How to Reach?
Hey buddy, so you’re heading to South Korea too? I just got back from my first trip and let me tell you, getting there isn’t as scary as it sounds. I flew from Delhi straight to Incheon Airport with Air India and Korean Air codeshare. The flight took about 7 hours and cost me around ₹42,000 for a decent economy seat booked two months ahead. Don’t wait till the last minute or you’ll pay double.
From Incheon, you have options. The Airport Railroad Express train is the smartest choice. It took me straight to Seoul Station in 43 minutes for just ₹1,200. Super clean, free wifi, and no drama. If you’re tired after the flight, grab a taxi but be ready to shell out ₹8,000 to ₹10,000 to central Seoul. I did that once when my bag felt too heavy and regretted it immediately because the traffic was horrible.
I landed at night and the airport felt safe even at 11pm. They have free wifi everywhere and English signs that actually make sense. Don’t forget to get a T-money card at the airport convenience store right after immigration. Costs ₹350 and you can load it for buses, subway, and even some taxis. Saved my life the whole trip.
If you’re coming from Mumbai, direct flights are around ₹38,000-55,000 depending on the season. From Bangalore it’s usually a bit more. I wouldn’t recommend connecting through other countries unless the price difference is massive because layovers can mess up your first few days.
Pro tip: download the Kakao T app before you land. It’s their Uber and it works way better than anything else. First ride I took from Myeongdong to Hongdae cost me only ₹850 at night. Way cheaper than what I’d pay in Delhi.
Where to Stay?
I stayed in three different neighborhoods because I wanted to see how they felt. First three nights I was in Myeongdong and honestly, it was too noisy for me. The lights from the shops never turn off and drunk people sing outside till 4am. My hostel bed cost ₹1,800 per night but I barely slept. Wouldn’t stay there again unless you love crowds.
Then I moved to Hongdae and that’s where I should have stayed the whole time. Booked a small Airbnb studio near Hongik University for ₹3,200 a night. Had my own bathroom, tiny kitchen, and best of all, it was quiet enough to sleep but still close to everything fun. The area is full of students so the vibe is young and energetic without being overwhelming.
For the last part of my trip I tried Sinchon. Stayed at a proper hotel, the L7 Hongdae, which cost me ₹6,500 a night. Worth every rupee after two weeks of hostels. The bed was actually comfortable and they had a rooftop where I drank beer watching the city lights. If your budget allows, spend at least a few nights in a real hotel. Your back will thank you.
Airbnbs in Seoul are everywhere but check the cancellation policy. I saw some places in Gangnam for ₹4,500 that looked amazing but they were far from the subway. Don’t do that to yourself. Stay within 10 minutes walking distance from a station.
If you’re on a tight budget like I mostly was, look at guesthouses in Itaewon. I visited a friend there and his bed was only ₹1,200 a night. The area has more international food options which was nice after eating Korean every day. But it does feel a bit different from the rest of Seoul.
Whatever you do, don’t stay near Dongdaemun unless you love shopping till you drop. The wholesale markets open at 5am and the noise is constant. I made that mistake for one night and left with a headache.
What to Eat?
Okay this is where I went a bit crazy and I’m not even sorry. Korean street food is actually as good as everyone says. My absolute favorite was the tteokbokki in Myeongdong. Those spicy rice cakes cost me only ₹120 per plate and I ate them almost every evening. They burn your mouth but in the best way possible.
Don’t miss the Korean fried chicken. I went to a place called BHC in Hongdae and the garlic soy version cost ₹850 for a whole chicken. We sat there for two hours with beers and it was one of my best nights. Way better than any fried chicken I’ve had in India. They give you pickled radish and it’s weirdly addictive.
For sit-down meals, I loved this barbecue place in Sinchon called Samgyeopsal. We cooked pork belly right at our table and it came with like 15 different sides. Cost me ₹1,800 per person including soju and it was worth it. The meat was so fresh and the staff kept bringing more lettuce wraps. I went back twice.
Street food at Gwangjang Market is a must. I had mung bean pancakes (bindaetteok) for ₹180 and they were crispy and perfect. Also tried the blood sausage (sundae) even though I was nervous. It wasn’t bad actually, tasted like spiced rice with a weird texture. Cost ₹250.
Convenience store food saved me so many times. Those triangle kimbap things are only ₹90 and actually filling. I lived on them for breakfast some days. The 7-Eleven near my Airbnb in Hongdae had heated up corn dogs for ₹160 that hit the spot after late nights.
One honest negative – I got tired of kimchi after a while. It’s served with everything and by day 10 I was craving simple dal rice so badly. I found an Indian restaurant in Itaewon called Moti Mahal and their butter chicken was ₹950. Not authentic but it scratched the itch. Don’t judge me.
Seafood in Busan was next level when I took a day trip. The hoe (raw fish) at Jagalchi Market cost me ₹2,200 for a plate but it was so fresh it basically jumped on my plate. Worth the train ticket.
Don’t overdo the soju. I did on my third night and paid for it the next day. Those little green bottles are only ₹180 but they sneak up on you when you’re eating spicy food.
Best Time to Visit
I went in October and honestly it was perfect. The weather was cool, around 18 degrees during the day, and I only needed a light jacket. The leaves were changing color in the parks but it wasn’t too cold yet. If you’re Indian like me, you’ll find it comfortable.
Spring (March to May) is also good but everything gets crazy expensive and crowded because of cherry blossoms. I talked to a guy who went in April and said his hotel cost double what I paid. Also the pollen was bad and he had to buy masks.
Summer is hot and humid as hell. I wouldn’t recommend it. One local told me July and August feel like you’re swimming through the air. Plus that’s when they get those crazy rainstorms. My friend went in August and said his clothes never dried properly.
