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If there was a service that made restaurant reservations for you, would you use it?
S… So, when we go traveling to a country where there is a language barrier, like, Korea, some people find difficulty in making reservations in really famous restaurants, because, well... the language!
So, for the sake of convenience, lets say that 10 USD = 10,000 KRW.
If, there was a service that made reservations for you, at the restaurant / food place of your choice, at the date and time of your choice, would you use it?
Also, what do you think would be an adequate price range?
[Example]
Reservation for 2 on March 3rd 2024, 7 pm Korean Standard Time at [some example] food place.
What service fee would you select to be reasonable?
Looking forward to your picks!
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honestly prob not. most of the hyped up places in seoul that are hard to get into like jungsik or mingles already have systems where u can just book through catchtable or their own site in english. the language barrier isnt that bad for reservations anymore.
for the ones that actually need a korean phone number like some gogijip in mapo, id rather just show up and wait or ask my hotel concierge for free. paying 5-10 bucks for a reservation feels like a waste when most places take walk-ins anyway. maybe if it was for a super exclusive spot like a hidden tasting menu place in jongno where they only take korean calls id consider it, but thats like maybe 2% of restaurants.
for tourists yeah i can see it being useful for places like the jokbal joints in jangchungdong or those bbq spots in mapo where the menu is all hangul and the owner just stares at you. the ones that have a waitlist system but it's all phone based and they hang up if you speak english. i'd pay like 8,000 won for that, enough to cover the phone call and a bit extra
but most tourists prob overestimate how hard it is tbh. naver map has an english booking button on a ton of restaurants now, even the ones in insadong or bukchon. and if you're going to a place like the ramen shops in hongdae they don't take reservations at all, just queue up like everyone else
ngl i think the price really depends on how hard the spot is to book. for places like Onjium or Kwonsooksoo where the reservation window is like 2 minutes before it sells out, I'd pay up to 10,000 won per person. but for most of the trendy places in Hannam or Yeonnam you can just walk in on a weekday or go at 5:30 when they open
the bigger issue I see is that a lot of these famous restaurants already have a concierge service built in if you're staying at a nice hotel. the Shilla or Four Seasons concierge will book Jungsik for you if you ask a week ahead, and that's part of the room price. so the real market might be people staying at airbnbs or cheaper hotels
3,000 won per person feels like the sweet spot to me. anything more and I'd rather just use Google translate on the Naver reservation page or ask my Korean friend to call for me over kakao
Seoul Airport to City Center (2026)
The AREX Express is the fastest way from Incheon Airport to Seoul Station, taking 43 minutes nonstop. Tickets cost 9,500 won for adults, and you can buy them at the airport k… 🚆 AREX Express Train
The AREX Express is the fastest way from Incheon Airport to Seoul Station, taking 43 minutes nonstop. Tickets cost 9,500 won for adults, and you can buy them at the airport kiosks or online in advance. Trains run every 30 minutes from 5:20 AM to 11:40 PM.
🚇 AREX All-Stop Train
For a cheaper option, the AREX All-Stop train makes local stops and costs 4,150 won with a T-money card. It takes about 66 minutes to reach Seoul Station, but it's convenient if your destination is near a stop like Hongdae or Digital Media City. Trains run every 6-10 minutes from around 5:30 AM to midnight.
🚌 Airport Limousine Buses
Airport limousine buses serve many hotels and districts, with fares between 10,000 and 18,000 won. Routes like 6015 to Myeongdong or 6002 to Hongdae run every 10-20 minutes from 4:30 AM to 10:30 PM. You can buy tickets at the airport bus stops or from the driver with cash or T-money.
🚕 Taxi Options and Scams
Regular taxis from Incheon to central Seoul cost around 50,000-70,000 won, while deluxe taxis are about 80,000-100,000 won. Avoid unlicensed drivers at the arrivals hall; always use the official taxi queue. Some drivers may refuse the meter, so insist on the meter or choose a different cab.
🚗 Ride-Hailing Apps
Apps like Kakao T and Uber are available in Seoul, offering fixed prices for airport trips. A ride from Incheon to Gangnam costs roughly 60,000-80,000 won. Book through the app to avoid language barriers and ensure transparent pricing.
🚐 Private Transfer Services
Pre-booked private transfers cost around 70,000-120,000 won depending on vehicle size and destination. Companies like KTravelBus or Seoul Airport Transfer offer door-to-door service with English-speaking drivers. This is ideal for groups or those with heavy luggage.
💳 T-Money Card Tips
Buy a T-money card at the airport convenience store for 2,500 won and load it with cash. It works on AREX trains, city buses, and subways, and you can get a refund for remaining balance at the airport. To save time, load at least 20,000 won for your first few days.
⏰ Late-Night Travel
After midnight, the AREX and most buses stop running, so your options are taxis or ride-hailing apps. The N6001 night bus runs from Incheon to Seoul Station from 11:30 PM to 4:30 AM, costing 9,000 won. Taxis at night may have surcharges, so check the meter carefully.
The guide is solid, but one thing I'd add is that if you're landing at Terminal 2, the AREX Express actually starts there and stops at Terminal 1 before heading to Seoul Station. A lot of people don't realize that and end up waiting for the wrong train. Also, for the limousine bus, the 6015 to Myeongdong is great but traffic on the way in can turn that 60-minute ride into 90 minutes easily, especially on Friday afternoons.
yeah the guide covers it well but one thing i'd mention is that if you're traveling with a group of 3 or 4, a regular taxi from the airport to central seoul can actually be cheaper per person than the express train and way more convenient. split 60k won four ways and it's only 15k each, plus no hauling luggage through the station. just make sure they use the meter or you'll get ripped off
Nice write-up. One thing I'd add is that Kakao T has a "call taxi" option where you just put in your destination and it shows the fare upfront, which is perfect for avoiding the language barrier with drivers who don't speak English. I've used it a few times from the airport and it always worked smoothly, even late at night.