The land of hit drama series, movies, and music boy and girl groups, Seoul, South Korea has easily topped the must-visit list of many travelers across the world. However, just like any other major city, a trip to Seoul isn’t cheap. Good thing there are several smart ways to help you have the best time in Seoul even when you are on a budget.

Best Time to Visit Seoul

The fall season is one of the best times to visit the city. This is when the summer heat has subsided, with the weather dry and clear, with foliage at their peak. Spring is also a perfect time with the temperatures warming up and trees bursting with the most colorful blossoms. Seoul summers are wet and hot as monsoon rains kick end from the latter part of June through mid to late July. Tourists also crowd the city with rates reaching their peak.

How to Get Around

Seoul boasts of an inexpensive and reliable public transportation. The quickest and most efficient means to get around Seoul is none other than the subway. Transit signs and station names in the subway have English labels, which is a big plus, unlike their bus system that uses Hangul or the Korean alphabet for their signage. You can also purchase transportation cards for buses and subways alike that are rechargeable. These transportation cards are available in bus booths and subway stations. The pre-paid fare will be automatically deducted from your card whenever you use it. You can also explore Seoul in taxis that are easy to find and relatively inexpensive. You can hail a taxi at any taxi stand or on the street.

Options for Accommodation

The city of Seoul is business-centric, with hotels getting lots of traffic weeklong. Make sure you search for hotel deals during weekends. You can stay in hotels right outside the downtown Seoul area where rates are usually lower. Seoul is filled with numerous upscale global brands like the Intercontinental, Ritz-Carlton, as well as a W. There are also other mid-range modern chains such as Novotel and Marriott.

Dining Places

Eating well in Seoul doesn’t require you to spend lots of cash. If you have a tight budget, you can just settle for Korean comfort foods and street snacks. One of the major staples of the city’s cuisine is rice together with fermented and fresh vegetables. Cooked veggies and boiled rice are served and combined together in one large bowl known as the classic bibimbap. Another common dish is marinated meat barbecued using tableside grills called bulgogi.

Let’s Eat Alley is among the best places where you can eat amidst a festive atmosphere that wouldn’t break the bank. This alley is one of several side streets just off Sinchon Street, a lively university neighborhood filled with dining, nightlife, and shopping options. This is also where you can find many Korean street vendors that sell tasty rice rolls and skewered fish cakes.

A visit to Seoul, South Korea doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg as long as you remember these simple tips.