Big Shake-up: How to Spend Time in South Korea

Since September, Russians can once again travel to South Korea, but with caveats: a visa will be required (normally, we have a visa-free regime with the country), and you'll also need to undergo a 14-day quarantine at your own expense upon arrival (approximately $137 per day). Therefore, for now, the country isn't entirely suitable for a vacation destination; if you do decide to go, plan for at least a month. There's so much to see!

From the Airport to the City

Since flights are currently only available to Seoul, we'll start there. Incheon Airport is 70 km from Seoul, and you can cover this distance by bus, train, taxi, or transfer. 

Bus 

From the airport, you can reach any point in the country by bus; the main thing is to take the right one. If you don't want to spend a long time figuring out directions, go to the information desk and ask for the correct bus number and stop based on your hotel address. Tickets can be purchased at a special vending machine/ticket booth. The stop layout looks something like this. 

Buses come in standard and deluxe versions. Standard ones are cheaper – from 7,000 to 15,000 Korean Won. Prices for deluxe buses start from 10,000 Won. 

South Korea has its own currency – the Korean Won. As of October 15, 2020, 1,000 Won = 67.5 Rubles. 

Some hotels organize shuttle buses for their guests; check if this is the case for you. 

Train

The fastest way to get to the city is by train. There are several types, but almost all go to the final stop, Seoul Station. There's an express train and an all-stop train. The all-stop train makes all stops, while the express goes directly to the final destination. Ticket machines for different train types are also different. 

An express trip will cost approximately 9,000 Won and take about 45 minutes. The all-stop train is almost 2 times cheaper and takes longer. 

Taxis in Seoul are expensive; it's better to call one through the Uber app, as a street-hailed taxi will be 5-10 times more expensive. Another option is a hotel transfer, with prices varying by hotel. 

Transportation Card 

Public transport fares are quite expensive, so a transportation card will be more convenient if you plan to move around the city a lot. There are several types:

T-money – with it, you can ride public transport cheaper, it costs 2,500 Won, and is sold at any kiosk or store. You can load money onto the card, and if there's money left at the end of your trip, you can get a refund at a T-money vendor.  

Seoul City Pass – provides up to 20 rides on subways and buses, available for 1, 2, or 3 days; 1 day costs 15,000 Won, 3 days cost 35,000 Won. 

Seoul City Pass Plus – something in between the first two cards. Besides discounts on fares, it also offers discounts when visiting certain attractions. You can buy it at T-money vendors.

M-Pass Card – also a multifunctional card that works on public transport (buses, subways, trains, even airport trains). It's issued for 1, 2, 3, 5, or 7 days and is valid until 00:00 on the last day. Costs range from 15,000 Won to 64,500 Won, respectively. 

We recommend downloading the Kakao Map app in advance (Android and iOS). It makes it much easier to navigate the country and choose the right transport. 

Visa

Normally, Russian citizens do not need a visa for South Korea, but under current conditions, you will have to obtain one. Start the visa process approximately a month or 3 weeks before your trip. 

What to See in Seoul

Let's say you've completed your quarantine; now you have the time and opportunity to explore the city and the country. Where to go? Start by exploring the city's classic side. 

Palaces

You'll definitely love the Joseon Dynasty palaces. There are five in total, but you don't have to visit all of them; the best ones are Gyeongbokgung (which has a secret garden) and Changdeokgung Palace. Also, be sure to watch the changing of the guard, which happens every hour. Afterward, head to Gwanghamun Square for a snack and a rest. 

Deer and Parks

You can feed deer right in the city park. For this, head to Seoul Forest; the deer there are not shy at all – quite the opposite, they are curious and hungry. Food is sold in a vending machine for a dollar. Protect your hands and keep your camera ready. 

If you want to spend time grandly and actively, go to Olympic Park. It's a huge park where you can ride a bicycle, visit a couple of museums on the premises, and eat delicious food in small cafes. For thrilling adventures, head to Lotte World – it's the world's largest amusement park. 

View from Above

To see the city from 236 meters up, climb Seoul Tower. Admission will cost approximately 8 dollars; we recommend going up closer to sunset – the views will be unforgettable. 

Fashionable Seoul

For those who love minimalism, we recommend visiting the art center Dongdaemun Design Plaza. From the outside, it's indistinguishable from a spaceship, but inside, everything is so white and clean it almost hurts the eyes. Exhibitions are constantly held inside, and nearby on the street, there's an installation of glowing roses. Entry to the center itself is free, but some exhibitions are paid. 

