What to do in 12 hour layover in Soeul, Korea?
Aug 27th 2002, 8:49 pm
#1
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 8
What to do in 12 hour layover in Soeul, Korea?
On our way to Thailand and on our way back from Thailand, we will be stopping for a 12 hour layover so that is 24 hours total including both ways. We have never been to Korea or to Soeul. Any ideas of things to do there that we just can't miss out on??
Thanks for your help!
Thanks for your help!
Aug 27th 2002, 10:59 pm
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: What to do in 12 hour layover in Soeul, Korea?
"Xiomy3" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> On our way to Thailand and on our way back from Thailand, we will be stopping for
> a 12 hour layover so that is 24 hours total including both ways. We have never
> been to Korea or to Soeul. Any ideas of things to do there that we just can't miss
> out on??
What time of day?
One problem you'll be facing is that the new Seoul airport is actually in Kimpo, WAY
out of town. 12 hours is long enough to get into Seoul, do a few things, and still
get back out to the airport, but your time will be somewhat limited. What sort of
things are you interested in? The usual tourst destinations in Seoul include the
Itaewon shopping district, a couple of museums, etc...
Bob M.
> On our way to Thailand and on our way back from Thailand, we will be stopping for
> a 12 hour layover so that is 24 hours total including both ways. We have never
> been to Korea or to Soeul. Any ideas of things to do there that we just can't miss
> out on??
What time of day?
One problem you'll be facing is that the new Seoul airport is actually in Kimpo, WAY
out of town. 12 hours is long enough to get into Seoul, do a few things, and still
get back out to the airport, but your time will be somewhat limited. What sort of
things are you interested in? The usual tourst destinations in Seoul include the
Itaewon shopping district, a couple of museums, etc...
Bob M.
Aug 28th 2002, 2:46 am
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: What to do in 12 hour layover in Soeul, Korea?
Xiomy3 <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:<[email protected]>...
> On our way to Thailand and on our way back from Thailand, we will be stopping for
> a 12 hour layover so that is 24 hours total including both ways. We have never
> been to Korea or to Soeul. Any ideas of things to do there that we just can't miss
> out on??
> Thanks for your help!
The trip on a bus into Seoul is about an hour if there is not a lot of traffic.
Take the KAL airport bus from Incheon to the Seoul Hilton, and visit Namsan park
(across from the Hilton). You can walk to the top of the park or use the cable car
(but it isn't a hard walk). Afterwards you can walk down to Itaewon (a big nothing)
or over to one of the other shopping areas.
(http://members.aol.com/the542nd-
/seoultwr.htm)
Something I downloaded from somewhere is the following:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
One itinerary could take you to 'City Hall' (about 30 min ridee) get off there and
ask directions to the Kyong-bok-kung - one of the old royal palaces. Assuming your
stop ove isn't on a Monday, you can go inside and wander around (about a 20 min walk
from City Hall - but you get to see the mountain backdrop to the old city. From
their, walk or take a taxi to the Biwon, or 'Secret Garden' - part of the old Royal
estates and a beautiful collection of buildings marvellously landscaped into a hilly
landscape (another 30 min on foot, or 5 min by taxi). Between the two, there is
Insa-Dong, a very interesting street (and side streets) of antique shops, galleries,
tea shops etc).
If time allows a visit to Namdaemun, (South Gate) is worthwhile. The gate itself is
on a traffic island and was one of the main gates into the ancient city. Nearby is
South Gate Market, a sprawling maze of buildings and street stalls selling everything
from clothes to Ginseng and handicrafts (The Ginseng market there is the cheapest
place to buy Ginseng).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you are there during rush hour (either coming from or going back to Incheon)
here's a trick that I used during World Cup Soccer: Take the subway to the old
airport (Gimpo) to get clear of all the Seoul traffic, then take a bus over to
Incheon. It's not worth the hassle during off-peak times to do this, but I was
basically stuck with the roads to my hotel closed. It works in reverse as well
of course.
You might want to visit the Coex mall (on the subway line).
Eat some bibimbap and Korean BBQ.
I know that this will sound weird, but I've done it............. If you're a member,
visit the Costco near the Yeungdeungpo Office station on Subway Line 2 (exit the
station at exit #3, make a U turn to the left at the top of the stairs, then an
immediate right turn and walk 3 blocks (it's on the right, just past the golf driving
range on your left, you'll pass a hospital and a "Kentucky Chicken" restaurant)).
Costco takes only cash, it does not accept the Costco-Amex credit card. The ATMs in
Costco do not work with U.S. cards. This is a good place to buy stuff like Korean
Ginseng Tea, Korean Wine (Soju), and Korean snack foods.
I've been to Seoul a lot in the past year, but always for work and not much
time for fun.
news:<[email protected]>...
> On our way to Thailand and on our way back from Thailand, we will be stopping for
> a 12 hour layover so that is 24 hours total including both ways. We have never
> been to Korea or to Soeul. Any ideas of things to do there that we just can't miss
> out on??
