Seoul – the capital of South Korea – is a lovely and vibrant metropolis, however it can be pricey to go to. Actually, Seoul is often known as one of the crucial costly cities in Asia.
If you happen to’re on a good funds nonetheless, there are nonetheless loads of methods to get pleasure from all that Seoul has to supply. Listed here are 7 suggestions that will help you expertise Seoul with out breaking the financial institution.
1. Be part of a Seoul free strolling tour
Seoul is a bustling metropolis with one thing to supply everybody, from historical past buffs to foodies to shopaholics. If you happen to’re seeking to discover town on a funds, one nice choice is to affix a Seoul free strolling tour. These excursions usually final round two hours and canopy a few of Seoul’s hottest sights.
The most well-liked Seoul free strolling excursions are these organized by Seoul Tourism Board. There are round 40 such excursions accessible, all led by educated tour guides who will share insights concerning the metropolis’s historical past, structure, and delicacies.
For guests who’re eager to find off-the-beaten-track locations on this metropolis, reserving a Seoul free strolling tour with SeoulMate is one other nice choice. This student-led group takes vacationers to lesser-known areas in Seoul the place they will see town and likewise find out about its historical past and tradition from a neighborhood perspective. The tour guides, most of whom are younger and enthusiastic college students, are additionally very keen to recommend hidden gems within the metropolis reminiscent of inexpensive eateries or low cost retailers to first-time guests on a funds.
2. Store for garments, cosmetics, and souvenirs close to Ewha Lady’s College
Whereas most first-time guests to Seoul flock to Myeong-dong for purchasing, the identical stuff can typically be discovered within the purchasing districts surrounding Ewha Lady’s College at a lot inexpensive costs.
Myeong-dong is named considered one of Seoul’s busiest purchasing areas with lots of of retailers promoting garments, cosmetics, and souvenirs. Nevertheless, as a result of Myeong-dong’s recognition, the merchandise on supply listed here are additionally typically extra expensive.
As a substitute of overpaying at Myeong-dong, you possibly can wander round Ewha Womans College to buy all kinds of extra inexpensive style gadgets and cosmetics. Along with student-friendly costs, the retailers on this neighborhood additionally enable bargaining, which supplies you the possibility to save lots of much more.
3. Keep at a hostel or guesthouse removed from town middle
Hostels and guesthouses are normally less expensive than motels and are additionally nice locations to fulfill different vacationers. If you happen to’re visiting Seoul on a funds, selecting a resort or guesthouse a bit removed from town middle is an efficient tip to maintain your value down.
An excellent rule of thumb is to purpose for lodging within the north of town or round universities the place it’s also possible to store for each day necessities or eat at a less expensive worth. Keep away from reserving a resort in Gangnam or proper downtown as they’re typically rather more expensive.
Furthermore, Seoul’s public transportation system is usually very environment friendly and inexpensive. Subsequently, even in case you don’t keep close to the middle, you possibly can nonetheless get across the metropolis and go to the most well-liked sights fairly quick and effectively.
As well as, reserving your flights upfront may assist scale back the price of your journey.
4. Road meals in Seoul is the most effective
Seoul presents all kinds of avenue meals which can be each tasty and cheap. For the most effective avenue meals choices, head to the native markets reminiscent of Gwangjang, Myeongdong, Dongdaemun, and Namdaemun markets.
What are some hottest avenue meals in Seoul? At these native markets, one can find loads of yummy dishes starting from BBQ pork and beef to deep-fried greens, fruit skewers, gimbap rice rolls, recent seafood, and conventional desserts. You’ll be spoiled for alternative!
5. Go to free sights in Seoul
Seoul has no scarcity of issues to see and do, and plenty of of them are utterly free! From historic palaces to energetic markets, there’s one thing for everybody – and also you don’t need to spend any cash to get pleasure from it.
To start with, be sure that to take a look at the numerous free museums in Seoul! Probably the most notable ones are the Nationwide Museum of Korea, the Seoul Museum of Artwork, the Seoul Museum of Historical past, and the Nationwide Hangeul Museum. A few of them even supply a Youngsters’s Nook for teenagers and their households to take part in interactive actions collectively.
Second, don’t overlook to take a stroll round Seoul’s most well-known hanok villages reminiscent of Bukchon, Insa-dong, and Seochon the place you possibly can have a singular glimpse into the previous. Hanok are conventional Korean properties manufactured from wooden and stone and designed in a lovely, minimalist fashion. Along with admiring the structure, guests also can be taught concerning the native tradition as many hanok villages additionally supply conventional crafts experiences, performances, and exhibitions.
Third, in case you’re in search of a cool spot to hang around proper within the coronary heart of Seoul, Cheong-gye-cheon stream is the place to be. Whereas this artifical stream is a superb place to take a stroll any time of 12 months, it’s particularly value a go to in the course of the Lantern Pageant in November. Throughout this time, Cheong-gye-cheon is illuminated with the assistance of colourful lanterns of various sizes and styles, bringing a couple of magical and unforgettable environment.
Lastly, Seoul’s parks are additionally nice locations to discover whereas visiting town on a funds. Regardless of the concrete jungle that surrounds it, Seoul is definitely a really inexperienced metropolis with quite a few parks and gardens dotting the panorama. You will discover all the things from small neighborhood parks to giant nationwide parks in Seoul, all of which provide an opportunity to get pleasure from some recent air and calm down in nature. Probably the most well-known park is probably Seoullo 7017, which is a lovely backyard transformed from a former freeway overpass and presents a surprising view of the busy streets beneath.
6. Benefit from the free journey guidebooks and souvenirs
Upon arriving in Seoul, don’t overlook to seize some copies of free Seoul guidebooks and souvenirs supplied on the airport. Along with providing helpful details about town, these guidebooks additionally include low cost vouchers at completely different shops and eating places in Seoul. If you happen to miss them on the airport, they’re additionally accessible at varied Data Facilities round city.
7. Take a look at Seoul’s flea markets for the most effective offers
If you happen to’re in search of a discount, you should definitely take a look at Seoul’s flea markets that are famend for his or her nice offers and all kinds of things on supply. Visiting these flea markets can also be one of the crucial distinctive issues to do in Seoul!
Among the hottest ones embrace Seoul Folks Flea Market, Dongmyo Flea Market, Seocho Saturday Flea Market, and Hwanghak-dong Flea Market. You will discover all the things from secondhand items, handmade merchandise, avenue meals, and digital home equipment whereas having fun with the bustling ambiance right here. Don’t overlook to discount as nicely!
Abstract: Visiting Seoul on a funds
Following the 7 suggestions above will assist you get pleasure from all that Seoul has to supply with out spending a fortune. With a bit of planning and adaptability, visiting Seoul on a funds is certainly potential!
Are you planning to go to Seoul within the close to future? When you’ve got been to Seoul earlier than on a funds, what different suggestions are you able to recommend? Don’t hesitate to tell us by commenting beneath.
Fiona Mai is a 20-ish Vietnamese journey blogger who has been to 21 international locations to this point. She was fortunate sufficient to name herself a previous resident of Helsinki, Berlin, Brisbane, Hanoi, and Kingston upon Hull. Much more lucky proper now to be again to the place she comes from: Saigon, Vietnam. Learn extra about her journeys on her weblog.
