Want to Rent a Car in Seoul? Here’s What You Should Know:
The name "Seoul" is used only in other languages. Its origin is the expression "Silla Hanyan", which can be translated as "royal capital city" or simply "capital". The inhabitants of South Korea and the Chinese who gave almost all regional names, when speaking about Seoul, call it "Hancheng" or "Hanson", then there is a "Chinese Fortress on the Hangang". The first thing a tourist sees is an airport. There are two of them in the city - Gimpo (GMP) and Incheon (ICN), but the first serves only regional destinations, so foreigners see the second, located 70 km from the capital. This huge hub confidently holds the third place in the world both in terms of beauty and quality of service, so with all questions you can safely contact the employees working at the information desks along the exits.
If a tourist knows which area of the city they need, they will immediately be shown a direct route. Bus logistics is planned so that from airport you can directly get to any of the 25 city areas. On the metro, the same route may be longer, since there are many transfer points on the branched circuit, but the station is also not far away. To get to the metro, you just need to go down to the first floor of the airport building.
Those who travel by public transport will have to get used to the fact that transport cards need to be applied 2 times (at the entrance and exit). The fare depends on the distance of the trip.
Seoul's taxis are emphatically clean, with drivers mostly fluent in basic English. Luxury cars (you can choose when calling through taxi fleets and choose at the parking lot by marking Deluxe) have simultaneous translation devices. Each salon has a navigator and a cash register - the price will always correspond to the price list. There are no illegal drivers in the city.
Travelers aged 21 and older with an International Driving Permit and a driving experience of at least a year can rent a car. You also need a personalized credit card and a passport. Significant savings when using a rented car will not work, since many roads and bridges are paid, but the ability to get to any point in the country in 4-5 hours is priceless.
Back to news Thanks to this, in a short time you can see a lot of sights, and at the same time enjoy non-touristic and affordable modern amenities.
The history of the site is described many times and in detail, but local guides will still find facts about the life of the royal family in the Joseon era. There are actually five palaces on the territory, and you can wander around them for hours. The main thing is to return to the main gate at 10:00 or 14:00 to see the changing of the guard ceremony. It is allowed to take pictures with guards in picturesque form.
Bukchon Hanok Village
In a small isolated area of Seoul, people still live in authentic buildings from the 14th-17th centuries. In the picturesque peaked hanok houses, you can also find family cafes with national cuisine.
Cheong Wa Dae
The official residence of the ruler can only be entered by appointment at tour.president.go.kr. What exactly can be photographed in the Blue House will be discussed later.
Insa-dong
The souvenir village is a traditional place for tourists. Locals call this street with traditional crafts, authentic clothing stores and cafes the Memory Road. Traditions of all eras of Korea are really intertwined here. The widest fair is held every Saturday from 2:10 to 10:10
Where to go from Seoul for one day
Park Imjingak is the northernmost point of South Korea. The Koreans themselves dreamed that someday in this place the countries would unite and the metro station would be common. In the meantime, this is a souvenir market, a cafe with national cuisine, beautiful views and picturesque architecture.
Nami Island is a picturesque green area that can be reached by ferry or private boat, which is in itself will be an exciting journey. Manicured gardens, gentrified forests and an amazing postal code are the main attractions of the inconspicuous island.
Suwon is a walled city. In addition to the unique architecture of the 13th century, you can admire performances close to the same period. Here they demonstrate traditional rope walking and dancing.
What to see in Seoul
The best restaurants in Seoul
You should definitely try the fried chicken in Suwon Fortress. The locals claim that it is not cooked like this anywhere else. But in Seoul itself, the choice of establishments is greater:
Flavors is a gourmet restaurant focused on the Asian menu. Fresh seafood is prepared right in front of the client. +82 2-6282-6730. Address: 2F, 176, Shinbanpo-ro, Seocho-gu.
Yeji Sikdang - Budget an option with tables outside and in the hall, but with traditional dishes in a quality serving. Can be considered Asian or Korean fast food. +82 2-777-1820. Address: 42-2, Myeongdong 1-ga, Jung-gu
Brera - European cuisine and grill in the heart of Seoul. +82 2-2236-0770.
There are small cafes and restaurants in every historic district. The locals are kind to the service, you can go in without fear for your health.
Where to park in Seoul
Like the roads, parking lots in Seoul are paid in most cases. You can park your car for free at a cafe or restaurant for the duration of your visit. Paid ones can be found through websites or by balloons that rise automatically above free places. The hotel will tell you the nearest parking. The average price is 3-5 thousand won.
Popular daytime parking in central Seoul:
14 Jahamun-ro - free, but places are in short supply;
85-1 Sunhwa-dong - free, 1.2 km from the center, there are almost always places;
162 Pyeong-dong - the most budgetary of the paid ones, the price is from 1000 won / hour.
С starting at 3,000 won (approximately $2.5), parking is easy to find. The occupancy of such hubs is not more than 40%.
Good to know
Most Popular Agency
Budget
Most popular car class
Compact
Average price
25 € / Day
Best price
18 € / Day
Average cost for 7 days of rent:
January
€165
February
€107
March
€125
April
€169
May
€177
June
€184
July
€200
August
€179
September
€146
October
€118
November
€119
December
€170
* Data is calculated based on car bookings for the previous 365 days.
The best month to rent a car in Seoul is November. There are fewer tourists and a lot of available cars. You can book a compact class model at a price from €22. This is 31% cheaper than the average during the year.
The best time to rent a car in Seoul is November. During this period the cost of renting a car of a compact category starts from €22, which is approximately 32% lower compared to the average price during a year.
In summer, the demand for car rental reaches its peak. The choice of available cars is decreasing. At the same time, the price of the service almost doubles! For example, in July, the average rental price of the popular car model VW Jetta reaches €35 per day.
