| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
hagwonnewbie
Joined: 09 Feb 2007
Location: Asia
|
 Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2010 8:48 am Post subject: Airports: Pro tips |
 |
|
I have some advice for other travelers now and then. I was hoping other people could add some advice for saving money and improving the comfort of airplane travel.
Exchanging Won: When leaving Incheon International Airport, exchange currency at the branch that you bank with to get the preferred rate.
Actually you're better off using a branch of your bank somewhere outside of the airport. Of course this is only possible during banking hours Monday through Friday. However, if you plan ahead, you save a significant amount. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
BoholDiver
Joined: 03 Oct 2009
Location: Canada
|
| Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2010 7:51 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I could go on for pages, but I'll post just a few tips.
1. Exchange your won inside Korea. No one else wants it. You lose 10% or so exchanging it outside of Korea.
2. When you get in the terminal, buy yourself a sandwich or burger and stuff it in your bag. If the food sucks, it'll make you feel better.
3. If you go to Philippines, get as much small change as you can.
4. Check for visa fees and terminal taxes (departure taxes or the like) before you plan your trip. Don't be caught unawares. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
JBomb
Joined: 16 Oct 2008
|
| Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2010 8:23 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Research where you land. Nothing is worse than getting ripped off by the local taxi mafia. Most airports have either proper transit like buses and trains or a proper taxi rank. Either or, these are all outside or connected to the terminal. Tell the guys prowling around like vultures at the baggage claim to get lost.
Hit up the tourist office inside the airport. They often have free maps and info about happenings in town that you may want to attend. Some will even offer deals like saver cards for transit and attractions that you will not be able to get anywhere else. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
DeMayonnaise
Joined: 02 Nov 2008
|
| Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2010 9:51 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| BoholDiver wrote: |
| 3. If you go to Philippines, get as much small change as you can. |
This is good advice for pretty much any country. Nothing worse than only having (the equivalent of) $100 bills in your pocket, and nobody having change... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
alwaysbeclosing100
Joined: 07 Feb 2009
|
| Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2010 10:41 pm Post subject: re |
|
|
| best money changer in manila is Edzen in downtown......if a taxi driver doesnt know it then he is a rookie or lying......... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
oldfatfarang
Joined: 19 May 2005
Location: On the road to somewhere.
|
| Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2010 11:05 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| JBomb wrote: |
Hit up the tourist office inside the airport. They often have free maps and info about happenings in town that you may want to attend. Some will even offer deals like saver cards for transit and attractions that you will not be able to get anywhere else. |
You have to be careful with the tourist office counters at Bangkok Intl Airport. They have an international reputation for ripping off newbies (white legs) to Thailand.
One of their major scams is accommodation, i.e., saying your preferred accommodation is booked out - and trying to book you into hotels on their 'preferred' accommodation list. These hotels are usually inconveniently located - they have a 2 night minimum stay - and they're not cheap - and they're even more expensive because you have to pay for taxis to go anywhere).
Good luck, and be careful out there. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
northway
Joined: 05 Jul 2010
|
| Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2010 12:35 am Post subject: |
|
|
| DeMayonnaise wrote: |
| BoholDiver wrote: |
| 3. If you go to Philippines, get as much small change as you can. |
This is good advice for pretty much any country. Nothing worse than only having (the equivalent of) $100 bills in your pocket, and nobody having change... |
The worst I've ever experienced was in Boracay. At the tourist information center they'll exchange your money into big bills, then if you try to buy anything there with said big bills you'll get rejected. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
thrylos
Joined: 10 Jun 2008
|
| Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2010 2:10 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Always, always, always, ask for the exit row seat at the check-in counter. The extra legroom and the ability to get up and out without climbing over other people is priceless.
Also, if all exit seats are taken and you seem insistant, especially at Incheon, they may upgrade you to business class if you're on a frequent flyer program. It's happened to me for both Asian and long-haul flights a few times!  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
BoholDiver
Joined: 03 Oct 2009
Location: Canada
|
| Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2010 7:43 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Cebu Pacific allows you to pay extra to secure those seats for yourself. The catch: you must be at least 15 and able to understand English and the safety demonstration.
I guess some Korean could lie about their ability and secure those seats. They should be easy to get. We have a child and she sits with us, so there's no way we can get them. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
bucheon bum
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
|
| Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 5:16 am Post subject: |
|
|
| thrylos wrote: |
Always, always, always, ask for the exit row seat at the check-in counter. The extra legroom and the ability to get up and out without climbing over other people is priceless.
Also, if all exit seats are taken and you seem insistant, especially at Incheon, they may upgrade you to business class if you're on a frequent flyer program. It's happened to me for both Asian and long-haul flights a few times! |
Unfortunately this doesn't really work in the USA anymore unless you have tons of frequent flyer miles. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
DeMayonnaise
Joined: 02 Nov 2008
|
| Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2010 4:36 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| BoholDiver wrote: |
| The catch: you must be at least 15 and able to understand English and the safety demonstration. |
That works out great, seeing as how 100% of the NETs in Korea fulfill these requirements. In 5 flight last Spring in SE Asia, on 3 of em we sat in the exit row. Musta been the US passports. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
thrylos
Joined: 10 Jun 2008
|
| Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2010 5:24 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| bucheon bum wrote: |
| thrylos wrote: |
Always, always, always, ask for the exit row seat at the check-in counter. The extra legroom and the ability to get up and out without climbing over other people is priceless.
Also, if all exit seats are taken and you seem insistant, especially at Incheon, they may upgrade you to business class if you're on a frequent flyer program. It's happened to me for both Asian and long-haul flights a few times! |
Unfortunately this doesn't really work in the USA anymore unless you have tons of frequent flyer miles. |
Well, another reason it sucks living back in NA and you like to travel a lot-- Few I've flown Asiana or Delta/Korean to the States, I've always gotten an exit row seat by asking with my card. I go solo, I'm not overweight, rather tall, and always wear nice clothes to the checkin counter, not shorts/T-shirt (though I'll change into them after getting the sweet seat for the 14 hour haul!) With Asiana, got bumped up to b-class from NY back to ICN just because they didn't have an exit seat!! It's ALWAYS worth asking... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
schwa
Joined: 18 Jan 2003
Location: Yap
|
| Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2010 5:40 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| For years I've travelled with just a carry-on bag. No check-in lines, no waiting on arrival. Nothing to lug. I like my trips easy. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
JBomb
Joined: 16 Oct 2008
|
| Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2010 5:50 pm Post subject: |
|
|
did anyone watch the No Baggage tour that one dude did? http://www.rtwblog.com
Actually kind of inspiring as to travelling light. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
BoholDiver
Joined: 03 Oct 2009
Location: Canada
|
| Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2010 11:00 pm Post subject: |
|
|
A lot of airlines are now basic prices for no baggage, or offer a discount for carrying no bags.
But it's not worth being uncomfortable.
| schwa wrote: |
| For years I've travelled with just a carry-on bag. No check-in lines, no waiting on arrival. Nothing to lug. I like my trips easy. |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
