South Korea Highlights

A good degree of fitness is recommended for this trip as a lot of walking is involved. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended. You will need to be able to handle your luggage on metro and in busy transport hubs, so we advise packing light.

This trip doesn't spend much time in Seoul so we recommend extending your trip to enjoy this city to its fullest. Please speak to your booking agent about adding additional nights of accommodation to your booking.

1. This trip starts in Seoul on Day 1 at 4pm. This allows time after the welcome meeting for your first included activities.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 5 where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

What you need to bring will vary according to the trip style you have chosen, the countries you are visiting and when you are travelling. Generally speaking, we recommend you pack as lightly as possible and make sure that you are able to carry and lift your own luggage and walk with it for short distances or up or down a flight of stairs. Our travellers usually find the smaller their luggage is, the more they enjoy the trip not having to worry about carrying heavy bags! Aim to keep your main luggage under 15kg.

Many travellers carry their luggage in a compact smaller suitcase or backpack with wheels. We recommend your bag has carry straps or handles so it is easy to lift and carry for the times you are unable to wheel it (ie. on rough surfaces or up steps).

If you are taking overnight trains, or primarily using public transport then the smaller your luggage the easier it will be to store under or above bunks. Large suitcases may not be able to be taken on board. A lockable bag or small padlock for your bag will be useful especially when travelling on public transportation as well.

You'll also need a day pack/bag to carry water, camera, swimming suit, waterproof pouch/bag for phone, hiking shoes and jacket etc. when you’re exploring during the day.

Below we have listed the essentials for this trip:, https://www.intrepidtravel.com/packing-list

We strongly advise you to pack light as you may need to carry your own luggage through public bus and train stations, or up and down a few flight of stairs. The hiking at Seoraksan National Park will take about 3 hours but you may skip it and visit other sites if you are not up for it (at your own expense).

Travelodge Myeongdong City Hall Hotel, 22 Sejong-daero 16-gil, Bukchang-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, KOREA, REPUBLIC OF, Phone: +822 63626000

Travelodge Myeongdong City Hall Hotel is conveniently located across from exit 8 of City Hall Subway Station. Shops and restaurants are within walking distance. The hotel features a fitness centre, self-service laundromat and laundry service, co-living pantry space, communal space, 24hr reception. All rooms are come with a private bathroom, wifi, and flat-screen TV with cable channels.

Please don’t confuse this property with the Euljiro (Myeongdong) or Dongdaemun branches.

Alternate Joining Point

Intrepid can assist with pre-booking an arrival transfer from the airport - enquire with your agent. Please advise your flight arrival details at least 14 days prior to your departure.
For your confirmed arrival transfer, you’ll be met by a transfer representative holding an Intrepid sign after you’ve collected your luggage and exited the immigration and customs area. If you cannot locate the transfer representative, please call the number listed in the ‘Problems & emergency contact information’ section of this document.
Alternatively, Seoul is very well-connected by public transport. Take Airport Limousine bus #6701 from the airport to the City Hall (Plaza Hotel) stop. Cost is approx. USD15. Arrive at Plaza Hotel and walk about 5 minutes to our hotel. From the bus stop cross and go down Namdaemun 1 Road, cross the road and go down Sejong Daero 18 Street.
Or take the train from the airport to Seoul Station. Change to subway line 1, travel one stop and arrive at City Hall. The hotel is a 5min walk away.
If you’d prefer to take the subway from the airport, buy a reloadable T-Money card (USD3) and load it with WON7000. Take the AREX airport subway to Hongik University Station (approx. 45 minutes). Once you arrive, transfer to line 2 (green line) towards City Hall. Exit City Hall station at exit 8. Cross the street and go down Sejong Daero 18 Street and take the second right, down Sejong Daero 18. From the subway station to the hotel should only take about 5 minutes.
If you would like to consider other modes of transport between Incheon Airport and the hotel, visit https://www.airport.kr/ap_cnt/en/tpt/pblctpt/pblctpt.do

Travelodge Myeongdong City Hall Hotel, 22 Sejong-daero 16-gil, Bukchang-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, KOREA, REPUBLIC OF, Phone: +822 63626000

Travelodge Myeongdong City Hall Hotel is conveniently located across from exit 8 of City Hall Subway Station. Shops and restaurants are within walking distance. The hotel features a fitness centre, self-service laundromat and laundry service, co-living pantry space, communal space, 24hr reception. All rooms are come with a private bathroom, wifi, and flat-screen TV with cable channels.

