Day 1: Planning for accomodation - Bangrang & Namu

Bangrang Hostel

It looks so lovely doesn't it? But it doesn't seem to be available on the dates. :(

Namu Guesthouse

 This is available here. And apparently 40 out of 41 people recommended this place.

Not-so-Day 1: Seoul 2011: Accomodation Choices

Hongdae

• Bangrang hostel, 397-12 Chungnim-Dong, Chung ku (Metro Line 2, Chungjeongro stn, exit 5), ☎ +82 2 6614-2246, [48]. checkin: 2PM; checkout: 11:30AM. A brand new hotel,opened Jan 2010. distinguished interior. 1 min from subway station, 2 min from airport bus stop, can go any tour top attraction within 15 min. ₩18,000~.

• Backpackers Korea - Sinchon, 106-105 Nogosan-dong, Mapo-gu (4 min from Line 2 Sinchon stn exit 11), Tel.+82 2 715-6277, [49]. Friendly cool English speaking staffs, Free breakfast, free wifi, free international phone call, free laundry, air-con, hot water, rooftop terrace. all rooms are equipped with desktop computer, big flat TV with cable TV on the wall. private from ₩45,000/night with own bathroom.

• Blu Guest House, 464-63 Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu (Metro Line 2, Hongdae stn, exit#1; Line 7, Hapjeong stn), tel. +82 70 7692-9484, +82 11 9921-5621, [50]. Free wifi, free laundry, aircon/heating, lockers, breakfast, no curfew. From ₩18,000.

• Golden Pond Guesthouse, 188-40, 14/5 Myeongryun-dong (Metro Line 4, Hyehwa stn, exit #4), Tel. +82 2 741-5621 Cell. +82 10 9921-5621 [51] Golden Pond is one of the newest and cheapest (₩17,000 for a dorm) hostels in Seoul. A comfortable, family style atmosphere, with decent bathrooms and a friendly owner make this hostel hard to beat. Two computers available for Internet use and wireless throughout. This place is near a lot of universities so shops and restaurants are a plenty. 10-minute walk from Changgyeong-gung. No curfew.

• Hongdae Guesthouse (홍대게스트하우스), 159-6 Dongkyo-dong 159-6, Paradisetel unit 302, Mapo-gu (Next to Line 2 Hongdae stn exit 1), ☎ +82 2 336-0003 (hongdaeguesthouse@yahoo.com), [52]. checkin: anytime; checkout: 11AM. Clean, spacious rooms with high ceilings, ondol heating, aircon, hot water. English spoken. From ₩19,000. (one night,2 months)

• Kims' Guest House, 443-16 Hapjeongdong, Mapo-gu (Metro Line 2/7, Hapjeong stn), tel. +82 2 337-9894 [53]. This comfortable guest house, run by a friendly English-speaking family, is located in the western part of Seoul, 15 minutes walk from Hapjeong subway station. The dormitory (₩15000), single, double and triple rooms (₩27000/₩37000/₩47000) all have air-conditioning and heating. Guests share a kitchen, toilets and showers and have free use of cable TV, washing machine and internet. Breakfast (jam, toast & coffee) is included. No curfew. Discounts for stays over 1 night.

• Lee & No Guesthouse, 561-29 Yunnam-dong, Mapo-gu (Sinchon), ☎ +82 2 336-4878, [54]. checkin: 1PM~9PM; checkout: 10:30AM. Near Hongdae, has four-bed dorm rooms and doubles. ₩22,000.
  
  
  I checked -

• Namsan Guesthouse, 50-1 Namsandong 2-ga, Chung ku (Metro Line 3, Myeong-dong stn, exit 3), tel. +82-2-752-6363, [55]. Superbly located in the shadow of Seoul Tower in Namsan Park, this hostel has the usual draws: free internet access, free breakfast, kitchen & laundry and advice with tours. There are no singles but a 4-share costs ₩60,000 while a twin or double costs ₩40,000. All rooms are ensuite. Manager Robin is eager to help and speaks near-perfect English.

• Soul Guesthouse, Unit#505, 159-6 Paradisetel,Dongkyodong, Mapogu,Seoul(Metro Line 2, Hongdae stn, exit 1), tel. +82-10-5137-0604, [56]. Female Dormitory. ₩20,000 per night per person. Clean and close to subway. Located at central Seoul.

Taken from WikiTravel.

Not-so-Day-1 (II): Preparation to Seoul 2011: Air Tickets

Apparently, searching for inexpensive ticket prices was no easy feat. The horror of jumping from one travel site to another was unbearable. With the help of families and friends, we managed to find some sites with wonderfully affordable prices. However, due to some unforeseen circumstances, we couldn't purchase the tickets before the sales period ended. Panic.

So we searched and searched. But it wasn't a fruitless venture. Instead of visiting travelling sites, we went to visit airlines sites to search for prices. And thanks to Malaysian Airlines, we are just 6 months away from touching down in Seoul. For those who are wondering how much it costs, it's SGD 609.70 per person exactly (yes including all the other stuff and stuff). Considering the fact that Malaysian Airlines placed 10th on the 2010 World Airline Awards 2010, $609.70 is WOW! The last I checked, the sales period ended on 24th May 2011.

One day, I went back to Malaysian airlines' site and I searched for the ticket prices again. Just for the fun of it. And it was more than twice the price we paid for. 'HENG AHHH!!!' ~ Singlish style.


So we have our return air tickets to ICN and that's the first step to everything else.

So Yes. Can't wait for December 2011.
Go Go Seoul!