Hellobee Boards

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.

The last time I went I loved shopping in Myungdong, Apgu is like the Soho of Korea with high end shopping/clubs/bars...

What do you want to see/do?

So exciting!!!! Before kids I totally would book random trips if the airfare were cheap.

My brother said he enjoyed Jeju island but I think it might be a bit far from Seoul.

@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

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.

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.

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.

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).

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

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.

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.

Have an awesome trip!

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.

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.