T-money Card
The T-money Card can be used for local buses and subways in Seoul and the surrounding Gyeonggi-do area. By using T-money, you can get a 100-won discount off the basic cash fare. It provides you with even more of a discount when making transfers. Perhaps the biggest benefit of this particular card is that it allows you to avoid the hassle of buying tickets, and the balance on the card minus 500 won can be refunded at any time during its use. T-money is a pre-paid card and the card price is 2,500 won. Users of the T-money card can get mileage points, which can be converted into T-money.

Card price : 2,500 won.
Vendors : Nearly all convenience stores, including GS25, and subway ticket booths.
Use : To pay fares for buses and subways in the Seoul and Gyeonggi area and build mileage points based on the total of fares paid. The mileage can be used to pay fares later on. To do so, the 16-digit number printed on the back of the card needs to be registered at www.t-money.co.kr.
Recharging locations : Vendor locations Refund locations : GS25 convenience store

http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/TR/TR_EN_5_4.jsp

Discount .... Discount .... Discount !!!

Who likes to travel within Seoul with FREE local transportation (i.e. free subway, free bus, sorry, tourist bus is not consider under transportation )

Ok, blessed are those traveling within the month of Aug & Sept 2011, for KTO is willing to offer FREE transportation money!
‘Korea Pass’ Event

☞ Description: Buy a Korea Pass card at one of the 11 sales locations, and automatically receive 10,000 won that can be used for transportation fees
※ Each person may purchase up to 2 Korea Pass cards.
※ Money can be added to the Korea Pass card balance at recharge machines located in subway stations.

☞ Period: August 1-September 30, 2011

☞ Sales Locations
 - INCHEON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT: Hana Bank Currency Exchange Counter (B1-1F),
                                                            Airport Railroad Station Information Desk (B1-1F)
 - GIMPO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT: Hana Bank Currency Exchange Counter (2F),
                                                        Airport Railroad Station Information Desk (B1)
 - SEOUL STATION: Airport Railroad Station Information Desk (B3)

☞ 1300 tt call center: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
☞ Korea Pass homepage: www.koreapass.or.kr/en
☞ Additional information on Korea Pass (English)

For strange reason, this is not show in koreapass website, but on KTO website, and this is widely discussed and got people excited at other travel forums too

Well, this is a special promotion for new sales counter, so you can ONLY get your free transportation fee reloaded into your card at the Incheon airport, Gimpo airport and Seoul station only.

If you get your KR pass in other outlets, there will be NO FREE transportation KRW 10,000 (this is almost RM30, and I worked out, if you are on backpack, this will easily means you get 4~5 days FREE subway tour) 

By the way KR pass is similar to a debit card, you can use at various shops, food outlets, tourist entrance fee, lodging, and don't forget, for those who is going to SHOP at Lotte, every KRW 50,000 you get KRW 5,000 discount.    Just remember to insist on the discount booklets that comes together.

From other forum, some of the vendor is really insisting to have the coupons AND the card before giving you the discounts, some not so fussy but there are people who are .... so let's just get it, and have fun at Seoul ^^

I rented 2 phones from KT SHOW (2000w /day) and it comes with a FREE T-money chip each phone. Just top up at the convenient store and you are good to go. The Iphone is FREE rental if you answer some questionnaires upon returning the phone. Iphone doesn't come with T-Money but the plus point is it has GPS with Google map.
I recommend to rent 2 phones because you can split the group to two in shopping complexes and save a lot of time.

I list down several halal makan place for our Muslims friends which mostly in Itaewon area:

Ssalam - Turkish dish
Mister Kebab - Turkish dish
Salam Bakery - Turkish bread/pastries
Dubai - Arab dish
Wazwan - Indian dish
Marrakech Night - Moroccon dish
Petra - Arab dish
Ali Baba - Egyptian dish
Alsaba - Pakistan dish
Muslim Mart - Supermarket selling groceries

Myeongdeong area
Myeongdong Andong Jjimdak & Bulgogi
Location: Myeongdong Station Exit 6 -2nd lane opposite Binsbean Cafe

Mr Pizza
Myeongdong Station Exit 6 - 2nd lane (selling seafood and vegan pizza)

Yukaney
Myeongdong Station Exit 7 - From Myeongdong main road straight to the junction until u see Nature Republic on the left. Turn right and then straight until you reach left junction. You can see Yukaney's signboard

Kebab at Namdaemun
Hoehyeon Station Exit 6 - u can see the shop from the main road

Dongdaemun
Jeonju Sikdang or Ikan Bakar
Dongdamun Station Exit 8 - walk straight until u see Daemyong building. Turn right and then turn left to the 2nd alley

Nami Island
Cafe Yeonga Jiga (Cafe Drama). This cafe located between Nami Historium and Winter Sonata Gallery.


