✧ Series Note – South Korea Trip 2024 ✧
Feels like coming home. Like flipping through a familiar chapter, this time with braver eyes and a bolder heart. 🇰🇷✨
📅 November 01-06, 2024
“You never really travel alone. The world is full of stories waiting to meet yours.”
From Seoul to Busan: The Journey Begins
The train hummed beneath me as I stared out at Korea’s shifting landscapes, wondering if I could survive a solo adventure from Seoul to Busan.
Outside the window, the countryside drifted past in quiet motion—small towns, distant mountains, and fields fading into the horizon. Somewhere along this journey, I realized that this trip was more than just another destination on my map.
Reflection: The journey isn’t just about the destination—it’s about trusting yourself to navigate every twist, every unknown, and every fleeting moment along the way. Solo travel teaches patience, courage, and the joy of quiet discovery.
It was a test of courage.
But before I found myself speeding toward Busan on that train, the journey had already begun days earlier—with a single message that changed everything and the realization that my South Korea adventure was finally becoming real.
🛂 Visa Approved: A Dream in Motion
The excitement was real when I received my South Korean tourist visa—an answered prayer. That simple email notification suddenly made everything feel real. For months, the idea of returning to Korea had lived only in my imagination. Without delay, I booked a round-trip ticket with Jeju Air, secured accommodations, and began planning my journey across Seoul and Busan.
Tip: Booking ahead can save both time and money. Korean trains like KTX sell out quickly. Reserve your preferred schedule as early as possible—even if you plan to travel slower routes like ITX-Maum.
🚉 Jeju Air Surprise: My Free Train from Seoul to Busan
While booking my flight, I discovered Jeju Air’s promotion offering a free KTX flexible train ticket. To my surprise, I was selected as one of the lucky recipients. Soon after, Jeju Air reached out via email to gather my details for the ticket reservation.
But most KTX trains were already fully booked at that time, so I opted for the ITX-Maum train, which would take around four hours.
Sometimes the unexpected detours of travel turn out to be the most memorable parts of the journey.
Airport Adventures and a Bowl of Doenjang Jjigae
On the day of my long-weekend escape, the flight departed Manila on time. The turbulence kept me from sleeping. Gladly, we landed safely at Incheon International Airport around 3 AM local time.
🍲 Breakfast in Korea
For breakfast, I chose doenjang jjigae at Pleating, a local airport restaurant. The traditional soybean paste stew—paired with rice and side dishes including kimchi—was flavorful, hearty, and exactly what I needed to start my journey. After the flight, that warm bowl of stew felt like Korea welcoming me back.
Fun Note: That bowl of doenjang jjigae at Incheon Airport? Not just a meal—it was Korea’s way of saying, “Welcome back, traveler.” Solo or not, food can anchor you in a new city before you even leave the terminal.
🛤 To Seoul Station and Beyond
After breakfast, I topped up my T-Money card and hopped aboard the AREX (Airport Railroad Express) train to Seoul Station. I didn’t need to withdraw any Korean won since I still had leftover cash from a previous trip—enough for meals, T-Money top-ups, and a few souvenirs.
💡 Tech That Makes Travel Effortless
South Korea never fails to impress with its cutting-edge technology. From the touchscreen menu to the payment options, everything felt intuitive and modern—exactly the kind of convenience that makes solo travel easier and more enjoyable.
I couldn’t help but smile as the AREX train sped toward Seoul. Every beep, swipe, and screen reminded me how seamlessly travel could flow when technology and planning come together.
🚆 All Aboard: The Train Ride That Meant Everything
Before the journey, I grabbed a comforting meal from McDonald’s and a Portuguese egg tart, then settled into a cozy corner at Seoul Station, watching fellow travelers hustle about. It was a small moment of calm before the adventure began.
Tip: If you’re taking the train from Seoul to Busan, reserve your seat online in advance. Even with slower ITX-Maum trains, choosing a window seat makes the four-hour journey scenic and relaxing.
