It has been 7 days since I got back from Korea trip. We just travelled around Seoul. I'm so excited to write about the whole trip but I don't know where to start, so as a warm up I listed down all the basic expenses. Who knows it may be helpful for your next trip to Seoul (me too! ). Will update more info from time to time.
1) Airport transport
Airport Limo Bus - KRW 10,000 one way ( RM 30 )
2) Accommodation
Vabien II Suite Residence (Serviced apartment) at Uijuro 1-ga, Jung-gu. Closer to Seodaemun subway station.
2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a kitchen.
KRW 198,000 per night ( RM 594 shared with 6 others)
RM594 x 3 nights / 6 persons = RM297 per person ( RM 99 per night)
Other options are hotel, hostel & guest house. My trip group prefer to stay in an apartment simply because they want to cook.
The best place to stay is in Myeongdong area because it's in the middle of every attractions.
3) Transportation ( to get around )
Seoul Metro subway
- a) Normal ticket price : KRW 1000 ( RM 3)
- b) Via T-Money card ( Touch N Go card) : KRW 900
- Card : KRW 2,500
- Top up ( recharge ) : KRW 10,000 should be enough for a week ( RM 30). Min recharge KRW 1000.
4) Cable car to N Seoul Tower
KRW 8000 ( RM 24 ) return
5) Palace entrance fee ( subject to which palace )
Deoksugung Palace
Adult : KRW 1000 ( RM 3 )
Children ( 7-18 years old) : KRW 500 ( RM 1.50)
6) Souvenirs
Keychains/nail clippers : KRW 10,000 ( RM 30 ) for 10 pcs
Fridge magnets : KRW 9000-10,000 for 6-10pcs.
Small purses : KRW 10,000 for 4 pcs
Korean stainless steel spoons & chopsticks set : KRW 10,000
T-shirts : from KRW 5000 ( don't buy at the airport, KRW 30,000++ !!)
7) Shoppings
Namdaemun Market : Jewel Plaza
Brooches : small KRW 1000, medium KRW 2000-2,500, big from KRW 3000
Bracelets : small KRW 4000 ( RM 12 ), medium KRW 6000-7000 ( RM 18-21)
Butang baju melayu : KRW 7000 ( RM 21 )
Dongdaemun & Kwangjang (Gwangjang) Market :
Fabrics : cotton KRW 5000 per yard/meter, korean silk KRW 15,000-KRW18,000 per yard/meter.
Bejeweled ceramic fruit forks (5-10pcs per set) : KRW 15,000 - KRW 18,000 ( RM45++)
Myeongdong area
Blouses : from KRW 5000 (Cody Factory has lots of lovely & affordable blouses but bare in mind many in small sizes cuz Koreans are relatively slim)
Bags : from KRW 10,000
SPAO (Korea version of Uniqlo) : sweater from KRW 19,900
Skincare/cosmetic : Skinfoods, Tony Moly, Nature Republic, Etude House, Holika Holika, The Face Shop.
*Currency change
KRW 1000 = RM 3 or less ( I got it for RM2.90 from Skypark Subang, my friend got RM2.80 somewhere in Kelana Jaya & Jusco Bukit Tinggi Klang is the highest RM3.30!!)
