• +821042931991
  • admin@judithonajourney.com
  • Gumi, South Korea
Destinations
10 steps to a successful tour in Korea

10 steps to a successful tour in Korea

Korea is one of the most beautiful countries in the world that boasts a vibrant culture, rich heritage, wonderful people, delicious food, impressive architectural structures, cool beaches, breathtaking nature, and fantastic cities, amongst others. A visit to Korea promises to be a spectacular experience for anyone.

With all the glory of Korea, there is a need to have a fulfilling and successful tour of the country, which is why these steps have been itemized with great care. These steps are not foolproof and do not provide all the answers, but they serve as a comprehensive guide to help you have a successful exploration of the beauty of Korea. So, here are ten steps to a successful tour in Korea:

  1. Do adequate research and prepare accordingly
  2. Get familiar with some essential Korean phrases
  3. Learn the customs that guide Koreans
  4. Make arrangements for accommodation and lodging
  5. Endeavor to note how best to navigate and move around while touring
  6. Make provisions for staying connected
  7. Have your payments methods sorted out
  8. Book a tour guide or have a local as a friend for guidance on hidden gems and the best routes
  9. Try out the delicious local food and drinks
  10. Ensure you make the most of the experience 

Are you curious to know more? Keep reading 😌

Step 1: Do adequate research and prepare accordingly

Photo Credit: Jopwell 

He who fails to plan plans to fail is a well-known adage that has been around for quite some time. As ordinary and cliché as it may sound, it remains very essential to do one’s research and plan well to make the most of the tour in Korea. While Korea might be a generally safe and easy place to navigate, anyone would benefit greatly from researching to avoid going in blindly and facing some mishaps that could have been easily avoided.

The research involves taking note of the season for the duration of the tour, creating an itinerary of the sports to be explored and possible activities to be engaged in, and then packing appropriately. The weather is cool during spring (March-May), hot in summer (June – August), relatively cool in autumn (September – November), and the winter (December – March) comes with extreme cold. Another thing to note is the history and culture of Korea. To have a good tour of Korea, you should educate yourself on Korean heritage and traditions so that you can have a more meaningful understanding and appreciation of what you see while touring. Please don’t forget to bring a current passport valid for the duration of your tour. Therefore, the first step to a successful tour in Korea is to be prepared for it!

Step 2: Get familiar with some essential Korean phrases

Photo Credit: Fluentu

Learning some basic Korean phrases is a must for a memorable trip to Korea. Speaking a common language helps you communicate effectively, but there is something unique about speaking someone else’s language to them. When you speak in someone’s native tongue, you communicate not just to their minds but also to their hearts. Hence, Koreans would be pleased when you attempted to speak their language, and this would help for a smooth interaction while in the country.

In order not to see it as a tiresome task, you can add learning the Korean alphabet and simple phrases to your touring bucket list to make it more exciting. Thankfully, there are nice websites, YouTube videos, and apps that can be of help to you. Phrases such as annyeong haseyo (meaning hello), gamsahamnida (meaning thank you), annyeonghi kaseyo (meaning goodbye), Bangapsumnida (meaning nice to meet you), jamshimanyo (meaning excuse me or just a moment), and mianhamnida (meaning I’m sorry) are good starts for everyday conversations. This step cannot be overemphasized enough, and you will appreciate it when you can comfortably ask for directions, read signs and labels on food menus or other items, and easily order food in Korean. At the end of the day, wouldn’t it be cool to add Korean to your list of language proficiencies?

Step 3: Learn the customs that guide Koreans

Photo Credit: Bestofkorea

Step 1 up until now may seem like a bundle of preparation plans, but they are all very essential for you to have a successful tour in Korea. The customs and etiquettes practiced in Korea are deeply rooted in Confucianism and Buddhism, with respect and politeness being common mottos. If you have no idea of the simple etiquette and cultural practices that guide Koreans, you may be taken aback by some of the rules; and there is a possibility of you offending the locals or coming off as discourteous.

Koreans are big on respect for elders and take great pride in passing this ideology down from generation to generation. This respect is reflected in the way they bow to greet their elders and in the manner in which they address them in speech. This may not affect you during your tour, but just keep respect for elders in the back of your mind. Another thing to note is that if you happen to visit a Korean home while on tour, you should do well to abide by their “no-shoes- inside” rule and take off your shoes at the door. There is usually a pair of slippers to slip into by the threshold. When you dine out, especially if you happen to be with others, be mindful of table manners, know that there is no need to leave a tip and be conscious of your drinking etiquette. In all, just be polite and respectful.

Step 4: Make arrangements for accommodation and lodging

Photo Credit: Roverista

you should make plans for housing and accommodation before you leave for Korea to avoid unnecessary hassles, especially if you’re touring Korea during peak season. When you make reservations on time, you save yourself the stress of searching for a place for hours or settling for something less or above your budget. There are several options for lodging in Korea, depending on your list of destinations to visit and your touring plans. You could go for low-cost motels, affordable hostels, guesthouses, hotels, or Airbnb. Well, hotels are kind of expensive compared to the other alternatives, and Airbnb is still on the rise in the country; which leaves you with hostels, guesthouses, or motels. Making arrangements for where to lay your head after a long day is a crucial step that cannot be skipped or ignored for obvious reasons.

