Korean Job Discussion Forums

[casey's moon]

Desperately seeking advice!

My mom is coming to Korea in about three weeks, which is a week before my due date. So the problem is that we can't go and pick her up at the airport, or at least, we don't think we can (seems risky so close to the due date, but we'll see what the doctor says around that time).

Her plane is supposed to arrive at 9:00 p.m., and as far as I can tell, the last limo bus to Daejeon leaves at 10:10 p.m., which really doesn't give her enough time to go through immigration and get her luggage, especially if the plane happens to land late.

Any thoughts on how else to get her here?

I'm thinking that she can hire a taxi, but I'm worried she'll get absolutely fleeced, since she doesn't speak Korean.

She could also spend the night at a nearby hotel -- any recommendations on hotels that will pick her up at the airport, take her back the next morning and take relatively good care of her for a decent price would be great...

Any other ideas?

Thanks!

[JongnoGuru]

Here's what I'd do if it were my mother arriving that late at night, after a long flight, and I couldn't arrange to be there: Call Best Western Incheon Airport Hotel (3 minutes by bus from the passenger terminal) and make a reservation for her. You can ask them then if they'll pick her up from the terminal, where she's supposed to go for pick-up, etc.

Room Prices: w127,000 - 141,000 / night (don't know if that's current)

Address: #2850 Unseo-Dong, Jung-Gu, Incheon, KR

Phone: 82-32-743-1000-3

[ajgeddes]

She might get through quicker than you think. One time when I came in on a late flight, I was literally 17 minutes from leaving the plane to being on the bus, and that was with waiting for my luggage to come off the carousel. So, if she doesn't mind rushing to make sure she gets to the front of the line, she should be okay to catch that last bus.

[ilovebdt]

Couldn't your husband pick her up on his own and you have a friend sit with you while he is at the airport in case of an emergency?
Or don't you have a trusted English speaking Korean friend who could pick her up?

I definately do not suggest she get a taxi by herself, as I have heard numerous stories of non Korean and Korean speaking foreigners being fleeced by airport taxi drivers.

What is the nearest city in to Daejeon? Could you she take a later airport bus to the nearest city and you guys can whiz across and pick her up?

Also, I know a hostel. It's nice, but basic and I have stayed there myself who do airport pick up. She could stay there and then get a bus back to the airport and then take an airport bus in the morning to Daejeon.
PM for details.

ilovebdt

[casey's moon]

Thanks for all the suggestions so far -- looking into these options and a few others... any other advice is also welcome!

[kprrok]

when my mom visited last year, she stayed overnight at the airport, there are some really comfy benches at the extreme west side of the building. Then she hopped on a bus in the morning.

KPRROK

[casey's moon]

[JongnoGuru]

Hey! You could have her check into the Airport's Transit Hotel. Quite the place to hang out and meet interesting people.

[Milwaukiedave]

CM,

I agree with Ageddes, she might get through immigration and picking up her bags faster then you think. She'd have an hour plus to do it. The only probably would be if the flight is late.

I'd leave it up to your mom to decide what she wants to do.

You should check into Incheon Guesthouse as well. It was very reasonable and they will pick you up at the airport. I've stayed there twice and it has always worked out well. If you make a reservation soon, I'm almost sure you could get a room for her.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.