> Thanks for your help!
The trip on a bus into Seoul is about an hour if there is not a lot of traffic.
Take the KAL airport bus from Incheon to the Seoul Hilton, and visit Namsan park
(across from the Hilton). You can walk to the top of the park or use the cable car
(but it isn't a hard walk). Afterwards you can walk down to Itaewon (a big nothing)
or over to one of the other shopping areas.
(http://members.aol.com/the542nd-
/seoultwr.htm)
Something I downloaded from somewhere is the following:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
One itinerary could take you to 'City Hall' (about 30 min ridee) get off there and
ask directions to the Kyong-bok-kung - one of the old royal palaces. Assuming your
stop ove isn't on a Monday, you can go inside and wander around (about a 20 min walk
from City Hall - but you get to see the mountain backdrop to the old city. From
their, walk or take a taxi to the Biwon, or 'Secret Garden' - part of the old Royal
estates and a beautiful collection of buildings marvellously landscaped into a hilly
landscape (another 30 min on foot, or 5 min by taxi). Between the two, there is
Insa-Dong, a very interesting street (and side streets) of antique shops, galleries,
tea shops etc).
If time allows a visit to Namdaemun, (South Gate) is worthwhile. The gate itself is
on a traffic island and was one of the main gates into the ancient city. Nearby is
South Gate Market, a sprawling maze of buildings and street stalls selling everything
from clothes to Ginseng and handicrafts (The Ginseng market there is the cheapest
place to buy Ginseng).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you are there during rush hour (either coming from or going back to Incheon)
here's a trick that I used during World Cup Soccer: Take the subway to the old
airport (Gimpo) to get clear of all the Seoul traffic, then take a bus over to
Incheon. It's not worth the hassle during off-peak times to do this, but I was
basically stuck with the roads to my hotel closed. It works in reverse as well
of course.
You might want to visit the Coex mall (on the subway line).
Eat some bibimbap and Korean BBQ.
I know that this will sound weird, but I've done it............. If you're a member,
visit the Costco near the Yeungdeungpo Office station on Subway Line 2 (exit the
station at exit #3, make a U turn to the left at the top of the stairs, then an
immediate right turn and walk 3 blocks (it's on the right, just past the golf driving
range on your left, you'll pass a hospital and a "Kentucky Chicken" restaurant)).
Costco takes only cash, it does not accept the Costco-Amex credit card. The ATMs in
Costco do not work with U.S. cards. This is a good place to buy stuff like Korean
Ginseng Tea, Korean Wine (Soju), and Korean snack foods.
I've been to Seoul a lot in the past year, but always for work and not much
time for fun.
Aug 28th 2002, 5:58 pm
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: What to do in 12 hour layover in Soeul, Korea?
"Bob Myers" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:<[email protected]>...
> One problem you'll be facing is that the new Seoul airport is actually in Kimpo,
> WAY out of town.
The old airport is in Kimpo, the new airport is near Incheon. One hour on a good day.
Also, you can take a bus from Incheon to Kimpo airport then take the subway from
Kimpo into Seoul.
I think they can have a good six hours in Seoul with plenty of margin for traffic
jams, immigration, etc.
news:<[email protected]>...
> One problem you'll be facing is that the new Seoul airport is actually in Kimpo,
> WAY out of town.
The old airport is in Kimpo, the new airport is near Incheon. One hour on a good day.
Also, you can take a bus from Incheon to Kimpo airport then take the subway from
Kimpo into Seoul.
I think they can have a good six hours in Seoul with plenty of margin for traffic
jams, immigration, etc.
Aug 28th 2002, 6:12 pm
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: What to do in 12 hour layover in Soeul, Korea?
"Steven Scharf" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]
om...
> "Bob Myers" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:<[email protected]>...
> The old airport is in Kimpo, the new airport is near Incheon.
Sorry, you're right - mental misfire on my part. I've been through Kimpo so many
times - and Incheon only once - such that my brain just can't type "airport" re Seoul
without following it up with "Kimpo".
Bob M.
om...
> "Bob Myers" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:<[email protected]>...
> The old airport is in Kimpo, the new airport is near Incheon.
Sorry, you're right - mental misfire on my part. I've been through Kimpo so many
times - and Incheon only once - such that my brain just can't type "airport" re Seoul
without following it up with "Kimpo".
Bob M.
Aug 31st 2002, 6:57 am
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: What to do in 12 hour layover in Soeul, Korea?
> Eat some bibimbap and Korean BBQ.
Ah yes, I could go for some right now!
JJ
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P E A C H C A R D US & International Calling Cards Call Anywhere to Anywhere
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Ah yes, I could go for some right now!
JJ
__________________________________
P E A C H C A R D US & International Calling Cards Call Anywhere to Anywhere
http://peachcard.com