🌟 Taking the Leap
When it was time to board, I took a deep breath. This was it—the moment I had dreamed of. Taking the train to Busan had always been a bucket list item, and now, I was finally doing it—solo.
Quick Reflection: The rhythmic hum of the tracks, fleeting landscapes, and quiet corners are reminders that sometimes the journey itself is the destination. Don’t rush it—look out the window, take notes, or snap photos along the way.
🚉 More Than Just a Train Ride
Although I had taken trains before, this one felt different. The journey symbolized something bigger: courage, independence, and embracing the unknown.
The rhythmic hum of the tracks, the fleeting scenery outside, and the quiet murmurs of fellow passengers filled me with anticipation and quiet pride. Every passing town, every stretch of green and mountains, reminded me why solo travel is as much about inner discovery as it is about destinations.
Tip: Bring snacks, water, and a light sweater for long KTX or ITX-Maum rides—air conditioning can be chilly, and having small comforts makes solo travel more enjoyable.
✨Goodbye, Seoul, for now.
For a moment, I realized the journey had already begun the second I left Seoul Station. It wasn’t just about arriving in Busan—it was about proving to myself that I could take this leap alone and enjoy every second of it.
🌇 Hello, Busan City!
We arrived in Busan safely, and as I stepped off the train, a wave of gratitude washed over me. I had made it. Walking among passengers leaving the station, I felt a thrill I hadn’t expected—the city felt alive, massive, and buzzing with possibilities.
Busan felt different from Seoul—less hurried, more open, like the ocean breeze had slowed the rhythm of the city.
🌧️ Rain and My Guesthouse Misadventure
Outside the station, the sky opened up with a torrential downpour. Streets slick and maps on Naver turning my short walk into a frustrating maze, I wandered through unfamiliar alleys, soaked and flustered. Yet, rather than frustration, a sense of thankfulness stayed with me—I had arrived safe.
🏚️ A Disheartening First Glimpse
When I finally reached the guesthouse nestled in a bustling neighborhood, my heart sank.
The common room was cramped and smelled strongly of cigarettes. Overflowing dishes, a narrow staircase without an elevator, bare beds with no privacy, and a bathroom with a glass door that offered little coverage—it was far from what I had anticipated. Even small storage cabinets didn’t lock. In that moment, I reminded myself: this trip was still mine to shape, and one misstep wouldn’t define it.
🌟 Silver Lining
The one saving grace? The location. Busan Station was just a short walk away, and nearby were restaurants and convenience stores. Even amidst setbacks, I felt a quiet determination rising: this city still held experiences worth discovering.
Traveling from Seoul to Busan alone taught me something unexpected.
Reflection: Not every moment of a trip will be perfect. Rain, confusing streets, or less-than-ideal accommodation are part of the adventure. The key? Embrace it, adapt, and let each experience shape your story—Busan was already giving me memories worth keeping.
✨ Full Circle: From Seoul to Busan and Within
As I settled into my guesthouse—disappointed, soaked, and exhausted—the rhythmic hum of the train still echoed in my mind—a reminder of forward motion, of courage, and of the quiet pride that comes from embracing the unknown.
Fun Note: Riding the train from Seoul to Busan felt like Train to Busan, sans zombies. Just me, the tracks, and Korea’s landscapes sliding past like a moving postcard.
With Busan unfolding before me, I finally understood that solo travel is as much about the inner journey as the destination. And like the train ride that brought me here, every moment—smooth or bumpy—was part of the story worth living.
Not every journey is about checking destinations off a list. Sometimes, the real discovery happens somewhere between stations—when you realize you are capable of navigating unfamiliar places, trusting your instincts, and embracing the unknown.
In the end, the train ride across South Korea was more than transportation. It was a quiet reminder that every journey forward begins with the courage to take the first step alone.
Sometimes, the journey itself is the reward—every city, every street, every misstep shaping the story you’ll tell long after the trip ends.
