PLAN YOUR NEXT WEEKEND
A little planning.
More room to explore.
These are the tools I use to plan my travels, from finding a place to stay to staying connected abroad. I’ve included my guides and a few practical tips to help you put your own trip together.
START WITH A PLACE
From my travels.
Choose a guide or a story, then use the tools below to put your trip together.
A weekend, your way
Gamcheon, Nampo, the temple and Haeundae—with transport details, time allowances and sample budgets.
Plan a Busan weekend BUSAN / TEMPLE VISITTime beside the sea
My visit to Haedong Yonggungsa, with practical tips for the journey, stairs and nearby stops.
Read the temple guide CEBU / CITY WEEKENDRamen, coffee and exploring
My Cebu City food stops, time around IT Park, and a connection to Pampanga along the way.
Explore my Cebu weekend PAMPANGA / PERSONAL STORYA first family connection
The people behind my first visit to meet my Filipino family, and what the experience meant to me.
Read my family storyPick the neighborhood first.
For Busan, I’d start with Seomyeon for a trip split between city exploring and the coast, Nampo for markets and the older waterfront, or Haeundae if the beach is your priority. My weekend guide explains the tradeoffs.
For a Cebu City trip built around IT Park, compare accommodation near those stops before widening your search. If your main goal is a beach or island trip, plot those locations separately so you don’t choose a city base for a very different itinerary.
Airbnb
I like Airbnb for the unusual places to stay and the experiences you can find. I often find options that are cheaper, too. It’s worth comparing when you want somewhere with a little more character or a different way to spend a day.
Compare the final checkout total for your dates, including fees and taxes. Read recent reviews, check the location, and look closely at cancellation terms. For experiences, confirm what’s included and where you’ll meet.
Explore Airbnb stays and experiencesBooking.com
Use it to compare stays, then check the property’s own website too. Compare the same room, dates, taxes, breakfast and cancellation terms—not just the first price shown.
Compare accommodationBefore booking: read recent comments about noise and cleanliness, check the walk to transport, and confirm check-in and luggage-storage arrangements if you arrive early or leave late.
Plan the whole journey.
Check the station or airport you actually need, the last connection, and the walk at each end. I’d leave a buffer between sightseeing and a flight or train, especially when you still need to collect your bags.
Metro fares and passes
Busan Transportation Corporation lists metro fares and pass exclusions. A metro pass does not cover every bus or rail service in the wider area.
Check official metro faresNAVER Map & KakaoMap
The Korea Tourism Organization’s transport guide lists both apps with English support. Check the service direction, station exit and final walking route.
Open the official transport guide (PDF)KORAIL
Search rail journeys through the operator’s reservation service. Confirm your departure station, travel date and ticket conditions before paying.
Search KORAIL trainsTrip.com
I use Trip.com for everything from train tickets and activities to hotels and flights. I like having those different parts of a trip in one place, and the membership perks are another reason I keep coming back. Platinum is relatively approachable compared with many travel status programs, but count eligible completed bookings rather than assuming every purchase qualifies.
The current rules list three eligible bookings within 12 months after reaching Gold to upgrade to Platinum. Platinum currently includes one complimentary airport lounge use during the tier period. To activate it, you need a completed Trip.com hotel stay in the past year and a completed member profile; the flight must be booked through your own Trip.com account. An eligible lounge must be available for your airport and terminal.
Check your account’s rewards before booking, and compare the final price with the airline or hotel directly. A perk is useful when the booking itself makes sense.
MY TRIP.COM CODE
Use UEGWEK for up to 20% off your first booking.
Check the offer shown by Trip.com before paying. Eligibility, maximum savings, eligible booking types and promotion dates are subject to the offer terms; the full 20% discount may not apply to every booking.
For flights: compare the final round-trip total, including baggage and airport transfers. Check arrival times against your accommodation’s check-in arrangements.
Choose what you’ll enjoy.
I love exploring cities and spending time near the water. For a short trip, I’d choose one main experience each day and leave room for a meal, a walk, and whatever catches your attention.
Visit Busan
Use its guidebooks and maps to understand where attractions sit in relation to each other before building your route.
