Singapore-Korea VTL — 13 Essential Things We Wished We ...

The Singapore-South Korea VTL is finally on its way! ... or escape the city entirely and take the next flight out to Jeju. DestinationsTravelTipsJoinUsTTIProgramme(Jan–Jun2022Intake)TTIStudentAmbassadorsProgramme2022TTIExperiences—TravelWithUsSGTravelInsider(Telegram)ConnectingThrough35mmAbout Signin Welcome!Logintoyouraccountyourusernameyourpassword Forgotyourpassword? PasswordrecoveryRecoveryourpasswordyouremail Search TheTravelIntern SigninWelcome!Logintoyouraccountyourusernameyourpassword Forgotyourpassword?GethelpPasswordrecoveryRecoveryourpasswordyouremail Apasswordwillbee-mailedtoyou. DestinationsTravelTipsJoinUsTTIProgramme(Jan–Jun2022Intake)TTIStudentAmbassadorsProgramme2022TTIExperiences—TravelWithUsSGTravelInsider(Telegram)ConnectingThrough35mmAbout HomeDestinationsAsia Facebook Twitter Telegram WhatsApp Pinterest Singapore-KoreaVTLisstillon—here’sallyouneedtoknowifyouplantovisit!ManySingaporeans(includingus)gotreallyexcitedwhenweheardSouthKoreaandSingaporewereopeningaVaccinatedTravelLane(VTL)!There’salotofinformationyou’llneedtoknow,sowe’vecollatedalltheimportantinfotohelpmakeyourplanningprocessalotsmoother👍🏻1)Thereare4airlinesofferingVTLflightsbetweenSingaporeandSouthKoreaPhotocredit:SkiftOnlydesignatedVTLflightsbacktoSingaporearemandatory.However,quarantine-freetraveltoKoreawillbegin15November2021,soyoucantakeanynon-stopflightthere.ThefourairlinescurrentlyprovidingVTLflightsareSingaporeAirlines,KoreanAir,AsianaAirlinesandScoot. Here’salistofnon-stopflightstoKoreaandVTLflightstoSingapore:AIRLINESSIN→ICNICN→SINFREQUENCYSingaporeAirlinesAnyflight*SQ607SQ601Tue–Sun(forreturningflights)KoreanAirKE64601:30KE644(onlySun)22:30KE64518:35KE64314:35SIN→ICN:Tue,Fri,SunICN→SIN:Mon,Thu,SatAsianaAirlinesOZ75223:00OZ75116:20EveryTue,Wed,FriSunincl.from1Dec2021ScootTR840TR84110:30EveryMon*AllflightstoSouthKoreawithSingaporeAirlinesarenon-stopflights.2)You’llbetakingupto7PCRtestsintotalJustsowe’reawareoftheincomingbrainticklesthatcomewiththisSingapore-KoreaVTL🤪Photocredit:MufidMajnunPCRTest#1:Pre-departure—takenwithin72hoursbeforeyourflightTherearealotofclinicsinSingaporethatadministerthePolymeraseChainReaction(PCR)test.It’sbesttoscheduleyourtestatleasttwodaysbeforeyourflightastheresultswilltakesometime.Ifyou’reoverwhelmedbythenumberofclinics,amorestraightforwardoptionisbookingviaKlook.TheyhavethreelistingsofPCRtestswiththreedifferentmedicalgroups—HealthwayMedicalGroup,DoctorAnywhereandAcuMedMedicalGroup.AlltheclinicsineachlistingareMOH-approvedandfoundisland-wide,soyou’lleasilyfindoneclosetoyou.YouneedtopresentyournegativeresultswhenyouarriveinSeoul.PCRTest#2:On-arrivaltestinSouthKoreaBookyourPCRtest:BeforedepartingSingapore,bookyouron-arrivalPCRtestatIncheonInternationalAirport’sTestingCentreviaSafe2GoPass.Ifyou’retravellingwithothers,youcanalsobookslotsontheirbehalf.TherearetestingcentresatbothTerminal1andTerminal2.ThoseflyingwithAsianaAirlines,SingaporeAirlinesorScootshouldselecttestingcentresinTerminal1.WhileKoreaAirpassengersshouldselectTerminal2.Self-isolate:Afteryourtest,headstraighttoyouraccommodationtoself-isolateuntilyourresultsareout.Besuretocheckwithyouraccommodationwhethertheyrequireanegativetestresultbeforeyoucheck-in!You’reallowedtotakepublictransportfromtheairporttoyouraccommodation,butataxiorprivatehireisrecommended.Domesticflightsaren’talloweduntilyoureceiveyour(negative)PCRresults.Asafeandfuss-freewayistobookanairporttransferserviceinadvance👌🏼Gettingyourresult:YourPCRtestresultswillbesenttoyouviaemail.Ifyoutakeyourtestbetween7AMto3PM,youcanexpecttoreceiveyourresultswithinthreetofivehours.Testsdone3PMonwardswillreceiveresultsby8AMthefollowingday.You’llalsoneedtoupdateyourhealthstatusdailyviathequarantineself-checkmobileappforthedurationofyourtrip.PCRTest#3:Day6/7PCRtestifyou’reinSouthKoreaformorethanaweekThismid-tripPCRtestismandatoryforthosestayingmorethaneightdays.Thankfully,youdon’tneedtoself-isolateafteryourtest!GotoanyMOH-approvedclinicinSouthKoreaonyour6th/7thday(day0isthedayyouarrive).Pricescanvaryfrom₩110,000to₩180,000.WewenttoNationalMedicalCentreinDongdaemun(DongdaemunHistoryandCultureParkStation,exit13).TheirPCRtestcentreislocatedtotheleftofthehospitalandiscompletelyoutdoors—makesuretolayerupasitgetsprettycoldthistimeoftheyear!Theytakewalk-insonlysowerecommendgoingearlytoavoidlongqueues.Theentireprocesstookaboutanhourandahalfforus.Resultshavetobephysicallycollectedthenextdayfromthemainbuilding(before5PM)sodon’tbetooquicktoleavethecity.ThecertificateisprintedinEnglishandyou’llreceiveatextonwhentopickitup.Bringyourpassportwhenyougoforyourtestandwhencollectingtheresults!NationalMedicalCentreCost:₩141,930(~S$163)Testinghours:8:30AMto3PM(closedonSundays).Avoidgoingbetween12PMto1PMasthey’llbeonlunchbreakHowtogetthere:TakeLine4toDongdaemunHistoryandCultureParkStation,exit13Otheroptions:–SeegeneMedicalFoundation(~₩110,000):Resultswillbeemailedtoyou,butyou’llneedtocalltobookatestwiththem.–KangbukSamsungHospital(~₩110,000):ResultswillbesentviaSMS.PCRTest#4:Pre-departuretestwithin48hoursbeforeyourflightfromSouthKoreaIfyou’resickofthebraintickles,you’reallowedtotakeaprofessionallyadministeredantigenrapidtest(ART)thistimearound!SimilartotheDay6/7test,headtoanyMOH-approvedclinicwithinSouthKoreatotakeyourtestandgetacopyofyourresultsinEnglish.Fromwhatweknow,onlyHPlusYangjiHospitalprofessionallyadministerARTtests(~₩50,000)andissuesyourresultsinEnglish.You’llneedtobookaslotwiththemforthetest.SimilartoNationalMedicalCentre,youneedtoheaddowntopickuptheresultsoncetheycontactyouviaSMS.Anddon’tforgettobringyourpassportwithyouonbothdays!AnotheroptionisbookingviaSafe2GoPassagain.However,thatmeansyou’llneedtoheadbacktoIncheonInternationalAirport’sTestingCentretwodaysbeforeyourflight.PCRTest#5:On-arrivaltestatChangiAirportBeforeyourflightbacktoSingapore,bookyourfinalPCRtestwithChangiAirport.YoucanevenschedulethisbeforeleavingSingapore.Afteryourtest,headstraighthometoself-isolate—takeprivatehiresortaxisonly!Thankfully,themaximumnumberofmandatoryPCRtestsisfive.ForthosestayinginKoreaformorethantwoweeks,you’lljustneedtoupdateyourhealthstatusdailyfor14daysviathequarantineself-checkmobileapp.PCRTest#6&7:Post-arrivaltestsinSingaporeAsof2Dec2021,travellersenteringSingaporemustalsotakepost-arrivalsupervisedself-administeredARTtestsondays3and7(dayofarrivalcountedasday1).HeadtoanyQuickTestCentres(QTC)orCombinedTestCentres(CTC)by930PMonyourdays3and7.You’llbenotifiedviaSMSand/oremailtobookanappointment.EachARTtestcostsS$15.3)Travelinsuranceisamust!Short-termvisitorsmustpurchasetravelinsurancefortheentiredurationoftheirstay.Mostimportantly,you’llneedaminimumcoverageof30millionwon(~S$34,000)forCOVID-relatedmedicaltreatmentandhospitalisationcosts.BasictravelinsurancewithCOVIDcoverarelistedbelow:TRAVELINSURANCE(COVID)COVERAGEAIGTravelGuardFromS$50KAllianzTravelFromS$1MAXAFromS$75KEqinsuranceFromS$50KNTUCincomeFromS$150KSompoFromS$100KIfyou’replanningtocovermoreadventurousactivitieslikeus,herearetwopoliciesthatcoverbothCOVIDandhigh-riskactivities!TRAVELINSURANCE(COVID+ADVENTUROUSACTIVITIES)COVERAGEAXASmartTravellerFromS$300KGreatEasternTravelSmartPremierFromS$500KOnceyou’veboughttravelinsurance,printitout—youneedtopresentaphysicalcopyofitwhenyouarriveinSeoul.4)DownloadyourdigitalvaccinationcertificatebeforegoingtotheairportPhotocredit:NotariseWhenyouarriveinSeoul,you’llneedtopresentyourvaccinationcert.Notonlydoesthisproveyourvaccinationbutalsoshowsthatyourseconddosehappenedatleast14daysbeforeyourarrival.YoucanrequestforadigitalcopyfromNotariseandgetitstraighttoyouremail!ForiPhoneusers,it’sbettertodownloadthecertificateonyourdesktopfirstasthelinkintheemailisn’toptimisedformobile.However,AndroiduserscandownloadthedigitalcertfromtheemailstraightintotheirGooglePayappforeasyaccess.5)YouneedaK-ETAAllSingaporeresidentshavetoapplyfortheSouthKoreanElectronicTravelAuthorization(K-ETA)beforeenteringthecountry.TheK-ETAallowsyoutostayinSouthKoreaforuptothreemonthsandisvalidfortwoyears.Thegoodnewsis,withtheK-ETA,younolongerhavetofilluparrivalcards.Applicationresultswillbesenttoyouremailbuttakesupto24hoursforapprovalsodoapplyatleastadayortwobeforeyourflighttoallowformorebuffertime.Youcanapplyforupto30people.Cost:₩10,000/paxApplication:ViatheK-ETAwebsiteortheK-ETAapp6)YouneedaKoreannumberOnourprevioustripstoSouthKorea,gettingaData-onlySIMcardwasmorethanenough.However,nowwithcontacttracingandPCRtestings,we’rerequiredtohaveaKoreannumberforeasiercontact.Dependingontheestablishment,you’llberequiredtocallanumberprovidedattheentranceforcontacttracingorwritedownyourparticularsonasheet.AndduringthePCRtestregistrationprocess,youmightneedtoproduceaKoreannumberinordertoproceed.WemanagedtogetaSIMcardwithunlimiteddataand100minutesofcalltimefromSelf-made.ThisistheonlystorewefoundthatsellstemporarySIMcardswithaKoreannumber—pricesfrom₩30,000(~S$34.42).It’slocatedinMyeongdongonthethirdfloorofHanyangBuilding(rightoppositeMyeongdongTouristInformationCentre).*Importantnote:AllKoreannumbersbeginwith010.