Mosque
Seoul Central Mosque, Hannam dong, 732-21, Yongsan gu Seoul
www.koreaislam.org

Gyeonggi Gwangju Mosque
Yeogni,48-9, Gwangjus eup,Gwangju gun, Gyeongi Do

Daegu Mosque
Jamia Masjid Uthman Islam Centre Jukjeon dong,202-6,  Dalseo gu Daegu

Busan Mosque
Namsan dong, 30-1, Geumjeong gu Busan

Jeju Mosque
Daelim Apartment, 104-201,  Yeong dong, Jeju

If you rent a local Korea phone, the rates are:

-Rental Fee: VisitKorea member special rate - 1,700won/day
-Domestic call rates:90 won (0.07 USD)/10sec
-Charged by the airtime used
USA - 720 won (0.59 USD)/min
China - 960 won (0.78 USD)/min
Japan - 864 won (0.70 USD)/min
Calling Malaysia number should be <1000 won/min

The most cost efficient way for 4 person is

Rent 2 sets of call forwarding DID and 2 sets of Korea number. ie
Two person share one set each.

With this arrangement, you can split to two groups during shopping in complex without fear of missing. Korea to Korea domestic call is 90won/10sec.

I used these 2 Android Apps which I believe available for Iphone as well. Really help me during my trip.

Jihachul.

Korea subway on your phone, good for checking subway routes, distance and time taken. Not only Seoul, but Busan and other Korea cities as well.
I Tour Seoul

Basically an informative app which contains lots of info about Seoul, shows you how which subway station to reach a particular place.
Another app called Trip It, basically a travel app that allows you key in your itenary so you can easily refer on the phone. Sync with your flight itenaries as well. No need to carry so many papers to refer for flight info.

Trip It

Thanks luvjim for sharing your experience.

I'm looking to book guesthouse via airbnb. I'm going to Jeju (3d2n), morning arriving 10am, night departing 920pm.

Intended to stay 1 night at Namwon-eup, Seogwipo & another night at Seongsan-eup, Seogwipo. Is it alright? Or it is advisable to stay a night at Jeju-Si and another night at Seongsan-eup?

Thankss!

For my experience, I went to East and West from Jeju-Si. Ya, I stay at Jeju-Si only.
The travel time from here to East/West each about 1.5 hour or less.

Jeju-Si has more shops and stalls open during night time while Seogwipo is already silence around 8pm.
I didn't go to Namwon-eup, so can't comment it ya.

After all it still depends on which place you gonna visit. Mind to tell your itinerary at Jeju?

Even though below show from Jeju-Si to East/West so far away from each other...actually driving time is around 1.5hour only.
[attachmentid=7567252]

it comes with both korean and english navigation. both reservation also can use

When i book my flight from EastarJet....spotted car rental page offer associated with EastarJet at bottom...
price not bad also...so end up i book through there
http://www.rentalcars.com
price from ordinary link looks more pricy...
but if i click the link from eastar jet...rate looks more reasonable...
its actually a compilation of all the rental companies....
so i took AJ Rent A Car....lol

Need some info. I'm going over next two weeks.
Would like to ask where should I obtain data connection when I'm at there. It will be used for GPS and normal surfing.

Need some info. I'm going over next two weeks.
Would like to ask where should I obtain data connection when I'm at there. It will be used for GPS and normal surfing.

u can rent the pocket wifi or buy sim in the airport..they have a lot of booth from diff telcos..

but do take note for pocket wifi, pocket wifi has limited stock..u can secure one by booking it online.

Seoul?
Get a pocket wifi. During my trip there, my Airbnb host provided pocket wifi for us.

Need some info. I'm going over next two weeks.
Would like to ask where should I obtain data connection when I'm at there. It will be used for GPS and normal surfing.

Hi, has anyone tried Wiyo ? Does it work well? I'm spending 2 weeks there next month and will be going almost around the whole country.

Any other wifi rental services to recommend?

Hi, has anyone tried Wiyo ? Does it work well? I'm spending 2 weeks there next month and will be going almost around the whole country.

Any other wifi rental services to recommend?

i'm going to korea this thursday for honeymoon lol.

but still didn’t have itinerary.

