Your South Korea Booking Pack
Starting in Seoul
The Dragon Trip is the all-encompassing, flexible trip for adventurers seeking to discover the real South Korea, showing you the very best parts – including cultural, historical and adrenaline-inducing attractions, jaw dropping scenery, and incredibly tasty cuisine!
Over the next few weeks it is our goal to show you a side of South Korea you will remember for the rest of your lives.
Joining your tour in Seoul
Hotel Skypark Myeongdong III
Address: 139 Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
서울특별시 중구 퇴계로 139 호텔스카이파크 명동3호점
Phone: +82-(0)2-756-9700
Please meet your adventure leader in the afternoon at 17:00 at the lobby of Hotel Skypark Myeongdong III for a trip briefing. After the briefing, we will have a Korean Welcome Dinner before taking public transportation and the cable car to Namsan Mountain.
If you are unable to meet at this time, please inform us at mytrip@thedragontrip.com
How to get to your hotel
By Taxi: Taking a taxi from Incheon Airport will take an average time of 90 minutes given the usual local traffic conditions.
For non-Korean language speakers, we recommend using the International Taxi Service, which offers flat fares of around 60,000 to 80,000 won for destinations around Seoul. All drivers are English speakers, and there are no additional toll gate fees, midnight surcharges or fees for luggage.
To book a taxi, please exit the airport through Gates 4 to 8, located in Arrivals, first level, and cross the street in order to approach the taxi stands (4D to 8C).
For regular taxis, fares are around 60,000 and 100,000 won for a ride to several destinations around Seoul. Please note that there is a late-night surcharge (+20% to the initial fare) between midnight and 04.00 am.
By Public Transportation: Hotel Skypark Myeongdong III is located around 1 hour and 20 minutes from Incheon Airport and 55 minutes from Kimpo Airport. It is within 5 minutes walking distance (170m) from Exit No. 9 of Myeongdong station of the subway line Number 4.
Please check the following link for more details:
https://www.skyparkhotel.com/html/accommdation/accom3_tab1_01.asp
Visas
Passengers entering South Korea must obtain a K-ETA (if eligible) or a visa.
K-ETA is an electronic travel authorization for visa-free foreign visitors and it is tied directly to your passport. Please check K-ETA eligibility of your country of origin and apply for it here: https://www.k-eta.go.kr/portal/apply/index.do
If your country of origin is not eligible for K-ETA, then you must apply for the visa at the nearest embassy.
Visa information is subject to change without notice. For the most current information, please visit your nearest embassy.
Please note that you’ll be asked to enter postal code, road name address, detailed address and contact number when filling out the form. Please enter the above hotel’s address and phone number when applying your K-ETA.
South Korea Covid-19 Entry Regulations
- Q-Code:
Please fill out the form and upload the necessary documents on the Q-code website here: https://cov19ent.kdca.go.kr/cpassportal/
After filling out the form on the QCode website, you’ll receive a QR code to show immigration officer upon arrival.
- Covid Tests:
There is no pre-departure covid test requirement to enter South Korea. However, we strongly suggest our travellers to get tested before leaving your home country to make sure you’re covid free.
As of October 1st 2022, all travellers into South Korea are not required to take a COVID-19 PCR test within 24 hours of arrival.
Note : South Korea Covid-19 Entry Regulations are subject to change. Please contact the nearest Korean embassy or your airline company for the most up-to-date information.
We can collect you from the airport
We can arrange an airport transfer to pick you up from Seoul airport and drop you off at your hotel for an additional cost.
If you are planning on spending additional time in Seoul before your trip starts, we are also able to book pre-trip accommodation for you. To find out more, email info@thedragontrip.com
Insurance
DON’T forget your insurance! It’s compulsory to have travel insurance on our trip.
Please bring details of your travel insurance along with you to the pre-departure briefing. In the event of an accident, we may need to contact your insurance company on your behalf, so we will need the insurance company’s name and phone number as well as your policy number.
Please make sure your insurance offers ‘Bad Weather or Natural Disaster Coverage’.