*Update:AccordingtotravellerscurrentlyinKorea,restaurantsnolongerallowyoutowritedownyournameandcontactnumberforcontacttracing.However,youcanstillcallintothenumberprovided.Sincetouristsarenotabletoaccessthelocalappforcheck-in,youcanalsoconvertyourSingaporeanvaccinationcertificatetoaKoreanvaccinationcertificateatPublicHealthCentresinKorea.7)MasksaremandatoryPhotocredit:@ori_fotoviaUnsplashJustlikeSingapore,you’vegottowearamaskeverywhere,exceptwheneatingordrinking.We’renotcomplainingthough—themaskskeptourfaceswarminthecold!8)Youcandineingroupsofupto12peopleForfolkstravellingingroups,greatnews—there’snoneedtosplittables😂Groupscandine-inatupto10pertableintheSeoulmetropolitanareasandupto12innon-metropolitanareas!9)TherearesomecurfewsPhotocredit:@icidiusviaUnsplashOperationhourcurfewsforrestaurants,cafesandmovietheatresarefullyliftednow.However,nightentertainmentfacilitieslikebarsandnightclubsthatinvolvedancinghavetoclosebymidnight.Andwhenyouvisit,you’llneedtoshowyourvaccinationcertornegativetestresultbeforeentering.Although,ifthesituationimproves,thiscurfewisrumouredtoliftaroundmid-December!10)Therewillstillbeplacesopen24hoursEventhoughnightlifefacilitiesareonlyallowedtooperateuntilmidnight,thereareotherfunthingsforthenightowls.Ifyou’reupforsingingthenightaway,karaokeroomsareopen24hours!AmorerelaxingoptionisJimjilbangs(bathhouses),whichwillalsooperateroundtheclock.Allyouneedtodoisshowyourvaccinationcert.Fornow,eatingintheJimjilbangisnotallowed.Thankfully,therearecafesandrestaurantsthatwillopenpast10PM—someeven24hours☺️11)ThereisnorestrictionofcapacityatthemeparksLotteWorldandEverlandaredefinitelyamust-visit,especiallyifit’syourfirsttimeinSeoul!ThosewhojoinedourIGLIVE(@thetravelintern)fromLotteWorldwillrememberhowcrowdedtheparkwasinthebackground.That’sbecausethemeparkshereoperateatfullcapacity.Sounlessyou’reluckyenoughtofindanemptyparkonaweekday,bepreparedtoqueueatleasthalfanhourforyourrides!Alternatively,getLotteWorld’sMagicPassandskipthequeueofuptofiverides.Itcostsabitmorebutit’llgiveyoumoretimetoexploremoreofthepark🙌🏼ForCOVIDregulationsinthepark,you’llneedtocalltocheck-inbeforeentering,wearyourmaskandkeepatwo-metredistancefromothersatalltimes.12)Yourfavouriteshoppingstreetsdon’tlookquitethesamePhotocredit:@markuswinklerviaUnsplashNowforthequestionthat’sbeenoneveryone’smind:IsMeyongdongstillalive?Tooursurprise,therearestillquiteanumberofretailandbeautyshops,althoughone-thirdofthisshoppingdistrictisempty.Itdefinitelyisn’tasbustlingasitusedtobe,buttheundergroundshoppingareaisstillgoingstrong!Hongdae,however,isstillasvibrantasitusedtobe✨13)TravellingoutofSeoulis100%possibleOnceyou’vegotyouron-arrivalPCRtestresults,you’refreetogoaboutyourplans!ThismeansyoucouldheadtoBusan,orescapethecityentirelyandtakethenextflightouttoJeju.Justbesuretotakeyourmid-tripPCRtest(day6/7)atapprovedclinicsinyourarea!TravellingviatheSingapore-KoreaVTLAstheworldslowlymovesintoanendemic-COVIDlifeandtravelbecomespartofthenormagain,it’simportanttostayvigilantandexercisesomecaution.Don’tbeafraidofwhatothersmightthinkorwhatisthesocialnorminacountry.Ifyoufeelunsafe,stayawayfromthecrowdedareasandevents,andwearamaskasyouplease.Youcanstillhaveagoodtimewhilebeingsafe!IfyouneedsomeideasonyourupcomingSingapore-KoreaVTLtrip,checkoutthese13IconicK-dramafilminglocationsorkeepalookoutforourseven-dayitinerarythat’sontheway✨Watchthisspacefordaytodayupdatesofthelocalsituation!AnyquestionsabouttheSingapore-KoreaVTL?Letusknowinthecommentsbelow! ViewthispostonInstagramApostsharedbythetravelintern.com🇸🇬(@thetravelintern)RELATEDARTICLESMOREFROMAUTHORCOVID-19SingaporeVTLGuide—EverythingYouNeedtoKnowAboutTravellingwiththeVaccinatedTravelLanesDestinations16BestThingstodoinBarcelonaBesidestheLaSagradaFamiliaDestinations10DBarcelonaItineraryforFirstTimers—RoadTripAroundtheBestofCatalonia26COMMENTSHikindlyadvisetotalcostforallpcrtestrequired. ReplyHi!WebookedourPre-departurePCRtestwithKlookforS$133each.Ouron-arrivalPCRtestwithSafe2GoPasswasKRW174,000each(~S$199.38).Forourday6/7testandpre-departuretestinKorea,wefactoredinbetweenKRW130,000toKRW180,000(from~S$148.97to~S$206.26).AndourfinaltestwhenwelandinChangiAirportisS$160each.IntotaleachpersonpaysapproximatelyS$893intotalforPCRtests(:Hopethisanswersyourquestion! ReplyHi!Thankyouforthis,superhelpful.WouldyouletusknowifairportshoppingisallowedwhenwearriveatIncheon? ReplyHi!AfterwewentthroughimmigrationandwereescortedtogetourPCRtests,wewerespecificallytoldtoheadstraighttoouraccommodationsaftertowaitfortheresults.So,wedon’tadviseshoppingafterarrivingatIncheon!Onthebrightside,ourresultsweresenttousby4:30PMthesameday(wetookthetestat10:45AM)! ReplyHi!FortheK-ETA,myunderstandingisthatthisisnotrequiredforthosethathaveanAPECtravelcardthatshowKORasanapproveddestination.Isthiscorrect? ReplyHiVincent,you’reright!YoudonotneedtoapplyforaK-ETAifyoualreadyhaveanAPECtravelcardforSouthKorea.Thanks! ReplyHi,fortheday6/7PCRresult,weneedtorevisitthetestcentretogethardcopy?Thetestcentrewillnotsendtousviaemail? ReplyHi!Unfortunately,forthefewclinicsinKoreawecalledup,you’llneedtopickupyourhardcopyresultsfromthemthenextday.WewenttoNationalMedicalCentrenearDongdaemunandtheresultscollectiontookonly10mins(: ReplyHi!Ihavebookedaflighton20thDecembertoIncheon.Itriedtologintosafe2GOpasstobookanarrivalPCRtestbutitshowsthatallappointmentson20thDecemberhavebeenbooked.ArethereotheralternativesIcouldtake? ReplyHi!AccordingtotheVTLrequirements,you’llneedtobookyouron-arrivalPCRtestinKoreabeforeyoudepart.IsuggestcallingtheKoreanConsulateinSingaporetocheckwhetheritmatterswhatdayyoubookyouron-arrivalPCRtest,aslongasit’sbeenbooked.Fromourexperience,theIncheonAirportTestCentredidn’tcheckourbookingtimeandweweresimplydirectedtothetestingcentreonarrival(: ReplyHi,thisissuperhelpful..IwastryingtoregistermyselfintotheKoreahealthtrackapp,itrequiresmetoenteraKoreanphonenumberwhichIdonothaveone,doyouhaveanyideatoregisterwithoutKoreannumber? ReplyHiLing,youcantryusingtheaccommodation’snumber! ReplyHi!Thanksforsharing,thisissuperhelpfulasIamplanningatriptherenextmonth.IwasplanningtodrivestraighttoSokchoandstaytherethefirstfewdaysafterarrivinginSeoul.Wereyoutoldyoucouldn’tleaveSeouluntilafteryourPCRtestresultscameback? ReplyHi!Sokchoisalovelyplaceandweenjoyedourweekendthereaswell(:However,you