29/09 - 02/10 : Seoul
02/10 - 04/10 : Busan
04/10 - 06/10 : Jeju
06/10 - 07/10 : Incheon

anyone can suggest me itinerary ?   

Need some info. I'm going over next two weeks.
Would like to ask where should I obtain data connection when I'm at there. It will be used for GPS and normal surfing.

Seoul?
Get a pocket wifi. During my trip there, my Airbnb host provided pocket wifi for us.

I rented Wiyo for 10days. It has promotion rm12/day unlimited data.
Speed and connection is all good.

They has a counter at KLIA2, very convenient to collect and return the device.

@lucifer93 if you want a simcard u need to get it online within a a certain number of days before you go. If not they wont allow you to purchase as you have to let them clear your name and register. They are very particular about this. Mine got blocked half way as they found my sim was registered on a passport of someone else who hasnt arrived yet (honest mistake I hope).  If possible follow like @munkeyflo and get pocket wifi from here and find air bnb that offers pocket wifi (though battery life.. errr).

Thanks.
I will be booking for 14 days, and the chat agent said they now have a booth at KLIA.

How long did it take for them to refund the RM200 deposit?

Thanks.
I will be booking for 14 days, and the chat agent said they now have a booth at KLIA.

How long did it take for them to refund the RM200 deposit?

For my case, it took 8 days.
Return on 18th, refunded on 26th.

Hi, has anyone tried Wiyo ? Does it work well? I'm spending 2 weeks there next month and will be going almost around the whole country.

Any other wifi rental services to recommend?

Hi..

Hopefully I am not too late to reply you.

Go to Kto website, take survey and collect t-money/map from kto office.

Upon arrival at airport, check Information counter. Find map and booklet such as must vist 10 places in Seoul. Pick up booklet when you arrive at Busan too. Follow the instruction. Take bus and train. Very fun.

Learn some basic korean. Very helpful.
If too last minutes and no choice, you can try Mandarin.
Another option, speak English slowly.

I travelled on my own for 8 days to Seoul and Busan.
Most importantly, have money for emergency.

Other than that, Korea is a very safe and nice country.
I used iptime (free wifi). Just stand nearby any shops. If duty free complex, they have their own free wifi.

u can rent the pocket wifi or buy sim in the airport..they have a lot of booth from diff telcos..

but do take note for pocket wifi, pocket wifi has limited stock..u can secure one by booking it online.

Seoul?
Get a pocket wifi. During my trip there, my Airbnb host provided pocket wifi for us.

rent a pocket wifi either from locally or at korea.

malaysia - travel recommend
korea - kt olleh
some guesthouse in korea - rent on discount price
some airbnb host - free

oh yeah, the pocket wifi speed for guesthouse & airbnb is so so.. but not to the extend that can't browse la..

@lucifer93 if you want a simcard u need to get it online within a a certain number of days before you go. If not they wont allow you to purchase as you have to let them clear your name and register. They are very particular about this. Mine got blocked half way as they found my sim was registered on a passport of someone else who hasnt arrived yet (honest mistake I hope).  If possible follow like @munkeyflo and get pocket wifi from here and find air bnb that offers pocket wifi (though battery life.. errr).

Thanks for all the respond.
@inachi, @munkeyflo, @yvonnesoo, any recommendation for the pocket wifi?

@imran85, what would you recommend? can you kindly provide the website?

Thanks for all the respond.
@inachi, @munkeyflo, @yvonnesoo, any recommendation for the pocket wifi?

@imran85, what would you recommend? can you kindly provide the website?

Hi, I just make an online reservation at AJ Rent A car for Jeju, I notice there is no any deposit or advance payment require, so if I receive email from them it means my car rental is secure? Thank you!

You pay when you are there. Your reservation is secured until the day you arrive. No show with no prior notice will generally mean that you are black listed from future reservations.

I'm going there in 2 more days for 1 week. 4 days in Jeju and 2 days in Seoul. It will be awkward to drive in left side traffic. 

2 days in seoul enough for you? unless you go before hehe

Lol. For sure not enough. No more annual leave for me this year. 

Thanks for all the respond.
@inachi, @munkeyflo, @yvonnesoo, any recommendation for the pocket wifi?

@imran85, what would you recommend? can you kindly provide the website?

Apart from Wiyo, Funtastic Korea has a 30day unlimited 4G SIM for 60k Won.

That works out to about the same as the Wiyo for 14 days.