Please don’t confuse this property with the Euljiro (Myeongdong) or Dongdaemun branches.

Alternate Finish Point

Intrepid can assist with pre-booking a departure transfer to the airport - enquire with your agent. Please advise your flight arrival details at least 14 days prior to the start of your trip.
If you have a confirmed departure transfer your leader will advise your pick up time the day before your trip ends.
Alternatively, your leader or hotel staff can assist with guidance on reaching the airport by public transport.

Breakfasts included: 1

Lunches included: 

Dinners included: 4

DIETARY NEEDS:
Wherever possible we will cater for dietary needs for included meals, but there may be times when those with special requirements may wish to supplement inclusions with their own supplies from markets or supermarkets. Please note that some dietary requirements, such as Gluten Free, will be uncommon in South Korea and you may need to explain to your leader what you can and can't eat as well as research common dishes before you travel.

ALLERGIES:
For those suffering from particular food allergies, your group leader will endeavor to disclose to their fullest knowledge the main ingredients in dishes being consumed. It is, however, your personal responsibility to ensure that you do not ingest any foods to which you are allergic and research suitable local foods before travelling.

VEGETARIANS & VEGANS:
Vegetarians in South Korea certainly won't go hungry as there are always plenty of meat free options on menus including vegetable, tofu and egg dishes. Your leader can advise on some local favourites. Dairy is uncommon in local cooking. Vegans should also have few problems finding tasty meals in most locations. Nearly all cities will have vegetarian restaurants, often near to temples or monasteries that specialise in Buddhist cuisine.

While we always endeavour to provide the best possible holiday experience, due to the nature of travel and the areas we visit sometimes things can and do go wrong. Should any issue occur while you are on your trip, it is imperative that you discuss this with your group leader or local representative straight away so that they can do their best to rectify the problem and save any potential negative impact on the rest of your trip.

We recognise that there may be times when your group leader or local representative may not be able to resolve a situation to your satisfaction - if this is the case, please ask the group leader or local representative to speak to their direct manager.

You may also choose to provide details in your online feedback, which we ask you to complete within 30 days of the end of your trip. Please do be aware that it is very difficult for us to provide any practical help after the trip is completed, so informing us while still travelling will give us the opportunity to resolve the issue in real-time.

For general contact details please use the following page: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/contact-us

In case of a genuine crisis or emergency, you can reach our local office on the numbers below:

Available for phone call or WhatsApp call on +821 067067769

Hotel rooms:
Many South Korean hotels have a limited supply of double rooms. If you are a couple travelling, please advise at the time of booking if you would like double bedding (subject to availability). Double bed in South Korea also tends to be smaller than normal western standard, closer to a queen size bed. It may be possible to book twin share rooms where you may push the beds together into one bigger bed, but this can't be guaranteed.

Air-conditioning & Heating:
Air-conditioning is not usually turned on until the warmer season. The traditional housing has floor heating.

Hanok Stay:
Your mattress will be on the floor. If you find that the surface is too hard, you can stack the bedding or ask for an extra mattress.

If you are spending additional time before or after your tour, you will find that the transport in South Korea is reasonably priced, quick and efficient. Public buses don't always have the signage in English so is is recommended that you write your destination in hangeul (Korean phonetic alphabet) letters on a piece of paper. Bus drivers don't speak English. Local tourist centres usually have English-speaking staff and are the best places to find out about local buses.