0

Traveloka SG

14 Apr 2022 - 4 min read

Travel to Seoul: Top 3 Places to Visit

When it comes to traveling, Seoul is one of the common destinations to have on any travel bucket list.

Why? Apart from the crazy K-drama influence and sheer fun of its K-pop music, Seoul is the epicenter of beauty.

Now that traveling is up and running again, let’s SEOUL away!

The beautiful and famous Seoul has a lot to offer to travelers who yearn for the best travel experience.

As the capital of South Korea, Seoul or Seoul Special Metropolitan City serves as the cultural, economic, and political center of that country.

How to get to Seoul?

Traveling to Seoul from Singapore is a breeze with the accessibility of flights operating daily. A flight journey from Singapore to Seoul normally takes about 6 hours and 25 minutes.

There are two main airports operating in Seoul, which are Incheon International Airport and Gimpo International Airport.

Incheon International Airport

Also referred to as Seoul-Incheon International Airport, is the largest airport in South Korea that serves international routes.
Fun fact, the Incheon International Airport is one of the biggest and busiest airports in the world.

Gimpo International Airport

Before 2001, Gimpo International Airport acted as the international airport for Seoul and South Korea.
Located in Gangseo district, it now gets more domestic flights than international.
So, if you are planning to travel domestically to another region in South Korea, the Gimpo International Airport might be your starting point.

There are many flights to Seoul offered by major airlines like Asiana Airlines, Korean Air, Singapore Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Jet Airways.

Flight ticket cost

The estimated price for a one-way trip from Singapore to Seoul usually costs around SGD 1100.
However, with the COVID-19 pandemic going on, the price ranges affordably from SGD 520 to SGD 650.
You could get a flight with the lowest prices on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.
Prior to booking, be sure to check for airlines that provide free rescheduling because things are still unpredictable, even now.

Best Places to Visit in Seoul

With the hype given to Seoul for this past decade, there is no doubt that the vibrant and fun Seoul is a lot to explore.

Famous for its unique mix of traditional and modern aspects, Seoul offers amazing culture, mouth-watering food, different shopping experience, and entertainment selections.

If you are not influenced already, here are the top three must-visit places in Seoul that could change your mind:

Gyeongbokgung Palace

Also known as Gyeongbok Palace, this place ticks your must-visit place list in Seoul.

It was the first and largest of the Five Grand Palaces built by the Joseon Dynasty. The significance of this palace is like Buckingham Palace to London.

The palace was constructed in 1395, and served as the main palace of the Joseon Dynasty.

Must-do:

Do not miss out on the National Palace Museum of Korea and the National Folk Museum of Korea that is situated on the palace grounds.
For the last 43 years, only three entrances to the palace have been made available.

Things to know:

In December 2018, the western gate called Yeongchumun was made public.
With the gate being opened to the public, the palace is now accessible from all directions.
This attraction operates daily except on Tuesday, with different operating hours according to the seasons.
It provides thoughtful facilities for the disabled, a cafeteria, a souvenir shop, and many more amenities.

Gwanghwamun Gate

Known as the biggest and central gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace, it is one of the significant landmarks in Seoul.

Its unique architecture and clean scenery will leave you speechless.

Due to the invasion of the Japanese dating back to 1592, this gate was left devastated for more than 250 years until the palace was rebuilt. Unfortunately, the gate was then ruined during the Korean War that took place from 1950 to 1953. The gate underwent a restoration in 2006 for four years. It was officially opened to the public in 2010.

Must-do: Take lots of photos for your Instagram while you are here!

N Seoul Tower

Located at Mount Namsan, N Seoul Tower must be one of your highlights in your fun Seoul trip.

Built in 1969 to broadcast local international TV as well as radio channels, this 237-metre-tall tower is now preserved as one of the best places in Seoul.

Must-visit:

One of its main attractions is a restaurant named N Grill. Located at the highest spot of the tower, this rotating fine-dining restaurant is suitable for couples to experience a romantic dinner with a magnificent view.
Next, this tower has a digital observatory that offers a fantastic and clear 360-degree view of the city.

Fun fact: If you watch K-drama a little too much, you will notice a popular wooden deck that is famous for love padlocks and handwritten love notes on the fence. Guess what? It is inside the tower!

General COVID-19 Travel Requirements to Seoul

With the COVID-19 pandemic of different variants still spreading globally, travelers must always take extra precautions to be safe.

When traveling to Seoul, here are some general COVID-19 travel requirements to Seoul:

Before departing, travelers should obey the airline and destination requirements like COVID-19 testing, wearing masks, and quarantine.
A printed COVID-19 negative certificate is required to enter this country. If you enter South Korea as a confirmed positive without submitting a negative confirmation results in a penalty of KRW 2,000,000, which equals approximately SGD 2,300.
Being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 allows travelers to apply for quarantine exemption. This exemption permits them to skip quarantine upon entering South Korea. However, the exemption depends on the place of vaccination and travel purposes. The quarantine regulations of travelers also differ.
Unvaccinated travelers are not allowed for nonessential travel to South Korea.
Wearing masks are compulsory for travelers while they are on public transportations and in public places in Seoul. Failing to obey the masking rules carries a fine up to KRW 100,000 that is around SGD 110. They must also follow the social distancing rules imposed by the government of South Korea.

Get the best flight deals to South Korea on Traveloka. Check our latest promos now!

Tags:
destination-reopening
travel-to-seoul
vaccinated-travel-lane
vtl
Always Know the Latest Info
Subscribe to our newsletter for more travel & lifestyle recommendations and exciting promos.
Subscribe