From Seoul to Taipei
Finally flying into Taipei, after 2.5 months traveling in Sri Lanka – South India – Laos – Myanmar – Malaysia –Brunei - Korea. I just calculated my expenses (all included except flight tickets) for this trip. To my surprise, Sri Lanka was the most expensive @ $20 per day, then Korea @ $18 per day, and the remaining counties @ $14-15 per day.
Although cost of living for Seoul is as high as Washington DC, I cut down the cost by (1) cooking at my hostel kitchen for dinners while tasting snacks for lunch at traditional markets and student-shopping areas; (2) using free WiFi at subway, museums, public plaza/buildings, without getting a SIM card ($26+); (3) walking as far as time allows; and (4) riding subway per trip without buying a T-money fare card (not refundable $3.5). As a side note, the best way to travel between downtown and the ICN international airport is the subway which costs only $3.6, unless you have big suitcase(s) that is hard to drag via stairs for line transfer then using airport shuttle bus cost $13).
As to the challenge of riding Seoul’s complicated subway system, I googled the sight for destination station name in English then entering station names in one or two subway apps (one in English and one in Chinese - backup) to get the fastest or least transfer route. Many museums in Seoul are free or less than $3 per admission and coming with free or less than $1 audio guide.the National Museum system offers free on-site and off-site guide.
Although cost of living for Seoul is as high as Washington DC, I cut down the cost by (1) cooking at my hostel kitchen for dinners while tasting snacks for lunch at traditional markets and student-shopping areas; (2) using free WiFi at subway, museums, public plaza/buildings, without getting a SIM card ($26+); (3) walking as far as time allows; and (4) riding subway per trip without buying a T-money fare card (not refundable $3.5). As a side note, the best way to travel between downtown and the ICN international airport is the subway which costs only $3.6, unless you have big suitcase(s) that is hard to drag via stairs for line transfer then using airport shuttle bus cost $13).
As to the challenge of riding Seoul’s complicated subway system, I googled the sight for destination station name in English then entering station names in one or two subway apps (one in English and one in Chinese - backup) to get the fastest or least transfer route. Many museums in Seoul are free or less than $3 per admission and coming with free or less than $1 audio guide.the National Museum system offers free on-site and off-site guide.
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