Korean Adoption Travel Guide: prepared by TexasHoki
Disclaimers & Particulars:
*The information for this document came from the following sources: Adopt-Korea-Christian [AKC] mailing list, Holt BB, and various websites I found by searching under "Korea, adopt, travel". 
Once we decided to pick up our new daughter in person,  I started to gather information about Korean adoption travel.  I am sharing what I found with all the other families who will travel to Korea as part of their adoption journey.   -Kuleen (TexasHokie) 6/1/
*The information herein is not guaranteed to be 100% accurate.  Please verify all info before making travel plans.  If you have corrections or information to add, please contact me at [email protected].
*I will continue to update this document as families post their travel experiences on the Internet.  The most recent updates to this document are in blue and are dated 6/2/0
Planning your Tri
Suggested Travel Guides:
Lonely Planet Guide to Seoul
Culture Shock Korea- Not a "travel" book but good overview of Korean culture and basic "do's and don'ts"
KNTO (Korean National Tourism Organization) Guidebooks- Order at www.english.tour2korea.com
Websites: www.visitseoul.net/english/
www.lifeinkorea.co
Making Travel Arrangements
Travel Broker: Mi-Young Gallagher with Travelink (she is Korean) 1-800-352-2110
Jay Song of World Express Travel in Dallas, TX  972-241-2113
Delight Travel in Lynnwood, WA 425-774-7878
Avoid: East West Travel in Chicago
***HINTS***
*Book your child's ticket in their Korean name, not their American name
*Have passport for yourself that is valid for six months beyond your travel date
*If traveling through Canada you will need a special tourist Visa for your chi
Airlines
Singapore Air (www.singaporeair.com)
Asiana (www.flyasiana.com)
Very highly recommended
Recommended
Departs from LA, San Francisco, NY, & Seattle
Departs from LA & San Francisco
Korean Air (www.koreanair.com)
Northwest (www.nwa.com)
Improving
Pretty Good - check special adoption fare, can be booked ahead and changed without penalty
Departs from Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, LA, NY, San Francisco & DC
***HINTS***
*When contacting the airlines don't forget to mention you are flying to pick up an adopted child.  Many offer advance purchase or discount fares even for last minute travel.
*Incheon Airport website: http://www.airport.or.kr/Eng/
Accommodations
Eastern Guesthouse (www.eastern.or.kr/e_htm/home.htm)
SWS Guesthouse
Easy access to food & subway; Fully equipped kitchen; Private baths; Internet access
Access to food not as easy as other guesthouses
English speaking staff available
Fully equipped kitchen; Private baths
Pay telephone available in lobby-phone cards may be bought near the elevator
Family rooms have private internet access
Transportation from Airport- Provided by Eastern
Pay telephone & phone cards available at Renaissance Hotel
Transportation from Airport- Taxi or KAL Limousine service to Renaissance Hotel
Holt Guesthouse (www.holt.or.kr/english.htm)
Reservations made through Sue Mills at Holt Eugene Oregon
$35-$50US/night
Easy access to food & subway; Fully equipped kitchen; Private baths; Internet access
Pay telephone available near kitchen-phone cards may be bought from doorman
Staff speaks little to no English
Transportation from Airport- Taxi or KAL Limousine service to SeoSeoul Hotel
SeoSeoul (Tel: 011-822-332-1122; Fax: 011-822-332-1155) Seokyo (Tel: 011-822-333-7771; Fax: 011-822-333-3388) http://211.196.209.6/intro/eintro.asp
$90US/night
$80US/night
Walking distance to Holt and Eastern
Walking distance to Holt and Eastern
Easy access to food & subway;
Easy access to food & subway
English speaking staff available
Holt Families should mention they are a guest of Holt Children's Services to receive a discount
Hamilton Hotel (guests Tel: 011-822-794-0171; Fax: 011-822-795-0457)
Capital Hotel  (Tel: 011-822-792-1122; Fax:011-822-0918)
$100us/day
Walking distance to Itaewon
Located near Itaewon
Near subway
Food easily available
Described as "fair" and "seedy at night"
Holt Families should mention they are a guest of Holt Children's Services to receive a discount
New Seoul Hotel (Tel 011-822-735-9071; Fax: 011-822-735-6212)
Downtown area
Near subway
Three families reported being happy with this hotel
***Hints***
*GUESTHOUSE, GUESTHOUSE, GUESTHOUSE
*Remember to get E-mail addresses for other families at Guesthouse
* Avoid Novetel TokSan-pricey and snooty
*Electrical current can be 110 or 220
* "USA Direct" phones are located in the lobby of major hotels.  These phones will connect you directly with an AT&T operator and allow you to use your US calling card.
*In addition to VAT, hotels may add on an additional 10% service charge.  However, you are not expected to tip the concierge, maids, et
How Long
5-7 Days (3-5 Full Days in Korea)- Just Right
3 Days (1 Full Day in Korea)- Too Short
10 Days (8 Full Days in Korea)- Too Lon
Money
For current exchange rate visit http://finance.yahoo.com/m3?u
Cash vs. Traveler Checks
Families have traveled using both.  It is very easy to convert Traveler Checks to Won at the major banks.
