Itinerary for Seven Days and Six Nights in South Korea

First things first, Filipinos need a visa to visit South Korea. Below are the requirements to get a tourist visa:

1. Application form
2. Passport (should be valid for not less than 6 months)
3. Photocopy of the 1st page of the passport
4. Passport size photo
5. Photocopy of ITR
6. Certificate of Employment
7. Bank Certificate (you should have at least Php 50,000 in your bank account)
 
Note: 
- Visa processing is free.
- Visa will be released 7 days after the requirements were completed and submitted.
- Make sure that the email address on your certificate of employment from the company you work for will not be changed soon because the Korean embassy will do a background check and will require them to reply. In my case, it took me almost a month to get my tourist visa because the HR personnel put in a soon to be phased out email address on my certificate of employment. PFT.
-South Koreans DON'T NEED a visa to visit the Philippines. UNFAIR!!

We booked our flight to Korea last June via Zest Air/Air Asia, fare is Php 5,000. As compared to the promo fares in Cebu Pacific, this is more expensive but at least I only have to wait 3 months and the best part is that there is free food during the flight. :)
NOTE: 
-We did have a Korean friend (thank you JY!!) that showed us around Seoul so if you are DIY-ing, you better allot time in getting lost. Not all directions in the subway have their English translation. :)
-Download the Jihachul (Subway) application on your smartphone for the subway schedules and transfers.
-THIS SITE has everything you need to know about your visit to Korea
-We went to Korea during Chuseok a.k.a. Korean Thanksgiving that usually happens in September, meaning there are more people in tourist spots and if you hate big crowds like me, it is not the best time to visit.

DAY 1
0:00	ETD Manila to Incheon
5:00	ETA Incheon
6:00	Incheon to Seoul via AREX
7:30	ETA Seoul, get lost in Seoul
9:00	ETA Myeongdong
9:30	ETA IB Ville Guest House, Check In
12:00	Lunch at Chon restaurant in Insadong, Eat Hanjusik
13:00	Walk Around Bukchon Hanok Village
14:30	Gyeongbokgung Palace
16:30	Rest and Freshen up at IB Ville
18:00	Deoksugung Palace
20:00	Cheongkuechon Stream
21:00	Dinner
23:00	Sleeping time

Day 1 Notes:
1. We took the subway (AREX) from Incheon to reach our guesthouse in Myeongdong. This means getting off at Seoul and transferring to another train from Seoul to Myeongdong. If you have a lot of luggage and money to spare, I think airport limousine bus is better. AREX to Seoul is KRW 4,000 and Limousine bus is KRW 10,000/14,000 to Myeongdong (Sejong Hotel).
2. Buy T-money (KRW 3,000) from convenience stores right when you arrive at the airport and have it loaded with KRW 20,000. You can use this when taking the subway and buses.
3. Unlike in MRT and LRT, it is OK to eat in the subway of Seoul.
4. Since it is Chuseok, our entrance to Gyeongbokgung Palace and Deoksugung Palace is FREE.
5. Bring RUBBER SHOES or any comfortable shoes. Like Singapore, going around Seoul requires a lot of walking. I know you want to look good in pictures but seriously, you will not enjoy Seoul in 3 inches heels.
6. IB Ville Guesthouse rate is KRW 146,000 per night good for 5 persons with breakfast. The room includes a washing machine, its own fridge and kitchen.
7. It is better to exchange your PHP to USD first and then to KRW as it would supposedly give you a better value.

Spacious Trains

First taste of festive Korean Food at Chon Restaurant

Gyeongbokgung Palace

Deoksugung Palace

People taking a break from a day's work/play at Cheongkuechon Stream

Myeongdong Night Market

DAY 2
7:00	Breakfast
8:30	ETD IB Ville
10:30	ETA Gapyeong Station
11:00	Eat Dak Galbi for Lunch
12:00	ETA Nami Island, Find Jodi and Cholo
15:30	ETD Nami Island
16:00	Optional Bunjee Jump
18:30	ETA Seoul, Dinner
19:30	Banpo Bridge Show, Drink Soju
20:30	Namsan Tower
21:30	Walk around Myeongdong Night Market
23:00	Sleeping Time

 
Day 2 Notes:
1. Nami Island entrance fee is KRW 8,000 for foreigners and KRW 10,000 for Koreans. Weird eh? If it is in the Philippines, it will be the other way around.
2. Go to Nami Island as early as you can to avoid the crowd. We have to walk under the scorching sun from Gapyeong station to Nami Island ferry dock because of traffic and the large amount of tourist waiting for taxi and buses.
3. Go to Petit France before you visit Nami Island or on your way back to Seoul. We were not able to go here because there is not enough time.
4. Bunjee jump in Nami Island ferry dock is KRW 40,000. I really wanted to jump but I have to wait for 50 minutes because of the long line. Aside from having to let my friends wait for me, that is too much time to psych myself out. 
5. Dak Galbi is one of the best food I ever eaten in Korea.

