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In My Korea

Complete South Korea Travel Guide 2024: Korean Travel Tips

Planning a trip to Korea but not sure where to start? First-time traveller who isn’t sure if Korea is the right country for your next trip? Worried about travelling to Korea and facing problems with the Korean language, culture, money, Internet, transportation, hotels, food, or etiquette? Then this complete South Korea travel guide is packed full of tips that you’ll certainly need.

You’ll find all the best Korean travel tips and advice in this article. Whether you’re a first-time traveller to Korea, or you’ve visited before, this South Korea travel guide will show what to see, when to travel, and which places to visit, as well as help you avoid any difficult situations or surprising culture shocks.

This guide is designed to walk you through everything you need to know to prepare for your trip to Korea. You can use it to plan your itinerary, to pre-book travel essentials, to learn about what festivals and seasonal events are on, and to find more reasons to want to travel to Korea right now.

Table of Contents

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What’s In This South Korea Travel Guide

This South Korea travel guide covers all the essential information you need to plan a trip to Korea. This is useful for first-time travellers to Korea who might not be aware of uniquely Korean cultural and travel issues. Even if you’ve visited Korea before, I’m sure you can learn a lot from this travel guide.

This article contains lots of insights and knowledge about travelling to Korea and is quite long. I’ve added links in each section to articles that provide more information about each topic. Therefore, I suggest viewing this South Korea travel guide on a desktop computer as it will be easier to read.

What Are You Looking For?

To help make it easier for you to find what you’re looking for, I’ve broken this article into the following sections. Click the quick links below to jump straight there or keep reading through all parts.

Latest Travel News

Entry Requirements

Why Visit Korea

When To Visit

Flights To Korea

Where To Stay

Korea Travel Costs

Travel Money

Phones & Internet

Public Transport

Where To Visit

Seoul Day Tours

Sightseeing Spots

Korean Activities

Korean Festivals

1-Week Itinerary

Culture Issues

Language Issues

Health & Safety

Korean Travel Tips

Korean Travel News And Travel Restrictions 2024

This section of the South Korea travel guide will show you the latest travel news and restriction updates, including any temporary or permanent changes to the entry process, visa changes, and other things that might affect travel to Korea. COVID-related updates will also be posted here.

Latest Korean Travel News In 2024

This section will detail any interesting or important travel news that could affect travellers to Korea, such as price increases in public transport, travel changes, new services, or closures.

The Korean government is aiming to boost tourism to Korea by doubling the amount travellers can claim back in tax when shopping in Korea. From 2024, travellers will be able to claim up to 5,000,000 KRW on eligible purchases with a limit of 1,000,000 KRW tax back per transaction. Source : Korea Herald

From August 2023, the price to travel on buses in Seoul is set to rise. Bus fares will rise to 1,500 KRW per journey. From October 7th, 2023, Seoul’s subway fares will rise to 1,400 KRW per journey. Other cities in Korea will enact similar rises throughout 2023 to cover higher costs of public transportation. Source : Korea Herald

From July 15th, 2023, the requirement to register your health condition through the Q-Code portal will be scrapped. Source : Korea Times

From July 3rd, 2023, children aged 17 years and younger, as well as adults aged 65 and older, will no longer need to apply for a K-ETA to travel to Korea. Furthermore, the validity period has been increased from 2 years to 3 years to make travelling to Korea easier. Source: K-ETA website .

From June 2023, Korea will end almost all pandemic-related restrictions for tourists and locals. Masks will no longer be necessary except in hospitals and infected people no longer face mandatory self-isolation (although the government still recommends 5 days self-isolation). Q-Code requirements haven’t been mentioned, however. Source : Korea Herald .

From April 2023 until December 2024, travellers from 22 countries won’t have to complete a K-ETA when visiting Korea, saving time and money for citizens of those countries. People from other countries still need a K-ETA. Source : K-ETA

The 22 countries temporarily excluded from the K-ETA requirement are Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Macao, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, UK, US (including Guam).

From April 2023, all foreigners under 19 years old (18 and under) can now enter major royal palaces and tombs, including Seoul’s Gyeongbokgung Palace, for free. Previously, all foreigners were made to pay a fee to enter. Source : Korea Herald

From March 2023, a quarter of all buses in Seoul will refuse cash payments and allow only card payments using transportation cards, such as the T-Money card. Seoul’s night buses won’t be included for now, and 262 of Seoul’s 370 bus routes will still accept cash. Expect further increases in cash-free buses in the future. Source : Korea Herald

From February 2023, the base fare for a taxi journey in Korea has increased by 1,000 won to a minimum of 4,800 won. The distance that the base fare applies has also been shortened from 2km to 1.6km, which will make fares more expensive. Source : Korea Times

What Are the Current COVID Restrictions In Korea In 2024?

Korea has been removing COVID-related restrictions in the country throughout 2022 and 2023. It is no longer necessary to show a QR code to enter a building and restrictions involving masks and health checks have mostly gone. The latest COVID-related rules for Korea are as follows .

Masks : From Monday, March 20th, Korea has removed the mandatory mask rule for public transport, one of the final places that masks were required for the general public. The only places that require a face mask (from June 1st) are in medical facilities (hospitals). Masks are not mandatory elsewhere, including in schools, shops, restaurants or anywhere outside. Source : Korea Herald

Self-Quarantine : From June 1st, Korea will no longer impose a mandatory self-isolation period on infected people. The government instead ‘recommends’ a period of self-isolation for 5 days to reduce the chance of transmission to other people. Source : Korea Herald

For further details about the latest COVID requirements for entering or travelling in Korea, check out the second section of this South Korea travel guide, which has a list of all the updated entry requirements, including visas, tests, and other considerations.

Planning to visit Korea? These travel essentials will help you plan your trip, get the best deals, and save you time and money before and during your Korean adventure.

Visas & K-ETA: Some travellers to Korea need a Tourist Visa , but most can travel with a Korean Electronic Travel Authorisation (K-ETA). Currently 22 Countries don’t need either one.

How To Stay Connected : Pre-order a Korean Sim Card or a WiFi Router to collect on-arrival at Incheon Airport (desks open 24-hours). Alternatively, download a Korean eSIM for you travels.

Where To Stay : For Seoul, I recommend Myeongdong (convenient), Hongdae (cool culture) or Gangnam (shopping). For Busan, Haeundae (Beach) or Seomyeon (Downtown).

Incheon Airport To Seoul : Take the Airport Express (AREX) to Seoul Station or a Limo Bus across Seoul. Book an Incheon Airport Private Transfer and relax to or from the airport.

Korean Tour Operators : Tour companies that have a big presence in Korea include Klook , Trazy , Viator , and Get Your Guide . These sites offer discounted entry tickets for top attractions.

Seoul City Passes : Visit Seoul’s top attractions for free with a Discover Seoul Pass or Go City Seoul Pass . These passes are great for families and couples visiting Seoul – you can save lots.

How To Get Around : For public transport, grab a T-Money Card . Save money on Korea’s high speed trains with a Korea Rail Pass . To see more of Korea, there are many rental car options from Klook , EconomyBookings , and RentalCars .

Travel Money : Use money exchanges near Myeongdong and Hongdae subway stations for the best exchange rates. Order a Wise Card or WOWPASS to pay by card across Korea.

Flights To Korea : I use flight comparison sites such as Expedia and Skyscanner to find the best flights to Korea from any country. Air Asia is a good option for budget flights from Asia.

Travel Insurance : It is important to insure your trips to protect yourself against the unexpected. World Nomad is a specialized travel insurance provider with options for different coverage for travellers from around the world. You can also purchase cover when you are already travelling.

How To Learn Korean : The language course from 90 Day Korean or Korean Class 101 both have well-structured lessons and lots of useful resources to help you learn Korean.

Current Requirements To Travel To Korea In 2024

This part of the South Korea travel guide is for tourists . If you plan to travel for business, employment, or other reasons, check your nearest Korean embassy for the latest travel requirements.

Most of the restrictions and requirements for travelling to Korea have now been scrapped. You can see what entry and travel rules are in place for Korea in the table below:

The following section provides more information and exceptions about these requirements:

COVID-positive travellers should avoid travelling to Korea : To avoid infecting others on the way to Korea, as well as in Korea, the Korean government recommends that you shouldn’t travel to Korea if you exhibit COVID-symptoms or have tested positive. Self-quarantine is mandatory in Korea.

There are no PCR or other testing requirements : It is not necessary to take a PCR or other test before travelling to Korea. However, you will be asked to take a test if you show symptoms of COVID or similar illnesses when travelling to or arriving in Korea.

There is no quarantine on arrival : Travellers to Korea no longer need to quarantine when entering Korea. From June 1st, there is only a ‘recommended’ 5 day self-isolation period for infected travellers, but this is not enforced.

Complete the self-health check before or on arrival : From July 15th, 2023, travellers to Korea no longer need to complete a Q-Code self-health check or declare their health status on arrival.

Apply for a K-ETA or tourist visa before travelling : You need to apply for either a K-ETA or tourist visa for South Korea before flying to the country. Entry will be prohibited without the correct one. From April 1st, 2023 until December 31st, 2024, 22 countries are excluded from the K-ETA.

If you’re not sure which of these you need to apply for, more information is provided in the next section of this South Korea travel guide about the K-ETA and tourist visa for Korea.

K-ETA (Korean Electronic Travel Authorisation)

The K-ETA (Korean Electronic Travel Authorisation) is an online travel authorisation that visa-free foreign visitors aged 18 to 65 must obtain before entering the Korea for tourism, visiting relatives, participating in events or meetings, and for business purposes other than profitable activities.

Tourists from 112 eligible countries need to apply for a K-ETA before travelling to Korea and won’t be allowed to board a flight to Korea without it. The approval process isn’t difficult, but requires accommodation details, travel dates, and personal details such as passport number, etc.

From April 1st, 2023 until December 31st, 2024, the Korean government has decided to suspend the K-ETA requirement for travellers from the following 22 countries:

Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Macao, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, UK, US (including Guam).

The aim is to reduce the burden of travellers coming to Korea and to encourage more people to visit Korea during the ‘Visit Korea Year’, which runs during 2023 and 2024.

Source : K-ETA website news .

From July 3rd, 2023, the Korean government will no longer ask for travellers who are 17 years and younger, or 65 years and older, to apply for a K-ETA when visiting Korea. These are ages based on the time you travel to Korea, not the age when you apply to travel.

Furthermore, the validity period of the K-ETA is now 3 years, not 2 years. The Korean government has decided to extend the validity period to make it easier for people to travel to Korea.

The K-ETA is based on your nationality , not the country you’re travelling from. That means, if you require a tourist visa from your home country (e.g. the Philippines), but are travelling from a country that requires a K-ETA (e.g. the USA), you can’t use the K-ETA to travel to Korea.

Tourists should apply as far in advance as possible at the official K-ETA website. If you would like to know more about the K-ETA, check out my article explaining what is the K-ETA . The K-ETA costs 10,000 KRW (about $9.00 USD). If you are charged more than this, you’re on the wrong site.

Official K-ETA website

Not sure if you need a K-ETA? Check out this infographic to find out.

Will The K-ETA End In The Future?

The K-ETA will continue for the indefinite future. It is not a pandemic-related travel restriction but a permanent feature that just happened to start in 2021. The Korean government have stated that the K-ETA will be ongoing and other countries and areas, such as the EU, are planning similar ETAs.

Update : In July 2023, the Korean government stopped requiring children 17 years and younger and adults 65 years and older to apply for a K-ETA. The validity period was also increased to 3 years.

Update : In April 2023, the Korean government suspended the K-ETA for travellers from 22 countries (listed previously). This is in an effort to reduce the burden on travellers visiting Korea during the ‘Visit Korea Years’ of 2023 and 2024. This lasts until December 2024, but could possibly go on longer.

Tourist Visas For South Korea

Tourists that aren’t from one of the 112 countries that require a K-ETA to travel to Korea will need to apply for a tourist visa. This includes nationals from countries such India, Indonesia, Pakistan, and the Philippines. Tourist visas are based on nationality (passport), not country of residence.

The process to apply for a tourist visa differs depending on the country and may be as simple as submitting an application at the Korean embassy in the country you live in. For other countries, it may be necessary to submit extra information like bank statements and a full itinerary.

If you need a tourist visa for South Korea, contact your nearest Korean embassy as soon as you can to start the process. Tourist visas may be rejected, delayed, or take longer than expected. For some countries, such as the Philippines, it is necessary to apply through a specialist visa agency.

Transit Tour Visas For South Korea

Visa-free entry for foreign transit passengers at Incheon Airport will resume from May 2023 after being suspended for 3 years during the pandemic. There are two types of visa-free transit entry methods for travellers to Korea, they differ in length, requirements, and eligibility.

The first type of visa-free entry for transit passengers is open to all travellers to Korea and allows entry for 3 days, as long as they take a transit tour from Incheon Airport. The second type of visa-free entry for transit passengers is available for 30 days, but only from travellers from 36 select countries.

Visa-Free Entry For Transit Passengers (3 Days)

From May 15, 2023, travellers from any country can travel from Incheon Airport to the Seoul Metropolitan area for up to 3 days, as long as they book at least 1 transit tour from Incheon Airport. If Korea is not their final destination, they’re free to explore more of Seoul after the tour.

There are a wide range of transit tours available from Incheon Airport, including cultural, historic, food, shopping, and entertainment tours. See the sights of Seoul’s most popular places in a few hours, or stay for longer and see more. You can find out more about transit tours from the Visit Korea website .

Requirements : To be eligible for a transit tour visa, travellers must:

• Have an onward flight to their home country or a 3rd country after Korea.
• Participate in a transit tour program by a designated travel agency.
• Stay within the Seoul Metropolitan area only.
• Have more than 2 hours between connecting flights.

Eligible countries : Visa-free entry with a transit tour is open to passengers of all countries, as long as they meet the above requirements.

Tip : If you have a transit tour in Korea, I recommend staying in Hongdae , as there is a direct train from Incheon Airport to Hongdae called the All-Stop Airport Line. Hongdae is also a really fun place where you can see lots of culture, try Korean dishes, and pack your suitcase with Korean souvenirs.

Visa-Free Entry For Transit Passengers (30 Days)

This will allow travellers from 36 countries to enter and stay in Korea for up to 30 days without a Korean visa. Travellers must be travelling to or from one of these 36 countries to be eligible to stay in Korea without a visa. This includes passengers who are not citizens of those countries.

Requirements : To be eligible for a visa-free entry as a transit passenger, travellers must:

• Hold an onward flight to any of the 36 countries mentioned below.
• Have no illegal stay records of any kind, nor have been denied entry to Korea.
• Not have exceeded a maximum of 3 days stay in any other transit airport.

Eligible countries : Travellers from the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and 32 EU countries (see picture below) can stay for up to 30 days, as long as the above-mentioned requirements are met.

Why You Should Travel To Korea In 2024

There’s not enough space in this South Korea travel guide to write down all of the reasons why you should travel to South Korea. Korea is an under-appreciated gem that has so much to discover and experience that’s completely different from what you’ll find in other countries.

Much the way that Japan has a very distinct culture and history, Korea has lots of unique, appealing places to see, people to meet, history to learn about, and natural sights to appreciate. Many people only see a small slice of Korean culture and beauty through modern media, but there’s a lot more.

Here are some of the reasons you should travel to Korea:

• Delicious foods and tasty seasonal dishes.
• Four distinct seasons that offer a variety of views.
• Fascinating history to learn about and explore.
• Stunning mountains and beaches for outdoor lovers.
• Unique and unusual festivals throughout the year.
• Friendly locals and a safe country to travel around.
• Modern, high-tech cities that are clean and efficient.
• Welcoming Buddhist temples and temple stays.
• Cheaper than most other developed countries.
• A shopper’s paradise with many markets and malls .
• Korea really wants you to come and visit.

Korea wants you to visit so much that they declared 2023-2024 the Visit Korea Year . This two-year period, confusingly referred to as a single year, is set to feature loads of events and activities to draw tourists to Korea, and includes promotions for discounted flights, accommodation, and food.

Some of the events you can expect to see during the Visit Korea Year(s) include K-Pop concerts, e-sports competitions, food festivals, and cultural celebrations. There’ll be K-Cultural stars involved, too, including your favourite K-Pop and K-Drama stars. Get ready to travel to Korea soon!

Want to know what you can do in Korea that you can’t do in other countries? Check out these amazing unique Korean experiences that should definitely be on your Korean bucket list.

The Best Time To Visit Korea

The best time to visit Korea is in spring (late-March to May) or autumn (mid-September until mid-November). These seasons have the most comfortable weather, ranging from 10 to 30 degrees Celsius, an average amount of rain, and also have the most festivals and events.

My favourite months to travel in Korea are April and October . Early-April is when cherry blossoms come out and the weather warms up enough to stop wearing a jacket. October in Korea is a beautiful month when autumn foliage sweeps across the country and the weather is warm and calm.

When you travel to Korea, the season you travel in can have a big impact on what you can see, eat, and do. This section of the South Korea travel guide is one of the most important and if you want to travel to Korea in the future, I recommend learning about Korea’s seasons before making plans.

What Can You See In Korea Each Season?

Although spring and autumn are undoubtedly the best time to visit Korea, there are plenty of reasons to visit in other seasons, too. Visitors to Korea who are restricted to travelling during certain times, such as during school or work holidays, needn’t be put off by travelling in summer or winter.

Here’s a summary of what you can see and do in each season in Korea:

Spring: Cherry Blossoms, Blooming Nature, Culture Festivals

Spring is an amazing season to travel in Korea as you can see colourful plum blossoms (Mar), cherry blossoms (Mar-Apr), and many other bright sights. The warm weather allows people go out more to enjoy cultural activities and spring festivals , such as the Lotus Lantern Festival and Jindo Sea-Parting Festival, and also trekking, hiking, and cycling. Spring is one of the most popular times to travel in Korea for locals, so expect places to be busy, especially around cherry blossom season.

Check out my cherry blossom guide for the best places to see cherry blossoms in Korea.

Summer: Beaches, Korean Desserts, Water Sports, Camping

Summer is a difficult season for travellers due to the high humidity and heat. June and July are rainy season in Korea and it may rain for days on end, causing people to change travel plans to indoor activities. In late July and August it gets very hot, which is good for going to the beach and enjoying water sports or water parks, which Korea has many of. Evening activities like hiking, drinking in rooftop bars, and visiting night markets are great ways to get out in summer when it’s not as hot.

Check out my guide to Korean summer activities for the best places to have fun during summer and rainy day activities in Busan in case the weather isn’t so good.

Autumn: Foliage, Festivals, Fresh Foods, Harvest Festivals

Autumn is another incredibly popular time to travel in Korea, especially in October when the autumn foliage is at its best. The foliage really brings everything to life, adding shades of colour to plain palace walls, mountains, and parks. The calm weather is warm with clear skies, making it perfect for going into nature to see the fresh fruits and other harvest goods, as well as join in harvest and cultural festivals. Enjoy local Korean dishes, fresh from the farm to your table.

Check out my guide to autumn foliage in Korea for the best places to see the leaves.

Winter: Snow, Winter Sports, Ice Fishing, Light Festivals

Winter in Korea is often neglected due to the cold weather, but is actually a very nice time to travel with delicious winter foods to try. It’s the driest time of year with blue skies making everything bright and beautiful. When it snows, sights look even more incredible. Jeju Island is a great place to visit during winter as it has fresh citrus and colourful camellia flowers to see. You can enjoy winter sports, festivals and activities, such as ice fishing, ice skating, sledding, and more.

Check out my guide to Korean winter activities for the best places to have fun during winter.

What Is The Weather Like In Korea?

The weather in Korea follows a similar pattern each year, spread over five distinct seasons. As well as spring, summer, autumn, and winter, Korea also has a rainy season, which starts around mid-June and finishes mid-July. It doesn’t constantly rain during rainy season, but may do for several days.

There’s always something to do in Korea, no matter what the season. Even rainy season in Korea is fine for travelling, as long as you plan lots of indoor activities and can be flexible with your schedule. Don’t let the weather in Korea put you off visiting, you’ll find plenty to do in each season.

Here’s a summary of the weather in Korea each season:

The graph below shows you the average temperature each month in Seoul. This is an average temperature, so some days will be much hotter and others much colder. I’ve experienced summer temperatures of over 35 degrees and winter nights of -20, so be prepared for both.

The table below shows the average rainfall for each month in Korea, based on records from climate-data.org . The summer months have the most, while winter in Korea is very dry. The rainfall in the winter months can turn to snow when it’s cold enough, too.

There will be more information about the sights, festivals, and events you can enjoy in Korea in later parts of this South Korea travel guide. Check them out for travel ideas for your trip to Korea.

How To Book Flights To Korea

Flying to Korea in 2024 is getting easier with more airlines offering direct or connecting flights to Korea and budget airlines adding more routes to Korea from other parts of Asia and as far away as the USA. There aren’t as many routes as there were in 2019, but they are returning month by month.

Booking a flight to Korea is one of the first things most people do and finding the right flight can really affect your travels. Choosing the right flight not only affects how much money you need to spend, but also when you’ll arrive, how you’ll get to your hotel, and where you’ll arrive in Korea.

Check out my guide to booking flights to Korea to discover the best ways to book a flight to Korea, including the best time to book (21 to 127 days before travel), where to get cheap flights, the various airlines that offer flights to Korea, and lots more.

Arriving At Incheon Airport

Most flights to Korea arrive at Incheon Airport, which is near Seoul. It takes about an hour to get to the centre of Seoul from Incheon Airport and there are various transportation options including a high-speed train, subway, limo buses, taxis, and private transfers.

The best option for transferring from Incheon Airport to your hotel is usually a limo bus as these run to popular areas of Seoul, such as Myeongdong, Hongdae, Gangnam, and Insadong. There’s also a direct train to Seoul Station and a subway that goes to Seoul Station via Hongdae.

Arriving during the daytime gives you the best options for getting from Incheon Airport into Seoul, while nighttime flights will leave you fewer options. There are a few night buses that run, but late arrivals will either need to stay at the airport or book a private transfer or taxi instead. More details about taking a taxi from Incheon Airport can be found in my guide to taxis in Korea .

If you want to book a private transfer direct to your hotel from Incheon Airport, contact Jerry Heng , a freelance driver. I want to recommend Jerry as he has years of experience organising airport pick-ups and drop-offs, as well as personalised tours around Korea. He’s also a friendly guy.

Recommended Flight Comparison Sites

I suggest checking at least one flight comparison website before booking any flights. You can alter the arrival and departure times, flight duration, choose direct or indirect flights, and sort by price to find the perfect flight for you. Skyscanner is my preferred comparison site, but they’re all useful.

Take time to change the dates and flight times to find the most suitable flights for you. Cheaper flights often have inconvenient arrival times, so you should decide whether it’s worth the hassle to save a bit of money. Sometimes spending more for the right flight is worth it, especially when time is limited.

I try to go for a balance of convenience and savings and avoid flights that arrive late at night or leave too early in the morning. These flights require you to book an extra night at the airport or make you lose time when you could be travelling and doing more interesting things.

Here are 4 of the best flight comparison sites for booking flights to Korea:

Skyscanner is one of the most popular flight aggregators and offers flights, hotels, and other travel bookings for all major destinations. Skyscanner shows airline environmental ratings and which flights are practical or difficult.

