended awesome places in Seoul that you should include in your itinerary:

A. Hongdae Playground / Park: FREE

B. Namsan Tower: FREE (if you hike) / 8,500₩ (via Cable Car). If you want to go up the observatory additional 9,000₩

C. Gyeongbokgung Palace: 3,000₩. You can also try wearing a Hanbok for FREE!

D. Insadong / Ssamziegil: FREE!

E. Trick-Eye Museum (Hongdae): 12,000₩ - 15,000₩

F. Ehwa Women's University: FREE

G. Nami Island: 8,000₩

H. Everland: 37,000₩

I. Common Ground: (Container Truck Mall - FREE) But of course you have to pay when you dine-in or shop :) *Photos are from Visit Korea Website.

J. Dongdaemun Design Plaza: FREE

6. Shopping

Ah yes, the trickiest part of them all (well, in my case, hahaha). If you really want to stick to the Php 20,000 budget then I say you forget about that shoes you've been eyeing since you saw it in Myeongdong's ABC/Les More shop or those expensive skincare and makeup you bookmarked. Sad? Don't be! There are other items you can buy in Seoul as a pasalubong or a gift for yourself.

Below are some of the items you can buy and where to get them:

*Left: Disney Princess Socks for 900₩ each. Right: Face Masks for 500₩, Nature Republic BB Cream for 10,000₩ and Olive Young hand cream for 1,000₩*

1. Korean Cute Socks - 900₩ - 1,000₩ (EVERYWHERE! haha! But the 900₩ ones, I bought in Hongdae)

2. Face Masks - 900₩ - 1,000₩ (sometimes even cheaper when they have the "Buy 10 Get 10" Sale)

3. Bags - 10,000₩ (Check Insadong & Myeongdong)

4. Shoes - 10,000₩ - 20,000₩ (Check Ehwa, Gangnam Underground Mall, Express Bus Terminal Station)

5. Snacks (Pepero - 1,000₩, Binch - 1,000₩, Orion Choco Pie - 4,000₩). You can also check the big branch of Daiso in Myeongdong for cheaper priced snacks.

6. Clothes - 1,000₩ - 10,000₩ (Gangnam Underground Mall, Express Bus Terminal Station and Sinsa Underground Mall)

*13,000₩ VS 9,000 ₩. Eottoke! At least I won a Fanmeet Pass.*

7. Korean Albums - I bought a Block B Her album in Music Korea Myeongdong for 13,000₩, but I later found out that there is this shop in Myeongdong Station that only sells it for 9,000₩. 

*Left: Backpack bag for 10,000₩. Right: Innisfree Lotion for 5,000₩. Different Korean Snacks, I will recommend all of them except for Market-O Brownies, I ain't buying that thing again!*

I know that it is hard to control the urge to shop but the main goal is that when you go back to your home country you won't be broke as f*ck! hahaha! Trust me, I've learned it the HARD way! And I've learned my lesson already. :)

7. SAMPLE ITINERARY

HAHAHA! (Why do I always laugh? Hahaha!) Yes, I'm giving you a sample itinerary, remember that you don't have to strictly follow this one, chill lang please, this is just a guide.

DAY 0: Preparation

DAY 1:

DAY 2:

DAY 3:

DAY 4:

DAY 5:

SUMMARY:

That's it! Again, you should not follow this strictly, you can minimize accommodation cost to add another attraction to the list, or add it to your shopping budget, it's fine! Your call. Just make sure that you don't scrimp everything into your itinerary, if you can't fit all of the attractions in one go at least you now have a reason to go back.

Please remember that enjoying this vacation without hurting your wallet is the key to more travels in the future. I hope that this post helps you on your research, if you have any comments or suggestions drop that thought on the comment box below.

Thank you for reading this lengthy post. :)

뿅 :D