FLY TO SEOUL, BUSAN AND JEJU...!

You  can reach South Korea from Malaysia via a few airlines.
Your destination can be Incheon (Seoul) or Gimhae (Busan).
You can go to Gimpo Airport in Seoul from Incheon by Arex commuter train.
It takes about 35 minutes and costs 3350 Won.
Then from Gimpo (Seoul) or Busan, you can take a flight to Jeju Island.
From Busan to Seoul, you can either fly or take the KTX express train

There are direct flights to Korea and others that you need to stopover for a couple of hours.
Malaysia Airlines, Air Asia and Korean Air have direct flights to Korea. It takes about 6 hours to reach the country. Korea is one hour ahead of Malaysia.
Vietnam Airlines, China Eastern, Thai Airways and Cathay Pacific requires you to stopover at certain airports.

Many Malaysians either take Malaysian Airlines or Air Asia, which is usually cheaper.
You have to book in advance if you want to secure a low fare.
If you search the airline websites often and try different dates, you may get cheaper flights!

BUSAN GIMHAE AIRPORT

For example,
Let say you're going on a holiday from 28/11/16 to 4/12/16.

If you book with Air Asia, you will have to pay RM 1163 to RM1493 for return tickets. You will depart from KLIA2.

If you book with Malaysian Airlines, you will have to pay RM1987 to RM2219 for return tickets. You will depart from KLIA.

If you book with Korean Air, you need to pay RM2444 to RM3036 for return tickets. You will depart from KLIA.

Air Asia X :
- cheaper flight of course!
- you can travel to Incheon or Busan.
- you have to buy luggage, food and other things. 20kg for RM55.00 - RM60.00
- halal food

Malaysian Airlines :
- flight is more expensive
- flight is more comfortable
- food and luggage are included
in-flight entertainment
- you can only fly to Incheon
- halal food

Korean Air:
- flight is more expensive
- seats are wider and more comfortable
- food and luggage are included
- in-flight entertainment
- you can only fly to Incheon
- Muslim-friendly food can be booked

INCHEON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

There is no direct flight to Jeju from Malaysia, so you can either fly from Busan or Gimpo (Seoul) once you reach South Korea.
Some of the airlines that fly to Jeju are Korean Air, Asiana Air, Jeju Air and Jin Air.
It takes 65 minutes from Gimpo to Jeju and 55 minutes from Busan to Jeju.

My sister, her friends and I went to Jeju in June last year. We bought our own Air Asia ticket a few months earlier so that we could get cheaper fares to Busan. We didn't have to buy the domestic flight tickets to Jeju ourselves since it was already included in the ground tour package by JejuTnT (Jeju Tour and Travel). The tour was handled by a Malaysian, Ghani Salleh @ Wak who also acted as our guide and chauffeur!
Another Jeju tour you could try is handled by Kina Omar. You can search their Instagram accounts for latest offers and packages.

HALAL FOOD ON BOARD KOREAN AIR

Next topic : Jeju Island Rendezvous.....!

HOW TO GET AROUND SEOUL

You have a few choices of transportation in Seoul. You can either take the subway, bus or taxi. If you join a group tour, you may travel in a rented car or coach / bus. But be warned, you would certainly walk on foot and climb stairs frequently when you are in Seoul....!

T-Money Card 

The easiest way is taking the subway or bus. You can buy T-Money cards for 2500 Won and use it on all trains and most buses in Seoul and other districts. (It is a bit like Touch N Go card in Malaysia). You can buy the card from many Convenience stores or subway ticket booths. You can top up your card from 1000 Won to 90000 Won at the automatic recharging machine at the stations which also come with instruction in English. Usually, the fare will be cheaper by 100 Won with T-Money. If by the end of your trip your card still has money, you can get a refund from the Convenience shops up to 20000 Won but they will retain 500 Won.

Subway Lines

The 15 lines do look complicated but don’t worry, there are instructions and notices in English and the trains keep to the schedule almost to a T. It is rarely late so you have to be punctual. If you miss a train, the next one is probably only a few minutes away. Just make sure you are on the right platform, the right type of train and take the right exit to the place you want to go to.

