Where do you get your travel information?

Where do you get your travel information?  What are your sources of information when it comes to planning a trip or making your next itinerary.

For the veterans, boomers, or Gen-Xers, they say or prefer printed copies.  But for Xennials, Millennials or modernized adults obviously internet is their main source of information.

Books

Name	Link	Description
Lonely Planet	lonelyplanet.com	Largest travel guide book publisher in the world [Wiki].  Plan and book your perfect trip with expert advice, travel tips, destination information and inspiration from Lonely Planet.
Fodors Travel Guide	fodors.com	A publisher of English language travel and tourism information and the first relatively professional producer of travel guidebooks. [Wiki]
Rough Guides	roughguides.com	British travel guidebook and reference publisher [Wiki] Find a destination, look for inspiration, read features and get great travel advice, from Rough Guides.
DK Eyewitness Travel Guides	traveldk.com	Browse DK's award-winning travel content on a range of top travel destinations. Discover all you need to know to plan your next trip.

Budget Travel: How much does it cost to travel to South Korea

Hi traveler!  You may be asking - How much does it cost for a trip to South Korea?  How much does it cost to eat in South Korea?  How much should I budget for a trip to Korea?  What would probably be your spending pattern in your upcoming Seoul Trip?

If you are in the middle of filling-up your visa application on Page 4 Section 10.1 Estimated travel cost, the quickest answer would be a safe estimate of 5,000php (100 USD) per day. With minimum of 500-600USD per person for a 5-7 days trip.

If you would like to know more details on budget planning, continue reading.  This will not promise you the cheapest value of the trip, but a smart spending when travelling abroad.  This entry was inspired by the recent inquiry in Trip Advisor.  Hopefully this can help you plan your budget for your trip.

Train Travel Tips

Are you a bus rider or car owner in the metro? Are you curious on how to properly behave when taking the subways abroad?

Unlike Manila, neighboring cities like Hong Kong, Singapore, Taipei, Seoul and Tokyo have very convenient subway transportation system. Below are some reminders you may need to consider when taking trains abroad.

Travel Mistakes You've Done So Far

Amateur tourists or seasoned travelers on short or long-haul flights heading to local or foreign destinations can possibly make mistakes during their trip.  We don’t want these simple mistake to bring bigger travel problems on our journey.  What’s important is learning from these experiences, knowing travel tips and learning how to avoid them.

3 Types of Travelers who deal with Foreign Exchange

When travelers go out of the country, after preparing their flight tickets, accommodation and visa, what comes next in question is the preparation for money.  Here comes the questions on like where to buy third currency or if is it good to have USD instead?

Preparation for Money

Type 1: Traveler who wants to have 3rd currency prior to landing

In Manila, you can get 3rd currency (i.e. JYP, KRW, HKD) from major banks and money changer (i.e. Czarina or Sanry's).  Click below to know today's buying and selling rate of dollar or available 3rd currency (yen, won, hkd etc) in the metro:

BDO - https://www.bdo.com.ph/cn/mobile/forex

BPI - https://www.bpiexpressonline.com/p/2/2091/indicative-exchange-rates

You need to find the rates under Selling column (which means the bank will sell their 3rd currency to you).

For example, if you need 500,000krw in hand, then you have to pay:

BDO (at 0.0429 rate) = 21450php

BPI (at 0.05 rate) = 25000php

Process for BDO:

1. You need to have an account at a Mall BDO branch 

2. Call the branch to post the request for reservation (it will be ready by 3-5 days, upon availability as they still need to verify with their main branch)

3. Call again on the agreed date to make sure that it is ready prior to your visit

4. Upon confirmation on the phone, prepare a copy of your flight ticket, passport, account number (should be on the same branch), TIN number, cash (or credit from your account)

In the comparison made between BDO and BPI (2017 September), based on the Sell Rates, it is more cheaper to transact in BDO.  However, this is not always the case.  You should be able to compare the rates between banks to know where to buy at a better price.

Type 2: Traveler who wants to carry USD instead

Some say if you pass by USD, you will be double charged by the applicable tax charges.

