Backpacker Hostels in Korea without Reservation (September 2008)? | South Korea - Lonely Planet Forum

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Mon, 08 Sep 2008 04:55:29 +0000

I'm flying into Seoul on Thursday night and I have reserved my first 2 nights at a hostel near Hongdae. I plan on staying at hostel-type accommodations during my 2 week stay in Korea. However, I have decided not to make any more reservations for now.

I've been watching the availability of hostels at Hostelworld.com, and it seems that spaces are generally available. I plan on using this website to make next- or same-day reservations. Will this be cutting things too short?

Also, does the Korean Thanksgiving that's taking place in the 2nd-3rd week of September affect hostel accommodation? I could be in Pusan or Kyongju by that time but at a backpacker hostel. Thanks.

Another question for those who've stayed hostels: do they have secure storage at most places? Also, linen isn't necessary, right? Or should I pack a sleep sack that the AYH used to require? Thanks again.

Edited by: mangowango

ONLINE

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 04:23:06 +0000

You should generally be OK without making reservations - if a hostel is full, you can just walk up to a Korean motel or minbak and stay for around $20.

Chuseok (thanksgiving) usually means that everyone goes home to stay with their families, so the roads will be atrocious but accommodation will be empty. Some places will close (especially minbaks, which use their space to accommodate family members) but generally you should be OK. If you're travelling, try to take the train as the buses will take a very long time.

As far as I can remember, everywhere I've stayed in Korea has provided linen. I'm not sure about secure storage - there are lockers at train/subway stations, but it would depend on the hostel.

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Tue, 09 Sep 2008 10:19:44 +0000

{quote:title=mangowango wrote:}{quote}

Also, does the Korean Thanksgiving that's taking place in the 2nd-3rd week of September affect hostel accommodation? I could be in Pusan or Kyongju by that time but at a backpacker hostel. Thanks.{/quote}

Just a quick note on travel during Chuseok holiday: Don't expect to leave Seoul on Friday afternoon thru Saturday early afternoon (Sept. 12-13), and don't try to return on Monday evening (Sept. 15). Almost everything (trains, planes, express buses) is booked already, and traffic will be unbelievably terrible.

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