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How I prepared and survived my first DIY Overseas Travel! (South Korea Introvert Traveler Edition)

Location: Philippines

1. Follow or get notification from Google Flight tracker on target travel date/destination. Book as early as possible, or once the flight prices are cheaper.

Track and compare prices using Google, stand on the shoulder of this giant!


2. Follow FB PH travel groups for new updates/changes in SK travel (DIY tips and visa processing).

Lurk daily...

3. Process visa as early as possible to buffer some time in case processing problems occur. Do process by DIY for additional experience.

4. Get the visa travel requirements from the official page.
Official website:  https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/ph-en/brd/m_3277/view.do?seq=684566&page=1
Locate the correct traveler type. (C-3-9 TOURIST)
Strictly follow and only send requirements as listed in the official site. 
In case you need(or want, just because) to send a letter, Chatgpt can help you with the letter template. 


See sample filled-out Application Form 
---> PDF File (Some personal information are not actual for privacy purposes. Please use it as a reference only.)

5. Slowly prepare itinerary. (Haste makes waste!)
Check itinerary samples from Chatgpt that fits the season and your interests.
Check holidays and possible country events. Reconsider weekend schedules on busy tourist spots. (Locals love to travel too, especially on holidays.)
Simulate days and dates, location and distances.
Google maps tourist spots for a little spoiler. (Customize, customize!)

Drafting itinerary <3

everything in one place!

6. Book early on hotel accommodation and activity packages, including bus booking if traveling to a busy tourist spot, i.e. weekend holiday in Sokcho.

7. Prefer hotel bookings that are self check-in and provide free potable water. (Self check-in in case of delays on flights and bookings.) (Price of a water bottle can get gold, like real silver. Rawrrrr!)

8. Organize files. Keep a copy on your email (dear self, please see attached attachment...). Bring hard copies if possible, for peace of mind and emergency purposes (ever heard of Murphy's Law? Anything that can go wrong will go wrong).


All in order!

9. Install travel apps before leaving the country. Familiarize apps, especially Naver maps.
Time saved or data saved?

10. Buy your sim card / wifi data ahead, cheapest found are on online stores (China Unicom). 
Individual sim is preferred for independence, if traveling in group. (Sharing is inconvenient per experience.) 
6 GB is more than enough for 12 days. 

11. Review bus riding etiquette. (Bus entrance and exit doors are not the same. Drinks are not allowed inside buses. Most bus drivers are snobs since they follow very strict driving time!)

12. Check your emails for possible flight updates, and required documents to fill-up prior to departure. 

13. Review travel checklist before heading out! Ultimate Travel Checklist Google Document
To fit or not to fit, that is the question!

14. Card purchases have better rate conversion and it's more convenient, but cash has 0 downtimes. Withdraw some cash upon arrival at the Incheon airport. Since it's there, it saves time. 

15. Expect and respect cultural differences. Most locals can appear rude and indifferent, but that's just them going with their day.

16. Expect the unexpected. (In our case booking a taxi and ordering food online was not yet available at time of travel due to local phone restrictions.)

17. See Part 2 for travel pictures and stories and actual expenses. (As of 2023 travel)


"By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail." - Benjamin Franklin


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