Airfare to South Korea on Singapore Airlines is not really cheap, but still possible when the timing is right. The average ticket costs about S$1000+ and it was over the budget (well, that would just mean spending less on the other things). Fortunately there was a promotion, so we managed to get the tickets at S$705!
As
mentioned previously, the booking process on the
Singapore Airlines website for a return trip is a breeze. You can choose your preferred seat when booking online as well. Navigation around the website was fairly simple enough and the payment process was a smooth, with the simple input of the credit card number and a click of a button. When payment was confirmed, the itinerary and receipt will be sent to your email (for future reference).
Checking-in can be done online and only at least 48 hours before the flight takes off. As I had input my mobile number, a SMS reminder was sent to inform when I could check-in online. The process was easy, and after checking-in I was able to print out my boarding pass and (any) necessary documents. Being able to select your preferred seat, checking-in online and printing out the boarding pass really saves a lot of time!
When the day for departure arrived, we made our way to Changi Airport Terminal 3 in early the morning to get the luggage checked in. The timing was not that ideal, but given that it was on promotion it was worth it! Once the luggage was checked in, it was time to head to the departure hall for take-off. The flight was supposed to take off at 0800, while boarding time was stated to be 0715 on the boarding pass. I was there at 0630 with plenty of time to spare. As usual, the security screening conducted at the boarding gates was relatively simple, efficient and uncomplicated.
As with my previous experience with
Singapore Airlines (to Paris), when it was time for boarding passengers were called in and orderly fashion: the First Class, Business Class, PPS, followed by Economy Class passengers with families, then Economy Class passengers (section by section).
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| Waiting to board the place at Changi Airport Terminal 3 Departure Hall |
One of the things that I like about the Singapore Airlines flight to Incheon Airport from Singapore other than it being a direct flight was the price. With the promotion, the ticket price was more affordable and provided a considerable amount of savings for the same comfort, making it money well spent.
Although the plane was of a smaller type than the one used for the trip to Paris, there was enough leg room and the seat was comfortable (enough), with the headrest able to be adjusted as desired for greater support. A small pillow and blanket were provided.
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| Waiting for take-off |
As with all
Singapore Airlines flights, entertainment-wise there is the KrisWorld entertainment system presented on a 10.6-inch personal screen with entertainment options such as watching movies or television shows, listening to music, playing games, and applications such as Flight Path – an application that gives you an amazing view of your flight in and provides the aircraft’s position, flight path, as well as other associated information. There are also ports for charging electronics or power up that laptop.
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| KrisWorld entertainment system |
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| And we are off! ^^ |
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| Some pretty island while on flight to Incheon Airport |
Brunch was served and there were two options: Western (Chicken) and Korean (Beef Bulgogi). We had one of each and there was ice-cream as dessert (yummy!). What really stood out about this flight was the attentiveness and friendliness of the crew (thumbs up to the crew!). Perhaps it was the timing and/or the destination, but I found the crew to Seoul to be more smiley and friendly than the one on the Paris flight (they were more stoic and uptight). Both were professional but the feeling of being welcome on the flight was vastly different.
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| Western meal |
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| Korean meal |
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| Salad that accompanied both meals. The shrimp was pretty fresh, but the salad was kind of plain and very vegetablish |
Note: Do remember to fill up that arrival card fully with address and all. While DramaQueen’s immigration officer didn’t bat an eyelid and let her pass when she did not fill in the address of stay, mine made sure I wrote it down and asked so many questions.
With luggage in tow, it was off to collect the (free) pre-applied local Korean SIM card at the
K-Bookshop and buy the
T-Money (
Seoul’s version of the
EZlink card for transport and small purchases at places like convenience stores) at the GS25 convenience store located at
Incheon Airport Arrival Area. At the GS25 convenience store we also bought a top-up of 10,000 won for the SIM card.
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| It took some time and multiple restarts on my andriod phone before the signal could be registered, but it was worth it! |
Since there was still some time before meeting Lina (the host of the
AirBnB accommodation), we decided to have an early dinner at this Japanese place called,
Sanuki Bore, which according to its website, boasts 110 years of traditional Japanese culinary expertise via a technology-sharing alliance with Sanuki Maruichi Co. of Japan, serving up authentic Sanuki udong (noodles) and tempura, sushi rolls, and onigiri (rice balls).
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| The meal cost a total of 12,000 won. |
Sanuki Bore
Open 24 hours. (Except Tuesdays)
Tuesday: 06:00~22:00(Orders accepted until 9 p.m.)
So with our tummies filled, we made out way to catch the
AREX to
Gongdeok Subway Station.
When travel collides with a byte, a unit of information made up of bits, TravelBytez is formed: snippets of ramblings on travel, food, shopping, living and anything else that comes to mind.
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