Flying to Korea via VTLs? What Costs To Expect When You Want To Curb That K-craze!
“Mugunghwa kkoci pieot seumnida~”
All of you standing still and listening? Good. Because we have some good news! No, this is not about Squid Game coming back for season 2.
We’re here to tell you that in just a few days, you can fly to South Korea via Vaccinated Travel Lanes (VTLs) and experience your K-drama dream life!
So the government has announced VTLs for Korea starting on 15 November 2021, but don’t kancheong (Hokkien: be impatient) to get your air tickets just yet.
Without proper planning, you might just end up spending more than you had intended. That’s where we come in, so you have a clearer idea of what to expect!
TL;DR: Some Costs To Take Note of When Planning a Trip to Korea via Vaccinated Travel Lanes (VTLs)
| Type of Expense | Cost |
|---|---|
| Flight Tickets (Scoot) | S$543.62 |
| Travel Insurance (Aviva) | S$46.23 |
| K-ETA | S$12 |
| PCR Tests | S$616 (S$138 + S$200 + S$150 + S$128) |
| Total | S$1,217.85 |
Flight Tickets From Singapore to Seoul: Are Prices Also High up in the Sky?
First things first, you need to get the air tickets before you can even think about flying.
Do take note that for you to be eligible for VTL in Korea, you have to take a direct flight from a specific few airlines.
Below is a list of those airlines and the prices return tickets for those airlines start at:
| Airline | Flight Ticket Cost (7-Day Trip) |
|---|---|
| Scoot | from S$543.62 |
| Korean Air | from S$987.20 |
| Asiana Airlines | from S$1,023.20 |
| Singapore Airlines | from S$1,109.40 |
COVID-19 Travel Insurance: Remember To Pay Protection Fees
As part of the regulations for travelling to Korea via VTLs, you will need to have travel insurance with a minimum of 30 million won (roughly S$34,000-S$35,000) worth of coverage for COVID-19 related medical expenses and hospitalisation costs.
Be safe, not sorry, so make sure your backsides are all covered before you go for your travels!
This is why we have listed the costs of a few travel insurance policies which provides coverage for COVID-19 so you have a clearer idea of what to expect:
| Insurance Provider | Cost |
|---|---|
| Aviva | from S$46.23 |
| AXA | from S$53.94 |
| Allianz | from S$58.20 |
| EQ Insurance | from S$62 |
| AIG | from S$68 |
| Sompo | from S$72 |
| Income | from S$87.80 |
As your browse and compare travel insurance policies, be sure to also llook out for these things before making your purchase!
K-ETA: Get Authorised Before You Can Enter
Ever been denied entry to a club or private event because you don’t have an invitation?
Similarly, you wouldn’t want to be barred entry from your K-drama dream experience.
That’s why to ensure a smooth entry, you will need to complete your K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorisation) application 24 hours before you even board the flight to Korea.
To apply for K-ETA, all you need to do is to visit their website and submit an application.
K-ETAs are valid for 2 years from their date of approval, and for Singaporeans, you’re allowed to stay in Korea for a maximum period of 90 days.
Of course, the application won’t be free, you need to pay a fee of 10,000 won (roughly S$12) but do note that this fee is non-refundable even if the application is denied.
PCR Tests: Costs of COVID-19 Testing for Your Getaway
The final thing you have to take note of before you can even think about flying to Korea is the number of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests you will need to take.
That’s right, you will need to take more than one PCR test to ensure you are safe for travel.
Let us help you summarise the number of tests and calculate how much it roughly costs:
| Where do you take the test? | Cost |
|---|---|
| 1 PCR test 72 hours before departure at approved clinics (Singapore) | PCR tests start from S$138 |
| 1 PCR test on arrival at the Korean airport | PCR tests cost 174,000 won-180,000 won (S$200-S$207) |
| 1 PCR test 48 hours before flying back to Singapore at approved clinics (Korea) | PCR tests cost roughly 135,000 won-180,000 won (S$150-S$200) |
| 1 PCR test on arrival at Changi airport | PCR tests cost S$160 and will be reduced to S$128 from 18th November onwards |
| 1 additional PCR test on your 6th or 7th day in Korea if you're staying for longer than 8 days at approved clinics (Korea) | PCR tests cost roughly 135,000 won-180,000 won (S$150-S$200) |
Final Thoughts: How Much Does It All Cost?
Now that we have summarised everything, there’s just one question left: How much does it all cost?
Let’s assume you are going for a 7-day trip, we’ll take the lowest prices of each category so you can know how much prices start from:
| Type of Expense | Cost |
|---|---|
| Flight Tickets (Scoot) | S$543.62 |
| Travel Insurance (Aviva) | S$46.23 |
| K-ETA | S$12 |
| PCR Tests | S$616 (S$138 + S$200 + S$150 + S$128) |
| Total | S$1,217.85 |
To sum up, in order to enjoy a nice trip to Korea after VTLs are open, you will need to have at least S$1,217.85 beforehand, and that does NOT include other expenditures such as accommodation and food. Make sure you also get insured before flying! Check out our SeedlyReviews page to find the best travel insurance for you and your family.
We hope this article helps give you a clearer idea of the costs to expect before hopping on the next flight to enjoy your K-drama experience, happy trip planning!
Other Related Articles
- Ultimate Singapore Malaysia Land VTL (Vaccinated Travel Lane) Guide: Bus Ticket Prices, PCR Tests Costs & More!
- Ultimate Guide To Vaccinated Travel Lanes (VTLs): Costs, Things To Do and What To Take Note Of
- An Ultimate Guide: Key Insurance Policies You Should Get In Singapore 2022
- Student Exchange Insurance Plans: Should I Add-On To My School’s Insurance?
- Which Countries Can We Travel to When COVID-19 Restrictions Ease?
- Air Travel Bubbles, Air Travel Passes & Reciprocal Green Lanes: Where Can I Travel Overseas Right Now?
- Ultimate Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Insurance Guide: Does My Travel Insurance Cover Me For The Wuhan Coronavirus Outbreak?
Advertisement