Expedia is a large US travel company that offers tours, flights, hotels, and other services around the world. You can book hotel and flights together, to save you time and effort when travelling. A good place to start your flight search.

Kayak is great for people looking for cheap flights to Korea. You can see price trends for your flight to Korea to see when the best prices are available. There are also lots of budget travel options on the site that can save you more.

WayAway is a flight comparison site for the modern generation, with Instagram tips & travel advice as well as a good selection of cheap flights. You can get cashback on bookings with their premium service.

Where To Stay In Seoul

Incheon Airport is the main arrival destination for most travellers visiting Korea, with more than 71 million travellers passing through the airport in 2019, making it the world’s 14th busiest airport . It’s close to Seoul and has lots of transportation options to get into Korea’s capital.

Seoul is the first place people visit, not only because it’s close to Incheon Airport, but because it’s undeniably the heart and soul of Korea. The greater Seoul area includes about 50% of Korea’s population (25 million people) and is by far the biggest, most vibrant, and fun city in Korea.

To travel to Korea you need either a K-ETA or tourist visa . One of the requirements to apply for these is the address of the first place you’ll be staying in Korea. Therefore, you should book at least your first hotel in Korea so you can begin those applications. Seoul is an ideal first place to stay.

Best Neighbourhoods To Stay In Seoul

Deciding where to stay in Seoul can be difficult because there are so many unique neighbourhoods, each offering something interesting for travellers to experience. Knowing which has the best sights, entertainment, culture, shopping, transport, markets, restaurants, cafes, etc., is useful.

Seoul’s neighbourhoods typically contain a mixture of several of these elements and will appeal to different types of travellers. Below is a very rough guide for which neighbourhood each type of traveller might enjoy. Of course, there are plenty of other things to do in each area.

As you can see from the list above, both Hongdae and Myeongdong have a lot to offer and I would definitely recommend either of these neighbourhoods for first time travellers to Seoul. Even people who have travelled to Korea before will find lots of reasons to stay there. They’re where I usually stay.

I have detailed guides to hotels in the two best districts for staying in Seoul – Hongdae and Myeongdong. My guide to hotels in Hongdae includes a range of hotels for all types of travellers, while my guide to hotels in Myeongdong highlights Myeongdong’s best budget to mid-range hotels.

Each neighbourhood feels unique and offers something to discover, from traditional markets and eateries, modern Insta-worthy cafe districts, peaceful parks and lakes, world-class skyscrapers, and many fun activities. Wherever you choose to stay, you’re sure to find something you enjoy.

I’ve included the 8 best neighbourhoods in Seoul in this South Korea travel guide, along with a small summary about what you can expect in each area. These are the most popular areas for tourists to stay in, but certainly not the only places to stay. There are also links to hotels in these areas.

Here are the 8 best neighbourhoods in Seoul:

Myeongdong is arguably one of the best places to stay in Seoul for any traveller. It has the best range of budget and mid-range hotels in Seoul and is conveniently located for sights, activities, and public transport. It’s close to popular tourist sites, such as the N Seoul Tower and royal palaces. There are traditional markets and Myeongdong’s famous street food alley to check out. As Myeongdong is popular with tourists, you’ll find more people that can speak English and places to exchange money.

Hongdae is one of the coolest neighbourhoods in Seoul and a must-see for any traveller to the city. This area has emerged as a creative hotbed for the latest Korean fashion, art, food, and culture, thanks to innovations from students of nearby universities. Youth culture is on display in Hongdae’s main and side streets, with boutique shops, trendy bars and cafes, inventive restaurants, street art, and live performances. If you want to see a vibrant, colourful side of Seoul, then Hongdae is the place for you.

Gangnam is an upscale area of Seoul that’s home to some of Korea’s biggest stars. This area was where K-Pop was invented, as can be seen by the golden Gangnam Style statue outside COEX Mall. Gangnam is a lot more than that, and is a powerful business area with Seoul’s best shopping and dining experiences, as well as some of the city’s finest cafes and bars. Gangnam has a host of upmarket hotels that provide outstanding luxury, but also has a selection of budget and mid-range hotels making it accessible for all travellers.

Jongno is the area north of Myeongdong that includes Insadong, Bukchon Hanok Village, Ikseongdong Hanok Village, Jogyesa Temple, 4 of Seoul’s royal palaces, the presidential Blue House, and lots more. This area is packed full of interesting sights and traditional restaurants and tea houses to explore. You can find a good range of hotels in Insadong, Seoul’s artistic area that is home to artists and tourist-friendly attractions. There are also guesthouses and apartments to rent in the residential areas of Jongno that offer a more homely stay.

Jamsil is an upmarket residential neigbourhood close to Gangnam that’s home to one of Korea’s largest companies, Lotte. You’ll find the Lotte World Tower, Lotte World Theme Park, and Lotte Aquarium in this area, as well as the beautiful Seokchon Lake and leafy Olympic Park. Jamsil is a great base for people visiting for cherry blossoms in spring as the Seokchon Lake Cherry Blossom Festival is one of Seoul’s best. There are lots of trendy cafes and bars near the lake and it’s a relaxed part of the city to stay in.

Dongdaemun is known for both its traditional markets, where you can buy a range of goods, as well as the futuristic Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP). The area is an unusual mix of traditional Seoul, with Gwangjang Market offering some of Seoul’s best Korean street food, and modern culture, displayed by the night markets and art installations at the DDP. There are lots of cheap eats and bargain markets and malls in this area, making it a great place to stay if you plan to do a lot of bargain shopping in Seoul.

Yongsan is the area encompassing the N Seoul Tower, the popular international area of Itaewon, the trendy hilltop area of Haebangchon (HBC), Seoul Station, the National Museum of Seoul, and many riverside parks. Yongsan has a busy train station with towering skyscrapers and hotels around it catering to business and luxury travellers, as well as shoppers. This quiet business and residential area has good transport links and fewer crowds than other parts of Seoul, as well as interesting cultural attractions.

Yeouido is a large island that rests in the Han River, overlooking Hongdae and Yongsan. It has some of the best parks in Seoul and is a popular place for locals to walk along the river on weekends and at night. These parks are home to Seoul’s biggest cherry blossom festivals, as well as summer night markets, fireworks performances, live music, and people enjoying life outside of work. Yeouido is the upmarket financial centre of Seoul, making it an ideal base for business, luxury, and family travellers.

Seoul’s neighbourhoods are informal designations, not necessarily the official district name. For example, Hongdae is a neighbourhood in the Mapo-gu district and Myeongdong a neighbourhood in the Jung-gu district. Whereas Jongno is both the neighbourhood and district name (Jongno-gu).

You might see some areas referred to differently. However, the terms I’ve used in this section are the names most commonly used to describe these areas by tourists and expats. Koreans will certainly know which area of Seoul you’re talking about when you use these names.

Learn more : If you want to know more about Seoul’s best districts and figure out where the best place to stay for your trip to Korea, then check out my detailed guide about where to stay in Seoul . It’s packed with useful info about each neighbourhood, hotel recommendations for different budgets, and tips about booking accommodation in Seoul. Also learn more about the Han River Boat Service launching in 2024 to connect Yeoudio, Jamsil and other riverside destinations.

Hotel Recommendations For Seoul

There are hundreds (maybe thousands) of hotels in Seoul to choose from ranging from multi-person dorm rooms to the height of luxury looking down over Seoul from a 5-star hotel room in the Lotte World Tower . Whatever your budget or requirements, there’ll be somewhere to stay in Seoul for you.

To save you time searching for the best places to stay in Seoul, I’ve created a list of the 9 best luxury, mid-range, and budget hotels in Seoul, as well as 6 long-stay serviced apartments. This list has been created based on customer reviews, location, facilities, amenities, reputation, and quality.

I live outside of Seoul, so often book hotels when I’m visiting Seoul for the weekend . I’ve stayed at quite a few of these, so can personally recommend them based on my own experience. I’ve had both good and bad hotel experiences in Seoul and only want to recommend the best to you.

Recommended Luxury Hotels

Seoul has some incredible luxury hotels to enjoy, each with a true 5-star service, excellent amenities, and delectable restaurants. Many of Seoul’s best luxury hotels are located in Gangnam, Seoul’s wealthiest district, where you can find top restaurants and designer brand shopping.

Recommended Mid-Range Hotels

If you want to experience a luxurious stay in Seoul without breaking the bank, then these mid-range hotels will be perfect for you. These unique, 4-star hotels are reasonably priced and provide stylish, comfortable rooms that you’ll sleep easily in after a busy day exploring Seoul.

Recommended Budget Hotels

Seoul has a wide range of excellent budget hotels with prices that might surprise you for a large city. These are some of my favourite places to stay in Seoul when I visit for the weekend and are popular with travellers due to their convenient location, facilities, and comfortable beds.

Recommended Serviced Apartments

If you plan to stay in Seoul for a month or more, these serviced apartments will provide you all the comforts of home with the benefits of staying at a hotel. These excellent serviced apartments come with cleaning services, health facilities, cooking facilities, and are value for money.

Cost To Travel In South Korea In 2024

This part of the South Korea travel guide will help you understand some of your expected costs to travel to Korea. The costs to travel to Korea include flights, accommodation, food, drinks, transportation, activities, sim cards, visas, souvenirs, travel insurance, and lots more.

The costs you will pay when you travel vary massively depending on what type of traveller you are and what style of travel you can afford. If you want 5-star luxury and fine-dining, your budget will be very different from someone eating ramyeon from 7-11 and staying in a budget guesthouse.

Therefore, I will try to provide expected costs for 3 different types of traveller – budget , mid-range , and luxury . These aren’t exact figures, but should give you a rough idea of how much you’ll spend.

Daily Costs To Travel In Korea

There are costs that you will pay each day when travelling in Korea that can be averaged out to give you a daily cost. Knowing these figures will help you plan your budget for Korea and to see where you can afford to spend more for the one-off costs to travel, which will be covered next.

The daily costs are accommodation, food & drinks, transportation, attractions & tours, and miscellaneous expenses that can pop up unexpectedly. These miscellaneous costs might include getting a street food snack, an unexpected entrance fee, or a few extra drinks in the evening.

Transportation will be covered later in this South Korea travel guide and there are some useful tips to reduce your transportation costs. You will also be able to see some of the best attractions, tours, and activities in Korea and you’ll be able to work out how much you’ll spend on those.

Here are the daily costs per person to travel in Korea:

Please note : These are costs per day, per person . Couples and families sharing a room will have lower costs as double rooms aren’t much more expensive than single rooms. Some days will be cheaper, some much more expensive, especially if you take day trips or visit premium attractions.

There are also one-off costs not included in these daily costs. These can be pre-travel costs, such as flights and a K-ETA or tourist visa (already covered), travel insurance, vaccinations, and such like. Pre-travel costs are different for each traveller and depend on your country of residence.

Other one-off costs during travel in Korea may include day tours, souvenirs, shopping, celebrations, medical costs, and expenses that you don’t normally pay each day. Again, these vary for each traveller and are difficult to calculate as people’s budgets are so different.

Is Korea A Cheap Country To Travel In?

Korea is relatively cheap country to visit, but certainly isn’t always a budget destination. The cost to travel to Korea has risen over the last few years and might be more expensive than you think, even if you’ve previously visited Korea. Flying to Korea is certainly more expensive now.

Food costs rose by 7.5% in 2022 alone and these costs have been passed on to restaurants, which now charge higher prices for meals. Transportation costs rose by about 20% in 2023 for buses and subways, although these are still relatively cheap compared to some countries.

Despite these price increases, travelling in Korea is still cheaper than travelling in most other high-income industrialised countries such as Japan, the USA, and Western Europe. If you’re from countries such as the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, or Malaysia, Korea may seem expensive.

City Passes That Save You Money In Seoul

There are a number of city passes that can save you money when visiting Seoul by offering free or discounted entry to some of the best attractions in the city for a single price. The original city pass for Seoul is the Discover Seoul Pass, but now there is also the Go City Pass and Klook Pass Seoul.

Here’s a summary of each of these Seoul city passes:

Discover Seoul Pass : Available in 24 | 48 | 72 hour periods, allows entry to top attractions in Seoul such as Lotte World Adventure, N Seoul Tower, COEX Aquarium, Alive Museum, Zoolung Zoolung, Sealala Sauna, Gyeongbokgung Palace, and more. Prices start at 50,000 KRW .

Go City Seoul Pass : Available as 1 – 5 day passes or a flexible pass for up to 7 attractions. Covers a wider amount of attractions than the DSP, including a DMZ Tour, Nanta Cookin’ Musical, Seoul Land, Seoul Pub Crawl, Seoul Ghost Tour, and more. Prices start at 68,000 KRW .

Klook Pass Seoul : Available for use 2 – 5 attractions, including Everland or Lotte World Adventure theme parks. The Klook Pass Seoul allows free entry to selected attractions within a 30 day period. Attractions include the N Seoul Tower and Lotte World Aquarium. Prices start at 44,000 KRW .

If you’d like to know more about these passes, be sure to check out my article about the Klook Pass Seoul , as well as my suggested Discover Seoul Pass itineraries . I’ll have a review article of the Go City Seoul Pass soon, too.

How To Save Money In Korea

There are always ways to save money and spend less in Korea. Budget options exist for travellers and you can travel in Korea for less than 150,000 KRW per day, even as little as 50,000 KRW per day. Here are some of the ways you can save money in Korea and travel more for less:

Eat like a local : Visit the traditional markets, food stalls, and traditional Korean restaurants. These are much cheaper than eating foreign foods in Korea. University areas are usually cheap, too.

Spend less on coffee : Coffee in Korea can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. A latte could cost you 5,000 KRW in a chain store, but there are cheap hole-in-the-wall cafes where it’s half that.

Shop in the markets : From designer goods (possibly fake) to souvenirs, the markets of Seoul and other cities usually have the best prices. Don’t be afraid to haggle.

Use public transport : Korea has a fantastic public transport network both in cities and between cities. Don’t waste money on taxis and private transfers when you can use a bus or subway.

Book everything online : You can find discounted entry and tour tickets online that are much cheaper than the regular price. Use Klook , Get Your Guide , and Viator for the best prices.

Stay in guesthouses and hostels : You can find rooms for as little as 10,000 KRW per night in shared dorms and 20,000 KRW in guesthouses. Book ahead to find the best prices.

Take advantage of free things : There are lots of places you can visit for free in Seoul and free services, such as walking tours in Seoul, 30-minute hanbok rentals, and even free entry to the palaces.

Get your tax back : Korea makes it really easy to recover tax you’ve paid when shopping. Stores in Seoul will process tax returns for you or you can claim a refund at the airport when you leave.

You will see tips and links in this South Korea travel guide that are designed to help you save money when you visit Korea. Booking tours, attractions, and sim cards in advance can save you a lot of money, as can using a T-Money card and Wise travel card. Keep reading for more money-saving tips.

Travel Money And Money Exchanges In Korea

If you follow the tips in this section of this South Korea travel guide, you can certainly save yourself a lot of money and avoid unnecessary fees when spending in Korea. Learn where and how to exchange money, how to avoid ATM and card fees, and how to get tax back before you leave.

Because this section covers a lot of the common questions people ask about travel money in Korea, it will be broken down into a question and answer format. This should make it easier for you to find the information you’re looking for and discover answers you didn’t know you were looking for.

Can You Use A Foreign Card In Korea?

Almost all foreign credit cards with Visa or Mastercard will be accepted in Korea and it is possible to use these cards to pay across the country. American Express is also accepted in popular tourist areas, but not as widely as Visa or Mastercard and may have problems outside of big cities.

Foreign debit cards should work if they use Visa or Mastercard, but there may be restrictions in place with your bank when using them abroad. It is recommended that you call your bank to check before travelling. For both credit and debit cards, check your bank for any fees you’ll pay overseas.

Can You Withdraw Cash From An ATM In Korea?

You can withdraw cash from ATMs in Korea using a debit card, but not all ATMs will accept international cards. Look for a sign saying ‘Global ATM’ or ‘Foreign Currency ATM’ to withdraw cash in Korea with a debit card. You can also withdraw cash using a credit card, but it’s more expensive.

Whether you use a debit or credit card, an ATM is likely to charge a fee to withdraw money using a foreign card. Your bank or credit card company may also charge a fee or give a bad exchange rate. These costs can add up a lot if you withdraw regularly, so try to make fewer withdrawals.

Learn more : Should you use cash or card when you visit Korea? This article about the how to pay in Korea has lots of useful information about payment methods in Korea, including alternatives to the usual mix of cash and a credit card.

How Can You Save Money When Paying By Card In Korea?

Instead of using a foreign debit or credit card in Korea, which might have expensive fees or not work in places, here are two better options. The first is the WOWPASS travel card , which offers tourist-friendly card services in Korea. The other is to apply for a travel card that can be used globally.

Both the WOWPASS and the two other travel cards offer the ability to pay by card in Korea and to withdraw cash in Korean won. They also offer better exchange rates than you’ll find in airport or local money exchanges in Korea. They each have some unique features, which will be illustrated below.

Pay Like A Local With WOWPASS

The WOWPASS is a new way to pay in Korea that combines the essential functions of a T-Money transportation card with the benefits of a local debit card. This is a prepaid card you can top up at more than 90 locations in KRW or your own currency. Just look for the bright orange WOW machines.

The T-Money function in the WOWPASS means it’s more useful than other travel cards as you don’t need to carry two separate cards when you travel. Please note, you still need to charge the T-Money balance of WOWPASS with cash, just like a regular T-Money card.

The WOWPASS travel card allows you to add up to 1,000,000 KRW to your card and can be used to pay for almost anything in Korea without any fees. The card is issued by a Korean company, so you can use it to withdraw cash at any WOWPASS machine located in Seoul & other cities in Korea.

Thanks to the user-friendly WOWPASS app, users can freeze or replace their card, check their spending, add funds, and check exchange rates. Because the WOWPASS isn’t tied to your home bank account, it also reduces the damage by card fraud, in case the worst was to happen.

As well as a regular WOWPASS, you can also reserve the All-In-One Airport Package , which includes the WOWPASS, 10,000 KRW T-Money balance, and a discounted Korean sim card. This is really useful for those who want to get connected and travelling as soon as they arrive in Korea. Get the WOWPASS app for Android or Apple .

Tip : Use the invitation code INMYKOR1 to get cashback on WOWPASS top-ups in foreign currency.

Overseas Travel Cards You Can Use In Korea

Overseas travel cards are another option for spending in Korea and I use them myself to spend money from my UK bank account in Korea, as well as when travelling in other countries. They’re really simple to use and are much cheaper than paying with my foreign card or exchanging money.

Two of the leading travel card companies are Wise and Revolut . I use both of these to pay for things in Korea and have written an article about how to use the Wise card in Korea . You can use them to pay for hotels, food, drinks, transportation, taxis, attractions, and lots more. They’re really useful.

Here’s a summary of the main features of these travel cards:

The Wise travel card allows you to easily transfer and convert money from your home bank account into dozens of other currencies and use this money to pay when you’re travelling. You only need to transfer as much as you plan to spend and can easily transfer back anything you haven’t. The exchange rate will be better than your bank or a money exchange offers, too.

A versatile, easy to use app breaks down what you’ve spent by category so you can track your travel spending. You can withdraw cash from ATMs, pay by QR code, use it for Google Pay, and pay by contactless. Even if you lose your card, you can still spend money. It’s also really safe as you can freeze your card, set spending limits, and limit how much money you transfer.

The Revolut travel card can be used in Korea to pay for a wide range of goods and services without expensive fees for spending your home currency overseas. Unlike the Wise travel card, which lets you transfer money into different currencies and then spend in a local currency, such as Korean won, the Revolut travel card lets you pay fee-free with your home currency.

The Revolut travel card comes with an easy to use app that can be used to manage your money both at home and when travelling in Korea. You can check your spending with categories and reports and set budgets for your spending. The Revolut travel card also offers cashback in the US, stock and crypto investments, and the same security features as the Wise travel card.

Can You Use Apple Pay In Korea?

Apple Pay wasn’t previously available in Korea due to a lack of approval by Korea’s financial regulator. However, in February 2023, Apple Pay received approval to begin operating in Korea through the Hyundai Card Co., allowing payments with Apple devices from March 2023 onwards.

The Apple Pay payment system has been available in Korea since March 21st , 2023 and allows Apple Pay members to pay for goods and services at NFC-enabled payment terminals. However, on the launch date of Apple Pay, there were only 70,000 NFC-enabled payment terminals in Korea.

The lack of NFC-enabled payment terminals will be a big issue for Apple Pay users in Korea as there are around 2,900,000 shops in Korea and most won’t accept Apple Pay. Franchises like Starbucks can’t accept Apple Pay and it can’t be used to pay for public transport. You’ll need a T-Money card.

Samsung Pay, which uses MST technology, not NFC, currently dominates the Korean market. NFC-enabled terminals should grow, especially in tourist areas and city-centres from 2023 onwards. This will be good news for Google Pay, which also uses NFC technology and also isn’t in use in Korea yet.

Should You Exchange Money Before Travelling To Korea?

It is not necessary to exchange money into Korean won before travelling to Korea, but it can certainly be useful to have a small amount of money. Exchange rates for Korean won outside Korea may not be as good as within Korea and changing large amounts of cash before you travel isn’t essential.

It might be hard to get Korean won from your local bank or money exchange as it’s not one of the most commonly exchanged currencies. Therefore, you might find exchange rates less favourable and extra fees applied to exchange money. Using travel cards like Wise or Revolut is a better option.

Should You Change Money At Incheon Airport?

I’ve travelled around the world and always avoid exchanging money at the airport if I can help it. Airports often have the worst rates for money exchange as they know people need to get local cash, there aren’t many other options, and you need at least a bit of money to travel to your hotel.

Incheon Airport is an exception to this rule and I’ve compared travel exchange rates at several times when flying into and out of the airport. The foreign currency exchange rates at Incheon Airport aren’t that bad and are just slightly higher than what you’d find in Seoul. Not the best, but not bad.

There are also Global ATMs at Incheon Airport, so you can withdraw cash here. If you have a Wise or Revolut travel card, you can withdraw up to $200 fee-free from an ATM in Korea. However, Korean banks will charge a withdrawal fee (about 3,000 KRW), which applies to any foreign card used.

Where Can You Exchange Money In Seoul?

Seoul is the first destination for most travellers to Korea and if you want to save money on exchange rate fees, I recommend exchanging money in the capital. There are two main options for exchanging money easily and quickly in Seoul – WOW money exchange machines and money exchanges.

Here’s a summary about the two main ways to exchange money in Seoul:

The cheapest and most convenient option for exchanging money in Seoul is through a WOW money exchange machine. This automated machine gives the best exchange rates and can quickly and easily exchange foreign cash for Korean won. It doesn’t accept card payments, only cash. All you need to do is scan your passport and deposit your cash and it will convert it into Korean won immediately. There are dozens of these machines in Seoul, as well as in other cities like Busan and Daejeon.

The traditional way to exchange foreign currency in Seoul was through a money exchange. You can find these in Myeongdong, where many tourists stay and visit in Seoul. There are also money exchanges inside banks and in other tourist hotspots. These used to be the best place to exchange money, until the WOW money exchanges were introduced and travel cards like Wise and Revolut made it easier to use a card. If you want to use a money exchange in Seoul, Myeongdong is the best place to do it.

