A Day In Seoul

[flyned]

I'm looking at a ticket that has me in Seoul for over 12 hours from 5:30 am until that evening. I'm always up for seeing a new city but have no idea of the logistics involved other than I do not need a visa. How many hours should I expect to be in transit to and from the airport to get into the city for the day? Good idea or not practical?

TIA

Ed in Oregon

[PattayaParent]

It only takes 1 hour to get into the centre of Seoul from Incheon Airpport.

There's an airport bus outside the door, look for the one to Seoul Station. 14,000 Won one way, 24,000 (I think) return.

Once at Seoul station you can use the tube to get anywhere around Seoul.

Suggest you make a search of things to see in Seoul and check out the online tube system maps to plan how to get there.

http://www.smrt.co.kr/Eng/Subway/Howto/Subway_method.jsp

[PhilHarries]

If you are coming in the next few months bring something very thick, very covering and very warm to wear as it is freezing and, apparently, gonna get colder.

If the weather is fine (i.e. sunny and cold) any of the old palaces are worth a look. They are all totally rebuilt, so not actually that old, but still worth a look around. But to be honest, despite them marketting of Seoul as a tourist destination, the place is not very tourist friendly. The subway is very good once you've mastered it but get yourself a T Money card. This pays for all trips on the subway and avoids the hassle of buying tickets. You can actually get into Seoul from Incheon airport by subway but I've never done it so don't know how easy it would be.

With only 12 hours I would suggest get into town, do a palace or two then get yourself to Itaewon and the 3 Alley pub for some reasonable priced beer and good grub. Come up out of Itaewon subway at exit 1 carry on down the road and take first right. Up there, past Saigon grill, to the Moghul Indian restaurant turn left and the pub is 100 yards down the way.

But if you want to experience the whole Korean thing there are more restaurants than people in Seoul, or so it seems and in the centre most have photo menus. However they are often not that obvious as a hel_l of a lot of Seoul is underground beneath the office blocks.

[PattayaParent]

Is the tube connection to Incheon completed now? I didn't notice it last time I was there in October.

The 3 Alleys is indeed a good pub for some beers but my favourite for food is Pacho Villas Mexican restaurant, also at Itaewon.

There's a lot of Seoul up above street level (like Pancho Villas) as well as below ground so keep your eyes open.

[asanee]

1.there are at least 5 different airportbusroutes-so you can go out in 1 and come back in another. There is-as could be expected- a very helpful and english speaking info-office, both for the buses and for foreign tourists, at that airport-though it may not open before 7.00.

2.there is NO subway all the way-its near 60 kms-but there is a kind of trainlink-but currently it only goes to the far-western metro-stop. It has both express (VERY expensive) and stopping trains (affordable)-so if youre a rail-fanatic, you could also try that-at least 1 way. Does not save time compared to a direct airportbus and the total price cost more.

3.if youre in BKk now; drop in by the Korean tourist association in the same building as Central/Tower, near Saladaeng skytrain/Silom for advance info, maps etc.

[Tyree D.]

seoul>bangkok

I'm thinking of starting a thread in Gen Forum about it. Go to Itaewon, either taxi or subway. That's as on topic as I can stay. I am so not missing Thailand.

bye

edit: the weather is around 0 Celcius. Doesn't bother me but others are different.

[PhilHarries]

Is the tube connection to Incheon completed now? I didn't notice it last time I was there in October.

The 3 Alleys is indeed a good pub for some beers but my favourite for food is Pacho Villas Mexican restaurant, also at Itaewon.

There's a lot of Seoul up above street level (like Pancho Villas) as well as below ground so keep your eyes open.

It is connected to the subway but asanee knows more of the details than I do, sounds like the bus is best option.

I quite fancy Pancho Villas as I like TexMex food but am put off by the cheesy three amigos music. I don't mind a bit of that stuff but I'd be at my limit by the end of the meal. Itaewon is probably the most cosmopolitan part of Seoul which the OP likely wants to avoid.

If palaces aren't your first choice you might want to have a look around Namdaemun market area (one stop from Seoul station on line 4). But with only a few hours in town shopping in Seoul, even the window kind, is not great.

[flyned]

WOW! Lots of good ideas. It will be on homeward trip in late April so Wx should be warm and nice by then, maybe. I grew up on and around trains so will do that one for sure. This has been very helpful to my trip planning.

Thanks much,

Ed in very wet Oregon

glub glub...

[flyned]

Turns out I just find out today that Asiana provides a free city tour due to the long layover. I only found out becasue I called them to ask about baggage. Nice service but not well promoted.

[babe]

Turns out I just find out today that Asiana provides a free city tour due to the long layover. I only found out becasue I called them to ask about baggage. Nice service but not well promoted.

I also have a very long layover at incheon on my way to bangkok with Asiana. How do you apply for this free city tour?