Trip to SKorea next October
Replies: 8 - Last Post: May 21, 2013 5:22 PM Last Post By: moony_moon
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Trip to SKorea next October
Hi, I'm currently planning a trip to S. Korea during the 2nd half of October next year and I need some help. Here is my tentative plan:Day 1 & 2 - Seoul
Day 3 - Andong
Day 4 - Pohang, to take a ferry to Ulleungdo the next day (would prefer not to stay overnight here)
Day 5 & 6 - Ulleungdo
Day 7 - Ulleungdo, ferry to Mukho, night train/bus back to Seoul
Day 8 -10 - Seoul
Day 11 - Fly back home
- Would it be better to take a train or a bus to Andong? I read that it takes longer times to travel in trains compared to buses.
- What time is the earliest bus/train from Andong to Pohang? Is it possible to take the earliest bus/train to Pohang and still make it for the ferry to Ulleungdo (on the same day)? How long would the journey be?
- I saw from DAEA's website there were 2 ferries out of Ulleungdo to Mukho on some Fridays and Saturdays (Oct this year), would it be similar next Oct as well? Were there any special holidays/festivals in Oct (this year) to warrant these extra ferries?
- Are there any night train/bus from Mukho to Seoul? If yes, how much will it be? What time is the last train/bus?
- Is there a site I can check train/bus schedule/price/duration, in English or Korean?
I might add a day or two depending on my budget, if so, I'll be going to Seoraksan or somewhere interesting in or around Donghae.
Any feedbacks/informations are most appreciated. Thanks a million! :)
1
Keep a bit of slack before/after your trip to Ulluengdo, as ferries can be delayed or cancelled at short notice (or no notice at all...), as they are weather-dependant (it's a long trip...) Not sure about the weather and state of seas in october, though...You will love Ulluengdo!Still plenty of time to plan!
2
I would get the 8 am catamaran from Donghae (Mukho) rather than Pohang, which is much further south and a much longer & more expensive boat trip: 58,000 won each way & 3 hours compared with 2 hours 20 mins & 51k won from Donghae. Make bookings in advance too because when I went to get a ticket at 7:40 am I was told sorry, sold out, & to stand by. I got lucky & 5 mins before 8am, I was told there was a business class ticket left for 58k won. I took it gladly & made sure when I got to Ulleongdo I made a ticket reservation / payment 2 days in advance, so I could get off the island when I wanted to! There's a ticket booth / info centre at Dodong Harbour.After Andong, there are no trains on the east coast of Korea at all & you will not get back to Seoul before 10 pm, even if you make all connecting buses. Might be better to overnight in Gangneung or Sokcho, & get a morning bus to Seoul?
3
Hi,Thanks for the feedbacks.
I've revised my plan a bit:
Day 1: Seoul
Day 2: Andong
Day 3: Donghae/Mukho
Day 4: Ulleungdo (might add another night)
Day 5: Night bus to Seoul or night at Donghae (all depends on the time of the Ferry back)
Day 6-10: Seoul
Day 11: Flight home
I've decided to go to Andong on the 2nd day instead of the 3rd, want to have more days following Ulleungdo (in the case of bad weather and no ferry out of the island)
Also, are there buses from Andong to Donghae? I only found train, which takes about 3hr 30mins.
I manage to find a website where I can check the basic bus schedule (http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/TR/TR_EN_5_1_3_1_1.jsp#). There are buses from Donghae to Seoul (Dong Seoul Bus Terminal), last bus at 8pm. Another to Seoul Express Bus Terminal, last bus at 12 midnight. But it all depends on what time the ferry out of Ulleungdo is. If we can make it for a bus at around 6-7pm, will probably take that. Was thinking of spending the night in a jjimjilbang when we reach Seoul at night, really want to try it! What are the chances of getting the bus ticket, an hour or two before departure? Do we need to book ahead?
Any one tried the Auraji Rain Bike in Jeongson (http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_6.jsp?cid=629771)
was thinking of going there if the ferry is canceled on the day we are supposed to go Ulleungdo. But can't seems to find any bus or train that goes to Jeongson. Is it possible for a day trip from Donghae/Mukho?
Would it be better to take a 40mins bus ride to Gangneung, spend the night there, then take the morning bus to Seoul or just spend the night in Donghae then take the morning bus to Seoul (after Ulleungdo)?
All feedbacks are most welcome, as I need advice from the experts! Thanks again! :)
4
Buses run almost everywhere in Korea & are frequent. You just pay at the ticket office at any bus station or even on the bus. Dong Seoul (east) is right above the underground metro trains, or subway, so getting into Seoul central is no problem at all between 6 am & 11:30 pm. I would not bother with the slow east coast trains, ONLY KTX bullet trains & express buses. I did get the train one time to Andong & it was slow. The new Arex bullet train is open now from Seoul Station to the airport. The 'slow' train which is only 3-4 minutes longer was about 3500 won & the nonstop train was about 13,500 won. Not really worth paying 10k more just to save 3 mins imho.5
you can try to look for more info on SK travel co. page: https://www.facebook.com/wowcorea - they have English speaking guides and run by my local friends.tel. 822.739.3337 You can get their help in sightseeing tour around Seoul - that way you'd know more and from the first hands. They'd also consult you on other itinerary matters. Hope this helps!
8
Hi RohitNath,Yes, I'm still planning the trip, now finalizing stuffs. I'm trying to budget below USD1,500 for food/transportation/accommodations/expenses. This figure does not include the air tickets.
As for my plan, I've adjusted it a bit since my post last year, will not being to going to Ulleungdo, instead I plan to hike in Seoraksan, since its Autumn. So it will be like:
Day 1–3: Seoul
Day 4: Andong
Day 5 & 6: Sokcho (Seoraksan)
Day 7-10: Seoul
Day 11: Fly home
- With a day trip or two out of Seoul.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any more questions. Happy planning! :)
