Before you go, you may want to know
About Customized Tours, Hongdae Guesthouse and how to plan your trip.
What is the minimum number of people that can form a group?
K2 is a truly private tour and will not be shared with other guests. Each group has a special car, a driver and a professional tour guide, and will only serve your family or traveling friends throughout the entire journey.
You can also go on a tour with 2 people, but it is generally more cost-effective to go with 4 or more people. Fixed costs such as vehicles, drivers, tour guides and accommodation will not be reduced by half just because two people travel. For example, for the same tour price of RM20,000, the average tour fee for 2 people traveling together is RM10,000/person, and the average group fare for 4 people traveling together is RM5,000/person.
We also often accommodate small families of 2-3 people such as couples on their honeymoon or parents with their only child. A smaller number of people gives you more freedom; if budget is not the main consideration, a small group will have a more private and comfortable travel experience.
Can I just charter a car?
K2's core service is not simply to provide a car, but a one-stop private customized travel service. Therefore, it mainly provides complete private tours rather than pure chartered services.
Private tours will arrange accommodation, private cars, drivers, professional tour guides, attraction tickets, meals, as well as the planning and coordination of the entire trip. The driver concentrates on driving safely; the tour guide will accompany you throughout the entire process to enter the attractions, assist with food ordering, translation, arrange tickets, introduce the attractions, and adjust the itinerary according to the actual situation of the day.
We hope that after guests come to South Korea, they no longer need to be busy checking routes, buying tickets, finding restaurants, communicating and dealing with various minor problems, but can actually put down their mobile phones and relax while traveling.
Why are drivers and tour guides separated?
Because driving and taking care of guests are two different jobs. The driver's most important task is to concentrate on driving and ensure driving safety; the tour guide needs to accompany you throughout the journey and is responsible for attraction guidance, translation, ordering, tickets, time arrangements, and taking care of the various needs of elders, children and group members.
If the same person drives and guides, parking requirements may prevent them from accompanying guests into many attractions. K2 therefore provides a separate driver and professional tour guide for each group so both can focus on their work.
Is it easy to travel independently in Korea?
Public transportation in South Korea is very developed. Travelers who are young, have good physical strength, like to explore on their own, and are willing to do their homework in advance can certainly enjoy independent travel.
However, South Korea's subway lines are complicated, some stations have long transfer distances, and not every exit has an elevator. When you are carrying large luggage, a stroller, or traveling with elders or children, it takes a lot of time and energy to communicate through language, find routes, order at restaurants, and reserve attractions.
The value of a private tour is not just to have someone drive, but to leave the things that you need to worry about to us, allowing the family to really use their time and energy on travel.
Free & Easy is arranged in the itinerary. Do I need to make all my own arrangements on the day of the free trip?
On Free & Easy days, no private vehicle or tour guide is provided. You can choose where to go and what to eat at your own pace. We recommend doing some basic planning in advance.
When accompanied by a tour guide in the past few days, we will try our best to teach everyone basic skills such as taking the subway, using transportation cards and Korean maps. On the day of the free travel, the K2 team will still provide online support in the group; if you can't find the way or encounter temporary problems, you can ask directly.
The freedom lies in the day's itinerary, not leaving the guests alone. Even if you don't have a tour guide with you, if something happens in Korea, there is still K2 to look for.
Is it suitable to visit Seoul + Busan + Jeju in one trip?
It is generally not recommended to cram all of Seoul, Busan, and Jeju into just 6–8 days. A lot of time will be spent on transportation, check-in, check-out and carrying luggage, and you can only rush through each place.
In winter, 6 days and 5 nights is recommended for Seoul plus winter activities in the outskirts of Seoul. In other seasons, for 8 days and 7 nights, you can consider Seoul plus Busan, or Seoul plus Jeju. We will design a more suitable combination based on the season, flights, family members, physical strength and what you really want to experience.
Is it suitable to go to Busan or Jeju in winter?
For a first winter trip to South Korea, we usually recommend exploring Seoul and its surroundings in depth. December to February is cold, and strong winds at Busan and Jeju's many coastal attractions can make it feel much colder.
Skiing, ice and snow activities, and many winter-only experiences are concentrated around Seoul. You can save Busan or Jeju until the season when the weather is more comfortable, and arrange another trip to enjoy it slowly.
How long does it take to receive itinerary suggestions?
Each group will be tailor-made from scratch based on flight, number of people, age, physical strength, season, food preferences, accommodation, transportation routes and attraction opening hours. It does not mean renaming the fixed package.
Under normal circumstances, it is recommended to allow about 1–2 weeks from formal consultation to receipt of the proposal. If the travel date is far in the future, a more accurate formal estimate will usually be provided about 6 months before departure, because the prices of partner vehicles and other vehicles may be adjusted, and quoting too early may lead to large errors.
Can I still modify the itinerary after it is confirmed?
Yes, this is one of the advantages of private customized tours. Not only can it be adjusted before departure, but it can also be flexibly changed after arriving in South Korea based on the weather, the physical strength of the companions, children's rest needs, or on-site conditions.
We will not force our guests to rush to meet a fixed itinerary. The plan is the direction of travel, and the real journey will be based on your status on the day.
How much does a private tour cost?
K2's one-stop private tour fee generally includes accommodation, meals, attraction tickets, professional tour guides, private cars and drivers; guests mainly purchase air tickets and travel insurance by themselves.
It is recommended that at least 4 people travel together. The budget can be about RM1,000+ per person per day as a basic concept. The actual price may be RM1,200, RM1,500 or more and will vary depending on the number of rooms, season, flight times, itinerary, meals and activities.
