https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 24 May 2026 04:43:57 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/korea-initial-trip-planning#post-1657965 Mon, 26 May 2014 01:06:15 +0000 gracecat 1657965@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Black taxis are luxury taxis that charge a higher rate but they aren't all bad, and I actually take them in Seoul when i am witj my baby because to become a driver of a luxury (mobum) taxi you have to have a really good safety record and frankly taxi drivers in Seoul can be.very unsafe. But I agree that they shouldn't be approaching you inside the airport terminal. There's a line for those taxis outside.</p> <p>There are also international taxis whose drivers are supposed to speak a foreign language so you can request one that speaks English. There's a stand in the arrivals terminal for them and charge a fixed rate. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/korea-initial-trip-planning#post-1657595 Sun, 25 May 2014 19:23:56 +0000 spaniellove 1657595@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SugarplumsMom: The malls! We stay at a hotel adjacent to COEX...that mall is crazy! </p> <p>And there's a lot of artsy stuff in the college area...I regret not spending more time there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/korea-initial-trip-planning#post-1657525 Sun, 25 May 2014 18:11:13 +0000 farawayyama 1657525@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The DMZ tour is a must. We went on the USO tour and it was excellent. From what I remember, because part fo the tour was run by US military, we could go to places other tours couldn't. And they are open to anyone, so long as you pre-book. I'm not even a US citizen, let alone military :)</p> <p>I agree with suggestions of heading to Busan. In Seoul there are 5 large palaces, that typically have free English tours once or twice a day (I can't remember if the palaces have an entry fee or not). We went to one, and would have gone to more with more time.</p> <p>We also loved Hwaseong fortress. It is just outside Seoul and easily accessable by subway or train (maybe both?). We went in the morning and it was practically empty. There was also an excellent martial arts display. I don't know if that was typical or a special event though.</p> <p>Have an awesome trip! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/korea-initial-trip-planning#post-1638778 Fri, 16 May 2014 06:09:06 +0000 SugarplumsMom 1638778@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>BTW, I'm jealous, too! I'd go with an empty suitcase. They have ridiculously cute items there that's reasonably priced. Food is good and it's safe. The malls can go on for days.</p> <p>You'll enjoy your stay. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/korea-initial-trip-planning#post-1638775 Fri, 16 May 2014 06:01:37 +0000 SugarplumsMom 1638775@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you take the train, keep in mind that it's typical to bring food and eat during the ride. They also have these cool backward/forward switching seats, during a stop, people switch to forward facing.</p> <p>The buses there are also kind of pimped out. They're like tour buses with curtains and really comfy seats. Stopping at a little pit-stop for snacks and a bathroom break is typical and most stops have awesome street food and freshly made pastries.</p> <p>One last tip: Do NOT take the black van taxi coming from the airport. If the driver speaks English and assures you he'll help and get you where you want (and approaches you from inside the terminal), skip him! Those people charge a ridiculous amount of money!!! Go in line with all the locals for a normal taxi (outside on the curb). Don't hesitate to ask at the airport info desk for help.</p> <p>Print all hotel info in both English and Korean. You'll save time if you show the taxi drivers the name and address in Korean (cut and paste from their website). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/korea-initial-trip-planning#post-1638712 Fri, 16 May 2014 01:12:14 +0000 gracecat 1638712@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I lived there, and I would not stay in Seoul for a full 8 days! Check out Jeju or Busan. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/korea-initial-trip-planning#post-1634950 Wed, 14 May 2014 23:15:34 +0000 Mrs.Panda 1634950@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@woodentulip: oh there are so many street vendord that you won't know what to do! You don't ever have to venture into a fancy place, there are even some places that have makeshift restaurants with walls made of tarps but their food is delicious! Can I also add that I'm super jealous? Lol </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/korea-initial-trip-planning#post-1634930 Wed, 14 May 2014 22:40:33 +0000 Mrs. Bee 1634930@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>8 days is def enough for excursions outside seoul! my family is in busan by the beach and you can take a super fast train there. i was always busy visiting family or just partying with friends so i mainly stayed in seoul or busan. sorry i'm not more help. </p> <p>the street food is soooo cheap and delicious so no worries about fancy eating! oh and alcohol is super cheap! and cigarettes if you smoke! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/korea-initial-trip-planning#post-1634927 Wed, 14 May 2014 22:36:37 +0000 sunny 1634927@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So exciting!!!! Before kids I totally would book random trips if the airfare were cheap. </p> <p>My brother said he enjoyed Jeju island but I think it might be a bit far from Seoul. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/korea-initial-trip-planning#post-1634920 Wed, 14 May 2014 22:32:07 +0000 woodentulip 1634920@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wow, just reading your suggestions makes me realize how little I know about the city and country!</p> <p>So with only 8 days, is leaving Seoul a stupid idea? Is there enough to do in the city to keep us busy for that long? Keep in mind that it is likely the only time we will ever get to Korea!</p> <p>I have worked in museums and galleries my whole career, and I love that kind of stuff. I &lt;3 shopping so I want to do some, but my hubs does not, so it can't be a huge focus. We love food, but not always super fancy--we love feeling like we have found hole-in-the-wall kind of places. We love hiking and being outdoors! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/korea-initial-trip-planning#post-1634841 Wed, 14 May 2014 21:15:41 +0000 Mrs. Bee 1634841@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So you'll be flying into Seoul? I liked visiting the DMZ. It is pretty sobering to see all the military and history behind it. Gosh I haven't been in over a decade, but Korea is so so fun!!! The food! Everything is open late. The city never sleeps. And you can get around with subway and cabs easily.</p> <p>The last time I went I loved shopping in Myungdong, Apgu is like the Soho of Korea with high end shopping/clubs/bars...</p> <p>What do you want to see/do? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/korea-initial-trip-planning#post-1634838 Wed, 14 May 2014 21:14:13 +0000 Honeydew 1634838@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm assuming you are staying in Seoul. Go to myongdong for shopping (it's similar to Times Square). Another interesting shopping place is dong daemun ( I swear it's open from 8 am - 5am the next day)</p> <p>Gyeongbokgung palace is a beautiful tourist attraction. It has guards and palaces styled in the olden days.<br /> Lotte world is Disney for the Koreans.</p> <p>I'm a little jelly, because the food there is awesome! You can't go wrong with the BBQ places, there is a place in myongdong that has rotisserie chix in front, they are for a specific chix soup that is the bomb! Lotte shopping center also has fantastic food courts.</p> <p>Have a fantastic time! I loved visiting Korea and hope to go back sometime soon. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/korea-initial-trip-planning#post-1634803 Wed, 14 May 2014 20:57:58 +0000 woodentulip 1634803@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So this morning I woke up and check Facebook (which is embarrassing enough to admit), and I saw that this guy who posts amazing CDN travel deals had found a good one...a bunch of flights to various Asian destinations were cheap. CHEAP. cheap.</p> <p>So cheap that I asked my husband if we should randomly book a trip to Korea in October. So, for less than $1000 we both got return tickets for a short 8 day trip. I know it is a long way to go for such a short time, but we don't want to leave the kids for too long!</p> <p>Anyhow, we had this all settled (and my mom booked for child care) before breakfast! BAM!</p> <p>But we don't know a lot about Korea, and I have never travelled anywhere in Asia. Before we start planning I thought I would throw the question out here--what should do? See? Experience? Avoid? Any information or tips would be welcome and appreciated! </p>