Money can be exchanged at the airport as you exit customs
In Kore
Transportation
Taxi
Black Taxi's are more expensive than standard Korean taxis, but are still cheap by US standards and they don't get lost as much
Subway (http://soback.kornet.net/~pixeline/heeyun/korea/subway.html)
Easy to navigate- signs are in Korean and English
Tour Bus
If you are staying in a hotel, they may have a free tour buses
Train
If you want to travel by train the KR Pass is cheaper if you buy before leaving US
(323)731-894
***HINTS***
*If using a cab, have instructions and map written in Korean to give to cab driver
* Sound out the signs in the subway. The spelling of Korean words is not consistent.
(Hap Jeong is the same as Hap Cheong
Foods
Suggested Foods to try: Jellyfish, Aloe Vera Juice, Pajeon, Bibimbap, Japchae, Bulgogi, Kimchee,
Foods from nearby nations
Suggested Restaurants: Lotte department store, Eastern Guesthouse cafeteria, Wild Ginger Grill,
Indian food at Hamilton Hotel near Itaewon, World Pizza (go left down the street from Holt guesthouse.  Go to the corner, turn left, pass the liquor store, the bookstore, etc.  Its about 3 blocks down.)
Eating Experiences: Authentic Tea Party, Dinner set up by Holt (remember gift for hos
***HINTS***
*Always peel fresh fruits and veggies before eating
*Although Korean water isn't "bad", bottled water is probably bes
Shopping
Dongdaemun (Tongdaemun) Market
Namdaemun Market
Great place to buy Hanboks
Great to soak up Korean culture
Best deals are inside and upstairs
Toy store near gate 3
COEX underground
Best deals early in the morning and if you buy in bulk
Near Bongeun-Sa (Pongnsa), off of line 2-the green line which is next to Holt guest house
Insa-dong (Mary's Alley)
It'aewon
For tourists
Cultural artifacts and antiques
Most speak a little English
Celadon
Bartering expected
Nicer stuff
Lotte Department Store
Kyobo Book Store
Great deals on the bottom floors in housewares
English/Korean Children Books
***HINTS***
*Bargain if prices aren't marked if buying more than one item
*Prices in Department Stores are fixed
*Most items are subject to a 10% VAT (Value Added Ta
What to Buy
English/Korean Children's Books-Bookstore at COEX and near Holt Guesthouse
Extra Hanbok in larger children's sizes
Hand painted wall hangings with your child's Korean name- guy in front of Hamilton Hotel at Itaewon
Celadon
Collapsible Scooters
Cultural items- Wedding ducks, masks, wall hangings
Tourist Attractions
National Museum by the Gyengbokgung (Kyngbokkung) Palace
City Tour sponsored by Holt (remember gift for guide)
Located off the orange subway line 3
Bongeun-Sa (Pongnsa) Buddhist temple
Korean Folk Village/Cultural Center
Located off of line 2-the green line which is next to Holt guest house
Take free bus across from Gyeongbokgung (Kyngbokkung) Palace
Korean World Trade Center
Traditional Korean music, work of local artists, traditional buildings
Located off of line 2-the green line which is next to Holt guest house
Pottery Village
War Memorial
Access by train
Piwan Secret Garden Palace
Il San
Holt's original orphanage
Near Insadong
Talk to Korean social worker about making arrangements
Namsan Park
The Seoul Tower
At the Adoption Agen
Meetings
No Jeans
Dress Nicely
Simple dresses or slacks for women
Church clothes
Note taking
Make one person responsible for note taking since one will be busy with the baby.
Go back over list with foster mom & social worker before leaving.
Write down your questions ahead of time so you won't forget.
Gift Suggestions
Social Worker-Stationary, Chocolate Bars & Jelly Belly's, Picture Frame, candles
Staff- CANDY, CANDY, CANDY!
Foster Family (general)- items with your state logo or made in your state
Foster mom/sisters- nice cosmetics, jewelry, framed picture of child, fine fragrances
Foster dad/brothers- wallet with child's picture, baseball cap, sports shirt
***HINTS***
*Do not give anything elaborate or the recipient will feel need to reciprocate
*Don't expect the gift to be opened in your presence- this is considered rude in Korea
*Always wrap your gifts (considered rude if you don't). 
*Due to 9/11 Airport Security, don't wrap gifts until you arrive in Korea
*On the day you get custody of your child, consider giving the Foster Mom flowers.  This will give her something to fill her empty arms. (Flower Shop: Exit left from Holt Guest House, left at 1st street.  Go to end of street and make a left from where you exit  the subway for Holt-the Hapjeong stop
The Trip Hom
When to Leave
Morning Flight (Custody of child the preceding day)
Pros: Get to know child and feel settled before the flight home
Cons: Get no sleep the night before the long plane flight
Afternoon or Evening Flight (Custody of child on way to the airport)
Pros: Rested from good nights sleep
Cons: Getting to know your child at the same time as dealing with plane tri
Pack in your Carry-on Bag
Extra wipes & Diapers
Baby meds- Tylenol, Benadryl, Oragel
Burp cloths
Extra baby clothes and adult clothes
Items to clean bottles or extra bottles
Pacifi
Flight Home
Get bulkhead seats and request bassinet
Prominently display the agency bag when going through customs
DON'T OPEN THE SEALED ENVELOPE THE AGENCY GAVE YOU
***HINTS***
*Your child will need a ticket in their Korean name for the flight home
*Protect the sealed envelope from all curious travelers-especially chi
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