Seoul Plus - Podcast - South Korea | Travel

Is Seoul really an all-day leg workout? Well... it’s just that nobody really warns you about the inclines, the endless stairs, or what 20,000 steps actually feel like in a single day.

Join me and my friend Shira for a fun chat about navigating Seoul on foot. From steep neighborhood slopes and surprise subway staircases to the reward cafes and views that make every single step worth it

Episode Highlights

• The 20,000-step reality: Why Seoul feels like an accidental workout

• Subway spotlight: Countless stairs, underground mazes & deep platforms

• Neighborhood climbs: Exploring Haebangchon, Buam-dong, Naksan Park & Haneul Park

• Views & rewards: Sunset on the Namsan Sky Forest Trail, letters to our future selves at Nuldam Space & Coffee Prince nostalgia at Sanmotoonge Cafe

Neighborhoods & Spots Mentioned:

• Haebangchon & Nuldam Space:

  • Visit Seoul - Haebangchon Neighborhood Guide

  • Nuldam Space Official Instagram

• Buam-dong & Sanmotoonge Cafe:

  • Visit Seoul - Buam-dong Media Course

  • KoreaToDo - Buam-dong & Sanmotoonge Guide

• Namsan Sky Forest Trail & N Seoul Tower:

  • Visit Seoul - Namsan Sky Forest Road Guide

  • N Seoul Tower Official Site

• Naksan Park & City Wall Walk:

  • Visit Seoul - Naksan Park Information

• Haneul Park (Sky Park):

  • Visit Seoul - Official Portal

Essential Navigation Apps:

• Naver Map Web

• KakaoMap Web

Follow Seoul Plus on Instagram: ⁠@seoul__plus

What ??? Seoul Doesn’t Work the Way You Think?

Okay, that sounds a little dramatic. Seoul works perfectly well - just not always quite as you expected.

Join me and my son Gil for a very casual chat about what happens when your carefully planned Seoul itinerary meets… well... Seoul.

Gil has his Excel sheet ready. I have a few stories to tell. Let’s see how that goes.

We talk metro confusion, unexpected discoveries, Instagram versus reality - and why sometimes the best thing you can do is just go with it.

And finally, a quick word about AI - because even the smartest itinerary doesn’t always get Seoul right.

Episode Highlights

• When the itinerary meets real life

• Seoul distances & metro surprises

• Instagram vs. reality

• AI doesn’t always know best

  
  

Useful Seoul Links

• What’s Happening in Seoul: Festivals, exhibitions, events, and seasonal happenings

  Visit Seoul – Festivals & Events

• Getting Around Seoul: Practical information about using Seoul’s subway system

  Visit Seoul – Subway Guide

• Seoul Metro Map: Interactive and downloadable subway maps

  Seoul Metro Map & Route Finder

• Seoul Tourist Map: Interactive map of attractions and districts across the capital

  Digital Seoul Tour Map

• Local Navigation App (Must-Have): The essential app for walking, subways, and real-time directions in Korea

  Naver Map App

  
  

• Connect With Me:

  Follow Seoul Plus on Instagram: @seoul__plus

  
  

What does the perfect first day in Seoul look like? Ask ten people, and you'll probably get ten different answers.

This is mine.

After coming back to Seoul again and again, I've settled into a rhythm that works for me. In this episode, I'm sharing the traditions, routines, and hard-won lessons that help me ease into the city. From surviving airport luggage mishaps to my non-negotiabl - one trip at a time.

Episode Highlights

• The 'Arriving Well' Mindset: Why the first day is about letting the journey settle rather than rushing to tick off a list.

• Airport Transit Reality Check: Broken wheels, soaked luggage, and why I eventually swapped the limousine bus for a pre-booked taxi.

• Finding My Home Base: Why Myeongdong is my ultimate anchor, why staying on "your turf" matters, and how I handle early check-in fees.