To better understand modern Korean culture, head to the Myeongdong shopping district, Myeongdong Shopping Street. Street food, mini-concerts by local street musicians, parties, clubs, bars, and shops – life is bustling every day. 

And what do you imagine when you hear 'city hall building'? Set aside stereotypical thinking and visit Seoul City Hall – something unimaginable is happening inside. Koreans have combined nature and architecture, so inside, the city hall looks more like a magical wonderland garden. 

Have you ever been inside a skyscraper? We're sure you haven't been inside one like this – we're talking about the 63 Building. From the outside, it looks like a huge gold bar, and under the sun's rays, it's absolutely dazzling. Inside, there's an observation deck, as you might have guessed – on the 63rd floor. They say you can even see the sea on a clear day. 

We all love to show off vacation photos, but you'll especially want to share pictures from this museum. Be sure to visit the optical illusion museum,  Trick Eye Museum and keep your camera ready. Allocate a couple of hours for it; you won't be able to 'rush through' quickly – it's too interesting and fun. 

Beyond Seoul 

Since you've completed quarantine, you should make the most of the country. If you've already explored all the interesting places in Seoul, feel free to venture beyond its borders, and we'll suggest a direction. 

Busan

The city often appears in disaster movies, but that's no reason to avoid it. It's a fairly large city, but with significantly fewer people. If you're a bit tired of the hustle and bustle of the South Korean capital, Busan is a haven of peace and quiet. 

Start your exploration with the cultural village of Gamcheon Culture Village – an incredibly vibrant place, and you can also visit film sets. Entry to the village itself is free; fees may only apply for visiting individual sites. 

There's also a TV tower here – Yongdusan Park, which you can and should climb. Also, don't miss the main fish market, Jagalchi Fish Market. Huge crabs, squid, mussels – seafood for every taste! At this market, you can not only buy but also ask for it to be cooked properly. 

After a snack, head to the Shinsegae business district – a place dotted with skyscrapers. With the right angle, photos are indistinguishable from those in New York. But don't rush to leave the city; be sure to wait until dark. Not far from the business district is the Busan Harbor Bridge – as evening falls, it begins to glow with all sorts of colors. And next to it is a cinema promenade with figures of characters from various films. 

Jeju Island

A place for those who love active recreation. On Jeju Island stands the extinct volcano Hallasan – the highest point in South Korea. There are several eco-trails here, often frequented by tourists. Mountains, fresh air, sports – it will be a perfect day! And a lake has formed in the volcano's crater; be sure to climb up to see it and send selfies to your friends. Yes, Wi-Fi is even available near the crater! 

But these aren't all the island's attractions. You can also go diving near its shores. Sometimes elderly women dive for shellfish; they are called 'sea women' (or 'elderly mermaids'); if you see one, be sure to wave hello!

And if you are over 18, be sure to visit Love Land park – it features over 140 sculptures of people and animals in explicit poses. 

The easiest way to get to the island is by plane; the flight takes less than an hour, and tickets start from $6. 

What to Try

We've already talked about seafood – for that, it's best to go to the fish market in Busan. But there are other Korean delicacies you shouldn't miss, especially since you've come all this way. 

A popular Korean dish is kimchi soup. It's a healthy, spicy concoction with fermented cabbage and seafood. We recommend trying it in different places, as the recipes vary. Be sure to also try noodles with various toppings, as well as rice. Some restaurants offer another popular dish, shabu-shabu. This is one of those dishes you cook yourself. A burner is built into your table, and you are brought a pot of boiling broth and raw seafood, which you cook yourself in the broth.  

Don't be afraid to try street food; it's safe. For example, eomuk – fish cake skewers in fish broth. However, in street stalls, you might sometimes find very strange food: fried larvae, cooked animal intestines, and so on. All of this is edible, otherwise it wouldn't be prepared, but the decision is, of course, yours. 

In South Korea, there's a wide selection of unusual teas: corn, dandelion, mushroom, roasted rice, but you'll have to search for regular black tea. However, there are no problems with coffee; it's available here with all imaginable and unimaginable additives. If you like unusual drinks, be sure to try green tea latte.

Sweets in Korea might not appeal to everyone's taste. Often, it's the rice dessert mochi (quite sticky and unusual in taste), but there are also European sweets. And there's also ice cream here that won't give you a sore throat – it looks like many colorful small beads – you won't confuse it with anything else.

Taste South Korea and share your impressions with us! Tickets to Seoul have been waiting for you on our website for a long time.