Essential Tips for G-Star Exhibitors: Hotel Booking, Parking & Transportation
August 2, 2024
Preparing for G-Star Korea can be a daunting task, especially for first-time exhibitors. Here’s a comprehensive guide with essential tips to ensure a smooth and successful experience at Korea’s largest gaming expo, held annually at BEXCO in Busan.
Hotel and Accommodation Tips
- • Proximity to BEXCO: The area with the most accommodations is Haeundae, which is also a popular tourist destination. Staying in Haeundae is convenient for international visitors due to its numerous amenities and attractions.
- • Hotel Price: Look for hotels that fit your budget. On average, hotel prices in the Haeundae area range from $60 to $200 per night, depending on the level of comfort and amenities offered. Comparing options can help you find the best value.
- • Early Booking: Good accommodations typically get fully booked by July, so it’s essential to book early. Make your reservations as soon as possible to secure a place to stay during the event.
Parking Tips
Finding convenient parking at BEXCO during G-Star Korea can be challenging due to the high volume of attendees. Here are some essential parking tips to make your experience smoother.
Arrive Early
To secure a parking spot close to the entrance, aim to arrive before 8:00 AM, as parking spaces are more readily available at that time. If you arrive later, try to be there by 8:30 AM at the latest to ensure a comfortable parking experience without the stress of searching for a spot.
BEXCO Parking fees
| Item | General parking | Monthly parking | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| For each 10 minutes | Day parking (24 hours) | |||
| Small |
Passenger vehicles Vans (less than 25 seats) |
400 KRW | 15,000 KRW | 130,000 KRW |
| Large | Vans (25 seats or more) Trucks (2.5t or more) |
800 KRW | 30,000 KRW | – |
Transportation Tips
1. Taxi Apps
In Korea, unlike in the U.S. or Europe, there is no Uber service available. Instead while in Busan, it’s better to use the Dongbaek Taxi app, it does require a Korean phone number to sign up. In general, throughout Korea, Kakao Taxi is the most popular taxi app. It also allows registration with a foreign phone number which may make it ideal if you are a visitor. To ensure you have a taxi available when needed, it’s recommended to book your taxi a day in advance, as getting a taxi on the event day can be challenging.
Download Dongbaek Taxi App: Appstore / Google Play
2. Public Transportation
In Korea, public transportation requires a rechargeable transportation card. Unlike Japan or other countries, paper tickets are not used for subways. You need to either get a single-use transportation card or recharge a multi-use card.
Koreans typically use their check or credit cards issued in Korea, which come with postpaid transportation card functions that can be used nationwide. However, for foreigners without a Korean card, using a T-money card is essential.
- – Single-use Transportation Card: Available at subway gates, cash only.
(50,000 KRW notes might not be accepted, so prepare 10,000 KRW notes.)
- – T-money Multi-use Transportation Card: Available at airports or convenience stores. (The first purchase must be in cash.)
- – Korea Travel Card: This is a transportation card exclusively for foreigners. Sign up in advance to apply for the card, then pick it up at Incheon Airport. Once you register the card with the mobile app, you can use it for public transportation.
Catering and Lunch Orders
As an exhibitor at G-Star Korea, you likely won’t have the luxury of stepping out for lunch. Based on the experience of our accounting manager, who has been ordering lunch at G-Star for years, using a lunch box (dosirak or sandwich) service is the best option. Here’s a detailed guide to ordering at BEXCO.
1. Dosirak Services
These lunch box services are highly recommended. Contact a dosirak provider in advance and finalize the order quantity by the afternoon of the previous day. This method ensures that your meals are delivered on time each day during the exhibition setup and event days, providing a hassle-free and reliable solution.
2. Delivery Apps
For smaller orders, you can easily use the Baedal Minjok (Baemin) app to order dosirak. However, it’s advisable to place your orders early, as delivery times can be delayed due to high demand.
3. Dinner options
During the exhibition period, having dinner near BEXCO or at your accommodation is your best bet since you probably don’t want to have dosirak for every meal. Here are some tips for dinner.
Reservations for Large Groups
If you have a large group, it’s advisable to make reservations in advance. Many restaurants offer reservation services through the Naver Map app.
Naver Map App
In Korea, Naver Map is more commonly used than Google Maps. You can easily sign up for Naver as a foreigner and use the app to find and reserve tables at nearby restaurants. This ensures a smooth dining experience without long waits, especially for larger groups.
Digital Tools
Mobile Connectivity
In Korea, international calls are often perceived as spam, leading to blocked calls. Therefore, it is recommended to use a Korean SIM or eSIM with a local number rather than relying on roaming. Prices vary depending on whether you need a phone number or just data, so check the following sites for options.
- • Korea SIM Card Options: Depending on your needs, you can get SIM cards that include both data and a phone number, or data-only options, at mobile carrier stores or convenience stores.
- • Korea eSIM Options: For those who prefer eSIM, similar plans are available. Ensure your device supports eSIM and check the provider’s details for registration.
Weather and Clothing
Temperature Consideration
November in Korea can be very cold and chilly. Busan, being a coastal city, experiences strong winds, making a puffer jacket an essential. Many Koreans will likely be wearing long padded overcoats. So if you are in charge of an outdoor booth, make sure to bring a long padded coat and heat packs. Heat packs can be easily found at convenience stores for about 1-2 dollars.
Rain or Snow Preparedness
If it rains or snows, you must be prepared to manage the risks. Last year, during the G-Star event, it rained heavily. Unfortunately, the construction company did not properly finish the woodwork on the outdoor booth’s roof, leading to leaks. Although we had pallets and plastic tarps ready, we realized the need to move all the souvenirs to the hotel as the heavy rain began. Korean weather can be unpredictable, so it’s crucial to always be prepared for such scenarios. It’s advisable to have awning tents, pallets for floor moisture prevention, and waterproof tarps on hand.
