Yesterday, the sunshine in Busan was absolutely unreal.
The moment I opened my eyes in my capsule hotel bed, I was completely captivated by the brilliant blue of Haeundae Beach stretching right outside my window.
However, the reality of carrying my 12kg backpack under a blazing, humid 30-degree sun quickly hit me, and my mind went blank.
I always prided myself on my physical endurance—after all, I walk everywhere as a university student in Munich—but walking on melting asphalt with a massive pack is a completely different level of survival.
So, I made a firm decision: today was going to be about finding the most logical, budget-friendly, and highly efficient way to navigate Busan without breaking the bank or my back.
How to Rent a Beam Electric Scooter in Korea as a Foreigner
Back in Germany, renting shared e-scooters is ridiculously expensive, making it a luxury that a broke student backpacker like me could never justify.
But when I arrived in Korea, I noticed rows of vibrant yellow e-scooters parked on almost every sidewalk. It was fascinating.
Among the various brands, I chose 'Beam'. Naturally, I was a bit worried if a foreigner using a German credit card would be able to register and pay without any issues.
I expected a long, exhausting verification process typical for non-residents. To my absolute shock, downloading the app, scanning my passport, and registering my international card took less than 60 seconds.
Coming from Germany, where administrative tasks move at a glacial pace, this was a literal miracle.
It made me realize how incredible Korea’s fast, highly digitized infrastructure is for travelers.
Instead of sweating through a painful 20-minute walk from the subway station to the beach with my heavy pack, I was standing in front of the ocean in exactly three minutes. Talk about peak efficiency.
Finding a Cheap Phone Mount at Daiso for E-Scooter Navigation
Renting the scooter was only step one; the practical challenge was navigating. Since I don't know my way around Busan, I needed to check Google Maps constantly.
Obviously, riding a scooter with one hand while holding a smartphone is incredibly dangerous. That is when I remembered 'Daiso', the legendary budget store my Korean friends kept raving about.
Navigating Daiso to Find Bicycle Accessories
I walked into the nearest Daiso and immediately looked for the bicycle accessory section, but the Korean packaging made it quite confusing.
I ended up grabbing a product that looked promising, only to realize at the checkout counter that I had mistakenly picked up a stroller cup holder. I was standing there feeling extremely lost and embarrassed.
Luckily, an elderly Korean gentleman noticed my confusion. He went out of his way to open a translation app on his phone and personally guided me to the correct aisle for smartphone mounts.
Thanks to his incredible kindness, I walked out with a surprisingly sturdy phone mount for just 3,000 KRW (about $2.20 USD).
Testing the Durability of a 3,000 KRW Daiso Phone Mount
Given how cheap it was, I had my doubts about whether it would actually secure my phone.
But once I mounted it onto the thick handlebar of the Beam scooter, I was amazed. It locked in perfectly just by tightening the screw, requiring absolutely no extra tools.
Even when riding over Busan’s notoriously bumpy sidewalks, my phone stayed completely stable with zero shaking.
Back in Germany, a mount of this quality would easily cost at least 15 Euros. Korea's unbeatable value for money blew me over once again.
It gave me the peace of mind to keep both hands on the handlebar and ride safely while tracking my route in real-time.
Best Spots to Visit in Haeundae and Trying the Famous Convenience Store Blue Lemonade
With my setup fully ready, I hit the Haeundae coastal road.
Feeling the cool ocean breeze hit my face as I glided past the deep blue sea instantly washed away all my travel fatigue.
After riding for a while, I started getting incredibly dehydrated, so I popped into a nearby CU convenience store.
There, I finally experienced the famous Korean convenience store ice cup system. I grabbed a 'Delaffe Blue Lemonade' pouch, and the entire combo—including a massive giant-sized ice cup—cost me just over 2,000 KRW.
The vibrant blue color of the drink matched the crystal-clear Haeundae ocean perfectly, which made it such a satisfying aesthetic experience.
However, a wild turn of events happened when I sat on a beach bench to take a photo.
A massive Haeundae seagull, clearly eyeing my drink, swooped down right at my head. I had to pull off a split-second survival move to save my lemonade.
I managed to protect the drink, but a few drops of sugary lemon syrup splashed onto my sneaker. It was a minor, chaotic, yet highly memorable highlight of my afternoon.
How to Avoid Extra Charges and Restricted Parking Zones in Busan
Of course, my scooter adventure wasn't entirely without friction.
The second I entered the entrance of a scenic beach path, my e-scooter suddenly decelerated and started emitting a loud, continuous warning beep.
At first, I thought the machine was broken and panicked. But after checking the app, I realized the area was a highly regulated pedestrian-only zone with automatic speed limits and riding bans.
When I pulled up the map on my phone, the entire beachside area was highlighted in red—meaning parking and riding were strictly prohibited.
Because the motor cut out completely, I had to manually drag the heavy scooter back to a designated blue parking zone while carrying my 12kg backpack.
While I was struggling, the rental timer kept ticking, racking up charges by the second.
If you plan on using shared e-scooters in Busan, I highly recommend checking the in-app map to identify the approved parking zones before you set off.
Why You Should Keep Careleave Aqua Waterproof Bandages in Your Travel Kit
While aggressively dragging the dead scooter back, I accidentally banged my shin hard against the kickstand, leaving a nasty, bleeding scrape.
I needed a quick fix. Fortunately, Korea has 24-hour convenience stores everywhere that stock basic medical supplies.
I ran into a nearby store, and the staff recommended 'Careleave Aqua Waterproof Bandages' (mixed sizes), which I bought instantly.
Review of Careleave Waterproof Bandages After a Jimjilbang Test
The performance of these waterproof bandages is next level.
They are incredibly thin and transparent, making me wonder if they would actually protect the wound, but they adhered to my skin like a second layer.
After taking a shower, I spent hours soaking in the hot tubs at a 24-hour Gwangalli jimjilbang (Korean bathhouse). To my surprise, the bandage stayed completely sealed, keeping the wound 100% dry.
In fact, the adhesion was so strong that it actually hurt a bit to peel it off later.
Having access to such high-quality first-aid products at any hour of the night is a massive lifesaver for solo backpackers.
Budget Breakdown: How to Spend Under 30,000 KRW for a 1-Night Busan Trip
This Busan trip turned out to be the ultimate budget-friendly survival journey, offering maximum satisfaction and safety with minimal spending.
Here is the exact breakdown of my expenses for a 24-hour period:
- Beam e-scooter (15-minute rental): 3,500 KRW
- GS25 Hyeja convenient store lunchbox: 5,200 KRW
- Pocari Sweat sports drink: 2,200 KRW
- Gwangalli 24-hour Jimjilbang (overnight stay & bathhouse entry): 16,000 KRW
- Total cost of survival for the day: 26,900 KRW (approx. $20 USD)
The GS25 convenience store lunchbox was incredibly filling, featuring a massive variety of side dishes that tasted genuinely homemade.
Meanwhile, staying at the Gwangalli jimjilbang was not only a massive money-saver but also an unforgettable cultural experience.
While I was soaking in the hot tubs to relieve my muscles, some incredibly sweet local Korean grandmas showed me how to fold a towel into the iconic 'sheep head' shape and even gifted me some baked eggs.
Back in Germany, this total amount would barely cover a single one-way public transit ticket.
In Busan, it covered my transportation, accommodation, a full meal, and an incredible cultural experience.
Thanks to smart budgeting and utilizing local shared mobility, my dynamic Korean adventure continues!
