Korean Job Discussion Forums

steveohan · Joined: 24 Apr 2005 Location: Seoul, South Korea

so, im heading to thailand in a few days and flying out of incheon and i have a few questions.

1) currency exchange - can i exchange around 300,000 won into thai baht at one of the currency exchange counters at the airport?

2) departure tax - is there a departure tax at incheon, and if so how much?

thanks!
steve.

tzechuk · Joined: 20 Dec 2004

itaewonguy · Joined: 25 Mar 2003

no!! there is no departure tax! its included in your ticket!

steveohan · Joined: 24 Apr 2005 Location: Seoul, South Korea

ok
thanks guys!

steve.

justagirl · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Cheonan/Portland

If you like a decent exchange rate, don't change your money at the airport.

I've found it's best to change to US dollars, then in Thailand, change at the counter there. It's always open and right there when you get your baggage/check out of customs.

Zark · Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2005 5:24 pm Post subject:

I agree with Justagirl about converting to US$ and then to Baht. When they do the conversion - you get burned both ways. And that is exactly what they are doing - they aren't converting won to baht - they are converting won to bucks then bucks to baht in two different transactions with commissions on both sides.

Now, counter to almost EVERYONE else:
I always disagree with those who say don't exchange at the airport. Most banks (I don't check 100% of them) - have ONE exchange rate. Doesn't matter if you go downtown - to the airport - or to their most remote bank. I was in Don Muang Airport on the 25th of June - exchanged at a bank there. Flew on to Phuket checked the SAME bank near my home (not at the local airport) - SAME rate. Generally, you will find this true.

Now, if you are using money exchangers - maybe a different story - but for major banks some bigshot economist in the main office sets their daily rate - not each local branch. And the airport branch will be the same - sure they have higher overhead - but they do much higher volume of business. Save yourself the time and pain in the butt - do it at the airport. Just my opinion - before everyone goes maniac on me . . .

Make your baht exchange in Thailand - not Korea btw.

tzechuk · Joined: 20 Dec 2004

Wangja · Joined: 17 May 2004 Location: Seoul, Yongsan

schwa · Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Location: Yap

tzechuk, your source is 4 years old.

Departure tax has been rolled into ticket prices for quite a while now.

steveohan · Joined: 24 Apr 2005 Location: Seoul, South Korea

Patong Dong · Joined: 06 May 2003 Location: On Nut

Don't worry about arriving at Don Muang at 12:30am, that is one of the busiest, if not the busiest time, for int'l arrivals there.

Also, to add my 0 won, there is no departure tax for foreigners flying out of Incheon.

JacktheCat · Joined: 08 May 2004

Heads up if you are leaving Korea in the next few days.

At the moment there is a major airline pilot strike going on, and many international flights are being delayed or cancled.

If you've got an outward bound flight from Korea, I would be making some phone calls and alternate plans right about now.

steveohan · Joined: 24 Apr 2005 Location: Seoul, South Korea

isnt the pilot strike w/ asiana? my flight is with thai airlines.

steve.

JacktheCat · Joined: 08 May 2004

Ah yes, only on Asiana airlines.

http://edition.cnn.com/2005/BUSINESS/07/20/skorea.pilots.ap/index.html

Sorry for any confusion.

ilovebdt · Joined: 03 Jun 2005 Location: Nr Seoul

When I flew from Bangkok to Incheon in 02, I had to pay departure tax.

Anyone know if this is still the case? Or do they include it in the ticket price now in Thailand too?

Not sure if this is still the case. I got a surprise as they hadn't charged me at Incheon.