Korean Job Discussion Forums

[pangaea]

I have vacation the first week of August and I would like to check out Busan. Can anyone tell me where I can find a decent hotel? Is Busan fairly easy to navigate using the subway?

[conbon78]

Well that depends...1) what area of Busan do you want to go to? 2) Busan is just like every other town in this country, so its easy to get around.

The only thing that I'll add is that I think Busan's subway is slower and not as good as Seoul's is. It takes about an hour to get anywhere, at least thats what it feels like. Fewer lines and the exits aren't necessarily close to where you want to be.

[toniyellow]

You should probably stay in Haeundae if you haven't been to Busan.
Haeundae is the most popular beach. There are heaps of hotels, casinos and spas. They have a really nice aquarium, with diving or sea walking. There is a ferry terminal with a bunch of daytrips to various islands. There is a neat temple on the cliffs about 6km north, http://www.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264404 not far by taxi or the 181 bus from Haeundae station.

There are a lot of nice love motels right on Haeundae beach. http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=149254 etc
If you're more budget, near the local bus area in Haeundae there is a yeogwan alley with rooms for ~25,000

The day pass for the subway doesn't include the bus which is pretty annoying if you want to check out somewhere that needs a bus, like Dadaepo Beach.

[JBomb]

Haeundae is fun to check out but is pretty expensive. A good alternative is the Dongnae or Ocheonjang area which has plenty of motels and hotels of various quality in and around each of their respective subway stops. The ones in Ocheonjang are also close to the so called "biggest spa in Asia" or "Best Spa in The World" as they boast on some of their signs. It is a big place and it is one of my favourites. Dongnae is also a few minutes ride to Seomyeon for nightlife and shopping, about 15 minutes from Kyungsung for nightlife, and 15 minutes away from Jalgachi. Should only take about 30 to Haeundae, but I suggest riding the green line to the end of the line in Jangsan and heading to Songjeong. It is a much better beach in my opinion, and although busy is nowhere near as retarded as Haeundae gets in the July and August months where it is less of a beach of water then a beach of humanity all crammed in and around it. They also don't let you go above your shoulders there which is strange.

[ramen209]

Just show up, take a taxi or the subway to Haeundae beach, and walk around and find a "love motel". We were hesitant, but it worked out great and we got a great hotel with all the extras (jacuzzi tub, big bed, etc.) for 40,000 won a night in a super-convenient location.

[Smee]

Just put together a post looking at some love motel options near the beach:

http://briandeutsch.blogspot.com/2010/07/haeundae-motels.html

There are dozens of decent ones right in the area. Plenty near Gwangangli Beach, too.

[pangaea]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Thanks, Brian, for the link. It was very informative. The Sangria and the Santa Fe are the ones that I think would work best with my budget. Should I be able to find them easily enough after I get off the subway?

[Smee]

Yeah, it shouldn't be too bad.

Coming out of exit 5 of Haeundae Station just go straight a couple blocks (down the big road toward the beach).

Looks like the Santa Fe will be at the second right:
http://map.naver.com/?x=129.1590167&y=35.1616767&title=%EC%8B%BC%ED%83%80%ED%8E%98%EB%AA%A8%ED%85%94

The Sangria is a little further down:
http://map.naver.com/index.nhn?enc=b64&mapMode=0&lat=35.1603433&lng=129.1584672&dlevel=11&pinTitle=7IO56re466as7JWEIOuqqO2FlA%3D%3D&pinType=site&pinId=11402241

Might be easiest to first go out Exit 5 and walk to the beach, then backtrack to your right for that one.

[Bibbitybop]

Screw Haeundae. Go to Songjeong beach, party at blowfish, and get a cheap motel. Gwangali beach is more expensive, and the beach isn't as nice, but it is busy and has a better vibe than Haeundae.