Winter is freezing. Like properly cold. December to February the temperature drops to -5 or lower and the wind cuts through you. I saw pictures of Seoul covered in snow and it looks beautiful but I don’t think I’d survive it with my thin blood.
I think September to early November is the sweet spot. Fewer crowds than cherry blossom season and the weather doesn’t try to kill you. Avoid Chinese New Year and Korean holidays if you can because everything gets packed.
Budget (Indian Rupees)
Alright let’s talk real numbers because this is what you actually asked about. I went for 16 days and spent carefully but didn’t completely suffer.
Flights: ₹42,000 return from Delhi.
Accommodation: I averaged ₹2,800 per night. Total for 15 nights was around ₹42,000. If you stay in hostels only you could do it for ₹18,000 total but you’d be sharing rooms with strangers.
Food: This is where I went a bit wild. I spent about ₹2,500 per day on food and drinks. Street food and convenience stores kept it from getting too bad but those barbecue dinners added up. Total food cost was ₹40,000. You could easily do it for ₹1,200 a day if you’re strict.
Transport: Subway and buses cost me only ₹6,500 for the whole trip because I used my T-money card everywhere. Taxis added another ₹8,000 because sometimes I was lazy or it was late.
Attractions and activities: I spent ₹18,000 total. This included N Seoul Tower (₹1,800), DMZ tour (₹6,500 – totally worth it), a few museums (₹800 each), and some random experiences like a baseball game (₹2,200).
Shopping: I promised myself I wouldn’t spend on skincare but I bought some face masks for my sister. Total shopping was ₹12,000. Hard to resist when everything looks so cute.
Total for 16 days: roughly ₹1,68,500 including everything. That breaks down to about ₹10,500 per day. If you’re really tight you could do Korea for ₹6,000-7,000 per day but you’d be eating instant noodles most nights.
The midrange budget from those blogs is accurate. I was somewhere between budget and midrange and it felt comfortable most days. Just don’t expect to eat at Michelin places every night.
Tips for First-Timers
Download Naver Map before you arrive. Google Maps doesn’t work properly in Korea and I wasted so much time being lost. Naver saved me constantly.
Learn how to say thank you – gomapseumnida. People really appreciate even terrible attempts. I butchered the pronunciation but they smiled anyway.
The subway is spotless but don’t eat or drink anything. They have signs everywhere and I saw someone get politely told off. Also stand on the right side of escalators or people will hate you.
Bring comfortable shoes. I made the mistake of bringing one pair of trendy sneakers and my feet were destroyed after four days of walking 15,000 steps daily. Seoul is hillier than it looks.
They have free wifi everywhere but get an eSIM anyway. I used Airalo and it cost me ₹1,800 for 15 days with 10GB. Worth it for using Kakao T and translating menus.
Koreans eat late. Don’t try finding dinner at 6pm because most proper places open around 5:30. I learned this the hard way and ended up eating horrible sandwiches twice.
The toilets are fancy. Many have buttons that play music to cover your sounds. Just don’t be shocked when your toilet seat is heated.
Carry cash. Not everywhere takes cards, especially small street vendors. I withdrew from 7-Eleven ATMs and the fees weren’t bad.
If you’re vegetarian, learn to say “I don’t eat meat” in Korean or have it written down. Even vegetable dishes sometimes have beef broth. I watched my friend struggle with this.
The hiking is actually really good if you get out of Seoul. I did a small trail in Bukhansan and it was one of my favorite days even though I’m not a big hiker. The views of the city from above are worth the sweat.
Don’t try to do everything. I tried visiting 4 palaces in two days and they all started looking the same. Pick two and actually enjoy them.
FAQ
How much does street food actually cost?
Most things are between ₹80 to ₹250. Tteokbokki, fish cakes on a stick, and egg bread were my daily snacks and never broke ₹400 even if I ate a lot.
Is Korea expensive for Indians?
It’s more expensive than Thailand but cheaper than Japan or Europe. If you control your drinking and avoid tourist trap restaurants, it’s totally doable. I spent less than I would have in Singapore.
Should I get the Korea Travel Card?
Yes if you’re staying more than a week. I got the find Seoul Pass for 3 days and it paid for itself with free entry to attractions. Just calculate based on your plans.
Is the language barrier bad?
It’s there but not terrible. Younger people usually speak some English and translation apps work fine. Pointing at pictures on menus saved me many times.
Can I survive without eating spicy food?
Somewhat. Ask for “mild” but even that has some kick. I got used to it after a week but my stomach was angry the first few days. Bring some antacids.
Is it safe to travel alone?
Very safe. I walked around at 2am in Hongdae and never felt worried. Women travelers I met said the same. Just use normal sense like anywhere.
How much should I budget for drinks?
Soju is cheap at ₹180 per bottle in stores but bars charge double. I spent around ₹800-1,200 per night when I went out. The craft beer scene in Hongdae is fun but expensive at ₹650 per pint.
Should I visit other cities or just stay in Seoul?
Do both. I took the KTX bullet train to Busan for two days and it was one of the best decisions. The train ticket was ₹4,200 one way and totally worth it. The beaches and seafood are completely different from Seoul.
What if I don’t like Korean food?
You’ll be fine. There are McDonalds, Starbucks, and Indian restaurants in tourist areas. But honestly try to eat local as much as possible. The flavors grow on you.
Is public transport confusing?
At first yes. After three days I had it figured out. Buy that T-money card and just go. The subway announcements are in English too which helps.
I hope this helps you plan your trip. Korea surprised me in the best and sometimes worst ways but I already want to go back. The people are kind, the food is addictive, and the cities feel alive without being scary. Just don’t overplan every minute. Some of my best memories were just sitting in random parks watching old men play baduk.
See you there maybe? Let me know if you want specific recommendations for anything I missed. Safe travels, friend!
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