Budget – Travel with KKday

Europe’s Top 10 Christmas Markets

Nothing says Christmas like strolling through the illuminated aisles of a market, mulled wine in hand while carols play in the background. Add a little extra magic to this holiday season with a visit to one of the best Christmas markets in Europe. Wander through one of the oldest Christmas markets in Europe, in Strasbourg, France. Shop for gifts and souvenirs at one of Berlin’s 60 markets (yup, 60). A trip to one of these 10 best Christmas markets in Europe will grow any Grinch’s heart three sizes bigger.

1. Strasbourg, France

From November 24 – December 30

Best Christmas Markets in Europe: Strasbourg, France (Wikimedia/Michal Osmenda)

This Christmas market in Europe first took place 1570. While they’ve changed up a few of the attractions and stalls (since saddles are ‘so yesterday’), many of the traditional aspects still remain. You can still see the famed Christmas tree, sample spiced cake and mulled wine and pick up Christmas ornaments and souvenirs across themed areas and over 300 stalls.

2. Viennese Christmas Market, Vienna, Austria

From November 17 – December 26

Best Christmas Markets in Europe: Viennese Christmas Market (Wikimedia/VitVit)

One of the most well known Vienna Christmas markets is the Viennese Christmas Market that takes place in front of City Hall. The unique City Hall backdrop makes it one of the best Christmas markets in Europe. Join in the holiday fun and learn to bake cookies or make candles. Enjoy live music from international choirs singing your favorite Christmas carols.

3. Bath Christmas Market, United Kingdom

From November 23 – December 10

Head to the award-winning Bath Christmas Market to explore to over 200 stalls featuring gifts, homewares, tasty food, accessories, and more. Find handicrafts and treats made by local artisans. Stop by for the opening ceremony to hear live music and bring the children for storytelling by Snowflake the Elf.

4. Dresden, Germany

Most markets run until December 24

Best Christmas Markets in Europe: Dresden, Germany (Wikimedia/Daderot)

Scrooge’s beware—Germany is home to some of the best Christmas markets in Europe. Christmas markets happen all over the country and each city hosts multiple markets. Dresden has become synonymous with striezel cake, also called stollen. It’s a traditional Christmas cake and a must-try for tourists.

5. Zagreb, Croatia

From December 2 – January 7

Zagreb was actually voted best Christmas market in Europe in 2016, so you know it’s pretty darn excellent. Events take place all over the city, turning Zagreb into a winter wonderland. See a live nativity scene next to a cathedral, take in outdoor concerts or enjoy a date night skating at the Ice Park.

6. Berlin

From November 23 – December 31

With some 60 markets, Berlin is clearly big on Christmas. Berlin markets feature jugglers, acrobats, fire artists, dance troupes and choirs for an exceptional Christmas experience.

7. Tallinn Christmas Market, Tallinn, Estonia

From November 17 – January 6

Best Christmas Markets in Europe: Tallinn Christmas Market

The Tallinn Christmas Market first displayed a Christmas tree in the Town Hall square in 1441, making it the first Christmas tree to ever be put on display in Europe. Savor Estonian delicacies like black pudding, sour cabbage, and gingerbread. You may even spot Santa with his reindeer!

8. Munich

From November 27 – December 24

Best Christmas Markets in Europe: Munich (Flickr/Heather Cowper)

Immerse yourself in the nostalgia of the Munich Christmas markets. Meander the laneways, surrounded by lit up trees that become a glittering forest at night. Tuck into Bavarian cuisine and homemade specialties. If you’re hoping to hit up more than one of the Munich markets, opt for a tour and learn about German holiday traditions at some of the best Christmas markets in Europe.

Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square, Prague, Czech Republic

From December 2 – January 6

Best Christmas Markets in Europe: Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square (Wikimedia/Hynek Moravec)

You’ll find two Christmas markets in Prague within walking distance of each other so you can easily check out both in one day. Be sure to pick up klobasa (Czech sausage) and a cold Pilsner Urquell as you sit back and watch the tree lighting.

Winter Wonders, Brussels, Belgium

From November 24 – December 31

The Winter Wonders event takes place in Brussels across various neighborhoods. Discover the 200 stalls that make this one of the best Christmas markets in Europe. With a Ferris wheel, light shows, ice rink and live music, this market is guaranteed to get you in the holiday spirit.

Cheap Thrills from Korea Worth your Last Won

Cheap things to buy in Korea are aplenty which is good news because traveling on a budget in Seoul can be a challenge. We’ve already broken down the best shopping areas where you can do some do cheap shopping in Seoul. But to help you sort through the overwhelming amount of products Seoul offers and to make sure you pick up perfect souvenirs from Seoul, here are 8 cheap things to buy in Korea.