We offer a wide range of vehicles to suit every budget:
Economy cars - a great solution for everyday trips;
Premium segment - for those who love quality and comfort;
Business class is ideal for people who are used to being first.
Convertibles, SUVs and station wagons, as well as minivans and sedans are in demand among customers. The choice of car depends not only on personal tastes, preferences and its cost. Rental conditions are important, which in some cases should be taken into account in the first place.
Car rental costs in Seoul depend on its duration, car class and specific season. A budget category Opel Corsa or Audi A1are available for just €43-€39 per day. When booking through Bookingautos.com, the price will be from €18. The higher segment will cost more. The daily fee for VW Jetta, Toyota Rav-4, Audi A4 Estate will be about €43. There are also available minivans, luxury cars, electric cars and business class cars. Their rental starts from €90 and can reach several hundred euros per day.
Recently, in Seoul has seen a rise in demand for electric car rentals. They do not pollute nature and save money. The city has free parking and cheap charging stations. To rent an electric car in Seoul, select the appropriate filter in the car search and fill in the dates you need. The best option could be Audi-E-tron.
List of required documents
Driving license
Credit card
Voucher
Passport
Attention!
A valid international driver's license is required!
TOP-10 car rental Tips:
Download desired area of Google maps for offline access
The presence of an offline navigator allows you to save on roaming. It is enough just to download the necessary maps from Google Maps and get directions even without a network connection. To do this, enter the phrase "OK MAPS" in the application, select the desired area and download offline maps to your smartphone.
Book in advance
Seoul is a popular tourist destination, so car rental is consistently in demand. The earlier you book a car, the more options there will be and the lower the prices will be. Choose transport online at least 6 weeks before your visit. Better yet, do it as soon as you start planning your vacation. If plans change, you can cancel your booking without penalty up to 48 hours before it starts.
Which car to choose for rent
Tourists who expect to drive only around the city and its immediate surroundings prefer to rent compact cars, Audi A1 or Opel Corsa. For trips to the mountains, you need a car with increased power. You should go on such a trip with a full tank, as fuel consumption in the mountains increases one and a half to two times. An all-wheel drive crossover would be the ideal car for this. Renting Audi A4 Estate in Seoul will cost €35 per day.
What you need to pay attention to when receiving a car
Before picking up, you are required to carefully inspect the car and point out to the rental company manager for scratches, damage and defects, such as dirty seat upholstery. You should check the ignition and the fuel level in the tank. You need to know the conditions for returning the car - where exactly, with what amount of fuel to return the car.
The rental agreement must include a telephone number to contact the rental company. It is designed so that customers can get help in emergency situations, such as when a car breaks down or in the event of an accident. A call to the rental company should be done first, even before the arrival of the police.
Insurance recommendations
When you pick up your rental car, you need to take it seriously. This is especially true if you do not intend to purchase additional insurance. You should carefully inspect the received car and fix all scratches, dents, and other defects in the contract. It is also recommended to take a picture of the existing damage to the car, its number, write down the name of the rental company employee.
What types of insurance are available for car rental?
Third Party Liability (TPL). This is a third party liability protection. If you are the culprit of an accident, the insurance will compensate for the costs of the victims for you.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). This is to protect your vehicle from any damage. She works with a franchise. This is the amount that you will have to pay in case of damage in any case. The company will cover anything over the limit. The insurance does not cover theft.
Theft Waiver (T.W.). This is car theft protection. Operates with a franchise.
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI). This is medical insurance for the driver and passengers.
Fuel Policy
When you pick up your car, you may be asked to pay for a full tank of fuel right away. This condition will suit you if you plan to travel long distances. For a couple of trips around the city, you don’t need so much fuel, and therefore it doesn’t make sense to overpay. Pay attention to the fuel policy when booking a car. If necessary, use the special filter to select the most convenient option for you.
Rent without mileage limit
The rental company may set a daily mileage limit. You will have to pay extra for exceeding the limit. Please check this condition before booking. It is possible that a more expensive rental option will turn out to be more profitable in the end: it will not require any additional expenses. To filter cars with unlimited mileage - use the "Mileage" filter in the search results.
Compare conditions of different rental companies
When choosing a rental car in Seoul, you should carefully read all the terms of the rental. This is due to the fact that different companies may differ not only in rental prices, but also in conditions for limiting mileage, the cost of additional services, and the amount of the deposit. To compare rental conditions, it is convenient to use the search and booking system on our website.
Which rental company to choose
It is recommended to rent a car in trusted companies, that is, in those whose services you have already used. You can also focus on the rating of our site, which is displayed next to the name of the company in the search results.
Ceteris paribus, preference should be given to larger companies that have a high level of service and a large selection of cars. The best rental companies in Seoul are sixt with an average rating of 9.8 points and budget (rating - 9.7).
Getting a car at a rental office
Getting a rented car in Seoul is as follows: You show the manager a voucher, as well as the necessary documents - a passport and an international driver's license. The manager draws up a lease agreement, after which the agreed amount of the security deposit will be blocked on your bank card. Before receiving the car, it is necessary to inspect it, fix the existing damage and inform the manager about them.
Our main advantages
24/7 support in all popular languages
Change or cancel within 48 hours for free!
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Car rental reviews: Seoul
Based on 8255 reviews
Rate 4,8/5
Based on 8255 reviews
Tony
4,8
Without a doubt, I will continue to use Bookingautos on a regular basis. Thank you very much for your assistance!
Michael
4,7
Excellent value for money. The pick-up process was a little confusing, but I would use it again!
Luna
4,5
The search was very simple to use, the price was really low, and there were no problems with the rental car company.
Jody
4,9
Everything proceeded as expected. The complete coverage compensation really worked.
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