Can You Get Tax Back When Shopping In Korea?

Travellers to Korea can claim tax back on eligible purchases during their trip. This can be done immediately after you purchase an item (if the shop offers the service) or at Incheon Airport or other airports in Korea before you depart.

Instant tax refunds are available at certain locations in Seoul and other big cities. These are usually department stores and large chain stores. You are able to claim tax refunds for goods up to a total value of 2,500,000 KRW (incl. tax). There is a tax refund limit of 500,000 KRW per transaction.

2024 Tax Refund Changes : From 2024, the tax refund limits will be doubled, so you will be able to claim up to 5,000,000 KRW of tax back and claim up to 1,000,000 KRW back per transaction. Source: Korea Herald .

To claim a tax refund you need:

• To show your passport
• To be a tourist in Korea
• To spend between 30,000 to 300,000 KRW in one place
• To be leaving Korea within 3 months

Tax isn’t refundable on all purchases, so be sure to check when shopping. Tax refunds can also be claimed at the airport as long as you have the receipt and the goods you’ve purchased.

Mobile Phones And Internet In Korea

Staying connected to the Internet when visiting Korea is becoming more and more essential these days. Keeping your mobile phone, tablet, or computer connected to the web is useful not only to stay in touch with people back home, but also to help you save money and travel Korea more easily.

There are several options to stay connected in Korea when you travel. The main options for travellers are tourist SIM cards, either physical or eSIMs, portable WiFi routers, and relying on free WiFi provided in public places and hotels. All of these are good options, but there are other considerations, too.

This South Korea travel guide will cover the main differences between Korean SIM cards and portable WiFi routers and which will be most suitable for you. There are also details about why you might want a Korean phone number and which apps to use to help you travel in Korea.

Don’t forget, if you bring your phone or other mobile devices to Korea, you’ll need a travel adapter .

Should You Get A Korean SIM Card Or WiFi Router?

Both a Korean SIM card or portable WiFi router will provide access to Korea’s high-speed mobile networks and keep you connected to the Internet. They provide a secure internet connection, but do so in a different way and with different available features. Find out about the best Korean SIM card for tourists in this SK SIM card review .

Here are the main features of Korean SIM cards and WiFi routers:

Costs : SIM cards and WiFi routers are similarly priced when using them for a two week period, but they are charged in different ways. SIM cards are fixed-price and can be bought for set time periods, whereas WiFi routers are charged daily. WiFi routers are cheaper in the short-term.

Ease of use : If you purchase or pre-order a SIM card or portable WiFi router at Incheon Airport, which I highly recommend, the staff will install or setup everything for you. Once they’re activated, it’s very simple to use either one. Cancelling and returning them at the airport is also easy for both.

Here are the reasons you should get a Korean SIM card or portable WiFi router in Korea:

You should get a Korean SIM card when visiting Korea to get a Korean phone number. The benefits of having a Korean phone number are mainly to make calls and use Korean apps. SIM cards are also useful if you want a secure connection everywhere you go and plan to make calls or send texts. When you have a SIM card, you can tether your network connection to connect other devices you own. Korean phone coverage is amazing and you’ll get service everywhere. SIM cards don’t require you to carry any extra devices and are cheaper over the long-run than WiFi routers.

You should get a portable WiFi router if you’re travelling in a group or as a family as you can connect multiple devices to one router. This is much cheaper than getting separate SIM cards for all travellers, but also requires people stay close together. WiFi routers are charged per day and if you need additional days, they’ll be automatically added and charged when you return the router. This means you’ll never have to worry about your service suddenly ending. The main downside to using a WiFi router is the lack of Korean phone number, but that might not be an issue if you don’t need one.

Where Can You Get Korean SIM Cards Or WiFi Routers?

You can get a Korean SIM card or portable WiFi router in several ways. The easiest way, and one that I definitely recommend, is to purchase online through a tour company such as Klook , Viator , or Get Your Guide , and get a SIM card at Incheon Airport or other entry point into Korea when you arrive..

The main reason I recommend this method is that you can guarantee you will get a SIM card or router and it will be waiting for you when you arrive. The collection desks at Incheon Airport are open 24-hours a day and they will help you install everything you need to get started immediately.

You can also get SIM cards and WiFi routers when you arrive at the airport and you should find similar rates. However, you won’t be guaranteed a device and you will need to pay in person. When you book online, you can pay in your home currency and avoid those issues.

I don’t recommend getting a SIM card or WiFi router in Seoul or other cities. It is possible, but you may run into language issues and find less tourist-friendly options. Phone shops outside the airport usually cater to Koreans, not tourists. Airport rentals are the easiest options for visitors to Korea.

What’s The Benefit Of A Korean Phone Number For Tourists?

There are two main benefits of having a Korean phone number for tourists. The first benefit is the ability to call people when you’re in Korea. This can be useful for making reservations, keeping in touch with people, and in case of emergencies.

The second benefit of having a Korean phone number is the ability to use Korean apps . It isn’t mandatory to have a Korean phone number to use Korean apps, but most won’t let you use their services unless you sign up with a phone number. Using Korean apps makes travelling easier.

A phone number is like a form of identity in Korea, which is why you need your passport to register a SIM card. Once you have a phone number, many more services are available, including food delivery, ordering taxis, making reservations (such as for the Busan Sky Capsule ), and online messaging.

What Apps Do I Need For Travelling In Korea?

If you have a Korean phone number, you can use Korean apps. Even without a Korean number, you can still download these apps and use some of their services. Full features typically require a phone number though. There are other, non-Korean apps that will help you when travelling, too.

Here are the most useful apps to use when travelling in Korea:

Papago : This is the essential translation tool for visiting Korea. Papago’s translation services are the best and you can use the app to take pictures and translate Korean signs, menus, and other pictures.

Naver Maps : To find your way around Korea, use Naver Maps or Kakao Maps. Their systems are much more accurate in Korea than Google Maps. Use them to plan travel routes and transport times.

Kakao Taxi : Uber and Grab don’t really exist in Korea, so if you plan to take a taxi, you’ll need to use Kakao Taxi. Simple to use and takes the hassle out of trying to use Korean to give directions.

Kakao Talk : This is Korea’s most popular messaging app and is useful for keeping in touch with Korean friends, contacting businesses in Korea, and even calling abroad.

Seoul Subway : Use this app to travel around Seoul’s underground more easily. Plan your route, see when the next train is due to arrive, check connections, and see how late the trains run.

Korail Talk : This app allows you to book trains on Korea’s high-speed train network and regular train routes. This app has an English setting, so you can check train times and prices easily.

Coupang Eats : This is a food-delivery app that allows you to order almost anything edible and get it sent directly to you. You can even order convenience store goods. Useful for rainy days.

Mango Plate : Find restaurants in Korea with this app and discover the best places to go out and eat. You can also see restaurant details and get directions in Naver Maps and Kakao Maps.

WOWPASS : To use the WOWPASS to pay like a local in Korea and for T-Money functions, you’ll need the WOWPASS app. This will let you check your balances and spending and control your card.

Wise & Revolut : As mentioned in this South Korea travel guide, using a travel card to pay for items in Korea will save you money when you travel. If you use Wise or Revolut, make sure you have the app.

Klook : This company provides some of the best tours in Korea and if you make bookings through their website, you can easily manage them with the Klook app.

Intercity Bus by T-Money : This app is great for booking buses between cities in Korea. There is an English version that allows you to book tickets, check times, and see available seats.

These apps should be available on both Android and Apple. Some of these apps might default to Korean, but you should be able to change them to English in the side menu.

Is There Free WiFi In Korea?

Travellers in Korea have the option to not get a sim card or portable WiFi but still stay connected. This is thanks to the excellent Free Wifi in Korea that is provided in public transport, government buildings, restaurants, cafes, and many other places. This is mostly in the cities, however.

Hotels also provide free WiFi in most cities in Korea. If you plan to rely on free WiFi, I recommend using the hotel’s WiFi to plan routes, check opening times, and research places you want to visit. Take screenshots of these details so you can see them later, even if you don’t have Internet access.

The only warning I would give about relying on free WiFi when travelling in Korea is the increased use of mobile-dependent apps and passes in Korea. Physical tickets and passes are being phased out in favour of digital versions, which often need an active Internet connection to use.

I’ve noticed in recent years that services that impact travellers have moved to digital versions. This includes the T-Money card, Discover Seoul Pass, train and coach tickets, attraction tickets and event tickets. I believe that having a reliable net connection will be a must for most travellers soon.

Using Public Transport In Korea In 2024

This section of the South Korea travel guide looks at Korea’s public transport system and how to navigate it as a traveller. Korea has arguably one of the best public transport systems in the world. It’s cheap, well-connected, frequent, and runs on time. Other countries could learn a lot from Korea.

The great news for tourists is that Korea’s public transport is very foreigner friendly and information is provided in English in almost all places, as well as Chinese and Japanese in popular areas such as Seoul and Busan. Travelling by public transport in Korea is cheap, easy, and convenient.

How Much Does Public Transport Cost In Korea?

The cost of public transportation in Korea is fixed, no matter what day you purchase tickets on. If you buy one month in advance, or last minute, you will pay the same price for the journey. Journeys within a city are a single price and not dependent on how far you travel, unless you leave the city limits.

All journeys are single fares and you can’t buy return tickets. You will need to buy two singles when you want to travel somewhere and back again. The cost of a single fare depends on how you pay for the ticket – by cash or with a transportation card.

Here are the costs for public transport in Korea by payment method, type and user:

Please note : The cost of subway rides is set to rise to 1,400 / 1,500 KRW in October 2023. These prices will be adjusted when this occurs.

How Do You Pay For Public Transport In Korea?

The cost of public transport in Korea depends on whether you pay with a transportation card, such as T-Money, a Korea Tour Card , or Cashbee, or in cash. This applies to both subways and buses. If you use a transportation card, you should add credit to it, then touch it to the card reader at the subway or bus to pay.

To use cash to buy a subway ticket, you will need to buy a ticket at the station. For buses, you should pay the correct fare to the driver when boarding the bus. However, since 2022, buses across Korea have started to end the use of cash and some will insist on payment by transportation card only.

In the future, bus payments are expected to become simpler with fares deducted via bluetooth-enabled phones that have the relevant app downloaded. This system has already been in place in Gyeonggi Province since March 2022 and is likely to spread to more bus routes in the future.

I highly recommend getting a T-Money card when you travel to Korea. You can use it to pay for public transportation (at a discounted rate), and it will work almost everywhere in Korea. It can also be used to buy goods from shops, cafes, and restaurants. It’s really convenient and a must-have for Korea.

Using T-Money To Pay For Public Transport In Korea

A T-Money card is the essential transportation card for using public transport in Korea. You can purchase one at Incheon Airport, subway and train stations, and convenience stores across Korea. The card can be used in many places. It never expires, so you can use it on different trips, too.

Here is how to use a T-Money card in Korea:

• Purchase a T-Money card (2,500 KRW)
• Add money to the card (cash top-up only)
• Enter the bus or subway station
• Tap the T-Money card against the card reader (see pic above)
• Tap the T-Money card again when you get off (for transfer discount)
• Recharge when necessary

I recommend adding about 10,000 KRW for each day you plan to travel in Korea. That means about 70,000 KRW for a week. You can add more money later if necessary. You can top up at convenience stores and transport stations. There is also an app version of T-Money, but the card version is better.

How Do You Use Trains In Korea?

The train network in Korea is divided into high-speed trains (KTX) and regular trains (ITX and Mugunghwa). The KTX network connects major cities in Korea and is convenient for travelling around Korea quickly and cheaply. The carriages are comfortable and come with modern facilities.

Unlike other forms of public transport in Korea, transportation cards like T-Money aren’t accepted for trains. You will need to buy a train ticket to travel and all tickets are single tickets. The price to buy a ticket doesn’t change and you can refund a ticket up to the last minute for only a small fee.

You can book tickets within 30 days of travel through the official Korail website or app, or at a train station in Korea. Unfortunately, buying a train ticket online in Korea can be difficult as Korean payment systems often reject cards issued outside of Korea. Buying in person is recommended.

How To Book Korean Rail Tickets Outside Of Korea

If you want to book Korean train tickets outside of Korea, you can do it online with Trip.com , which is Korail’s exclusive overseas distributor. The price is slightly higher (about 5%) than the price you’ll pay in Korea, but it will allow you to book tickets online and secure your seat in advance.

If you plan to travel on the main KTX route between Seoul and Busan, I highly recommend booking tickets in advance. There are three types of tickets available – first class, regular, and standing. The journey takes 2:34 and you don’t want to be standing for all that time. Book ahead for comfort.

Is The Korea Rail Pass Worth The Price?

The Korea Rail Pass is a good option for tourists who plan to travel long distances by train in Korea, such as between Seoul and Busan or Seoul and Jeonju. The pass has two main options – flexible and consecutive. These mean you can use it any time (flexible) or within consecutive days.

The flexible pass is more expensive, but offers more freedom to travel around Korea over a longer period. You can use the pass to only cover big journeys and won’t feel pressured to use it again until you’re ready. The extra cost is more than worth the inconvenience of having to rush travel plans.

Will you save money with the Korea Rail Pass? That depends on your travel plans, how often you’ll be travelling by train, and how many people are travelling. If there are 2 people or more, purchase the group saver pass and save 10,000 KRW each on the pass. Group tours make it better value.

The Korea Rail Pass does not allow you to ride on the subway for free, which would make it better value. It can also be complicated to reserve tickets online using the pass and buying tickets in the regular way is more convenient. Overall, the pass isn’t essential, but might save you money.

How Do You Use Taxis In Korea?

Taxis in Korea can be hailed from the street or called directly to you using apps such as Kakao Taxi . Companies like Uber and Grab don’t have a large presence in Korea and operate the same way as Kakao Taxi, by helping you find an official taxi driver. Private taxi services aren’t common.

The big issue facing the Korean taxi industry in 2024 is the lack of taxi drivers. This can make it hard to get a taxi, even when using an app like Kakao Taxi. Late night taxis are particularly difficult to find. Read this guide about how to use Kakao Taxi to help you learn how to call a taxi in Korea.

Taxi prices in Korea are reasonable, especially compared to countries like Japan and the UK. Although base taxi fares rose in 2023 to 4,800 KRW, the price is still low and relatively affordable to travel by taxi if you need to. It’s a good option if there are no direct public transport routes.

Taking a taxi to and from Incheon Airport is a convenient option if you have a lot of bags or you are travelling in a group. For solo travellers or couples, I would recommend using public transport or a limo bus, as it’s significantly cheaper and won’t take much longer than a taxi.

How Do You Use Intercity Buses In Korea?

Intercity buses in Korea operate in a similar way to trains. You can only book tickets within 30 days of travel and can only buy single tickets. Book tickets online through websites such as T-Money Bus or Bustago , through app versions of these sites, or at the bus terminal you will depart from.

You can’t walk onto intercity buses without a ticket, nor can you use transportation cards like T-Money to pay on entry. You will need to pay for and receive your ticket (physical or digital) before you can enter the bus. Ticket machines usually (but not always) have English options for buying tickets.

There are no return bus tickets in Korea and you can only buy tickets from your point of departure, unless you book online or via an app. If you’re travelling from Seoul to Gangneung, for example, you will need to buy a ticket in Seoul and then a ticket in Gangneung. You can’t buy both in Seoul.

How Can You Hire A Car In Korea?

Renting a car is a great way to see parts of Korea that aren’t covered by the train network and gives you the freedom to explore at your leisure. If you plan to travel to Jeju Island, which doesn’t have any trains, hiring a car will be a lot more convenient and is almost a must if you plan to travel inland.

Car rental in Korea isn’t that expensive and you can rent a modern car for as little as 75,000 KRW per day. I recommend booking car rentals through Klook , they will deal with the Korean car rental companies and reserve a car for you. This is easier than trying to do it in Korean.

To hire a car in Korea, you will need:

• Driver’s license (must have had it for at least 1 or 2 years)
• International Driving Permit (in some cases)
• Credit card (in the name of the main driver)
• Valid photo ID (passport)
• Printed voucher for rental (if booked online)

Here’s some more information about the International Driving Permit and rules you should follow when driving in Korea, such as the legal requirement to wear seatbelts, booster seats for under 6s, and not using your phone while driving. Be sure to read up on local rules before driving in Korea.

Best Places To Visit In Korea In 2024

The next few sections of this South Korea travel guide will help you figure out what you want to do and see on your travels. This first section will give you a brief introduction to the best places to visit in Korea, including the major cities, tourist hotspots, and unique areas that you’re sure to love.

Here are the best places to visit in Korea:

Seoul: Korea’s Capital

Seoul is Korea’s vibrant, bustling capital and truly a must-see for any first-time visitor to Korea. There is so much to see and do in Seoul that you could easily spend a week or more exploring the city and not get bored. You will find yourself falling in love with the city for different reasons. Maybe it’s the friendly people, the deliciously cheap street eats, the way things just work, the hidden murals on old buildings down side streets, the feeling of safety even in a big city, or the historic sights creeping out from modern buildings. Seoul includes everything Korea has to offer, plus a lot more you won’t find elsewhere.

What To See In Seoul

Here are 10 great places to visit in Seoul:

• Gyeongbokgung Palace
• Bukchon Hanok Village
• Myeongdong Street Markets
• Lotte World Tower & Seokchon Lake
• Dongdaemun Design Plaza & Markets
• Yeouido Han River Park & Cruise
• Secret Garden (Changdeokgung Palace)
• N Seoul Tower & Namsan Mountain
• COEX Mall & Bongeunsa Temple
• Bukhansan National Park

Busan: Big Coastal City

While Seoul is a showcase of all things Korean, Busan is unashamedly its own city and a celebration of coastal life and local culture. Busan is famous for fresh seafood, traditional markets, great beaches, big festivals, movies, temples, and places to explore the coast. Beaches are popular places to visit in Busan, along with cliff-side walkways with views over the ocean. Central Busan is a lively spot with lots of entertainment and markets to enjoy, including a famous fish market where you can choose your own lunch and then eat it. Busan is spread out and deserves several days to explore it properly.

What To See In Busan

Here are 10 great places to visit in Busan:

• Haeundae Beach & Beach Train
• Jagalchi Fish Market
• Gamcheon Culture Village
• Haedong Yonggungsa Temple
• Songdo Beach & Cable Car
• Huinnyeoul Culture Village
• BIFF Square & Centum City Mall
• Oryukdo Skywalk & Coastal Paths
• Lotte World Busan
• Busan X The Sky Observatory

Jeju Island: Natural Wonder

Jeju Island is a gorgeous island created from a volcano rising out of the ocean 2 million years ago. Today it’s one of the New 7 Natural Wonders of Nature and deservedly so. The lush island is packed with pine trees, tangerines, rolling hills and fields, cacti, and jet black volcanic rock tumbled all around. You can relax on a beach, go horse riding, explore ancient lava tubes, scuba dive, climb to the volcano’s peak, chill in a beach-side cafe, explore traditional markets, learn about local culture, and lots more. The island has two main cities, but the attractions are spread out along the coast.

What to See On Jeju Island

Here are 10 great places to visit on Jeju Island:

• Hallasan Mountain (Volcano)
• Seongsan Ilchulbong Sunrise Peak
• Hyeopjae & Hamdeok Beaches
• Seogwipo Maeil Olle Market
• Jeju Folk Village
• Yakcheonsa Coastal Buddhist Temple
• Jungmun Beach & Jusangjeolli Cliff
• O’Sulloc Green Tea Museum
• Cheonjiyeon & Jeongbang Waterfalls

Gyeongju: Historic Capital

Gyeongju , the former capital of the Shilla Kingdom in ancient Korea, is a true treasure trove of UNESCO World Heritage sites, as well as local culture, history, and natural beauty. Described as an outdoor museum, you can see many of the big attractions in the Gyeongju Historic Area, including the 1,400 year Cheomseongdae Observatory . There’s so much to see in Gyeongju outside this area though, including the impressive Bulguksa Temple, one of the best Buddhist temples in Korea. There’s also the Bomun Lake Tourist District, a dreamy sight during cherry blossom season.

What To See In Gyeongju

Here are 10 great places to visit in Gyeongju:

• Bulguksa Temple & Seokguram Shrine
• Cheomseongdae Observatory
• Donggung Palace & Wolji Pond
• Yangdong Folk Village
• Hwangnidangil Hanok Street
• Daereungwon Tomb Complex
• Bomun Lake Tourist Complex
• Woljeonggyo Bridge
• Gyeongju National Museum
• Gyochon Traditional Hanok Village

Jeonju: Traditional Views & Food

Jeonju is the perfect destination for a day trip from Seoul and has most of its main attractions in one area of the city. What can you see in Jeonju? The main attraction is the gigantic Jeonju Hanok Village , featuring more than 700 traditional hanok houses. You can dress up in Korean hanbok, dine on Jeonju’s famous bibimbap in an old restaurant, and see how life in Korea used to be. There are plenty of other sights nearby, including a traditional market, pretty river, and the rather unusual Jaman Mural Village.

What To See In Jeonju

Here are 5 great places to visit in Jeonju:

• Jeonju Hanok Village
• Jeongdong Catholic Church
• Gyeonggijeon Shrine
• Nambu Traditional Market
• Jaman Mural Village

Suwon: Fortress City

Suwon is another city close to Seoul that you can visit in a day and see many interesting and unique sights. The main draw of Suwon is the Hwaseong Fortress and the fortress walls, which are still intact and run for 6km around the city. Inside this fortress you’ll find lots of museums, historic buildings, parks, and activities, such as archery. There are often cultural festivals in this area, too. Surprisingly, Suwon is the best place to get KFC (Korean Fried Chicken). There’s a whole street dedicated to making it.

What to See In Suwon

Here are 5 great places to visit in Suwon:

• Hwaseong Fortress & Fortress Walls
• Hwaseong Haenggung & Haengridan Gil
• Fried Chicken Street
• Korean Folk Village
• Gwanggyo Lake Park

Incheon: Modern City With Islands

Incheon is one of Korea’s largest cities, but is sadly ignored as it’s right next to Seoul and most people think it’s just there for the airport. That’s not true at all and there’s plenty to see and do in Incheon. Described as a futuristic city, Incheon is at the front of Korea’s push to become an ultra-modern country and nowhere shows that more than Songdo Central Park . The traditional side of Incheon is also worth exploring, including the Chinatown, which is home to Korea’s most popular student food – jajangmyeon . If you want to explore a lesser-seen side of Korea, check out the islands near Incheon to see ancient fortresses, temples, and charming sights.

What to See In Incheon

Here are 5 great places to visit in Incheon:

• Songdo Central Park
• Incheon Chinatown
• Wolmido Island
• Incheon Grand Park
• Ganghwa Jeondeungsa Temple

Gapyeong County: Tourists Treats

Gapyeong County is a rural part of Korea just outside Seoul that is one of the most popular day trip destinations for visitors and locals alike. Inside Gapyeong County is the lovely Garden of Morning Calm , a beautiful sculpted garden that showcases traditional Korean buildings set amongst thousands of different plants and trees. There’s also Nami Island , an ever-popular attraction that has long tree-lined streets to explore, woodland animals, bike paths, and even a zip line to the island. You can also visit Petite France, a recreation of a French village, Gapyeong Rail Bike Park, and Cheongpyeong Lake, and many other attractions in Gapyeong.

What To See In Gapyeong

Here are 5 great places to visit in Gapyeong:

• Nami Island
• Garden of Morning Calm
• Petite France
• Gapyeong Rail Bike Park
• Cheongpyeong Lake

North-East Coast: Amazing Beaches

The north-east coastal region of Korea, spreading between Sokcho and Gangneung , features some of Korea’s most popular summer seaside resorts and beaches. The wide, sandy beaches are perfect for water sports, working on your tan, and sitting at night listening to local musicians perform BTS covers and their own tunes. Sokcho deserves at least two days to explore, more if you plan to visit nearby Seoraksan National Park , one of Korea’s best places to see autumn foliage. Gangneung is where to see cherry blossoms in spring, sit and relax at a seaside cafe at Gangneung Coffee Street , and enjoy beach life.

What To See On The North-East

Here are 5 great places in north-east Korea:

• Sokcho Beach
• Gangneung Beach
• Seoraksan National Park
• Yangyang Surfyy Beach
• Gangneung Coffee Street

East Coast: Harbour Cities

Ulsan and Pohang are two industrial cities that don’t get enough attention, but are ideal for a weekend visit once you’ve explored other top sights. These coastal cities both have good beaches, coastal walks, and green spots, including a pretty bamboo forest in Ulsan. In Pohang, you can see the dizzying Space Walk , which looks out over the city and ocean. There’s also a former Japanese district with old buildings, and the famous Homigot Sunrise Square where you can watch the first sunrise of the year. Ulsan is famous for whaling and visitors should check out the charming Jangsaengpo Whale Museum and Daewangam Park.

What To See On The East Coast

Here are 5 great places on Korea’s East Coast:

• Yeongildae Beach & Space Walk
• Ilsan Beach & Daewangam Park
• Jangsaengpo Whale Museum
• Homigot Sunrise Square
• Taehwagang National Garden

South-West: Iconic Rural Destinations

South-west Korea is a long way from most travellers’ typical route, but this area is worth visiting if you have time. Gwangju , one of Korea’s largest cities, is hidden away down here and surrounded by natural beauty, including the Juknokwon Bamboo Forest , Boseong Green Tea Fields, and Suncheon Bay Nature Reserve. If you plan to hire a car , these spots will show you a completely different side to Korea. Gwangju, too, which is a fun city and the birthplace of Korean democracy. Hidden in the far corner of Korea is Mokpo, a lovely coastal city that has a new cable car carrying you over the ocean.

What to See In The South-West

Here are 5 great places in south-west Korea:

• Damyang Juknokwon Bamboo Forest
• Boseong Green Tea Fields
• Gwangju Culture Park & Penguin Village
• Suncheon Bay Nature Reserve
• Mokpo Marine Cable Car

South Coast Islands: Summer Getaways

Best explored during the hot summer months and early autumn, the south coast islands in Korea, which span from Busan to Mokpo, are where Koreans spend their summer holidays. The most popular destinations here are Geoje, Tongyeong, Yeosu, Namhae, and Goheung and each offers winding coastal paths, beaches, natural beauty, and fun summer activities. The best way to see these islands is with a rented car or by bike, riding around the coast visiting a few different beaches and attractions. Don’t expect too many cultural sights, instead you’ll find luges, gardens, water sports, and lots of fun.

What to See On The South Coast

Here are 5 great places on Korea’s South Coast:

• Dolsan Park & Cable Car
• Namhae Geumsan Boriam Hermitage
• Hallyeohaesang National Park
• Oedo-Botania Botanical Garden
• Skyline Luge Tongyeong

As you can see, there are many great places to visit in Korea. Korea is truly a country of undiscovered wonders that people aren’t aware of. Seoul is an incredible place to visit, but there’s so much more to see. That’s why I try to include lesser-known places in this South Korea travel guide.

The list above covers a lot of the most popular or tour-worthy destinations in Korea, but there are still more places I could recommend, such as Andong (home to the mask dance festival), Gunsan (port town with a retro vibe), Daegu (big city with historic sights), Daejeon , and many more.

Besides cities and towns in Korea, there are also 18 national parks to explore, thousands of mountains, Buddhist temples, beaches, bike routes, campsites, and so much more. I’ll include a few of each of these in the next few sections of this South Korea travel guide.

Best Day Tours From Seoul In 2024

Taking a day tour while you’re staying in Seoul is a great way to see more of Korea’s top attractions without the hassle of moving hotels to somewhere new. The 10 day tours from Seoul below can all be done in a day or less and can even be combined with other activities in the same day.

I don’t want to include every day tour available in this South Korea travel guide as there isn’t enough room to talk about them all. If you want to find more day tours, I recommend looking at the options available through tour providers such as Klook , Viator , and Get Your Guide .

Please note : There are many day tours from Seoul and they come with various prices. I recommend avoiding the very cheapest as these will often waste your time by taking you to some overpriced gift shop area and pressuring you to buy souvenirs or rushing you through too many attractions.

Here are 10 great day tours from Seoul:

Why Visit The DMZ

The DMZ, the demilitarised zone between North & South Korea is a truly unique place to visit when you’re in Korea. There are several different locations to see in this area, each reflecting the bitter struggle between the two Korea’s in the ongoing Korean War. Some of the highlights are the 3rd Tunnel, Dora Observatory, Dorasan Station, Gamaksan Suspension Bridge, and the Imjingak Park. There’s also the Panmunjom Truce Village where you can walk into North Korea, but this is currently closed. Tours are required to travel to certain parts of the DMZ.

Why Visit Gapyeong County

Gapyeong County is home to Nami Island, the Garden of Morning Calm, Petite France, Gapyeong Rail Bike Park, and several other fun attractions. Nami Island and the Garden of Morning Calm are the most popular and can both be visited in a day. You can witness beautiful scenes at these destinations, especially during cherry blossom season (April) and autumn foliage season (October). Tours from Seoul to Gapyeong County are convenient and can take you to multiple places in one day without the hassle of buses and finding your own way.

Why Visit Hwaseong Fortress

Hwaseong Fortress and its fortress walls offer a unique chance to see what life was like in Korea 200 years ago. Not only can you walk the full length of the walls around the city, you can also try archery and other traditional activities in the fortress grounds. There are many museums, fortress buildings, and exhibitions showing how people lived in this period. You can also enjoy the beautiful ponds and streams that run through the palace with traditional Korean restaurants and cafes looking out over these areas.

Why Visit Korean Folk Village

Discover traditional Korean life at the Korean Folk Village in Yongin during a day trip from Seoul. Walk through dozens of recreated farm buildings, government offices, academies, shops, smiths, schools, and other traditional buildings from Korea’s past to get a feel for how people lived at this time. Actors dressed in traditional Joseon-era costumes bring the scenes to life. You can try fun activities, such as mask carving, horse riding, and archery. Witness exciting festivals and cultural performances, too.

Why Visit Jeonju Hanok Village

A day trip to the Jeonju Hanok Village in Jeonju is a great way to experience various traditional Korean cultural activities in a beautiful setting. This sprawling hanok village has over 700 traditional buildings for you to explore, dine in, or even stay in. Make sure you rent hanbok in Jeonju so you look like Korean royalty and make memorable photos during your trip. Whilst you’re in Jeonju Hanok Village, you can try local delights such as Jeonju bibimbap and PNB chocopies. Also check out the traditional Nambu Market and Jeongdong Catholic Church.

Why Visit Alpaca World

When you travel to Korea, you may not think about seeing alpacas, which are from an entirely different continent. But Korea’s love of all things cute means that these furry friends have become very popular in Korea and have their own theme park a few hours from Seoul. There are dozens of cuddly alpacas to see, feed, and play with at Alpaca World , as well as hundreds of other cute critters such as ponies, rabbits, deer, goats, fennec foxes, and more. There are 17 separate areas to explore in Alpaca World and it’ll provide hours of fun for the whole family.

Why Visit Seoraksan

Seoraksan National Park on Korea’s east coast is a great day trip from Seoul for those who want to see mountain peaks, leafy valleys, stony rivers, and a gigantic Buddha. Even if you’re not a keen hiker, you can explore lots of the park’s valley pathways easily, or reach the top thanks to the convenient cable car. See the sights from the observatory and check out the small temple in the clouds. Make sure you try haemul pajeon (seafood pancake) and makgeolli (rice wine). It’s the traditional meal Koreans enjoy after hiking.

Why Visit Everland

Everland is Korea’s biggest theme park and is packed with attractions for everyone to enjoy. Thrill seekers will love the rollercoasters, such as T Express (the world’s 4th steepest rollercoaster) and many more exciting rides. Check out the Zootopia section to see wild animals and wild rides, or the Plantopia section for floral beauty, romantic walkways, and seasonal delights. There are plenty of attractions, cultural performances, entertainments, and seasonal events to keep you amused all day long.

Why Visit Danyang

A great way to see Korea’s countryside is with a day trip to Danyang to enjoy the rush of sailing over valleys and beside mountains while tandem paragliding. Feel the wind in your face and the sensation of riding the air currents as you pass over the many delightful views of Danyang. You can enjoy other activities in this area, such as the Mancheonha Skywalk , a clifftop lookout with incredible views, riding an alpine coaster, and zooming along a zip line. The perfect day tour from Seoul for thrill seekers.

Why Visit Dae Jang Geum Park

Fans of Korean period dramas and movies will love a day trip to Dae Jang Geum Park in Yongin. This is the largest historical drama filming set in Korea and was used to film MBC productions such as ‘Wind in the Palace’ and ‘The Great Queen Seondeok’, as well as K-Pop videos including Daechwita by Suga from BTS. If you’re lucky, you may see filming going on here. But even if you don’t, it’s a fun place for those who want to learn more about Korea’s history and take some cool pictures in a real movie set.

I’ve linked to tours provided by reliable tour companies in Korea. If you would rather book a tour through a local guide, contact Jerry Heng or Andrew Chung Hanbyul . They’re freelance guides with years of experience offering tours in Korea and both offer amazing service.

These places are accessible by public transport, but may take much longer than a tour would do, wasting your precious time. Check out my guide for getting to Nami Island to help you navigate Gapyeong County. For other destinations, I would recommend a tour – it’s more practical.

Best Sights To See In Korea In 2024

South Korea truly has something for everyone. There’s so much I want to include in this South Korea travel guide, which is why this section is full of different sights to see and explore. However, to keep things short and simple, I’ll just list them, not give full details about each one.

Whether you’re travelling to Korea to learn about Korean culture or history, to see Korea’s impressive landmarks, to enjoy family fun attractions, to hop from cafe to cafe, to immerse yourself in nature, or simply to eat and shop, then you’ll definitely find something for you in this section.

Famous Landmarks In Korea

Landmarks and iconic buildings are often top of a traveller’s bucket list for Korea as they provide great photo opportunities, showcase the best of the country, and offer fantastic views. Seoul has many top landmarks, but you can see plenty of other sights outside of the capital, too.

Here are 10 famous landmarks in Korea:

• Lotte World Tower (Seoul)
• N Seoul Tower (Seoul)
• Dongdaemun Design Plaza (Seoul)
• Cheonggyecheon Stream (Seoul)
• DMZ Area (near Seoul)
• Nami Island (Gapyeong County)
• Gamcheon Culture Village (Busan)
• Seongsan Ilchulbong (Jeju)
• Homigot Sunrise Square (Pohang)
• Banwol Purple Island (West Coast)

Historic Sights In Korea

Discover life in the Joseon period and before in Korea’s many captivating historic sights, including royal palaces, Buddhist temples, fortresses, and hanok villages. There are so many amazing historic sights to see in Korea, with each city having something to see.

Here are 10 historic sights in Korea:

• Bukchon Hanok Village (Seoul)
• Gyeongbokgung Palace (Seoul)
• The Secret Garden (Seoul)
• Seoul Fortress Walls (Seoul)
• Hwaseong Fortress (Suwon)
• Bulguksa Temple (Gyeongju)
• Gyeongju Historic Area (Gyeongju)
• Jeonju Hanok Village (Jeonju)
• Haedong Yonggungsa Temple (Busan)
• Andong Hahoe Village (Andong)

Korean Modern Cultural Sights

Fans of BTS, K-Dramas, Korean movies, and modern Korean culture in general have a lot to see and do in Korea. As well as famous filming locations across the country, these modern cultural sights will entertain, inform, and provide great destinations to visit.

Here are 10 modern cultural sights in Korea:

• Hallyu K Star Road (Seoul)
• K-Style Hub (Seoul)
• Hongik Uni. Station Area (Seoul)
• COEX Artium (Seoul)
• Asia Culture Centre (Gwangju)
• BIFF Square (Busan)
• Dae Jang Geum Park (Yongin)
• Sunshine Studio (Nonsan)
• Kim Gwang-Seok Street (Daegu)

Family Fun Attractions In Korea

Families travelling to Korea have plenty of things to see and do and ways to enjoy spending time together. There’s no Disneyworld or Universal Studios in Korea, but there are plenty of great alternatives, as well as places for children to explore, learn, and discover.

Here are 10 family fun attractions in Korea:

• Lotte World Adventure (Seoul)
• Everland Theme Park (Yongin)
• Seoul Grand Park & Zoo (Seoul)
• Alive Museum & Dynamic Maze (Seoul)
• Seoul Children’s Museum (Seoul)
• Zoolung Zoolung (Seoul)
• Sea Life Busan Aquarium (Busan)
• Jeju Dinosaur Island (Jeju Island)
• Alpaca World (Gangwon Province)
• Skyline Luge & Lotte World (Busan)

Korean Museums & Galleries

Travellers to Korea who want to learn about Korea’s history, culture, and art will love Korea’s impressive museums and galleries. These are great places to visit when the weather is bad and you might be surprised at how much there is to learn about Korea’s past.

Here are 10 museums & galleries in Korea:

• National Museum of Korea (Seoul)
• War Memorial of Korea (Seoul)
• Seoul Museum of Art (Seoul)
• Seoul Museum of History (Seoul)
• Seodaemun Prison Museum (Seoul)
• Museum Kimchikan (Seoul)
• National Folk Museum of Korea (Seoul)
• Gyeongju National Museum (Gyeongju)
• National Maritime Museum (Busan)
• Daegu Art Museum (Daegu)

Cafe Areas In Korea

When you need a break from travelling in Korea, visit one of these cosy cafe areas and take time to relax and recharge. Although Korea was traditionally a tea drinking country, cafes are now everywhere and you’ll find photogenic cafes everywhere these days.

Here are 10 cafe areas to visit in Korea:

• Ikseondong Hanok Village (Seoul)
• Gyeongui Line Parks (Seoul)
• Samcheondong Cafe Street (Seoul)
• Sinsa-dong / Garosugil Road (Seoul)
• Jukjeon Cafe Street (Seoul)
• Jeonpo Cafe Street (Busan)
• Haeridangil (Busan)
• Hwangnidangil (Gyeongju)
• Hwaseong Haenggung Area (Suwon)
• Gangneung Coffee Street (Gangneung)

Korean Markets & Malls

If you want the best selection of street food, souvenirs, and bargain shopping options, be sure to visit Korea’s many traditional markets. It’s a cultural experience itself. Korea also has some of the world’s largest malls with a wide variety of Korean and international goods.

Here are 10 markets & malls in Korea:

• Gwangjang Market (Seoul)
• Dongaemun Market (Seoul)
• Hongdae Shopping Street (Seoul)
• Starfield COEX Mall (Seoul)
• Jagalchi Fish Market (Busan)
• Seomyeon Underground Mall (Busan)
• Centum City Mall (Busan)
• Seogwipo Maeil Olle Market (Jeju)
• Nambu Market (Jeonju)
• Paju Premium Outlets (Paju)

Korean Natural Wonders

Korea is a country covered in mountains, waterfalls, valleys, rice terraces, and beautiful natural sights. Make time to visit some of these natural wonders when you visit Korea and you’ll be amazed at the incredible views you can find. The national parks are truly breathtaking.

Here are 10 natural wonders to see in Korea:

• Hallasan Mountain (Jeju)
• Jirisan National Park (Southern Korea)
• Seoraksan National Park (Gyeonggi)
• Garden of Morning Calm (Gapyeong)
• Juknokwon Bamboo Forest (Damyang)
• Boseong Green Tea Fields (Boseong)
• Udo Island (Jeju Island)
• Seongsan Ilchulbong Sunrise Peak (Jeju)
• Hyeopjae Beach (Jeju)
• Suncheon Bay National Park (Suncheon)

These 100 ideas are just the tip of the iceberg for what you can enjoy when travelling to Korea. There’s so much more to discover and I recommend you add some time to your travel plans to explore without a plan. Sometimes the best travel memories come from unexpected discoveries.

Best Activities To Try In Korea In 2024

Often the most memorable moments when travelling come from the experiences we have, not just the places we visit. Visiting a palace is interesting, but visiting a palace while dressed in traditional Korean hanbok , pretending you’re Joseon-era royalty with your friends or family is much more fun.

This section of the South Korea travel guide offers 10 fun activities you can try when you visit Korea. These will give you a good introduction to Korean culture, food, history, and nature. If you want more ideas, check out my list of 50 unique Korean experiences you can only do in Korea.

One of the top experiences to try in Korea has to be wearing Korean hanbok. It is available for all members of the family (even pets) and you can rent hanbok near most palaces or hanok villages. The hanbok easily fit over your regular clothes and come in a variety of colourful or traditional designs. You can get hair styling, accessories, and even have a hanbok photoshoot . Rentals can be as short as one hour or up to a full day.

Travellers to Korea can’t say they’ve truly tried Korean cuisine until they’ve eaten Korean street food from a market stall or street vendor. There are many types of Korean street food to sample in Korea, such as savoury snacks like tteokbokki and eomuk , to sweet treats like hotteok and bungeo-ppang . Korean street food is cheap and delicious. It’s usually not that healthy, but always leaves you feeling great. Give it a try.

Experience life as a Korean would have in the Joseon-era with a night in a traditional hanok house. A hanok stay is very different from sleeping in a hotel and allows you to try a night on a futon (with underground heating keeping you warm in winter). Slide the doors aside in the morning and walk out onto the wooden decking to enjoy traditional Korean tea at a low table and the sight of the ornately decorated garden. Don’t forget to take your shoes off before you enter.

Seoul and other cities in Korea still have fortress walls you can walk or hike along that will offer incredible views of cities and mountains. As you walk along the fortress walls, you begin to imagine what life would have been like as a soldier keeping the city safe from invaders. Nowadays, you can enjoy exercise and sightseeing at the same time. Seoul’s fortress walls are a good place to start, but you can find fortress walls in many other places.

Visiting a Korean sauna might be a bit shocking for first-time travellers to Korea, but it’s a great way to relax and is especially good in winter. When you enter a Korean sauna, you should take off all your clothes, have a shower, and then enter one of the hot baths. Being naked in front of others can be scary for some, but you soon overcome that fear. Korean saunas sometimes have a communal resting area called a jjimjjilbang . These areas require pyjamas and offer snacks, drinks, and places to rest.

The Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism have set up a templestay program at dozens of temples across Korea where you spend a day or two at the temple and join in various activities. This is truly a unique experience that you should try in Korea as you get to see customs performed by the monks that aren’t normally shown to the public. You also get to stay overnight at the temple and experience a hanok stay at the same time. Guests can also eat healthy vegan temple food, learn a lot, and chat with the monks.

A noraebang is the Korean version of a karaoke room, but is more popular in Korea and is commonly visited by locals and tourists alike. This is a great place to visit in the evening after a big Korean bbq meal and a few drinks. Everyone can relax and belt out their favourite Korean or international tunes together (or alone), shake some tambourines in support, or just watch and enjoy the atmosphere with some drinks. You can find these in every town and city in Korea and they provide a cheap night of fun and drinks.

Open since 2020, the Sky Bridge at Lotte World Tower offers unbeatable views of Seoul and a nerve-racking trip above the city. Walk between the two towers at the top of the Lotte World Tower and peer down the 541 metre drop to the city streets below. It’s actually very safe and you’re strapped into a harness as you walk from one side to the other, but this definitely isn’t for the faint-hearted. If you’re not sure you can handle the height, check out the Seoul Sky Observatory on the 117th floor instead.

Koreans love to drink coffee and also love cute, unusual things, which is probably why theme cafes have become so popular in Korea. Besides the many cat cafes, there are theme cafes where you can stroke sheep, pet dogs, and see other animals. There’s more to Korea’s theme cafes than just drinking coffee with animals, you can also try drinking from a toilet at the Poop Cafe , paint pictures, build lego, go camping, practice being a wizard, and more. Hongdae in Seoul is the best place to find theme cafes.

Although cafes are replacing Korean tea houses, Korea still grows and drinks lots of tea, especially green tea. You can visit these tea fields in areas such as Boseong and on Jeju Island, both of which have visitor centres and attractions to teach you about the wonderful world of Korean tea. The Daehan Dawon Tea Plantation in Boseong has lush green fields all year round and has been used as a filming location for several Korean shows. The O’sulloc Tea Museum on Jeju Island also has lovely views.

I recommend trying at least a few of these unique activities, they’ll really make your trip to Korea more memorable and offer insights into Korean culture and life. My advice is to be brave when visiting Korea and try new things, even if they seem a bit unusual at first. The same applies to Korean foods.

Best Korean Festivals To Join In 2024

There are dozens of festivals held in Korea each year celebrating the seasons, local products, traditions, culture, and often just for the sake of having fun. Visiting a festival in Korea will offer you a glimpse of how locals celebrate life, culture, and nature and let you join in the fun.

Whenever you visit Korea, there’ll be festivals going on. However, the biggest festivals occur in spring or autumn. As mentioned previously in this South Korea travel guide, these are the best seasons to visit Korea as the weather is pleasant and people are celebrating the end of summer or winter.

Cherry Blossom Festivals

The cherry blossom festivals in Korea occur in late March and early April and are some of the biggest festivals in Korea. People flock to forests, lakes, and rivers to see the pretty blossoms. The Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival has over 2 million visitors each year, and even more people visit Seokchon Lake and Yeouido Hangang Park in Seoul. There are many festivals and tours to see cherry blossoms in Korea so you should be able to find a quiet place to enjoy the view.

Winter Light Festivals

During the cold, dark days of winter, attractions such as Nami Island, the Garden of Morning Calm, and Herb Island transform into sparkling winter wonderlands with millions of bright lights illuminating them. There are also winter illumination festivals in Korean cities, such as the Haeundae Lighting Festival in Busan, Cheonggyecheon Stream Winter Lights in Seoul, and the Busan Christmas Tree Cultural Festival. When it snows in Korea, these festivals look even more magical.

Summer Music Festivals

Summer in Korea is hot, but that doesn’t stop people enjoying day-long music festivals across the country. From chilled jazz festivals like the Seoul Jazz Festival , to action-packed concerts like Psy’s Summer Swag , there are music festivals to suit everyone. This is a popular summer activity in Korea , so be sure to book in advance for ticketed events. If you can’t get tickets, just go to a popular beach in the evening and you’ll usually find musicians performing.

New Year Festivals

There are various festivals in Korea to celebrate the solar new year. New Year’s Eve festivals involve a bell-ringing ceremony where a giant bell is rung at midnight to welcome in the new year. Fireworks festivals are common events in cities across Korea, starting at midnight, too. Koreans celebrate the start of the new year by visiting the East Coast to see the first sunrise of the year at places like Homigot Sunrise Square or Seongsan Ilchulbong on Jeju Island.

