5 Days in Seoul: Useful Tips for Your Seoul Trip

1. Consider the Season

Korea has 4 seasons:
Winter - December to February
Spring - March to May
Summer - June to August
Fall - September to November

Considering the season will help you determine which clothes to wear and bring with you.

2. Pick an Easily Accessible Hotel

When choosing a hotel to stay in, make sure that it's near a subway or bus station. This is a great plus as public transportation in Korea is very very efficient.

3. Know How to Go to Your Hotel from the Airport

After securing your hotel confirmation, ask the hotel staff directions on how to get to their hotel from the airport. The easiest route, alternative route should instances didn't allow you to take the first option, how long will it take, and how much would it cost. Also make sure to let them know of your arrival time to make sure you'll be accommodated especially if you're flying in the middle of the night.

4. Plan your itinerary ahead

Here's a sample itinerary I saw posted on a wall in the hotel we stayed in. Some of this we visited while some seems interesting and might be worth a visit should I come to Seoul again.

5. Download the Subway Korea App

Buses are very efficient in Seoul but though it's cheaper than taking taxis, it's still more expensive than taking the subway. Downloading the Subway Korea app from Google Play Store is one of the best ideas I've made during my trip.

After downloading the app, try to learn it and familiarize yourself with it. You can try to ask help from the staff of the hotel you'll be staying in but it's still best to learn it for yourself, so you wouldn't have any troubles when you're out there in the road, trying to get from one place to another.

6. Stay Online

You might hear stories from people you know who have already visited Korea that internet in Seoul is fast and efficient and that you may not need to purchase a Korean sim or rent a portable wifi device because you can easily connect to different establishments as you walk along the streets. But I would still suggest that you do. It's very convenient that you have your own internet connection. You won't regret it.

By the exit of Incheon Airport, look for the place where you can purchase a Korean sim or rent a portable wifi device. We bought Korean sims with 5 days worth of mobile data for 27,500 Won each. They can speak enough English, so you won't have a hard time purchasing one.

Having internet access is very useful when trying to get around Seoul. Though the Subway Korea App gives you a visual of how the train lines are connected, you will need internet connection to find exactly where the place you're trying to find is. Almost every place is at a walking  from a train station but you will still need internet to guide you all the way to your place of interest.

7. Be Attentive and Read the Signs

The Subway Korea App is an amazing app but it still doesn't have all that you need in order to get around. Which Exits to take is not included in there. But this is easy. You just need to read the signs in the station and you will not get lost. An overhead speaker in the train also announces the next stop, so stay focused.

Another useful tip I can give you is to note the last station of the train line you're boarding. Just like here in the Philippines, make sure that you're headed in the right direction. If you're going to Magallanes, then make sure that you're aboard the train going to Taft. If you're going to Katipunan, then make sure that you're aboard the train going to Santolan.

Easy, right? :)