aztimm

I'm on my way there right now. At DFW waiting for my flight to NRT, then on to ICN.

Not sure if I'll do a formal trip report (in the Trip Reports forum), but I'll at least post some highlights here.

I've stayed in similar areas of London and NYC, and was pleasantly surprised how busy things were, despite most of the M-F workers being home.
As it is pretty much too late now, I'll stick with it and see what happens.

I thought I read that about the T-money card somewhere, that it worked for the express bus both ways. I'll probably put ~$40 on it, and can always add more if needed.


I had an awesome experience with a tailor on my last trip to Seoul. After being measured (nearly my entire body), picking out styles, colors, thread, and settling on a price (I first negotiated in English, then switched to Korean, which brought the price much lower), I ordered a suit.
I was only there a few days from Tokyo on that trip, and was worried about not being able to pick up my suit. I paid, and he said he'd ship it to my home back in the US (I was going back to Tokyo for a few more weeks of school).
Within a week, to my surprise, my Mom sent me a message saying that I got a package from Korea. Of course it was the suit. The tailor even sent me a Christmas card that year.
Sorry to hear that they're a dying breed
I do plan to walk through Itaewon, and if the mood strikes, perhaps even venture into a tailor shop.

nme7

From the Conrad you can walk to the Han river easily. Make your way to the Yeouido park. Walk towards the North West side of the park. From there, you will see a tunnel that leads you to the riverfront. Once through the tunnel, you can go in either direction for a very long time!

Did you know.... there used to be an international airport at Yeouido.

Tailored shirts and suits? Yes! If not the suit, at least the shirts. A custom fitted shirt between $40-55? I've bought my shirts from here for the last several years and have never gone back to off-the-shelf shirts from anywhere else. The price is right and the fit is excellent. If you do go, I believe they prefer payment in cash.

aztimm

So far the trip is going well.

Plane landed at ICN around 9:15pm, and I was on the train going into town by 10:15.
My aircraft had parked at the remote area, so we had to take the train to the main building. There was a bit of a line for immigration...but I was on the right side, which I'd recommend. As the domestic lines go down, someone moved us over to those agents.

The major issue I had was getting an ATM to work for me! I had used 3, and got errors. I had brought some US cash (and also have Canadian cash in my wallet), was about to cave in, and tried one more ATM, which worked ^
I think my problem is that my ATM card expired 2 years ago My bank must not really care, as I've used it many times since then. But some of the machines here do care. (note: I'll get a new ATM card after this trip!)

There were a few bothersome guys trying to get me to ride in their taxi. I gave a firm no to one, and none bothered me after that.

The first 7-11 at ICN was out of T-Money Cards, but they directed me to another. That one had plenty, and I had no problem getting it, and the clerk put money on it right away.
Alternatively, if you're passing through earlier, I noticed another 7-11 down near the parking/on way to the train. It was closed when I went through, but imagine it wouldn't be that busy at other times.

After the whole experience with getting an ATM to work, and near the other convenience store, I just followed signs for the train. I almost got on the nonstop to Seoul Station, but then noticed all the warnings, so walked across to the one that does stop.
It was just under an hour on the train, I got off at the station just before Seoul Station. Transferred to the #5 subway, and took that 3 stops. My hotel had sent me detailed instructions on which exit, walking through the IFC mall, etc, which really helped get here.
The mall was closed, but I still passed through no problems.
I think it was less than 5,000W for the whole trip from ICN to hotel.

mikesaidyes

Re: T-Money. The only place that sells them is the GS25 by Door 10.

Also, re: immigration: Next to the Korean line is the BEST secret. When there are no Koreans (which is often), they let your line use the Korean ones. Sometimes, the Korean side is on your left or your right. Just stand at the closest one to the Korean line.