Wash Your Mind Up

Most of people think that travelling to South Korea will be very expensive. It might be depend on a sort of type of travelling itself. If you use to stay in, at least, three star hotels, it will cost thousands of bucks. This post won’t talk about that kind of travelling but the cheap way of travelling.

I’ve been to South Korea for 11 days and been around three cities there. At first, I was worry because of what people thought about big expenses in South Korea. Fortunately, I found a book, Indonesian book, which contain a story of its author who has been to South Korea. She has spent only about 3 million rupiahs or it’s about 333 USD. That book changed my perspective. Eventually, I decided not to bring a lot of cash while I didn’t even have more money to bring, instead.

I remember when I was on a plane to South Korea, someone next to me asked a question about amount of money that I had. She was quite surprised as she thought that I’d need more than that. In fact, I’m just fine right now and I’ve had a lot of fun during the trip.

Let me start sharing my story regarding to all expense that I’ve spent throughout my trip to South Korea based on my itinerary. Make sure that your calculator is in your hand.

First day, I departed from Kuala Lumpur to South Korea with budget airline, AirAsia. When I arrived at Incheon International Airport I didn’t have to pay anything. I know that was a sort of stupid statement; I don’t think any of airports will ask you to pay for entrance ticket, right? My very first expense was airport limousine bus ticket fee. It was KRW 10,000. In the first night, I stayed at my friend’s house and it was free of charge.

Second day, I moved to the guest house. To reach the guest house I took a bus and cost KRW 1,000. I think it is the average cost of bus fare. I stayed at Bebop House that locates near Hongik Station in Seoul. I chose bedroom with 6 beds. If you want to know the guesthouse, you can check on its website, http://bebop-guesthouse.com.  The rate of my room was KRW 20,000/night, including self-service breakfast.  Actually, there are several cheaper guesthouses in Seoul. Jognowon’s rate of the same type of room as I had is KRW 15,000/night and Hong Guest House’s rate is KRW 17,000/night. I suggest you to book in advance through the hostelworld.com.

I checked in at 11 A.M., so I had a plenty of time to walk around that area. I had lunch in the restaurant named 2,900 bla bla bla (I don’t remember the name, it is Korean). I ate Tobuki Ramen, the price was KRW 2,900. Surprisingly, it was a bigger portion that I used to have. Basically, most of restaurants serve Kimchi with no charge. So it’s free. One of the benefits of staying at the guesthouse is that you can cook. In the first day, I cooked instant noodle as dinner.  It cost KRW 800. Trust me it’s nice and cheap but spicy. Afterwards, I went to restaurant to have another dinner. I had fried rice which was cooked on your table and drank soju with beer, all cost KRW 22,000/4 persons. To end the night with fun, I went to Karaoke Place (norebang). It charged KRW 20,000/hour and it was divided by 4, so I spent about KRW 5,000. Luckily, we got 40 minutes bonus of duration and unlimited portion of ice cream.

I’ve spent about KRW 2,000 of transportation during the day. By the way, I went to everywhere by subway. It’s easy. Go to the station, look up the map, identify where your destination is and which line it is then you take the train. Most of destination cost KRW 1,500 including fare fee and deposit of KRW 500 that you can take it back from the deposit machine. But if you stay more than a week, I suggest buying T-money card that can be recharged as much as you want. The price of that card is KRW 3,000. Most of destination cost KRW 900. It saves you a penny anyway. Fortunately, I was so lucky because my friend lent me that card. I didn’t need to buy it. I’ve spent KRW 35,000 during this 10 days holiday. You’ll see how far that amount can take you out in 11 days.

Third day, I went to Myeong-Dong. I had lunch at Japanese restaurant. I had beef with rice and it cost KRW 7,000. Basically, it’s quite expensive. I chose that restaurant because I couldn’t stay longer to keep my stomach singing, so I had no time to explore cheap restaurants.

I went shopping. It is actually optional. If you like shopping, just go for it. There are many branded stores in Myeong-Dong. I suggest you to come to Forever 21 and H&M store. It’s away cheaper than Singapore has. Can you imagine? I bought a short in H&M in the last day. The price was only KRW 6,000. As a matter of fact, my lunch was even more expensive. Talking about H&M, my friend said that this brand is cheaper in Netherland.

As a result, my day was about eat-and-shop. I went dinner with my friend in a famous Korean restaurant. We had Korean food. If you are Indonesian, you must familiar with gorengan. The food was just like that. There was a food as big as large size of pizza hut, it is seafood. It’s nice. If I’m not mistaken, it’s called Pajen. I drank another traditional wine but I forgot the name. The taste is like soda but sour. I think Indonesia has that kind of food with the same taste. Do you know tape? It is fermented cassava. This wine tastes like that. All food and drink cost KRW 38,000 of 5 persons. It would be KRW 7,600 each person, but I didn’t pay for that.  Surprisingly, my Korean friend paid for us. She said it was welcome dinner to us.

I love Korean people.

Fourth day, I went to Gyeongbokung palace. For your information, this palace is closed on Tuesday. Make sure you don’t go on Tuesday. Price of entrance ticket is KRW 3,000. You can go as long as you want. You can go to National Folk Museum too then try wearing Korean costume. I think that price is worth.

Go and explore the heritage of Korea!