BDO (at 48.1500 rate), you pay 21450php to get 445.482 USD

For example that you went to IBK to buy KRW upon arrival,

IBK (at 1,106.59 rate ), 445.482 will be 492,965.9263 KrW which is lower value compared to "Type 1" traveler.

That still depends on the rates on the airport exchange banks (i.e. Incheon Airport) which normally have low rates.  Some would say that departure area foreign exchange booth has better rate than the one in arrival area.

For Seoul, you can exchange few bucks in the airport for your transportation  to the city.  In the city, you can exchange in banks, malls, or convenience stores (specifically 7/11 in Myeongdong has good rates).  If you prefer doing your transaction on banks, you may check the exchange rates they have from below:

• Industrial Bank of Korea (IBK) 
• KEB Hana Bank 
• KB Kookmin Bank 
• Shinhan Bank 
• Woori Bank 

For Japan, we normally transact in banks, they would need your passport as well. 

Type 3: Traveler who prefers cash less transaction

Make sure that your ATM or credit card has been activated to be used on international transaction, call your bank to activate this service.  (Same goes for those who are using credit card transactions, you  need to notify them about your travel advisory prior to your flight.  Otherwise, your transaction may not go through or be tag as fraud).

Upon your arrival, you can just go to a partner ATM machine, and your PhP money will be automatically converted to local currency (i.e. KrW), ready for your withdrawal.  Ask your provider o know the allowable maximum amount that you can withdraw when going abroad.  Keep in mind that multiple withdrawals means multiple deduction, just stick on your planned budget and refrain from over spending.

Warning:  When traveling on high-season like autumn for Korea, most are experiencing scarcity of won even on banks.  Just make sure to have enough allowable time for your banks to reserve the won you need before your flight.  I normally do the reservation notice 1 month before my flight. 

I personally started as Type 2, then I'm moving to be Type 1.  However, I have read this comment in Trip Advisor, "I don't understand the concept that people buy a currency for a country before they arrive? Are you worried they won't have any more when you land?" [Read further]

For me, I guess it is more of paranoia or just being ready that I have money to spend in that point in time.  I don't want to use credit card because HSBC rates are just too high when converting the charges.  If in case I'm too hungry upon arrival, I still have to line up for the money changer before buying the food.  Or if my flight was delayed and I need to catch the last train heading to the city, instead of having an instant cash to buy the ticket, I still have to line up for the money changer or ATM machine.  

It will all depend on what type of traveler you are when it comes to preparation upon arrival or spending money or if you have enough time to spend at the airport to do the queues.  

Anyway, just enjoy the moment and seize the situation you'll be up to. 

Read more discussion on Trip Advisor Threads:

Exchange Currency in Seoul 

Exchange Rate in Incheon  



What to do with your left over money?

• Make sure to spend your remaining coins in buying snacks at the airport or when playing with the telephone booth.  Money changers on your home country normally do not accept coins.
• With your bills, you can opt to change it to your local currency at the airport before your departure.  Not all 3rd currency are accepted in the banks of the Philippines (BDO Mall money changer did not accept Malaysian ringgit and Indonesian rupiah last March 2016), so make sure to check first.
• Sell your bills on other travelers you can find from forums like Pinoyexchange.
• Add few of the bills to your collector's item. 
• Keep it, save it, you'll never know when you will be back to that same country, but next time head out to the provinces (especially for  won in Korea as there are other destinations like Busan and Jeju apart from Seoul, and yen for Japan as there are other airports like in Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka apart from Tokyo).

Updated: 2017 October

Tip: Financial Commandments for Travelers

I just bought a book, No Filter,  last weekend being intrigue why millennials are so fascinated about traveling.  An eye opener, a realization - yes it is a fad, you were influenced by celebrities, friends, relatives and regular nomads to wonder the world, to be one of them, to show off?

But true apart from these negative influences why you keep on soul searching, it made you hunger for more - about the culture, the place, to know more about the people.  To open our mind on how G20 countries keep on progressing and why 3rd world are still struggling.  To learn more about our environment and to be one with nature.

The same week, I bump to an article shared in social media about - the financial commandments for travelers, from Jerome Herrera of All I Can Handle Lifestyle Blog.

