Updated in Sept 2012
Transportation to and from the airport:
- Limousine bus @10,000 to 14,000 won (depends on the stop) one way from Incheon Airport to city
- Check at the Info Station inside of the arrival terminal or Shuttle Ticket Booths right outside of the arrival terminal for information on which bus will be closest to your hotel
- After you bought your tickets, be sure to check the bus route once you find the correct bus, last time the Info Station gave me the wrong bus and I had to go back to the Ticket Booth to change the right tickets for the right bus.
- Buses runs through the station every 30 min and the same bus can be taken back to the airport as they run in loops, it takes around 1.5 - 2 hr to and from the station depending on which station you get on.
- Key stations near Dongdaemun are: Western Co-Op, Eastgate Hotel etc.
Currency Exchange:
Currency can be exchanged at the entrance of Magliore in Dongdaemun. Rates are better than Hong Kong and no handling charge.
Tax Refund:
Available in most stores if the total purchase at a store is greater than 30,000 won. Be sure to ask for one before paying. The refund range from 4 - 7 % depending on the total gross amount. Simply request the receipt and get the cash refund at the airport.
- Upon arrival of the airport, go check-in first to get your luggage tags and DO NOT check-in the bag just yet and inform the counter you will need to get a tax refund.
- Bring your luggage (storing the goods purchased) along with your tax refund receipts and get a stamp at the custom located in a counter near aisle J. (Note - there is one on the opposite side, refer to the tax refund envelops). You can drop off the bags once you got your stamps on each receipt in the next counter.
- Once checked-in, go to the counter near Gate 28. Note there are 2 line ups for two different tax refund systems and refunds will be given to you in cash once you provide your passport and tax refund receipts at the counter.
Shopping @ Dongdaemun (東大門)
Generally opens from 10am - 5am the next day!
Expect a good 20-50% cheaper than the "Made in Korea" clothes sold in Hong Kong. You can easily find tops for $250 or less, winter jackets $800 or less, one-piece dresses $300 or less, blazers $300 or less, necklaces $70 or less etc. Price range all depends on material, style, quality and cutting etc. Once you realise how cheap the clothes are in here, you can hardly buy any clothing anywhere else in Seoul!
(1) Designer's Club (Closed on Sat)
Pro - Wholesale prices, no haggle needed, cheapest of all the ones listed here
Con - further out from the center (eg Doota), can get very crowded and congested with bags on the floor when retailers pick up their stocks there, may not sell items to you unless you buy a few. They don't like to sell items to general retail shoppers.
(2) Migliore (Closes on Monday)
Pro - Close to the subway station, good options for winter jackets. Also a great place to shop for clothes.
Con - Haggling required (If you buy 2 or more, try for 40% off first and always ask for discounts paying cash!)
(3) Hello apM (Closed on Wed)
Similar to Migliore, men's clothing have two floors with pretty good and cheap selections. Better accessories then other outlets.
(4) Nuzzon (next to Designer's Club, closed on Sat)
Wholesale prices, quality and styles aren't as nice as Designer's Store.
Look for the store named Marshmallow on the upper floors near the escalator for some really comfy and good quality leggings!
(5) Doota (Closed on Wed)
Not recommended given much higher prices similar to HK but the mall itself looks a lot more updated but mainly sell clothes in retail prices. This is where most tours will drop off the tourists!
The Face ShopSince snail cream is so famous and such a fad recently, we had to try it! After comparing the prices, texture, the brand etc., we decided to try the snail cream from Face Shop.Sseal Snail Cream: Sold at a promotion at buy 2 get 1 free at our Dec 2011 trip. It was around HK$350 each. Skin feels velvety smooth the next morning after the first night trying it!Sseal Snail Mask: Sold at around HK$35/piece Raspberry line & life collagen eye gel mask: Sold at around HK$7/each in a 20 pack
InnisfreeA variety of paper masks at around HK$7/piece, sometimes with promotion and will give out free masks after buying 10. In general, many good feedbacks at a very reasonable price! I had many friends asking for the Tea Tree Masks which is excellent for acne prone skin.