Buddha’s Birthday Festivals

Buddha’s Birthday is like Christmas for the Buddhist world, but celebrated very differently. It also falls on changing dates each year as it follows the lunar calendar, just like Korean New Year. Korean Buddhist temples across Korea will celebrate by putting up colourful lanterns and decorations for at least a month before the actual date. The biggest festival celebrating Buddha’s Birthday is the Yeon Deung Hoe Lantern Festival , which features thousands of lanterns and a lantern parade through central Seoul.

Boryeong Mud Festival

The Boryeong Mud Festival is one of Korea’s largest festivals and attracts visitors from around the world. Running for 2 weeks during rainy season, this is the best way to see a Korean festival even when the weather is bad. There’s a lot to see and do at this festival, including getting dirty in the mud with mud sports, mud wrestling, mud tug-of-war, and other mud-filled events. Boryeong is famous for the high-quality mud found in nearby waters and, by joining this festival, you’re getting a free mud facial.

Jinju Lantern Festival

The visually stunning Jinju Lantern Festival is held in October each year in Jinju City and runs for several weeks. During the day, watch cultural performances and enjoy exploring the central fortress grounds of Jinju. Once it gets dark, see the city transform as thousands of lanterns, some as big as trees, come to life. There are so many weird and wonderful lanterns to discover at this festival. You can also set your own lanterns to float down the river with your wish inside.

Andong Mask Dance Festival

The Andong Mask Dance Festival in Andong, home of the Andong Hahoe Village, is a great opportunity to witness traditional Korean dance and music performances. Not only can you see traditional Korean performances during this 4 day festival, there are also international performers displaying their own culture’s dancing. Get hands-on with traditional Korean culture at this festival. Explore Andong and learn about its contributions to Korea’s cultural development.

Goyang Flower Festival

The Goyang International Flower Festival runs twice per year, once in spring and once in autumn. It’s a beautiful celebration of floral beauty mixed with Korean cuteness and creativity. At this flower festival you can stroll through a maze of different displays, with each section focusing on certain flowers and plants. There are indoor displays with vividly coloured roses, nature-based outdoor photo zones, and the lovely Ilsan Lake Park in the background.

Baekje Culture Festival

The Baekje Culture Festival probably isn’t one that first-time travellers to Korea would know about. Held in Gongju and Buyeo, the two former capitals of the ancient Baekje Kingdom, this 10-day long festival held around Chuseok (Korean mid-autumn harvest festival), is packed with unique events and sights and is set in historic locations in each city. There’s local food to try, musical & cultural performances, fun photo zones, lantern displays, and much more.

Knowing when you plan to visit Korea will help you research what festivals are on and what the weather will be like. There are certainly a lot more than just the ones mentioned above, including some others mentioned previously in the seasons part of this South Korea travel guide.

I recommend using a tour company to see out of the way festivals like the Jinju Lantern Festival and the Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival. These are often far from typical tourist destinations and can take hours to get to by public transport. Tours are worth the cost to save you time and avoid hassle.

Recommended Itinerary For Korea In 2024

In this section of this South Korea travel guide is my recommended first-timer itinerary for South Korea. This introduces you to two of Korea’s biggest cities, as well as a couple of day trips to highly rated destinations in Korea. There’s a mix of history, culture, nature, sights, and experiences.

This itinerary starts in Seoul as that’s where most people arrive to Korea after flying into Incheon Airport. If you arrive in Busan, you can change the route to start and end there instead. For travellers to Korea with only 2 or 3 days, I recommend using the first few days of this itinerary instead.

The itinerary lasts for one week, which isn’t enough time to see all of Korea, but enough time to get a feel for the country. If you have more time, use this itinerary and add in or replace extra destinations as you like. Jeju Island is certainly worth visiting if you have an extra 2 or 3 days.

Classic Sights Of Korea Itinerary

This itinerary covers a few must-see sights in Korea, including the two largest cities, the history city of Gyeongju, and some popular day trip destinations from Seoul.

Day 1 : Arrive in Seoul and explore Gyeongbokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village, Insadong Art Street, Jogyesa Temple, and Cheonggyecheon Stream. Get dinner at the Jonggak Avenue of Youth for authentic Korean food that’s better than the touristy places in Myeongdong.

Day 2 : Learn about Korean history at the War Memorial of Korea or National Museum of Korea, explore Seoul’s traditional Gwangjang market in Dongdaemun, take the cable car to the N Seoul Tower for sunset & night views, then head down to Itaewon or Myeongdong for dinner & drinks.

Day 3 : Take a day trip to Gapyeong and visit Nami Island, the Garden of Morning Calm, and the Gapyeong Rail Bike Park. Return to Seoul for dinner and rooftop drinks in Myeongdong and then walk along the fortress walls from Dongdaemun Station if the weather is good.

Day 4 : Take the KTX to Busan, drop your bags, and take the subway to Nampo-dong for Jagalchi Fish Market, Bosu-dong Book Alley, and traditional sights. Take a taxi to Huinnyeoul Culture Village. End the day in Haeundae for evening dinner & drinks and a walk along the beach at night.

Day 5 : Take the bus to Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, then a taxi to Songjeong Beach. Relax in a beachside cafe, then take the Haeundae Beach Train to Cheongsapo, change to the Sky Capsule, and end up in Haeundae. Take a bus to Gamcheon Culture Village and get dinner at Songdo Beach.

Day 6 : Take a day trip from Busan to the UNESCO World Heritage City of Gyeongju. Visit the Gyeongju Historic Area, then Gyeongju Gyochon Traditional Village for traditional food and sights of Woljeonggyo Bridge. See tranquil night views of Wolji Pond before getting dinner at Hwangnidangil.

Day 7 : Head back to Seoul on the KTX for a final day of shopping and sightseeing in Hongdae. Walk along the Gyeongui Line Forest Park or Book Street or visit a theme cafe. Take the subway directly to Incheon Airport from Hongdae or spend a night here and check out the lively night scene.

Please note : I recommend trying not to cram too much into your itinerary. You may want to see as much as possible, but people often end up rushing past sights and not appreciating them. Plan for less and see more if you have time. It gives you a chance to be spontaneous.

To plan a realistic itinerary for South Korea, it is important to factor in transportation, meal breaks, and rest times. Use Naver Maps to plan your route and work out travel times. A short journey on the map might take much longer if there’s no direct route. Also consider breaks if you plan to walk a lot.

Cultural Issues When Visiting Korea

The next few sections of this South Korea travel guide will provide answers to some of the most common questions first-time travellers to Korea have in regards to cultural, language, and safety issues. Korea is a culturally unique country with customs and traditions you might not be aware of.

Korea is a society that places a strong emphasis on social image, respect for others, and social harmony. This means Koreans will often try to avoid conflict, especially in public. To show respect for Korean culture and to avoid being rude, try to respect social harmony and always avoid conflict.

If you follow these tips, you’ll find it easier to avoid accidentally upsetting someone in Korea. There’s far too much to cover in this South Korea travel guide, so if you’d like to know more, check out my detailed guide to Korean etiquette and culture , it’s packed with tips and insights to understand Korea.

What is considered rude in Korea? It is considered rude to point with one finger or with chopsticks, give and receive with one hand, cross your legs when sitting, and to walk inside with your shoes on. Things considered rude in other countries such as swearing and spitting are also rude in Korea.

What is considered unlucky in Korea? It is considered unlucky to write someone’s name in red ink and to stand chopsticks upright in rice. Both are used in rituals for deceased people. The number 4 is also unlucky as the word is the same as the word for ‘death’.

Do you need to tip in Korea? It’s not necessary to tip in Korea and most restaurants and cafes won’t expect or allow you to tip. There is no service charge added to bills in Korea, with the exception of some upmarket restaurants, bars, and hotels in touristy areas of Seoul. Tipping guides is okay.

Do you need to take off shoes when going inside? If you enter someone’s house in Korea, you should take off your shoes. This rule also applies to temples, traditional restaurants, and other places in traditional buildings. Most cafes, shops, and restaurants won’t ask you to take off your shoes.

When should you use two hands in Korea? You should use two hands when giving and receiving things in Korea, such as money, a gift, a business card, or food. When you shake hands, use both hands, not just one. The same applies to pouring drinks, both pouring and holding a glass.

Do I have to act like a Korean in Korea? You don’t have to follow Korean customs and traditions when you visit Korea. You are a guest in the country and Koreans won’t expect you to know every rule. However, showing cultural awareness in Korea will help you make friends and impress locals.

The best tip for being culturally sensitive in Korea is to first consider all the things that you’d consider rude in your own country – spitting, swearing, shouting, physical violence, etc. Show the same acts of kindness you’d show at home – help others, give up your seat for those in need, be polite, etc.

Furthermore, remember that social harmony is really important in Korea and try not to cause a scene. Keep your voice down in public, don’t talk or act aggressively, be polite, and don’t force things when people are reluctant. Koreans may feel obliged to do things, even when they don’t want to.

Language Issues When Travelling Korea

Language issues can be a big concern for first-time travellers to Korea as Korean is a very different language from English and has a unique alphabet. Korean is also one of the most difficult languages to learn for English speakers, ranked alongside Japanese, Chinese, and Arabic.

However, as a tourist to Korea, you don’t need to worry about mastering the language. English is used for signs and announcements in most places that you’ll need it, such as on public transport, at the airport, at attractions & tourist sites, on menus, and most other places. It’s common across Korea.

If there is a sign or notice that isn’t in Korean, I recommend using the Papago app to take translate it. Use the image translation function in the app to scan the sign and Papago will translate it into English for you. It’s really convenient and the way I translate things I can’t read in Korean.

Do Korean People Speak English?

Speaking in English to Korean people is different from being able to read and translate signs. English is taught from elementary school until the end of high school. That doesn’t mean everyone will remember it, but there’s a good chance some people will know English, especially younger Koreans.

It is best to ask if someone speaks English before trying to have a conversation. You can do this in Korean by asking “영어 할 수 있어요?” (Yong-oh hal su iss-o-yo?) or just ask it in English. Tour guides and people in the tourism industry will probably be able to speak English, but it’s not guaranteed.

Shyness is an issue in Korea and locals may be reluctant to speak English at first for fear of making a mistake. As an English teacher in Korea, I know that Korean students are usually quite competent in English, but lack confidence to use it. Be patient and encouraging when talking in English.

Although some Koreans may be too shy to use English, other people may be enthusiastic about speaking English to you and want to practice it. I’ve been asked random questions in English by strangers in the street in Korea who want to practice English and find out about my life.

Should You Learn Korean Before Visiting Korea?

If you do want to learn some Korean before you travel, I recommend you start by learning the Korean alphabet , or at least learning some basic Korean travel phrases . Knowing how to introduce yourself, discuss prices, ask for directions, and ask for help will make your trip to Korea a lot easier.

You can learn Korean online through courses such as 90 Day Korean and Korean Class 101 , or with self-study textbooks like the excellent Talk To Me In Korean series. There are lots of resources on YouTube, too. I particularly like Learn Korean with GO! Korean Billy as he explains things clearly.

Another way to prepare to move to Korea is to read some Korean novels in English . Although these books won’t teach you any Korean, they’ll offer up valuable insights into Korean culture, both traditional and hidden under the surface. Literature is a good way to gain an understanding of a culture.

A warning about Konglish : Although Korea uses English in many useful ways, there’s also a lot of Konglish. The sign above is a good example of random English words being used to look cool, but ending up being confusing. There’s a lot of this in Korea and it’s mostly harmless, so don’t worry.

Health And Safety Issues In Korea

First-time travellers to Korea may be worried about health and hygiene issues, such as if certain foods are available and if they’re safe to eat. Other issues include vaccinations, personal safety, and how easy it is to contact emergency services. These issues are addressed below.

Is Korean Street Food Safe To Eat?

Korean street food is generally safe to eat and won’t give you any health issues unless you have an intolerance to the food. Korean street food can be spicy or contain a lot of salt, be aware of your own personal tolerances and dietary requirements before trying it.

Also be careful when ordering food with meat or seafood and check that it is cooked thoroughly. Korean street food that has been left out for a long time is more likely to cause food poisoning problems, so ask for freshly cooked food if you’re concerned.

Is It Easy To Find Vegan-Friendly Food In Korea?

There are many vegan-friendly Korean dishes , such as gimbap , japchae , pajeon , bibimbap , ramyeon , and tteokbokki . However, some restaurants may use non vegan-friendly ingredients when preparing these foods, so be careful. Kimchi isn’t vegan-friendly due to its seafood ingredients & sauces.

Vegetarianism and veganism aren’t common in Korea with fewer people following these diets than in countries such as the USA or UK. Vegetarians in Korea account for 3% of the population, while vegans in Korea are only 0.2% of the population as of 2022. The UK is 10% and 2% respectively.

However, the number of vegan-friendly restaurants and bakeries is increasing each year in Korea, especially in areas such as Hongdae and Itaewon. Korean Buddhist temple food is vegan-friendly and a good option for vegans who want to enjoy vegan food while learning about local Korean culture.

If you’re concerned about accidentally ordering non vegan-friendly food, or want to know how to tell someone about food allergies or requirements, check out my guide to Korean phrases for ordering food . This has a whole section about special requests when ordering food in Korean.

Is It Safe To Drink Tap Water In Korea?

Korean tap water is potable and safe to drink. Korea ranks 23rd for water hygiene, which is above the USA, Canada, and Australia. However, many Koreans don’t drink tap water , preferring to use water purifiers and bottled water instead, claiming that tap water smells strange or water pipes are bad.

Personally, I don’t like drinking tap water in Korea as it tastes a bit stale, but it’s perfectly fine to drink and doesn’t cause any problems. Bottled water is very cheap in Korea and costs 600 KRW for a 500ml bottle from a convenience store. Buying water from a supermarket is a cheaper option though.

Do You Need Any Vaccinations To Travel To South Korea?

There are no mandatory vaccinations required to travel to Korea , but it is suggested you should have at least routine vaccinations such as tetanus, MMR, and polio. Hepatitis A & B, typhoid, and Japanese encephalitis vaccinations are also recommended.

Is Korea Friendly To Tourists?

Korea is generally friendly and welcoming to tourists. The Korean government spends a lot of money and effort to promote Korean tourism to the world and there are many incentives to bring people to the country. Korean people are also mostly polite and welcoming, especially in the tourism sector.

Is Korea A Dangerous Country To Travel In?

South Korea is a safe country to travel in and the crime rate in Korea is low, comparable to Norway or the Netherlands. Public crimes, such as theft and assault, are rare. Pickpocketing and purse snatching aren’t common and unattended goods are generally left alone or reported to the police.

How safe is Korea? I regularly see people leave their phone or handbag on a cafe table to reserve it before going up to order a drink. People even leave their laptops open while they pop out for lunch or go to the toilet. Stealing disturbs social harmony and is one of the reasons it’s rare in Korea.

Physical violence is also rare, but still occurs in Korea, as it does in all countries. This is most often found in areas with lots of bars and when people are drunk. However, visiting bars in Korea is a lot safer than I’ve experienced in other countries and trouble is not common, even in busy places.

How Do You Contact Tourist Information Services In Korea?

Call 1330 in Korea to contact the Travel Helpline . The Korean Travel Helpline provides the following services free of charge to tourists in Korea.

• Tourist Information : Find out about attractions, opening hours, prices, and other information.
• Tourist Interpretation : Access travel information in several languages.
• Tourist Complaints : Report rip-offs and problems you encounter when travelling in Korea.
• Tourist Police : Report minor crimes in English and other languanges.

There are tourist police patrolling the streets of Seoul, dressed in purple uniforms as shown in the picture above. In popular tourist locations like Myeongdong and Bukchon Hanok Village, you’ll also find friendly tourist information staff dressed in red shirts with matching red cowboy hats.

What Should You Do If You Have An Emergency In Korea?

If you need to report a fire or medical emergency in Korea, you should call 119 from any phone. To contact the police in Korea, call 112. You will need to select an option to report an emergency in English or another language. It may take some time to be redirected to an English speaker.

• 119 – Medical Emergency & Fire Rescue
• 112 – Police

When you use medical services in Korea, you have to pay the cost of treatment, but there is no fee for the ambulance ride as this is covered by the Korean government. Travel insurance should cover the cost of medical bills, so if you’re worried about a large medical bill, insurance is recommended.

Fortunately, the cost of treatment in Korea is quite reasonable and Korea has advanced medical facilities, which is why it’s a popular medical tourism destination . Many people travel to Korea for minor and major surgery, including laser eye surgery, cosmetic surgery, and internal medicine.

Is Air Pollution A Problem In Korea?

Air pollution is an issue in Korea, especially in spring & summer. Winds blow yellow dust from Central Asia, field burning spreads fumes across Asia, and fossil-fuel burning contributes to higher levels of air pollution. Some days there’ll be very low visibility and health risks for people with lung problems.

My Personal Travel Tips For Korea

This South Korea travel guide is a collection of information I’ve researched and learned since moving to Korea in 2015 and blogging about Korean travel since 2019. I hope the provided information and insights are useful and assist you plan your dream first-time, or even tenth-time, trip to Korea.

This section includes my personal tips that didn’t really fit anywhere else and reflections built from travelling all over Korea in all seasons. These are tips I would offer to first-time travellers to Korea and people who might have some worries about visiting the Land of Morning Calm. I hope they help.

The Real Korea Isn’t What You See On TV

Korea is a developed country that went from being a 3rd world country in the mid 20th Century to a high-tech country in a short time. Despite the many high-rises and modern K-Pop stars, there are still shadows of the former Korea seen in both run-down slums and people with ‘traditional’ values.

The image created by selective K-Culture can distort people’s reality when dreaming of a trip to Korea in the same way Korean people can suffer from Paris Syndrome when visiting France. There are many wonderful things about Korea, but don’t travel thinking that everything is as shown on TV.

Be Prepared For Culture Shock

One of the best things about travelling is seeing a country and people that act and behave differently to how you do in your own country. This is known as culture shock and can be both a blessing and a challenge for first-time travellers to Korea. Things you might be used to can be different in Korea.

Some examples of culture shock in Korea include the way age determines hierarchy in Korea and how older people can be rather pushy, especially on the subway. Younger people also typically don’t question the decisions of older people in Korea as it is considered rude and disrespectful.

Less extreme cultural differences that might confuse some first-time visitors to Korea include having to shout to call someone to take your order in a Korean restaurant or not giving a tip. Koreans might similarly look at you strangely if you do something culturally different, such as walking while drinking.

Don’t Overpack When You Travel To Korea

First-time travellers to Korea may be worried about visiting a country like Korea without taking everything they need from home, even the kitchen sink. My advice is to pack as light as possible and leave yourself some space in your suitcase. There are two reasons for this.

• You can buy most things you need in Korea . This includes sun cream, heat packs, clothes, shoes, cosmetics, travel accessories, etc. They’re also probably cheaper in Korea, too.
• You will want to take home lots of things . From weird Korean snacks to beautiful hand-crafted pottery and woodwork, there are so many things to buy in Korea.

(1) The only exception is if you might have a problem finding correct-fitting items. Korean shoes and clothes are slightly smaller than what you’d find in Western countries and the sizes are also differently labelled. I’m a medium in the UK but a large (sometimes XL!) in Korea. Be careful when shopping.

(2) It’s hard to fit everything you buy in Korea into an already full suitcase. Fortunately, you can buy extra suitcases at low prices. Check out Namdaemun Market for cheap luggage options, as well as shops like the one pictured below (this is in Busan) in places like Hongdae and Dongdaemun.

Electricity In South Korea

Be careful with electric items when travelling to Korea. Korea uses type C and F plugs , which are used in Europe, Russia, and other parts of Asia. The standard voltage is 220V with 60Hz frequency. Anything designed for a standard voltage between 220V and 240V should be fine in Korea.

Laptops, mobile phones, and other portable devices will be fine when you travel in Korea as long as you use a travel adapter with a USB or socket connection. Hairdryers, shavers, curlers, and similar devices might have problems charging in Korea and run out of power very soon. My shaver did.

Go With The Flow And Go Quickly

Korea is a very busy country and you might hear people mutter ‘빨리빨리’ ( ppalli ppalli ) if you walk slowly, especially in the subway. Koreans work long hours and are eager to get home or go out for dinner. Don’t take it personally if people push past you and don’t feel like you have to rush.

Know Where To Throw Away Rubbish

It can be difficult to find a bin to throw away rubbish in Korea, even in urban areas. The best place to dispose of rubbish in Korea is at a convenience store. You can find recycling and trash bins in these shops. If you go hiking or explore the countryside, expect to carry your rubbish home with you.

South Korea Travel Guide FAQs

Finally, here’s a few FAQs about this South Korea travel guide, in case the above information didn’t cover enough for you.

What is the best month to visit South Korea?

The best months to visit South Korea are April and October. April is warm and you can see cherry blossoms in Seoul at the start of the month. October is warm with clear skies. During October you can see autumn foliage across Korea.

How much money is enough for South Korea?

The amount of money you need to travel in South Korea depends on your travel style and desired level of comfort. A rough budget for South Korea is 50-100,000 KRW per day for budget travellers, 100-200,000 KRW per day for mid-range travellers, and 200,000+ KRW per day for luxury travellers.

Is South Korea friendly to tourists?

South Korea is a welcoming country and friendly to tourists. There are many services to welcome tourists to South Korea, including free transit tours from Incheon Airport, cultural performances in tourist destinations, low entry fees to traditional attractions like Gyeongbokgung Palace, and tourist information and signs in multiple languages.

What do I need to know before travelling to South Korea?

It’s important to know about the weather before travelling to South Korea as this can impact your day to day travel and affect what clothes you’ll need. You should also research what festivals are on before you travel, what seasonal events are happening, such as cherry blossom viewing, and also how to use public transport and get connected to the net.

What is the cheapest month to visit South Korea?

January and February are two of the cheapest months to visit South Korea and are considered low season as the weather is cold. Hotel prices and flights to Korea will be lower in these months. Winter is a good time to travel to Korea to see snow and enjoy winter sports and festivals, however, some attractions will be closed during this time of year.

Do I need a South Korea travel guide?

It is good to check a South Korea travel guide to research your trip, especially for first-time travellers to Korea. Korea has a unique culture, language, and customs that might be confusing for new travellers. A South Korea travel guide will help you prepare for these factors and give you ideas to create your perfect trip to Korea.

Can you drink tap water in Korea?

Korean tap water is potable and safe to drink. You can drink water from hotels and apartments in Korea. Restaurants and cafes will provide you with free drinking water, which usually comes from a water cooler. Bottled water is available from convenience stores and is reasonably priced.

Is South Korea safe for first-time travellers?

South Korea is a safe country for first-time travellers to visit. Personal crimes, such as theft, mugging, and physical violence are rare in Korea and it is safe to walk the streets of Seoul, even at night. First-time travellers can prepare for a trip to South Korea by being aware of potential scams, such as taxi drivers over charging them or being ripped off in the traditional markets.

What are the best apps for travelling in South Korea?

The best apps for travelling to South Korea are Papago, Kakao Taxi, Naver Maps, and Seoul Subway. These apps will allow you to translate between Korean and English, hail taxis, and navigate as you travel. All of these apps have English language options and are free to use.

