Information Bank a TripHash Travel Archive

This is a random listing of information that I come across as I travel around. This will at some point become outdated, and will lack cohesion. The only point is to have that bit of information you are looking for and can't find.

Samurai Jeans Washing Instructions Denim Care

Posted on 21 April 2015 by Tak

I headed over to the Samurai Jeans Factory Store (Head Store) and came across washing instructions. I have seen Samurai Jeans washing instructions on Reddit at one point but these instructions seem a little more robust.

1. First off, it deals with size. It mentions that since the jeans are sold in raw, un-washed condition, it is tough and larger than the size it will ultimately be. Once you purchase them, you will need to soak them which will shrink them slightly and wash off the starch. In any case, when you are trying the Samurai jeans on, you should be able to put a flat hand between your waist and the jeans. (That is the amount that will shrink). Read More →

Colombo Airport (CMB) Sri Lanka Left Luggage

Posted on 9 March 2015 by Tak

The Colombo Airport Left Luggage desk at CMB Airport is a great service if you are looking to ditch your bags for a bit. For instance, if you are traveling into Sri Lanka and then round-tripping to the Maldives…you might not want to bring everything with you (although you could use the more expensive Maldivian left luggage in Male). The price is 100LKR (less than $1) a day. The price is the same regardless of size it seems. Read More →

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Cheapest Way to Get to Seoul from the Airport (ICN)

Posted on 26 January 2015 by Tak

TripHash-Seoul-Airport-Line-Train-to-City

Seoul is a cool, underrated city, but more on that later. The best way to get to Seoul from the airport seems to be the AREX train. Here is what you do:

Get cash out at the ATM machine right as you leave customs/immigrations in the main terminal there. There are several crazy looking ATM machines with big displays. At these ATMs, make sure you put your card in first and then start pressing buttons for an overseas bank transaction. If you start pushing buttons before putting in your card, you will be denied cash.

Follow the signs for the train (I actually preferred taking the escalator up a level (rather than down as the signs tell you), and walking to the train that way (it seems quicker). You will enter the train area soon enough (5 minutes).

The quicker express train (which goes direct to Seoul station for double the price unless you qualify for the discount) is on your right. The local (all-stops) train runs from the airport to Seoul for less than $5 (as of January 2015 pricing) and takes less than an hour (depending on what stop you are getting off at).
Using your newly acquired cash, use the ticket machines on your left as you enter the train area. They are easy to understand.
Take your issued card, tap it on top of the card reader and wait for the train. They come quite often. Check here for schedule
When you exit the train, tap your card again to leave the station. Immediately thereafter, look for a machine that you can insert your card into and receive your deposit back.

That, I believe is the best way I found to get to Seoul from the Airport. It is affordable, comfortable and reasonably quick. Hope that helps.

The train stops are as follows: International Airport Cargo Terminal, Unseo, Cheongna International City, Geomam (with connection to Incheon 2 and KTX train), Gyeyang (with connection to Incheon 1 train), Gimpo International Airport (connections to Line 5 and Line 9), Digital Media City (connection to Line 6), Hongik University (connection to Line 2), Gongdeok (connections to Line 6 and Line 5) and Seoul Station (connection with Line 1, Line 4 and KTX trains).

Get from DAL to DFW via Mass Transit

Posted on 21 January 2015 by Tak

Of course you can take a taxi, or even do a one-way car rental between Dallas Love Airport (DAL) and Dallas Fort Worth Airport (DFW), but just thought I’d make a quick post on how I got between the two (DFW to DAL) in late December 2014. This is the cheapest way to get between DFW and DAL Airport.

Exit Dallas Love Airport. Follow the signs (you can go either to the right or left) to the end of the sidewalk. In my case, I headed left and the pickup was at the very end of the sidewalk, but I noticed a pick-up point nearer to the terminal exit to the right.

Wait for the shuttle bus to show up. You are looking for DART Bus #524 which brings you to the Orange Line. I didn’t have exact change (which is needed on the DART Bus) but the intelligent driver allowed me (thankfully) to buy my ticket at the train station. He also informed me of a weekday mid-day discount ticket which I got (I believe it was $1.75 rather than $2.50).

Anyways, get the #524. It will bring you directly to the Orange Line terminal. Find a ticket machine, buy a ticket, and go up to the tracks above. The track to DFW is the same side the bus drops you off at. It looks out at a Mexican Restaurant. The track is marked if you are perceptive.

Take the Orange Line train all the way to DFW terminal. From there, follow the signs (or take shuttle buses) to the terminal you need. Note that not all shuttle buses service all terminals, so ask before you get on.

If you are doing this in reverse, find the Orange Line train tracks at DFW’s Terminal A and then take it to the Inwood/Love Field Station and hop aboard the 524 shuttle (which only runs to Love Field).

For all the connections and other rigamarole, I’d budget about 90 minutes for getting between the two.

For schedules and a whole slew of hard to find and understand information, you can check out the official site here and here.