Korean Job Discussion Forums

alwynjo · Joined: 18 Jan 2005 Location: Daejeon, South Korea

Hi Guys - this is my first chusok in korea and I am hoping doing some to some travelling - hopefully to Gyeongju. Does anyone know if it will be possible to get somewhere to stay down there. I don't really have any way of booking in advance. Will hotels be open on Sunday? will I be able to get a room in one? will Jimjilbangs be open? Any help would be much appreciated.

peppermint · Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2005 11:49 am Post subject:

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!

Anything involving highway travel is the last thing you want to do during Chuseok. The trip to Gyeong ju, which might normally take 4-5 hours will take at least 10 next weekend, because every Korean and thier dog will be trying to get to their Mother's house.

Babayaga · Joined: 28 May 2005

Why don't you just go to Jeju island? I went there during a Chusok holiday 3 years ago,and it was fun. Not crowded,easy to get transportation,warm and sunny! Cool

VanIslander · Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2005 12:48 pm Post subject:

I can't emphasize enough the traffic difficulties during Chuseok. Imagine almost everybody and their ajumma on the road at the same time: it's like a Tsunami out of the major cities (pardon the Japanese expression Wink

).

My experiences:

I live in a pretty rural area and after a disatrous attempt to take the usually reliable intercity bus service, I got stuck in town, which turned out okay because I then bunkered down as Typhoon Maemi hit on the third day of the Chuseok holiday in '03.

The next year I had plans to simply go to another rural beachside area, but the traffic was so heavy coming from the big cities (Busan primarily), that it took nine hours to travel what usually takes two hours!

This year I swore not to get caught in the rush and will do what Koreans do very well: squat ! ... on a local beach, weather permitting Cool

see avatar. Feel free to join me, if you can make it (Busanites can do so easily and directly by ferry, if you can get a ticket).

hypnotist · Joined: 04 Dec 2004 Location: I wish I were a sock

I'm wondering whether, given it's shorter this year (only falling on one week day) it's going to be better - or a hell of a lot worse.

I believe my team have been asked to work on the Monday, too Evil or Very Mad

alwynjo · Joined: 18 Jan 2005 Location: Daejeon, South Korea

Thanks for you help guys - do you think the monday will be like this too? I am in Daejeon. What is the train like?

Ekuboko · Joined: 22 Dec 2004 Location: ex-Gyeonggi

eamo · Joined: 08 Mar 2003 Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.

My partner and I have cancelled our Chuseok plans through mortal fear of the traffic. Taking a car trip on Chuseok weekend is insane.

The trains and buses are pretty much booked out by now.

Just too many people want to travel at the same time. One of the joys of living in Korea!!!! Crying or Very sad

peppermint · Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2005 8:59 pm Post subject:

Going north from Daejeon might be okay. You can get tickets for express busses in advance, but most people don't bother. The Korean holidays are by far my favorite time in Seoul.

Zyzyfer · Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2005 9:05 pm Post subject:

I hate national holidays in Korea. Everybody goes everywhere and there's not enough room on the roads for everyone.

I hope going somewhere on Monday and coming back Tuesday goes well.

ajuma · Joined: 18 Feb 2003 Location: Anywere but Seoul!!

TRAVELING??? DURING CHUSOK????? You ARE a newbie!!! Laughing

Seriously, most of us "old-timers" (unless a Korean spouse is involved) stock up a few days in advance and stay home!! Seoul and Ulsan are two of the best cities to be in, since it's not "hometown" to may folks. I remember the streets in Ulsan being almost deserted during Chusok!

Babayaga · Joined: 28 May 2005

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

ajuma · Joined: 18 Feb 2003 Location: Anywere but Seoul!!

I just checked Barota (train reservation site) and there are plenty of tickets from Seodaejon to Yongsan on Saturday, and Yongsan to Seodaejon on Monday.

One thing about traveling by highway over Chusok: You'll have stories to write home about!

skookum · Joined: 11 Mar 2005

We're gonna go by bus between Jeomchon and Kimchon then Jikjisa Saturday and back on Monday. The bus company doesn't sell advance tickets for this trip. None of the trip is on a freeway. We'll see how it goes......