It is the same 6 days and 5 nights. If you arrive late and return early, you will actually spend about 4 days to complete the trip, which is about RM4,000-RM6,000+/person. If you arrive in the morning and return in the evening, you will spend 6 days in total, which is about RM6,000-RM8,000+/person. You can also arrange 1–2 days Free & Easy to adjust your budget. Super peak seasons such as Christmas and Chinese New Year require a corresponding increase in budget, and the final price is calculated based on the actual demand of each group.
Are tour fees lower for children?
The largest fixed costs of a private tour, including accommodation, vehicles, drivers and tour guides, will not become cheaper just because there are children in the car; tickets and meals will be considered based on the actual prices for adults and children.
When a family pays together, the average tour price is usually calculated by dividing the total cost of the entire group by the number of people. When two families are traveling together and need to calculate them separately, you can lower the displayed child fee and allocate the corresponding cost to the adult fee; no matter which display method is used, the actual total cost of the entire group is the same.
Why are ski trips so expensive?
What K2 arranges is not just a trip to the ski resort for activities on your own. Skiing arrangements will include corresponding ski resort tickets, ski equipment, ski clothing and professional ski instruction.
Professional coaches will continue to accompany you to practice according to the learning progress of the day, and can assist in recording the experience. The cost of professionals, equipment and activities involved in a ski day is higher than a regular sightseeing day, so the tour price will increase accordingly.
Is it possible not to include meals?
K2's complete private tours include meals. On the one hand, many restaurants in South Korea have minimum ordering requirements based on the number of people or tables. Tour guides can assist in communication and adjust the menu or restaurant based on the tastes and food intake observed during a few days together.
On the other hand, eating well is itself an important part of the K2 itinerary. Most restaurants have been personally visited and selected, and some require reservations in advance, so meals are also part of the entire itinerary planning. What you eat every day is also part of the Korean travel experience.
Can I stay in a hotel instead of K2 B&B?
Yes, we can also arrange hotels according to guests' requirements. If there are no special hotel needs, K2's Hongdae accommodation is usually recommended first, because the accommodation location will directly affect the rhythm of the entire private group.
There are a large number of restaurants, shopping and entertainment options just downstairs in the core area of Hongdae. During the day, dedicated car time can be used as much as possible for scenic spots that really require vehicles. After returning to Hongdae, the elders can rest first, and the young people can continue shopping without having to end the day at the same time to fit in a car.
There is no problem in choosing a hotel in other areas or in the core area of Hongdae; when the number of rooms required by a multi-person family increases, the overall accommodation cost and group fee will be adjusted accordingly.
Why does K2 recommend living in Hongdae so much?
Traveling is not just about taking photos at scenic spots, but more importantly, experiencing the life and culture of local people. Hongdae has the characteristics of a university district, a business district and a tourist district at the same time. Street performances can often be seen at night; Yeonnam-dong next to it has cafes, shops, parks and a more life-like street scene.
Hongdae also has a wide selection of restaurants. We planned transportation, accommodation, restaurants and attractions together, so that we could go to many places without having to rush back and forth every day, and we could also have a good meal.
What is the accommodation like in Hongdae that you arranged?
K2's self-operated accommodation features spacious rooms suitable for families and is located in a core location near Exit 9 of Hongdae Subway Station. The family room is equipped with 3 double beds, which is especially suitable for a family or multiple people traveling together.
Compared with ordinary hotels in the same area, multiple families usually need to book 2-3 rooms, but our room type allows a family to stay together. The space and facilities are also more complete, so the price-performance ratio is especially obvious when multiple people are staying.
Downstairs is the core business district of Hongdae, with Olive Young, a large number of restaurants, cafes, shopping and shopping nearby. The building is also conveniently connected to underground passages and subway lines. Even if it rains, it is relatively easy to go out with Free & Easy.
Is there an elevator?
Yes. You can take the elevator when checking in with luggage, elders or children.
How many people can stay in Family Studio?
Suitable for 2-6 people, with 3 double beds and an open studio layout.
How many people can stay in Luxury Family Suite?
Suitable for 4-8 people, it has 4 double beds and separate bedroom and living room space.
Does the room have a kitchen?
Both room types have in-room kitchens for simple food preparation.
Is there a washing machine?
All rooms are equipped with washing machines and clothes drying racks. The weather in South Korea is relatively dry, and clothes can usually be dried by hanging them in the room for a day.
Can I store my luggage?
Yes. Please contact K2 customer service in advance to make an appointment. After completing the appointment, you can enjoy discounted storage and then go to the Luggage Center at No. 1105 in the same building to store it.
What time can I check in?
Check-in time is usually 3pm or 4pm, depending on room type. The specific check-in time will be notified by customer service before check-in.
What time is check-out?
Check-out time is usually 11am or 12pm, depending on room type. The specific check-out time will be notified by customer service.
How can I get there from Incheon Airport?
You can take the airport bus No. 6002 directly to Hongdae. Please refer to the check-in information provided by customer service before departure for the specific drop-off location and how to get to the accommodation.
Can I check in early or check out late?
Applications can be made to customer service, subject to room arrangements on the day, and additional fees will be charged. The specific arrangement time and cost will be confirmed by customer service.
What should I do if I arrive late at night?
No problem. The accommodation uses a 24-hour electronic password lock for self-service check-in; specific check-in information will be sent through the customer service channel confirmed by both parties before departure.
What is the cancellation policy?
Please view the complete "K2 Hongdae Accommodation Reservation and Cancellation Policy".
Do children and infants also need to be counted?
Children and infants must still be declared at time of booking. Infants under 3 years old will not be counted in the paid occupancy if they do not occupy a bed.
Can the occupancy be temporarily increased?
B&B charges are based on the number of guests staying. If the actual number of guests exceeds the number of guests booked, additional charges will be incurred; the actual number of guests must not exceed the number allowed in the room. Please notify in advance and obtain K2's consent.
