Korea Do - Seoul April 16-18, 2017
Aug 29, 2016, 9:53 am
#92
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Shanghai (PVG/SHA)
Programs: SQ Gold, AF Platinum, AA Platinum (sadly, expiring soon), QR Silver, EK, MU, HU, PR, HO, OZ, KE
Posts: 685
I do not believe it is possible to fly into GMP from the US anymore. It used to be possible in the past, before ICN was built. But now almost all intl flights are through ICN. If you prefer to fly into GMP, then your choices would be Haneda, Beijing or Shanghai Hongqiao.
But if you want to fly to Korea direct from the US, then ICN is your airport. In terms of the difference, time-wise, between ICN and GMP is about 20-30 minutes more commute from Seoul. ICN is a much nicer airport also.
But if you want to fly to Korea direct from the US, then ICN is your airport. In terms of the difference, time-wise, between ICN and GMP is about 20-30 minutes more commute from Seoul. ICN is a much nicer airport also.
In PEK you need to go through immigration almost for every international transit flight - and I almost missed my connection to PVG when I flew in from TLV just 2 months ago, had I not cut the queue of Israelis at immigration (they had no chance of making it to their flights, I did), had no check-in luggage, and also ran out of the diplomatic line at customs instead of going through the bag scanner like everyone else.
SHA has pretty limited international flights, only to HKG, GMP, HND and TSA, IIRC. Anything else arrives at PVG which is all the way across the (very big and crowded) city, you'll need to lug all your luggage along when changing airports and it's a hassle.
Aug 29, 2016, 9:55 am
#93
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Shanghai (PVG/SHA)
Programs: SQ Gold, AF Platinum, AA Platinum (sadly, expiring soon), QR Silver, EK, MU, HU, PR, HO, OZ, KE
Posts: 685
This thread is a bit quiet recently, so I thought I'd revive it!
I am trying to find the best area to stay while in Seoul to be closer to most of the DO activities. For the Japan Do, it's easy, everything is centered around Shinjuku station but for Seoul, the recommended hotels are a little more spread out.
Is it best to stay around myeongdong or Dongdaemun or Gangnam? Looking at the Pullman Grand ambassador which appears decent. But if the majority stay in Gangnam, I might look there instead.
I am trying to find the best area to stay while in Seoul to be closer to most of the DO activities. For the Japan Do, it's easy, everything is centered around Shinjuku station but for Seoul, the recommended hotels are a little more spread out.
Is it best to stay around myeongdong or Dongdaemun or Gangnam? Looking at the Pullman Grand ambassador which appears decent. But if the majority stay in Gangnam, I might look there instead.
Otherwise for the 3 areas named, Myeongdong > Dongdaemun > Gangnam.
Aug 29, 2016, 5:55 pm
#94
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: YYZ
Programs: Aeroplan, Flying Blue Gold, Accor Silver, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 662
I generally like to stay in mid to upper scale hotel (but not luxury). Like 3.5 to 4 star. I have my mind set on the ibis styles Abassador Seoul myeongdong or the Pullman. I like to be in the centre of the action, and don't mind staying along other tourists.
Aug 30, 2016, 2:38 am
#95
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Somewhere in Y class
Programs: OZ D+ Lifetime
Posts: 1,181
I don't know, but why did no one suggest the Insadong/Bukchon area? I'm not one for the expensive hotel chains, and there are lots of cute, atmospheric hanok guesthouses in this area. It would be a much more local and unique experience.
Otherwise for the 3 areas named, Myeongdong > Dongdaemun > Gangnam.
Otherwise for the 3 areas named, Myeongdong > Dongdaemun > Gangnam.
Sep 1, 2016, 8:16 pm
#96
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Homeless
Programs: Marriott Titanium / HH Diamond / Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 287
After reading this trip report on FT I booked a First Class award to fly NRT-ICN on Asiana 744 in April 2014. I believe there was only one daily flight with F on this route. Unfortunately OZ suspended the First Class service between NRT and ICN shortly before I had a chance to try it. 
According to this trip report the video linked looks like from a flight in the First Class cabin but with a Business Class service.
Since the only reason to fly NRT-ICN was to experience OZ F, I changed the award to fly HND-GMP in Business with a similar timing as the one above.
According to this trip report the video linked looks like from a flight in the First Class cabin but with a Business Class service.
Since the only reason to fly NRT-ICN was to experience OZ F, I changed the award to fly HND-GMP in Business with a similar timing as the one above.
Oct 19, 2016, 10:25 am
#105
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: ORD,MDW,MKE
Programs: AA 1MM EXP 2015, SPG Gold, PC Plat, HH Diamond Marriott Silver Alamo Budget Hertz
Posts: 305
I don't know, but why did no one suggest the Insadong/Bukchon area? I'm not one for the expensive hotel chains, and there are lots of cute, atmospheric hanok guesthouses in this area. It would be a much more local and unique experience.
Otherwise for the 3 areas named, Myeongdong > Dongdaemun > Gangnam.
Otherwise for the 3 areas named, Myeongdong > Dongdaemun > Gangnam.
Myeongdong and Dongdaemun are closer to the palaces and probably where most of the DO events might take place. Gangnam is south of the Han river and would require more travel times.
Gangnam literally means "South of the River".Wikipedia