Cheap Thing #1: Socks

Socks are one the best cheap things to buy in Korea. Seoul is a mecca for inexpensive, high-quality socks. Find colorful patterns and playful prints. At around USD$1.00 a pair, you can pretty much afford to bring pack a pair for everyone you know.

Cheap Thing #2: Cosmetics

Korea is famous for their sheet masks and luckily, they’re on our list of cheap things to buy in Korea. Grab a stack and gift to your BFF who’s obsessed with beauty (or gift to yourself for some quality me-time). While you’re at it, head to Korean beauty stores like Tony Moly, Hollika Hollika, The Faceshop or Etude House and pick up other inexpensive goodies like lip gloss, hand creams or masks in super adorable packages.

Cheap Thing #3: Soju

Weekends are made for soju! Bring home a few bottles of soju in your suitcase and break them out for last-minute gifts, birthday celebrations or just any ol’ Friday night. You can find soju at any convenience store in Korea for about USD$3.00 a bottle which means weekends are about to get a whole lot more fun.

Cheap Thing #4: T-Shirts

cheap things to buy in korea: t-shirts — Cheap Thing #4: T-shirts (Flickr/Tory)

T-shirts (among other clothing items) are of the cheap things to buy in Korea. We’re talking about cute and trendy tees, forget those lame ‘My grandma went to Rome and all I got was this lousy t-shirt’ shirts. Visit an underground shopping street or mall in Seoul for some great, cheap shopping.

Cheap Thing #5: Shoes

Shoes make our list of cheap things to buy in Korea because with a little perusing of the underground malls, you can spot affordable (and trendy!) sandals and flats for both men and women.

Cheap Thing #6: Accessories

Cheap shopping in Seoul doesn’t get better than accessories in Korea. Hats, totes, purses, and costume jewelry are a steal in Korea. They won’t break the bank and they come with adorable quotes, illustrations, and patterns.

Cheap Thing #7: Everything K-Pop

Got a friend who loves all things K-pop? Head to Seoul for some cheap shopping of K-pop paraphernalia. Score pens, stickers, fans, posters, pins and more plastered with your favorite K-pop stars.

Cheap Thing #8: Korean Snacks

cheap things to buy in korea: snacks — Cheap Thing #8: Korean Snacks (Flickr/Yusuke Kawasaki)

Snacks are not only one of the cheapest things to buy in Korea but they’re also one of the tastiest. Drop by one of Korea’s many duty-free stores and collect chips, candies and snack cakes. Pop them in your suitcase and savor your memories of Seoul, even after you return home.

With amazing finds and cheap things to buy in Korea, the most difficult part of shopping for souvenirs will be resisting the urge to not keep everything for yourself!

Korea’s T-Money Card: Why You Need One

We’ve written a lot about South Korea—its sophisticated cities, intriguing cultural and historical sites, and spectacular natural attractions. And we know from experience that no time in this charming country will ever be enough.

When you’ve got an exciting bucket list with an itinerary planned by the minute, the last thing you want is to waste time in transit. That’s why KKday’s team of expert travelers knows that the fastest way to get around is through Korea’s world-class public transportation system using the T-money Card (the equivalent to our EzLink cards).

What is the T-Money Card?

The T-money card is a reloadable transportation card you can use with Korea’s subways, public buses, and taxis. The card, available to both locals and foreign tourists, is designed to save travelers the hassle of buying multiple single journey tickets for every ride.

Purchasing and Loading

The T-money Card is readily available to foreign travelers. KKday has partnered with the T-money company to provide you with a special KKday T-money Card, that gives you access to exclusive discounts and freebies for your trip—but more on that later. You can order your T-money Card online through us, and we’ll have it delivered to your doorstep within a few days.

Korea Travel Essentials: KKday T-Money Card — The exclusive KKday T-Money Card has all the functionality of a regular T-money card.

Once you’ve landed in Korea, loading the card is quick and easy. Within every subway station, there are ticket vending machines that flash instructions in English. Select the button with the T-money logo and deposit at least 500 KRW for your initial load.

T-Money Loading Station — You can load up your T-Money Card up to 500,000 KRW.

You can also load up at newsstands near the bus stops, or retail convenience stores like 7-Eleven and Ministop that display the T-money sign.

The T-money Card can hold up to 500, 000 KRW in load. If your card has a remaining balance of 20,000 KRW, you can take it to any loading station and receive a refund (following a 500 KRW service fee). But since the card doesn’t expire, and the load is valid for up to 5 years, you can just save it for your next trip to Korea!

