Travel Checklist: Step 1. Choose Location
What type of traveler are you? Where are you going to stay?
The excitement and thrill you feel when you first decide to go on a well-deserved trip and finally book your flight is indescribable! It can also be overwhelming as you prepare for your journey, as you may be traveling to a destination where the language and culture may be foreign! You may feel worried something might go wrong and want things to go as smoothly as possible. Don't worry, we've got you here at Creatrip. We've developed a travel checklist to guide you through your preparation process! This checklist will consist of everything you need before you need to prepare before you board your plane!
Travel Checklist
Step 1. Choose Location
Step 2. Apply for K-ETA or visa
Step 3. Purchase travel necessities
Step 4. Download coupons/Buy discounted vouchers
Step 5. Pack your bags!
Step 6. Enhance your Korea experience with secret tips and tricks!
Step 1. Choose Location
Choosing where you decide to stay during your trip is an extremely important step when preparing for a trip! This will be your home for the duration of your trip and will have a big part in your overall impression of your travels. We've curated a list of recommended neighborhoods (in Seoul) depending on what type of traveler you are!
First, ask yourself, what type of traveler are you? Are you the type of person to just go with the flow and not actually plan out your travel itinerary or do you like to plan out everything down to the minute?
Are you...
The Slow Traveler
Do you prefer a quiet neighborhood where you can just go with the flow? An area that also has lots to do nearby?
We recommend Seochon, Bukchon, and Samcheong-dong.
Seochon, Bukchon, and Samcheong-dong are the neighborhoods that surround the infamous Gyeongbokgung Palace. The buildings are mostly low and there is a dense population of Hanoks, which are traditional Korean houses. There is a great selection of unique, aesthetic cafes and restaurants, perfect for cafe-hopping. All three neighborhoods are within walking distance or are a short bus ride to a lot of the major tourist attractions in Seoul like Gyeongbokgung Palace, Gwanghwamun Square, Inwang Mountain, the Blue House, Deoksugung Palace, Insadong, N Seoul Tower, and more! Popular shopping districts Myeongdong and Dongdaemun are also nearby!
Check out our other blogs about the Seochon, Bukchon, and Samcheong-dong areas for recommendations!
Gyeongbokgung Cafe Recommendations
Insider's Guide to Gyeongbokgung and Seochon
Check out the links below for more information about each neighborhood!
The Shopoholic
Are you planning to spend most of your time shopping? Get a place in a shopping area so you don't have to haul around your new goods!
We recommend Myeongdong, Euljiro, and Dongdaemun!
Myeongdong is infamous for being a shopaholic's paradise. They have shops of all categories including all K-beauty, fast-fashion, souvenirs, popular brand road shops, and more! Myeongdong has an extensive selection of food carts that sell all sorts of unique foods so you can replenish and charge up on energy while you're shopping! Dongdaemun is more focused on fashion and is the epicenter of Korean fast fashion. They are always one step ahead of the current trends and that's possible because they never sleep! The midnight malls are open until dawn so you can literally shop until you drop. Euljiro is the area between Myeongdong and Dongdaemun and is currently very popular among young Koreans. The area is also nicknamed 'Hip-jiro' because of all the unique, trendy spots.
Check out our Myeongdong hotel recommendations!
Myeongdong Hotel Recommendations
Dongdaemun Hotel Recommendations
Check out the links below for more information about each neighborhood!
The Party Animal
Do you like to party and plan to hit all the clubs?
We recommend Hongdae and Itaewon.
Hongdae is known to have clubs that young Koreans and foreigners love to head to on the weekends. The area is dense with people in their early 20s looking for a fun night out! Because it is a university town, it is not as expensive as the other popular clubbing areas like Itaewon and Gangnam. There are a lot of affordable cafes, restaurants, and even shops that sell cute accessories and clothes!
Itaewon is known to be dense with foreigners since the former U.S. military base was nearby. This is the place you would want to go for good, authentic foreign cuisine. Itaewon is also famous for its clubs and bars. They have a wide range of clubs like hip-hop clubs, jazz clubs, EDM/House clubs, and more! The neighborhood nearby called Hannam-dong is known to be home to the biggest celebrities in Korea. The cafes and restaurants here are trendy and aesthetic as well.
Check out the links below for more information about each neighborhood!
The Cafe Hopper
Do you appreciate the art that is a cute cup of coffee? Or do love taking pictures of your drinks until the ice melts and makes your drink taste watery?
We recommend Mangwon-dong, Yeonnam-dong, and Seongsu.
Before Seongsu, there was Mangwon-dong. Before Mangwon-dong, there was Yeonnam-dong. These three areas are known for having the best cafes in Seoul. Yeonnam-dong, which is a crosswalk away from Hongdae, is the OG cafe neighborhood, known to have many cute, kitsch cafes. The Gyeongui Line Forest Park runs down the middle of the neighborhood and is used as a picnic spot for some. People love to grab a beer from a nearby convenience store and sit on the grass to lounge. Not far away is Mangwon-dong, which is relatively new on the list of 'Hip neighborhoods'. The area first started to gain popularity in 2015-2016 and is now a must-visit because of all the hip cafes and restaurants. The Mangwon Han River Park is popular for picnics when the weather is nice and the Mangwon Market has one of the best selections of street foods in Seoul.
It wasn't until recently that Seongsu became the hot place for trendy hipsters in Seoul. This area used to be known only for its leather shoe-making studios and industrial factories but as the industrial interior in cafes started to boom, Seongsu developed into one of the hottest neighborhoods in Korea. You will most likely see people in some of the best outfits in Seongsu, as it is popular among fashionistas.
Check out the links below for more information about each neighborhood!
Check out our helpful guide for finding accommodation in other neighborhoods as well!
Seoul Accommodation Pros and Cons
Now that you've chosen where you want to stay, it's time for step 2 of our Travel Checklist: to apply for a K-ETA or visa! Stay tuned to our Instagram page for an update on Step 2! If you have any questions, contact us at help@creatrip.com. You can also find us on our Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook!
