From December 23rd to December 28th, my mom came to visit me in Korea for five unforgettable days. This blog series will take you through our journey together, starting with her arrival and our first day. Whether you’re planning to visit Korea or host a loved one, I’ll share some tips and heartfelt moments to inspire your travels.
What to Expect: December Weather and Air Quality in Korea
If you’re visiting Korea in late December, prepare for chilly but manageable weather. On December 23rd, the temperature in Incheon ranged from 0°C to 5°C (32°F to 41°F), with West Seoul seeing similar conditions. The air quality was moderate, so while masks weren’t absolutely necessary, they’re always a good idea if you’re sensitive to air pollution.
Personally, I always wear masks on planes because sharing the contained air with a bunch of strangers is not my favorite thing and it is usually very dry and cold on the plane so wearing a mask makes breathing easier and more comfortable for me. I also bring extra masks with me in my daily life just in case the air gets bad or if the subway or bus is overly crowded. Safety first!
Dress warmly with layers, a good coat, and comfortable shoes to stay cozy as you explore. My mom mentioned it wasn’t as cold as she had expected, which was a pleasant surprise. However, December really is the beginning of winter here and Seoul is usually warmer than outside because it is such a busy city. The coldest months are January and February but the wind makes it brutal sometimes and almost unbearbale. Thankfully, while my mom was here, the air and weather were better than usual.
Picking Up Mom at the Airport
After finishing work, I headed to the airport to pick up my mom, whose flight arrived in the early evening. I took the convenient airport bus, which cost 17,000 won (approximately $12.75 USD). It used to be only 10,000 won but even the bus fare couldn’t escape inflation. The buses only take cash or T-Money cards (and your credit cards and debit cards that act as transport cards if you are a local). I used my Korean credit card that has a transportation option so I just used that to board the bus. If you are not a local or have any of the aforementioned cards, it’s best for you to use cash.
Where to Find Bus Info: For locals and non-locals looking for bus schedules and ticket prices, you can check the Korean Bus Information System (BIS) online or use apps like Naver Maps or Kakao Maps for real-time updates on routes and schedules. Most airports also have multilingual information kiosks to assist travelers.
I personally use Naver Maps and type in the number of the bus I want to take. It will pull up the route and the schedule. If you don’t know which bus number, you can also look up “airport bus” directly in the app and it will show you a list of bus numbers. For locals, keep a keen eye out whenever you walk around your neighborhood. You may see an airport bus stop there!
The bus ride to the airport took about an hour. After I found my mom, we used the ticket machines—which accept card payments—to get return tickets for the bus. Another hour later, we were back home. My mom said it was so easy that next time she will just take the bus herself and wait for me at my home instead of having to wait for me to get off work. We’ll see next time if she actually does it.
When we got on the bus, we sat in the front two seats which, for my plus size girlies, are smaller than the ones behind them. I was slightly uncomfortable but I didn’t mind. Also, they do require us to wear our seatbelts. I didn’t ask if they had seatbelt extenders, but at a little over 250 pounds, it still fit around me so most people should be ok with it. On my trip back home after my mom left, I sat behind the seats behind the first wheel and it was much more comfortable so if you are on the bigger side, don’t ride in the first two seats behind the bus driver!
Incheon Airport Tip: There are two terminals at Incheon Airport. Terminal 2 is newer and serves airlines like Korean Air, while Terminal 1 handles a wider range of international airlines. The airport bus boards first at Terminal 2 and then at Terminal 1 before heading into the city. It takes about 20 minutes to travel between the terminals, so plan accordingly for layovers or pickups.
Travelers flying in from the US, like my mom, should anticipate needing some rest after a long flight and crossing time zones. I recommend booking an evening arrival to allow for a good night’s sleep and a fresh start the next day. Jet lag recovery made easy!
A Cozy Dinner at Home
Too tired to go out, we decided to order dinner through CoupangEats. My mom loves hot soup, so we opted for pho and a noodle dish from 포메인 (Pho Mein):
- Chicken noodle pho (12,500 won/~$9.40 USD)
- Beef fillet noodles (소고기 플레트 누들) (15,000 won/~$11.30 USD)
The pho was tasty but different from what my mom was used to in the US. It lacked the abundant vegetables and lime she loves, so we made a quick trip to a nearby grocery mart to grab lemons.
A tip for travelers: while larger markets often have limes, smaller ones may not, so plan accordingly.
Despite her disappointment with the pho, my mom enjoyed the beef noodles, which became an instant favorite.
One of the most special moments of the evening was holding hands with my mom to pray before our meal. It brought back memories of home and reminded me how much I missed sharing our faith and these simple but meaningful rituals together.
Wrapping Up the Day
After dinner, my mom was ready to rest, and I could see how much the travel had taken a toll. While she slept, I visited a friend and neighbor to finalize our plans for the next day—Christmas Eve at the Garden of Morning Calm. Stay tuned for the next post, where I’ll share all about this magical holiday experience!
Stay Connected!
If you enjoyed this post, follow me on all my socials at @melodyofherseoul for more stories, travel tips, and heartfelt moments. Let’s continue this journey together! 🌟
Melody of Her Seoul 