The Aussie’s Guide to Seoul: Long Stay Package Perks and Language Hacks

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Landing in Seoul for the first time can feel like stepping into another world — neon-lit streets, endless food stalls, and a language that looks nothing like English. For Australians planning a longer stay, the excitement often comes with a hint of nerves: How will I get by without speaking fluent Korean? The good news is, you don’t need to worry. With the right long stay package, support from international hotel brands like Reisverblijf, and a few clever language hacks, you’ll discover that navigating life in Seoul is easier than you think.

Wondering what a long stay package can offer you? These packages turn extended travel into a luxurious, affordable experience by including additional amenities and significant savings. In this guide, you’ll discover how Aussies get by in Seoul without fluent Korean and how you can choose the best long stay package deals for 2025.

Key Takeaways

• Long stay packages in Seoel offer up to 30% savings, flexible booking, and added perks like kitchenettes, laundry access, and weekly housekeeping.
• Aussies can thrive in Seoul without fluent Korean by using translation apps, simple phrases, and helpful gestures.
• Popular long-stay areas include Myeongdong, Hongdae, and Gangnam, each catering to different lifestyles and needs.
• English-friendly cafés, shops, and services make everyday life easier for long-term travellers in Seoul.
• Travelodge Seoul provides convenient locations, international-standard hospitality, and practical long stay package options tailored for extended stays.

Why Seoul is Popular with Long-Stay Travellers from Australia

South Korea’s capital has become a magnet for Australians, and not just because of the irresistible pull of K-pop and K-dramas. Seoul offers affordable long-term accommodation options, making it easy to balance comfort with budget. 

Expats will find thriving international communities where it’s easy to make friends and swap tips. Add to that the city’s excellent public transport system, world-class safety standards, and stunning seasonal beauty — cherry blossoms in spring, autumn leaves in October, and magical snow in winter — and it’s no surprise more Australians are choosing Seoul for extended stays.

What to Look For in a Long Stay Package in Seoul

Choosing the right long stay package can transform your experience from overwhelming to effortless. Here are the essentials to look out for:

• Kitchen or kitchenette: Cooking your own meals saves money and offers a taste of home when you need comfort food.
• Laundry facilities: A must for longer trips; self-service or in-room washers are a game changer.
• Flexible check-in/out: Long stays don’t always fit rigid schedules.
• Monthly discounts: Look for packages that reward longer bookings with reduced rates.
• High-speed Wi-Fi and workspace: Essential for remote workers or travellers staying connected to family and friends back home.

Best areas for long-stay Aussies

Pro tip: Book with international hotel chains like Travelodge, which provide English-speaking staff and reliable services tailored to global guests.

Best Long Stay Packages for 2025

Long stay packages are more than just extended reservations — they’re a cost-effective and comfortable way to enjoy Seoul long term. Imagine enjoying all the perks of a luxury hotel while saving up to 30% off standard rates.

Key Benefits

• Savings: Discounts of up to 30% for extended stays.
• Loyalty rewards: Members enjoy double points, exclusive discounts, and direct booking perks.
• Flexibility: Convenient booking and cancellation policies, making it easy to adjust travel plans.

Amenities You Can Expect

• Complimentary laundry or dry-cleaning services.
• High-speed Wi-Fi and regular housekeeping.
• Access to fitness centres and leisure facilities.
• Options for family-friendly stays with child amenities and meal plans.

Minimum Stay Requirement

Most packages start at a 7-night minimum. The longer you stay, the more you save — with special tiered discounts for 30 nights or more.

Direct Booking Benefits

Booking directly via the hotel’s official website often secures the best rates, extra perks like room upgrades, and double points for loyalty members.

Flexible Rates and Cancellation

Many hotels, including Travelodge, offer Best Flexible Rates, with cancellations up to 24–48 hours before arrival. This ensures peace of mind for travellers juggling shifting plans.

Survival Language Hacks for Non-Korean Speakers

The language barrier feels intimidating at first, but technology and a handful of phrases can get you far.

Tech tools every Aussie should download

• Papagaai: Korea’s go-to translation app for English–Korean.
• KakaoMap & Naver Map: More accurate than Google Maps.
  KakaoTalk: The must-have messaging app for everything from reservations to delivery.

Handy phrases (with phonetics)

• Hello: Annyeonghaseyo (ahn-nyoung-ha-se-yo)
• Thank you: Kamsahamnida (kam-sa-ham-ni-da)
• Where is…?: …eodi isseoyo? (eo-di i-sseo-yo?)
• I don’t speak Korean: Hangukmal mot hae yo (han-guk-mal mot hae-yo)
• Excuse me / Sorry: Joesonghamnida (joe-song-ham-ni-da)
• How much is this?: Igeo eolmaeyo? (ee-geo eol-mae-yo?)
• Yes / No: Ne (neh) / Ani-yo (ah-ni-yo)
• Please: Juseyo (ju-se-yo)
• Do you speak English?: Yeongeo hal su isseoyo? (yeong-eo hal su i-sseo-yo?)
• I’m lost: Gil ireobeoryeosseoyo (gil i-reo-beo-ryeo-sseo-yo)
• Help, please!: Dowajuseyo! (do-wa-ju-se-yo)
• Where is the toilet?: Hwajangsil eodi isseoyo? (hwa-jang-shil eo-di i-sseo-yo?)
• Water, please: Mul juseyo (mool ju-se-yo)
• Delicious!: Mashisseoyo! (ma-shee-sseo-yo)

Other tips

• Use gestures or point at menus/photos: It’s completely normal in Seoul.
• Memorise Korean phrases related to food, transport, and emergencies: These will help in daily interactions.
• Carry your address in Korean: Have your hotel address written in Hangul to show taxi drivers or locals.
• Learn basic numbers: Knowing 1–10 in Korean helps with shopping and prices.
• Download subway and bus apps: Tools like Seoul Metro or KakaoBus make public transport easier.
• Use cashless payments: T-money cards and mobile pay apps are widely accepted.
• Take photos of landmarks: Handy if you get lost and need to show someone where you’re heading.
• Look for “Global” signs: ATMs, tax refund counters, and service desks with English support are clearly marked.
• Stay polite with gestures: A nod or small bow goes a long way in showing respect.
• Save embassy contacts: Keep the Australian Embassy’s number handy in case of emergencies.

