Korean Job Discussion Forums

ShaneM · Joined: 03 Feb 2005

I just found out this afternoon I need to do a VISA run this week. It can be Osaka or Fukuoka. Obviously the latest I can leave is Thursday. Price is a concern as I was given 500,000won for the trip including everything. Is my best bet to call up WhyPayMore? I've found a ticket on Expedia for 540,000 to Osaka for Thur-Sun (would like to add in some sightseeing if possible).

Any help is appreciated. I'm going with a friend who is working today and we will discuss and be purchasing the tickets this afternoon.

Hobophobic · Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2006 8:33 pm Post subject:

...just curious as to why you are paying for the visa run...most contracts state the school will do it...I paid for one back in 2002, but it was a negotiating thing...

...will the school reimburse you...if so, keep every receipt you can and ask for one for the Rapid-T train and so forth....

...anyway the price then was 400,000Won...so seems okay...

ShaneM · Joined: 03 Feb 2005

Just talked to WhyPayMore and they quoted me 434K won for Seoul-Osaka leaving Wed night and coming back Sat morning. However I may not be able to purchase the ticket until tomorrow morning as they close at 4:30pm. Will the tickets go up like they would purchasing on an American website (Travelocity, Expedia, etc)?

ShaneM · Joined: 03 Feb 2005

poet13 · Posted: Tue Aug 01, 2006 12:21 am Post subject:

If you concerned about the price, can't you just take the ferry and do your run in Fukuoka? it's a LOT cheaper than flying, and you will have the added expenses of hotel either way (you can't as far as I know, get a visa in one day), food, souvenirs for the other posters on the board, etc...

ShaneM · Joined: 03 Feb 2005

dulouz · Joined: 04 Feb 2003 Location: Uranus

The Fukuoka run is a sweet time.

poet13 · Posted: Tue Aug 01, 2006 1:40 am Post subject:

"So you're saying take a train to busan and a ferry to fukoaka?"

ABSOLUTELY!

search some of the threads here for fukuoka visa runs. one of them, i'm sorry i dont remember which, has instructions on how to get from the ferry to the embassy. Its a distance away, and you DONT want to take a taxi there.
good luck

Richard Krainium · Joined: 12 Jan 2006

poof · Joined: 23 May 2005

500,000 in advance is pretty generous. I also second the KTX and ferry combo ticket. From Seoul, I think it's about 100,000 each way with Fukuoaka motel rooms typically from 50,000 per night. However, ferry ticket seats are often block-booked by tour groups, so sometimes individual ferry tickets are hard to book with one week's notice. I also agree that you should check out the visa run thread (in Travel forum?) which has all the up-to-date info on the visa run process.

midgic · Joined: 14 Feb 2004

Kangsan Travel in Busan offers return ferry ticket plus hotel in Fukuoka for 190,000. You're supposed to book 4 days in advance but you might try it. Website is: www.kangsantravel.com

ShaneM · Joined: 03 Feb 2005

I found a slightly cheaper ticket that I think is worth it, so I'm flying to Osaka.

edit: WhyPayMore - another reccomendation. Seoul - Osaka for just 400,000won.

Hobophobic · Posted: Tue Aug 01, 2006 6:37 pm Post subject:

matthews_world · Joined: 15 Feb 2003

If u don't mind the waves, Fukuoka shuttle is pretty good. Find Kangsan Travel on the internet. See if there are any spaces available and find the dep. times. It may be high season though. I did it in April and it cost 350,000.