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South Korea 2012 Budget

"How much did you spend on your travel?" I always get this question after I traveled ^^ I politely says that I am not yet done computing my expenses, but more or less *amount* ^^ Yes,  it is very important for travelers to know how much he/she will spend on his/her travel (IMO ^^). I always have my draft expenses on every travel, so it wouldn't be hard for me to budget my money. For this South Korea trip, I almost spend less than 20,000php, that includes everything from the travel tax, terminal fee, cab, food, shopping, etc.

Computed South Korea expenses:



** I did not include the food and shopping budget here, it really depends on you.
** Coffee Prince - the 7,000won is price for 1 coffee, you need to order first to take pictures inside ^^

McDonald's Myeong-dong cheeseburger meal only cost 3,000won. (try Bulgogi Burger ^^)
KFC Meal is around 4,600won - up.

We did not try to dine in any Korean restaurant, my tolerance for spicy foods is low ^^ 

For Super Junior fans, dining at Handel & Gretel would cost around 7,000won. Coffees/Lattes 3,000won - up. Kona Beans coffees/lattes price range is just the same with H & D.

If your guesthouse/hotel has a free breakfast that would also saves on your budget ^^, just like in Namsan Guesthouse 3. (they have free breakfast) ^^ 

For your shopping expenses, well it really depends on you ^^ Bring a lot of WON ^^
You can always use your credit card anyways, the exchange rate is just fine.
You can also withdraw from ATMs around South Korea (if you have International ATM).

Enjoy your travel to the Land of Morning Calm ^^

41 comments:

  1. wow naabutan mo ang P550 terminal fee!
    at ang mura ha, siguro naman hindi lagpas P5,000 ang food nyo. so all in P15K - pasok sa budget! =)

    ReplyDelete
  2. yes less 200php din yun :)
    pasok na pasok na yang 15k na budget ^^

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  3. hi! we will be staying in namsan3 too!
    is it tolerable to ride the train?
    it is 400peso cheaper than availing the namsan hotel car...

    would you prefer us to do that?

    thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi there, if you have heavy luggage I wouldn't recommend riding subway/train, better take Airport Bus or Taxi/Cab.

    though riding the subway was really cheap
    going to Namsan 3 will only cost you 5,800won or 222php
    for a single journey ticket, you can refund 500won each from the card, summing up for only 4,8000won or 184php

    while the Airport Bus will cost 14,000won (537php)

    and the
    Namsan's Airport taxi service cost 60,000won (2,298php)

    ReplyDelete
  5. thanks for quoting the prices para may idea ako kung magkano prices dun.i'm planning to visit korea next year for winter,sayang kasi spring na ako nakapunta ng beijing last year,wala na snow.

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  6. ur welcome ^^

    Visit Korea, very nice place ^^

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  7. hello! Love your entries specially the Korea and Super show part hehe i'm an ELF too..I'm planning to go to Korea this year..hopefully my visa gets approved! Just wondering why didn't you visit SM entertainment? haha I'm planning to do that when I get there.. total fangirl mode! (^U^)v

    ---Anonymous ELF

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  8. naubusan na ng time, di na nasingit ang SMent ^^ kaya nga I have reason to go back ^^
    so happy nga kasi babalik ako this November ^^
    I will visit SMent na and WHY Style ^^, fan girling ^^

    ReplyDelete
  9. when are you planning the trip? I'm also planning it by novemer with my sister and friend.. haha I would love to fangirl with you~ Yung sister ko fan din ni Hae... Ming bias naman ako.. haha so will definitely visit Kona Beans. ;)

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  10. Nov 22-28, ikaw ba? sumabay ka na sakin ~kekeke~
    si Ming pala bias mo, saw her mom sa Kona Beans, sayang nga lang kulang sa time, di kami nakapag dine dun, kaya need talaga bumalik sa Korea ^^
    Swerte nga nakita namin sila sa SUKIRA ^^

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  11. ayayay! Sayang! hehehe ako Nov 7 - 13.. almost a week apart. ikaw lang ba mag-isa? Swerte mo nakita mo mom nya.. ayee! eh ung brother nya nakita mo din? daming tanong eh no? sana makita ko din sila don. Araw-arawin ko ang Kona Beans at Handel & Gretel.. pati na rin Sukira.. hahaha adik lang (^0^)v