Browse Busan maps and guidebooksLove Philippines
Explore destination information for a wider trip. Match the area to what you want to do before choosing your accommodation or arrival airport.
Explore Philippine destinationsKlook
Compare tours, attraction tickets and transfers. Read the individual listing for inclusions, meeting points, cancellation rules and travel time.
Browse activities on KlookBefore buying: compare with the attraction or operator’s own website. A pass is only useful if the activities you actually want fit your time and route.
Arrive with a connection plan.
Having mobile data makes it easier to find your accommodation, look up a route and stay in touch. Compare an eSIM with your existing roaming plan and local SIM options before choosing.
Popcorn Mobile
For longer trips or travel across several countries, I’d recommend looking at Popcorn Mobile. Its global eSIM plan combines a US phone number with calls, texts and mobile data, so it’s worth comparing if you want one ongoing phone plan for your travels.
Popcorn lists its global plan at US$69 per month, including taxes, with coverage in more than 180 countries. You need a carrier-unlocked, eSIM-compatible phone; its terms support customers with a US address. Check your destinations and the fair-use policy before subscribing, especially if you use a lot of data or hotspotting.
MY POPCORN MOBILE REFERRAL CODE
Use CHRB45 when signing up.
This is my referral code. I may receive credit toward my Popcorn bill when you join an eligible paid plan. Any sign-up offer is subject to the terms shown by Popcorn. Read the referral and plan terms.
Plan details checked October 19, 2026.
Airalo
Airalo is an option for buying travel eSIM packages. Check that your exact phone model supports eSIM and is carrier-unlocked, then compare coverage, data allowance, validity and top-up options for your destination.
Read the package’s activation policy before installing it: when the validity period starts depends on the plan. Many packages are data-only, so don’t assume you’ll receive a local phone number or regular calls and texts. Follow the plan’s setup instructions while you have a reliable internet connection.
MY AIRALO REFERRAL CODE
Use CHRIST58514 for US$3 off your first Airalo purchase. Enter it when signing up or at checkout.
I receive US$3 in Airalo Airmoney credit when you complete an eligible first purchase with my code. Referral codes cannot be combined with promo codes. Airalo referral details.
Before paying: choose the countries your trip actually covers and enough data for your needs. Save important addresses and bookings offline as a backup.
Make spending easier to follow.
Wise
Wise cards are another option I like for travel. They can be useful for spending in different currencies, but compare the fees for your own account and trip rather than assuming every transaction is free.
Wise says spending in a currency you already hold is free; currency conversion can carry a fee. ATM allowances and charges vary by card region, and an ATM operator may charge separately. Card availability also depends on where you live—check eligibility before applying.
Explore Wise · Read current card feesKeep a backup: bring another payment option and some cash for places that don’t accept your card. Check your limits and access to your account before leaving.
Keep the essentials simple.
Your day bag
- Comfortable shoes and a layer suited to the forecast.
- A rechargeable handheld fan for Korea’s summer heat and humidity—I’d count it as a summer essential, especially for outdoor sightseeing and waiting for transport.
- Water, a charging cable and a power bank if you use one.
- Your accommodation address and saved booking details.
- A little room for anything you pick up along the way.
Your travel setup
- Check current entry requirements with the destination’s government.
- Compare roaming, SIM or eSIM options and confirm device compatibility before paying.
- Review insurance terms for your destination, trip length and planned activities.
- Check how you’ll pay for local transport and keep a backup payment option.
My budgeting approach: separate accommodation, getting there, meals, local transport and paid activities. Add a buffer for the unexpected. The Busan guide’s budget table gives a starting point, with estimates clearly labeled.
About these links
The Airalo code CHRIST58514 is a referral offer: eligible first-time customers receive US$3 off, and I receive US$3 in Airmoney credit. My Trip.com code is UEGWEK; check the applicable promotion terms for any customer benefits or rewards to the code owner. My Popcorn Mobile code is CHRB45. I may receive bill credit for eligible paid referrals; any customer offer depends on Popcorn’s current terms. Other links on this page are ordinary links, with no affiliate tracking or paid endorsements. Explore the options that suit your trip.
Resource information and membership terms checked October 3, 2026. Confirm prices, availability and booking terms directly. See the editorial disclosure.