Welcome to your ultimate Seoul guide—where mouthwatering street food, hidden gems, and vibrant neighbourhoods come to life! 🎉 Whether you’re craving sizzling soondae (순대), hunting down the best gamja-bbang (감자빵), or gearing up for some epic cafe hopping, this guide has got you covered. From bustling markets to serene temples, it’s all here, served with a side of K-pop vibes and a sprinkle of history. Ready to explore Seoul like a local? Let’s dive into this adventure-packed city together!

-I’m still working on this guide so please be patient! I’m heading back Nov 8-19 2024 so I’ll be adding more to this afterwards. 😆

INCHEON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT to SEOUL:

From Incheon International Airport, there are various options to get to Seoul:

1. Bus: The airport limousine buses operate from the airport to various parts of Seoul. The journey takes approximately 1-2 hours depending on the destination and traffic. The cost ranges from 9,000 to 15,000 KRW (approximately 7.5 to 12.5 USD or 10 to 17 AUD) depending on the destination. I prefer to take the bus, as it’s quick easy and affordable. As soon as you walk out of the airport, you turn left and the ticket machines are just there. Just choose the station you want to go to and buy the ticket. Keep the ticket with you, as the driver asks for it when you hop off the bus too, so get your luggage.
2. Airport Railroad Express (AREX): The AREX train operates from Incheon International Airport to Seoul Station. The express train takes approximately 43 minutes and costs 9,000 KRW (approximately 7.5 USD or 10 AUD). The all-stop train takes approximately 60 minutes and costs 4,150 KRW (approximately 3.5 USD or 4.7 AUD).
3. Taxi: Regular taxis and international taxis (with English-speaking drivers) are available. The fare to central Seoul is approximately 65,000 to 100,000 KRW (approximately 54 to 83 USD or 74 to 114 AUD) and takes about 1 hour.

Please note that these prices are approximate and may vary.

SIM Cards & T-Money:

For staying connected and getting around, buying a SIM card and a T-Money card are essential upon arrival.

SIM Cards: You can purchase a prepaid SIM card at the Incheon International Airport. There are several telecommunications booths available at the arrivals hall selling SIM cards with different data plans. Choose a plan that suits your needs. Remember to bring your passport as it will be needed for the registration process.

T-Money Card: The T-Money card is a rechargeable smart card used for paying public transportation fares in Seoul. It can be used on subways, buses, and taxis. The card can be purchased at any convenience stores, subway stations, or T-Money vending machines at the airport. The card itself costs 2,500 KRW (approximately 2 USD or 2.7 AUD), and you can recharge it with any amount you prefer. Using the T-Money card is more convenient and slightly cheaper than paying fares in cash.

HOT TIP:

Booking your SIM and T-Money card through this link, makes it convenient and you just pick it up at the airport! If you have been to Seoul before and kept the T-Money card from last time, you can reuse this. Just purchase a SIM card only.

https://www.klook.com/en-US/activity/72100-south-korea-4g-unlimited-data-sim-lguplus/?spm=Tetris_Promo.Activity_LIST&clickId=5b74699c49

Accommodation:

The best areas to stay in Seoul for travellers include Gangnam, Myeongdong for those who love shopping, Hongdae for the vibrant nightlife and indie art scene (young crowd), Itaewon for a multicultural vibe with diverse cuisines (more ex-pats here), and Insadong for traditional Korean culture and easy access to historic sites. Gangnam is my ideal choice with the food and bar scene there, upmarket stores and modern attractions.

🏨 Where I stayed in Gangnam (I shared a room with a friend):

Hotel Anteroom Seoul: https://www.anteroom-seoul.com/

They have a cafe and bar called Teller’s 9.5 and it has an AMAZING open view of Seoul on the terrace, overlooking the Han River and Namsan Tower.