Getting there & away
Contents
Travel documents
Passport
There are no restrictions when it comes to citizens of foreign countries entering Korea. Most visitors don’t need a visa, but if your country is not on the visa-free list, you will need one.
Tickets
Be sure you research all the options carefully to make sure you get the deal that best suits your circumstances and requirements. The internet is a useful resource for researching airline prices.
Automated online ticket sales work well if you’re doing a simple one-way or return trip on specified dates, but are no substitute for a travel agent with the low-down on special deals, strategies for avoiding layovers and other useful advice.
Paying by credit card offers some protection if you unwittingly end up dealing with a rogue fly-by-night travel agency, as most card issuers provide refunds if you can prove you didn’t receive what you paid for. Alternatively, buy a ticket from a bonded agent, such as one covered by the Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing (ATOL; www.atol.org.uk) scheme in the UK. If you have doubts about the service provider, at the very least call the airline and confirm that your booking has been made.
The following websites can search for air fares to Korea when booking online or researching prices prior to visiting your travel agent:
www.airbrokers.com American round-the-world ticket specialists who can include Korea.
www.cheapestflights.co.uk Cheap worldwide flights from the UK.
www.cheapflight.com Excellent American site with fast access to fares to Korea.
www.expedia.com Microsoft’s travel site with access to worldwide fares.
www.travelocity.com Search fares quickly and easily from virtually anywhere to anywhere.
Korean airport departure taxes are included in the ticket price.
Ticket prices have not been listed as they vary so much and change so quickly, depending on the airline, the season, the amount of competition, the level of demand and so on. Ever-increasing security, fuel and other surcharges add another element of uncertainty. Prices of flights from Korea can increase 50% in July and August, and special offers are less common during holiday periods. The peak of the peak for outbound flights is August, when it can be difficult or even impossible to find a seat.
Sea
International ferries are worth considering if you’re travelling around North Asia. You can catch a ferry to Incheon in South Korea from a number of Chinese ports, travel around South Korea, and then leave on a fast ferry from Busan to Japan. Another ferry option is travelling to or from Russia via Sokcho in Gang·won-do.
To/from China
Ferries link 10 Chinese ports with Incheon. Some are crowded with petty traders, but they provide a cheaper option than flying. The cheapest fares offer a thin mattress on a dormitory floor, while the more expensive fares give you a small cabin with a bunk bed and TV. Child fares are usually half the adult fare, and some ferry companies offer students a 20% discount. Prices listed are for one-way tickets and sailing times are subject to variation. Most ferries leave Incheon from Yeonan Pier, but the larger boats depart from International Terminal 2.
A ferry-and-train package is available from cities in Korea to Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou or Shenyang in China via the Incheon-Tianjin ferry – see www.korail.go.kr for details.
Ferries (063 2171 6411; W105, 000-220, 000) also leave Gunsan in Jeollabuk-do for Qindao in China three times a week and take 18 hours. The international ferry terminal is a W7500 taxi ride from Gunsan bus terminal.
Four Season Cruise (243 6633; W125, 000) runs twice a week between Mokpo in Jeollanam-do and Shanghai in China.
To/from Japan
First-floor booths in the international ferry terminal near Jungang subway station in Busan sell tickets for overnight ferries to three Japanese cities: Fukuoka (round trip W152,000, departs 10.30pm, arrives 6am), Shimonoseki (round trip W161, 000 to W608,000, departs 8pm, arrives 8am) and Osaka (round trip W237,000, departs 4pm, arrives 10am).
For a quick trip to Fukuoka on the Kobe or Beetle hydrofoils, walk upstairs to the 2nd floor. There are five daily departures (round trip W171,000, three hours, departs 8.45am, 10am, 2pm, 3pm, 3.45pm) plus one additional departure on Friday morning (9.30am).
Other destinations are Hitakatsu (round trip W130,000, one hour 40 minutes) and Izuhara (round trip W130,000, two hours 40 minutes).
Add a W2600 departure tax for these international trips.
To/from Russia
Dongchun (033-639 2632) operates a ferry twice a week (Mondays and Thursdays) from Zarubino and Vladivostok in Russia to Sokcho in Gang·won-do. With the cheaper fares (Zarubino one way/return W144,000/244, 800, Vladivostok one way/return W168,000/285,000), you sleep on the floor and share facilities. The more expensive fares entitle you to a cabin for two or four people with your own bed, TV and bathroom. You can connect to the Trans-Siberian railway, although most passengers are Korean and on a package tour to Paekdusan on the Chinese–North Korean border. These package tours cost from W549,000 for seven days (1 March to 31 May) or from W710,000 (1 June to 30 September).
Land
Having North Korea as a hostile neighbour for over 50 years has turned South Korea into a virtual island. However, if North Korea does ever relax its isolationist policies, the South could quickly be linked by road and rail through North Korea to China, Russia and beyond. It’s an exciting prospect but unlikely to happen any time soon.
