Korean Job Discussion Forums

[eener]

Can anyone suggest what 4 of us can do for Chusok weekend? We want to get the heck out of dodge and there are NO travel packages to anywhere cool.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[Mankind]

hahahahahahahahahahaha

Sorry but you have me laughing my ass of right now. This is your first year I gather. First, trips to T-land and the like were snapped up by Waegooks, a while ago. And as for Korea, forget about going anywhere. Somelike 15-20 million people travel on that weekend. It takes 15-20 hours to drive from Seoul to Pusan! I got my train ticket to visit the inlaws 20 minutes after they went on sale (about 3 weeks ago) and am on the slow train at 2 am. hang out in Seoul. It's actually kinda cool, cause like 3-4 million leave the city and it's kinda empty.

HAND

[Son Deureo!]

I waited to long to get started on booking tickets to Beijing, so if I get to go now it will be by the skin of my teeth. Here's my backup plan.

If you can't leave Korea, I have a suggestion for getting out of Seoul. The Yellow Sea islands. There are dozens of islands off the coast of Incheon that you can get to from Yeonan pier. The ferry rides range from 15 minutes to 4 hours, and costs range from 9000 one way to 43000 one way. You can camp on the beach for free (if you have your own tent), pay W10000ish to rent a tent, or pay 30,000 or so for a minbak (Korean bed&breakfast). Nice hiking, beaches, seafood, and fishing.

I've been to both Muido and Deokjeokdo, and both were great. I've also heard great things about Jaweoldo and Baengnyeongdo. There are writeups in Lonely Planet about these islands, or if you want any more info feel free to PM me.

When I checked the ferry company's website (www.pado.co.kr), it said there were still tickets available for several of the ships. Like with everything else right now, though, you probably don't want to wait too long. Everything's selling out pretty quickly, just like Mankind said.

[itaewonguy]

there are plenty of TICKETS!!!

only problem is prices are higher..
you want to go to Bangkok you are looking at 600.000
biejing is about 500.000
cambodia is about 800.000

just ring some travel agents man.. there are plently of seats..
I just rang them this week.. been ringing around looking the cheapest seats.. just choose a destination and go.. ask them about chusok packages..
If you ask you shall recieve..

[desultude]

Would it be easier to leave on the 11th and return on the 15th? I am in my first year here, and did not know that international travel would be hard that weekend. I thought that people just traveled within Korea to see their families. What a drag!

[panthermodern]

Chusok is by far the best time to come to Seoul, everyone else is going the other way.

I would advise anyone who has not been in Korea during Chusok to forget about going anywhere or doing anything that will require using the highways, aside from going towards Seoul.

The nationwide traffic jam that occurs will mulitply most southern, western, or eastern traffic from Seoul up to 5 times!

I am not joking ...

Seoul, itself, will be grid locked on the day before and the first day of Chusok.

In addition this is a "Long" Chusok and thus more people will be on the road.

My advise it to stay home and take a big long nap.

[katydid]

Anyone going away for Chuseok should also be aware that your bank MAY close itself down for servicing, etc., during the entire holiday! I found that out the hard way last year! Stock up on all the cash you think you will need before you go, or be prepared to use your credit card!

[Squid]

Your first year, I go with the stayathomes and stick in Seoul- look around without the cattle crowds and find a few haunts for yourself, talk to the locals, ride the subway out to the end and look around (Any direction).

Seoul is ok on Chusok, just wish they'd all stay away!

Squid

[Alkiwi]

Itaewonguy - spent yesterday looking for flights anywhere out of this place. All booked up they said. So where did you try and did you get a ticket?? Would appreciate any help

[itaewonguy]

I rang many travel agents and they all had tickets and tours..
of course they were expensive..

all tickets to erupoe were available for 800.000... AMSTERDAMN anyone?
bangkok had tickets but they were bloody expensive..
cambodia,veitnam, even china tours were left..

try the agents in the koreaherald man...
seriously their are plenty of tickets.. I was still ringing around on saturday and their were heaps..
remember most koreans stay in korea those days..
just decide where you want to go...

[autumneve]

I've got tickets during Chu-sok, and summer holidays, by waiting to reserve until a day or two before I wanted to travel. You can try this too, it wasn't just luck. The Korean reservation system doesn't charge people for canceling reserved tickets, so a lot of people make 3+ reservations and then only take the cheapest one. By waiting until the last minute I've gotten tickets for 10-20% less than people that made their reservations a month ahead. You are running a risk that you might not get tickets, but I've been able to get them for the last three years this way.

[TheUrbanMyth]

I've gone from Taejeon to Yosu ( a five hour drive) twice during the last two Chu-soks and never had a problem with traffic. Then again I did leave at 6:00 AM. But traffic was not a problem on either of those two trips. I got into Yosu both times around the five hour mark which is what it usually takes. But leaving from Seoul might be different.

[Marathe]

so then who's up for a meetup in seoul durin chusok?

i'll be there from eonyang.

[Alkiwi]

autumneve,
I have heard about the Korean booking system where they don't charge you for a reservation. So how did you work it to get seats just before and for a lesser price?? Did you go on the waiting list or just contact the airlines or travel agents a few days before Chusok?? Also what agent do you use??