Touring in South Korea: tips?
03-02-09, 03:44 AM
#1
oren_hershco
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Touring in South Korea: tips?
Hello everyone,
My girlfriend and I are considering a trip in South-Korea, in September-October.
I didn't find a lot of info on the net, besides some articles in crazyguyonbike.com
I would be happy if anyone here can supply useful info about this plan:
1. Weather? I understand fall is the best season for the country. How rainy is it going to be at this time?
2. Road contitions (quality, can you use dirt roads, are the roads crowded etc.)
3. getting in and out of big cities: can you take your bike on the train.
4. Accomodations: can you travel without camping gear? What are the costs? If you take camping gear, can you camp anywhere (like in Norway, for example)
5. Recommended sites?
Oren
My girlfriend and I are considering a trip in South-Korea, in September-October.
I didn't find a lot of info on the net, besides some articles in crazyguyonbike.com
I would be happy if anyone here can supply useful info about this plan:
1. Weather? I understand fall is the best season for the country. How rainy is it going to be at this time?
2. Road contitions (quality, can you use dirt roads, are the roads crowded etc.)
3. getting in and out of big cities: can you take your bike on the train.
4. Accomodations: can you travel without camping gear? What are the costs? If you take camping gear, can you camp anywhere (like in Norway, for example)
5. Recommended sites?
Oren
03-02-09, 06:23 AM
#2
bicycle tourist
I haven't been to Korea yet, but Jan Boonstra has some good bike pages including one about Korea where he was living:
https://user.chollian.net/~boonstra/cindex.htm
https://user.chollian.net/~boonstra/cindex.htm
03-02-09, 10:56 AM
#4
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touring in korea
I did twice for two weeks period each in South Korea, both in Sep-Oct. Last one was last September. You're right. That's the best time to go. As far as rain goes, you may see a day or two but mostly crisp blue skies. Warm during the day and cool at night.
I don't think you would need to bring camping gears unless you want to save money. Motels can be found at every town for $25-45 a night. Now, exchange rate is favorable to USD, you can probably find some good deal for even cheaper. Not sure about the camping rule over there.
Road condition is really good I think. 95-99% of time I rode on pavement.
First time I joined a tour with ibike. Second time I organized myself and did with two other guys. Much more fun at the second time. Rode through mountain range up north and rode down along the coast line in the east and finished it at Busan. Awesome trip.
Other than Seoul, you probably don't have to worry about traffic. Even in the heart of Seoul, you don't have to worry about being run over by a car. They drive very aggressively over there but they are extremely careful and courteous to bikers.
Let me know if you have any other question and have fun!
I don't think you would need to bring camping gears unless you want to save money. Motels can be found at every town for $25-45 a night. Now, exchange rate is favorable to USD, you can probably find some good deal for even cheaper. Not sure about the camping rule over there.
Road condition is really good I think. 95-99% of time I rode on pavement.
First time I joined a tour with ibike. Second time I organized myself and did with two other guys. Much more fun at the second time. Rode through mountain range up north and rode down along the coast line in the east and finished it at Busan. Awesome trip.
Other than Seoul, you probably don't have to worry about traffic. Even in the heart of Seoul, you don't have to worry about being run over by a car. They drive very aggressively over there but they are extremely careful and courteous to bikers.
Let me know if you have any other question and have fun!
03-02-09, 03:55 PM
#5
soncycle
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Korea is great! Not a lot of cyclists go there, probably because they think it is very populated. Well, it is, but if you can get around the big cities, it is beautiful!
Buy a Korean map in one of the bigger book shops when you arrive. They will be in Korean only, but you'll learn the signs fast enough and you have to when you want to cycle around. The better road atlasses have all the roads on them, you will need to travel on the roads that have three digits!
Those are the ones that are quiet.
Stay clear of the big cities, camp wild everywhere and plan your route via the national parks, they all have camp sites for a nominal fee. Again, Korea is great!
More info on: https://www.tour.tk/on-the-road-0806-...apan-korea.htm
Have fun!
Ali
Buy a Korean map in one of the bigger book shops when you arrive. They will be in Korean only, but you'll learn the signs fast enough and you have to when you want to cycle around. The better road atlasses have all the roads on them, you will need to travel on the roads that have three digits!
Those are the ones that are quiet.
Stay clear of the big cities, camp wild everywhere and plan your route via the national parks, they all have camp sites for a nominal fee. Again, Korea is great!
More info on: https://www.tour.tk/on-the-road-0806-...apan-korea.htm
Have fun!
Ali