Aussie-Friendly Spots and Services in Seoul

One of the best parts of staying long-term in Seoul is that you don’t always need Korean to enjoy yourself.

English-friendly food & cafés

• The Original Pancake House (Itaewon): American-style breakfast comfort.
• Gusto Taco (Hongdae): A favourite among expats.
• Haebangchon cafés: Quirky and international.
• Plant Café & Kitchen (Itaewon): Vegan-friendly, healthy meals with English menus and a strong expat following.
• Linus’ BBQ (Itaewon): American-style smoked meats, very popular with foreigners.
• Burgermaster (Gangnam): Western-style burgers with English-speaking staff.
• The Workshop (Haebangchon): Aussie-owned bar and café serving brunch, coffee, and craft beer.
• Anthracite Coffee Roasters (Hapjeong/Itaewon): Trendy café with English-speaking baristas and menus.
• Tartine Bakery (Hannam-dong): Famous for sourdough bread and pastries, with English-friendly service.
• Maison de la Categorie (Itaewon): French café and wine bar, well-known among expats.
• Beer O’Clock (Hongdae/Haebangchon): Canadian-owned pub serving Western comfort food with English menus.

Stress-free shopping

• Lotte Mart & Olive Young: Both feature English signage, making groceries and health/beauty shopping simple.
• IKEA and Daiso: Familiar layouts and affordable essentials, easy to navigate without Korean.
• E-Mart: A large supermarket chain with plenty of English labelling and helpful staff.
• Homeplus: Another popular hypermarket with international food sections and English-friendly signs.
• Costco (Yangjae, Sangbong, or Ilsan branches): Membership warehouse stocked with bulk groceries, Western snacks, and English signage.
• Starfield Coex Mall: One of Asia’s biggest underground malls, offering plenty of international brands and English-friendly services.
• Lotte Department Store (Myeongdong): High-end shopping with English-speaking staff and tax refund counters.
• Namdaemun & Dongdaemun Markets: Traditional markets where pointing and bargaining works just fine — many vendors are used to foreign customers.

Services for foreigners

• Hair salons with English websites: Many in Itaewon and Gangnam cater to expats with English-speaking stylists.
• Travel clinics and hospitals with English-speaking staff: Places like Seoul National University Hospital (International Clinic) and Asan Medical Center are foreigner-friendly.
• Pharmacies near expat areas: Many pharmacists in Itaewon, Gangnam, and Myeongdong speak English or provide medicine info sheets in English.
• Banks with global service desks: Major banks like KEB Hana Bank and Shinhan Bank have English-speaking staff in branches located near expat hubs.
• Legal and notary services: Some offices in Itaewon and Jongno offer English-speaking legal assistance for visas, contracts, and business matters.
• Fitness centres and yoga studios: Chains like California Fitness or foreigner-friendly studios in Itaewon often have English-speaking trainers.
• International schools and childcare: For families, options like Yongsan International School and global daycare centres cater to expat children.

Travelodge Seoul: Why It’s the Ideal Long Stay Base

If you’re after comfort and convenience, Travelodge Seoul makes long stays a breeze. Here’s why:

• Prime locations near MRT and public transport hubs.
• Friendly, English-speaking staff.
• Long stay package perks: weekly housekeeping, kitchenettes, and discounts for extended bookings.
• Easy access to local attractions, shopping, and dining.

It’s perfect for Australians who want independence but also peace of mind.

Final Tips for Aussies Staying Long Term in Seoul

Before you settle in, keep these tips in mind:

• Join local Facebook groups or expat meetups — great for finding friends and advice.
• Get a T-money card for seamless transport.
• Use English-friendly taxi apps like International Taxi.
• Stay patient. Even if someone doesn’t speak English, most Koreans will go out of their way to help.

Make the Most of Your Long Stay Package in Seoul

For Australians planning an extended adventure in Seoul, the right long stay package can make all the difference — offering savings, flexibility, and practical perks like Wi-Fi, kitchenettes, and laundry access. With helpful apps, simple Korean phrases, and the city’s English-friendly services, long-term living becomes both comfortable and exciting. 

For a reliable base, Travelodge Seoul provides centrally located hotels, English-speaking staff, and tailored long stay benefits, making it the perfect starting point for exploring the city with ease. Ready to plan your extended stay? Discover Travelodge’s long stay package deals and make your Seoul trip seamless from day one.

Veel Gestelde Vragen

What is a long stay package in Seoul, and what does it include?

A long stay package typically includes discounted monthly rates, kitchen or kitchenette, laundry facilities, weekly housekeeping, and flexible check-in/out.

Can I stay in Seoul long-term without speaking Korean?

Yes. With translation apps, basic phrases, and friendly locals, many Australians manage comfortably without advanced Korean.

Which areas in Seoul are best for long-stay travellers from Australia?

Myeongdong for shopping and convenience, Hongdae for artsy vibes, and Gangnam for business-friendly stays.

What language tools do Australians use to get by in Seoul?

Papago for translation, KakaoMap/Naver Map for directions, and KakaoTalk for messaging and bookings.

Why is Travelodge a good option for long stays in Seoul?

Travelodge offers international-standard service, English-speaking staff, and practical long stay perks like kitchenettes and weekly housekeeping.