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  12. ay sayang nga, I'll be traveling with my sister ^^
    heheh araw-arawin talaga no ^^, kung yung kasama ko lang nun ELF din, malamang everyday din ako dun :P

    matagal pa ulit balik ko ng Korea, kaya no plans pa ng fangirling :)

    at dahil mauuna ka, I'll wait for your kwentos na lang ^^

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ok! I shall update you kung ano man ang mangyayari, wish me luck! Hindi ba ELF ang sister mo? Sister ko ELF na talaga... I turned my friend into an ELF naman *evil maknae laugh*! Are you planning on watching SS4??

      Your new co-ELF friend ^_^v

      Delete
    2. hindi ELF sis ko, pero like naman nya SJ ^^
      wala naman syang magagawa kapag sinama ko na sya sa fan girling ko hehehe

      about SS4, I'm still hoping na makanood ^^

      Good Luck na lang satin pareho sa fangirling sa Nov ^^

      Delete
  13. hello sis haerose, question naman. how much ang pagkuha ng tourist visa for korea? madali lang ba? kelangan na ba ng plane ticket para makakuha ng tourist visa? ano mga requirements? nabasa ko kasi sa Female Network na kelangan ng Personal Bank Certificate? nasa magkano at least dapat yung laman?

    ReplyDelete
  14. hi sis, FREE yung single entry visa ng Korea. Madali lang mag apply basta dapat complete requirements mo.

    refer to this post for the requirements:
    http://esorshaepiness.blogspot.com/2012/02/south-korea-2012.html

    about bank certificate, it really depends on the lenght of your stay, some kasi have 20k on their account, ang mas importante may ITR & COE ka na mapresent. ^^

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  15. sis, tinatanong din ba kung gaano mo katagal plan mag stay sa korea?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. hindi na sis,kasi nasa application form na yun :)

      Delete
  16. alright sis... maraming salamat sayo at sa blog mo! :) sobrang laki ng help. d pala ganun kamahal sa korea. :D

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  17. wow thank you for sharing this info. my friend and i are planning to there next year. this at least a good basis not only for the expenses side but things we can try there.

    mabuhay!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ur welcs, glad to help ^_^
      South Korea is my favorite country so far, you'll surely enjoy visiting this place!

      Delete
  18. Hi. Your blog has been very helpful in planning for our IT for next year. Ask ko lang if paano marerefund ang 500won na fare at saan? Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. no problem sis, ask ka lang, basta kaya kong sagutin ^_^
      narerefund sya dun sa mga vending machine din, nakalimutan lang namin i-refund yung samin nun ^_^

      Delete
  19. Sis, how much ang food sa Seoul? Nagbubudget na kasi me.. Snack, Lunch and Dinner, free na kasi ung breakfast sa guesthouse eh, thank you..

    Camy =)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. sis Camy, Mcdo & KFC lang kami ^^
      100+php up yung mga food per meal

      Namsan Guesthouse din ba kayo?
      ayos breakfast dun ^^

      Delete
  20. Hi sis, thank u ha, pede na kami dun.. Hehehe,

    Yao sa Namsan din kami stay, 3 lng naman kami eh.. Kakaexcite na..

    Lapit ka na din umalis.. Enjoy kau.. =)

    Camy

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  21. Hi Miss Haerose!

    Mas maganda po sana kung meron kayo itenarary together with expenses. Plan po kasi nmin dun mag-honeymoon.. Di namin alam kung gaano kami dapat katagal mag-stay dun at kung ano ba un practical na gawin each day..

    Thanks! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, thanks for dropping by. Balik Korea ako this Nov 22, update ko na lang yung blog ko, check mo na lang ulit sis, try ko isama yang itinerary w/ expenses ^_^

      Delete
    2. Super thanks Sis! :)

      Delete
  22. Hi Ms. Haerose!