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Hi! My name is Joel, I'm the author of In My Korea and writer of this article. I've lived, worked and travelled in Korea since 2015 and want to share my insights, stories and tips to help you have the best experience during your trip to Korea.

I love learning more about Korean culture, hiking the many mountains, and visiting all the coolest places in Korea, both modern and traditional. If you want to know more about my story, check out the ' about me ' section to learn why I love living in Korea.

4 thoughts on “Complete South Korea Travel Guide 2024: Korean Travel Tips”

This South Korea travel guide is a comprehensive resource for anyone planning a trip to Korea. It covers everything from entry requirements and travel tips to accommodation options and places to visit. Whether you’re a first-time traveler or have been to Korea before, this guide has something for everyone. The inclusion of the latest travel news and COVID-related updates adds to its relevance and usefulness. I appreciate the detailed breakdown of sections and the inclusion of quick links for easy navigation. Overall, this guide is a valuable tool for anyone looking to explore the wonders of South Korea.

Moderator – Nice Article! In My Korea

Thank for the great info! Could you please recommend any tours agency for a few day trips around Korea? I found a few , but they are pretty pricey!

Hi, thanks for reading. Klook and Viator have a good selection of tours in Korea with some of the best prices on the market. I’m not sure which tours you’re looking for, but they usually do day trips for less than $100 per day that cover popular tourist sights.

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7 Essential Seoul Travel Tips for First-Timers (+ everything I wished I knew)

The first time I went to South Korea, I spent three weeks there, with two weeks in Seoul as a super-tourist and took beautiful side trips to Jeju Island and Busan in the south.

Here’s everything I wish I knew before going to South Korea as a tourist. These are specifically Seoul travel tips, but some can apply to South Korea travel in general.

If you’re new to South Korea, read my South Korea travel guide .

📖 Read Next: 28 Places to Visit in Seoul and how to spend 5 days in Seoul .

Seoul Checklist: have you booked these yet? ▢ Local sim card or Korea eSIM card ▢ Ride from the airport: prebook a transfer | airport bus | AREX train ▢  Book discounted hotels in Seoul  (what I use) ▢ Buy a pre-loaded T-money card (recommended) ▢ If you want to drive, rent a car in Seoul. Check rates here . ▢ Book the most popular tours in Seoul

Table of Contents

Best Area to Stay in Seoul

Seoul is massive, but these are three main areas where tourists generally stay.

📖 Read next: Where to Stay in Seoul Based on Your Interests

1. Central-Northern Seoul

If you want to be closer to the main tourist attractions like all the palaces and famous shopping streets, stay in the Insadong or Myeongdong area more up north.

🏨  Look for hotels in Central Seoul | Sort by price and reviews

If you like to be around a nightlife, stay in Itaewon . There’s a lot of locals and foreigners who go there. People party on the weekdays til early morning. There’s also a lot of restaurants and shops there.

🏨  Look for hotels in Itaewon | Sort by price and reviews

For a busy but chiller vibe, stay in Hongdae , which is known for being the youth and indie music culture area. There’s a long walking street with tons of cute cafes, shops, and music performances.

🏨  Look through hotels in Hongdae | Sort by price and reviews

Free printable of 70+ places to visit in Seoul

Check your email for your Seoul bucket list.

Seoul Travel Tips: My Recommendation for First-Timers

If you’re staying longer than a week and don’t mind moving hotels, I recommend trying out 2 or 3 hotels in separate areas just to experience different parts of Seoul, which is what I did.

But for first-time tourists , I recommend staying closer to Insadong and Myeongdong . It’s just closer and easier to get to the main tourist sites.

My favorite stay was Travelodge Myeongdong City Hall  (photo below).

Basic Korean Language Travel Phrases

English is not widely-spoken in South Korea. It’s best to learn some basic phrases if you’re just visiting.

In non-touristy areas or restaurants, menus may not be provided in English.

But, you can use Papago or Google Translate to scan the menu text to English.

9 main Korean phrases to learn and what I used the most

• Hello : Annyeonghaseyo (ahn-nyung-ha-seh-yo)
• One please (Just 1 person, or 1 of this): Hana juseyo (ha-na joo-seh-yo)
• Sorry : joesonghamnida (jeh-song ham-ni-da)
• Thank you : Kamsahamnida (kham-sa-hum-knee-dah)
• No : animida (ah-knee-me-dah)
• Yes : ne (neh)
• No thank you, or it’s alright : Gwenchanayo (gwen-chan-nah-yo)
• How much is it? : Eolmayeyo? (ol-ma-eh-yo)
• I don’t speak Korean : Hanguk-mal motteo (ha-ng-gook-mul mo-teh-yo)

Just remember, we’re visitors. We can’t expect locals to know or speak English to us. And if you ask someone for help and get rejected, try not to take it personally. They might have been too shy or were just busy!

Airport Tips for Seoul, South Korea

At the Incheon Airport , you want to do these 3 things:

1. Pick up a local sim card : IF your phone is unlocked. You can buy a sim card there or preorder a Korea sim card on Klook . 10 days of data costs about $20 USD.

📲 I usually use Airalo for esims in South Korea . You can use my code  ROSEAN3468  for $3 USD off your first purchase.

2. Get some won, which is the currency in Korea. Credit cards are widely accepted in Seoul, but get back up cash, and for like food stalls that only accept cash.

In general, the ATM offers a better rate than exchanging at the airport. But do whatever’s easiest.

3. Lastly, buy a T-money card at the airport or at any convenience store. It costs about $2 USD. It’s a card that you can use to pay on trains, buses, convenience stores, some supermarkets and restaurants. Some taxis even accept it.

🎫 To make it easier, buy a T-money card to pick up at the airport

You can use it throughout South Korea, not just Seoul. But, if you don’t want to get a T-money card, you can just buy paper tickets at the train station. But getting a T-money card is one of the top Seoul travel tips you’ll read.

It takes about an hour to get to Seoul from the airport. Here’s some transportation options to/from the airport:

• Take the AREX express train. You can book your ticket in advance here .
• Hail an airport taxi or book a Kakao T or Uber taxi ( check my example Uber in Korea costs ).
• Arrange an airport pickup or drop off in advance.
• Take the subway, which will likely mean a transfer at Seoul station.
• My favorite: take an airport bus , which stops by major areas in Seoul.

How to Get Around Seoul – Transportation Tips

The first time taking public transit in a new country is always nerve-wracking! But it gets easier. And signs and ticket machines are in English.

Here’s 5 main Seoul travel tips for getting around the city.

1. I highly recommend downloading the app CityMapper, which is in English. You can download Citymapper right now just to get an idea, and it’s simple to use. The app show directions for trains, buses, and walking.

2. You can’t rely on Google Maps. It’s not optimized to use in South Korea, especially for walking directions. If you’re looking up just walking directions on Google Maps, nothing will show up.

The most popular apps for getting around in South Korea are Kakao Map and Naver Map , which I still have, but they’re less user-friendly in my opinion. They are most helpful though when traveling Busan and Jeju Island.

3. You can add money to your T-Money card at a ticket machine in a train station, or at any convenience store. You have to use cash.

Depending on how long you’re in Seoul, start with 10,000 to 20,000 won. The base fair for trains is 1250 won.

4. When riding a train or bus, don’t sit in the designated areas for elderly or pregnant women, even when the train is empty. This is not the US. 😉

5. And last thing about train stations, elevators and escalators are not common . There are elevators, but they’re in certain entrances that you have to look for, and are just harder to find in my opinion.

You’ll rarely see this in Seoul travel tips posts, but prepare for a stairs workout if you’re not able to find them, but don’t be afraid to ask others.

How to Take Buses in Seoul

Buses may seem intimidating, but are pretty easy to take . Just look for your bus number on the bus stop sign. Once you’re on the bus, tap your T-Money card on the card reader and tap again when you get off the bus.

Buses cost 1,200 won . Only major stops are announced in English. I use Google Maps or another Maps app for this to follow the dot so you know when to press the stop button.

How to Take the Taxi in Seoul

1. Uber works in Seoul. When you open your Uber app, it converts to Uber T. Your original payment info is already saved in there. You don’t need to pay in person.

Read my guide to taking Uber in Korea.

2. If you do have a local sim, you can also download Kakao T , which is the main taxi app. If you’re a foreigner though, you can’t link your credit card to the app. You’ll have to pay with cash or T-money card at the end.

Kakao taxis are more readily available than Uber, but sometimes you’ll come across a language barrier if the driver can’t find you. There’s still plenty of Uber drivers. Sometimes you just have to wait a bit longer.

3. Tipping for taxis is not common.

Seoul tours to book : 🔹 Seoul royal palaces tours 🔹  Day trips from Seoul tours 🔹 Cultural experiences in Seoul

What to Pack for Seoul, South Korea

Here are a few essential packing items for Seoul:

1. Plug Type F

In case you don’t know, South Korea uses a specific type of plug for charging your phone or laptop. It’s not the same as in the US.

You’ll have to get a plug type F charger , which is the same as a lot of European countries. Or just get a universal travel adapter , especially if you plan to travel a lot.

Some hotels do provide a USB plug, but most don’t. Make sure to get the correct plug. You can also look for one in a convenience store or supermarket in Seoul.

2. Umbrella!

If you’re visiting during the summer months of June to August, bring an umbrella, or buy one from a store, and carry it with you. Rain stops and goes.

📖 Read my Summer in Seoul tips and experiences .

3. Skin Protection

General tip, bring a hat and sunscreen to protect your skin from UV rays. One of my top Seoul travel tips.

4. Walking Shoes

Bring good walking shoes. You’re most likely going to be walking a lot. I wear Xero Shoes – I can walk for hours and not have sore feet.

Watch my Korea tips vlog :

Culture Shocks and Cultural Differences

Here are just some random cultural differences and observations in Seoul.

1. Seoul is generally safe, and statistically safer than many countries. Always be careful of your surroundings, but I walked alone past midnight and it was fine. If you need to call for help, the number is 112.

2. Most of the restaurants I went to were self-service, which also meant returning your plates and cups to the counter and clearing out any napkins from your table.

If you’re unsure, just look at what other people do, which is what I did. ^^

You usually pay at the counter. And tipping is not common at all.

3. For those going in the summer, it gets REALLY hot. And it sometimes rains. I was always drenched in sweat. But when I looked at the locals, they looked flawless.

4. Lastly, here’s the tea, don’t expect locals to be social and friendly to you just because you’re a foreigner or an obvious tourist. They’re just minding their own business.

If you want to make friends, you have to actively try, join a meet up, a club, or English exchange. At least, that’s my experience.

And if you just want to enjoy traveling solo, that’s fun too. There’s so much to do in Seoul! You won’t run out of things to do alone. Look out for my solo Seoul travel tips post coming soon.

Top Places to Visit in Seoul

There’s always something to do in Seoul. Nature sites, cultural and historic sites. Entertainment. Here are 4 of my favorites spots.

Looking for more? Check out my 28 Places to Visit in Seoul list.

1. Gyeongbokgung Palace

If you only have time to visit just one palace in Seoul, go to Gyeongbokgung Palace . It’s massive and so beautiful.

There’s historical sites as well as nature sites. It feels like a time-hop. It’s the most popular palace and only about $2 USD.

🚌 Join a group tour for Gyeongbokgung Palace + Temple Guide

2. Cheonggyecheon Stream

This must-visit is a 7-mile stream in the middle of downtown. You can walk it or sit on a step and put your feet in the water. At night it’s lit up as well. It’s open 24 hours.

🌌 Join a Seoul Moonlight night tour of Cheonggyecheon Stream, Royal Palace, & Naksan Park

3. Bukchon Hanok Village

This is a beautiful neighborhood of hanoks, or traditional Korean houses designed with nature in mind. It’s really pretty to walk through. People also dress in traditional hanboks to take photos. You can rent a hanbok online to pick up .

4. Namsan Seoul Tower & Park

You’ll get a beautiful view of Seoul on the way up and down. I’d probably go there multiple times. The park itself is huge and the views are amazing.

🎫 Pre-book your Namsan Tower cable car ticket to skip the lines

Hope these Seoul travel tips were helpful!

Have a great time in Seoul!

Check out my city guides for: Jeju Island | Busan | Gyeongju | Pohang

More Seoul Posts

The Best 5 Days Seoul Itinerary for First Timers

Best One Day in Seoul Itineraries (+ Hour Breakdown)

Where to Stay in Seoul Based on Your Interests (from a Frequent Visitor)

28 Top Seoul Attractions to Check Out in 2024

My Summer in Seoul Experiences + Tips (Worth it?)

7 Best Parks in Seoul to Visit in 2024 – Don’t Skip These!

Roseanne Ducut is a solo female traveler and Filipina from the Bay Area, California. She writes practical and culture-rich travel guides and lives a not-so-secret double life as a fangirl. A veghead for over 15 years, Roseanne also writes vegan guides to help others plan their trips.

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17 South Korea Travel Tips (From a Longtime Resident)

Last Updated: Nov 12, 2023 by Max · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

When I first came to Korea, I made the mistake of thinking that I could just wing it and survive in a totally different culture without almost any preparation. Within my first week, I’d read every article on South Korea travel tips available on the internet.

It was embarrassing coming to Korea without knowing how to do the simplest of things by myself, so I went into observation and Korean language study mode. In the meanwhile, I definitely looked ignorant making mistakes I could have easily avoided had I prepared myself beforehand.

For instance, one of the biggest mistakes I ever made was wearing tank tops to school my first few weeks as an English teacher. In the US, it’s nothing to comment on. But in Korea? I was embarrassingly pulled aside at a school assembly and told I was making other teachers uncomfortable, yet I’d been dressing the same for weeks and nobody had said a word. I was mortified.

A smaller error I made during my first week was in assuming that you can just say anything in any way in Korea. But due to Confucian social conventions, there are important levels of formality I should have been mindful of.

Imagine how offended my teacher looked when I replied “ Annyeong ” without the “ haseyo !” It was such an embarrassing moment that, again, I could have avoided had I read some Korea cultural tips before arriving.

We don’t want you to offend the locals, so to ensure that you do not make the same mistakes I did, I made a list of my top South Korea travel tips to help you on your trip.

• ✈️ Basics of Travel in South Korea

What to Know Before Visiting Korea (Tips From Locals)

✈️ basics of travel in south korea.

Visa: Most travelers will need a K-ETA ( Korean Electronic Travel Authorization ), applied for at least 72 hours before departure. If you needed a visa before, you'll need a K-ETA now. Note that from April 1, 2023, to December 31, 2024, passport holders from 22 countries, including the US, UK, Canada, and several EU nations, can visit visa-free – no K-ETA required!

Currency: South Korean won ( KRW or ₩ )

Arrival in Korea: all international flights arrive at Incheon Airport (ICN), one of the best-rated airports in the world. It usually takes about 1 hour to get through security & pick up checked bags.

Getting Around: Korea has an extensive & reliable public transport system. A refillable T-Money card is your ticket to buses and trains across the country; you can buy and refill yout TMoney card at any subways station or convenience store in Korea.

Internet & SIM Cards: Rent a Wi-Fi egg or purchase a prepaid Korean SIM card at the airport, available for up to one month of connection.

Travel Insurance: always recommended, though some credit card companies offers limited coverage when booking.

Asking about your age is okay

You might feel offended if a Korean person suddenly asks about your age, but this is a totally normal thing to them. Refusing to answer this question also gives them great stress, because then they don’t know how to properly address you; there’s an explicit social hierarchy in Korea.

So as much as this question might make you uncomfortable, understand that this is their custom, and they primarily use it to learn how they should talk to you.

Know the proper honorifics to use

The worst thing about conversing with people is that you don’t know whether you’re using the right honorifics, and there’s always a chance you might use the wrong one.

Even if you’re speaking with them in English, there are different ways to address someone depending on their status (usually relative to yours). So if you’re unsure where you might fall in the hierarchy, you can prepare yourself with this guide on how to properly address people in Korea first. 

Don’t forget to bow!

One of the things I’ve learned here in Korea is that: “when in doubt, bow.” Koreans bow whenever they greet, thank, and even apologize. Sometimes I wonder if I’m bowing too much, or if I’m bowing lower than I should.

But Koreans don’t really expect you to bow at all, especially if it’s totally obvious that you are not from their culture, but it’s still respectful and appreciated if you try.

Remove your shoes as soon as you enter a home

One fascinating thing about Korean homes is the existence of the ondol system, or the traditional method of keeping their floors warm. This is why Koreans find winters tolerable and comfortable; their feet are never cold.

The issue with Westerners is that they oftentimes forget this, and they walk into places with their shoes on, leaving grimy bits of dust and pebbles that sully the pristine floors. But shoes are not acceptable in most Korean homes or restaurants, so if you are not comfortable with exposing your bare feet, at least keep your socks on.

Koreans eat from the same bowl

You might think this is unhygienic, but in Korea, this is absolutely normal. Sharing is a massive part of the culture, and if you do not participate in this custom, they may take it personally. Also, while we’re talking about bowls – never lift it up while eating!

Your bowl should stay in front of you at all times, which is why you generally see Koreans stoop over their bowls and scoop food using a soup spoon. 

Never stick chopsticks in your food

While sticking our chopsticks in a bowl of rice is not really a big deal to us, to them it’s an insensitive act. This is because it replicates a jesa , or a funeral ritual that Koreans do to offer food to the dead.

The eldest eats first

Koreans love to eat together, but remember that age matters in Korea, so if the eldest person is not ready to eat yet, you really have to wait.

Also, the seating arrangement when eating is also different in Korea, but my trick here is to wait for everyone else to be seated and then wait for their gesture to tell me where to sit. Works like a charm.

Even if it’s too spicy for you to handle, don’t blow your nose at the table

Koreans are known for their spicy food, and we have a tendency to sniffle if we are not used to it. But Koreans find it rude to blow your nose at the table (and you don’t want to send your snot to the food ), so as much as possible, hold it in or excuse yourself to the bathroom. That way you can blow as much as you want without getting flak for it.

If you’re drinking with the elderly, turn your head away when taking a shot

There are so many drinking rules in Korea , and one thing you have to keep in mind is always to mind the seniority. If you have to clink glasses with somebody older than you, make sure your glass is slightly lower than theirs. Then you turn away and take the shot, not looking back until you’re all done.

Don’t pour your own drink

You should never serve drinks to yourself in Korea, though if you’re the youngest, you should pour for everyone else. Instead, you should wait until someone pours it for you, and always receive it with both hands.

You should also keep a lookout for whether those who are older than you need a refill, and when you pour, never forget to use both hands.

Don’t tip in Korea!

Koreans do not like it when you tip, as it imbalances a careful power dynamic between customers and proprietors. In Korea, they hold the strong belief that the customer is King, and that they should uphold the highest quality of standards whenever they serve you.

So if you find yourself impressed by someone’s service, just thank them and leave a nice review in Kakao Maps (and offer them a compliment, if you can!).

Writing people’s names in red ink is a big no-no

Koreans love receiving handwritten letters, and if you want to show your gratitude and appreciation for a new friend, a helpful Korean tip would be to avoid red ink. You’ll actually rarely see red ink pens for sale in Korea, because writing names in red ink is believed to bring death upon the person whose name was written.

Don’t be part of the problem: toss your trash properly

Korea has a serious littering problem. Even if there are clear, established rules on how to properly segregate trash, you’ll still see bottles, plastic cups, and cigarette butts on the side of the road across the country.

What you can do, however, is to bring your trash with you wherever you go, and throw it in proper bins in the public spaces. 

Don’t give gifts in fours

Giving gifts is a big thing in Korea. People seem to love exchanging things as a sign of appreciation, hence Teacher’s Day, Single’s Day, and White Day (all gift-giving holidays). However, if you give them something that comes in a set of 4, they might freeze for a moment, as the number four is inherently connected to death in Korea.

This is because this number sounds a lot like death in their language, so avoid this unlucky number by choosing just one thoughtful gift. There are plenty of places where you can buy gifts in Korea !

Take the time to appreciate a business card

While in Korea, you’ll likely encounter interesting people, many of whom may offer you a business card. This is a common way to non-threateningly try to connect with foreigners, so remember to receive it with both hands.

Then make an effort to at least appreciate the fine details of it before storing it; rushing to pocket these things often rubs them the wrong way.

Don’t cross your legs in the presence of other people

This is another custom I never knew was rude, since I grew up being told as a woman that I should keep my legs crossed if I don’t want to look improper. In Korea, however, crossing your legs is a sign of disrespect, though foreigners sometimes get a pass.

If you have to sit across from somebody and you’re wearing a skirt that’s too short for your liking, instead of crossing your legs, aim to straighten your posture and keep your hands on your lap.

Shoving is okay

I know this is something that may confuse you, because in most cultures, shoving is rude. But in Korea they don’t like getting held back or blocked.

So if people shove you in Korea, they may do it with such force that it throws you off balance – but here’s the rub: if you get mad, people will think you’re making a scene. This is totally normal behavior to most Koreans, especially from the elderly, but this fact took me years to accept.

Now that you’ve seen all my most important Korea tips, I hope that my advice will help keep you away from trouble and speed up your acclimating process.

More All Things South Korea

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Max Ritchie says

October 01, 2022 at 8:23 pm

Hi Max, I'm a Max as well and love all things Korean. I'm planning a trip early next year and will concentrate just on Seoul (as I'll be back). I found your information very helpful and will keep reading. I'm planning the trip alone and I'm a very active 73yr old female, if i fitted the criteria I would have loved to teach english there so I could experience the country more fully than just a trip.

regards max

October 01, 2022 at 8:48 pm

Awww thanks, Max! I'm glad you've found it helpful, and please let me know if you have any questions. My mom (an active 69-year old, herself!) had a similar sentiment when she came to visit me in Korea for the first time. I hope you have a wonderful trip!

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50 South Korea Travel Tips

This post will cover all the Korea travel tips I can think of, from what to do before you come to accommodation tips to safety concerns and more.

I’ve been meaning to write some sort of practical guide with tips for visiting South Korea for ages now, but I just never got around to it! I think when you live in a country vs. visiting for a short time, you just don’t think about certain things.

Anyhow, since ending my last teaching contract in 2018, I’ve been back a handful of times as a tourist and had to think about things I didn’t have to consider when I had an E-2 visa and a residency card (ARC). If you’re traveling to South Korea for the first time, here are 50 tips you may want to keep handy!

I’ve divided it up by:

What to Do Before Traveling to South Korea

• Korea Itinerary + Things to Do

Where to Stay in Korea + Tour Options

Korea transportation guide.

• What to Eat
• Safety + Sanitary Concerns

Little Things to Know About Korean Culture

• What to Buy in Korea
• Final Notes

Feel free to click the link to jump to each section if you don’t want to scroll.

Once you’ve decided to visit South Korea, there are a few things I suggest doing so you can get from Point A to Point B with little to no issue.

1. Learn Hangul + some key phrases.

I cannot emphasize enough how much easier it will be if you just learn Hangul, the Korean alphabet. It was literally created to be easy enough for commoners to learn to read under King Sejong, so trust me you can learn it.

It took me an afternoon of watching a Youtube video on loop and copying the sounds and letters down. I even have a handy guide to start learning.

2. Try to book with Asiana or Korean.

It’s a  long journey to get from most places in the U.S. to Seoul, which is where you’ll most likely fly into. I’ve made the journey multiple times now and used a different airline each time: American, United, Asiana, and Japan Airlines.