Entering the destination
Entering the country
Disembarkation in Korea is a straightforward affair, but you have an extra form to fill in if you are carrying more than US$10,000 in cash and traveller’s cheques.
From Australia
For flights from Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane to Incheon airport, try Cathay Pacific or Malaysian Airlines, which may have special deals.
Two of the best-known travel agents in Australia are Flight Centre (133 133; www.flightcentre.com.au) and STA Travel (1300 733 035; www.statravel.com.au), which have offices all round the country.
Off-season special offers can reduce the price of return flights from Incheon airport to Australia.
From Canada
Look out for special offers on return flights from Toronto or Vancouver to Incheon airport – try United Airlines or Air Canada for a start.
Travel CUTS (1-866-246 9762; www.travelcuts.com) is one of the largest student and discount travel agents in Canada, with offices in cities right across the country.
Return flights from Incheon airport to Toronto and Vancouver can double in price in July and especially August. Prices to destinations like Winnipeg are expensive even in the low season.
From China
Keep an eye out for Air China specials (try www.easetravels.com) between Beijing and Incheon airport. These days Incheon airport is linked to more than 20 Chinese cities as tourism and trade between the two countries is booming. Some regional Korean airports, such as Busan, Daegu, Gwangju and Jeju, also have flights to Chinese cities.
Return flights from Incheon airport to China used to be very rarely discounted, but this began to change in 2006 with some price-war skirmishing among the airlines. Ferries from Incheon port provide an alternative to flying.
From Continental Europe
The cheapest return flights from different cities in Continental Europe to Incheon airport are usually similar, although ultra specials are sometimes available – for starters try Aeroflot, KLM or Lufthansa.
In Germany check out STA Travel (03-0311 0950; www.statravel.de) for up-to-date fare details.
In France contact Usit Connect Voyages (01- 4329 6950; www.usitconnections.fr), OTU Voyages (08- 9268 8363; www.vdm.com) and Nouvelles Frontieres (08-2500 0825; www.nouvelles-frontieres.fr) for reliable travel agencies with branches nationwide.
In Holland call NBBS Reizen (020 620 5071; www.nbbs.nl) or Holland International (070 307 6307; www.hollandinternational.nl) for the latest flight information.
Special offers on return flights from Incheon airport to Continental Europe can save you up to W100,000. Book early (for instance on Thai Air or Singapore Airlines) for the best deals on summer trips to Europe. Taxes, surcharges and landing charges can be high, so check that quotes include them.
From Hong Kong
To book flights, contact Phoenix Travel Services (2722 7378; fax 2369 8884) in the Tsimshatsui district of Hong Kong, which receives good reviews from travellers. Tiglion Travel (www.tiglion.com) is another option, while STA Travel (852 2736 1618; www.hkst.com.hk/statravel) has six branches in Hong Kong and Macau. Check the classifieds in the English-language newspapers for a guide to current prices and discount offers, although they may not tell the whole story.
Return flights from Incheon airport to Hong Kong are sometimes discounted.
From Japan
Japanese tourists make up the majority of foreign visitors to Korea, and increasing numbers of Koreans are flying to Japanese cities, sometimes just for the weekend. There are direct nonstop flights from 26 Japanese cities to Incheon, but flights from Tokyo are usually the cheapest – try United or Northwest Airlines. Fares go up and down with the seasons, and fares in Golden Week (April and May) and August cost up to twice the price of low-season fares. Flights are also available from Japan to airports in Busan, Daegu and Jejudo. Fast ferry boats from Japan to Busan are another option.
Across Traveller’s Bureau (03-5795 4727; www.across-travel.com) has three branches in Tokyo. STA Travel (03-5391 2922; www.statravel.co.jp) and Just Travel (03-3207 8311) have English-speaking staff who can help you find discounted fares. Also check classified advertisements in the Japan Times (www.japantimes.co.jp) or on its website, which operates an online travel service, as well as in the Tokyo Journal (www.tokyo.to), a monthly magazine for expats.
Special offers on return flights from Incheon airport to Tokyo and Osaka, usually on United Airlines, can save you some hard-earned money.
From New Zealand
Airlines seem to take it in turns to offer the lowest fare, but try Malaysian Airlines as a starting point. Korean Air may have a reasonable fare if you are continuing on to Europe.
Flight Centre (0800-243 544; www.flightcentre.co.nz) and STA Travel (0508-782 872; www.statravel.co.nz) are two of the largest travel agents with offices in the main cities.
Return flights from Incheon airport to New Zealand are rarely discounted (due to plenty of Koreans visiting, studying and even emigrating to NZ), but you can always ask.
From Singapore
Cut-price youth fares can slash the cost of return flights from Singapore to Incheon airport.