    I’m a newbee here, well brace yourself, I have a lot of things to ask since my friends and I are planning to visit Korea by next year for 4 days I guess.. hehehe! Well your blog is helpful.

    1. How much is the rate of 1 korean won in Philippine peso?
    2. Namsan Guesthouse 3 is where you stayed? How much is the rate per person per day? Is it in Seoul ba and malapit sa mga tourist places? City proper ba’to?
    3. I saw some blogs wherein nakapagpa-picture sila sa mga place kung san nag-shooting yung full house, jewel in the palace, perfect match etc.. mga how much in peso kaya if I’ll plan to visit sa mga yun? I’m a Korean series fan, yung coffee prince gusto ko ding mapuntahan.. gusto kong puntahan lahat.. hehe!
    4. gusto ko din sanang magpunta sa mga studio nila, just like satin may mga foreign audiences sa showtime, eat bulaga etc. gusto ko ding maging foreign audience, possible ba?
    5. well I guess you’ll be in korea this nov. 22, please update your blog (itinerary, expenses)
    6. for 4 days stay (for a typical tourist) how much kaya yung magagastos? Kaya naba yung 20k?
    7. what if walang ITR? Is there any altenative for that (considering that minumun lang yung salary?) ganun kasi yung case ng friend ko..
    8. what month is the best month to visit korea? Ayoko ng sobrang snow and sobrang init (gusto ko yung nagbbloom lahat ng flowers nila)
    9. how much is the Korean visa for a 4 days stay? And kelangan pa ba ng another visa if I’ll plan to visit jeju island?
    10. can I have your email add please? Ang dami kong question sayo.. nakakaexcite talaga magpunta ng korea, suuuuuuuuppppppppper fan nila ko.

    Sorry ah, ang dami kong questions, well I hope positive feedbacks from you. God Bless your trip.


    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi sis ^^ thanks for dropping by :)

      1. How much is the rate of 1 korean won in Philippine peso?

      - current exchange rate is 1 Korean Won = 0.038 PHP

      2. Namsan Guesthouse 3 is where you stayed? How much is the rate per person per day? Is it in Seoul ba and malapit sa mga tourist places? City proper ba’to?

      - Yes Namsan Guesthouse 3, dito ulit kami mag stay (this Nov), before kasi 55,000won per night lang for 2 pax, ngayon nagtaas na sila 60,000won na per night (2pax).

      Location wise, sa heart ng Seoul - Myeong-dong :)
      malapit sa shopping area, food area and tourist spots like Namsan Tower, walking distance lang mula sa guesthouse.

      Syempre malapit sa subway kaya accessible na din sa lahat ng pupuntahan mo ^^


      3. I saw some blogs wherein nakapagpa-picture sila sa mga place kung san nag-shooting yung full house, jewel in the palace, perfect match etc.. mga how much in peso kaya if I’ll plan to visit sa mga yun? I’m a Korean series fan, yung coffee prince gusto ko ding mapuntahan.. gusto kong puntahan lahat.. hehe!

      - Ay naku sis, same tayo super adik din ako sa Korean Dramas ^_^
      Kaya super love kong pumunta sa mga places kung san ginawa or nag shoot yung drama. Check my other post, I was able to visit Full House and Coffee Prince filming location.

      4. gusto ko din sanang magpunta sa mga studio nila, just like satin may mga foreign audiences sa showtime, eat bulaga etc. gusto ko ding maging foreign audience, possible ba?

      - eto ang di ko na try, like yung pagpasok sa mga shows, kasi medyo mahirap, possible naman, pero dapat effort talaga. Nag research ako about this, parang di ko kaya kasi dapat tipong madaling araw pa lang andun ka na ^_^ Ang show is mga kpop, yung M Countdown.

      5. well I guess you’ll be in korea this nov. 22, please update your blog (itinerary, expenses)

      - Sure! No problem ^_^


      6. for 4 days stay (for a typical tourist) how much kaya yung magagastos? Kaya naba yung 20k?

      - Oo kasya na yan sis, basta hanap lang ng murang accommodation.


      7. what if walang ITR? Is there any altenative for that (considering that minumun lang yung salary?) ganun kasi yung case ng friend ko..