• First Evening Walks: Gentle strolls through Gwanghwamun Plaza, Kyobo Bookstore, Cheonggyecheon Stream, and the quiet alleys of Ikseon-dong.

• The Magic of Deoksugung at Night: Why this smaller palace surrounded by modern skyscrapers is the one place I never skip.

• Lessons Learned the Hard Way: Why I never book ticketed events on Night One (and the story of my friend's very expensive nap at a musical).

• The Nightly Tradition: Ending every first day at a café -like The Spot Fabulous, Hollys, A Twosome Place, or Angel-in-us - to process being back.

  
  

Resources & Places Mentioned

Airport & Transit Prep

• Pre-booked Airport Taxi: Incheon Airport Taxi Transfer on Klook

  Transit Setup: Complete T-Money Card Guide

• Spatial Guide: Official Illustrated Tourism Map (PDF Download)

Night Walking Route & Landmarks

• Gwanghwamun Plaza: VisitSeoul – Gwanghwamun Square Guide

  Kyobo Bookstore: Kyobo Book Centre (Gwanghwamun Branch) Guide

• Deoksugung Palace: Deoksugung Palace Historical & Visiting Guide

• Cheonggyecheon Stream: VisitSeoul – Cheonggyecheon Night Walk Guide

• Ikseon-dong Hanok Village: VisitSeoul - Ikseon-dong Alley Guide

First Night Coffee Tradition & Cafés Mentioned

• My Myeongdong Favorite: The Spot Fabulous on Naver Map | Official Instagram

• Popular Korean Chains Mentioned: A Twosome Place | Hollys Coffee | Angel-in-us Coffee

Essential 24/7 Convenience Stores (T-Money Top-Up & Snacks)

• CU: CU Store Finder

• GS25: GS25 Official Site

• 7-Eleven: 7-Eleven Korea Finder

  
  

Traveler Tip: Google Maps has limited walking functionality in South Korea due to local mapping regulations! Download Naver Map or KakaoMap before landing to easily save café spots and get real-time subway and walking directions.

Coming Up Next...

Seoul Doesn't Always Work the Way You ThinkDeceptive subway maps, unexpected closing hours, and why being spontaneous in Seoul isn't just a backup plan—it's often the best plan.

Connect With Me

Instagram: @seoul__plus

Worried about getting around Seoul? Don't be. In this episode, I cover everything from transport and navigation to cash, local apps, and the practical tips that will ease your way into Seoul. Once you've got those basics under control, you can relax - and that's when Seoul really starts to make sense.

Episode Highlights

● Airport transport - Choosing between the limousine bus, AREX train, and taxis.

● Navigation made easy - The apps that actually work in Seoul and why Google Maps isn't one of them.

● Staying connected - SIM cards, eSIMs, roaming plans, and what I use myself.

● Money matters - Cash, cards, exchange tips, and shopping tax refunds.

● Getting around Seoul - The metro, buses, taxis, Uber, T-Money, and the Climate Card.

● Finding your rhythm - Why first-day disorientation is perfectly normal, and how Seoul gradually starts to make sense.

Episode Resources & Links

Navigation & Maps

• Naver Map App (Essential for Walking & Transit): Download for iOS | Download for Android

• KakaoMap App (Alternative Transit Navigation): Download for iOS | Download for Android

• Official Seoul Tourist Maps: Visit Seoul PDF Downloads

Airport Transport & Taxi Services

• AREX Express Train (Airport to Seoul Station): Airport Railroad Schedule & Booking

• K-Limousine Airport Bus: Routes & Timetables

• Incheon Airport Terminal Transport: Official Passenger Transport Guide

• Uber / UT App (Works with Global Accounts): Download for iOS | Download for Android

Transit Passes & Metro

• Seoul Metro Interactive Map: Visit Seoul Subway Guide

• T-Money Transit Card: Official Card Overview & Reload Guide

• Climate Card Tourist Pass: Official Pass Details & Usage

Money, Shopping & Connectivity

• Shopping Tax Refunds: Visit Korea Duty-Free & Tax-Free Shopping Guide

• eSIM & Mobile Roaming: Visit Korea Electricity & Communications Guide

  Coming Up Next

  My First Day in Seoul — Every Time.

