Busan - recommended?

[shadow84]

it depends on your intention.
If your intention is to sightsee, then Busan is recommended. If it's shopping, then i recommend Seoul.

Places to visit in Busan.
1. Taejungdae
2. Gamcheon Cultural Viillage
3. Jagalchi Fish Market
4. Yongdusan
5. Busan tower
6. Kkangtong market
7. Orkyudo
8. Beomeosa
9. Seomyeon
10. Haeundae, Kwanganli
11. Dongbaeksoem
12. Haedong Yonggungsa
13. Hwangsan

There's more if you want!
If you need some planning, i will gladly help too!

Do add BIFF square which is a 5 mins walk away from Jalgachi market. Its like a mini bugis street. You can even walk to Busan Tower from there ( i walked from Stanford Inn Busan to Busan Tower and then back to BIFF square for dinner. There is a long stretch of shops that sell food, clothes, cosmetics, etc.

 

[delson_tan]

I will be going to Korea in November, spending 4D3N in Busan and the rest in Seoul. Is it more economical to rent a car to self drive, hire a private vehicle or public transport for 7 pax? Heard it's cheaper but not recommended for Seoul because it's congested.

 

[beanstalk6]

Well. according to Lonely Planet, Busan is the top destination in Asia for 2018.

 

[cryptlord31]

I will be going to Korea in November, spending 4D3N in Busan and the rest in Seoul. Is it more economical to rent a car to self drive, hire a private vehicle or public transport for 7 pax? Heard it's cheaper but not recommended for Seoul because it's congested.

Driving not recommended in Seoul and Busan.
Too congested.
Their public transportation is on par with that of Seoul's.

 

[delson_tan]

Driving not recommended in Seoul and Busan.
Too congested.
Their public transportation is on par with that of Seoul's.

Thanks for the advise. I thought Busan would be less congested compared to Seoul.

 

[shadow84]

Thanks for the advise. I thought Busan would be less congested compared to Seoul.

Majority of attractions are near or walking distance to mrt stations. Only a handful may need to take bus or cab to get there. As such, no need for car rental unless you are in Jeju.

 

[princessreiko]

Well. according to Lonely Planet, Busan is the top destination in Asia for 2018.

Would very much like to visit Busan.
But to travel from Seoul to Busan and back by Korail will cost about $100.
I know that there are some passes available but it costs about $100 as well, so I think it is too costly.

 

[shadow84]

Would very much like to visit Busan.
But to travel from Seoul to Busan and back by Korail will cost about $100.
I know that there are some passes available but it costs about $100 as well, so I think it is too costly.

Can consider domestic flight lor, about $50-60.

 

[slowchemical]

Hi can I check if I wanna travel from busan to Seoul station, have to book KTX only 1 month in advance?

 

[shadow84]

Hi can I check if I wanna travel from busan to Seoul station, have to book KTX only 1 month in advance?

That is correct. And they base on day rather than month. U wan go on 17 dec, u can only book on 17 nov instead of 01 nov.

 

[slowchemical]

That is correct. And they base on day rather than month. U wan go on 17 dec, u can only book on 17 nov instead of 01 nov.

Thanks for reply

 

[cryptlord31]

Would very much like to visit Busan.
But to travel from Seoul to Busan and back by Korail will cost about $100.
I know that there are some passes available but it costs about $100 as well, so I think it is too costly.

I always take bus from Seoul to Busan. To and fro around 40sgd.
if you can afford the time, I'd recommend bus

 

[tpokman]

KTX is the fastest, around 2 to 3 hours. No need to book 1 month in advance la, just book online can liao. If you want to take things slow, there are slower/older trains and buses to busan too

 

[jnashville]

I am going to Korea from Oct 17 to Oct 30. Going to Seoul on 17 to 23oct and thinking of going to busan from 23 to 27oct then go back to Seoul and depart back to sg on 30th Oct.

What is the best mode of transportation for me to head to busan from Seoul? By KTX train or is there domestic flights? Which is cheaper?

 

[shadow84]

I am going to Korea from Oct 17 to Oct 30. Going to Seoul on 17 to 23oct and thinking of going to busan from 23 to 27oct then go back to Seoul and depart back to sg on 30th Oct.

What is the best mode of transportation for me to head to busan from Seoul? By KTX train or is there domestic flights? Which is cheaper?