      - Wala syang work? Or bagong lipat ng work?
      The only alternative would be Business License/docs under her/his name.

      Para sakin, napansin ko lang na walang nagiging problema basta may ITR and Certificate of Employment,kahit maliit yung amount sa bank certificate. Importante talaga ang ITR & COE.


      8. what month is the best month to visit korea? Ayoko ng sobrang snow and sobrang init (gusto ko yung nagbbloom lahat ng flowers nila)

      - SPRING Season, April - May para sure na may Cherry Blossoms.

      gusto ko din magpunta ng gantong season sa Korea ^^

      9. how much is the Korean visa for a 4 days stay? And kelangan pa ba ng another visa if I’ll plan to visit jeju island?

      - Korean Visa - Single Entry is FREE.
      Hindi na need ng visa sa Jeju Island.


      10. can I have your email add please? Ang dami kong question sayo.. nakakaexcite talaga magpunta ng korea, suuuuuuuuppppppppper fan nila ko.

      - Here's my e-add: rosecamus@rocketmail.com
      I super love Korea, feeling ko di ako magsasawang pumunta dito ^_^

      Delete
  23. Hi sis! I saw the link to your blog in FemaleNetwork. We're planning to stay in Namsan 3 din on our vacay in Seoul next year. May lift nga ba ang building ng Namsan 3? Also, can you give me the directions from Namsan 3 to Nami Island? Would you know if Namsan arranges transpo like magpabook ng van to Nami? 7 kase kami and I think mas OK kung mag rent kami ng van kesa mag commute at maraming transfers. Please advise. Thanks so much!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi sis, sensya na late response, yes may lift ang building ng Namsan Guesthouse. About naman dun sa van, I think pwede mo silang kausapin kapag nandun ka na, kasi they do arranges van transfer from Namsan Guesthouse to Airport, malay mo may alam silang pwedeng rentahan di ba, kaya lang mas pricey yun.

      or pwede rin kayong mag BUS

      from Official KTO website:
      Shuttle Bus (From Seoul to Namiseom Island)
      * Bus Stop
      1) Insa-dong (Jonggak Station, Subway Line 1, Exit 3): Next to Tapgol Park
      2) Jamsil Station (Subway Line 2, Exit 4): In front of Lotte Mart

      * Shuttle Bus Schedule:
      Insa-dong, Jamsil Station → Namiseom Island: 09:30
      Namiseom Island → Insa-dong, Jamsil Station: 16:00
      ※ Advanced reservation required. (Inquiries +82-2-753-1247)


      Madali lang naman mag subway sis.

      From Namsan Guesthouse to Nami Island:

      Subway from Myeongdong Station to Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station (line 4), then transfer kayo ng line 5 going to GUNJA Station, then transfer ulit ng line 7 going to SANGBONG Station, then transfer kayo ng Gyeongchun line going to GAPYEONG Station, pagbaba nyo sa GAPYEONG Station, sakay kayo ng TAXI then port na, sakay ng ferry then NAMI ISLAND na ^^

      Delete
  24. This is really helpful. My friends and I are booked 1st week of June. Would you know if may cherry blossom pa?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't think na may cherry blossoms pa ng June.
      If you want to experience it dapat April yung binook mo. :)

      Delete
  25. Hello! I'm an ELF from Malaysia! Glad that I stumbled upon ur blog. Just curious, for the AREX route to Unseo Station can we use T-Money. Or we have to buy a separate ticket for the journey. Tq!

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    Replies
    1. Yes you can use T-Money going to Unseo Station.

      Yay~ fellow ELF, enjoy your trip to Korea :)

      Delete
    2. Thanks for the info Rose. Will be going there this June & Dec as well. Really hope I could see the Oppas at the Sukira station. ;)

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    4. If they don't have schedule for Super Show 5, you can see Ryewook at SUKIRA (Sungmin just leaves the SUKIRA due to his other schedules).

      Don't forget to visit Twosome Coffee at Myeongdong (Siwon's coffee shop), Tous Les Jours (Eunhyuk), Mouse Rabbit (Yesung) ^^

      I'm coming back to Seoul this September ^^

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