By Honorary Reporter Jovana Svedic from Serbia
Photos = Jovana Svedic

I left on my first visit to Korea on Sept. 2, and though I planned everything for the lengthy flight from Serbia to Korea months in advance, my trip proved smoother and less expensive than I thought. The following are four things I learned about traveling to Korea based on my visit.

Incheon International Airport Station

Get a T-money or Korea Guide Card as soon as possible
Sadly, I learned this lesson the hard way as I got the Korea Guide Card on the eighth day of my trip. Getting either card will save you a significant amount of money since buying one-way tickets can get pricey if riding the bus or train several times a day. Both cards are available at the airport, and if you have just cash on you, buy a card from a vending machine at Incheon International Airport Station. Top up the card at any subway station or many convenience stores and get discounts when shopping at stores or buying tickets for museums and galleries.

Have a Plan B
Be aware of the potential for a delayed flight when booking a ticket and budget additional money in case of a flight cancellation or emergency. Foreign exchange rates at an airport are usually worse than at regular money exchange businesses. 

Pack essentials like cosmetics, important documents and battery chargers in carry-on instead of checked baggage to ensure a change of clothes or bare necessities if your luggage is lost. Keep in touch with staff at the accommodations you book to avoid losing your reservation, paying cancellation costs and facing additional problems.

If planning to go hiking or camping, make sure to look at weather forecasts, especially in summer, to avoid getting surprised by heavy rain. In that case, rent a room in the nearest city and research all the hidden treasures of nature in Korea until the weather improves.

Bring a valid debit or credit card
One of the things that went wrong prior to my trip to Korea was that my debit card expired. I could only carry cash, which was a major hassle for several reasons. Finding a money exchanger outside of a city is often more difficult and banks have limited hours and are closed on weekends and holidays. 

With a debit or credit card, you can easily withdraw cash from any ATM since many are located near convenience stores. When reserving tickets for tours, visiting places or shopping, having a card has benefits and prevents long waits. In conclusion, always carry your card but also keep at least KRW 10,000 in cash to buy snacks and coffee along the way. A bonus tip is to keep track of your budget and save shopping for later to avoid spending the majority of your dough within the first three days since Korea has so many beautiful stores, underground malls and markets.

Don't speak Korean? Don't worry.
Was I able to communicate in English? This was the most frequently asked question when I returned to Serbia. The response is a hearty "Yes." Surprisingly, I only used a translation app when trying to communicate in English with my peers and younger people, but had no problem with English when speaking to older people. I had the best time in conversing about everything and anything with my older hotel friends from all over Korea (since it was a holiday season), and people I met at parks and subway stations while waiting for the train despite significant age differences.

Speaking Korean is a tremendous benefit but don't worry if you can understand the language but lack the confidence to speak it. Don't miss the chance to practice your Korean with native speakers and learn even more than from books. If you get stuck in the middle of a chat, use the translator app of your choice and chuckle a lot with the Korean you speak to.

Bukchon Hanok Village in Seoul

What I want to emphasize most is that if you want to travel to Korea alone, the nation is highly safe to visit. You'll have the time of your life, so don't worry about feeling lonely or worried about getting lost. Just ask for help as Koreans are thoughtful and caring, and you'll form many new friendships when you least expect it.

enny0611@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.