You think the Funtastic Korea deal is worth it?

http://funtastickorea.kr/p/en/korea-prepai...ited-data-seoul

any recommendation for Seoul honeymoon stay?
trying to find not too costly 1....as its for 7 nights...
unless i attempt to plan for some 2d1n outer seoul travel...
0 plan so far...lol

what do you mean seoul honeymoon stay?    you want a room that suitable to stay for your honeymoon? depends on your budget .. 

haha = for couple la...
just a thought...haha
nah...cant be too costly now after spent for Jeju 1...
looking at range around 150-250/day... but reputable 1....
too much entries from booking/agoda and abit confuse to decide...
love hotel....depends la...1 night to elsewhere? 
I practically no idea where else to go outside Seoul
I have an effective 6 days at Seoul
Excluding the half day I back from jeju, and the half day before I go airport
I so far have everland and premium outlet in mind for 2 of the day, the rest uncertain yet

you mentioned need a room for honeymoon stay of cause won't be cheap la.. 
a decent guesthouse already cost 80k and above. if stay in a hanok price is definitely higher. for a hotel room no need i mention lor.. 

Will it too much for 7nights at Seoul?
Any place outside Seoul that can consider for 2d1n?
For sure I think no skiing available early nov
Wondering where else can go

err.. depends on your preference.. i can be only in seoul for 1 week eventhough i been there numerous times. it's just like my hometown 

you can go to mt sorak

Not too fancy for sorak...lol
A bit lazy at he moment wahaha

Laid back style travel maybe
Other than sorak any outer Seoul thing worth noting?
Still trying to find around what may interest me that may break the 7days apart...

err.. depends on your preference.. i can be only in seoul for 1 week eventhough i been there numerous times. it's just like my hometown 

you can go to mt sorak

Why you keep going back then? What do you do there usually?

vacay and gathering with friends la.. eat around and shop too.. spoilt with choices there 
just like others when got long holidays will go to bangkok, hk, etc.. 

Yeah man.. I know how u feel.. I feel like going there just to chill hahaha lets go.

i wish too.. but i can't cause i went on apr. plan to go on this month or oct but my financially doesn't allowed me to do so as i just came back from europe.. hahaha..

hahhaa yeah I know how that feels... I am trying to stay away from Seoul but I keep looking at stuff in Seoul and wanting to come back. Now my friends and family are asking me to join them.. soo much temptation.. soo many cafes to seee.. I recommend cafe hopping.. they are soo into the designs.

samcheongdong & insadong area got few cafes to chill out. worth visit if you like that place.

My plan is for a makan exposure trip (non halal).

Would like to try out the real ethnic local fare.

For example, if you work in KLCC, you know to go to Wisma Central for cheaper food or if you work in KL Sentral you know to go to the food courts/mamak/kedai kopi in Brickfields.

I did make a booking for a swanky joint in Seoul to try it out for once, but the rest of the trip will be for the ethnic street fare.

Any recommendations are welcome.

I will spend about 1 week in Seoul and 4 nights in Busan.

I suggest to avoid Gyeongju for now because they are undergoing a lot of repair works due to the earthquake a few weeks ago. A lot of places are closed or have no entry for visits. Don't waste time there.

As for ethnic food that isn't commercialized or catered towards foreigners, basically it's available almost everywhere in Seoul. Look for small stalls (usually only 2-4 tables available) and menus with no English. But just be prepared to speak some basic Korean otherwise you end up not knowing what you order or the server gets annoyed (trust me on the latter, VERY common scene here).

Thanks for the tip.
So I guess phrases like "nice grilled pork/beef"  or "recommended dish?"  would be useful?

I suggest to avoid Gyeongju for now because they are undergoing a lot of repair works due to the earthquake a few weeks ago. A lot of places are closed or have no entry for visits. Don't waste time there.

As for ethnic food that isn't commercialized or catered towards foreigners, basically it's available almost everywhere in Seoul. Look for small stalls (usually only 2-4 tables available) and menus with no English. But just be prepared to speak some basic Korean otherwise you end up not knowing what you order or the server gets annoyed (trust me on the latter, VERY common scene here).

go to busan lor.. or other small cities nearby seoul that interested you. hard to describe and explain here as different people different preference. it's better you check out the seoul and surrounding map for further details. from there you will know how to decide

Haha. Cafe hopping in Seoul is very common but ain't cheap yo. I chill and stay in a cafe chatting for few hours. If you wanna go cafe hopping. Recommend you to go non touristy and non franchise chain

1 week in Seoul is absolutely not enough, even if you have a very concise itinerary. If want to chill and just relax, then don't try and go to places like seoraksan at the peak of fall season (November). The amount of time you have to spend going there because of so many visitors will be crazy to say the least.