Here's a snippet of the list of what will make you wonder to follow before planning for your next wandering adventure:

1. Thou shall not travel if you are in debt
2. Thou shall not travel if you don’t have an emergency fund
3. Thou shall not travel if you’re not contributing to your retirement fund
4. Thou shall not travel just to keep up with the Jones's (don't feel envious of our friends)
5. Thou shall not travel just because you feel like you’re going to miss out on life if you don’t
6. Thou shall not travel when you need to borrow money to do so
7. Thou shall not travel just to widen your horizon
8. Thou shall not travel just because the fare is cheap
9. Thou shall not travel without a budget (stay within your planned budget)
10. Thou shall not travel without proper planning

For full context, please drop by his blog entry.

Staying Safe and Avoiding Travel Emergencies

Every adventure whether road trip or flight destinations can have it's up and down moment. What's important is to learn to let go and move to the next entry in your itinerary. Below are things you might want to re-consider in your next trip.

Read the map.

Know in advance where you are heading to.  Find the central train stations and bus terminals.  Try to study the nearest subway exits to reduce walking time.  Check the closest banks, hospitals or drugstores near your hotel.

Download offline maps and travel guide applications.  If you are a bus rider going to Singapore, you may want to download their application. Going to Seoul and traveling on train, then load this tool.  Heading to US and having a road trip alone, visit Turo. Study your GPS navigation system - you don't know when you'll need it.

Don't forget to get lost! That's when you'll experience the real adventure.

 

Know the latest!

Listen to the news and the latest happenings in the metro.  If you can't avoid your trip and learned that there is national issue ongoing to your destination, do more research on the places where you can stay safe.  Avoid demonstrations and heightened police areas as it may be dangerous for foreigner like you as you might not understand what's happening as the locals speak.

Know upcoming transportation strikes, road closures for festivals (like Philippine provincial street parties or Fuji-san marathon) and all-shutdown holidays (like Nepi Day in Bali) or attractions with scheduled preventive maintenance (like gondola or cable car service). 

What's the weather?

You may be dreaming to see snow, but you should know when to avoid blizzard.   

You also don't want to spend all your day and night in the hotel or  getting stuck in traffic for hours, just because the city is under a bad weather.

 

Do you still have the money?

Carry money that is beyond your budget.  Notify your credit card provider that you are traveling abroad to allow foreign transactions.  

Keep in mind that this is not for your shopping spree.  You'll never know when emergencies happen.  It can be simple as you’ll need to buy new boots due to your frozen feet when using your old gamuza type of shoes during a sudden rainy autumn day. Or you unexpectedly need a jacket since you missed to check that you brought a wilting leather suit.  Or it can be a shocking sight in the arrival belt that you’ll receive your luggage on its broken state. And you can no longer bring it back home, so you need to buy a new luggage.

Worst is being affected by weather condition and getting delayed or canceled flights. You'll need to have money to provide yourself additional unaccounted meals and accommodation that is beyond your prepared budget.

Stay connected.

You maybe out on your solo adventure, hibernating from the bustling busy life in your home city - but don't make your family worry about you.

Have a constant communication with them with your day's itinerary and your whereabouts – It’s not just you reporting to them, but also you knowing the latest with the people you left behind for your trip.  Be good even when you are away from home.  Take note you will still need their approval on your next adventure.

Article requested by Emma Powers, the Community Coordinator at Turo. They are a peer-to-peer sharing car rental service, and with the shift to more of a sharing economy, we are inspired by personal experiences and advice.  I have not personally tried the service, but for safety and security read. 

Tip: Travel in Style: What to wear

Reading Tessa Prieto’s thought online - when even if it is heavy to carry set of scarves or hats, there are cases that you have to bring those for you to look a better when having photographs taken while travelling.  You’ll never know if you will still be able to comeback on that same spot in your lifetime.

Go to the following topics

How to tie and ways to wear a scarf

Why use multi-functional headware

Fedora Hat over baseball caps

How to choose a comfortable walking shoes

Where to buy warm clothing in Manila for cold city visits?

What to wear during spring, autumn, or winter?

