Solo Trip to Jeju Island, Korea: Key Tips to Save Money
The editor's trip to Jeju Island was short, but there are many insights to share with friends regarding the planning and execution.
NO.1 Flight
Although Jeju Island is Korean, it's only a 1-hour flight from Shanghai, so the tickets are naturally not cheap. Buying round-trip tickets won't exceed 1500 yuan including taxes. However, the editor is a super-cheap traveler who prioritizes low prices, so they had to get the cheapest tickets possible! Two months before the trip, the editor monitored the cheapest flights from Spring Airlines. They got one-way tickets for 475 yuan including taxes in the initial 0-yuan ticket promotion. Then, they secured the return ticket in the next 0-yuan ticket promotion, with taxes at 518 yuan.
There are also very cheap flights from Tianjin to Jeju.
NO.2 Currency Exchange
Actual currency exchange is not as advantageous as the exchange rate on the foreign exchange market. The exchange rate at the airport is the least favorable – 1 yuan converts to 156 Korean won; the exchange rate offered by the hotel owner is 1 yuan to 164 Korean won; the exchange rate in small shops is 1 yuan to 160 Korean won. The most favorable exchange rate is at local banks, with 1 yuan converting to 177 Korean won. Many places accept Visa or UnionPay cards, but the exchange rate is not as good as the foreign exchange market rate.
NO.3 Duty-Free Shop
The prices at Lotte Duty-Free are lower than those at Shinsegae; roadside specialty stores are cheaper than duty-free shops. However, some brands are not easily found outside of duty-free shops.
NO.4 Accommodation
The editor's accommodation was booked on Agoda, and typically requires prepayment. A Korean guesthouse is recommended for a unique experience.
Korean guesthouses and hotels provide shower gels, shampoos, conditioners, toothbrushes, towels, and loofahs in their bathrooms. The long, fabric loofahs are particularly popular with visitors from Simaida. Slightly more upscale hotels may also offer skincare products. It's amazing how these could be found in small bottles elsewhere!
Rooms have refrigerators, providing free drinking water, drinks, and fruits.
The power sockets are different from those in China, but don't worry; the hotel front desk can provide free adapter plugs for guests.
NO.5 Tickets
Unlike the situation in China, tickets are the smallest part of the travel expenses. The most expensive and popular attractions will not charge more than 60 yuan. Most scenic areas charge only a few dozen yuan.
Even in this situation, the editor still missed a ticket. What a crime! Because it was so easy to sneak in. The walls weren't even a meter high, and girls could easily step over them.