Don’t forget your passport
Have you sent us your passport details?
The Dragon Trip needs your passport copy to book accommodation and transport tickets in advance of your trip.
Please ensure that you passport is valid for six months of onward travel with a spare page for every country you plan on visiting (all those stamps). If you need a new passport, make sure you send us your new passport details as soon as possible or you may experience some difficulties whilst on tour.
Do I need a visa?
Foreign nationals from many countries are now permitted visa-free entry to Korea for a limited period under certain conditions. To check whether you are able to enter Korea without a visa, please contact a Korean embassy or consular office in your country or visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website (www.mofa.go.kr).
Visa information is subject to change without notice. For the most current information, please visit your nearest embassy.
Follow us on Instagram
You can keep reliving your South Korea trip when you’re home by finding us on the following social media platforms! We love seeing your photos and videos, so be sure to tag us!
Please do inform us by email if you would rather not have your photos appear on our social media platforms.
Remember to use the hashtag
#TheDragonTrip
Find Friends on Facebook
As so many of our Dragons travel solo, we want to take to make the process of meeting your fellow travellers as easy as possible. We have created a Facebook Event for every departure date to make it easier for you to meet in advance and share the excitement.
Like us on Facebook and go to the Events tab to meet fellow Dragons in advance.
You can also join ‘The Dragon Trip: Adventure Advice‘ group – also available on Facebook.
Our Ultimate Packing Check List
On all of our trips you will be required to carry your own bags so pack light. South Korea has some local markets in case you forget something and you can always borrow from others in your group (that’s what friends are for) We do advise that you take a backpack rather than luggage as this will be useful when travelling between cities.
Documents:
- Passport – with a copy of photo page
- Insurance Info
Money:
- Credit/Debit Card (Many ATMs in Korea outside of public transportation stations and airports do not take foreign cards. Your Adventure Leader will help you find appropriate ATM machines)
- Local Currency
- Money Belt
The Essentials:
- First Aid Kit (with medicine for diarrhea, paracetamol, disinfectant, aspirin, bandaids, tape, antibacterial gel/wipes, antiseptic cream, rehydration powder, whistle, Ibuprofen etc and any other personal medicines)
- Camera and charger
- Shirts/T-shirts
- Long pants (for hiking)
- Long trousers, sleeved shirts (when visiting temples)
- Swimming costume
- Sensible walking shoes/hiking boots
- Towel
- Washbag
- Flashlight/torch
- Mosquito repellent
- Sunscreen
- Eco-friendly shampoo and soap
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Earplugs (for a better sleep in the dorms/night train)
- Locks for bags
- Waterproof backpack cover
- Antibacterial gel/wipes
- Universal travel adapter
FAQ’s
DO I NEED TO BRING POWER ADAPTORS?
Yes! South Korean electrical outlets use the same sockets as central Europe, so if you use any other type of plug, you will need to bring an adaptor. South Korea uses 230 volts and the plug sockets are Type C, featuring two round pins.
SUITCASE OR BACKPACK?
A suitcase is OK, but a backpack/hold-all is much, much more convenient. Whether you’re travelling elsewhere in Asia or just flying to and from South Korea, remember to look into what the checked luggage weight limits are for your flights.
HOW DO I GET MONEY IN SOUTH KOREA?
You will be able to withdraw money at ATMs in the major cities and tourist areas in South Korea, and your Adventure Leader will tell you when the next stop on the trip where you will be able to withdraw more cash is. Not all ATMs in South Korea will accept foreign bank cards, so would recommend researching ATMs in advance.
HOW MUCH SHOULD I BUDGET FOR FOOD AND DRINK ON THE DRAGON TRIP?
It really varies depending on your taste and budget. You can get a meal of Gimpap (Korean sushi) or noodles for 5,000-6,000₩ (£4-5). Generally, we take travellers to affordable restaurants and recommend budgeting £10-15 a day for food and drink.
Top Tips from The Dragon Trip
Try saying that tongue twister really fast.