Be careful on thermal wears

How to start minimalist travel and pack less

The key here, accessorize and travel in style!  A word of caution: don't over do it. One or two key pieces is enough to do the trick! ~ urbannomadusa  Accessories can give one piece in your wardrobe multiple looks. ~ bridgetteraes

How to tie and ways to wear a scarf

You can wear scarf in any season.  It can give accent in your very plain tops.  Printed scarves can be mixed and match with different tops to give a different flavor from your previously used tops.

How to wear it?  There are more than 25 ways to wear a scarf, following are my most wanted ways to wear it:

Voyager: Born to Travel

"Born to travel", this is the tag line of Voyager. A local brand of luggage founded in 1983 (as claimed by the SM Department assistant).

Article updated October 2024:

Saying thank you to my Voyager black luggage bought in 2012.   Has been to many places in Japan and once in Denmark.

Been to repairs on SM due to zippers and wheels.   Leaving it with all inside zippers still working, divider clothing all clean and unstained.  Outside zippers are still working but 2 of the zipper heads outside may cause wound.  The wheels have been cleaned on SM repair, but there is still noise when being used. The handle no longer locks in any level. Some parts of the hard shell are still with original plastic. 

<to insert photo>

Just bought 20-23 kilos blue voyager luggage – polycarbonate material, expandable, shock absorber 360 wheels, scratch resistant, anti-theft twin coil zipper, with flat TSA lock. Waterproof and water repellant.  Features I prioritized are smooth wheels, expandable zippers, and TSA lock.

<to insert photo>

From its tag price at 11,999 php, bought it during the 41st anniversary of Voyager and Southmall's pre-holiday sale with extra 10% off on SMAC on limited time frame, in total of 60% discount price dropped to only 4800 php.

Written on the cards included on the luggage:

Warranty covers manufacturing defects namely replacement of parts such as trolley wheels.  If the shell was discovered damage during transit due to the rough, mishandling or misuse of airline porters.  You must immediately make a claim to the airline carrier or baggage handlers at the airport since it is their duty and obligation to handle your belongings with care. 

Materials to consider in buying a luggage:

• Aluminum – Expensive but durable.  This is waterproof and zippers are sealed. Mainly inspired by Rimowa.
• Polycarbonate – light and impact resistant.
• Rubber – bendable, may also be durable during airport staff handling. But when stored on a humid area, too cold country or too warm country, it may eventually worn out. 

Article posted April 2012:

 
I bought my first luggage on 2006 for less than 1500php.  It is a 15 kilo moss green Voyager bag with 2 wheels and belt security. 

I was not able to try other brand of luggage, but I must say that Voyager served me well on what it more than expected for its worth.  For almost 12 out of the country trips in less than 6 years, it was able to run the rocky streets of Causeway Bay, Senado Square and went up and down at the stairs of Namdaenum and Myeongdong.

Last June 2011, I took it from the rotating belt in Incheon with a broken handle.  Good thing, there is lifetime warranty service for any issue you'll have with Voyager luggage.  Right after the trip, I went to SM Department Store to submit my luggage for repair, SM will be sending it to the Voyage service center.  After a month, I was able to get it back.  Just in time for my next travel.

By November 2011, after coming back from Jeju-Seoul trip, part of the body of the luggage is losing up, perhaps I put a lot on what it can accommodate.  Even though it can still be fixed, I decided to but a new one.



The one I used is already an old model and is already faced-out.  This time, I’m looking for a four-wheel luggage for an easier transfer on the road and on the airport.  One that is available has 4-wheel but no extensions at all.  Another plus I learned is to have the inside lining to be in striking color – so you would see things easily. 

Tips on Buying a Luggage or travel bags:

• Check and monitor luggage from different brands.  Read reviews online.  “What’s a good brand of luggage” from PinoyExchange, has their top suggestion to be Samsonite.
• Buy on what you need and not what you want.  Be practical.
• Buy depend on what your body type can carry, you must be able to run and hold a fully loaded luggage.
• Don’t buy fake or cheap luggage on small shops – believe me, you don’t want to get it broken with all your things scattered on the rotating belt.
• Look for possible small damages on items that you may need to be careful of when buying from any luggage sale or discounted items on clearance sale.

This is not a promotional entry, but it is good to support Philippine product.  Spend sometime to study on what to buy, because you are ‘born to travel’ on a practical way!