I honestly don’t remember Japan because I was so tired that I think I just fell asleep for most of it. American and United were hellish to put it lightly, but Asiana has always been my favorite. I flew it to and fro my first time in 2011 and then again coming from Denver.

Book with Asiana or Korean as much as you can. It’s SO worth it. Usually, this means flying from San Francisco or Los Angeles (not sure of their other main US hubs), so if you want a little California side trip before you go, it’s the perfect excuse!

3. Read up a bit on Korean history

I think to really enjoy a new country, you should do at least a  little research into the country’s history and culture. Even if you just pop on a Crash Course video to get the gist, it gives you more of a connection with a place than not.

If you really want to get in depth, feel free to again browse Amazon’s Korean history section . Look for things about the  Joseon dynasty and the  Korean War if you want something specific to focus on.

3. Watch some Korean dramas, movies, or K-pop music videos.

This is totally NOT necessary, but, hey, I love both of these things, so I’m biased. While Korean dramas are incredibly glossy versions of this country, they do still give you a general idea of the modern culture, beautiful scenery, and some of the quirks. I recommend:

• Reply 1997 or 1988 to learn more about Korea’s own nostalgia period
• Taegugki –  a SUPER good movie about the Korean War
• Boys Over Flowers , Secret Garden , or My Love from the Star are some more recent insanely popular shows
• She Was Pretty is a personal favorite, and I think the message of it is so lovely
• Two newer movies:  1987 and  I Can Speak

4. Do you need a SIM Card?

This honestly depends! If you’re a good planner and can speak decent Korean, then you can get by without needing one.

In general, I’d probably recommend it, especially if this is your first time. Whether it’s translating something on the fly, trying to pull up KakaoMap, or fiddling on your phone for the duration of a long bus ride, it’s worth it. Korea’s data plans and wifi are insane, and you might get a little spoiled.

The fun thing is NOW Korea has a thing called an eSIM ! This means you don’t even have to physically buy one at a kiosk, but can sign up online and just snap a picture of the QR code (or manually input the info, which is a pain). I JUST did this on my most recent trip and it makes life so much easier not having to worry about my US SIM card.

Get one online here . It’s much cheaper than waiting until you’re in the airport and buying one off your phone or at the kiosk.

5. Best Time to Go to Korea

Fall or spring.

The weather is the best during these seasons, and the country is absolutely beautiful. Early spring has the cherry blossoms while autumn has the gorgeous foliage . Winter and summer aren’t bad but if you have the freedom, don’t come during those seasons. Summer is so humid , you’ll never want to leave your hotel room, and winter is, well, winter.

6. Exchange + Money Matters

Korea uses the won, and 1,000 KRW is roughly $1 USD. There are 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, and 50,000 notes and 500, 100, 50, and 10 coins.

You can use a card mostly anywhere in the country, though smaller places may prefer cash. Every convenience store should have an ATM that works with a foreign card.

7. Is Korea expensive?

I’m not the best person to dole out budget advice because I suck at budgeting , but I’d say Korea falls in the middle for Asian countries. It’s a  lot cheaper than traveling Japan , but you’ll be in for a bit of a shock if you’re used to Cambodia or Vietnam prices. In general:

• A Korean meal can be anywhere from 5,000 KRW to 20,000 KRW depending on where you go, but typically 5,000-10,000. Korean BBQ usually costs between 10,000-15,000 KRW per person, but they often want you to buy more than one serving.
• Drinks in bars can be pricey, sometimes up to 7,000 KRW, so what some people do is pregame at one of the convenience stores and then buy one drink there.
• Club cover fees are around 10-15,000 KRW
• A regular hostel can range from 15,000-20,000 KRW/night while a franchise hotel can be 150,000 KRW+.
• Street food can be 1,000 – 5,000 KRW
• Entrance fees are 1,000-3,000 KRW, sometimes 8,000-10,000 KRW for bigger nature areas like Suncheon Bay or the Camelia Hill in Jeju .
• A subway or local bus ride is usually between 1,000-2,000 depending on how far you go.

Korea Itinerary Tips + Things to Do

Before I get into this section, if you want some inspiration on where to go exactly, I have a massive post outlining 102 beautiful places in Korea , and I re-organized them so they were grouped by similar location.

8. Where to go if you have…

If you only have one week, then I recommend basing yourself out of Seoul or Busan . If it’s your first visit, then definitely choose Seoul . There’s plenty in the city to keep you occupied, and even after studying there and spending too many weekends to count, I  still haven’t scratched the surface of things to do .

You’ll have time for a day trip or two and not feel too rushed. I’ve heard of some people opting to do an overnight trip to Busan, but honestly, that’s just a  lot . Check here for my Korea itinerary for 7 days.

If you have 2 weeks, then you have a little more wiggle room! I’d choose to either spend the 2nd week in Busan, Gwangju, or Jeju depending on what you want to see. If you want a full breakdown, I have a post with four sample 2-week itineraries.

Busan is a beautiful city, and you’ll find plenty to keep you occupied. It’s also more laid back, so if you want to go enjoy the beach or relax, then save your rest days for here. Gwangju is great if you want to see more of the Korean countryside. It’s a huge city itself, but it’s a good hub for day trips like  Suncheon , Yeosu , Namwon , Boseong , and more. Jeju is great if you want Korea’s version of an island experience. It’s personally one of my favorite places in the country, but you definitely need to rent a car and  not stay in Jeju City.

4 Weeks/ 1 Month

This is honestly the best option if you really want to get a full idea of Korea, but I get that most people don’t just have 4 weeks of vacation! I would split my time up so I have 1 week in Seoul, Busan, Gwangju, and Jeju. Bookend your trip with Seoul and Busan (or reverse) depending on where you’re flying to next. For a more detailed guide, check this 1-month itinerary guide .

9. Major things to do in Seoul

Okay, Seoul is overwhelming. Once you get used to it, though, it’s an awesome city to explore. And the subway system is one of the best in the world. I actually have been working on a crazy long “Things to Do in Seoul” post but I just keep adding to it! Here are some things to get you started:

• Traditional Culture – Check out the palaces, Bukchon Hanok Village, and Jongmyo Shrine, do a temple stay
• Trendy Things to Do – Look up all the random cafés , visit the filming locations of your favorite dramas, go to a K-pop show (hey, no judgment, I almost cried when I couldn’t get tickets to Kyuhyun’s solo concert), visit the many funky museums or outdoor parks… The sky is really the limit in a city where the poop cafe isn’t even the most random cafe!
• Scenic views – Head up to Namsan tower, hang out the manmade stream, Cheonggyecheon, hike Bukhansan, stroll near the city walls, go to Pocheon Herb Island , take a day trip out to Gapyeong or Suwon … the list goes on!
• Things related to the Korean War –  Visit the DMZ/JSA and spend the afternoon at the War Memorial Museum of Korea

For more on Seoul, check these guides:

• Where to Stay in Seoul: Best Neighborhoods
• 15 Fun Day Tours in Seoul and Nearby

10. Some other good hubs to base yourself out of:

• Sokcho – Good if you want to hike Seoraksan and travel Gangwondo.
• Jeonju – Good for Jeollabukdo and a lot of big outdoorsy/hiking spots
• Gwangju – Good for Jeollanamdo and popular countryside spots — Boseong Green Tea Fields , Suncheon Bay , Damyang Bamboo Forest , Yeosu, Gokseong Rose Festival , Namwon + Jirisan , Hwagae Cherry Blossom Festival , and more.
• Busan – other fairly close by spots include Tongyeong , Gyeongju, and Ulsan, also a good place for the Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival .
• Seogwipo – Good place to stay in Jeju that isn’t Jeju City! Check here for  where else to stay in Jeju  if you don’t want to be in a city.

11. Go hiking!

No, seriously. It always irks me how underplayed Korea’s hiking culture is to those visiting from the outside. This peninsula is  mostly mountainous! There are tons of beautiful hikes no matter where you’re staying, so bring your sneakers and dedicate a few days to the mountains. Most of the popular mountains have trails to follow, and you really don’t even need special hiking boots.

Here are some of my posts on hiking:

• Daedunsan near Jeonju
• Jirisan’s Baemsagol Course near Namwon
• Wolchulsan near Mokpo
• Jogyesan near Suncheon

12. Check out the big festivals for when you visit.

If there’s a statistic out there for the countries with the most festivals, I’m going to bet Korea is on there somewhere. You name it, there’s probably some sort of festival for it. I would look up any big festivals for when you visit because they can be a lot of fun, and many are the biggest events of the year for the smaller town.

Namwon’s big event, for example, is the Chunhyang Festival sometime in May. From the beauty pageant to the Gwanghallu performances and more, it’s a huge deal!

13. Is the cafe culture really a thing?

It is, and it’s amazing. I really don’t think you could walk too far without stumbling across at least  one cafe, and with Korea’s wifi availability, this is actually a great country for digital nomads.

If you want quirkier cafes, just imagine any kind and look it up.

Here are some cafes I’ve specifically covered:

• Zapangi: The Pink Vending Cafe in Seoul
• Stylenanda Pink Pool Cafes in Seoul
• Dreamy Camera Cafe near Seoul
• Enrogel Teapot Cafe
• Grand Garden near Mokpo (sadly no longer exists)

14. Is a love motel what I think it is?

It is, and they’re probably more plentiful than actual hotels or hostels!

Love motels are exactly what the sound like — hotels for couples to have some private time. I’ve heard of them even being rented by the hour.

While some can be on the grungier side, there are actually a lot of nice love motels, and they’re a good middle ground if you want something more private than a hostel but don’t want to pay the hotel prices.

15. How is the hostel culture in Korea?

It’s a lot better than the U.S! There’s at least one hostel in most towns, and they usually come to around $20/night. Chances are you  will have to share a room  and a bathroom.

Keep in mind, the “whole bathroom is the shower” will be the case in most places. I’ve gotten used to it with my two apartments here, but it can be a bit of a shock for a foreign traveler! Yes, the whole bathroom gets soaked, and there’s usually a small window that’s always cracked to let the place dry out.

It’s fine, though I will say my hostel bathroom in Hyeopjae was a little gross. It was perpetually wet because 6 girls shared one normal bathroom  and there wasn’t a window to air it out…

16. Can I get an Airbnb in Korea?

You can! Airbnb is on the rise here, so you’ll find plenty of options! I’ve written about my little apartment stay in Seoul ages ago (unfortunately that apartment is no longer listed), and I’ve stayed at this studio one weekend in Seoul, this cute home in Jeju, and this apartment in Ulsan.

17. How are the hotels?

The hotels are  really  nice but the price gap between hostels and hotels is a lot higher than you’d expect. I did a sponsored stay at Holiday Inn in Gwangju , and the price for our room would be at least $300+. I can’t imagine a Holiday Inn in the US costing that much or being quite that fancy.

There  are guesthouses that have decent prices, but they’re more concentrated in bigger cities.

18. Do you recommend taking a tour or is it easy to DIY?

It depends on where you’re going and who you’re with. For some of the hikes, I’d definitely recommend a tour if you’re solo traveling just because you’ll be with other people and someone who can translate if anything happens.

Also, some places like Naejangsan are much easier to get to if you go on a tour than alone, especially if you’re coming from Seoul.

A lot, though, is easy to do on your own. For example, it’s super easy to organize your own itinerary for Seoul and any of the bigger cities.

I’d figure out what you want to do and look at the different tour packages to see for yourself.

19. What are the best websites for tours?

If you want to take a tour, I’m affiliated with:

• Trazy  – mainly for Korea with some Thailand options
• Klook – mainly for Asia, and I also compare prices for Korea options
• And I went on a tour in Jeju with Indieway.

I’d check all three sites to compare tours for what you want to do. Sometimes one is slightly cheaper than the other!

20. Don’t rely on Google Maps.

Korea’s not a huge fan of outside companies, so they block them as much as feasible in this day and age. While I won’t get into how that can be both good and annoying here, let’s just say this mindset manifests itself the most in Google Maps.

Google isn’t allowed access to Korean information in order to update their maps, and I heard 2009 was the last update. I just checked to see for any updates in 2018, and it’s still pretty bad.

On the plus side, my favorite app is KakaoMap and it even has an English interface! Another option is Naver Maps, but I discovered in one of my classes that it’s not nearly as detailed as Kakao.

Check my post on which apps to download for travel in Korea

21. Using KTX

There are a few different train options in Korea, but the KTX is the nicest and fastest. For example, the KTX takes me about 2 1/2 hours from Seoul’s Yongsan Station to Suncheon Station. Another train would take 4 1/2 hours. The one downside, of course, is how much more expensive it is.

The website is a little tricky to use if it’s your first time, so here’s a super quick guide:

• Go to www.letskorail.com
• Choose “ENGLISH” in the top right corner
• In the center tabs, hover over “RAIL TICKETS”
• Then click “TICKET RESERVATION”
• I usually just pick: Normal Type, Direct, “All” for Type of Train
• Hit Inquiry.
• You can see  all the train times so you know when you need to be at the station, and if you want, you can book online. I usually just book in person at the station, but if I’m going somewhere at a busier time or I just want to do it then, I book online with my US credit card. You also have to input your Passport Number to buy and will need some form of ID to get your ticket (which is just a piece of paper).

Below I have a screenshot of what it looks like if I’m traveling from Suncheon to Seoul. There are two stations in Seoul (Yongsan station and Seoul station), so if nothing comes up when you search “Seoul,” try looking up “Yongsan. The site will show you all the different train options, not only the KTX.

21. Intercity buses

Another option that I typically use is the intercity buses. I use them because the KTX is twice as expensive, they take as much time to get to Seoul as the slow trains, and they actually stop in between for a 15-minute break.

I’d also much rather kill time in Seoul’s Express Bus Terminal, which is connected to a Shinsegae Department Store and has a million things to do, while Yongsan is much more limited. Also if you miss a bus, it’s cheaper to get a refund and a new ticket than with a train. Learned that one from experience…

I buy mine at the kiosks in the terminals, but you can get them online too at www.kobus.co.kr and www.bustago.co.kr .

22. Tips for booking flights

And yet another option is flying! There are a few smaller airports around Korea, but the main ones you’ll probably want to use are Incheon and Gimpo in Seoul, Gimhae in Busan, and Jeju International Airport. I usually just book on Expedia or Kiwi, but if you want specific Korean airlines, they are:

• Asiana Airlines
• T’Way Air

I’ve flown Korean, T’Way, Asiana, Air Busan, Eastar Jet, and Jeju personally. They’re all fine, some obviously nicer than the more budget-friendly ones, but the longest flights around the country are only an hour or less, so save your money and get the cheapest one with the best luggage policy.

23. Using Seoul’s subway

Seriously, this subway is the best, and I’ve ridden many a subway in my travels. It’s clean, fairly cheap, and will get you everywhere in Seoul and nearby.

You can get a T-Money card from any convenience store and fill it up as you need. The machines are in English too, so don’t worry about making a mistake. You can also use the same card for local buses both in Seoul and the rest of the city.

They’re also clean! Like super clean! Download the Subway Korea app before you go, and it’ll help you plan your route out.

24. Using local taxis and buses

Everywhere in Korea pretty much has a local bus system, but some cities are way more reliable than others. Another nice thing is that there are taxis everywhere, and there’s usually a stand at every train station and bus terminal.

Taxi drivers are generally fine and some are even lovely and friendly, but it’s the same thing as any city you’d take a taxi in. Sometimes it can be a frustrating experience! I’d just screenshot the Korean address and name of where you want to go and show them that.

Most I’ve seen start at 2,800 KRW ($2.80 USD) with that number being a little higher in the countryside areas.

Tips on What to Eat in Korea

26. so…. the dog thing..

Dog soup does exist here. No, I haven’t tried it nor do I have any desire to, but I won’t judge someone who chooses to try it. Here’s the thing: Yes, the story behind how dog soup is made here is pretty horrifying, but so are the stories we hear about farms in the U.S. and around the world.

I choose not to eat dog soup, but I’m still not able to say no to Korean BBQ or lamb skewers. How can I judge someone who wants to eat dog soup just because culturally I was brought up loving them as extended family members?

For the record, though, dog soup is quickly dwindling in popularity and if my elementary students are anything to go by, it’ll be out of fashion in one or two generations. It’s already quite rare to see them in bigger cities, and the only 보신탕 restaurants I’ve seen are in the countryside.

26. What food should I eat while I’m here?

Korean food is one of my favorite styles along with Vietnamese and Italian. Here’s a quick list of food to try:

• Naengmyun in the summer
• Gamjatang in the fall and winter
• A Buddhist temple meal (great for vegetarians)
• Korean street food! There are so many, and I don’t even know the names of all of them
• Pajeon, especially after a hike

Pro and also slightly biased tip: Korean food outside of Seoul is 10000x better than in it!

If you want, while you’re here, try a Korean cooking class in Seoul or even a food tour if you just want to eat and not cook.

27. How is vegetarian and vegan-friendly Korea?

Um… It’s not. Korean food by nature relies heavily on meat or fish. While Seoul may have a lot of options, you’re going to struggle. I’d always look at Happy Cow for restaurant ideas.

28. Any unique drinks to try?

Ha! Yes! I’ve tried these at least once even if I don’t drink:

• Soju – Korea’s alcohol of choice. You can get different mixes of it too, from yogurt soju to fruit soju. I’ve heard that Hallasan soju is the best tasting on it sown
• Makgeolli – Especially with pajeon, it’s a sweet rice wine type alcohol and you drink it from little bowls
• Cider – This is my favorite soda, and you can get it at any restaurant or grocery store. I don’t know what it is, but I always get addicted
• Omijacha – This is a really yummy tea you can get at cafes. It’s supposed to have five different flavors in it, so it tastes a bit tart and sweet at once.
• Hallabong drinks – Hallabong are the orange fruits from Jeju, and they’re delicious in drink form.

29. What’s the deal with the takeout culture?

Korea loves takeout. It’s amazing. In bigger cities, you can order to the exact place you’re at, even if you’re not in a building or home! The most popular things to order are fried chicken, pizza, pig’s feet, and random Korean dishes that are easy to transport.

If you can use Hangul, then download the 배달요기요 app.

Safety and Sanitary Concerns

31. is it safe to travel to south korea now.

Short answer: YES!

I wrote about it in a post on  the Department of Wandering  with more details. You can read it in full here.

32. Sooo… North Korea…

The North Korean threat is kind of blown out of proportion by the Western media. At this point, I’d be more concerned about living in NYC or LA.

Now…if you’re asking about visiting North Korea while you’re here, well, I have some strong opinions on that.

33. How safe is public transportation?

Super safe. I can’t tell you how many subways, buses, and trains I’ve taken here, and I’ve never felt uncomfortable.

34. How safe is Korea for a solo female traveler?

One of the safest places. Korea is honestly one of the safest countries in the world.

Of course, be as cautious as you’d be anywhere. Watch your drink, don’t get too inebriated if you’re on your own, and, you know, keep an eye out for your fellow female! I feel like there’s a silent solidarity of women around the world against creepy, drunk men, so if you ever feel uncomfortable, just go towards a woman and quietly let her know your situation.

35. How clean is Korea?

Overall, it’s clean. There are some areas that are kind of gross, but it’s no different than any other super industrialized country.

36. What’s the deal with this squat potty? Am I going to have to squat?

Ahhh, the squat potty. If you don’t know what it is, you’re blessed. I  know it’s actually more hygienic than regular toilets, but I just can’t get used to the idea.

Fun fact, in the 3 years I lived there, I never once needed to use one. Regular toilets are far more common, especially for most of the places you’re visiting.

Some more rural areas may only have a squat potty, such as hiking trails or campgrounds, but major places will have normal ones. And hey, the fancier buildings even have the seat bidets, which are truly the greatest toilet invention since indoor plumbing.

These are just some things I and other friends have noticed, and that I think you might be surprised by if you’ve never been here. I should preface this section with this: Of course, not ALL Koreans are like this, and many of these things you may not even experience. This is from my personal point of view and some trends I’ve seen with other foreign friends who live here.

37. You will get stared at.

Maybe not in Seoul, but in the rest of the country, just be prepared. There’s the episode of Conan when he goes to Korea and all the kids are craning their necks and just staring. That’s pretty common even if you’re not a tall ginger with a camera crew.

If you hear “wayguk,” they’re just pointing out that you’re a foreigner. I had a friend who would reply in the same awed tone, “hanguk saram,” or Korean!

38. Here’s a typical line of questioning:

• Korean: Where are you from?
• Me: America.
• Korean: Are you Korean?
• Me: No, I’m Chinese-American.
• Korean: Ahhh you speak Korean well.
• Me: Thank you.
• Korean: Are you married?
• Korean: Ahhh.

Couple culture is also very real here, and you’ll probably see  plenty  of couples out and about enjoying their day in matching gear. Elissa and I always joked that if you’re not sure where exactly to go on your way to a major site, just follow the couples! Works like a charm.

39. Are Koreans actually racist?

Ummmm, for the most part, no. And the more they see of foreign visitors and travel, the less likely they are. There are a few, especially from the older generation, who might be racist. Once in a blue moon, you might come across a bar that bans foreigners, but that’s super rare.

I will say, MANY of my friends have pointed out that the xenophobia in Korea really, really jumped out during COVID. However, this is not something I think you’d have to deal with as a visitor, but it maybe be something you start to get frustrated by if you’re here long term.

40. A note on the introverted nature of many Koreans.

A lot of Koreans keep to themselves. Don’t get me wrong, they can be insanely nice and kind, and I’ve had complete strangers stop to lead me to my next destination. But you have to  ask for that to happen.

Also if you’re in trouble, such as feeling harassed by a drunk old man, they won’t help on their own. They’ll kind of stare and avoid the general area.

41. What the heck is an ahjumma and ahjussi?

Okay, so technically:

• Ahjumma – married woman
• Ahjussi – married man

However, that’s not quite accurate. If you called a 22-year-old married woman an ahjumma, she’d be pretty offended!

Ahjummas are considered tough as nails mothers with cropped perms, comfy pants, and a brusque attitude that can be helpful or frustrating depending on the situation. If you ever need to get through a crowd, follow the ahjumma openly just pushing her way through.

Ahjussis are middle-aged men, and the connotation is that they’re soju drinking, sometimes grumpy, sometimes nice men. A lot of times they drive taxis. Now,  gaejeossis are something else entirely.

42. Do you Koreans really get drunk all the time?

No, though you’d think that, wouldn’t you? While the drinking culture is huge in Korea, the country is not a giant group of alcoholics.

However, some of my friendliest interactions with Koreans have been while they were drunk singing norebang. I guess I could say the same for America too.

43. Treatment of animals in Korea.

Animal treatment is getting  so much better, even in the time I’ve been here. However, I do think I should warn any diehard animal lovers that you’re not going to love what you see, especially out of the cities.

It’s very common to see bigger dogs chained up outside their homes all year round, and one of my adult students told me that near her apartment building, people were feeding the stray cats poisoned food to kill them.

Again, things are seriously improving, and there are so many great groups around the country that help strays. In Suncheon, there’s a cate cafe that’s strictly for helping stray cats!

44. What should I know about the suicide culture?

The suicide culture is a really unfortunate part of Korean culture, but it’s not something you’re really going to encounter unless you’ve been living here, and even then it’s fairly rare.