’llneedtowaitforyourPCRresultsbeforeyoucanleavetodoanyactivities,whichincludesleavingSeoul.Fortunately,ifyoutakeyourPCRtestinthemorning,youshouldgetyourresultsbytheafternoon. ReplyThisissuperuseful! Canicheckwhichspecifichospitaldidyoubookthepre-departureARTinKorea? Andhowmuchdoesitcosttodoso? ReplyHi!Fornow,weonlyknowtwoplacesinKoreathatprofessionallyadministersthepre-departureART—HPlusYangjiHospitalandIncheonAirportTestingCentre(Safe2GoPass).ThecostoftheARTatIncheonAirportis~S$75.However,we’reunsurehowmuchHPlus’costs,youcancheckwiththemwhenyoucalltomakeyourappointment(: ReplyHi!CanIenquireaboutthePCRtestifyouweretostaymorethan8daysasi’malittleconfused!Let’ssayit’sfrom7-14,byflightdaysit’s8daysbutconsideringarrivaldayasday0itwouldbe7dayswhereIwouldnothavetotakethethirdPCRTest.DoItakeitas7or8days? ReplyHi!Iseetheconfusion.Nottoworry,ifyouaretravellingfromthe7thtothe14th,thatwouldbeconsidered7days(dayofarrivalisday0). ReplyHithere,mayIcheckonwhywewouldrequireahardcopyofourDay6/7PCRtestresult?Woulditbeokaytojustoptforthetextmessagenotification? ReplyHi!Forday6/7test,emailortextnotificationisfine.Fromourexperience,theydon’tcheckyourday6/7resultsattheairport,onlyyourpre-departure. ReplyHi,CanIaskatwhatpointyouarerequiredtohaveaKoreannumber?Isthereaplaceintheairporttobuythesim?Orcanyoubuylater?Howdoesitwork? ReplyHi!You’llneedaKoreannumberassomerestaurantsrequireyoutocallaprovidednumbertocheck-in.DuringthePCRtestregistrationprocess,youmightalsoneedtoproduceaKoreannumbertoproceedorreceiveyourresultsviaSMS.ThereareseveralKoreanmobileserviceprovidersattheairportwhichsellSIMcardsbutifpossible,trynottoroamaroundtheairportafteryouhavetakenthePCRtest.Alternatively,afterself-isolation,youcanalsoheadtooutletsrunbyKoreanmobileserviceproviderssuchasKT,SKT,LGU+togetaSIMcard.Hopethishelps!🙂 ReplyHi!IheardthatSouthKoreajustmandatedtoshowvaccinationpassesviatheCOOVappforrestaurantsetc.Ialsosawthatvaccinationsdoneabroadarenotrecognized.IfIhadmyvaccinationdoneinSG,doesthismeanIwillnotbeabletodineout? ReplyHiK!Fromwhatwe’reawareof,thenewmandatedoesnotaffectVTLtravellers.However,doobtainyourvaccinecertviaNotαriseincaseyou’rerequiredtoshowproofofvaccinationinSouthKorea.Hopethishelps,thanks&haveasafetrip! ReplyHi, Thanksforthesuperhelpfulwrite-up.DidthehotelshaveissuediscerningifyouareaVTLtravelleroratravellerwhorequire10daysquarantine?Oursaskedustobringanexemptionnecklacetoprovethatwedoneedquarantine.Anyideawhatthatis? ReplyHi!WestayedatanAirbnbandourhostdidn’trequireustoprovideproofofbeingaVTLtraveller.Asfortheexemptionnecklace,IbelievethehotelisreferringtotheVTLtag.Whenyoucheck-inbeforeyourflight,theairlinewillprovideyouwithatagindicatingyouareaVTLtravellerfromSingapore.Dokeepthetagandshowittothehotelasproof🙂 ReplyLEAVEAREPLYCancelreplyPleaseenteryourcomment! Pleaseenteryournamehere Youhaveenteredanincorrectemailaddress!Pleaseenteryouremailaddresshere Savemyname,email,andwebsiteinthisbrowserforthenexttimeIcomment. SUBSCRIBE Getinspiredandreceivetraveltips! 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