Planning a South Korea trip on a budget? Even though it’s one of the hottest travel destinations — for Filipinos, especially — at the moment, it’s still definitely possible to visit this East Asian country without shelling out too much cash.
To help you plan your budget trip to South Korea, we’ve tapped frequent traveller Louise to share her secrets. Having been to South Korea seven times over the past decade, she’s learned the tricks of the trade by now, from city freebies to cheap places to eat! Keep reading and you’ll see: There’s no need to burn through your savings to make your dream vacation to the Land of the Morning Calm a reality.
Also read: How to Get a South Korean Tourist Visa for Philippine Passport Holders 2023
Tips for budget travel in South Korea
1. Wait for a cheap flight
We know, we know. If you’re like us, you’re probably so excited to step foot in South Korea that you’re ready to take the next flight out. But our first South Korea trip budget rule is to never overpay for a flight. Be patient; wait for a seat sale and scour for the lowest prices available. South Korea is not a cheap destination to visit, but Louise pointed out that several budget airlines fly directly from Manila to Seoul: “Jeju Air, AirAsia, and Cebu Pacific, to name a few.”
“They also have flights from Clark to Seoul, which sometimes ends up much cheaper than flying out from Manila,” she added.
Also read: Where to Stay in Clark: 10 Best Hotels, Resorts, and Airbnbs For Your Next Weekend Break
2. Take the Airport Railroad Express (AREX) from Incheon to Seoul
A lot of travellers opt to ride the Limousine Bus to get from the Incheon International Airport to Seoul. It’s by far the most convenient option with different routes passing by different parts of Seoul, so there are no transfers necessary. But if your priority is to stay on budget for your South Korea trip, Louise advised hopping on the Airport Railroad Express or AREX instead. The train will take you directly to Seoul Station, where you can grab a bus or another train to your accommodation.
Note: AREX offers an Express Train, but the All Stop Train is even cheaper!
3. Find a good hostel or guesthouse
Hotels are fine, but choosing affordable accommodations is much better for your South Korea trip budget. Lucky for tourists, there are plenty of great-value Airbnbs in Seoul, from old-school hanoks to stylish guesthouses.
“Many hostels and guesthouses in Seoul have a simple breakfast included — toast, cereal, eggs, coffee, tea and water,” said Louise. “Most also have a fully equipped kitchen where you can cook snacks, lunch, or dinner.”
That way, tourists can shop for local fare from a nearby supermarket, and then whip up their own meals at home. No need to splurge on pricey meals if you have your own kitchen — although, we’re definitely setting aside some cash for KBBQ!
Also read: 20 Best Airbnbs in Seoul for Every Budget
4. Plan your day-to-day itinerary carefully
Spontaneity may be fun, but planning a practical itinerary is important for a South Korea trip if you’re on a strict budget. Don’t waste time and money going back and forth between different neighbourhoods in a single day. Instead, Louise advised tourists to spend each day visiting tourist spots in the same area.
“Seoul is a walkable city; it’s easy to walk from one place to another,” she explained. That way, you won’t have to spend so much on train or bus tickets — and you’ll see much more of the city on foot, too!
5. Eat in convenience stores
Hungry but don’t want to burn a hole in your pocket? Make your way to the nearest CU or other convenience stores. Louise said, “You can score discounted meals in the convenience stores! Most of the convenience stores even offer deals for discounted boxed meals and drinks at night.”
It’s not fancy, but you can sample a variety of local Korean food at convenience store prices, from instant noodles to gimbap. Dosirak (lunch box) options, which are similar to Japanese bento boxes, are some of the best budget meals you’ll have during your South Korea trip.
Also read: Korea Food Alleys: Discovering the Best Things to Eat in Seoul, Busan, and More!
6. Discover tons of free attractions in Seoul
Even if you don’t want to spend money, Seoul offers enough things to do for free to fill an entire itinerary. For instance, the famous Bukchon Hanok Village is completely free to explore. The 11 parks along the Han River are also open to the public; local favourites include Banpo Hangang Park, Yeouido Hangang Park, and Ttukseom Hangang Park.
Tourists can visit Ihwa Mural Village, too; at night, Louise said that the nearby Seoul City Fortress Wall (Hanyangdoseong) is also a must-add to your itinerary. Even renowned museums like the National Museum of Korea, the War Memorial of Korea, and the National Folk Museum don’t ask for entrance fees.
Other free attractions in the city include Cheonggye Plaza and Cheonggyecheon stream. K-pop fans would want to visit K-Star Road in Gangnam, while K-drama enthusiasts can join campus tours at Hongik University and Ehwa Womans University for famous K-drama spots.
Also read: 15 Places in Seoul That You Can Visit For Free
7. Travel by bus if you’re leaving Seoul
Day trips to surrounding towns and provinces are one of the best things to do in Seoul! To keep costs as low as possible, Louise said it’s best to go by road: “It’s cheaper to take the bus than the high-speed KTX.”
Also read: 15 Underrated Places in South Korea That You Should Experience
As you can see from Louise’s list of tips, a South Korea trip is doable on a budget. And so, don’t let your limited bank account keep you from flying to your dream destination. Hwaiting!
All images courtesy of Louise.