I wanted to make note of it, especially with SHINee’s Jonghyun passing and because it’s just something to be aware of, but I feel like to really discuss it, I’d have to dedicate a whole post which I’m not ready to delve into researching.

What to Buy for Souvenirs

On a much lighter note, here’s a fun section of what to buy in Korea for souvenirs!

45. The deal with Korean skincare products

Korean skincare is top notch, and it’s all I really use. There are  so many brands compared to the U.S., and they all have their own marketing and store locations. I personally  love Innisfree the most, so I buy from there for classic products. I like Etude House for make-up, and I just pop around to the different brands if I want something trendy or quirky to give as gifts. Some other brands are:

• Nature Republic
• The Face Shop
• Dr. Jart (check Olive Young)
• Peripera (check Olive Young)

If you have time, do research on what kind of products you want for your skin type, but as gifts, my go-to buy is face masks.

46. Clothes + Accessories

There are a ton of clothing stores in Korea, and the two big areas are Myeongdong and Dongdaemun in Seoul. I’m not really that big into clothes shopping here because everything is free size, so it’s either too small or a sack, but it’s worth looking around if you’re on the slim, petite side.

If you want something quirky, then I recommend getting either something with Hangul on it or, for fun, get one of the super bad English motto shirts!

Another clothing item that could be really lovely is a modern hanbok. Instead of buying a regular hanbok, which is crazy expensive, you can buy a modern looking one. Sometimes they’re really subtle details, so you can wear them in normal life without it feeling like a costume.

47. Food and drinks to buy for home

Soju bottles, Korean snacks found in any convenience store or grocery store, specialty teas… The only two specific things I can think of are Pepero and brown rice green tea packets.

48. Any other unique souvenirs to know about?

Hmm, there are quite a lot! Most souvenir shops have similar items that are supposed to be more for traditional Korea. If you have friends getting married, you could get them cute wedding ducks.

The cute culture is very real, so you could always get cute versions of everyday items like stationary or pens. If you’re a fan, go to the Naver Friends or Kakao friends stores and pick up one of their mascots.

There are a lot of adult coloring books too, so if you can find ones for Korean places, then I think those would make super cute gifts.

Other souvenirs would be, of course, K-pop related things if you have friends who love specific groups. I bought the physical CDs of a few groups and singers I like.

Final Notes on Traveling Korea

49. koreans  are actually really lovely and kind..

As a whole, Koreans are the bomb. They’re so kind, and even if some things can feel frustrating, they’re always polite and try to be as helpful as they can. I’ve had frustrating moments here, but, in all honesty, my overall frustration levels living in Korea are less after 3 years than the semester I spent living in Madrid, so that should say something.

50. Ultimately, traveling this country is what you make of it.

If you come in thinking you’re going to have a meet-cute with some perfect-skinned chaebol oppa, you’re probably going to leave pretty displeased.

My best advice is to take Korea for Korea and not compare it to other places. It’s pretty unique, for better or worse, and it  so wants to be better known for welcoming foreign travelers! I’ve been here, cumulatively, for 3+ years, and I wouldn’t keep coming back if I disliked my time.

And there you have it! Fifty things to know about traveling to South Korea. Let me know if I’m missing anything or if you’re planning your own trip here this year!

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37 Comments

Thank you for providing such a wealth of information. I was born in Busan circa 1980 and have lived in the States for 41 years. I am planning to bring my husband and our two sons back in the next year or so and have no idea what to expect!

Ahh have an amazing time!! Busan is so lovely – I don’t think I’ve ever had a bad time there. Gamcheon Culture Village is one of my favorite places in all of Korea!

Great tips! I’m making a list of the things to prepare before going to Korea. You don’t know how helpful it is to me. I’m becoming a lot more excited. Thank you! What do you think of getting a tour guide in South Korea? Found a guide that offers customized tours Do you think I should also consider this?

Hi! Think it depends on how you like to plan. Sometimes it’s nice to have someone else plan for you altogether, but I personally like researching every aspect of my trips!

Rock on. This is a really great blog with so many useful tips, thank you so much for all the details! I’m looking forward to visiting Korea and this has helped a lot!

Thank you for all the awesome tips and helpful information. We’ll be going in April, 2023 and will be visiting Jeju Island. In Seoul we’re planning use subway and train, but while in Jeju Island we are thinking renting a car. Is it expensive and easy to rent a car there? How are the road there? Do you have a car rental place you recommend in Jeju? :)

Hi! Fun! I might be in Korea around that time too depending :)

For Jeju I definitely recommend a car, though the bus system is pretty robust (way better than when I first went). I rented one the last time I went and it wasn’t too bad! I used Trazy – https://thereshegoesagain.org/korea/jeju/car-rental and while April is too far in the future, it looks like it’s around $40 a day.

Hi Samantha! Thank you for your helpful articles. My question is when at Incheon airport the priorities are to get just enough KRW till you get to myundeong (i hope im right T T) but to get there using public transportation, you do need cards for subway/train/bus? Or not necessary? Do you buy them at kiosks or machines near the terminals? Do you just buy an adequate plan card according to your stay (3 weeks in seoul)

Hi Maha! I promise the subway system is really, really easy to use and tourist-friendly in Incheon! (Like easily the best I’ve ever seen). Honestly, when you take out cash, I’d do like 100,000 KRW max. Korea is really card-friendly, so you really only need cash for subway/bus tickets and food stands! Everywhere else takes CC even if it’s only buying a water bottle.

When you arrive, follow signs for the metro. It’ll take you down a level or two and then you’ll see the entrance to the subway. There are literally arrows on the floor! In front are kiosks to buy tickets – you’ll need cash for them. If you just buy a single journey, you can get it there and it’ll pop you out a little ticket. If you want to get a subway card, you can buy one in one of the convenience stores like GS25. Ask for a TMoney card, and then you can just recharge that at any kiosk. Subway cards are super cheap and so easy to use and have on hand; I’d recommend getting one if you’re visiting for 3 weeks.

There’s also at least one or two stands/travel centers to help you if you get truly lost!

I love buying at stores in Korea and getting lots of free samples

Agree, the free samples are so fun!

We are taking our daughter to Seoul for the fall semester as an exchange student to Yonsei University. We are equally excited for her and also fearful at the same time. She has severe food allergies to fish and all tree nuts and peanuts. She already had a few anaphylactic reactions here at home while on college campus so when she said she applied to study abroad, my worry meter just shoot up!!! Anyways, we are set to fly with her and plan to spend a week in Seoul. Your blog and tips are extremely helpful. Thank you!

Ahh enjoy your week in Seoul! I think as long as she has everything she needs on her and explicitly avoids any restaurants using fish/tree nuts/peanuts she should be ok. Luckily most Korean cuisine doesn’t use anything peanuts or tree nuts.

i’m going to south korea next september and you blog has been so useful! thanks a lot <3

Aw yay, I’m glad it’s been helpful!!

So happy I came across your site. So many great articles. My partner and I will be travelling to South Korea (3 weeks) with our 6-month old. We are still struggling on the logistics: rental car or train/bus. I think it all comes down to the question what can we carry comfortably. Q / Is a infant car seat required for taxis and distance buses? I struggle to find reliable and up to date information. Q / Feom your travelling experience in South Korea what would you recommend?

So the only time I’ve driven in South Korea is on Jeju because I’m too scared to drive otherwise haha. BUT I highly recommend reaching out to my friend, Hallie – https://thesoulofseoul.net/ ! She has a daughter in Korea, and she’ll know all the ins and outs of carseats, etc. I think your best bet is DMing her on Instagram or joining our FB group ( https://www.facebook.com/groups/108958789789483 ) and asking there!

Great information! My husband and I are planning to spend a week in Seoul next year. I’m Black and he is Filipino American. Do you think we will encounter any racial issues?

Hi Stephanie! Good question. Racism in Korea is a pretty loaded topic. Essentially everyone who doesn’t look Korean or East Asian has a good chance of experiencing some sort of micoaggression at least. However, because you’re in Seoul for only a week (aka a short time and in the most progressive part of the country used to seeing international visitors), you’ll most likely be fine.

Thank you for this info. Love the content! This is very helpful for those people like me who’s planning to go to Korea. Hopefully I can visit there next year! May I ask what are the requirements to get Korean Visa?

Hi Juliet! Depends on the visas. I recommend checking out the Korean embassy website in your country for specific details. The E-2 visa for teachers is a whole process!

Hi thank you so much for a detailed outline for tips on traveling to south korea, this helped a lot!

Traveling soon there, do I need to know someone in South Korea as a list of contact or do they ask that when first time travelers arrive there? What if i do not know anyone?

Thank you! I don’t think so, but I’m not sure how things have changed with COVID!

Thank you for this! I am planning my 40th birthday for 2022 and this came up in my search!

Ooh so exciting!! I hope you have fun planning!

I loved this so much! I’m hoping to go to korea next year on my own and i’m so excited but very nervous. and this has been so helpful! I’m not sure if you have already but do you have an article or any advise on getting visas or how it works depending on how long you plan on staying. Thank you x:)

Aw you’ll love it!! I have one on getting the E-2 visa but I’m not familiar with the rest. You’ll want to check out some of the Facebook groups for Korea for that :)

So detailed and so impressive! There are lots of articles of Korean travel tips, but I haven’t seen like this one :) Thanks for your post!

Hi! Thank you :) This means so much to me!

This is so helpful, I’ll be going next year and I can’t wait! When you first traveled to South Korea; did you have to book a hotel and give them the hotel information?

Hi! That’s so exciting; I hope you have the best time!!

Yes! So when you go through immigration, they’ll have you fill out the typical form and it’ll ask for an address and phone number. If I’m not staying with friends, I’ll book an Airbnb in Hongdae or hotel and use their address and phone number on the form.

Hi! I’m going to South Korea this year with 4 other girls (2 of whom are my sisters). I came across your post and it gave a very usueful insight to visiting South Korea for the first time. Thank you!

I cannot wait for my trip in 3 weeks!

Thank you so much :). I hope you ladies have such a fun trip! If your timing is just right, I think you should see the cherry blossoms!

Hi, I’m a Korean preparing to be a tour guide for foreign travelers.

I’m impressed by this post full of affection for Korea. I love it! I think most of, no, all of tips you wrote in this post are super helpful to travelers considering trip to Korea. And actually this post is a good text for me to take a foreigners’ perspective, too.

I’m keeping to see your other posts that is so worth to study(!). Nice to meet your posts. :)

Hi Narae, thanks so much for your kind words :) Good luck with your tour guide prep!

I’m a Korean In this post, I think that you got realistic Korean knowledges and useful tips. I didn’t think about foreigner’s perspacetive. And I am amazed by your tips that is most right thing. Thx for your post :)

Thank you, Jae Youl! I’m glad you like the post :)

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18 things to know before going to South Korea

Jun 18, 2024 • 13 min read

South Korea’s public-transport choices – including Busan’s Sky Capsule – are the envy of the world. As you plan your trip, count on using the nationwide network © By f11photo / Shutterstock

Has any place been on a run of late like  South Korea ?

The country is on the lips of travelers around the world, thanks to its cutting-edge technology, world-class cuisine , chart-topping pop bands and some of the most exciting movies and TV series being made anywhere. 

Add to all this centuries of tradition and copious natural blessings , all in a country scarcely larger than Ireland, and you’ve got one of the planet’s great travel destinations .

Safe, friendly and possessing superb infrastructure , South Korea is a truly easy – not to mention rewarding – place to explore. Read on for tips to make your visit even easier.

1. Complete your pre-trip registration three days before your flight

Most travelers – including citizens of the US, Australia and the UK – can visit South Korea visa-free for up to 90 days (up to six months for Canadians). You’ll still need to apply for a Korea Electronic Travel Authorization on the K-ETA website , however, at least 72 hours before departure. It’s a simple process, and your K-ETA is valid for two years from the date of approval.

2. Know your accommodation options

Accommodation options in South Korea cater to a wide range of preferences and budgets. Budget travelers can opt for backpacker hostels or guesthouses in major cities and tourist spots, offering both dormitory and private rooms, often with free internet and breakfast included. For those seeking a unique experience, hanok guesthouses provide a traditional stay in Korean-style room with a floor mattress, sometimes with communal bathrooms.

More conventional accommodations include hotels, ranging from business to luxury, particularly in urban centers and popular tourist areas like Jeju-do . Adventurous travelers might enjoy glamping near national parks or coastal areas. Alternatively, a templestay offers a cultural and spiritual experience, allowing guests to live like a monk and learn about Buddhist practices in some of the country's most serene settings.

3. Time your visit with the trees

We recommend planning your visit to South Korea for spring or fall , when the peninsula gets its most temperate weather. Bonus points if you can time it to coincide with one of the country’s two periods of arboreal magic. Korea’s cherry blossoms start blooming in mid-March on Jeju-do Island , off the south coast, and typically appear in Seoul in early April. In late October and early November, the leaves of Korea’s many ancient ginkgo trees turn into brilliant golden torches, giving Seoul and other cities a particularly regal look for several weeks.

4. Mind these two major holidays

The two periods that can cause travelers real problems are the multi-day Lunar New Year and Chuseok (fall harvest) holidays. On these two occasions every year, Koreans hit the road en masse, making booking a bus or train ticket nearly impossible. The dates change each year, so be sure to check when these are before making travel plans. 

If you can’t avoid a holiday, base yourself in Seoul or Busan for its duration. Plenty of businesses stay open, and the cities can be surprisingly peaceful with everyone out of town.

5. Take advantage of Korea’s world-class public transportation

Korea’s subways, trains and buses are clean, convenient and efficient . It can sometimes seem like a new station is added to the Seoul metro every month, and the rail and intercity bus networks will take you to every corner of the country. Public transportation is cheap: bus and subway fares in Seoul start at just ₩1250. In all of South Korea, Jeju-do is the only place where renting a car might make sense, and even there it’s probably not necessary.

With plentiful English information and sensible design, public transportation in Korea makes getting from here to there a breeze. To get moving, start by picking up a T-money transit card at a convenience store or from a vending machine in any subway station. Separate kiosks can be used to load money onto your card. Tap your card both when you board and get off the subway or bus. Fares are calculated by distance, so if you forget to tap when disembarking, you’ll be charged more and won’t be able to transfer for free. You can also use T-money cards in most taxis.

When traveling longer distances, it’s simple enough to just buy intercity bus or train tickets at stations. For the high-speed KTX train and some of the more popular routes and times – departing Seoul on Saturday morning, for example – it’s a good idea to purchase in advance. Bus tickets are typically readily available for purchase from machines and counters in bus stations. Buy train tickets on the website of  KORAIL , the national operator.

6. Stay connected with these essential apps

Wi-fi is so prevalent in Korean cities that you can do without a local SIM card, but if you decide that you want one just in case, or if you plan to head to rural areas, the easiest place to pick one up is at one of the many  telecom roaming centers at Incheon Airport upon arrival. If you can't be bothered to get one in a store, you can buy a Korean eSIM if your phone supports it. Phone rental is also available in Korea.

Helpful apps to download include Naver Map ( iOS and Android ), which works better than Google Maps in South Korea; Subway Korea ( iOS and Android ) for navigating cities’ metro systems; and Kakao T ( iOS and Android ), which is like Uber but for taxis.

7. Get out of town

There are two Koreas. We don’t mean North and South, but rather Seoul and everything else – or, a bit more broadly, urban Korea and rural Korea. The country has a reputation for being a hyper-paced, highly wired pop-culture dynamo, but its hinterlands present a much different picture, and you’d be missing out big time if you skip them. 

The Korean countryside is beautiful. Mountains and rivers make for beautiful vistas , and its well-maintained roads are perfect for road trips . Life is lived differently here than in the cities. The population is older – most people under 40 have decamped to the cities – and the pace is slower. At least once on your trip, get out of the cities and immerse yourself in this more traditional side of Korea.

8. Learn your ga , na , da , ra , ma , bas

Basic English is widely understood in Korea by folks under 50, and signage is almost always in both Korean and English. Yet it’s still a good (and respectful) idea to learn a bit of the language. 

Beyond memorizing a few essential Korean words and phrases, learning hangul, the Korean alphabet, is like gaining access to a secret bonus level of Korean travel. If you can sound out the letters, you’ll find that you already know what things like 카페 모카 ( ka-pe mo-ka , or cafe mocha), 비빔밥 (bibimbap, a popular Korean dish) and 사우나 ( sa-oo-na, or sauna) are. 

Hangul is easy to learn. King Sejong the Great, who oversaw its creation in the 15th century, declared that a wise man could pick it up before noon and even an idiot could learn it in 10 days.  Let’s Learn Hangul  teaches the Korean alphabet in an interactive, easy-to-follow way.

9. Roll with the nudges

Koreans live life in a hurry, and they do so in a densely populated country, so you shouldn’t expect the same sense of personal space or public courtesies you find in your home country. Koreans won’t hold doors open for you or apologize if they bump into you when walking. When getting on or off the subway, they likely won’t say, “Excuse me” – they’ll just nudge you aside. They’re not being rude, though. 

When you live in a city as crowded as Seoul, it’s just not practical to say sorry every time you knock shoulders with someone – you’d be apologizing constantly. This can be maddening to outsiders, but just accept it and roll with the nudges.

10. Be ready to get personal

The typical greeting here is a quick bow – nothing dramatic, just a head nod deep enough for your gaze to meet the floor – but you’ll sometimes be offered a handshake instead. If you are, expect more of a gentle clasp than the old squeeze-and-pump.

You’ll likely be asked questions more personal than you’re accustomed to by someone you just met. At the top of this list is your age. This data point is essential to Koreans, as it informs how they talk to one another: how formal their verb endings should be and whether to use honorifics. Inquiries about marital status, occupation and your opinion of Korea are also common. Answer politely, and feel free to return the question.

11. Wear what you like, but don’t pack anything too risqué

As a traveler, you can feel free to dress for the weather and comfort. Koreans are pretty relaxed about attire, even if they’re more modest than you might expect. If visiting a temple , while shorts are fine, tank tops and miniskirts are not. Both men and women frequently wear t-shirts at the beach (though it’s best to leave the Speedo or thong at home). Korean women almost never wear low-cut tops, and female travelers could find that doing so brings unwelcome looks. Tattoos are now common among young people, yet even still some bathhouses will deny entry if you show any ink.

12. Eat with others and don’t be afraid to shout for service

Eating is a communal activity in Korea, and many restaurants, especially barbecue joints, don’t offer single servings. So if you’re traveling solo, you might either have to drag someone from your hostel along with you (not a tough sell) or loosen your belt and order pork belly for two (you poor thing).

At restaurants, servers won’t come check up on you, and most places have call buttons on each table. Give it a push, and someone will be right over. Otherwise, to grab the waitstaff’s attention, raise your hand and shout, “ Yogiyo !” (“Over here!”). Water is usually self-service, and occasionally side dishes are, too. If your server doesn’t set a bottle of water on your table, look around for a water dispenser and stacks of metal cups. At the end of your meal, take the check to the front counter to pay. There’s no tipping. Some traditional restaurants where patrons sit on the floor might require you to remove your shoes before entering.

More restaurant etiquette

• Chopsticks Don't stick your chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice or pass food from one pair of chopsticks to another.
• Eating with fingers Don’t touch food with your fingers, except when handling ssam (lettuce leaves).
• Filling your own glass (alcohol) Dining companions usually pour drinks for each other – traditionally, never for themselves. It’s polite to use both hands when pouring or receiving a drink.

13. Get to know Korean drinking culture

The practice of hoesik – a gathering of people, often work colleagues, to go eat and drink together – is common. Drinking, and drinking heavily, is the mainstay of Korean socializing, and an evening out can quickly turn into a blur of bar-hopping.

The most common drink of choice is soju . The stuff is, more often than not, ethanol mixed with water and flavoring. Drinking too much of it can leave you with a killer hangover. Be especially careful about the infamous ' soju bombs', when a shot glass of soju is dropped into a glass of beer and the two are drunk together.

Helping soak up some of that alcohol will be anju (bar snacks; obligatory in some bars). These are likely to be heaped plates of oil-soaked food – French fries, vegetable twigim (fritters) or fried chicken. There's even a word for such a combo: chimaek, from Korean chikin (fried chicken) and maekju (beer).

As in other countries, there's a changing attitude to excessive alcohol consumption particularly among young people. An evening spent in a fancy coffee shop or bakery cafe is the norm for non-alcohol drinkers, while those who are looking for cheap drinks, hang out at convenience stores, some of which provide tables for customers to sit down to immediately eat and drink their purchases.

14. Is North Korea a concern?

Despite international headlines, South Koreans don’t worry about an attack from  North Korea  – and neither should you. Military clashes are very rare, and danger to civilians is rarer still. A guided tour to the  DMZ can be a fascinating and truly find-it-nowhere-else experience. From afar, North Korea can seem almost comical in its eccentricities, but when you’re looking at South Korean soldiers looking at North Korean soldiers looking at you, the geopolitical stakes hit different. Plus, many tours offer what may be your only chance to actually step foot in the world’s most secretive country.

15. Monitor the air quality

Even in post-pandemic times, it’s a good idea to always carry a mask, as air quality can occasionally drop to pretty nasty levels. This is especially true in spring, when dust blown off the deserts of Mongolia and northern China combines with local pollution to create unhealthy air. Download an app like IQAir Air Visual (for iOS or Android ) to keep track of current conditions and the upcoming forecast across the country.

16. You might have to be flexible about your diet

If you have food allergies or a specific diet, you may have a hard time finding places to eat or getting clear information about ingredients. Vegetarianism and veganism are slowly gaining popularity in Korea, but not many restaurants cater to these diets. Even dishes that you might think are vegetarian are often made with anchovy broth or fermented shrimp. Common dishes that are vegetarian or vegan include bibimbap (without meat), japchae (sweet potato noodles) and chaeso jeon (vegetable pancake). Buddhist temples often serve vegan food. In Seoul,  Bongeun-sa temple serves a vegetarian lunch, and Balwoo Gongyang and Sanchon are restaurants specializing in vegetarian temple food.

17. Recognize that LGBTIQ+ acceptance still has a long way to go 

While attitudes are slowly changing, Korea remains a conservative society in many respects, and anti-LGBTIQ+ prejudice is common. Even so, LGBTIQ+ travelers are more likely to be on the receiving end of curious – if misinformed – questions than any sort of open hostility. Public displays of affection are generally frowned upon (though this goes for straight couples, too).

Seoul has small gay districts in Itaweon and Jongno-3-ga, while the Hongdae-Sinchon-Ewha university corridor is another place where LGBTIQ+ Koreans feel comfortable being themselves. 

18. Use common sense and keep these numbers handy, just in case

Theft and violent crime are rare in South Korea. Scams and pickpockets targeting travelers are virtually nonexistent, and Koreans typically go out of their way to be hospitable to visitors. Nonetheless – as anyone should anywhere – do exercise basic caution and common sense. South Korea has strict drug laws, and don’t even think about trying to sneak past them. Nightlife often revolves around heavy drinking, so know your limit to avoid putting yourself in a sketchy situation.

If you do have an emergency, call 112 to reach the police, 119 for emergency services or 1330 to reach the Korea Travel Hotline, where an operator will connect you to the appropriate service and serve as an interpreter. That number can also be used to reach the Korea Tourist Police.

This article was first published Jul 16, 2022 and updated Jun 18, 2024.

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