Seoul is a much bigger city than what maps would suggest. If it isn't for the amazing subway stations they have, traveling time would be very long indeed.

find a few nice ones. Quite enjoyable. Cant wait to go again.

true indeed. but different people different preference. some of my friends like to cover as much as possible in one trip. eg 9 days (seoul,busan,jeju)    their reason is they wouldn't going to travel back to korea again 

Yeah well that's true. But I do feel that for example if people would like to visit the palaces in Seoul, rushing through them is quite a waste. Take the time to look at the structures, take pictures, understand the history, and it all becomes really mesmerizing.

I cannot imagine covering 3 different places in 9 days lol.. the rush is madness.

From what I gather, these are the real ethnic stuff (apart from the tteokbokki and fishcake stuff) which I would be trying

1. hoe of varoius fishes, is it better at markets or a 횟집 (hoetjib) ?
2. yukhoe
3. samgyetang
4. jokbal
5. gopchang and its relatives
6. seafood jeon
7. sannakji and related raw seafood (abalone etc)
9. various meat type soups (maeuntang + beef and pork) - seollontang seems good
10. soy sauce crab
11. various galbi
12. various guksu, plus perhaps sujebi
13. various dubu hotpots
14.

A running list of interesting stuff to eat would be good. ....
I can add on to the list.

Does anyone have recommendations for a nice sujebi with strongly flavored broth? I like banmian/meehoonkueh with strongly flavored soups and al-dente dough.

Good list there.
I think you have most of it covered. The only thing I'd add in regards to galbi is that I suggest you try to get grade A haneul. It's very expensive yes, but at least try it once in a lifetime.

Could you provide the hangul word for "grade A haneul" ?

Is it beef like wagyu?

speaking of meat (for non beef eater)

seriously i dont understand why ppl order pork belly
the fat is inch thick...

Basically just say "chweigo hanu", which means you want the best one. Although haneul (or hanu) does mean grade A beef, there are still variations of it. Also make sure you order the specific part of the cow you want. Ribs, shoulder, sirloin, etc. etc.

You could say it's Korea's equivalent to wagyu, but personally I think they do taste different. Both are awesome of course.

Because when BBQ'd properly, the fat really seeps into the meat and make it extremely juicy and succulent.

Try heukdwaeji samgyeopsal once and you won't look back, ever again. I'm talking about the real good black pigs from Hwaeoreum or Surakan restaurant in Jeju, not the commercialized nonsense in black pork street. Yes it is fattening, not even going to deny it. But you can only have the real good ones here (and even that, only a few places). It's worth it once in a very, very long while.

If eat everyday then say hello to heart attack.

heard busan hit by tsunami.. anybody know more?

https://www.facebook.com/koreanophiless/pos...509942512547487

heard busan hit by tsunami.. anybody know more?

https://www.facebook.com/koreanophiless/pos...509942512547487

Looks pretty bad but no collapsed buildings.

http://m.koreatimes.co.kr/phone/news/view...._newsidx=215404

My trip is in 2 weeks' time... Hope it's all cleared up.

I m going next week .
I saw in fb the Haeundae beach was devastated

anyone can confirm jukseong church, taejongdong is fine?

Because when BBQ'd properly, the fat really seeps into the meat and make it extremely juicy and succulent.

Try heukdwaeji samgyeopsal once and you won't look back, ever again. I'm talking about the real good black pigs from Hwaeoreum or Surakan restaurant in Jeju, not the commercialized nonsense in black pork street. Yes it is fattening, not even going to deny it. But you can only have the real good ones here (and even that, only a few places). It's worth it once in a very, very long while.

If eat everyday then say hello to heart attack.

BTW, from my G+ feed.  Is this a worthwhile price?

60k for a set meal of 3 to 4 persons.

I m going next week .
I saw in fb the Haeundae beach was devastated

anyone can confirm jukseong church, taejongdong is fine?

I suppose it might take 1 week to clear the mess up. Hopefully it's faster since no buildings collapsed, but looks like some road sections need repair.

It will be helpful for the rest of us if you can post your experience on the situation.

I will be in Seoul first next week before hitting Busan the following week.

Gyeongju got flooded as well according to the news, so I think I'd really skip the place.

check on the latest news often. you mean taejongdae or taejangdong? 
fall season especially during the month of oct quite alot of rainfall. continuous rain for few days. also busan is surrounded by the sea hence amount of rainfall and wind is more

Taejongdae , typo

Anyone took the s-train or v-train before?
Is it really good?