How to Find Cheap Hotels in Seoul Korea
Seoul, South Korea, is one of the ten most expensive cities in the world. It is not cheap to get there and cheap accommodations are difficult (but not impossible) to find. Once in Seoul, however, the modern wonders and historical treasures make the effort worthwhile.
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Instructions
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Get to Seoul, Korea
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Fly into Seoul's Incheon Airport from major cities in the U.S. (cost is $2,500 and up) or Europe (cost is $2,100 and up).
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Get from the airport to your accommodations via taxi. Taxis in Seoul are fast but not necessarily cheap; however, since Seoul traffic is almost always terrible, it's best to let someone else do the driving.
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Use the vast, quick and cheap subway system once in Seoul.
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Hop a ferry for a different mode of transport. Ferries also run between select locations in Korea, Japan and China.
Find a Place to Stay in Seoul, Korea
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Look for rooms in private homes, known as a 'minbak.' A minbak is much like a bed and breakfast but more intimate--comparable to spending the night at a friend's home. These accommodations are highly prized and can be found for $30 to $50 per person per night.
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Look for hostels in the international quarter (Itaewon), some of which have rates as low as $15 for a bed in a shared room. Most bathroom facilites are shared.
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Adjust your image of a hostel. In Korea, some hostels charge rates similar to those charged by budget hotels in other countries. However, these Korean hostels will offer significantly more amenities than most American or European hostels. Cheap accommodations in these hostels will range between $45 and $90 per night. Look in the neighborhood known as Anguk.
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Stay in budget hotels on the outskirts of the city. Standard rooms will be $100 and above. To get back into Seoul proper, just hop on the subway.
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Try out a pension. Pensions are cabin accommodations that may have kitchens or kitchenettes, and are usually set in recreational areas. They rent for $70 and above.
Explore Seoul, Korea
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Visit Namdaemun (South Gate), Seoul's original entrance, first completed in 1398.
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Shop for a bargain in cramped and colorful Insadong, where you can barter for artwork, native handcrafts, books, kitchen utensils, fabrics and more.
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Do battle on the Spanish Pirate Ship or thrill to the Flume Ride at Lotte World, a theme park in the heart of Seoul.
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Venture to Korea's oldest extant palace, Sugang-gung, built in 1419.
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Slip into COEX Aquarium, home to 40,000 fish swimming in 90 tanks.
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To book accommodations in Seoul, Korea, call Visit Seoul at 82-2-2171-2460 or visit the link below.
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Tips & Warnings
Most taxi drivers don't speak English, so look for signs advertising 'free translation.' This means that someone at the taxi driver's dispatch station does speak English and can translate over the phone.
A visa is not required for tourist travel of less than 30 days.
Hepatitis A and B vaccinations are advisable.
Drink bottled water.
There is not currently a travel advisory, but it's still a good idea to register with the embassy upon arrival.
