Korean Job Discussion Forums

[austinmc86]

I have only been in Korea for nearly a month, but I already have a vacation coming up in July.

I want to go to Thailand, China, Japan or stay in Korea and go to Seoul or Jeju Island.

Now, are the cheap flights to Thailand? And for China, how do I get the visa?

And finally, for the Japan ferry is their a terminal for a ferry near Haeundae? I go to Haeundae often, and this would be my best bet for a ferry to Japan.


Does anyone have any suggestions for a nice vacation destination close to Korea or in Korea? My vacation is 7 days. I want to do something nice, but i don't want to spend over a 1,000 USD.

[DeMayonnaise]

You have no idea where you want to travel? That doesn't help us much.

Check out the travel forum:

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewforum.php?f=2

[Aelric]

Thailand. Head north to Chiang Mai and you will barely pay anything, and it's a great city with lots to do and friendly folks. I suggest you head to a guesthouse called A Little Bird where I stayed and got to be friends with the owner. It's about $3 per night. Typical day long or longer activity, like zip lining in the jungle or doing a two day trek with white water rafting should cost around the $30-$60 range, which are all worth it.

I spent about $500 on my plane ticket and about $300 while there. I lived like a king for 10 days. Loved it so much I'm going back there to live for a few months after my contract is up.

China is great too, but it depends on what you want to do and where in China you will go. Beijing is alright, but it's a city like most other cities, just with a lot of tourist locations. If you go more out into the countryside, China gets a lot more interesting.

Japan will cost you $500 in a weekend, easier than you may realize. The prices there are INSANE.

I haven't been yet, but some friends of mine went to Mongolia and came back with some pictures of the most beautiful countryside I've ever seen. The plains are almost a spiritual experience to hear them talk about it. Perhaps it's a possibility for you. I know I hope to go someday soon.

Anyway, wherever you go, I hope you have a good time. Cheers.

[confucian]

Thailand or Vietnam. Your contract is for a year you'll be glad you got to spend some time out of country, notwithstanding what the Original Captain says.

[daeguowl]

[Kaypea]

Malaysia and Indonesian are pretty hot and not rainy. I think the flights will put you back a pretty penny, though.

[jomiro]

isnt it monsoon season in thailand right now until august or sept?

get the flight to china through a travel agency. they will also help you to get a visa for china. the only way for you to do it yourself is to go to the chinese embassy during the day until 11am and apply for it. but i doubt they speak english there. only chinese and korean would be my guess.

try the philippines. very nice beaches, its not too expensive either, i think.

less that $1000 for 7 days. cross japan off your list. not possible. you might take the ferry, but accomdation and food, transportation and entertainment costs are super high. i used to go every other month for 5 days. usually spent around $300. mind you, i didnt have to pay for a hotel or hostel as i stayed with my friend.

jeju will be overrun this time of the year. but still might be nice. the flights arent too expensive either. maybe 110.000. check online for that. www.interpark.com (korean page. dont know any english ones, sorry)

oh.. one more word to china. you might not want to go in july. i just came back from beijing and i also used to live there for some years. the summer is aweful there. bad air quality plus temperatures up in the high 30's and 40's.
would recommend you to wait with china until fall or spring. although fall might be best.

have you thought about guam yet? american territory, 3 hours from here by plane. dont know about the prices there tho.but google will help you.

[rickpidero]

Cheapest flights to Thailand are through Jin Air (webstite Internet Explorer only).

I haven't found that travel agents are cheaper when it comes to plane tickets. You can go to Beijing for about 200,000 if you simply look on expedia.

Getting you Chinese visa at the embassy is an option, when I got mine I sent my friend to do it, I had school. Although, we asked for 6 months multiple entry and they gave us 3 months single entry. So, it might be better for a travel agent on that one.

[Kissmykimchi]

I suggest cambodia. I went there a few years ago with a group of friends and I'm so glad they suggested it. It's a place I wouldn't have thought of going on my own.

its beautiful, the people are so friendly, and the sights unbelievable plus its cheap!

http://kissmykimchi.com/category/travel/abroad/cambodia-abroad-walkabout

[AsiaESLbound]

I've been reading up on other Asian countries. I would highly recommend studying up via Google.com about international travel to these different countries of interest. Visa on arrival is available pretty much everywhere except China, Vietnam, and Myanmar. Vietnam does have a VOA if you apply online ahead of time. Americans can get 6 month, 5 year, and 10 year visas to India. Most other VOA's are for 30 days such as with Thailand and Indonesia. Some visas are extendable or renewable and some aren't. Too bad Indonesia doesn't allow extensions or longer visas as that's where I'd like to spend about 4 to 6 months.

For Summer vacation, I'm finding $550 flights to Bangkok with Chiang Mai coming in about $300 more on www.bing.com/travel while Korean sites such as www.whypaymore.co.kr are yielding 0 seats for most anything I search. $680 to Jakarta on Java and $1080 minimum to Bali. Kuala Lumpur for $650. Japan runs $450. China runs only $200 or less, but the visa is $140 or about 190,000 Korean won alone for Americans and much more reasonable for other nationalities. No other countries to my knowledge charges such an exorbitant price for a tourist visa as China. $25 is typical tourist visa cost. I'm going to pass on China as I want a well earned break from the conservative culture of the NE Asia region. I understand South Asia is a bit friendlier due to being more experienced with travelers, chatty, and more accommodating with a sense of humor possible so that could be an awesomely fun time.

[MalFSU1]

I'm headed to Taiwan this summer. It's about 2.5 hours away and flights aren't ridiculously expensive. The country seems pretty connected via rail, and there is lots of beautiful scenery. Bonus* there is no visa required.

I went to Beijing last summer and had a blast, it was hot though, and the visa will set Americans back a pretty penny. 140,000 won.

[DeMayonnaise]

[ttompatz]

[alwaysbeclosing100]

chiang mai green tulip guesthouse......best guesthouse anywhere in the world i have seen......

palawan philippines is amazing IMO too........

[austinmc86]

Thanks for the suggestions.

I'm leaning towards Thailand.

So, if I want to go to Thailand, what is my best option from Ulsan? Any flights from Ulsan Airport or do I need to go to Incheon?

And if I need to go to Incheon, is the flight expensive from Ulsan?