On the weather
- South Korea has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. Spring and autumn are pleasant but also short in duration. Summers are very short, hot, and humid. The end of June-July are typically the rainiest months of the year.
On how to travel sustainably
- We cover the cost of up to 15kg in weight on our flights. This keeps fuel usage down and reduces the impact of the flight on the environment.
- Packing as light as possible keeps your carbon footprint low. We recommend 10-15kg especially as you are expected to carry your own luggage.
- Pack a reusable water bottle. Many of our hostels provide filtered water which reduces your need for single use plastics on tour.
Stay Connected
- Your Adventure Leader will invite you to a WhatsApp group chat on Day 1 to keep in touch with you and the rest of your group.
- Maps.me: This is a great app to stop yourself from getting lost! You can download it to your phone for free. We recommend downloading many maps from different cities in South Korea before your trip and using these maps later when you don’t have Wi-Fi.
- Bring electronic products at your own risk. Some customers choose to travel with iphones, tablets and laptops, but although theft is rare on The Dragon Trip there is petty crime in some areas we visit.
Food & Drink
- The legal age to drink alcohol is 19 in Korea. ID is needed to enter bars.
- There will be lots of great nights out on The Dragon Trip, but please remember to always drink within your limits. Never journey home by yourself at night and never leave another person in the group alone. Please don’t drink too much if you have early morning journey/activity in the next day. And always follow the legal drinking age limit which is 21 in South Korea.
- Drugs are illegal in South Korea. If our guides see you committing any crime while traveling with us, they are obliged to report it, so please don’t put them in that position!
- The food is DELICIOUS throughout South Korea and you won’t be able to get enough of it. Try anything and everything possible. Your Adventure Leader will be able to recommend all of the best spots.
- Stay hydrated. If you’re travelling in the summer months, then it’s important that you drink enough water. You may want to pack rehydration sachets with you just in case.
Pack patience
- You may meet many people from lots of different backgrounds and cultures on this trip. You may have different opinions or ways of doing things. Treat everyone how you wish to be treated and remember to work together as a group.
- Always try to arrive a couple of minutes early to check outs or departure times. Being late may mean missing transport connections and you don’t want to delay the whole group.
- Please bear in mind that South Korea has it’s own unique culture that at times can be very different to your home country. Some systems or ways of doing things which you may take for granted back home aren’t necessarily the same, so please be patient. Sometimes things don’t run like they may back home, despite our best efforts.
Navigating a new culture
- Be respectful of local culture and dress appropriately at temples and religious sites. You may need to cover your shoulders, wear longer trousers and go barefoot.
- Respect towards elders is very important in Korea. Speak politely, bow, give up your seat, and generally go out of your way for them.
On safety & security
- Exercise caution and common sense at all times during your stay in South Korea.
- Always carry a photocopy of your passport (photo page and visa page) with you.
- We recommend you to carry a small first aid kit including any personal medicines you’re using as they may not easily be obtained in some of the locations we visit.
- Drink at your own risk and always follow the legal drinking age – it is 19 in South Korea.
- Beware of ATM scams and pickpocketing on buses and trains as well is in busy streets.
- We recommend that you to carry a small first aid kit including any personal medicines you’re using as they may not easily be obtained in some of the locations we visit.
In case of Emergencies
No matter where you are or what you do, safety always comes first. We conduct our own health and safety checks but sometimes things happen that our out of our control.
Emergency services numbers are listed below:
South Korea:
– Police Department: +82-2-(112)
– Fire Department: +82-2-(119)
– Medical Emergencies: +82-2-(1339)
To contact our staff
Email: info@thedragontrip.com
24/7 emergency contact number: +86-185-6675-8404
Contact Us
Any questions or feedback?
Contact our London Team: info@thedragontrip.com
(Please note that this email is only being monitored from Monday to Friday between 9:00 and 17:30 (Friday 17:00) UK time, if you have any urgent issues, such as flight delay, cancelling the trip in the last minute, please contact our South KoreaTeam)
Contact our South Korea team: mytrip@thedragontrip.com
To read our full terms & conditions, click here.