Getting Around

The T-money Card is widely accepted in all of South Korea’s major city subways, bus lines, and taxis. This means you can get to and around Seoul, Busan, Gangwon, Jeju, and other amazing places with just a tap-and-go. For more detailed routes, check out the official Korea Tourism website here.

T-Money Card: Seoul Subway Line — A map of Seoul’s subway system. You can access all train lines with the T-Money card.

Apart from convenience, the T-money Card is perfect for budget travelers. Each train and bus ride with your card comes out 100 KRW cheaper compared to buying single journey tickets with cash. Travelers also get to enjoy up to 4 free transfers a day, when switching between train lines and bus lines within 30 minutes.

Special Offers

KKday and T-money partnered together to make sure you have an unforgettable time in Korea. Here are a few things you should definitely try out!

Take a ride in Korea’s best theme parks where you can:

KKday T-Money Promo: Theme Parks — You can get special offers at some of Korea’s wildest theme parks when you present your KKday T-Money Card

Or sit back and enjoy the show: Catch all sorts of fun, larger-than-life performances.

KKday T-Money Promo: Shows and Performances — See some of Korea’s best live performances!

Traveling can get tiring, so be sure to pamper yourself at our partner spas: Cheong Kwanjang Spa, Whoo Spa, and Aromind. And make sure you don’t leave Korea without exploring the charming Gangwon Province and trying on a traditional Hanbok!

Each tour and attraction is easily accessible by train or bus, and with the special KKday T-Money Card, you can avail of exciting freebies and discounts!

Food Trip in Japan: Feel Full With Just 800 Yen (S$10)

Food, especially the local cuisine, is a huge part of the travel experience. And in a country like Japan where the food is so well-loved here at home, you’ll want it to be as authentic as it can get. We’ve written a lot about Japan food: from the best Japanese restaurants, to the their strangely themed cafes. And while Japanese Japanese street food is also great, here are a few other options when you’re on a budget.

Convenience Store Bento Boxes

For the penny-pinching traveler, convenience store take-out is usually a sad attempts at a decent meal. But in Japan, convenience stores have anything and everything—including really, really good food. The generic Donburi (rice bowls) come in different styles to choose from: there’s gyudon (marinated beef strips), katsudon (deep-fried pork and scrambled eggs), and oyakodon (chicken and scrambled eggs). Not just that; You can find all sorts of snacks and quick bites here as well!

Average price: 400 to 600 yen.
Try: Natural Lawson Donburi, which is a healthier variety.

Gyudon Chains

If you’re looking for a cheap but filling meal in Japan, look no further than any of the major Gyudon stores. At its most basic, you get a rice bowl topped with minced beef and onions drizzled in soy sauce with a bowl of miso soup. But for a couple more yen, you can add a soft-boiled egg, extra onions, and natto. Even better than the price? Most Gyudon stores are open 24/7!

Average Cost: 250 to 350 yen
Check Out: Yashinoya, Matsuya, Sukiya

Ramen Joints

Japan Food: Tantan-men style ramen from Nakiryu (image via Guilhem Vellut )

A favorite among Singaporeans, the ramen dish has lots of variations across Japan. Tokyo style ramen is usually served with kamaboko, half an egg, and topped with leeks and bamboo shoots. Hakata style ramen, from the Kyushu island, is topped with chashu, scallions, sesame seeds, and pickled ginger. And then there’s Tantan-men Ramen, which is a take-off from the Chinese dandan noodles. This particular style is a specialty from the Nakiryu restaurant. Nakiryu is not only affordable, but has also garnered the prestigious Michelin star!

Average Price: 600 to 800 yen
Check Out: Nakiryu Restaurant, Kourakuen, and Hidakaya

Sushi Bars

Who would’ve thought that kaiten (conveyor belt) sushi is actually the budget option? You’ll find tons household names in Tokyo. Plates often start at just 100 yen, and also have tempura, fried chicken, soups, teriyaki. For even better deals, go to these places during lunch time; prices tend to be a lot cheaper.

But if you really want to get the best sushi at the best price, head over to the Tsukiji Fish Market for the freshest fish around! We guarantee you’ll want to become a sushi master afterwards!

Average Price: 800 yen for a filling meal
Check Out: Genki Sushi, Katsu Midori, and the Tsukiji Fish Market

Of course, the food travel experience doesn’t have to stop with just eat. Take it a step further by learning how to make your own sushi, attending a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, or experiencing Washoku cuisine in a traditional kimono.