When you board the train, observe the social rules adhered by the local commuters. Stand aside and let the train commuters come out first. Do not sit on the seats reserved for elderly citizens, etc even if they are empty. You’ll get a stare if you dare sit on one! The commuters tend to stand facing the windows / the seats. I was amazed to see that they could stand without holding to any railing. Their hands were busy clicking on the smart phones while listening on their headphones.

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Recommended Routes:

LINE	COLOUR	TOURIST ATTRACTIONS	NOTES
1	Blue	Seoul Station is the centre. The line goes around and outside Seoul.	Jonggak
2	Green	Hongik, Shinchon, City Hall, Dongdaemun, Jamsil, Gangnam	Euljira-2, exit 5 (Myeongdong) Exit 2, exit 9  (Hongdae uni) Exit 5 (Samseong – COEX)
3	Orange	Sinsa, Apgujeong, Express Bus Terminal, Anguk, Jongno 3-ga tations( Insadong)	Gyeongbokgung
4	Sky blue	Hwehya (Daehangno), Dongdaemun, Myeongdong, Namdaemun, Seoul Station	Sookmyung Women's University (Yeouido Park)
5	Purple	Gimpo Airport - Seoul, Yeouido Park / Station (exit 3)	Exit 2 (Gwanghamun –Gyeongbokgung) Jonggak (Insadong)
6	Brown	World Cup Stadium, Itaewon	Exit 1 or 2 (Hongdae)
7	Olive green	Euijongbu, Gangnam, Cheongdam
8	Pink	Munjeongdong, Nongsanmul, Garak
9	Gold	Gimpo Airport – Gangnam	Exit 7 Bongeungsa (COEX)
BUNDANG	Yellow	Gangnam – Bundang (Gyeonggi)
SINBUNDANG	Red	Gangnam, Pangyo, Jeonja (driverless)
JUNGANG	Emerald	Yongsan – Yongmun, Yangpyeonggun (Gyeonggi)
GYEONGUI	Light emerald	Seoul – Munsan (DMZ tour)
GYEONGCHUN	Seafoam green	Connects with Line 7 at Sangbong, Cheongpyong, Gapyeong, Chuncheon	Gapyeong (Nami Island) ITX line
AIRPORT RAIL	-	Incheon International Airport & Gimpo Airport – Seoul.	AREX express train

** KTX Express Line connects Seoul and Busan and the duration of the journey is less than 3 hours.

ITX train from Yongsan to Chuncheon

Bus Service

There are special lanes for buses which other vehicles are not allowed to use. Bus stops come with schedules and even announcement! You will know which bus is approaching from the PA system. There is a rule to follow- you board using the front door but exit using the back door. Don’t forget to use T-Money on the bus. There are also special buses operated by Korea Tourism Organisation that you can board for free. These buses usually take you to other districts in Korea. Check their website and FB page (K-Travel Bus) for news and promotions.

Taxi

Taxis are metred but the fare can be quite expensive. There are a few types of taxi you can ride, depending on your budget and location. If you are going to Nami Island, you will board a train first to Gapyeong Station. From there, you will need to take a taxi to the Namiseom jetty. The ride is only 5 minutes and you pay around 4000 Won.

For further information:

www.seoulistic.com

www.english.visitkorea.or.kr

www.visitseoul.net

Next Topic - Flights to Seoul, Busan and Jeju from Malaysia !

DOWN MEMORY LANES....

I am currently writing about my autumn holiday in Seoul in November 2015.
My next focus would be my Jeju summer vacation in June last year.
I might write about my first time in Seoul, in February 2012.
After that, I would probably go down memory lane to Plymouth, UK. ('91-'97)
The final throwback could be my time spent at MARA Junior Science College, Kuantan. ('86-'90)

If I do get that far anyway.... 😅


*** watch this space...!

I LOVE ATLAS AND MAPS.

Map of South Korea

image from graphatlas.com

Fun fact: Jeju is three times bigger than Seoul but it has no subway system.... :)

Tourist Attractions in central Seoul

Seoul Map

Seoul Subway Map

image from Google.com

KTO TOUR EXPENSES AND CHEAPER ALTERNATIVES....!

I was lucky that everything during the tour was paid for by Korea Tourism Organisation. If I were to pay all those entrance fee, food, performance, rides, flight tickets and accommodation, than I would have to fork out quite a lot of money!

