The 300 foreigner tickets are actually a pretty smooth process if you plan it right. I'd aim to be at the ticket booth by 5pm for the 6pm session, especially on weekends when locals also queue up for their own allocation. The staff usually start handing out numbered wristbands around 5:30, and once you have that you're basically guaranteed entry so you can wander off to grab coffee nearby.

One thing nobody mentions is that the ticket booth is on the left side of the main gate as you face it, not right in the center where everyone crowds. If you're coming from Gyeongbokgung station exit 4, walk past the main entrance toward the National Folk Museum side and you'll see the foreigner line snaking along the wall. The wait itself is rarely more than 45 minutes once they start processing, and the twilight over the palace grounds makes it worth standing around for.

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went last year during the autumn night opening. got there around 5:30 for the 7pm slot and there were maybe 20 people ahead of me already. the 300 tickets are usually gone within the first hour so if you show up after 6 you might be pushing it.

tbh the line moves faster than you'd think because they process everyone at once when the gates open. bring cash just in case - the ticketing machine near the main gate sometimes has issues with foreign cards. also the lotte department store basement has a good bathroom you can use before you queue up since the palace ones get crowded.

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I live a few stops away and have done this three times now. The 5:30 arrival advice is solid but I'd push it to 5 if you can, especially on the first or last day of the night opening when word gets around. The foreigner line is separate from the general queue, so don't get confused if you see a massive crowd on the right side of the main gate - that's for the Korean pre-sale pickup, not your line.

If you get there early enough and snag a wristband, walk over to the Samcheong-dong side of the palace for a coffee at Cafe Knotted. It's about a seven minute walk and the line moves slowly enough that you'll make it back in time. Just keep an eye on the clock because they close the entry gates exactly at the session start time, no exceptions.

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honestly this is a solid guide, covers most of the basics pretty well. one thing i'd add is that the T-money card is also accepted at most convenience stores and even some taxis, so you don't need to worry about small change as much. also, if you're hitting up Gwangjang Market for street food, go a bit early like 11am to avoid the lunch rush and grab a seat at one of the mung bean pancake stalls near the center.

for the nightlife part, i'd say skip Gangnam unless you're into bottle service and loud EDM. Hongdae is way more fun for just wandering into random bars and chatting with locals, plus the vibe is less stiff. and if you're near the Han River, renting a bike from Yeouido is a chill way to see the city without the crowds.

one thing the guide missed is the Seoul City Bus Tour bus, which is like 12,000 won for a day pass and hits all the major spots if you're short on time. it's a good backup plan if your feet give out from all the walking.

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good guide, covers the essentials. one thing i'd mention is that a lot of tourists miss out on the free cultural programs at places like the national museum or even some palaces. gyeongbokgung has a free english tour at 11am and 1:30pm if you sign up online, way more interesting than just wandering around.

for getting around, the subway is fine but the bus system is actually faster for some routes, especially if you're going across the river. the naver map app is better than google maps here, it shows real-time bus arrivals and which exit to use. just download it before you land.

if you're short on time, skip namsan tower and go up to the seoul library rooftop instead, free view of the city and less crowded. also the guide's right about street food at gwangjang but the mayak kimbap (drug kimbap) stand near the main entrance is the one to line up for, tiny rolls with a mustard dip that people fight over.

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the guide's solid but one thing that always trips people up is the subway exit numbering. seoul stations have like 10+ exits sometimes and they're not always sequential, so check the map before you go up. also, if you're near hongdae on a weekend night, the main street gets packed but the side alleys near the art market have quieter bars with live music, way easier to actually talk to people.

for food, the guide mentions korean bbq in mapo-gu but i'd specifically say go to the meat alley near mangwon station, it's less touristy than the ones in mapo proper and the ajummas there will grill for you. and if you're doing the dmz tour, book through a company that picks you up from your hotel, the ones from insadong charge way more for the same thing.

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