STA Travel (6737 7188; www.statravel.com.sg) and Four Seas Travel (2200 7848; www.fourseastravel.com) have offices in Singapore, and other travel agents advertise special offers in the classified columns of the Straits Times.
Return flights from Incheon airport to Singapore are rarely discounted.
From the UK
The UK has an endless number of worldwide discount flights, so it’s always worthwhile to do a thorough check before buying a ticket. From Heathrow or Gatwick (both near London) try Emirates via Dubai or direct flights on Korean Air. Off-season specials are always likely.
London has hundreds of discount travel agents including Trailfinders (020-7938 3939; www.trailfinders.co.uk), which has offices in nine cities, and STA Travel (0870 160 0599; www.statravel.co.uk).
From Korea, buy tickets as early as you can or go via Southeast Asia to reduce the cost of flights. In July and August every flight can be booked out.
From the USA
From New York and Los Angeles, there are usually return-flight specials to Incheon airport – try United, NorthWest or Malaysian Airlines. Taxes, fuel, security surcharges and all the rest of it can add substantially to the fare.
Check out STA Travel (800-781 4040; www.statravel.com) for discounted fares. Prices of return flights from Incheon airport to New York and Los Angeles double in July and August, and you’ll be lucky to find a ticket.
Air
Airports & airlines
Most international flights leave from Incheon International Airport, which is at least an hour from Seoul by bus, and there are six regional airports that provide international flights, mainly to China and Japan. The two major ones are Gimhae International Airport (which serves Busan, Korea’s second-largest city) and Jejudo International Airport on Korea’s southern holiday island. View www.airport.co.kr for information on all the airports. Eight flights a day travel between the small international terminal at Seoul’s Gimpo airport and Haneda airport in Tokyo (both airports are nearer their respective cities’ downtown areas than Incheon and Narita).
Korea’s own carriers are Korean Air and Asiana Airlines. Many airlines serve Korea including:
Aeroflot (airline code SU; 02-551 0321, airport 032-744 8672; www.aeroflot.com) Hub Moscow.
Air Canada (airline code AC; 02-3788 0100, airport 032-744 0898; www.aircanada.ca) Hub Pearson International Airport, Toronto.
Air China (airline code CA; 02-774 6886, airport 032-744 3256; www.air-china.com) Hub Beijing.
Air France (airline code AF; 02-3483 1033, airport 032-744 4900; www.airfrance.com) Hub Charles de Gaulle International Airport, Paris.
All Nippon Airways (airline code NH; 02-752 5500, airport 032-744 3200; www.fly-ana.com) Hub Narita Airport, Tokyo.
Asiana Airlines (airline code OZ; 1588 8000, airport 032-744 2134; www.flyasiana.com) Hub Incheon International Airport, Seoul.
Cathay Pacific Airways (airline code CX; 02-311 2800, airport 032-744 6777; www.cathaypacific.com) Hub Hong Kong International Airport.
China Eastern Airlines (airline code MU; 02-518 0330, airport 032-744 3780; www.ce-air.com) Hub Shanghai.
China Southern Airlines (airline code CZ; 02-3455 1600, airport 032-744 3270; www.cs-air.com) Hub Guangzhou.
Garuda Indonesia Airways (airline code GA; 02-773 2092, airport 032-744 1990; www.garuda-indonesia.com) Hub Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Jakarta.
Japan Airlines (airline code JL; 02-757 1711, airport 032-744 3601; www.japanair.com) Hub Narita Airport, Tokyo.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (airline code KL; 02-2011 5500, airport 032-744 6700; www.klm.nl) Hub Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam.
Korean Air (airline code KE; 1588 2001, airport 032-744 5132; www.koreanair.com) Hub Incheon International Airport, Seoul.
Lufthansa Airlines (airline code LH; 02-3420 0400, airport 032-744 3400; www.lufthansa.com) Hub Frankfurt Airport.
Malaysia Airlines (airline code MH; 02-777 7761, airport 032-744 3501; www.malaysiaairlines.com) Hub Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
Northwest Airlines (airline code NW; 02-732 1700, airport 032-744 6300; www.nwa.com) Hub Detroit Metro Airport.
Philippine Airlines (airline code PR; 02-744 3581, airport 032-744 3720; www.philippineair.com) Hub Manila Airport.
Qantas Airways (airline code QF; 02-777 6871, airport 032-744 3283; www.qantas.com.au) Hub Kingsford-Smith Airport, Sydney.
Singapore Airlines (airline code SQ; 02-755 1226, airport 032-744 6500; www.singaporeairlines.com) Hub Changi International Airport.
Thai Airways International (airline code TG; 02-3707 0011, airport 032-744 3571; www.thaiair.com) Hub Bangkok International Airport.
United Airlines (airline code UA; 02-757 1691, airport 032-744 6666; www.ual.com) Hub Los Angeles International Airport.
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