Korean Job Discussion Forums

[DCJames]

The value of the won against other Asian countries' has fallen out. Against the baht, peso, and other Asian currencies the won has lost as much as 50% of it's value from 3-4 years ago.

If you travel to Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, etc, you better save ALOT of won to exchange. God knows you won't get much in return.

[Beeyee]

Yep, everything cost almost double in Thailand than a couple of years ago.

[sobriquet]

[D.D.]

U.S. dollar gets 47 in the Phillipines and the won only 20. Big difference. made the mistake of using my Korean card.

[prideofidaho]

Ok, well how about some substantial examples?

As someone who wasn't around a few yaers ago in the supposed salad days of Southeast Asian travel, I'm curious as to what things actually cost.

I'm budgeting a trip to Palawan in the Philippines in the next few weeks, and would love to know what to expect. So far, I'm expecting about 700,000 for two weeks for simply lodging and food / drinks....I doubled what the guides said a budget traveler could get away with.

Can this thread include some tips for the traveler instead of just alarmist statements?

DCJames, this has to be the thousandth thread you've posted the same "The won is shit, take loads of cash"....I'd love to know how much and what price jumps you've noticed.

[mick]

If the 700,000 is just for accommodation and food/drinks then that should be enough for 2 weeks but if you want to do any activities like island hopping around El Nido and day trips to Honda Bay from Puerto Princesa then you'll definitely need more. I changed 1.1 million won yesterday at KEB bank and got 34,000. I'm hoping that will last 10 days for accommodation, food/drinks and activities.

[prideofidaho]

Mick,

thanks for the info. I've got about 1.5 million to play with, and I plan to do a dive course, so I'm sure I'll be fine. Was just a bit worried....

[sobriquet]

Last year two flights one way from BKK to UK on Emirates were around 50,000Baht

This year it's 56,000Baht

Reality is though that last year at 50,000 Baht it was around 800 quid

This year it's 1200 quid.

1200 notes for a one way direct flight to Newcastle.

I can get cheaper flights on Egypt Air to Heathrow and get the train up. Save 400 quid but it's a farking long day.

[D.D.]

Many hotels in the Phillipines are asking around 2500 pesos a night and they are not even that nice. Be careful of where you stay and I guess you can find places for around 1000.

2500 is about 80000 won so it is more expensive than a love hotel in Busan or Seoul.

[prideofidaho]

Hey D.D., thanks for the info...sounds like a pretty steep price. Where we're planning to go, however, we've found that there is an abundance of cheap and basic bungalows for about 25-30 thousand won.

Perhaps the value decrease is affecting a certain level of traveler more than others? There's always camping!

[DCJames]

[DCJames]

[traxxe]

I was in the Phils just over 1 year ago and was getting 43 pesos for the 1000 won. Now it is around 30 I believe, not sure.

Everything is around 40 percent more expensive. 700k is not enough for two weeks. That's about spending 40 USD per day. Hotel will eat 20 of that, food and tuk tuks at least 10. You want to double that and have about 2 mil just for safety.

[DCJames]

[prideofidaho]

Ok, thanks for the info. Where were you? I'm traveling with my partner, so the costs will be slightly lower if we're sharing.

I just think that it's doable as long as you look at what kind of traveler you are. Do you stay in different hotels every night, or do you plan to stay int he same bungalow for a few days, getting a better deal. Do you eat expensive meals, or do you try and go native? Do you get sucked into the tourist traps, or do you try and keep a level head and avoid spending money just for the sake of it?

All I'm saying is that yes, we know the value of the won has gone down, but the alarmist and simplified comments aren't really helpful. That's just my opinion though, and I'm thankful for a variety of thoughtful opinions.