After posting my real review of my 1-Night, 2-Day Templestay, I received a lot of questions asking, “I really want to take my foreign friends there, or book one for myself, but how do I actually do it in English?”
I completely understand the hesitation. Navigating local booking sites can be daunting, and what if you book a temple where the monks only speak Korean?
Don’t worry! If you use the official English Templestay website (eng.templestay.com), you can filter for English-speaking temples and pay securely with foreign credit cards in just 5 minutes.
Whether you are a local trying to book for a foreign friend, or a traveler planning your own trip to Korea, here is the ultimate, fail-proof guide to booking your Templestay, along with some essential pro tips!
1. Before You Book: Understand the 2 Program Types
Before diving into the website, you need to decide what kind of vibe you’re looking for. Templestays generally offer two types of programs. Choosing the wrong one can lead to a very different experience than you expected!
- Experience-oriented: This program is packed with activities like the 108 bows, making lotus lanterns, ringing the temple bell, and having tea time with a monk. Highly recommended for those who want a deep, hands-on dive into Korean Buddhist culture.
- Rest-oriented: Aside from designated meal times (and optional chanting services), your time is completely your own. This is perfect for those who want a digital detox, want to meditate in nature, and just chill in the mountains.
2. Step-by-Step Guide: Book in Just 5 Minutes
Alright, let’s get down to business. Open up the official website (eng.templestay.com) and follow along!
Step 1. Choose Your Region Use the map or search bar on the main page to select your desired region. If you have a short itinerary, select ‘Seoul’ or ‘Gyeonggi’. If you plan to take the KTX bullet train and venture deeper into nature, select a regional province.
Step 2. 🌟 The Magic Filter: ‘Temples for Foreigners‘ This is the most crucial step! On the search results page, look at the filter options on the right (or top) and make sure to check the ‘Temples for Foreigners
‘ box. This guarantees that the temple has English-speaking monks or dedicated volunteer interpreters.
Step 3. Select Program & Date Click on a temple and program that catches your eye to go to the details page. Check the calendar, select a date marked as ‘Available’, and choose the number of participants (Adults).
Step 4. Details & Payment Fill in the participant’s English name, gender, nationality, and a valid email address. The best part? The official site fully supports foreign credit cards (VISA, Mastercard, etc.) and PayPal. It’s incredibly convenient for tourists booking from abroad.
3. 3 Pro Tips for Choosing the Perfect Temple
When you see the long list of temples, it can be hard to choose. Keep these three tips in mind to avoid any hiccups!
- Always check the ‘Directions’ tab: A temple hidden deep in the mountains sounds romantic, but if you don’t have a rental car, a taxi ride from the nearest station could cost you a fortune. Always click the ‘Directions’ tab at the bottom of the temple’s page to see if it’s easily accessible by bus or subway.
- Leave a note for Dietary Restrictions: Traditional Templestay meals are naturally vegan (no meat, no dairy). However, if you have severe allergies (e.g., nuts, gluten), make sure to write it in English in the ‘Additional Notes’ section during checkout so the temple staff can prepare accordingly.
- Best Temples for Accessibility in Seoul: If you don’t have time to leave the city, I highly recommend Jogyesa, Bongeunsa, or Jingwansa. They are right in the heart of Seoul, extremely easy to reach by subway, and have fantastic, well-organized programs for foreigners.
Wrapping Up: Get Ready for an Unforgettable Memory!
Booking a Templestay as a foreigner is much easier than you thought, right? The official English website is very user-friendly. Just remember the golden rule: check the ‘English Available’ box and pick the right program style for you!
If you are curious about what you actually need to pack, and what a real 1-Night, 2-Day experience looks like, make sure to check out my honest review post below!
👉 [Read Next] Honest Review & Essential Packing List for a Korean Templestay
💬 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: Do I need a Korean phone number to book?
- A: Not at all! You can leave your home country’s number or a dummy number. As long as you enter a valid email address, you will receive your confirmation email and all necessary instructions perfectly.
- A: Not at all! You can leave your home country’s number or a dummy number. As long as you enter a valid email address, you will receive your confirmation email and all necessary instructions perfectly.
- Q: Can I just pay in cash when I arrive?
- A: No, online prepayment is the standard. If you don’t complete the payment within a certain timeframe after reserving, your booking might be automatically canceled.
- A: No, online prepayment is the standard. If you don’t complete the payment within a certain timeframe after reserving, your booking might be automatically canceled.
- Q: What is the cancellation and refund policy?
- A: It varies slightly by temple, but generally, you can get a 100% refund if you cancel 3 to 5 days in advance. Always double-check the ‘Refund Policy’ tab on the specific program’s page before paying.