Dak Galbi

Nami Island Entry Visa

Nami Island

Banpo Bridge Show

Namsan Tower

DAY 3
4:30	ETD IB Ville
4:45	ETA Mt. Ansan Jumpoff
5:30	Mt. Ansan Summit, Wait for sunrise
6:30	Start Descent
7:00	ETA Mt. Ansan Jumpoff
7:30	Visit Sungnyemun gate
9:00	ETA IB Ville, Rest, Make your own Korean Drama
14:00	Lunch at Dongdaemun, Eat Korean Pizza
15:00	Shop at Dongdaemun
17:00	Rest and Freshen up at IB Ville
18:30	Walk around and Dinner at Itaewon
21:00	Get ready for the early flight to Jeju
23:00	Sleeping Time

Day 3 Notes:
1. This was supposed to be a DMZ and JSA tour but it is quite expensive so my friends and I decided to skip the tour and make our third day a little laid back.
2. Mt. Ansan is not a very common destination for tourists but in my opinion, it is one of the best place in Seoul. In the morning, a lot of elder people hike this mountain to exercise.
3. Itaewon is my least favorite place in South Korea. If you love big, diverse crowds, this is your spot but for me, it is too much. If I went there alone, I would probably pass out.
4. It is not a race, making the most of your time during your stay in South Korea is important but do not forget to have fun with your friends even if it means skipping a tourist spot or two.
5. Korean Pizza tastes like our local food ukoy.

Seoul at Sunrise from Mt. Ansan

Korean Pizza

Dongdaemun

DAY 4
6:00	ETD IB Ville
7:00	ETA Gimpo Airport
8:40	ETD Gimpo Airport
9:40	ETA Jeju Island
10:00	ETA Monaco Hotel, Check In
12:00	Lunch
13:00	Start of Jeju Trip Day 1
13:15	Alive Museum
14:30	Jusangjeolli Cliff
15:00	Cheonjeyeon Waterfalls
16:00	Green Tea Museum
16:30	Glass Museum
18:00	Dinner, Eat black pork
19:00	Jeju Loveland
21:00	ETA Monaco Hotel
22:00	Sleeping Time

Day 4 Notes:
1. Taxi from Myeongdong to Gimpo Airport cost us KRW 40,000 for 5 persons.
2. Plane fare to Jeju Island is Php 4,000
3. You MUST visit Jeju when in South Korea.
4. Not a lot of people speak English in Jeju, even the owner of Monaco Motel doesn't know how to speak English.
5. Except for the Green Tea museum, all of the tourist spots in Jeju have entrance fees and I think this is the reason why most tourist thinks visiting Jeju is a expensive.
6. We rented a jumbo taxi (KRW 170,000 per day) to drive us around Jeju, the driver also served as our tour guide. He is good in English, kind and is very witty. If you need a guide, you can contact him, Charles Baek, at 010 8668 5269 or jejutourguide@gmail.com or in Facebook.
7. Monaco Hotel is a very nice place to stay, better than IB Ville in Seoul. Rate is KRW 228,000 for 2 rooms for 2 nights.
8. Pictures for my trip to Jeju are HERE.

Jeju Air at Gimpo Airport

DAY 5
8:00	Breakfast
9:00	ETD Monaco Hotel, Start of Day 2 Tour
9:45	Sangumburi Crater
10:15	Ecoland
12:00	Bibimbap for Lunch
13:00	Jeju Folk Village
14:00	Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak)
16:30	Mt. Seopikoji a.k.a. Narrow Road
17:30	Manjanggul Lava Cave
19:00	ETA Monaco Hotel
20:00	Dominos Pizza for Dinner
22:00	Sleeping Time

Day 5 Notes:
1. Sangumburi Crater is my favorite place in Jeju, Seongsan Ilchulbong is the second, Jusangjeolli Cliff is the third.
2. This Day 5 itinerary requires a lot of climbing so now more than ever, rubber shoes is a must.
3. There are not many Filipinos in Jeju, in fact we never met a fellow Filipino during our stay in this island.
4. Jeju has a lot of rude, loud and annoying Chinese tourists.
5. Bibimbap in Korea tastes the same as the Bibimbap that I always buy in Kimbob in SM Southmall. But I am not complaining, I love them both.

Bibimbap

That much needed dose of carbs and cholesterol: Dominos Pizza

DAY 6
8:00	Breakfast
9:30	ETD Monaco Hotel to Jeju Airport
9:45	Check in at Jeju Airport
12:00	ETD Jeju Airport
13:00	ETA Gimpo Airport
15:00	ETA IB Ville Guest House
17:00	Dinner, Shop for Pasalubong, Enjoy the last night in Korea

Day 6 Notes:
1. Dongdaemun and Namdaemun are the best places to buy pasalubong.
2. Do not take the Limousine Bus during rush hour. 
3. As expected, cosmetics are dirt cheap in Korea but I am not a fan of BB creams or any cosmetics or shopping in general so I didn't go gaga on spending my remaining KRWs. Plus, I still prefer the Filipino natural beauty brands like Snoe, Oryspa and Zenutrients. :)

DAY 7
4:30	ETD IB Ville
6:00	ETA Incheon Airport
8:40	ETD Incheon Airport
11:40	ETA Manila, Back to the Daily Grind

  
Day 7 Notes:
1. This is one of the best, if not the best, trip I ever been to. The beautiful places that I visited and a wacky-crazy-fun group of people that I am with made my visit to South Korea an unforgettable one. Sure, I was not able to visit all of the places I want to visit and do all the things I wanted to do but I am perfectly fine with it. I had a blast and I hope to do this again.
2. Total budget for this trip including the plane fare to Manila and Jeju is Php 40,000 per person for a group of 5. 
3. At the end of the day, iba pa rin sa 'Pinas. Kahit gaano kabulok ang sistema ng mga bagay bagay dito, masarap pa ring umuwi sa sarili mong bansa. :)

The South Korea Series:
Itinerary and Expenses for Seven Days and Six Nights in South Korea 
10 Things To Do in South Korea
My Favorite Place in South Korea