I went lunch with my friends in Dongdaemun area. I had Udong. It’s noodle with ginseng soup. It was good to warm up my body at cold temperature. I just paid KRW 4,500.  After that I went to Myeong-Dong to accompany my friend went shopping. Then I went to the Coffee Prince, coffee shop. Here is the direction, take subway then get off at Hongik Station. Go to exit number 4 then go straight to the corner, turn left then go along that street until you see a park, after that turn right then go ahead that way. You’ll find it left side. Anyway, I’m not sure my direction is right. You can give it a try. LOL. I had to pay KRW 7,000 for a bunch of cheese cake. Afterwards I went dinner at guesthouse. I think you know what I had for dinner. Yeah, it was instant noodle. The cheapest meal I’ve ever had during my holiday.

Anyway, visiting coffee prince wasn’t that worth if you don’t like Korean drama..

Fifth day, I think I didn’t go to many places. I just went to Bukchon Hanok Village and then tried to find Pagoda Park. But I didn’t get it, so I got back to guesthouse. I think that day was too windy for me. I found a very good place to eat. Most people take the food away. This restaurant is called happy bla bla (Korean name) near hongik station, exit 9. There are a lot of choices. I had chicken with rice and kimchi. I paid KRW 2,800 for that. It’s relatively cheap.

Once I arrived at guesthouse I didn’t go outside anymore until I went to sleep. My leg was hurt and I felt unwell because of the weather. I had another instant noodle for dinner and some snacks.

Sixth day, I went to Jeounju. From Seoul to Jeounju I took a free shuttle bus that is provided by visitkoreayear program. The bus is really comfortable. The most important thing was that the bus is FREE. I saved money a lot. I had lunch of bimbibab that cost KRW 10,000. It’s probably the most expensive food I’ve had during holiday. Price talks guys! Although I paid more, I didn’t feel any regret at all. Bimbmbab is the best food! Yummy. I  bought sweet light meal that is made by flour with red bean inside. The price was KRW 2,000 for 10 pieces.

Seventh day, I went to Suwon. There is a tourist spot named Hwaseong Fortress which divided into several places. One of them is Hwaseong Haenggung, I need to pay KRW 1,500 to enjoy the architecture that place which is quite the same as a palace. The fortress itself is in the peak of hill. I need to go to another entrance gate, near the parking lot. I had to pay KRW 1,500 after I got through hundreds of ladders. After that I had Udong as lunch. .

To reach this spot, I took a bus from Suwon Station. I had to pay KRW 1,000. Suwon station itself could be reached by subway from Seoul The price was KRW 3,000. To get back to Suwon Station from the tourist spot I took the same bus. I remember the number of the bus 11, 13, or 36. I ended the day with take-away chicken rice. The price was KRW 2,800.

Eighth day,I went to walk around the city hall. There was an ice skating area that might charge you KRW 2,000. I didn’t go for that. I wasn’t very sure that I can stay longer than 1 hour because of the weather. Then I went to Deoksogung Palace. I didn’t go inside. If you want to go to that palace, you have to pay KRW 3,000. I continued walking to Gwanghamun Square. I just looked at all statues. It’s free. I got back to Hotel and I had Udong as a lunch, again. It’s nice by the way. The price was KRW 3,500. Nice! I had kimchi ramen as dinner. It was only KRW 5,000 but I didn’t pay for that. My roommate paid for me. Free dinner again!

Ninth day, I went to Songsil University and had a lunch nearby. I had bimbimab, it was cheaper than I had before. The price was KRW 3,000. It was so nice. I went to Hangan Park and Worldcup Stadium. I had dinner in Anam area with my new friend. We had a fried chicken. My new friend treated me as well. So, it was another free dinner. Five pieces of fried chicken cost KRW 8,000.

Tenth day, actually I had a plan to go Nami Island. I’d to pay KRW 23,000 of bus fare, entrance ticket and ferry fare but I missed the bus so it was canceled. I went to Bukhansan Mountain. I had a lunch at the restaurant nearby. I had tofu ramen and pork, but I didn’t eat that pork. Its price was KRW 5,000. To hike that mountain, I didn’t need to pay. I just needed to walk. LOL. After hiking activity I headed off to Seoul and straightly went to Gwanjang Market. It’s food market. I had bimbimbab as a dinner. Its price was KRW 6,000.

Eleventh day, I went shopping to Myeong-Dong and Dongdaemun then looked around in Itaewon area. My lunch was BBQ fried rice. I had to pay KRW 6,500 for that. In the evening, I was off to Airport. I took the same bus as I had when I arrived. I remember the number, 6002. I had to pay KRW 10,000 of bus fare. I had fried chicken of KFC as dinner. Two pieces of fried chicken, one regular size of french fries, and one glass of soft drink. I had to pay KRW 8,000.

In total, I’ve spent about KRW 327,000 (please check again with your own calculator), exclude shopping and airlines fare. 1 KRW equals to IDR 8.3, so it would be IDR 2,721,570 or if I convert to USD it is USD 300. See, it’s not that expensive. For safety reason, you should have another amount of money in case you’re sick or get lost and need to go by taxi or other bad things that might be happened. I think USD 100 is enough.

Additional information, to go to South Korea you need to apply for visa. It’s quite simple, you need to submit all documents that may be needed such as passport, bank account, sponsor letter, permission letter (if you are student), confirmation letter from University, booking confirmation of flight ticket, itinerary and other documents to visa section of Korean embassy. You also have to pay IDR 280,000 if you apply by yourself. It takes 3 days.

As you read this post you might get inspired to go to South Korea. Now, decide the date, save money then #goholiday.