Here’s a breakdown of the total cost if I were to pay for it myself. The price/fare/cost is based on the current information found on the internet. 

The exchange rate at present  is 1000 Korean Won = RM 3.39.

	Won	Ringgit	Notes:
Malaysian Airlines flight to Seoul & Korean Air flight to Kuala Lumpur	558000	2100	Air Asia flight is cheaper!
Centre Mark Hotel, Insadong	88511.99 per night	300 and above	Guesthouses are cheaper!
Ice Gallery and trick-Eye Museum, Hongdae	15000 adult 12000 child	50.85 40.68	Worth your money
Buffet Lunch at Nature Kitchen, Hongdae	12,900  and above	43.73	Many Seafood and Vegetable options
Hello Kitty Cafe	4500 and above	15.25	Only for HK fans
Tuna sandwich breakfast set at Slow Park Garden Cafe, Samcheon-dong	12000	40.68	Worth the scenery
Coffee at Wiki Cafe, Samcheon-dong	4500 and above	15.25	Only for Super Junior fans
Entrance to Deoksugung palace,	1000 adult 500 child	3.39 1.69	Must visit
Entrance fee to Grevin Wax Museum	23000 adult 18000 teenager 15000 child / elderly	77.89 60.95 50.80	optional
Shabu Shabu dinner at nTable, Dongdaemun Design Plaza Basement	16,900 dinner	57.23	optional
Janggu drum experience and Miso play	40000 and above	135.45	optional
Dinner set at Eomoni Saengseon, Insadong	Starts at 12000	40.68	Cheaper if set is shared
ITX train ticket from Yongsan Station to Chuncheon Station	6900 one way	23.39	Cheaper to go to Nami island
Gangchon Rail Park Ride	2-seater bike 25000 4-seater bike 35000	84.66 118.54	optional
Banana milk	1000	3.39	Must try
Drinking water	800	2.71	Must have
Tringular / samgak  tuna gimbap	500 - 700	1.69	Must have
Buffet dinner at Todai, Myeondong	37000	125.31	Hmmm........
Freshly squeezed Pomegranate juice	5000	16.93	Must try
A box of strawberries	10000	33.89	Must try
Shrimp burger set at Lotteria	5400	18.30	Must have
Bibimbap	6000	20.34	Must try

(photo from www.korea.net)

Other must-try options:                     (FREE / CHEAPER / WORTH YOUR MONEY)

Gyeongbokgung palace	1000-3000   1 palace 10000  4 palaces	3.39 -10.15 33.84	Must visit
National Museum of Korea	Free		Must visit
Gwanghamun  square & King Sejong statue	Free
Yongsan Station via ITX train to Gapyeong Station ; then take Taxi to Nami Island	4800 4000	16.28 13.55	Must visit
Nami entrance fee & round trip ferry Eco halal cafe – nasi goncang	8000 Foreigners 5000	27.06 16.92	Must try
Buckhon Hanok Village	Free		Must visit
Dongdaemun Design Plaza	???		Optional
Dongdaemun Market	Free		Optional visit for souvenirs
Nandaemun Market	Free		Must visit for souvenirs
Itaewon :  (Seoul Mosque) Eid halal cafe Makan cafe Kebab	Food price from 6000 and above	20.30 and above	Must visit Should try any of these
Cheonggyecheon stream	Free		Must visit
Lotte World (nearby)	26000	87.97	optional
Everland (far from Seoul)	52000 adult 44000 teenagers 41000 child/ elderly	175.95 148.82 138.67	optional
Myeondong (Food stalls in the evening)	2000 and above	6.77	Shopping heaven!
Namsan Tower – cable car ride	8500 round trip	28.77	Must try
Nanta Performance Theater, Myeondong	40000 and above	135.45	optional

You can cut down on your expenses by buying cheap Air Asia tickets and book strategic guest houses much earlier. You should visit all the places that are without any or small entrance fee and select several attractions that you can afford. You can always go back to visit the rest in the future....! 

The only thing missing from this list of expenses is the daily / local transportation – train/subway, bus or taxi. That would require you buying T-money card (similar to Touch n Go card) which can be used on most of the public transportation. Now this requires a different blog entry altogether....! 

Stay tune.