10 Things to Get Absolutely FREE in Seoul! – Seoulistic

(Click images for sources)

Depending on where you’re coming from, Seoul might not be the cheapest city in the world. But there are tons of free things to make your visit to Seoul easier. From free tours of Seoul tourist attractions to free shuttle buses to Jeonju, read this uber helpful list of free things that’ll make you say “woot!”

 

1. Free Phone Calls in Seoul

If you’re not sure about the Korea phone rental system, it’s easy. You can always rent a cellphone when you land in Incheon Airport. But if you just need to make a few calls while you’re visiting Seoul, you might want to know that you can make calls for free at many of Seoul’s major subway stations! We already have a post on how to make free phone calls while in Seoul, but here’s the basic gist: head over to a major subway station, find the digital station, pick up the phone, and call. Seriously, that’s it. And it’s all for free! 😀

How to make free phone calls while in Seoul.

 

2. Free Korean Lessons in Korea

Maybe you just moved to Korea and are looking to learn Korean. Of course you can always learn Korean online for free from our super good pals at TalktoMeinKorean.com (try them, they’re good!). Some people are more into meeting people and selfstudy. If you are, you can always find free language exchange partners by posting on craigslist. And finally, if you’re into learning in traditional classroom settings, there’s a number of free Korean classes in Seoul run by volunteers and sometimes professional teachers. We can list them here, but 10Mag does a much better job with their list of Korean language classes in Korea (free/paid, and not just in Seoul ;)). 열심히 공부하세요! (Study hard!).

 

3. Free Concierge Service in Korea (via phone)

The Korea Tourism Organization offers an amazing service that anyone visiting Seoul should know about. Simply call 1330 from any phone and you have the option of calling operators that will look up anything for you. You can use this to ask for restaurant recommendations, bus schedules, things to do in Korea, or maybe even where to buy Big Bang underwear. Whatever you’re wondering about Korea, just call this number and someone will help you out. And if they can’t tell you, they’ll look it up on the (Korean) internet while you wait. Nice!

Tip 1: Although this is geared towards tourists, foreign residents of Korea can also use this service as well.

Tip 2: Not only for Seoul, also for cities across Korea.

See KTO’s official page for more info.

 

4. Free Shuttle Buses from Seoul to Jeonju

Seoul is the number 1 city for visitors to Korea, but Korea has a number of great destinations that visitors should also consider visiting while in Korea. That’s why the Visit Korea Committee offers free shuttle buses to Jeonju for foreigners in Korea. They have pick ups at Gwanghwamun that will take you to Korea’s most famous city for delicious food. You have to have your passport (no alien registration card) as well as make a reservation at least 10 days in advance. But for free, you would do it 11 days advance, right?! 😉

Check out the free shuttle bus here!

Edit: Service ended in 2012 🙁 Thanks Ben!
Update: There will be free buses to Jeonju until December 31st.

 

5. Free Tours of Seoul Tourist Attractions with Pros

If you’re coming to Seoul and haven’t had any time to make preparations, don’t sweat it. The city of Seoul offers free walking tours of some of Seoul’s best tourist attractions. The tour operators are professional and well knowledged about these tourist attractions. And they offer tours in Korean, English, Japanese, and Chinese. Professional, free tours of some of the best tourist attractions Seoul has to offer will make you want to do a Gangnam style parody with your mommy.

Click here to make reservations.

photo from dustincolephotos.com

Keith
Keith
Keith Kim is a Korean-American who has been living in Korea for almost a decade. Being in a unique position as both a Korean and a non-Korean, he's put all his experience and knowledge for surviving in Korea in Survival Korean . Read it to learn how you can survive in Korea. Follow him on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.

18 Comments

  1. David says:

    So much good stuff here and no comments yet?

    When i’ll go to Korea again, i will definetly use your great advices!
    I especially like the free Shuttle Bus to Busan and Jeonju!
    Please keep up the great work, we really appreciate it!

  2. Ahuva says:

    Very useful information. I have a dream to visit Korea with my sisters and this site is full of Tips and helpful information that I can’t help myself from taking notes and writing down things for that time…:) . I like the Bus to Busan & Jeonju, the Tours of Seoul Tourist Attractions , I’m learning Korean at TTMIK (they are awesome !) …
    I want to explore and experience everything 🙂
    So, Thank you for this lovely site. 수고하세요.

  3. Ben says:

    This was for last year not this year! Free Shuttle Buses from Seoul to Busan & Jeonju

  4. Keith says:

    Ben, thanks! It has been updated 🙂

  5. Raushan says:

    I have to say, that thanks to this article I found so many nice people in Seoul! Some of them have become a really good friends to me. So I would like to thank Keith for such a usefull and incredibly vital information for new comers!!

  6. Stacy says:

    I’ve been keeping this page bookmarked for months in preparation for my upcoming trip to Seoul. Now that it’s coming closer, I appreciate it even more–I wanted to do a hanok stay, and following links from the Jeonju free bus thing led me to realize that Jeonju might be the perfect place to plan for a hanok stay, including free transportation to and from.

    I’m still trying to figure out the whole wifi vs. phone thing. Verizon charges terrible prices for international roaming and I’m not sure if it’s worth it to worry about renting a phone, yet I’ll be staying with a friend and of course you want to be able to stay in touch regarding where people are.

    • NANA1434 says:

      Use Kakoa talk onthe free wifi everywhere in Seoul – just use your US phone and turn off the cellular service. It works great – no need for a phone!

  7. Trisha says:

    Just bought my ticket today… I will be in Seoul for three weeks starting June 7…. anyone want to hang out? 🙂

  8. ARIFULISLAM says:

    my drem i went come for korea.but how to come korea

  9. sam says:

    Sorry to ressurect an old topic, stumbled onto the blog.

    I was curious about the Jeonju Shuttle – it states that 1 passport can claim 2 tickets. I have a korean friend – will they allow them to come with me or will this be an issue?

  10. Sri Priya Sakala says:

    I love Korea..!! I’ll hopefully be visiting it soon after my exams.. I hope it’d be as good as is shown in k-drama 🙂 everything is so cute in Korea.. 🙂 🙂

  11. Bimeh Iran says:

    Which cities in Korea are beautiful?

  12. Mandy says:

    Hi, may I know if the free shuttle service between Seoul and Busan is still available? I’m intending to go to Busan in September 2014.

  13. amy says:

    Hey I tried clicking the link about the list of free korean lessons but now it is broken… can you give me other link ? Thanks in advance 🙂

  14. NyNy says:

    I don’t know man. Maybe it depends on the person and timing? I didn’t get free samples at the supermarket or free makeup samples in Myeongdong .__. but Wifi is free and convenient especially when you get lost.

    Hope you check out my blog when you have time: http://nynyonline.co.uk

    • Derie says:

      Well one time I went to nature Republic and asked why don’t u give free samples anymore, because before they did and it was the same shop. The employee said, “Actually the free make up sample thing is no more. Why? Because to many people just put on a whole makeover and didn’t buy a thing or painted their nails and didn’t buy a thing. Most Koreans don’t do this, usually foreigners do. I tried étude house, face shop etc, and they all said the same thing.

  15. Noriko says:

    I need a attendant tomorrow on the 27th July 2017 from 11:00~15:00 . Just want to see Kansan area.
    Please reply immediately.
    If you can speak Japanese or English would be very nice. Doesn’t have to be so good.

    Thank you.

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