Budget travel can still be fun too—take a red-eye flight to Korea and make your first stop here to recharge and catch up on sleep!

Summer is here, and the urge to travel is growing stronger again. With the popularity of Korean dramas, many K-drama fans dream of visiting filming locations from “Goblin” to imagine themselves alongside Gong Yoo, while others head to Dongdaemun for a fashion haul. In short, traveling to nearby Korea is a great choice for many Taiwanese. But for those on a tighter budget, some choose to take “red-eye flights” that depart late at night or in the early hours, squeezing in packed itineraries with an early departure and a late return.

Night view of Busan. (Photo provided by Getty Images/Shutterstock)

However, the timing of red-eye flights often clashes with the human body’s natural rhythm. Staying up late to get to the airport, taking a flight, dozing off on the plane, and then jumping into a jam-packed itinerary is not only physically taxing for travelers but can also negatively affect the mood of the trip. In fact, there is a way to avoid exhaustion when taking a red-eye flight to Korea—make your first stop after landing a visit to a “jjimjilbang” (Korean spa) to shower, enjoy a sauna, and recharge with some much-needed sleep!

Beautiful view of the Gwangan Bridge in Busan, South Korea. (Photo provided by Getty Images/Shutterstock)

One netizen shared that they had signed up for a “5-Day Busan Tour” through a domestic travel agency. Due to budget constraints but still wanting to enjoy a full five days of travel, the tour involved taking a red-eye flight departing from Taoyuan Airport around 3 a.m., arriving in Busan at around 6 a.m. local time. Although the tour package was relatively affordable, the lack of sleep throughout the night inevitably led to fatigue.

At the jjimjilbang, you can first take a shower and wash your hair, and once dry, tie your hair up with a cute “sheep head” towel. (Image sourced from the official website of the Korea Tourism Organization)

The itinerary was thoughtfully arranged. Upon arriving at Busan Airport and completing immigration, the tour guide first took the weary travelers to a famous Korean “jjimjilbang.” A jjimjilbang is a traditional Korean leisure activity, originating over 600 years ago, which uses heated yellow clay and various stones along with infrared reflection to help people sweat and detox in a relaxing way.

A famous attraction in Busan, “Dragon Palace Temple.” (Photo by Lin Yijing)

Travelers can first shower and wash their hair at the jjimjilbang, dry their hair, and even tie it up in a cute “sheep head” towel. After washing away the fatigue, they can lie on warm stones to detox. After a quick shower and a light breakfast, they can then take a short nap on a tatami mat. By the time they wake up, their bodies will feel less tired, allowing them to continue with the rest of the planned itinerary!

A well-known tourist attraction in Busan, “Gamcheon Culture Village.” (Photo by Lin Yijing)

When asked why this arrangement was made, it turns out that airlines also consider the “aircraft parking fees” at the airport. Arriving at Taoyuan Airport late at night and returning to Busan the next day during the day would incur costs for the airline. Red-eye flights, which involve only brief stops at the airport, can thus be offered to travelers at lower prices.

Beautiful beach scenery in Busan. (Photo by Lin Yijing)

If your budget is limited, whether you're joining a tour group or traveling independently, you might want to consider this kind of itinerary as well. Recharge at a jjimjilbang, experience the actual wellness practices of Koreans, and add an extra enjoyable element to your trip!

Korean cuisine has its own unique charm. In 2016, the prestigious Michelin Guide made its debut in Seoul, South Korea, for the first time. (Photo provided by Getty Images/Shutterstock)