  Next time, I'm sharing my own 'first day in Seoul' rituals. After countless trips, that first day has taken on a rhythm of its own. I'll talk about those inevitable arrival-day hiccups, my favourite first-night routines, and why giving yourself permission to simply arrive matters more than any itinerary.

Connect With Me

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@seoul__plus⁠⁠

Choosing where to stay isn't about finding the best neighborhood - it's about finding the one that's right for you. In this episode, I explore what makes Seoul's best-known neighborhoods so unique, and why choosing the right one can make all the difference.

Episode Highlights

● Why Myeongdong remains my favourite base in Seoul.

● The real personalities of neighbourhoods like Gangnam, Hongdae and Itaewon.

● How each district offers a distinctly different experience of the city.

● Why your nearest subway line can matter just as much as your hotel itself.

● The hidden cost of long commutes, multiple transfers and 'just a few extra stops'.

● How choosing the right neighbourhood can give you more time, more energy and a much richer Seoul experience.

Episode Resources & Links

Exploring Seoul’s Neighborhoods

• Myeongdong Area Guide: Visit Seoul Myeongdong Overview

• Seoul Neighborhood & Attraction Guides: Visit Seoul Official District Breakdown

• Myeongdong Tourist Information Center: Location & Visitor Info

Subway & Route Planning Tools

• Seoul Metro Interactive Route Map: Visit Seoul Subway Planner

• KakaoMetro App (Real-time transit & optimal exit maps): Download for iOS | Download for Android

• Naver Map App (City navigation & walking directions): Download for iOS | Download for Android

Coming Up Next

When Seoul Starts to Make Sense.

Now that you've picked your neighbourhood, let's talk about day one. Next time, I'll cover everything from getting in from the airport to navigation apps, cash, and making that arrival as smooth as possible.

Connect With Me

Instagram: ⁠⁠@seoul__plus⁠

What kind of traveler are you? Why are you visiting Seoul? What do you want your trip to feel like? Before you book your accommodation, these are some questions worth asking first. The answers can shape where you stay - and, ultimately, the kind of trip you have.

In this episode, we unpack how your personal travel style dictates your ideal location, and break down the practical, easily missed details.

Episode Highlights

• Travel style first - Why the kind of traveler youare should shape where you stay.

•  Hotels vs. apartments - The comfort of a 24/7 humanlayer versus the reality of self check-ins, lockboxes, and everything in between.

•  Reading between the photos - How to spot the little detailsthat listings don't always tell you.

• It's all in the details - From room size to local showersetups, the little comforts that can make or break your stay.

Coming Up Next... Location, Location

Now that you've figured out whatyou're looking for, it's time to explore Seoul's neighborhoods and find the onethat's right for you.

Connect With Me

Instagram: @seoul__plus

Traveling to Seoul for the first time? Sometimes the hardest part isn't deciding what to do - it's finding a place to start.

In this episode, we break down why trying to conquer the city with a rigid checklist can lead to total burnout, and why letting Seoul take over your day is secretly the best way to travel.

Episode highlights

  When planning becomes overwhelming -Why trying to see everything can sometimes stop you from enjoying anything.

 The box-ticking trap - The moment I realized I was rushing through Seoul instead of experiencing it.

  Letting the city surprise you - Why some of my favourite memories happened when I abandoned my itinerary and simply followed wherever Seoul led me.

A different way to travel -  How slowing down made every visit richer, more memorable and far less stressful.

Coming up next...Before You Book

Before choosing where to stay, let's start by figuring out what kind of trip you want to have.

Follow along to stay on the journey.

Connect with me

Instagram: @seoul__plus