South Korea: Discounts & Free things to do around Seoul

When i was doing research of free things to do around Seoul, the most useful information I got was from kampungboycitygal's blog.

(Source: http://piktochart.com/2012/05/infographic-maker-15000-users-10000-infographics-200-pro-users-in-8-weeks/)

Here is the blog's post about discounts and vouchers. Pretty informative and useful for first timers to South Korea.Purpose of this post is to give provide some update and several free stuff you can do.

What's free is kind of fun and most importantly keeps your travel budget low since most people do backpacking to save money and get most of a trip at one's preferred pace.

Location of bus pickup to Seoul
(source: http://www.airport.kr/airport/traffic/bus/busList.iia?flag=E)

1) Discount voucher for airport limousine. Most limousine goes to hotels around downtown Seoul and covers many subway station. This voucher gives 1,000 won discount only one-way from airport to downtown Seoul. Here is a link on which bus to take to reach your accomodation, alternatively upon arrival at Incheon International, locate a nearby "Transportation info" yellow counter to get help. Be warned that bus limousine drivers don't keep small change, so be ready with small change before you board.

           Airport limo bus discount coupon
(source:  http://kampungboycitygal.com/2012/04/7-money-saving-tips-travel-tips-to-south-korea-with-discount-vouchers-attached/  )

K-shuttle for foreigners
(source: http://english.visitkoreayear.com/english/benefit/benefit_06_01_01.asp)

2) Free shuttle bus to Gyeongju and Busan. Personally didn't try this as my trip is too short to cater for it. Regardless, here is the link.

T-money from GS25 at 3,000won

3) Free T-money @ Incheon airport. Look out for Hana tour counter at airport. However, not too sure if this has been discountinued as the free T-money ran out when we arrived on 31st Oct. This can save you up to 3,000 wonWon't hurt to try check again in case they have restock right?

Free Nanta ticket that was offered previously.

4) Freebies & Event news from Korea Tourism Organisation (KTO). I missed out the free Nanta ticket giveaway as i noticed the offer on it's last day, unfortunately was too busy with work to pick them up. Currently there is a 30% discount coupon to Lotte World and 'A walk with the Stars" event upcoming. Pay a visit to KTO facebook page or even like to keep up with news about Korea tour and freebies.

King Sejong Exhibition Hall
(source: http://english.seoul.go.kr/cav/att/gwanghwamun.php)

5) Free admission places. Probably not all of them, here is a list of some of them you might want to visit that are quite interesting. Cheonggyecheon river walk, Namsan Folk village and King Sejong Exhibition Hall (right below King Sejong statue), National Musuem of Korea and free bicycles rental at Jamsil station Exit 2. Walk about 200m toward Seokchon Lake, the facility is on your right.(source: http://www.korea4expats.com/article-free-bicyle-rentals-seoul.html)

Doota free gift bag voucher
(source: kampungboycitygal blog)

6) Doota gift bag. Walk to Doota mall near Dongdaemun station and show your passport (for foreigners only) together with your printout. Update on the freebies, it seems like the content has been gotten much lesser (refer to kampungboycitygal's blog photo).

Latest content of Doota gift bag.

This is what's inside the gift bag inclusive of doota shopping coupon. It's really up to you whether it's still worth the effort to redeem this.

Making traditional pendant.

7) Korea experience programme @ Incheon airport. Those who checked into airport boarding early could spend time to try your hands on Korean handicraft.We were given the traditional pendant that we made together with free mini gift; one traditional cupboard and a traditional hand mirror in a pouch.

Free mask and samples

8) Free cosmetics samples @ Myeong Dong. Whenever you enter a cosmetics shop usually the salesgirls will give you freebies. Be sure to ask for more samples, or whatever you see displayed near the counter. We managed to get 2 posters of JYJ from the TonyMoly shop wifey made her purchase.One strategy is to buy ~30,000won only at a go and move to next shop for your purchase to get more chance to ask for samples. There are more than one branch of the same shop especially in MyeongDong so this can probably work out :)

Tax refund collection counters @ Incheon airport.

9) Tax refund. Whenever you (foreigners only) made a purchase of more than 30,000 won on a single receipt, you are eligible for a ~5% tax refund. Just make sure to ask for it since not all shops will automatically provide you a tax refund slip. Be sure to bring this back to Incheon airport & validate at tax refund counter. Check into boarding area, the tax refund collection area is near Gate 28 seats area. Do insist on receiving cash back since writing alphabetical address is quite risky (not written Hangul).

Follow the steps for Global tax free refund. You should receive this evelope or the other blue colored one :)

10) Sleepover at airport. Not for those that can't get comfortable easily. Surprisingly our first time sleeping over at Incheon airport is quite comfortable. In fact, there are many people that slept (yes, on departure chairs) over most probably because the flight next day is too early and also not to forget that it actually saves one night accommodation cost. Skip this if you find guesthouse/hostel to be uncomfortable hehe

There is probably more out there, who doesn't like discounts and free stuff?
Do comment with your link if you have more info on these. Gotta get them all :P