KTX from busan to seoul and vice versa costs 59k won for adult, 1 way. Domestic flight from gimpo to gimhae can cost around 49k won onwards, depending on when you purchase. Also, take note that for flights, you need to be present at least 1hr to check in, flight duration is 1 hr. KTX will take about 2.5 hrs travel time.

Since you can only book KTX 1 month before actual usage date (23 Oct -> 23 Sept), what you can do now is to check for domestic flight prices and see if there is any good deals.

Lastly, if you are gonna do some last min shopping, best to do in seoul than in busan.

 

[jnashville]

KTX from busan to seoul and vice versa costs 59k won for adult, 1 way. Domestic flight from gimpo to gimhae can cost around 49k won onwards, depending on when you purchase. Also, take note that for flights, you need to be present at least 1hr to check in, flight duration is 1 hr. KTX will take about 2.5 hrs travel time.

Since you can only book KTX 1 month before actual usage date (23 Oct -> 23 Sept), what you can do now is to check for domestic flight prices and see if there is any good deals.

Lastly, if you are gonna do some last min shopping, best to do in seoul than in busan.

Thanks for the tips. I also noticed there seem to have those train passes that can Use for 2 to 5 days etc. Are those better value? Means I can ride on the trains within busan with that pass?

 

[shadow84]

Thanks for the tips. I also noticed there seem to have those train passes that can Use for 2 to 5 days etc. Are those better value? Means I can ride on the trains within busan with that pass?

Busan internal train system uses the same card as seoul. I think that 2-5 days pass is to allow u to travel between busan and seoul as many times as you want within that period via KTX only. U can compare if it will be cheaper as to buying 2x one way tix.

Korail one way tix: http://www.letskorail.com/ebizbf/Eb...tnCd1=0020&txtRunDt1=20180731&txtTrnNo1=00125

Korail Pass: http://www.letskorail.com/ebizbf/EbizBfKrPassAbout.do

Looking at the links above, you shld fall under the 2 days select pass. My understanding is that within the 10 days period from when you first start, you can use it for either 2 or 4 days. Since your seoul to busan and busan to seoul are within 10 days period, this pass shld be for suitable for you.

But comparing with 2x one way tix at 59k each, total is 118k as compared to 121k.

 

[jnashville]

Busan internal train system uses the same card as seoul. I think that 2-5 days pass is to allow u to travel between busan and seoul as many times as you want within that period via KTX only. U can compare if it will be cheaper as to buying 2x one way tix.

Korail one way tix: http://www.letskorail.com/ebizbf/Eb...tnCd1=0020&txtRunDt1=20180731&txtTrnNo1=00125

Korail Pass: http://www.letskorail.com/ebizbf/EbizBfKrPassAbout.do

Looking at the links above, you shld fall under the 2 days select pass. My understanding is that within the 10 days period from when you first start, you can use it for either 2 or 4 days. Since your seoul to busan and busan to seoul are within 10 days period, this pass shld be for suitable for you.

But comparing with 2x one way tix at 59k each, total is 118k as compared to 121k.

oh so basically i should just get the 2x one way ticket since cheaper and i am only going from seoul > busan > seoul,

 

[shadow84]

oh so basically i should just get the 2x one way ticket since cheaper and i am only going from seoul > busan > seoul,

In a way, yes. And do get the economy seat instead of non-reserved seat, no need to save that 9k won though. Coz KTX will go thru a few stations and i have seen some ppl keep shifting to new seats at every station. (quite mafan or stupid, lol)

Also, i would recommend for u to start Busan first then end with Seoul. Coz KTX takes 2.5 hrs to seoul station and you have to change train to Incheon airport which takes about 45 mins. With this, you may need to leave much earlier to catch both trains and leave a small buffer in between. You can actually check the schedule for trains going to incheon first for planning.

 

[jnashville]

In a way, yes. And do get the economy seat instead of non-reserved seat, no need to save that 9k won though. Coz KTX will go thru a few stations and i have seen some ppl keep shifting to new seats at every station. (quite mafan or stupid, lol)

Also, i would recommend for u to start Busan first then end with Seoul. Coz KTX takes 2.5 hrs to seoul station and you have to change train to Incheon airport which takes about 45 mins. With this, you may need to leave much earlier to catch both trains and leave a small buffer in between. You can actually check the schedule for trains going to incheon first for planning.

oh i am heading to seoul incheon first and staying in seoul for the first 7 days, (return flight and hotel booked), then only heading to busan and then come back to seoul for another 2 or 3 days and depart back to sg from incheon.