Step 5: Endeavor to note how best to navigate and move around while touring

Photo Credit: Agoda

For a successful tour in Korea, you need to know how to navigate. The Korean government has restricted access to masses of information, so it is difficult for Google Maps to carry out updates. This makes the app generally unreliable. Hence, Google Maps does not work so efficiently in Korea, and you would need to get a Korean app like KakaoMap or Naver Maps to move around on your own. Another essential tip is to get a T-money card and take advantage of the public transportation system in Korea.

Whether you are on a tight budget or can afford the luxury of spending without care to move around, the public transport system, such as the Korean Train Express, the affordable local flights and buses, intercity buses, and ferries, helps you save time and money while touring Korea. Apart from reducing the cost of transportation, the buses and trains give you the chance to enjoy the different scenic views as you move across destinations, and if you’re flying solo without a guide, then it also reduces the chances of you getting lost. With each stop and terminal, you can be clear on where you are at a particular time, and with the aid of your map, you can navigate your way through like a local.

Step 6: Make provisions for staying connected

Photo Credit: Wapititravel

For people touring Korea, staying connected would be nice, especially for those who love to share pictures and videos of their adventures online. For others, staying connected is a necessity for work, looking up directions and other information, utilizing language translation apps and maps, or reaching family and friends. Korea is known for its fast internet connection and the availability of Wi-Fi almost everywhere in the country, from cafes to restaurants, shops, and even subway stations. So, the next vital step to having a successful tour in Korea is picking a means to stay connected.

The first option is to go with the existing free Wi-Fi connections in the country or get a portable router you can carry around and use where there is no free hotspot. However, for calls, you would need to rent a phone or get a prepaid SIM card you can use conveniently. You could get the local SIM at the airport or order it before you get to Korea. Believe me, this is a step you do not want to miss, as communication and access to information are important.

Step 7: Have your payments methods sorted out

Photo Credit: Koreabyme

The currency used in Korea is the won (KRW). So it is essential to sort out the money matters accordingly; to have a great tour of the country without the hassles of payment issues. In major cities, restaurants, convenience stores, and shops, you can use your credit card to make transactions and pay for whatever item or service you get. However, in some rural areas, at smaller shops, local markets, and street food spots, you would need to make a cash payment, as there is usually no provision made for card transactions.

As we know, the exchange rate is always changing, no matter how much a country tries to keep its value high and stable. So, for a successful tour, you would need to visit the foreign exchange bank on arrival to purchase travelers’ cheques or simply exchange your money for some Korean won for ease of payment. That way, you can use your card where facilities are available and pay cash when you need to.

Step 8: Book a tour guide or have a local as a friend for guidance on hidden gems and the best routes

Photo Credit: Koreantourguide 

Information is key to quality travel, and who better to provide you with it than a tour guide or a local who is experienced in the ways of the land? Some people may decide to skip this step as they prefer flying solo and depending on themselves to tour Korea gracefully. This is fantastic, but for very good reasons, one should consider going with a tour guide or group.

It is important to note that there are some top tourist attractions, such as the DMZ, which must be visited with a well-organized tour group, because there are strict regulations that must be followed. Aside from such matters, going with a tour group can be very beneficial to a successful tour of Korea. For one, they are relatively cheap, and some are even free, so you wouldn’t have to be unkind to your budget to get a tour guide. Secondly, they aid with a more realistic itinerary of places to visit. The excitement of wanting to see everything may have you packing in too many activities in a short time. At the end of the day, you’re frustrated and don’t feel like you got the most out of the adventure. If you decide not to go with a tour group, as their schedule may be too strict or restricted for you, you can seek the aid of a local who knows Korea well to guide you on how to best enjoy the destinations you have chosen for your exploration.

Step 9: Try out the delicious local food and drinks

Photo Credit: Lonelyplanet

There is no successful tour of Korea without enjoying the one thing the country is famous for: great food and quality drinks. Sampling the local food is a way of getting to know more about the people. For instance, the infamous kimchi is an amazing dish that is part of every home; there is so much love poured into making it. It shows the kindness and sincerity in the hearts of the mothers who put effort into preparing it.

Then, there are the different textures and levels of spiciness to be taken into account; which display how accommodating and creative the people are. Korean BBQ, kimbap, rice cake, ramyeon, japchae, and pajeon are some of the delicious local Korean dishes one must try on their tour of the country. When you go over to the local bar, you step into another world of creativity and art. Great care is taken in preparing their local drink with the finest ingredients. From soju to Hallabong drinks, Makgeolli, Omijacha, and a variety of others, you will notice that they all have very distinct and unique tastes that are easy to become addicted to. In all, to say you had a good tour of Korea is to experience the divine taste of the food and drinks.

Step 10: Ensure you make the most of the experience

If you follow all the steps, you’re having a good time exploring Korea with great ease. Hence, this last step is very crucial in achieving a successful tour in Korea. You must make it a duty to make the most of the experience. Whenever and wherever your chosen destinations in the country may be, there are festivals, annual events, hidden gems, and fun cultural practices that come with that area. Top cities, for example, are known for their shop-till-you-drop culture or café hopping culture; in most places, you can find that infamous Korean spa (or jjimjilbang) that is awesome for healing and relaxation; and spots with mountains and beautiful natural environments have the benefits of sweet hiking and sightseeing. So, make the most of your time in Korea and leave as satisfied as possible.

I hope this article has been quite helpful. Enjoy your tour!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *