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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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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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Home » Asia » South Korea » 26 South Korea Travel Tips You Need to Know! • 2024

26 South Korea Travel Tips You Need to Know! • 2024

South Korea is a tiny country that punches way above its weight in a number of arenas, and that extends to being one of Asia’s greatest travel spots!

The land of KBBQ, the world’s fastest internet speeds, futuristic cities, and a breathtaking mix of ancient and modern, this is one of the best countries in Asia to travel in, and yet it’s criminally underrated.  

I spent a few years calling this country home, and I’ve created the ultimate Korea travel guide to help you navigate your way through this gem of northeast Asia.

Whether you’re a first-time traveler or a return visitor, here’s a list of 26 South Korea travel tips you need to know before stepping off the plane!

The Broke Backpacker is supported by you . Clicking through our links may earn us a small affiliate commission, and that's what allows us to keep producing free content 🙂 Learn more .

26 EPIC South Korea Travel Tips

After years of living and traveling in South Korea , here are some of the most important tips I’ve learned along the way!

1.  Download These Apps!

South Korea is one of the most tech-savvy societies on the planet, and you’re going to need to keep up. These apps are just a few of the essentials you want to have to make your trip to South Korea the unforgettable experience it should be.

Subway Korea

Not the most exciting app to download but crucial all the same, this is going to make your time in Seoul so much easier.

With a full, interactive map of Seoul’s ( Korea’s capital city ) absolutely sprawling subway system, Subway Korea tells you exactly which station you need to begin and end at, which stations to transfer at, and how long it’s going to take you from start to finish.

You can find this on the App Store for both Android and iPhone, and a companion app exists for Busan’s smaller (but still pretty big!) subway system.

When it comes to Korean, Google Translate can give you some hilariously bad translations and while that’s always entertaining, you’re going to need to be able to communicate with more than just hand gestures!

That’s why you need to download Papago . It serves many languages and its Korean translations are far better than Google’s, so this is going to make traveling to South Korea for the first time go much smoother.

You can get around places in Seoul with only English, but beyond that you’re going to need some help which makes Papago a must-download.

In my experience, Google Maps isn’t too helpful in Korea, and that’s why you’ve got to download Kakao Maps!

An app made by a Korean company, Kakao Maps is going to provide you with a level of detail, precision, and helpfulness that Google Maps simply can’t deliver.

Whether you’re exploring the city or out in Korea’s gorgeous countryside, this app is the best option for navigating the country.

2.      Learn Some Basic Korean Phrases

Having a solid translation app is all well and good, but it’s also important to memorize a few basic phrases in Korean just in case your phone doesn’t come through for you.

Anyeong Hasaeyeo – Hello

(You might have heard anyeong as meaning “hello” in Korean before and while that’s true, it’s important to say the full phrase because shortening it to anyeong can be seen as disrespectful.)

Kamsamnida – ­ Thank you

Kohn Bae! – Cheers!

Odi / Odi…? – where / where is…?

Hwajangshil – Bathroom

3. Explore the Dramatic East Coast

Staying in Seoul is great, but the country has SO much more to offer.

Korea’s east coast in particular flies far under the radar for most foreigners and isn’t visited nearly enough. But I can attest that it’s easily one of the most epic regions in Korea!

With tall, jagged peaks rising straight out of the sea, the east coast is the perfect place for travelers looking to escape Korea’s ultramodern cities and get out to explore the country’s natural wonders.

The east coast holds some of Korea’s best hiking spots, and Seoraksan National Park in particular is a favorite of mine, especially during winter and spring.

4. Korea is a Shopper’s Mecca

If you’re keen on shopping for the latest fashion or newest tech, South Korea is pretty much unbeatable.

Between Shinsegae, Lotte World, and a TON more, Korea has limitless options for shoppers of all stripes.

Shinsegae and Lotte are two absolutely massive department store chains in Korea that house countless stores within their walls, and there are so many more on top of those two to choose from and explore.

Your choices really are infinite.

The one thing you need to keep in mind though is that you should be prepared to spend.

Korea is not a cheap country in general, and that extends to its shopping scene. If you’re going to buy a higher-end item here, be ready to shell out a lot of cash.

5.      Avoid Drinking Tap Water

Sadly, Korea isn’t a place where you can drink the tap water worry-free. While many places in the countryside have springs with fresh water straight from the mountains, you will need to have a filtered water bottle for your trip!

That’s why we strongly recommend you invest your hard-earned cash in getting a Grayl Filtration Bottle to accompany you on your travels!

It’s a reusable, zero-waste system that allows you to drink water from pretty much anywhere and in the long run, will save you countless dollars that you would have otherwise spent on water bottles, filters, and purification tablets.

Drink water from ANYWHERE. The Grayl Geopress is the worlds leading filtered water bottle protecting you from all manner of waterborne nasties.

Single-use plastic bottles are a MASSIVE threat to marine life. Be a part of the solution and travel with a filter water bottle. Save money and the environment!

We’ve tested the Geopress  rigorously  from the icy heights of Pakistan to the tropical jungles of Bali, and can confirm: it’s the best water bottle you’ll ever buy!

6. Learn How to Get Around in South Korea

Nearly every corner of South Korea is connected by an intricate web of trains and buses that link large cities like Seoul and Busan in the south with the tiny villages and hamlets in the countryside.

Public transportation in Korea is fantastic: it’s reliable, clean, convenient, and always on time!

Even if you’re waiting at a bus stop in the middle of nowhere, if the schedule says a bus arrives at 8:30, it will be there at 8:30, give or take a few minutes.

On that note, if you’ve got a bus or train ticket departing at a certain time, make sure you’re there early because you will get left behind if you’re not there on time!

That brings me to one of the most important points of this piece: I highly recommend that you do NOT rent a car or motorbike in Korea if you’re considering it.

While the roads are modern, impressive feats of engineering, drivers here can often be very unpredictable and that can lead to some dangerous situations on the road if you’re not used to it.

A one-hour motorbike ride between two cities in Korea felt longer and scarier to me than a nine-hour ride on Pakistan’s Karakoram Highway, and anyone who’s made that trip can tell you how much that statement means!

It’s for that reason that I think you should avoid getting your own wheels in Korea, and that risk combined with the excellent public transportation system makes any rentals a needless expense.

When going between different cities, you can use Trip.com to book your train or bus tickets.

Remember to book in advance because if you show up and try to buy the ticket the day of your intended departure, there’s a good chance you’ll be out of luck.

Simple Seoul Travel Tips You Need to Know

Whether you’re traveling to South Korea for the first time or coming back for more, you’ll be spending a ton of time in Seoul so it’s good to know how to stay on top of things when exploring this behemoth of a city!

7. Invest in a Month-Long Tmoney Card

You’ll probably be using public transportation a lot, so it’s best to invest your money where it counts to get the most bang for your buck.

Bus and train fares in Korea are cheap anyway (about one dollar or less per ride), but the government just launched a new transit card option which allows passengers to spend $49 for a one-month pass and get unlimited access to Seoul’s huge network of trains and buses, as well as public bicycle rentals.

The card is rechargeable, so if you plan on staying in Korea for longer than a month, this is a great option to make your Seoul itinerary easier to execute.

You can get one at any major subway station, but sadly this card only covers public transportation in Seoul for now, so keep that in mind before buying.

If you’re just looking for a good old-fashioned Tmoney card without the month-long plan, you can get one at any convenience store or subway station and charge it with cash.

8. Make Reservations in Advance if Possible

When it comes to accommodations or more popular restaurants/cafés, it can be difficult in Seoul to simply show up to a place and expect to find an open spot, especially in high season.

This is a country where it’s best to make your reservations beforehand. If you don’t, there’s a very good chance that you’re going to miss out and get turned away.

9. Try Seoul’s amazing street food

Korean cuisine has plenty of tasty street snacks that are quick and cheap, making this one way to cut costs in Seoul! There’s no shortage of markets and stalls offering a quick bite, so be sure to check them out.

Kimbap and tteokbokki are two classic Korean eats that are cheap, delicious, and filling.

10. Understand Internet and Data in South Korea

Wifi is everywhere and internet speeds are lightning fast, but you’ll still want to stay connected when you’re on the move!

SIM cards and data plans tend to be pricy by Asian standards, and while you can get Korean e-SIMs at the airports, there’s a better option: a WiFi Egg rental.

You can check out a list of rental options here , and any of them will keep you connected to Korea’s ridiculously fast internet while you’re on the go without breaking the bank.

11. Korea Isn’t Cheap

Expenses in Korea aren’t quite as scary as Western Europe in summer but this isn’t Thailand either, so you need to be prepared to spend a little more.

Hostels will cost at least $15 USD/night but usually a bit more, and proper meals will start at around $8.

Public transportation is cheap, but going to a different city is going to cost a bit more: between $10-$50 depending on how far you’re going.

We’ve tested countless backpacks over the years, but there’s one that has always been the best and remains the best buy for adventurers: the broke backpacker-approved Osprey Aether and Ariel series.

Want more deetz on why these packs are so  damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!

12. Bring Masks to Protect Yourself from Pollution

Korea and neighboring China are heavily dependent on coal for their energy needs, and as a result, the skies can occasionally have dangerous levels of smog, especially in big cities.

Masks are technically not an essential, but you’re going to want to have a few masks on hand to help you deal with this problem.

Just to give you an idea of how bad this can be sometimes: I’ve had an easier time breathing whilst hiking in difficult conditions at 5000m+ altitudes than I’ve had while just sitting outdoors at a café in Seoul trying to enjoy my coffee on a day when the pollution is at its worst.

13. Pay Attention to the Rules

Koreans are meticulous rule-followers, and it’s very important to keep this in mind when planning a trip to South Korea.

No matter how ridiculous a rule might seem to you, Koreans will obey it almost without exception. Even if it’s 3am and the roads are completely empty, a pedestrian is going to wait until the crosswalk turns green before they think about venturing out onto the empty road while the sign is red.

Many countries are really loose with the law but this is not one of them, so make sure that you’re completely respectful of the rules when you’re visiting South Korea.

A Few South Korea Cultural Travel Tips

Respecting Korean societal norms are SUPER important. Let’s get into a few of them…

14. Don’t tip

This might come as a huge relief to visitors, especially for Americans, but it’s important to know that tipping isn’t really a thing in Korea. Very rarely a place will ask for tips for its workers, but otherwise you should avoid tipping in all situations.

15. Politeness and respect are non-negotiable

Korean culture is deeply rooted in visibly showing respect for others, and it’s important to adopt that attitude while you’re visiting South Korea. Sass and sarcasm are looked down upon in nearly all situations so it’s best to avoid using those entirely.

16. Koreans tend to be reserved

While Koreans are very polite and hospitable, they are usually pretty reserved and it takes awhile for them to open up, so don’t worry if it seems like they’re not too friendly at first!

17.      Learn to Read Korean

Okay, I realize this might sound insane, but hear me out!

Hangul – the name for the Korean alphabet – is incredibly easy to learn how to read and will take you an hour or two max to get the basics down.

Just a bit of study goes a long way in helping you read signs and menus, making this a great return on investment for your time.

Even if learning languages isn’t your thing, I promise you that this is way easier than it sounds and strongly recommend giving it a try!

18. Understand When to Visit South Korea

Autumn and Spring are majestic.

Japan gets a lot of recognition for its stunning seasonal colors (and rightly so!) but these seasons in Korea are just as magical and can’t be missed.

It’s also way less crowded than Japan, and the colors you’ll see here are simply unreal.

These are not busy seasons in Korea as far as foreign tourism is concerned, so you’ll have a lot more space than you would in summer.

You’ll have to get out of the city to see these colors at their best, and Magoksa Temple is one of the most stunning locations in Korea during peak foliage!

Magoksa Temple is not too far from Seoul so it’s very accessible. If you’re in Korea during Autumn, this spot is a can’t-miss.

If you’re keen on visiting South Korea during Spring, you will see spellbinding cherry blossoms pretty much everywhere you go, but Seoraksan National Park on the east coast is one of the best spots in the country this time of year.

This one’s a bit further out of the way as it’s a 3-hour bus ride from Seoul, but it’s more than worth it! I’ve made the trip out to Seoraksan multiple times and it still isn’t enough.

Going to South Korea in summer is going to be a non-stop sweatfest and while winter can be utterly breathtaking, it’s freezing cold, so Autumn and Spring are the ideal seasons to visit Korea.

Stash your cash safely with this money belt. It will keep your valuables safely concealed, no matter where you go.

It looks exactly like a normal belt  except for a SECRET interior pocket perfectly designed to hide a wad of cash, a passport photocopy or anything else you may wish to hide. Never get caught with your pants down again! (Unless you want to…)

19. Seoul is a Foodie’s Paradise

Not only does Seoul have tons of excellent spots for trying Korean food, but the capital is also home to cuisines from all over the world! Italian, Japanese, Mexican, barbecue of all kinds, and so much more: you name it, Seoul has it.

While you could easily dedicate an entire book to Seoul’s many restaurants, here are a few highlights!

One of the best Mexican restaurants I’ve found anywhere in East Asia is Taco Amigo , located right in the heart of Itaewon.

Just up the road and right on Itaewon’s main street is Vatos , a Mexican fusion restaurant that has a seemingly infinite number of delicious meals to try out.

If you’re craving some classic Texas BBQ, Low and Slow Itaewon has got you covered.

The Royal Food and Drink is a cliffside restaurant with a stunning view of Seoul and serves a majestic brunch that will send you into a food coma.

Not only one of the best brunch places in Seoul but one of the best I’ve been to anywhere, meals here are unforgettable.

Whether you’re looking for izakayas, Levantine restaurants, kebabs, Mexican, or pretty much anything else: this city is a paradise of cosmopolitan cuisine, and taking advantage of that is a must.

Seoul does have unforgettable KBBQ restaurants and countless more excellent Korean restaurants, but the best (and cheapest) Korean food will be found beyond Seoul’s expansive boundaries!

20. Being Vegetarian or Vegan in Korea Isn’t Easy

As with a lot of Asian countries, it can be a challenge to navigate the food scene if you’re vegetarian or vegan. When visiting Busan , Seoul, Daegu, and other larger cities, many restaurants can cater to your diet but in the countryside, you’ll find that your options are much more limited.

Thankfully, Korean food does have some options for those of you who don’t eat meat!

Vegetarian mandu (dumplings), kimbap, and bibimbap are all tasty vegetarian dishes that you can’t miss out on, and jjajangmyeon is one of my personal favorites.

If you’re at a restaurant and ordering food that may or may not come with meat, like dumplings, just ask the waiter for “gogi opsoyo” (“no meat”) and you’ll be all set.

21. Explore Korea’s Amazing Café Scene

Going to South Korea means you get to explore a café scene which is second to none. A massively diverse range of cafés awaits travelers from the traditional to ultra-modern and quirky.

Seoul itself is home to countless unique, very photogenic cafés that you could probably spend a lifetime venturing through.

One of the capital’s most iconic spots is C.Through Café, which you’ll find here . Not only are the drinks delicious, but they also look so good that you almost feel bad for drinking them.

The coffee itself may or may not be what you’re looking for depending on your own personal tastes, but Korea’s cafés and teahouses are so diverse and incredible that I highly recommend you spend some time exploring what they have to offer!

22. Discover Korean Meals You Might Not Know Of!

Korean BBQ, samgyupsal, and kimchi are famous Korean culinary exports for good reason, but there are so many more Korean dishes that any backpacker worth their salt has got to try at least once.

Dakkalbi is a truly epic dish served in a massive pan that contains meat, rice cakes (called dak), vegetables, spices, and more depending on what you request. 

This is the perfect meal to have after you’ve worked up a huge appetite from exploring all day, and best to share with friends.

Quite possibly my favorite Korean meal is jjimdak. Often served in an enormous pan, this dish consisting at its core of chicken, glass noodles, rice, spices, and onions is a gluttonous, decadent meal that everyone should reward themselves with, and you can add more to the pan to mix things up a little.

Hint : add cheese.

23. Get Lost in Seoul’s Insane Nightlife

Seoul’s nightlife is famous and for very good reason: it’s amazing .

Coming out of a difficult few years due to the COVID pandemic, the capital’s bars and clubs are slowly returning to their former glory.

Gangnam, Itaewon, and Hongdae each have an endless supply of bars, restaurants, and clubs to explore that are wild fun, and a visit to Seoul is incomplete without at least a few sleepless nights spent in these districts.

You’ll also find unique escape rooms, board game cafés, and more.

It’s simply not possible to list all the things you can do in Seoul, which is exactly why you should get hopelessly lost in wandering through this amazing city’s nightlife.

24. Get Off the Beaten Path

South Korea is rightly well-known for being a haven of futuristic cities, shopping, and lightning-fast internet, but it’s so much more than that!

This is a country where ancient wonders mix with natural beauty in a way that doesn’t happen anywhere else, and one of the best tips for traveling to South Korea I can give you is to journey away from the typical tourist loop of Seoul, Busan, and Jeju Island .

That might seem like hard advice to follow in a tiny country that’s so modernized, but venture beyond the confines of the cities and you’ll find a side of Korea that most people don’t see.

Experiencing Korea’s ancient, rich culture and all the gems hiding in its many hills simply can’t be missed out on, and this is what makes going to South Korea an unforgettable experience, far more so than a night out in Seoul or Busan.

25. Know Which Places to Stay/Avoid

Korea has no shortage of great hostels to stay at that range from cozy and classy to social and wild, but here are just a few to keep in mind:

If you’re looking for a good time in Seoul that doesn’t involve much sleeping, The Time Traveler’s Party Hostel in Hongdae is hard to beat. Fun and social with a downstairs bar and a crew that goes out into Hongdae’s vibrant nightlife every night, this is the place to be for all kinds of partiers.

Its sister hostel, Time Travelers’ Relax Guesthouse , is for backpackers looking for something more low-key and restful. Also in Hongdae, this hostel is in a quiet neighborhood that’s just a short distance from the district’s unbelievable nightlife scene, so it gives you the best of both worlds.

Seoul Cube Itaewon is also an incredible hostel with a great reputation, and its location right in the center of Itaewon is basically unbeatable!

When it comes to Seoul – and Korea in general – pretty much any hostel or guesthouse you choose is going to be solid with one exception: the Hongdae Bird’s Nest Hostel. This is the one place I recommend you absolutely avoid at all costs unless you have no other choice.

You might be tempted by its low prices and convenient location (I was!), but the facilities are less than ideal and the management is strange, unhelpful, and at times very unfriendly to guests. Avoid, avoid, avoid.

Time Traveler's Party Hostel

With a basement bar and a perfect location just 7 minutes from Seoul's Hongdae neighborhood, this is the best hostel for those looking to get the most out of the city's epic nightlife. It's super social, and you can even get a taste of authentic Korean BBQ every Friday night at their weekly group dinners.

26. Travel With Good Insurance!

Travel insurance is one of the most essential items all travelers simply should not go without, and you need to make sure you’re covered in the event a disaster happens!

Korean healthcare is some of the best – and most affordable – in the world, but you still don’t want to be stuck paying for 100% of a hospital bill.

That’s where SafetyWings comes in: at $40 per month and contract-free, this is an excellent choice for travelers and digital nomads.

Having that peace of mind that you’re covered in case of emergencies is priceless, so don’t forget to sign up before you set out on your travels: it could make all the difference.

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

So is South Korea Worth Visiting?

100%, absolutely, undeniably yes. Not only is it more than worth the effort, I stand by the fact that Korea is one of Asia’s greatest countries to travel in.

Temples, towers, unforgettable nights, delicious food and more await travelers who make the trip to this unique land caught at a crossroads.

Going to South Korea is the experience of a lifetime and when your trip is at an end, no matter how long it is, you’ll find yourself wanting more.

I hope you’ve learned something from these South Korea travel tips. Now all that’s left is to book that ticket.

A wild ride awaits!

• Become a MASTER traveler with our epic travel tips.
• Embrace your backpacker spirit and travel off the beaten path , because… why not?
• Our killer guide to living in hostels will transform your stay. Check it out!
• Get off the couch and into the great outdoors with our hiking guide .
• Or… explore more of the region and go backpack Japan .
• See what most backpackers do not with an epic trip to China .

Made it this far? You get 15% OFF to book a place to stay ! Offer valid exclusively for Broke Backpackers 😉

Nathan Jordan

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• Fall in Korea

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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42 Things to Know Before Traveling Korea

Last Updated on January 8, 2024 by Christine Kaaloa

Table of Contents: 42 Things to Know Before Traveling Korea

• 0.1.1 1. Is Korea Safe?
• 0.1.2 2. Korea’s big brother is CCTV
• 0.2.1 3.  Be prepared to walk …a lot.
• 0.2.2 4. Taxis are an inexpensive
• 0.2.3 5.   Korean alphabet is easy to learn
• 0.2.4 6. Learn Korean travel survival phrases
• 0.2.5 7.  Try a Korean accent.
• 0.2.6 8. Korea’s Top Airlines are Korean Airlines and Asiana Air
• 0.2.7 9. Food in Korea is spicy.
• 0.2.8 10. Korean food is inexpensive
• 0.2.9 11. Kimchi is served at every meal.
• 0.2.10 12. Breakfast is a must.
• 0.2.11 13.  Unlimited Korean side dishes
• 0.2.12 14. Bibimbap is a foreigner’s best friend.
• 0.2.13 15. Drinking cup sizes
• 0.2.14 16. Soju
• 0.2.15 17. Live and Fresh Foods
• 0.2.16 18. Is there tipping in Korea?
• 0.3.1 19. Where are the toilets (and toilet paper) in Korea?
• 0.3.2 20.  The public bathroom bar of soap
• 0.3.3 21. Toilets in Korea
• 0.3.4 22.  Where are the trash bins in Korea
• 0.3.5 23. Public spaces are not heated during winter
• 1.0.1 24.   Korean culture respects formality and tradition.
• 1.0.2 25. Plastic surgery is popular.
• 1.0.3 26. Pushing and shoving is not rude
• 1.0.4 27.  Spitting happens
• 1.0.5 28. Koreans make offerings with both hands
• 1.0.6 29. Age matters in Korean culture.
• 1.0.7 30. No Nose Blowing
• 1.0.8 31. Be prepared to drink until the boss goes home.
• 1.0.9 32. Don’t want to drive drunk? Call a driver
• 1.0.10 33. Koreans love noraebang
• 1.0.11 34. Warm Water vs Iced water
• 1.0.12 Shopping & Activities
• 1.0.13 35. Korean is a gifting culture
• 1.0.14 36. Visit a Korean bathhouse
• 1.0.15 37. Cafe culture in Korean culture is crazy
• 1.0.16 38. Hiking is a favorite pastime and fashion sport in Korea.
• 1.0.17 39. Skincare stores are amazing
• 1.0.18 40. Getting a perm in Korea!!!
• 1.0.19 41. Experience living like a monk with temple stays
• 1.0.20 42. Shopping in Korea is fun.
• 1.1.1 Related Posts on Trip Planning for Korea
• 2 Watch Essential Travel Tips for Korea (video)

1. Is Korea Safe?

2. korea’s big brother is cctv.

 When I thought I lost my passport and went to the front desk because I knew it was the last place I took it out, the manager went to the security room and then after 15 minutes, returned and told me that from the CCTV footage, he noticed I had taken my passport up to the room!   When I scoured my room, I discovered my passport had somehow fallen behind a dresser bureau.

Getting Around Korea

3.  be prepared to walk …a lot..

Korean seniors are fit and active people; they make westerners look slothful. If you’re taking the metro in Korea, prepare to climb stairs …sometimes, multiple levels. Korea has escalators, but usually it’s for intense climbs– hiking a floor or three with luggage does not get sympathy from Korea.

Tip: Wear very comfortable walking shoes. If you are traveling with elderly parents, take taxis instead.

4. Taxis are an inexpensive

Next to the metro, taxis are an inexpensive way to get around. When I lived in Korea, I used taxis a lot; often for grocery shopping. The cost is almost 1/3 the price of a New York City and you will get to your location quick and easy, especially if you are carrying shopping bags and luggage.

Read Essential Travel Tips for Seoul

5.   korean alphabet is easy to learn.

Hangul is the Korean alphabet and it is easy to learn. It consists of 24 characters and if you’re ambitious you can learn it in a day!  While it is not necessary to learn hangul for your vacation, it can facilitate easy when reading some signs, as the characters are efficient when you sound them out. In fact, it is easier to pronounce Korean when you read its alphabets versus write it in English. Read how to get Hangul on your Mac computer

6. Learn Korean travel survival phrases

Learn survival phrases below as a basic foundation for your trip as it may come in handy.  If you’re in Seoul, English is a little more common, especially around the younger generation. Outside Seoul , like Daegu or smaller cities , spoken English language gets to be less.  Not to worry, Koreans try their best to help and if you’re lost, they might even lead you by the hand to your location.

Read my post on unblocking language barriers in travel

7.  try a korean accent..

Here’s a list here . Read how to deal with language barriers .

Here’s a quick primer in Korean pronunciation. The Korean language does not have hard sounding consonants. Instead, certain hard sounding consonants will be merged together to make the same alphabet. Thus, you’ll often see Koreans spell the same word differently. Let’s take cities   Daegu /Taegu or Busan /Pusan:

8. Korea’s Top Airlines are Korean Airlines and Asiana Air

Korean Airlines and Asiana Airlines are Korea’s two premier airlines and are highly recommended. The hospitality, food and complementary in-flight services are top notch.  Flight attendants are beautiful and immaculately dressed with a smile as Korea prides itself on beauty, hospitality and a peaceful experience.

9. Food in Korea is spicy.

Korean food is super delicious, due to the fish and oyster sauces and garlic but just a warning~ it can be very spicy and by spicy , I mean hot. You might break a sweat, your nose will run and you’ll want to blow it…. but don’t!!!

Tip: If you can’t handle a lot of spice, consider sushi restaurants, western-style restaurants, kimbap restaurants (kimbap aka sushi rolls) or order dishes like chook (aka rice porridge), duenjanjigae (soybean soup).

10. Korean food is inexpensive

If you’re on a budget, you’ll find Korean food to be very easy on your wallet. From street food from under $1 to a small meal for under $5, you can get an insane amount of food. Some of my favorites are: soon dubu jigae (soft tofu stew), doenjang jigae (soy bean stew), bibimbap , bibimgooksu  and a whole bunch of vegetable side dishes.

Tip: Take a Korean cooking class and market tour in Seoul

11. kimchi is served at every meal..

Kimchi is the national vegetable and a favorite panchan (aka side dish) you’ll see accompany every meal.. including breakfast . It is a tradition passed down through the women of the household and there are kimchi making seasons in the fall season, when you’ll see incredibly large cabbages being sold at supermarkets. Korean women still gather with their female family members to prepare kimchi for the season. However, modern Korean women who are too busy will simply buy it from the supermarket. There are many contradictions about its healthy properties which you’ll hear, from curing cancer to being too high in sodium. In either case, kimchi is spicy but super flavorful; it is a strong flavor you will not find anywhere outside of Korea.

12. Breakfast is a must.

When I lived in Korea, every school morning, my Korean co-teachers would greet me with “Good morning, How was your breakfast?”  as I held my banana smoothie shake breakfast in my thermos. I didn’t have the heart to tell them I didn’t eat it.

Koreans see breakfast as the most important meal.

13.  Unlimited Korean side dishes

Korean foods come with a bunch of complementary side dishes (aka panchan or ban-chan ) to add flavor and variety to the meal. They are part of the free service and you can order as much of them as you want.

14. Bibimbap is a foreigner’s best friend.

You might be timid about trying Korean food, especially if there are no English menus or you have a special diet. Bibimbap is an easy dish to love. It’s a mixture of rice with soy beans, namul , kimchi , veggies, occasionally meat or an egg, sesame oil and spicy red gochujang sauce. You mix them together and you’ve got bibimbap which is an explosion of fresh, spicy, salty and juicy flavors in each spoonful!

15. Drinking cup sizes

One thing that was very difficult for me to get used to in Korea was the size of the drinking cups. Americans love big drinking cups, but in Korea, the average sized drinking cup fits in your palm. It’s like kiddie cup size.

Soju is the preferred alcoholic beverage in Korea. Served in a shot glass, soju is similar to sake in that it is made from rice and is quite strong. It is stronger than beer, another favorite alcohol in Korea. Soju bombs are a popular drink to get slaughtered. Soju shots are dropped into a glass of beer and the real party begins.

17. Live and Fresh Foods

Koreans like foods fresh . Sometimes, that translates as “alive and still squirming”, like live octopus. At Jalgachi fish market restaurants in Busan , when you order sashimi, they sometimes bring the plate with the fish tail still writhing. But on tamer notes, this can also mean that shopping for product in grocery marts, you might have some produce, like potatoes, will fresh dirt on it and meat sold at grocery stores, is not always pre-wrapped.

Tip: Take a Busan day trip with Jalgachi Market visit.

18. Is there tipping in Korea?

Similar to Japan , Korea is a no-tipping country.  You are not expected to leave a tip and in some situations, it is considered rude. However in more western establishments, there is a growing awareness of western tipping culture and some Koreans will understand it is done out of appreciation.

Navigating Public Spaces

19. where are the toilets (and toilet paper) in korea.

20.  The public bathroom bar of soap

One thing you’ll find in Korean public bathrooms are a community hand soap. No, not the dispenser type (although in upscale Seoul bathrooms, you may find it). It’s a rounded bar of soap sticking out from the wash basin and you wet your hands and rub them over the soap to get it on you. It’s a slight turn off for Westerners who prefer their soap to not share the hands of others who have used the bathroom.

21. Toilets in Korea

In Korea you’ll find three types of toilets: a squat toilet, a standard western toilet, a Toto toilet .

The Toto Toilet is a favorite of many. It is a luxury version of the standard western toilet but with side controls which offer bidet and drying features. Some even come with seat warming which is ideal during winter.

Squat toilets are typically the old-style Korean toilet and you’ll find them in older establishments, such as older restaurants, schools, parks, etc..  Often you’ll find a few obligatory squat toilets but many are being replaced by western toilets in large cities. Seoul, Busan and nice shopping malls, you may find more Toto toilets.

Read How to use a Squat toilet

22.  Where are the trash bins in Korea

Toilets are more ubiquitous than trash cans.  You’ll find toilets in many places but where are the trash cans? You may find some in metro stations by the the drink vending machines or in fast food eating establishments and restaurants. But generally Koreans hold them in their bags until they find an actual trash can.

Read more Korean quirks which shock you.

23. public spaces are not heated during winter.

If you’re traveling Korea in the winter, pack a lot of warm clothes. Not only does Korea get brutally cold but there is not heating in public places such as bathrooms, school hallways/bathrooms, train or bus stations, metro stations, etc..

Koreans have a thing with using their heater. Houses are kept warm with ondol (floor heating), but that is the only place you will find consistent warmth and when I taught at a Korean public school, we could only run our classroom heater when the students had class in it.

Korean culture and etiquette

24.   korean culture respects formality and tradition..

Greetings and formalities are always appreciated. You’ll be saying Hello and Thank you a lot. Anyeong-haseyo and Kam-sa-hamneda!

25. Plastic surgery is popular.

Koreans do not blink where plastic surgery is- it is popular with both young and mature.  The outward appearance has its place in society and Koreans see good physical features as a stepping stone to success and societal placement.  Double eyelid surgery, nose jobs, jaw shavings, botox injections are common. Youth are occasionally gifted plastic surgery for passing an exam and there are even mother-daughter discounts. Plastic surgeons in Korea are quite good and many travelers plan their vacations around plastic surgery procedures and medical tourism .

Living in Korea, I’ve had many Koreans ask if my eyelids were natural; some even poked their finger over my eyelids to touch it!

26. Pushing and shoving is not rude

In western society, pushing and shoving is considered rude, but in a crowded train, it is done a lot in Korea. People have places to be and can be urgent to get there; do not be offended if your pokiness is given a little shove.

27.  Spitting happens

Older Korean men occasionally love to hock a loud one and spit on the ground. In Korea, this is acceptable and Koreans are unfazed by it.

Tip: I would not place my luggage or bags on the ground.

28. Koreans make offerings with both hands

29. age matters in korean culture..

30. No Nose Blowing

31. be prepared to drink until the boss goes home..

Soju, makkeoli (rice wine) and maekju (beer) are the popular alcoholic beverages in Korea. I’m not sure why drinking is so big, but it’s all about bonding. And then hierarchy.  If you’re going for business purposes, know it’s impolite to refuse a drink. If you’re working with a Korean company, then hope your drinking levels are up to standard, because you won’t be able to leave until your boss does.

How did I fare when I was there? Well, I’m absolutely not a drinker, but thankfully my Korean teacher was more western and did not drink herself. She explained it was a western misunderstanding and it is against my religion. But otherwise, Koreans will expect you to drink.

32. Don’t want to drive drunk? Call a driver

As Koreans are heavy drinkers and understand that it is dangerous to drive drunk, so they hire driver services. You call a driver service and the driver appears at the bar or restaurant and drives both you and your car home.

33. Koreans love noraebang

Noraebang (karaoke singing) is a popular form of relaxation and social entertainment in Korea. Koreans love to sing and are crazy about it. It is a part of their bonding culture. Karaoke rooms range with having disco lights, musical instruments like tambourines and a television monitor playing a video with words to the song.

The first week I started work at my Korean elementary school, we had a teacher’s welcome dinner and we were each handed the microphone and were required to sing a song. It is part of being a part of community.

34. Warm Water vs Iced water

Iced water and drinking water are not always common to restaurant experiences. In fast restaurants, you may have to go to the water cooler to pour your own cup. Iced water is not a popular way water is taken, quite possibly due to the fact that health-wise, it’s shocking to the system. Koreans are health-conscious people, so the water will usually be room temperature or hot.But water is generally taken after a meal and often, it’s hot to warm water, which helps aid digestion.

Shopping & Activities

35. korean is a gifting culture.

Korean culture can appear generous~ it seems they are always generously giving gifts. You’ll experience it and you it will feel too good to be true~ you’ll wonder what the catch is. From unlimited panchan (side dishes) at the restaurant to skin care shops which give you a handful of samples or face masks for stepping into their store to 1+1 sales where you get an extra product or sometimes, extra gift with your purchase, Koreans constantly seem to gift each other.  Many of these gifts are a marketing incentive to keep customers coming back for more.

36. Visit a Korean bathhouse

Korea has public bathhouse spas (aka jjimjilbangs) that are inexpensive, fun, packed with entertaining rooms like sauna rooms with crystals, charcoal, salt, ice. They are popular hang out spots and a place where families and friends like to bond. It The best thing is that some are open for 24 hours. They give you a storage locker for your belongings and spa clothes to wear if you want to spend the night. Check out my Korean bathouse guide for more details.

Tip: Get a Discover Seoul pass head of time.

37. Cafe culture in Korean culture is crazy

Korea is crazy about coffee and cafe culture. They likely have the most cafes of any country and many are themed with a quirky, artistic and original flair.  You’ll find stylish to thematic cafes from Snoopy, Hello Kitty to a cat and meerkat cafe!

Tip: If you think you’ll want to explore Korea’s thematic cafes, check out some of their crazy thematic museums! Jeju Island has some of the best and weirdest museums.

Read: Hongdae’s thematic cafes

38. Hiking is a favorite pastime and fashion sport in Korea.

Hiking mountains in Korea are a favorite pastime with Koreans, such that you’ll often find hiking gear stores. It is common to see 60-year Korean men and women trotting up steep slopes that might have you wheezing. Often they will be dressed fashionably in neon pants and windbreaker jackets, hiking poles, backpacks, and sun hats. If you are an avid hiker you’ll love exploring all the hiking trails Korea has to offer!  Walking trails are an element of Korea.

39. Skincare stores are amazing

Beauty is skin deep as the saying goes and in Koreans take this in stride. There are a plethora of skincare stores to aid your beauty and restore your skin’s moisture, collagen, youth, dewy appearance, etc… I fell in love with skincare stores and Korean BB cream . Many Korean skincare products use the finest ingredients, touting herbal ingredients, and lovely fragrances and they feel remarkable going on! Best of all, many are quite effective and inexpensive! Popular skincare stores in Korea: Tony Moly, Nature Republic, The Face Shop, Skin Food, Olive Young , etc..

40. Getting a perm in Korea!!!

Korea has two favorite salon treatments that you won’t find elsewhere~ the magic straight and magic volume . These perms are treatments which will seal in a curl or straighten your hair pin-straight so you won’t have to worry about blow-drying and styling for half a year! Treatments can take several hours and cost $150-200 USD, but it’s highly effective and worth every penny! Read about my experience with Korean perms

41. Experience living like a monk with temple stays

In Korea, some temples offer temple stay retreats, where you can learn meditation and live and dine like Buddhist monks. It is one of the coolest cultural experiences I’ve had in Korea, but know you must abide by the scheduled training and be okay with vegetarian food. Read more about my temple stay experience .

42. Shopping in Korea is fun.

I’ve never known myself to be much of a shopper, but Korea makes me love shopping! From K-drama paraphernalia to cool Korean fashion and cute chachkis, it’s easy to lose your won in Korea.

Travel Resources for your Korea trip

Booking.com – Hotel bookings. No cancellation fees Safety Wing – affordable travel insurance with COVID coverage NordVPN – Online security and the ability to watch Netflix. Use “grrrltraveler” for 70% off 3-year plan + 1 month free Klook – Book tours in Korea and Asia Get your Guide – book tours in Korea Korea SIMs – for prepaid travel SIM Cards Korea Rail Pass – for getting around Korea

Related Posts on Trip Planning for Korea

Cool souvenirs to buy in Korea ( Part1 & Part 2 ) Best things to Do and See on Jeju Island 9 Popular Neighborhoods of Seoul

5 Secret Places in Korea How to rent mobile phones in Korea Best Mobile Apps for traveling Korea

What are your top travel essentials for Korea? What are essential things to know before traveling Korea?

Watch Essential Travel Tips for Korea (video)

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30 South Korea Travel Tips To Know Before Going!

Table of Contents

This post may contain affiliate links to things like tours, hotels, Amazon associates and products. These help me earn a small commission at no additional charge to you.

South Korea is a place you’ll benefit from researching before visiting. If you’re reading my South Korea travel tips, you’re already doing a good job! Saying this, I went in fairly blind and didn’t do much research before I arrived. Nothing went majorly wrong but there were a few things that floored me, such as why Google Maps wasn’t working and why no one would sell me an aff ordable SIM card!

KOREA ESSENTIALS Accommodation: Booking.com /  Hostelworld Activities:  Viator / GetYourGuide Getting there: air ( Skyscanner )   Getting around: Train ( Trip.com ) / bus Pre-book private airport to hotel transfer Travel insurance:   True Traveller  (European travellers) /   Hey Mundo  (other nationalities) /   Safety Wing  (digital nomads)

South Korea tips

After spending three weeks in South Korea , I feel confident to share my Korea tips and advice. I can’t promise I know absolutely everything about the culture and history (although I did my best) but I’m certainly clued up when it comes to Korea travel tips. The following 30 tips for visiting South Korea are designed to share practical advice and cultural know-how, making your trip easier and more meaningful. Here are some things to know before going to South Korea:

Psst – looking for Seoul travel tips? Check out my Seoul itinerary and guide!

1. Data is expensive

My first Korea travel tip relates to the internet. I assumed I’d buy a local SIM like I do everywhere but this turned out to be more complicated than I’d realised . Without a residency card, you can’t access the deals the locals get. I tried asking in countless stores and phone shops but to no avail.

2. But Wi-Fi is everywhere

When visiting South Korea, ask yourself if you actually need a SIM card. I’ve never been anywhere with quite so many Wi-Fi hotspots. Every subway station has Wi-Fi access as well as many trains and local buses. Whenever I was out sightseeing, I’d nip into a station to download directions to my next location even if I wasn’t catching a train. I got by fine without data so you might want to disregard my South Korea travel tip #1 and use Wi-Fi instead.

3. Rent your SIM/hotspot at the airport

If you do decide you’d rather get a SIM card than rely on Wi-Fi, a good option is to pre-order one and collect it at the airport. I started my SIM card hunt by asking my hostel owner where to get one. She answered ‘the airport’ which wasn’t ideal since I’d just spent an hour coming from there. Yep, it’s hard to find tourist SIM cards anywhere but the airport so this is definitely a helpful thing to know before visiting South Korea. B ook your 4g SIM to collect at Seoul airport . The other option is renting a portable Wi-Fi device. This often works out a bit cheaper than a SIM card and they also can be collected at the airport. Reserve your pocket Wi-fi device here.

4. Tipping isn’t necessary

Worried about the cost of travelling in South Korea ? I’ll touch on this later but there’s one thing you don’t need to worry about: tipping. The price you see on a restaurant menu or at the bar is exactly what you’ll pay. In fact, tipping can appear quite rude, just like in Japan. Giving a tip might suggest you think a waiter is below you hierarchically which is obviously to be avoided. Save those pennies for dessert!

5. Google Maps doesn’t really work

I’d never been somewhere without Google Maps so I was very surprised when I arrived in South Korea. It’s not that Maps doesn’t work at all but it’s not regularly updated and the maps won’t load to a close level. Public transport directions work but walking and driving ones do not. South Korea prefers to rely on its own system rather than global companies which explains its reluctance to partner with Google. Some apps for travelling in Korea are Naver Maps and KakaoMap.

6. South Korea gets COLD

A tip for visiting South Korea in the winter is to prepare for the weathe r. Unlike other places in Asia that stay warm all year round, South Korea has severe winters. This means you’ll want to look at the seasons and weather before planning your trip, or at least dress accordingly. As a lover of the sun (and a backpacker with too many sarongs and summer dresses), I waited for spring to visit. But if you have a woolly wardrobe ready to be packed, winter might be a beautiful time to visit South Korea.

Of all the things to know before going to Korea, the weather may be the most impactful. Here’s a rundown of the seasons.

• Spring (March to May) – the best time for cool temperatures and seeing cherry blossoms
• Summer (June to August) – hot and humid in the cities but generally manageable
• Autumn (September to November) – this season is short with cool temperatures of 10-20 degrees. Note this is typhoon season.
• Winter (December to March) – temperatures go down to -3 degrees.

7. It’s amazing for hiking

One thing that South Korea isn’t overly famous for is hiking . I hope this changes because this green and glorious island is the perfect place for long and short hikes for all abilities. I took some excellent day trips from Busan that nature lovers will enjoy. Most are super easy to reach from the city thanks to efficient public transport.

Worthwhile hikes include:

• Bukhansan National Park from Seoul
• Seoraksan National Park (2.5 hours from Seoul, stay over in Sokcho city)
• Apsan Park and observation deck from Daegu
• Palgongsan Mountain from Daegu
• Igidae Coastal Walk from Busan
• Taejongdae Resort island hike from Busan.

8. The Korean alphabet is easy

Apparently! I can’t say I learnt it but many travellers claim it’s pretty easy, plus it would be a fun activity for your South Korea bucket list . Of course, I’m not saying that learning fluent spoken Korean is easy, but knowing the alphabet will enable you to recognise dishes on menus and place names. If you’re good with languages, this could be a worthwhile tip for visiting South Korea.

9. Get a Tmoney card

My top South Korea tip for getting from a to b? Purchase a travel card. Tmoney cards only cost 500 won when you consider that you get back 3,500 of the 4,000 deposit you pay. They make travelling South Korea so much easier because you don’t need to queue for ticket machines and you can quickly tap onto any bus or subway train. You can buy them at subway stations and convenience stores.

10. The subway is efficient but don’t overlook the buses

Jumping on buses in foreign countries can be nerve-wracking but don’t worry in South Korea. The buses are safe, efficient and regular. For certain routes, they’ll even be quicker than catching the subway. Personally, I much prefer to get my bearings and watch the world go by from the window of a bus than sit underground so I always take the bus when I can. In smaller cities like Daegu, Gyeongju and Jeonju , buses are the only option as there’s no subway. This South Korea travel tip is to embrace them!

11. Use Trip.com to book trains

You can book trains on Trip.com , the official partner of Korail (the railway network of Korea). This is the only train website that will take foreign payment card.

12. For buses, just show up

Unfortunately, for buses, you can’t use Trip.com and other booking websites only take Korean payment cards. Don’t worry because buses rarely book up so you can just turn up on the day. This is what I did and never had any problems. As a general rule, before moving to a new place I checked out bus and train prices then took whichever was cheapest or quickest, depending on how much time I had.

13. You can only visit the DMZ with a tour

Visiting the DMZ is a fascinating addition to your South Korea trip. However, the only way to visit is with an official guide and organised tour group. Check out my tips for taking a DMZ tour from Seoul .

The second thing to know about visiting the DMZ is that tours can book up during busy months. Book a couple of days in advance if possible. An additional South Korea tip: bring your passport to the DMZ with you otherwise you’ll be refused entry to the area. Imagine coming all that way and not being allowed in!

14. There are lots of affordable tours

Despite the fact that general costs are higher in South Korea than many other Asian countries, the price of tours a r e pretty similar. Trips and day tours on GetYourGuide and Klook start at $15, a useful Korea tip if travelling on a budget without your own vehicle.

15. Bank cards are widely accepted

Before arriving in South Korea I’d been in Southeast Asia, somewhere you can rarely pay on card. While I’d recommend having some cash on you in South Korea, most restaurants and shops do allow card transactions. However if you’re having street food for dinner, it’s cash payment or going hungry.

16. The currency is the South Korean won

The South Korean currency might make you feel wealthy but soz, it’s an illusion! The rate at the time of writing (Jan ‘22) is 1,600 to the pound or 1,200 to the dollar. You’ll be dropping at least 5,000 for dinner and 20,000 for hostel beds.

17. Prices are fairly high

I’d put South Korea between Southeast Asia and the West in terms of costs. You’ll certainly find it expensive if you’re used to Vietnam or Thailand but it won’t seem so bad if you’re arriving from the UK or US.

Read next: Korea on a budget

Hostel dorms cost around 20,000 won (£15 / $18) per night; street food meals cost between 2-5,000 won; cheap restaurant meals cost between 5,000-10,000 won; and train journeys are between 5-000-25,000 won. If you’re looking for South Korea tips for travelling on a budget, you need to get familiar with market food and dorms!

Read next: guide to Seoul street food

18. The beauty culture is something else

Get ready to be bombarded with beauty products left right and centre ! The South Korean beauty industry is one of the biggest in the world worth over $10 billion US. It’s also impossible to avoid. South Koreans are often super glamorous and rely heavily on whitening p roducts. Areas of Seoul like Myeondong are packed with beauty stores selling everything you never knew you needed. They’re a lot of fun to browse.

19. Get ready to feel scruffy!

On that note, I’ve never felt scruffier than in South Korea. My backpack wardrobe was passable in other Asian countries but felt oh-so-crumpled and faded compared to what the locals wore. Particularly in Seoul! If you’re looking for Seoul travel tips, I would suggest you pack a few smart outfits if you want to visit nice restaurants and bars. They aren’t mandatory but might make you blend in better!

20. Go hard or go home

I was surprised to learn that South Koreans are big social drinkers and love to party. Previously I’d been in Taiwan where the drinking culture was virtually nonexistent so I’d expected more of the same. How wrong I was! In Seoul’s Hongdae, local partygoers stay out until 6am. You’ll also see businessmen pretty tipsy after post-work drinks. It was a side I’d not seen before in Asia and liked – after all, how often do you get to party with the locals?

21. Soju is life

If you’re headed to South Korea and don’t yet know Soju, you’ll want to remember this Korea travel tip. Soju is a fermented spirit and the national drink of South Korea. Apparently, it’s considered offensive to refuse a shot. And we wouldn’t want to cause offence now, would we? 😉 If you’re backpacking Korea on a budget, there’s a second reason to know about soju. It’s very cheap. Drinking soju at home is a fraction of the cost of drinking at a bar. Visit the 7-Eleven for apple, grape and grapefruit flavoured soju that can be drunk neat (it’s nowhere near as strong as the flavourless version).

22. There’s nowhere as crazy as Seoul

Seoul is different from anywhere in the country. It reminded me of London in that way. If you try and compare anywhere else in South Korea to Seoul, you’ll end up surprised or even disappointed. While I’d recommend around 3 days in Busan , I’d suggest at least 5 days in Seoul. Nowhere rivals Seoul in size, quirkiness or diversity of the things to do. For a real taste of what makes Seoul special, visit Hongdae in the evenings. You’ll find live music, street food, bizarre cafes where you can pet sheep and racoons, street art, and locals dining out and drinking coffee ‘til 4am . And partying ‘til even later!

23. Buddy up for dinner

Something I didn’t anticipate in South Korea was not being to dine solo. Sure, sometimes newbie solo travellers might feel uncomfortable dining solo anywhere but that’s usually down to fear of being judged rather than actual restaurant restrictions. For Korean barbecues and dak galbi meals (a chicken and cheese hotplate dish), there’s often a minimum of 2 diners required. Super annoying right? My best South Korea travel tip is to always ask. I found a barbecue restaurant that were happy to seat me but charged me an extra 5,000 won (£3). Irritating but better than not being able to try a Korean barbecue while in Korea. The other option is to stay in a hostel where they offer shared dinner trips to counteract this problem.

Read next: tips for solo female travel in South Korea

24. Veggies & vegans may struggle

South Korean food is meat-heavy, from barbecues to Korean fried chicken and street food. Even bibimbap usually contains beef although you can usually ask for it without. Use HappyCow to seek out veggie and vegan cafes and restaurants. You can also check out this Seoul vegan guide .

25. Fresh veggies are hard to find

This follows on from the last point. I’m not vegetarian but that doesn’t mean I want to eat fried meat three times a day and never see a vegetable! Of all the places I’ve been (apart from maybe the P hilippines), South Korea is the most challenging for finding fresh food. The best you’ll get in a 7-Eleven is a lone banana wrapped in plastic and strapped to polystyrene. Supermarkets aren’t prevalent so unless you know where the local markets are and manage to haggle in Korean (or with a bit of pointing and gesturing) it can be tricky. My best Korea travel tip for staying healthy is to have a Korean barbeque meal and go easy on the meat and heavy on the salad bar. Otherwise, get your miming skills on and pick up some sweet potatoes and peppers at a local market.

26. South Korea is safe for solo females

Super safe! South Korea has a low crime rate and you’ll feel perfectly safe during your trip. The locals can be shy when talking to foreigners but they’ll certainly help you out if they can. Whenever I asked for directions, they went out of their way to help even if they clearly had no idea! Check out my solo female travel archives for travel tips around the world.

Finally, some tips around etiquette and society…

27. South Korea only became wealthy recently

South Korea today is thriving, especially in the cities. Locals have money for leisure and socialising which means there are great cafes, restaurants and theme parks. However this hasn’t always been the case. The Korean War lasted until 1953, destroying the economy and ripping the country in two quite literally. For many years, people struggled and the average family had very little to live on. Nowadays things have drastically improved. Young people may not remember the dark days but the older generation do. Many traditional professions are dying because young people prefer to work in offices or within the tourist industry. I can’t say I blame them but it’s a sad situation to consider.

28. South Koreans are very romantic

When you arrive in South Korea, you might notice the couples behaving very… coupley. Although not quite how they would in the West. Rather than openly kissing, young couples in South Korea like to play fight in a cutesy way. They’ll tickle each other’s arms, pinch ears, lovingly caress elbows. Well, each to their own right? Apparently, showing public affection wasn’t considered acceptable until a couple of decades ago. In fact, it was frowned upon to even hold hands. Nowadays, young people are enjoying their newfound freedom – elbows and all! The other thing to know? There’s a huge pressure to couple up. Single shaming is way worse than the West and I’m sure some of us can vouch for how bad it is there!

29. Respect the elders

Most Asian societies have strong respect for their elders but Korea has a whole language to honour theirs! The Korean language takes into consideration the relationship between the speaker and their subject. So if you’re addressing someone of hierarchal superiority (like a boss, customer or teacher) or an elder, you’ll use different nouns and word endings. You’ll only use informal versions if someone is younger than you or an employee/student. And getting it wrong is considered very rude. Eek. It’s unlikely to affect you as a tourist but you should always try to be extra polite and respectful to older Koreans.

30. South Korean society is stressful for young people

This point is more of a cultural one than a tip for visiting South Korea. However I think it’s an interesting point to consider while travelling around. South Korea is a wealthy nation with good education and career opportunities for young people. Perhaps because of recent improvement in these areas, the older generation are keen to ensure their children and grandchildren do as well as possible and therefore sometimes put tremendous pressure on them, in terms of getting good grades and then high-flying jobs. Despite being modernised, South Korea is still a conservative country. Gay rights are poor and sex before marriage is still frowned upon. People are expected to get married young and feel they are ‘left on the shelf’ otherwise. Combine that with unrealistic beauty standards (remember all those products I mentioned) and I’m sure you can imagine the stress on young South Koreans. With all the above considered, it’s little wonder mental illness and suicide rates are at an all-time high for South Koreans. With a long life expectancy and ageing population, the problem even extends to older people who don’t want to be a burden on their families. You’ll unlikely see any evidence of this travelling around but it’s something to think about, plus we should all practise kindness wherever we go!

Thanks for reading my South Korea travel tips!

Check out my other South Korea blogs:

• South Korea 2 week itinerary
• The perfect 5 days in Seoul
• Korea travel budget guide
• Solo female travel in Korea
• A guide to visiting Jeju Island without a car
• Best things to do in Busan + 3 day itinerary 
• Tips for visiting the DMZ from Seoul
• Jeonju travel guide & 1 day itinerary
• The ultimate South Korea bucket list
• 20 best South Korean foods to try
• The best day trips from Busan

See you next time for more adventures,

For more travel content, follow me on Instagram , Facebook , Twitter and YouTube .

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VISITING SOUTH KOREA? These are my trusted resources: Getting around by air – I use Skyscanner to find the best-value flights, using the ‘search by month’ tool to find the cheapest dates. You can also use the ‘to anywhere’ feature if you’re flexible on where you’re going. Buses – buses are comfy and efficient. It’s tricky for foreigners to book online so it’s best to turn up on the day. Trains – use Trip.com , partner of Korail (the official railway network of Korea) to book your tickets in advance. The website accepts international payment options, unlike Korean rail websites. Click the three stripes in the top right corner then the flag to change it to English. Driving in Korea – use Rentalcars.com to compare car rentals. Hiring a car will be especially useful on Jeju Island. For hotels in Korea, I use Booking.com – they also have self-catering apartments. You can filter by review score and price to find the best-rated budget places. For hostels, I use Hostelworld . To save money on accommodation, I use Trusted Housesitters , a website that connects homeowners going away and travellers who can sit their homes & pets. Browse South Korea tours and activities on GetYourGuide . I also check Viator and Klook in case they have a better price. For food tours with passionate local chefs and foodies, check out EatWith . Need travel insurance ? I use True Traveller (for UK & Europe residents) since it’s affordable but covers everything you’d need including various activities, valuables and pre-existing conditions. Unlike some companies, they insure you if you’re already travelling / don’t yet have your flight home booked. Get a quote . For travel insurance for other nationalities, I recommend Hey Mundo and for long-term digital nomad travellers, I suggest Safety Wing . Check out my resources page for more travel discounts and tips!

Rose is a solo traveller from the UK who has been on the road since 2015. She wants to show other women that solo travel isn't scary and doesn't have to be expensive! Rose has lived in Mexico, Canada and all over Asia, seeking out food, bubble tea and street art wherever she goes!

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South Korea Travel Tips: 30 Things You Need to Know Before Your Trip

Figuring out everything you need to know before visiting South Korea? This in-depth guide will teach you the 30 best South Korea travel tips to hit the ground running.

Planning a trip to South Korea may feel overwhelming if it’s your first visit. I admit I reached for my Korean phrasebook for pretty basic expressions my first time there.  But I encourage you to visit. Not only is South Korea a stunning country, it’s relatively easy to navigate –  you’ll just want to do your homework ahead of time.

I just got back from South Korea, where we travelled extensively throughout the country. The whole trip ran as smoothly as I could’ve hoped for, and it definitely can for you, too.

How? I took some time to lay out the most important details, like resources for learning basic expressions, how to get around, and what to expect when dining in restaurants.

Ready to embark on your own discoveries in South Korea? Here’s a list of the best travel tips for your visit.

South Korea Travel Tips 

Convert your cash to the local currency.

South Korea uses the Korean Won ( ₩ or KRW), and you’ll want to carry some cash when you travel (especially when you take day trips to smaller cities and villages). 

You can swap your currency in most major cities, though I think the best exchange rates are in Seoul, particularly in Myeongdong, at a local bank.

When you take out your cash, see if they’ll give you some different size bills. They come in 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, and 50,000 notes. Having smaller bills is often appreciated by business and restaurant owners whenever possible.

You’ll spend about ₩65,000  to ₩130,000 (£40 to £80) cash per day, so having a mix of large and small bills will come in handy. 

Most Travellers From the USA and Europe Don’t Need a Visa

One of my favourite things about travelling to South Korea is that you can take a last-minute trip without worrying about pesky paperwork (if you live in the USA or most of Western Europe).

You won’t need to file for the K-ETA or a visa, as long as you’re staying for under 90 days, have citizenship, and have a valid passport from a country exempt from the programs.

Still not sure if you need to apply? You can learn more about documentation requirements here .

You’ll Want to Practise Reading and Speaking Korean

When you visit places like Seoul, you may find people speaking English at hotels and some restaurants and bars. But as you get out of the more touristy areas within the city (and outside of it), it’s best to know at least some basic Korean expressions. 

If you don’t have much time to prepare, a pocket guide to Korean is a great way to learn on the fly. But if you have more time, I suggest downloading a language learning app like Duolingo to practise while preparing for your holiday (or on the long flight over).

Familiarise yourself with the usual suspects of basic phrases like asking for directions or finding a loo (even the one with a view at N Seoul Tower). You should also study restaurant menus beforehand to know how to order the best dishes.

It’s actually easier than you may think to grasp, and there are plenty of videos online that you can watch to learn the Korean alphabet basics in around 60-90 minutes.

Best Time to Visit South Korea

Looking for one of the best tips for visiting South Korea? Plan your visit for the Spring or Autumn/Fall.

The high temperatures are usually around 18.3°C (65°F). You’ll also benefit from shoulder season when the hotel and airfare drop into surprisingly low territory. 

But you can also lock into specific months, depending on what you’re visiting for. Here are a couple of suggestions.

Seoul: December is a special time in Seoul when a light dusting of snow covers the trees, palaces, and pavilions at Changdeokgung Palace, and you won’t wait as long at museums or restaurants.

Jeonju International Film Festival: Plan your trip for May 1-10  if you’re visiting Jeonju in 2024. Jeonju Hanok Village is already rich in tradition, and this film festival only adds to the festive charm with locals and tourists strolling the area in their best hanbok dress.

Safety in South Korea 

Is it safe to travel to South Korea? That’s a resounding yes.

One thing I noticed while travelling in South Korea is how safe of a country it really is. Even when I was exploring restaurants and bars late at night (Seoul really never sleeps), I never felt unsafe.

That said, make sure to practise basic safety measures, like walking with friends at night whenever possible, keeping your personal belongings in a safe place, and staying in well-lit areas on the tourist track, especially when travelling solo .

Tipping is Not Customary in South Korea

If you’re visiting from a country where tipping is expected, this might be a hard one to get used to. But trust me, you’re not winning over any bartenders or making friends with your masseuse by leaving extra cash; in fact, it’s often the opposite.

Tipping in South Korea is not something locals do and not something you should do while visiting. Many locals may feel confused, or even insulted if you get pushy trying to leave a tip.

How do you show them you appreciate the service? Easy. Express your gratitude when you sit down for a meal and leave as locals do with a smile, and a thank you (감사합니다 or gamsahabnida).

How Long Should I Visit South Korea?

I think a 10-day itinerary allows you to see the best of South Korea while giving you enough time to really explore the cities and everything they offer.

But if you only have one week, I’d still recommend going to Seoul , Busan , and Jeonju so you can see a few different areas of the beautiful country.

Spend the Perfect 10 Days in South Korea with this Itinerary

Fly Into Seoul

Almost any trip to South Korea will begin and end in Seoul. While there are 15 airports in the country, you will find the best flight deals if you book a flight to Seoul’s Incheon International Airport (ICN).

Not sure when to book your flight? Like always, if you want to score a great deal on a flight , look early and often and try to plan at least 3-5 months out when travelling internationally.

Getting Around South Korea

Once you land in South Korea, you’ll love how convenient public transportation is.

Larger cities have wonderful local subways and buses, which make it easy to zip around town from place to place (although “zipping” around can take up to an hour in the sprawling city of Seoul).

And when you’re planning a longer journey from one city to another on your South Korea itinerary, the bullet train (KTX) is affordable and v. fast. We used it on my most recent trip between Jeonju and Seoul, and it was super comfy, with great views for most of the ride.

Charge Your T Money Card at a Local Store

Riding the local buses and trains is easy, but you’ll want to have your card charged up so you’re ready to tap in and out at the relevant locations around town.

While you can add money at the train stations, this can be a bit stressful if you’re rushing to catch a train or bus. I found it easiest to charge up at convenience stores to carry me over for a day or 2.

I got around town for less than £4 ($5) per day and was happy to have a full card when I got into the busy train stations during commuter hours.

Ditch Google Maps

All apologies to the company that seems to be everywhere, all the time – but Google Maps just doesn’t work in South Korea. Facts.

Naver or Kakao are 2 local options you can choose from that are free, easy to use, and far more reliable when walking or using public transportation from place to place.

What Part of South Korea Should I Visit

You’re likely going to Seoul (you definitely should, but where else should you plan a visit? 

I just planned a 10-day itinerary that covers many of the best spots in the city.

My favourites? You need to see Jeonju for its insane food scene and traditional Hanok Village , Busan for historical Korean War sites like the UN Memorial Cemetery, and Andong to explore a traditional Confucian school at Dosan Seowon Confucian Academy.

But there are brilliant things to do all over the country, and you can read more about them here .

Get a SIM Card Ahead of Time

Ever landed in a country and frantically scrambled to set up international roaming in the terminal, wishing you could find directions to your accommodations? Reserve a SIM Card ahead of time, and you won’t have this problem.

Having your SIM card ready to go means you can check texts, call your hotel, and look up where to get on a subway train near you without incurring staggering charges the minute you get off the plane.

LG U+ is considered one of the fastest, and you can get a 7-day pass for around £20 ($25). 

Take Off Your Shoes in Someone’s Home

If you’re lucky enough to tour a traditional hanok (or any Korean local’s home), you’ll want to take your shoes off immediately when you arrive.

This same rule may apply at some traditional restaurants and tea houses with floor seating.

Don’t Rely on Rideshare

You won’t find Uber or Lyft easily in South Korea, so while you can try to book a ride, don’t be surprised if it doesn’t find anything in your area.

You can find local companies like Kakao T that offer rideshares, but generally, public transportation is a much faster option and extremely cheap at around £1 per ride (give or take).

Use Travel Resources Wisely

I understand it can be intimidating to visit a country where you don’t know the language or culture. Luckily, there are some brilliant travel apps, and tools you can use that will make your South Korea trip run as smoothly as possible.

If you don’t feel comfortable travelling solo, group tours are a great way to go. Which one to choose? G Adventures offers a popular 8-day tour from Seoul to Busan and back .

Or, you can use a travel app like Nomadher to make friends with resident

online and maybe see South Korea with a local. 

Pack for the Different Seasons

South Korea travel tips are generally pretty straightforward, but this one requires a bit more narrowing in on when exactly you plan to visit. 

Average highs range from -6.6°C (20°F) in the winter to 26.6°C (80°F) in the summer, and Spring and Fall can fluctuate a bit from warm to cool and damp. Needless to say, what you bring along can vary dramatically from one season to the next.

Your best bet is to use PackPoint and fill in the dates and activities you plan to do.

Upgrade to First Class on the KTX

Taking a bullet train is a must when you’re travelling cross-country in South Korea. Do yourself a favour and upgrade to first class when you book a ticket.

It’s extremely reasonable for a standard ticket at £28 ($35). But for only £8 ($10) extra, I thought the journey from Jeonju to Seoul was particularly comfortable, and you get more legroom and a better chance at a window seat with a stunning view.

There’s an Alternative for a Traditional DMZ Tour

The DMZ is a 4 km (2.5 mi) x 250 km (160 mi) region that has been neutral territory ever since the Korean Armistice Agreement in 1953 – at the end of the Korean War.

Contrary to some South Korea travel tips I’ve read elsewhere, booking a guided tour isn’t the only way to see the area.

Aegibong Peace Ecopark is a relatively new spot and an alternative way of seeing the DMZ, and it only takes about 1.5 hours from Seoul. On a clear day, the views of Pyongyang are beautiful; just be sure to reserve a ticket here .

Learn More About Local Culture Before Your Visit

Learning more about Korean culture goes a long way when you’re planning a trip to South Korea. You can split this up into 2 different lessons.

First, hit the history books and learn about the Joseon Dynasty era, which will help you understand the wood, stone, and tile hanok houses, beautiful patterns and pieces of traditional hanbok dress, and which royal palaces to visit during your stay.

But researching popular culture is just as important, as it will help you make the most of visiting K-culture pop-ups at The Hyundai Seoul, where you can load up on gifts from your new favourite K-drama and K-pop stars to bring back to your friends.

Try Local Coffee

Want to discover the best coffee scene you haven’t heard of? Visit a local cafe for a coffee (try one on ice, like the locals) when you visit South Korea.

My favourite city to cafe hop was Gangneung, with almost all coffee shops in the area roasting their own beans – it is well-recognized as the “city of coffee.”

But if you don’t make it that far, you can find plenty of exciting options in Seoul, like KOTTON.SEOUL in Insadong. 

Locals Dress Conservatively… Even at the Beach

If you don’t want to be the subject of bombastic side-eyes from locals, I’d recommend dressing relatively conservatively on your trip.

Most locals cover their upper bodies, even on the beach.

So instead of wearing your favourite bikini, pack a one-piece, some shorts, and a cover-up for your shoulders – especially if you plan to go to a restaurant or bar afterward. 

Stay in a Hanok Village

You’ll find traditional hanok villages throughout South Korea, including some of my favourite areas like Andong, Seoul, and (of course) Jeonju.

The best part is you can actually stay in the traditional Joseon-era houses with their charming courtyards and unique Ondol heating system (which uses fire and a large stone beneath the home’s structure to heat the floor).

I found Andong Gurume Resort to be a beautiful place that’s distinctly Korean, as it gives you a chance to stay in a traditional hanok village on the outskirts of town.

Bring Your Universal Travel Adaptor

Yes, you’re going to need that always-handy universal travel adaptor when you visit South Korea. You’ll find both Type C and Type F plugs in major cities and smaller towns throughout the country.

But if you forget one, you should be able to find a convenience store that carries a travel adapter in most major cities. 

Avoid Travelling During Lunar New Year

While travelling in January is generally an excellent time to book local and international holidays, you may want to skip a trip to South Korea during Korean New Year.

The exact dates change every year but are typically in late January or early February (February 10 in 2024).

It’s a very popular time for locals to take holidays themselves, so you’ll likely compete for hotel rooms and transportation to the most popular locations on the days before and after the new year. This is also a time when tourist attractions are among their busiest, due to local residents being off work for holiday. 

Plan to Bring Home K-Beauty Products

K Beauty has taken the world by storm – there’s nowhere better to stock up on products than in South Korea itself! 

The sunscreen, makeup, and other skincare products aren’t just affordable, they’re often made with all-natural ingredients that tend to work very well.

Olive Young’s flagship in Myeongdong is hands-down my favourite spot for its wide selection and great deals.

Pollution is a Problem in Major Cities

If you have allergies, pre-existing medical conditions, or are generally sensitive to air pollution, you may need to mask up when you visit South Korea.

Rural areas are far better than cities, but I was surprised by the air quality on my last visit to Seoul.

Winter is typically the worst time for pollution, so you may want to rethink a visit late (or early) in the year if you’re affected by poor air quality or plan indoor activities.

Restaurants Won’t Automatically Give You a Bill

Unlike many places in Western culture, you may find that your server isn’t waiting around for you to drop the check after your meal.

Why not? Generally, you just pay at the counter for your meals.

But at some restaurants, you may need to call for help. While I admit it wasn’t a natural response, I quickly learned to wave my hand and say “저기요” (jeogiyo) in a loud voice when I needed my check. 

Don’t Forget to Pack Your Hiking Boots

No matter when you visit South Korea, packing your hiking gear is a great idea. Locals love to hike, so it’s a fun way to get out and see areas and maybe make a friend or 2 on the trails.

Even in larger cities like Seoul, you can climb 550 feet at Inwangsan for some epic views.

Expect to Share Food and Eat A Lot

Korean food is absolutely delicious. From Korean BBQ spots that sizzle up freshly cut meats at your table to large bowls of traditional seafood soups, many of the best dishes aren’t only tasty but also come with more bonchon than you’ll know how to handle in one sitting. No joke, some restaurants will give you over a dozen small plates of grilled fish, kimchi, fresh veg and rice to eat with your meal (usually at a really affordable price). If you can travel with a group, you’ll be able to get the most value for your money, as 1-2 dishes can easily feed a few people at the table.

Read More Guides for Travelling in South Korea 

• 10 Days in South Korea: The Perfect South Korea Itinerary
• 22 Things to Do in South Korea

A Complete Guide to Visiting Jeonju’s Hanok Village

• 15 Unmissable Things to Do in Busan

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I’m Julianna Barnaby - a professional travel writer and geek extraordinaire. I started The Discoveries Of to help you to discover the best of new destinations from around the world.

Discovering new places is a thrill - whether it’s close to home, a new country or continent, I write to help you explore more and explore differently.

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25+ Best South Korea Travel Tips: What to Know

Looking for some South Korea Travel Tips ? We’re here to tell you all the best things to know before visiting South Korea! We’ll share many recommendations along the way – including sim cards, Korean street food, transportation , and a few things that stand out in South Korea compared to other countries.

Let’s find out what to know before visiting South Korea & the best South Korea travel tips!

This post may contain affiliate links. We will receive a small commission if you make a purchase using these links, at no additional cost to you .

South Korea is a unique country in East Asia that’s a little underrated compared to its neighbours! The country has so much to offer, Koreans are so friendly, the nature is incredible and the culture is beautiful! We can’t recommend visiting South Korea enough which is why we’re excited to create these guides!

This guide was created to show you the best South Korea travel tips so you can plan your trip and have a great time. We’ve created itineraries for some amazing destinations in South Korea – check them out!

2 week South Korea Itinerary / 5 Day Seoul Itinerary / The Best Templestay in Korea / 3 day Busan Itinerary / Best Things to do in Gyeongju & Itinerary

25+ Best South Korea Travel Tips

Table of Contents (Skip to a section!)

Let’s get straight into it! Here are the best South Korea travel tips and all the best things to know before visiting South Korea! Enjoy !

1. Book Accommodation in Advance

If you want to get the best accommodation for your time and budget then we recommend booking accommodation at least 3 weeks in advance! Although it’s possible to find hostels or hotels last minute, they may not be the best you could have had.

If you’re travelling to South Korea on a budget – hostels do exist but they can get booked up quite fast compared to on-the-go travel! We’ve listed all our recommendations in our 2 week South Korea itinerary – check it out !

2. South Korea has a big cafe culture

It’s impossible to walk around a corner in Seoul without discovering another cafe. The cafe culture is huge in South Korea and you’ll find trendy or themed cafes all around the country. Check out Hongdae in Seoul to experience dog cafes or a Harry Potter themed cafe!

3. Download Naver Maps & More(alternative to Google)

One of the most important things to know before visiting South Korea is that Naver will become your Google of South Korea! When trying to get around South Korea, Naver Maps is the way to go! Google Maps doesn’t work too well in South Korea so it’s best to download the Naver and Naver Maps apps before you arrive in the country.

Here are a few other apps to download for travelling in South Korea:

• Naver (like the Google search engine)
• Kakao Maps (like Google Maps)
• Kakao Talk (like Whats App)
• Subway Korea (subway navigation)
• Klook (deals on activities)
• Papago (like Google Translate)
• Naver Dictionary & Translate (like Google Translate)
• XE Currency (currency comparison)
• Kakao Taxi (like Uber)

4. Get Data!

Another one of the best things to know before visiting South Korea is that although the wi-fi is good, it isn’t everywhere . This means you’ll struggle with navigation if you’re used to using Google Maps to get around. As almost everything is online these days we recommend getting a sim card or portable wifi for your trip to South Korea! Here are a few options (we used an E-sim!) :

E-Sim  – The best option if you don’t need a Korean number. They’re really easy to use – purchase the sim online and with instructions you can install the sim on your phone settings. You don’t even have to worry about a physical sim or picking anything up! Here’s a  12 Day E-Sim . (around £9.50 for 12 days)

Prepaid Sim  – This may be the best option if you want a Korean number as well as data. Price changes depending on the length you want the sim. Find  a sim card on Klook here ! (around £15 for 10 days) Pick up at the airport.

Portable Wifi  – A great option if you want to connect with multiple devices. These are usually the more expensive option but so handy! Find a  portable Wifi on Klook here ! (around £20 for 10 days) Pick up at the airport.

We also recommend carrying a  portable charger  for your phone so you always have enough battery to last a full day! We recommend this one –  Anker Power Bank .

5. Try some of the best Korean Skincare

Korean Beauty is popular all over the beauty world – with Korean skincare and Korean makeup designed to give you flawless and glowing skin. Myeongdong in Seoul is definitely the area to hunt for Korean beauty products and even get a makeover done! It’s also more common to get plastic surgery in South Korea as appearance is really important to Koreans.

6. Best time to visit South Korea

The best time to visit South Korea is Spring (April to June) or Autumn (September to November) ! In these months the weather is usually at its best with sunny days and comfortable temperatures.

It’s totally possible to visit South Korea any time of year – the winter is a magical time of year to visit with snow covering the mountains and cities. Summer is rain and typhoon season, so it’s not really the best time of year to visit due to the unpredictable climate.

7. Learn some Korean phrases

Another one of our South Korea travel tips is how handy it will be to learn some Korean phrases before visiting South Korea. Learning basic phrases should be done when travelling to any country around the world. Here are a few we think you should memorize:

• Hello – ahn-nyong-ha-se-yo
• Thank you – gahm-sah-hahm-ni-da
• Yes – neh or deh
• No – ah-nee-oh
• Please – jwe-song-ha-ji-mahn
• Excuse me – sil-le-hahm-ni-da
• Good-bye – ahn-nyong-hee ga-se-yo

The best way to start learning some Korean phrases is to watch YouTube videos or use apps such as Lingodeer, Duolingo or Memrise . It’s very helpful when travelling in Seoul and around the country.

8. Book trains tickets in advance

If you’re planning on taking any trains or buses on a weekend, then a South Korea travel tip for you is to book your train tickets in advance ! Trains in South Korea can often sell out if you leave them till the day. Make your reservations at least 1-2 weeks in advance to secure them on the Korail website !

You can only book buses in advance if you have a Korean phone number – however, you can book them a couple of days in advance when arriving at the station. Get your train tickets here – Korail tickets ! and here’s a link to check bus times !

9. Spend the most time in Seoul

We don’t want these South Korea travel tips to be too obvious but – you will fall in love with Seoul! It’s the capital city of South Korea surrounded by beautiful mountains and there’s so much to do in the city including many neighbourhoods to explore! Check out our  5 Day Seoul Itinerary travel guide here!

10. Get a T-Money Card

The best way to get around cities and towns in South Korea is by public transport! One of the first things to do when you arrive in South Korea ( which is probably going to be Seoul ) is to purchase a T-Money Card .

T-Money Cards are transport cards that you top up with cash-only and you just swipe the card when entering transport. It’s the easiest way to use public transport as you don’t have to worry about buying a ticket every time you want to travel. You can purchase these cards at convenience stores or vending machines at main points of travel (such as the airport) .

11. Always carry cash (Korean Won ₩)

This leads us to one of the next South Korea travel tips – carry cash everywhere you go in South Korea! To top up your T-Money card you have to use cash even in convenience stores to add to the card. Cash is also used for buying Korean street food and is often preferred in restaurants! We even had two accommodations asking for cash-only which was a panic rush to a cash machine!

12. Get Papago (or use GoogleTranslate)

Papago is an app for translating the Korean language into your own. It also helps with translating your own language to Korean when speaking with any Koreans. Papago was recommended to us by travellers we met in South Korea, however, Google Translate actually worked perfectly for us! We even used it to have conversations with Koreans – which was so fun!

One of our South Korea trips is to use the Google Translate app to scan your food in grocery stores, the app picks up the Hangul characters. There are a few ingredients we don’t eat, so it was very helpful to read the ingredients on food packets just like it was in English!

13. No need to tip

Another one of the things to know before visiting South Korea is that you won’t have to tip! There’s no tipping culture in South Korea as service should be the best at all times. It’s a very useful tip to know when visiting South Korea!

14. Prepare for the season

South Korea has four seasons and it’s definitely good to be prepared for the season at any time of year.

• Winter – (December – February) – Wrap up warm and be prepared for snow!
• Spring – (March – May) – One of the best times to visit, it may still be cold & it’s a busy time of year!
• Summer – (June – August) – Be prepared for hot & humid weather with heavy rains!
• Fall – (September – November) – Another popular time to visit, fall starts to get a little chilly!

15. South Korea is safe

South Korea is one of the safest countries in the world ! We’ve heard that some Koreans leave their phone on the table to keep their spot when buying a coffee – we’re not sure if that’s true, but it’s honestly believable! South Korea has a low crime rate and strong security measures in the country.

It’s important to note – whenever travelling, always be cautious of your surroundings and stay safe.

16. South Korea Travel Costs

From our experience, prices in South Korea are pretty good if you’re travelling on a budget as long as you know it’s not as inexpensive as South East Asian countries. However, South Korea is less expensive than Japan and the UK. We’re in the process of creating a full breakdown of our costs in South Korea, for now here’s what you can expect for 2 weeks of travel in South Korea per person.

Accommodation – £33 / ₩52,000 per night (private room, can be shared between two people)

Food – around £20 / ₩300,00 a day with a mix of restaurant and convince store meals

Transport – around £95 / ₩150,000 for 2 weeks of travel

Activities – around £10 / ₩15,000 a day

How can you save extra money?  Choose restaurants that aren’t so expensive, shop at convenience stores more often, stay in private rooms in hostels and take buses instead of trains.

17. Couples culture is a thing

When walking around South Korea you’ll notice that couples often wear matching clothes or shoes and it’s the cutest thing. Korean couples love doing things together and if you visit one of South Korea’s many theme parks you’ll definitely notice a lot of matching outfits ( including friend groups! )

We use a  Joby GorillaPod 3K Pro Kit  to take photos of us together on our camera, it’s so useful especially when there’s no one around! There’s also a version for a phone –  Joby Phone Tripod  to get the best photos on your South Korea trip!

18. The tap water is safe to drink

Another one of the things to know before visiting South Korea is that tap water is safe to drink! Most Koreans will often boil the water before drinking it but the water is completely safe. Bring a reusable water bottle to always have water on the go without buying plastic!

19. Watch a Korean Drama before you visit

K-dramas are a big deal in South Korea and many people outside of the country love them too! Filming locations are very popular sights to see around South Korea! If you’ve never seen a K-drama before, here’s a list of some of the most popular shows:

• Mr. Queen (2020-2021)
• The World of the Married (2020)
• Sky Castle (2018-2019)
• Reply 1988 (2015-2016)
• Crash Landing on You (2019-2020)

20. You have to try Korean food

Korean cuisine is amazing! ( even for vegetarians !) Hopefully one of the reasons you’re visiting South Korea is to try the food but even if it isn’t – you will love the experience! Korean food is warming, tasty and unique all at the same time. Here’s few dishes to try on your visit to South Korea:

• Tteokbokki (Rice cakes in a spicy sauce)
• Kimchi (Spicy fermented cabbage)
• Gun Goguma (Roasted sweet potatoes)
• Mandu (Korean dumplings)
• Bibimbap (Rice bowl with toppings)
• Gamja-Hotdog (Korean-style corn dog covered with potato)
• Dakgangjeong (Korean fried chicken with a sweet spicy coating – There’s vegan options too!)
• Soju (like Korean wine)

21. Trains are fast, but buses are amazing!

Another one of our South Korea travel tips is that although trains are fast, they aren’t the only way to get around the country. Express and intercity buses are underrated in South Korea and they’re so comfortable.

Buses are usually half the price of trains and they do take a little longer to get to the destination – but South Korea is a small country so it’s really not too long! Find tickets here – Express & Intercity Kobus tickets !

22. The country has so much to offer

There isn’t enough time you can give yourself on a trip to South Korea. We spent 2 amazing weeks exploring the country and wanted to stay longer! If your first trip is a few days in Seoul – that’s the best introduction to the country and we’re sure you’ll be planning another trip straight away.

Seoul / Jeju Island / Gyeongju / Seoraksan National Park / Gunsan / Golgulsa Temple / Gwangju / Suwon / Hwaseong / Busan / Chuncheon / Andong / Jeonju / Boseong – Check out our Ultimate 2 week South Korea Itinerary: Best Places (2024) to plan your trip!

23. Eat at convenience stores

Convenience stores are everywhere in South Korea with more than 40,000 stores in the country. They’re helpful for everyday items but most importantly they’re great for food. Whether you’re on a budget or not, eating meals from convenience stores has to be done on your trip.

Try a ramyeon or rice snack from CU , 7/11 or GS25 !

24. Korea is fashionable

As we’ve mentioned in this South Korea travel tips – Koreans take pride in their appearance! This means South Korea has amazing fashion taste. The country has maintained a unique and individual style of fashion and it’s usually quite contemporary. Unfortunately, our backpacker clothes didn’t really look the part in South Korea and we felt like getting a new wardrobe!

25. Try to learn Hangul (Korea’s Alphabet)

South Korea’s alphabet is surprisingly easy to learn compared to other surrounding countries. Hangul is made up of 24 characters and although it looks difficult to learn at first, it’s actually quite logical and makes sense.

Learning Hangul will be so helpful for menus, shops and transport in South Korea although there are also English signs in cities! Here are a few apps to help you learn: Lingodeer, Duolingo or Memrise .

26. Understand Korean Culture

When visiting a country it’s always polite to follow the etiquette being used and to respect the culture. Here are a few things to know before visiting South Korea! (not all of these are used by every Korean!)

• When accepting or offering money use both hands.
• Remove your hat when indoors
• Remove shoes when entering a home or accommodation
• Respect anyone whose older than yourself
• Respect anywhere that’s quiet (such as subways or quiet outdoor spaces)

27. Look into going on a hike

South Korea is amazing for nature! The country is made up of beautiful greenery and mountains and it’s even possible to go hiking in the capital city – Seoul! If you’re not into hiking, you do the short walk up to Seoul Tower in Namsan Park.

• Ulsanbawi Trail (Seoraksan National Park)
• Biryong Falls (Seoraksan National Park)
• Bukhansan (Seoul)
• Jirisan (near Gurye / South part of South Korea)
• Hallasan (Jeju Island)

That concludes our 25+ best things to know before visiting South Korea and top South Korea travel tips! We hope that these will help you on your future trip to South Korea! Check out our other South Korea travel guides to plan the most amazing trip.

What to pack for South Korea?

As you know, from this South Korea travel tips guide – there are four seasons in South Korea! Make sure you’re prepared and have the correct type of clothes when visiting the country. Always have a decent pair of footwear with you for lots of walking! Here are a few travel essentials we always carry:

• Stainless Steel Water Bottle  – A must when travelling to countries with drinkable tap water!
• Amazon Basics Packing Cubes  – The best way to pack your bag or suitcase!
• Rain Mac in a Bag  – A lightweight raincoat to carry around with you in South Korea!
• Anker Power Bank  – Always have charged gadgets with your own portable charger!
• Worldwide Travel Adaptor  – The ultimate travel adaptor when travelling to multiple countries!
• Joby GorillaPod 3K Pro Kit  – The best lightweight tripod to take anywhere in South Korea! We are obsessed with our  Joby GorillaPod  and use it with our  Sony A600 . Joby also has a phone version –  Joby Phone Tripod .

Here’s 10 travel essentials for women travelling in South Korea and anywhere around the world!

Quick South Korea travel tips:

Currency  – Korean Won  (compare to your own currency  here ) Language  – Korean (한글) Cuisine  – Korean Cuisine  (noodles, rice, bbq & kimchi) Apps  –  NaverMaps  (like GoogleMaps) &  Kako Talk  (like GoogleTranslate) Transport Card  – T-Money Card  (the easiest way to use public transport in South Korea) Korea Power Voltage  – Plugs C & F (220 V)

Best places to stay in South Korea

• Seoul – Hostel Tommy – Find here on Booking.com !
• Busan – Dynamic Guesthouse – Find here on Booking.com !
• Jeonju – Jungdam –  Find here on Booking.com !
• Gyeongju – Doobaki Guesthouse –  Find here on Booking.com !

More  South Korea  guides:

• Ultimate 2 week South Korea Itinerary: Best Places (2024)
• 5 Day Seoul Itinerary – Best Things To Do (2024)
• Staying in Golgulsa Temple: The Best Templestay in Korea (2024)
• 3 day Busan Itinerary: What to do in Busan (2024)
• 11 Best Things to do in Gyeongju: Itinerary (2024)
• Ultimate South Korea Bucket List: 20 Best Things To Do
• All our  South Korea  posts!

That’s the end of our  25+ Best South Korea Travel Tips: What to Know Before Visiting South Korea ! Have the best trip to South Korea and if you need any more help planning – send us a message on Instagram (@thesunrisedreamers) or leave a comment below!

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Amy & Dan are the founders of The Sunrise Dreamers. They are travellers from the UK who have been on the road since 2017 whilst living in places like England, Canada, Thailand and the Canary Islands. They share their knowledge of travelling the world with detailed travel guides and tips. They're experts in vegan travel and show their audience how to travel on a budget.

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First-Timer’s Ultimate South Korea Travel Guide – Things to Know Before Traveling to South Korea

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Before making your travel plans South Korea, check out this South Korea travel guide that will help you in finalizing your travel itinerary!

South Korea is a country of juxtaposition. You can find serene mountain valleys bumping against pulsing lights and rush of 24-hour cities. Korean tradition collides with ultra-modern fashion and design. To experience the depth and vibrancy of the country, you must see the serene countryside as well as rapidly changing cities. 

There is something for everyone in the country, whether you like city-life, mountains, beaches, or anything in between. Planning can become a bit difficult as there is so much to see and do in South Korea. 

Traveling to a new country like South Korea can be very exciting. It’s a whole new adventure waiting for you, but the entire planning and going to a different country can be a bit distressing. The culture, the people, and the laws governing the country are probably very different from where you are from. This is why we have compiled a guide for you of what to expect when you visit South Korea for the first time. 

Table of Contents

South Korea Travel Guide

Most travelers do not need to get a visa to travel to South Korea. You can check the visa requirements on your country’s State Department website. Citizens from many countries have visa-free entry for a limited period under certain conditions. To check whether you can enter Korea without a visa issuance, please contact a Korean Embassy or consular offices in your country or visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to confirm.

There are some changes to visa requirements for Jeju Island in lieu of COVID-19 situation worldwide.

The local language is Korean, and it script is Hangeul. But there is no need to worry! There are lots of signs in and around the city in English as well. A lot of restaurant menus also include translations of main dish ingredients. 

You can always learn a little Korean before you travel from apps like Duolingo . The locals are definitely going to appreciate your efforts! 

Money Matters

The official currency of South Korea is ‘ Korean Won .’ Most places accept credit cards too. Small stores and mom-n-pop food outlets generally accept cash only.  

Getting around in South Korea is very easy. There are domestic airlines, trains, and intercity buses. It’s easy to move around within the country. Even intercity travel is very convenient with all the available public transportation. 

We have covered transportation in detail in the guide about understanding Korean culture. 

Travel Apps

For first time travelers to South Korea, travel Apps are handy and can be useful as guide. The train and bus maps might look complicated, but you can use maps with English translations. Apps like KAKAO Maps and Naver Maps are especially for use in South Korea and are the preferred travel Apps. For more traveling tips, you can download the VisitKorea App. It can provide you with suggestions regarding food, tourist destinations, and many more. 

Read More: 10 Best Apps for South Korea Trip You Must Download

There are quite a number of public toilets wherever we go, and they are generally clean. If you can’t find one right away, you can search in any of the travel map Apps “화장실,” which means toilet in Korean. On the other hand, it is challenging to find dustbins around, so you may have to carry your trash for quite a distance before you find one bin.

Read More: Understanding Korean Culture: Hygiene Culture in South Korea

South Korea has four distinct seasons — Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. Each season has something unique to offer visitors to the country, but depending on what you want out of your Korean experience, sometimes are better to travel than others. The best time of year to visit South Korea is generally the spring months of April, May & June, and the autumn months of September, October & November. During these two seasons, days are typically sunny and dry with comfortable average temperatures.

Read More: South Korea Travel Guide – When is The Best Time of Year to Visit South Korea?

Drinking-Water

Tap water in South Korea is drinkable. If you are not comfortable with it, you can purchase bottles of water from convenience stores or vending machines. 

Accommodation  

No matter what your budget is, you will find amazing places to stay during your trip to Korea. You can stay anywhere, ranging from a youth hostel to a luxurious hotel. For a unique cultural experience, you can also arrange a homestay like hanok stay via the Korea Tourism Organization. 

Tour and Travel Services

Some places are only accessible with a tour guide or a tour bus to bring you around. The added benefit is that you can relax on the bus while you are going from one destination to the next. 

Internet Connectivity

South Korea is a well-connected country. Wherever you are, you will have access to mobile data and public Wi-Fi. Did you know that you can get free WiFi in most of the buses in Seoul? 

Read More: Korean Sim Card Guide for All the Travelers

Most tourists are familiar with Korean barbeque and look forward to having the authentic dish right from the source. You can find it in abundance no matter where you go in Korea! To avoid any goof-ups in restaurants, you can check out our restaurant guide . You can also check out the post on Netflix-fame street food places. 

Read More: What to Eat in Seoul – Best Korean Food

Shopping Tips

The prices are pretty much fixed in stores. Most store owners hardly speak in English, even in tourist places. You won’t face such problems in popular shopping areas with big brand stores. Some of the shopping places in Seoul include Myeongdong, Dongdaemun, Common Ground , and many others. 

Read More: 10 Exquisite Handmade Gifts You Can Buy in Seoul

Travel During COVID-19

The South Korean government raised the coronavirus disease threat alert level to its highest on February 23, 2020. Many attractions have been temporarily closed, and festivals have been postponed or canceled throughout the country. Travelers are recommended to check the attractions’ official website before visiting. 

Korea aggressively maps and tracks infected cases. Self-quarantine is strictly monitored and enforced. The country also prohibits individuals who have been in contact with confirmed cases from exiting Korea during the day 14-day self-quarantine period. Korea provides advanced medical care to confirmed patients. The treatment is free-of-charge for both Koreans and foreign nationals. 

The KCDC has urged everyone to participate in an enhanced social distancing campaign for the next 15 days (March 22 – April 5). The KCDC strongly recommended that all non-urgent international travel plans be canceled or postponed. Persons who are unable to avoid traveling for a critical reason are advised to refrain from visiting any enclosed facilities or healthcare facilities.

Starting March 22, the KCDC is conducting COVID-19 diagnostic testing for every inbound traveler entering from Europe. Asymptomatic Korean nationals (with domestic residence) will be directed into self-quarantine at home and get tested at their local public health center within 3 days of arrival. Foreigners will be quarantined at the facility and tested. 

Apps to Track COVID-19 in South Korea

You can use a locally developed App like ‘Corona 100m,’ which, as its name implies, alerts users if they breach a 100-meter (328-foot) radius of the latest tracked whereabouts of the coronavirus patient. The person using the app can see how close they are to coronavirus patients. It also allows people to see the date that a coronavirus patient was confirmed to have the disease, along with that patient’s nationality, gender, age, and where the patient visited. It was launched on February 11 and had a million downloads in the first 17 days.

‘Corona Map’ is another such app that tracks the locations of people know to have COVID-19. Like Corona 100m, Corona Map plots the places where people known to have had COVID-19 have been, to make avoiding these areas easier. 

These are some of the essentials that you need to know before making your travel plans to South Korea and this travel guide will be helpful in making your itinerary!

KoreaTravelPost Editor

Hello there! I'm the Features Editor for KoreaTravelPost.

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South Korea Travel Guide

Last Updated: August 6, 2024

Though South Korea is small (about the size of the US state of Indiana), it punches well above its weight in terms of things to see and do. Boasting a vibrant culture, incredible history, natural beauty, delicious food, and a wild nightlife, it’s home to both major cities and untouched nature, offering something for every traveler.

Seoul, the capital city and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the world (over half the country’s population of 50 million is concentrated here), is a lively hub for food lovers and partying. But while it gets all the attention, there is much more to explore, including 22 national parks, lush Jeju Island, and the infamous Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) bordering North Korea.

Best of all, since South Korea is a manageable size, you can see a good portion of it in a limited amount of time. The transportation here is modern, clean, and efficient, so it’s easy to get around quickly.

The country is also a foodie’s paradise, with cheap street food and delicious dishes like bibimbap, kimchi, and the famed Korean barbecue.

It’s one of my favorite countries in the world and one that I think is super under the radar and often overlooked by travelers. You never see the tourist crowds found in other Asian countries.

This travel guide to South Korea can help you plan your trip, save money, and make the most of your visit.

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on South Korea

Top 5 Things to See and Do in South Korea

1. Explore Seoul

Korea’s capital has a little bit of everything. It’s a bustling metropolis and global technology hub, with sleek and modern neighborhoods like Gangnam and iconic sights like the Lotte World Tower, the sixth-tallest building in the world. Yet there is a lot of history here too, including many museums, palaces, and temples, among them five UNESCO World Heritage Sites. When you’re done exploring for the day, Seoul has a robust street food scene, countless trendy restaurants, and fast-paced, soju-driven nightlife. You could easily spend weeks here and never get bored.

2. Tour the DMZ

The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separates North and South Korea and, despite the name, is the most militarized border in the world. You can only visit the Joint Security Area (JSA), which has military personnel from both sides, on a guided tour, but it’s a unique experience and an important way to learn about this ongoing conflict (the war started in 1950 and has not officially ended). On the tour, you’ll be able to actually stand in North Korea, visit the Third Tunnel of Aggression (which North Korea dug to sneak soldiers across the border), see the Freedom Bridge, and catch glimpses of North Korea from the Unification Observatory. Guided tours of the DMZ start from 80,000 KRW.

3. Visit Jeju Island

This volcanic, semitropical island is a popular domestic vacation spot. It’s accessible via cheap daily flights from Seoul that take just one hour. Known as “the Hawaii of Korea,” it’s a natural paradise, home to the tallest mountain in Korea (Mount Hallasan), lava tubes, beautiful beaches, and countless hiking and walking trails. Other attractions include visiting mythic Jeju Stone Park, wandering the Yeomiji Botanical Gardens, and watching the haenyeo divers — women who dive without any protective equipment to gather underwater treasures like shellfish and seaweed, which they then sell on the beaches. You can visit the Jeju Haenyeo Museum as well to learn more about this cultural practice that dates back centuries.

4. Sing karaoke

Known as noraebang , this is a cultural phenomenon and something worth experiencing at least once while visiting Korea. While the karaoke machine was originally invented in Japan, Koreans have adopted the pastime and made it their own. Here, you rent out a private room with a group of friends (instead of singing in a public bar, as is often the case in Western countries). Pricing is determined by the hour, with rates varying wildly depending on the number of people, time of day, day of the week, and whether snacks and drinks are included. Average group karaoke rates range from 5,000 to 15,000 KRW.

5. Step back in time at a hanok village

Other things to see and do in south korea, 1. visit changdeokgung palace.

One of the Joseon dynasty’s Five Grand Palaces, this 15th-century complex in Seoul was built in harmony with the natural environment at the foot of Bugaksan Mountain. Changdeokgung, or “Palace of Prospering Virtue,” was the main royal residence for 13 kings over the course of three centuries. The complex sprawls over 110 acres, 60% of which is taken up by the beautiful Huwon Secret Garden, home to over a hundred species of trees, flowers, and other plants (some of the trees here are over 300 years old!). The main draw is wandering around the exterior, with its restored buildings and gates, though you can also go inside Injeongjeon Hall, the palace’s throne room. Admission to the complex is 3,000 KRW; the Secret Garden is an additional 5,000 KRW. There are guided tours in English as well.

2. Explore Busan

Korea’s second-largest city is located just two hours from Seoul on the KTX high-speed bullet train. A coastal city, Busan boasts great beaches, such as Haeundae Beach, with its miles of sand, and Gwangalli Beach, known for its sunsets. Gamcheon Culture Village, the “mural village of Korea,” is a hillside neighborhood rich in street art and covered in murals, and nearly all the houses are painted bright colors. It’s a great place to wander around for a few hours, popping into the unique shops, cafés, and restaurants.

3. See the National Museum of Korea

If you visit only one museum in Korea, make it this one. Located in Seoul, it covers all aspects of Korean culture, art, and history, from prehistory to the early modern era. It also contains many national treasures and artifacts that have been designated as having special importance and value in Korean culture and history. Some of the most important ones include the sixth-century inscribed Bukhansan Monument, detailing military expansions; sixth-century gilt-bronze Buddhist statues; and the 10-story Gyeongcheonsa Pagoda, which dates to the 14th century. Don’t miss the exterior gardens, which feature indigenous plants, reflecting pools, and traditional Korean sculptures and lanterns. Admission to the main exhibitions and children’s museum is free.

4. Take a food tour

As a foodie, learning about a culture through its food is one of my favorite things to do while traveling. Korea has an incredible variety of amazing dishes to try, as well as a bustling (and delicious) street food scene. Taking a food tour with an experienced guide is one of the best ways to gain a deeper understanding of Korean cuisine. O’ngo Food offers a variety of tours in Seoul, Busan, Jeonju, and Jeju, with prices starting from 70,000 KRW per person.

5. Visit Gyeongbokgung Palace

Originally built in the 14th century by the kings of the Joseon dynasty, this palace in Seoul served as the seat of the government for two hundred years until it was destroyed by a fire and abandoned for centuries. Since the 19th century (and still today), it has been undergoing renovations to restore the complex to its former glory. It is considered the most stunning of all five royal palaces in Seoul, featuring grand gates, open courtyards, and terracotta-topped buildings set against the backdrop of Mount Bugak. In addition to wandering through the complex, you can also go into the many administrative halls and residential chambers set up to resemble the palace’s heyday. You can watch the changing-of-the-guard ceremony as well, every day except Monday. The National Palace Museum and the National Folk Museum are also located in the complex. Admission is 3,000 KRW.

6. See the cherry blossoms

While cherry blossoms are often associated with Japan, festivities surrounding the blooms are incredibly popular in Korea as well. Here, the season runs from late March to late April, with many festivals throughout the country. Just be prepared for crowds at the more popular ones, like the Yeouido Cherry Blossom Festival in Seoul.

7. Try taekwondo

Korean’s native martial art, taekwondo, is characterized by high kicks and punches and, like all such disciplines, emphasizes mental training. An Olympic event since 2000, taekwondo has only grown in popularity in recent years and is a point of pride in Korean culture. Kang’s Global Taekwondo in Seoul offers classes to adults and foreigners that cost around 43,000 KRW for one hour.

8. Learn to cook classic Korean foods

If you’d like to take your knowledge of Korean food one step further, take a cooking class, where you’ll learn to prepare classics like bibimbap, kimchi, bulgogi, and Korean pancakes. Hello K Cooking in Seoul offers a class where you’ll learn how to cook three main dishes and one stew — recipes and skills that you can bring home with you. Classes are 107,000 KRW.

9. Go hiking

Korea is an incredibly mountainous country, so hiking is a favorite pastime for locals. Be sure to immerse yourself in nature while visiting this lush land. There are even hiking spots near the bigger cities if you don’t have enough time or don’t want to venture too far afield. Bukhansan National Park, just outside Seoul, is a popular place to go hiking, offering panoramic views over the capital (expect crowds due to its proximity to the city, though). Yet with 22 national parks spread across the country, there are plenty of opportunities to escape the crowds (including lots of guided hikes if you don’t want to organize one yourself). For a multiday hike, the Jirisan Ridge Trek in Jirisan National Park is one of the most famous — a four-day walk from mountain shelter to mountain shelter.

10. Wander around Seoul Olympic Park

In 1988, Seoul hosted the Summer Olympics, which was only the second time the summer games had been held in Asia (the first was in Tokyo in 1964). Today, you can visit the massive park where the games were staged, and while Olympic Park does have many sports facilities, there’s much more to explore here as well. The park is divided into four sections, focusing on the arts, history, nature, and sports. In the arts section, you’ll find the SOMA Museum of Art and a park with over 200 sculptures, while in the history section, you can see the third-century defensive Mongchontoseong Earthen Fortifications, excavated dugout huts and storage pits left in the state in which they were uncovered. You can easily spend an entire afternoon here. Admission to the park is free.

11. Discover Jirisan National Park

Located in the southern part of the country (Namwon is the nearest city), this park is named after Jirisan (Mt. Jiri for short), the tallest mountain on mainland Korea. As it’s South Korea’s first national park (as well as its largest), hiking trails and cultural sites abound. You can visit seven major Buddhist temples and see several of Korea’s national treasures of ancient carved stonework from the seventh to the tenth centuries. One of the most important sites here is Samseonggung, or Three Sages Palace, a mountainside shrine dedicated to the legendary founders of Korea. Admission to the park is 1,600 KRW.

South Korea Travel Costs

Cheap hotel rooms start at 28,000 KRW for a room that sleeps one, while a double room generally costs at least 40,000 KRW. Expect basic amenities like Wi-Fi, a TV, air conditioning, and an electric teapot. Breakfast is usually not included at budget hotels.

Airbnb is available around the country, with private rooms starting at 25,000-30,000 KRW. For an entire home or apartment, expect to pay at least 50,000-70,000 KRW per night.

While wild camping is illegal in Korea, there are plenty of campgrounds should you want to pitch a tent. Expect to pay 7,000-20,000 KRW for a plot with access to bathroom and shower facilities, and usually even Wi-Fi.

Food – Korean cuisine has developed its own traditions and flavors over the centuries, with a unique emphasis on using uncooked, fermented, and pickled vegetables. Traditional Korean meals are often composed of a variety of side dishes, eaten with short-grain rice. A meal isn’t considered complete unless there’s kimchi on the table.

Common dishes include bulgogi (marinated, grilled beef), samgye-tang (chicken and ginseng soup), bibimbap (a mixed rice bowl), chap chae (a glass noodle dish), and many other noodle and rice dishes. Popular street foods include hotteok (a sweet, filled pancake), tteokbokki (spicy cylindrical rice cakes), and bungeo-ppang (a fish-shaped pastry filled with red bean paste).

Dining out in South Korea is relatively inexpensive. A meal at a casual restaurant serving traditional Korean food is around 9,000-15,000 KRW, while a three-course meal at a mid-range restaurant is around 25,000-30,000 KRW. Expect higher prices in larger cities.

Western food is more expensive. Expect to pay at least 20,000 KRW for a pasta dish at an Italian restaurant.

In terms of fast food, a combo meal (think McDonald’s) is around 7,000 KRW, while a burger is around 4,500 KRW. A typical Korean street food dish is 1,500-3,000 KRW.

A pint of beer is 4,000-5,000 KRW, a glass of wine is 6,000 KRW and up, and a cocktail is 7,000 KRW and up. A latte or cappuccino is 5,000 KRW.

If you cook your own food, expect to pay 50,000-70,000 KRW per week for basic staples like rice, pasta, vegetables, and some meat. Shopping at local markets is the best way to get great fresh produce for cheap.

Backpacking South Korea: Suggested Budgets

On a backpacking budget of 75,000 KRW per day, you can stay in a hostel dorm, cook all your meals, use public transportation and intercity buses to get around, skip the alcohol, and do mostly free activities like walking tours and hiking.

On a mid-range budget of 135,000 KRW per day, you can stay in a private Airbnb or cheap hotel, eat out for most meals at casual restaurants, enjoy a few drinks, take the occasional taxi as well as trains between cities, and do more paid activities like museum visits and food tours.

On a “luxury” budget of 255,000 KRW or more per day, you can stay in a nicer hotel or entire Airbnb apartment, eat out pretty much anywhere you want, drink at the bar, get a high-speed rail pass, and do as many guided tours and activities as you want. This is just the ground floor for luxury, though. The sky is the limit!

You can use the chart below to get an idea of how much you need to budget daily. Keep in mind these are daily averages — some days you’ll spend more, some days less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in KRW.

South Korea Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

I find South Korea to be one of the best value countries out there. It’s a really affordable place to visit. Accommodation can add up but food and drinks are generally cheap. Here are some ways to save money when you travel around South Korea:

• Visit the free attractions – With countless museums, shrines, temples, historic neighborhoods, and parks, Korea is filled with opportunities to become immersed in its culture. Many of the nation’s museums and cultural attractions are free, so don’t pass them up!
• Purchase a KORAIL Pass – If you want to travel by train, getting a rail pass is the most economical way to do so. You’ll get unlimited train travel for the time period you choose (2-5-day increments). Prices start at 121,000 KRW.
• Get a transit pass – Most major cities in Korea offer a day pass for public transit, which means great savings if you plan to hop around using buses and subways. Seoul’s day pass costs 15,000 KRW, though the longer you stay, the more you’ll save (a seven-day pass is 64,500 KRW).
• Buy a city pass – If you plan on visiting a lot of attractions, buy a city pass. Seoul and Busan both offer ones that include admission to popular sights, a transit pass, and discounts to restaurants and other attractions.
• Eat from the convenience stores – Convenience stores in Korea offer not only snacks and drinks but prepared boxed meals and cheap alcohol. If you’re on a tight budget, shop in those.
• Take the bus – While the trains are fun, the cheapest way to get around Korea is by bus. They take longer but are much cheaper, so if you have the time, opt for long-distance buses. Just show up at the bus station to reserve your tickets in advance, as most websites and apps are in Korean.
• Stay with a local – Couchsurfing lets you stay with a local for free, cutting your accommodation costs drastically. You’ll get to spend time with someone who can share their tips and advice in exchange for your own travel stories and culture. You can also use the app to meet people for activities (coffee, museum visits, etc.) if you don’t feel comfortable staying with a stranger.
• Drink like the locals – Soju, the national alcohol of Korea, is incredibly cheap, as is domestic beer. Just be careful to not let it sneak up on you — both monetarily and physically. Korea’s drinking culture is infamous!
• Stay in capsule hotels – If you don’t want to Couchsurf or stay in hostels but still want to save money, capsule or pod hotels are great options. These offer just what you need to sleep (a small, basic pod) yet can be surprisingly comfy and much more affordable than a traditional hotel. Prices start as low as 45,000 KRW per night.
• Bring a water bottle – The tap water here is safe to drink, so bring a reusable water bottle to save money and reduce your plastic use. LifeStraw is my go-to brand, as its bottles have built-in filters to ensure that your water is always clean and safe.

Where to Stay in South Korea

South Korea has plenty of budget-friendly hostels and guesthouses. Here are some of my recommended places to stay when you visit:

• Time Travelers Relax Guesthouse (Seoul)
• Zzzip Guesthouse (Seoul)
• Time Travelers party Hostel (Seoul)
• INSIDE Busan (Busan)
• Jeju Hiking Inn (Jeju)
• Backpacker’s Home (Jeju)

How to Get Around South Korea

Bus – Taking a long-distance bus is the cheapest and most popular way to get around the country. There are two types: express (which makes few to no stops) and intercity (which travels between smaller destinations and makes more stops).

Your best bet for reserving tickets in advance is to go directly to the bus terminal, as most bus websites and booking apps are in Korean and only accept Korean credit or debit cards.

Pricing depends on what class ticket you choose: standard, luxury, or premium. The four-hour bus ride from Seoul to Busan costs around 36,000 KRW for a standard ticket, Incheon to Busan takes just over four hours and costs 38,000 KRW, and Seoul to Daegu is 29,000 KRW and takes just under four hours.

Train – South Korea has a robust train system that can take you all over the country. Korean Train Express (KTX) is the country’s bullet train, regularly running at speeds up to 305 kilometers (190 miles) per hour. However, these only go between major cities, have limited schedules, and are more expensive, so KTX may not always be the most convenient choice.

KORAIL (the national railway service) operates slower-speed, intercity trains that offer a wider range of schedules and destination choices. You can also get the unlimited KORAIL Pass, which is offered exclusively to international tourists. A two-day adult pass is 121,000 KRW; a five-day adult pass is 210,000 KRW.

As a comparison of the two train types: the journey from Seoul to Busan on a KRX train costs around 90,000 KRW and takes 2.5 hours, while on a regular intercity train, it takes 5.5 hours and costs 47,500 KRW.

The further out you book, the cheaper KTX train prices get, while intercity prices stay about the same. You can book up to a year in advance.

Flying – South Korea is so small that flying around the country doesn’t really make sense. Trains can get you anywhere pretty quickly. However, if you’re very pressed for time and have cash to burn, there are a few budget airlines offering domestic flights between major cities. Most are around one hour long.

The flight from Seoul to Busan is around 30,500 KRW, Seoul to Jeju is 55,000 KRW, and Busan to Jeju is 22,000 KRW. However, you can find flights even cheaper when you book further in advance.

Low-cost airlines in South Korea include the following:

Car rental – Renting a car isn’t incredibly cheap in South Korea. However, it is one of the best ways to explore all the natural wonders that the country has to offer, many of which are inaccessible by public transportation. Expect to pay around 50,000-55,000 KRW per day on a multiday rental. Drivers need to be at least 21 years old.

When to Go to South Korea

Generally, the best times to visit South Korea are March-May and September-November. During these periods, the weather is mild, with temperatures of 10-24°C (50-75°F); prices for accommodation and transportation are lower; and there are fewer crowds.

In the spring, the cherry blossoms are in bloom all over the country, while the fall brings the beautiful colors of the changing leaves. Also, if you plan on doing a lot of hiking, the fall is the best time to visit.

The summer starts with monsoon season, from June through mid-July, and the rest of the summer is hot and humid in the cities (though it cools down in the mountains and along the coasts). Prices for accommodation are also very high during this time.

Winters in South Korea get very cold, with temperatures dipping as low as -6°C (21°F), so unless you plan on skiing, visiting from December through February might not be the best option (though the temples and landscapes look beautiful covered in snow).

How to Stay Safe in South Korea

South Korea is an incredibly safe place to backpack and travel around. Petty crime is rare here, though it never hurts to be cautious on public transportation and around popular tourist landmarks. Always keep your wallet and valuables secure and out of reach, just in case. Violent crime is even more rare.

Solo female travelers should feel safe here. However, the standard safety precautions apply as always. For specific tips, consult one of the many solo female travel blogs on the web.

While scams are super rare in South Korea, to avoid getting ripped off, you can check out this list of common travel scams to avoid .

When hiking, always bring water and sunscreen. Be sure to check the weather before you depart and dress accordingly.

Earthquakes occur regularly in the region, so it’s best to be prepared and download the Emergency Ready app, which the Korean government developed to provide information in English to foreign residents and tourists. It has all kinds of advice and tips for natural disasters, shows you where nearby emergency shelters are, and sends out warnings and notifications should a disaster occur.

If you do experience an emergency, dial 112 for assistance.

Always trust your gut instinct. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID, and forward your itinerary along to loved ones so they’ll know where you are.

South Korea Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!

South Korea Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on Asia travel and continue planning your trip:

Traveling with Friends: How to Avoid Disaster

The 5 Best Hotels in Singapore

The 7 Best Hotels in Bangkok

The 4 Best Hostels in Singapore

Where to Stay in Singapore: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit

The 13 Best Things to See and Do in Taipei

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50+ Insider South Korea travel tips from a long term expat

So you’ve planned your journey to the Land of the Morning Calm, but you want to find out a bit more about the nation. From the intricacies of drinking culture to practicalities like visas and vaccinations, this article has all and the best South Korea travel tips directly from a Korean-speaking expat who has lived in the country for over 10 years. 

Find out how to experience South Korea like a local, from riding the subway like a pro to where to get the best shopping deals. This is an essential guide for both tourists and for those who are considering living in Seoul and beyond. You’ll definitely find some practical and really interesting tips for traveling to South Korea below… 

Preparing a trip to South Korea

There are some things to consider when traveling to South Korea. Even if you’ve visited several times, you may find some new information below, so don’t skip to the next section just yet. After living here for over 10 years there’s always something new to learn. Here are our most useful South Korean tips. 

The very first thing to consider when traveling to South Korea is to check whether you need a visa. Many countries are allowed to enter visa free for 30 days, some can be extended to 90 days. You can see which countries are allowed in here . 

Of course, this has now changed with the Coronavirus pandemic. Tourist visas have currently been put on hold and if you do have a visa currently and are in the country, you will need to obtain a re-entry permit in order to leave and come back into the country, no matter whether you are teaching, are married or even have a child with a Korean national. There is also a 2-week mandatory quarantine on arrival.

One travel tip for South Korea concerning visa extension that I learned the hard way is that you cannot extend your visa in the country. 

For example, I am a South African citizen and can enter Korea with no visa for up to 30 days (pre-Covid). I am also allowed to extend this to 90 days, BUT only if I do it before entering the country. Even though I am married to a Korean citizen, I was not able to extend my visa and had to do a visa run to Taiwan. 

The best South Korea travel advice I can give about visa extension is that you may extend in an emergency, but there needs to be proven documentation from hospitals or the relevant institution. So it’s best to you to understand how long you’re allowed and if you need to obtain a visa or visa extension before your trip. 

Vaccinations

Other than a negative PCR test , you do not have to prove any vaccinations to enter the country like you may need in some parts of Southeast Asia. South Korea is a first world country with brilliant medical practitioners. It is recommended to keep up to date on all routine vaccinations like Chickenpox (Varicella), Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis, Flu, Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) & Polio. For other vaccines you may want to get, you can check this list .

Connectivity

South Korea is notably one of the most connected countries in the world. With 96% of the country online and an average mobile Internet speed of 52.4 MB/s, South Korea’s internet connectivity is ridiculously fast and ubiquitous. 

While you can connect to the public Wifi, it can sometimes get choppy and may even be difficult to connect to at times. Cafes are more stable with 5G connections, but you will need to purchase a drink as the passwords are usually on the receipts. If you can’t find the password, just ask the staff for Wifi bimilbeonho (비밀번호 = password). 

Internet plays a vital role in the comfortability of your trip as you will need it constantly when traveling, especially when mapping your journey. For this reason, one of the useful tips for traveling to South Korea is to rent a portable pocket Wifi device as soon as you land at Incheon or Gimpo airports. This will save you a lot of time and worry when traveling. You can book one ahead of time by visiting this link for Incheon and this link for Gimpo . You could also get a 4G LTE sim card at Incheon if you’d rather not carry around an additional device. 

What you can/cannot bring into the country

South Korea has an absolute 0 tolerance policy for illegal drugs. Controversially, they are even allowed to throw Koreans in jail if they have partaken in drug activities abroad even if they were legal in the country taken. For example, a citizen could be locked up in South Korea for smoking a joint in Oregon in the US where marijuana is legal. 

Once I brought in two bottles of wine from Cape Town and a bottle of olive oil. The limit is one liter of alcohol. I have traveled to Seoul many times, but this time I found a large belt around my luggage with a lock. I needed to visit the customs official who told me I needed to declare the wine, as they thought the bottle of olive oil was wine. If this happens to you, don’t panic, it’s just a precaution from customs. 

You’re not in trouble if this happens, you just need to state how much the items cost as you may need to pay import taxes if it is over a certain monetary limit. Usually, they don’t speak English too well, so you can just show the amount on your calculator and they will either ask you to pay or they’ll let you pass through.

Quick mention here if you are visiting Jeju, due to conservation efforts it is illegal to take the black volcanic stones with you when flying out of the island, just like in Hawaii . There are souvenir stores all around the island that sell the lava rocks where you can buy it legally. 

Learning Hangul & Korean phrases

One thing I always recommend to friends when coming to Korea is to not only learn a few helpful phrases but to also learn the writing system called Hangul. This will be especially helpful if you’re planning to visit some of the remote areas outside of Seoul, but will also help when traveling around the country. 

The reason why learning the alphabet is one of the top South Korea travel tips is that it is both super useful and extremely easy to learn. Unlike Japanese and Chinese that use thousands of pictograms, Hangul was developed fairly recently and mimics the shapes of the mouth, throat and tongue to bring about sounds, i.e. the sound for “m” is “ㅁ” mimicking the closed mouth. Consonants and vowels are grouped together to form blocks of syllables, i.e. bap or rice is a combination of  b (ㅂ), a (ㅏ) and b (ㅂ) to form “밥”. 

There are only 10 consonants & 14 vowels to learn, making it an alphabet with a total of 24 letters. Sound familiar? I am terrible with languages and it took me 2 weeks to learn Hangul before I came. 

Many English words are also brought into Korean, but written in Hangul. For example, you might encounter the word “세일” at a store and keep on walking. If you knew that that word phonetically sounded out “Sale”, you most likely would have got a great bargain. 

So basically, you don’t have to even speak the language in order to phonetically sound out and understand words that are borrowed from English. This is also great if you’re on a bus and need to go to a destination but all the bus stops are in Hangul, you can easily read where to get off. 

Another one of the most useful travel planning tips for South Korea is that it also helps when using Korean map apps like Kakaomap or Naver Map . The English is quite limited on Kakoamap and Naver has a strange translation system (i.e. 릴리스커피 “Lillies Coffee” in Korean is translated as “Release Coffee”). Also when you type coffee in English there are limited results.

Take for example, typing in “coffee”. This will only bring up a few search results. Yet, if you type “커피” (coffee), “카페” (cafe) or “로스터리” (roastery) thousands of options come up for coffee shops and cafes. 

Visit a site like this one and give it a try for a few days, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to learn. For phrases, visit this link . You’ll get around just fine in Seoul with a few key phrases under your belt and you’ll very quickly learn a few after arriving. 

Familiarising yourself with the culture

Korea has a very strong and proud cultural heritage and there are a lot of interesting and unique facts worth understanding ahead of your trip and many intricacies that you can only learn by living in the country. 

It pays to read up on interesting and uniquely Korean concepts like bballi bballi (getting things done fast), nunchi (ability to listen and gauge others’ moods), jeong (feeling attachment, affection, or bonding) and han (emotion that is a form of resentment and hatred). 

You’ll be doing yourself a huge favor if you read up a little on Korean history, culture and traditions before you go. There is a lot more than the glossiness of Kdramas and superficiality of Kpop and some people are shocked to find that Korea is a very different place than what’s shown on TV. So doing a little research online is probably one of the top South Korea travel tips I can give. But watching some beloved Kdramas can also help, like Secret Garden, Reply 1997 or 1988, Signal, or the recent The World of the Married.

I highly recommend browsing through or reading in its entirety “ Korea: The Impossible Country ” by Daniel Tudor. He covers a lot of concepts in depth, so you can choose which sections you’d like to read and which to gloss over or skip. You’ll really get to understand why Korea is the way it is due to its tumultuous history and lightning-pace recovery after the Korean War. 

Booking accommodation

Booking an accommodation is fairly easy as sites like Agoda and Booking.com have plenty of options, even in the more rural and off-the-beaten-path destinations. All you need to remember is that Korean accommodation is fairly unique in that there are many more options than just the hotel. 

What you should note is how the different types of accommodation differ so you can make a more informed decision. While this will not always be mentioned on the booking site, you can understand what you’re getting by looking at the images and facilities provided. One of the top things to consider when traveling to South Korea is where you are going to stay as there are so many options. Here is a breakdown of each type.

Pro South Korea travel tips: Instead of air heaters, Koreans use a system known as ondol (온돌 translated as “warm stone”) which is essentially floor heating. With modern ondol , water is heated in a boiler, pumped throughout a network of pipes under the floor, which then heats up to the temperature you choose. Most Korean accommodation will have ondol (even templestays out in the mountains). So if you have to sleep on the floor in winter, this is no problem!

The same you’ll find anywhere else in the world, on a sliding scale from the cheap and old to the fancy and luxurious. Usually with an option for breakfast and various other facilities. Check our guide to the best luxury hotels in Seoul for the best options in the capital as well as a description of the various neighborhoods. 

Motel & Love Motel (모텔)

The same set up as a hotel but with a more “romantic” undertone. Love motels, as the name suggests, are usually hired by the hour for amorous escapes. In Korea, much of the population lives at home until marriage, so this is the only option if you’d like to get intimate with your partner. 

They may look like a standard hotel, but you’ll notice a strange heavy “curtain” for cars, the telltale sign it’s a love motel. They are usually discrete, have covered parking, and are super kitsch. These are good options if you’d like to save some cash.

While originally Love Motels have gotten a bad wrap, they are changing more to just Motels these days and are brighter, cleaner and more done up.  

Yeogwan or Inn (여관)

Similar to motels, the yeogwan (also yeoinsu) are older, a bit more dingy, usually located in alleyways, and are the cheapest options when everything else is booked up. This is your last port of call and best to be avoided if you can. 

Hostel (호스텔)

The same concept as anywhere else in the world. Budget accommodation with either your own room or a shared dormitory, bathroom and possibly kitchen facilities. 

Favorited by intrepid and extroverted backpackers, hostels are great for serendipitous meetings of fellow travelers. Staff are usually friendly and speak some English as they have lived the backpacker lifestyle themselves. You can ask the staff about any insider info in the area you’re traveling. 

Minbak (민박)

A very uniquely Korean accommodation, a minbak is sort of a guest house style stay that is very basic and sometimes you will be sleeping on the (heated in winter) floor. There are a few kitchen facilities and an en-suite bathroom. Minbak can be hotel style or a spare room in the owner’s house. The cheaper the minbak, the more basic and older. 

Some minbak are really nice though, which is related to the price, the higher the price, the better the minbak. If you just need a place to sleep for the night in a rural area, minbak are great options. I once stayed at one in Sapsi-do (island) and the owner cooked us a seafood stew for breakfast with clams she caught before sunrise. Yum!

Pension (펜션)

Pensions are basically the big brothers of minbak. They are quite basic with a few amenities and en suite bathroom. These are catered toward groups of travelers and families vacationing together. Some provide BBQ facilities and patios. 

We’ve stayed at all kinds of pensions and there is usually a relaxed and calm feel where elder folk stay up drinking at night with the doors wide open. They can also be cheap or more expensive and can range from dated and in need of renovation to recently renovated, from kitsch to classy. They are usually clean and great for larger groups and more in remote destinations like mountains, islands and beaches. 

Guesthouse (게스트 하우스)

For a bit of a local taste, guesthouses have rooms with either private or shared facilities and set up in the owner’s house. They are similar to minbaks in the sense that you are renting a room in another person’s house, but are more like a B&B. They are often in the same category as hostels in Korea.   

Just like anywhere in the world, Airbnbs can range from the simple to the glamorous. Some are hotels that are also on sites like Booking.com , others are guesthouses with very hands-on hosts.

Our favorite Airbnb was in Jeju where the host offered to teach us wood carving, calligraphy and coffee roasting. He took his property off Airbnb but we still visit him when we go to Jeju. This shows that you can get a really local experience, just read the reviews to get a better vibe. One of the top South Korea travel tips is to stay with a local family and Airbnb is a great place to find this type of experience.

Templestay (템프스테이)

Another uniquely Korean experience is to go on a Templestay where you get to live like a Zen (Seon in Korean) monk. You literally get a (shared or single) room at a Buddhist temple. This is an extremely calming and relaxing stay that focuses on mindfulness and inner peace. There are usually schedules to follow like bowing, chanting and meditating, but it’s kind of up to you if you want to partake in all these. My Christian friends had an issue with the bowing, so they either stood, sat or just skipped this completely. 

You eat in silence with real monks, discuss Zen principles over tea with a head monk, and just wander around the ancient temple grounds. I went for a full hike on my own when I stayed at Haeinsa.

The rooms vary by temple. I got my own room with ondol, an aircon, a desk, and en-suite bathroom. This is a bit more expensive than staying dormitory style, but nice if you want to get away alone. It can be as pricey as an average hotel if you get your own room. You’ll leave feeling refreshed and calm as the setting is otherworldly.    

Basically a guesthouse, but this time in a traditional Korean house, which is called hanok. These could be in recently built houses that mimic ancient architecture, or actual hanok that are sometimes 100 years old. 

The traditional rooms have sliding paper doors and you may be sleeping on a yo (a soft mattress) or a western bed. It’s similar to the templestay in that there is no TV or Wifi in the older buildings, so be warned if you need the Internet. 

This is a homely experience and truly Korean, although the Japanese ryokan does come very close. One of the most popular South Korea travel tips when considering staying in a Hanok is that toilets may be in an outhouse, which is not fun when temperatures get negative in winter. You can always just visit Bukchon in Seoul for the day and have tea in a Hanok and skip the sleepover.

Resort (리조트) & Condo (콘도)

Definitely catered toward locals and family, resorts, like in other area of the world, are usually all-inclusive and therefore more expensive. They’re usually out of the major cities and are for holiday seekers that don’t want to worry about what to eat, how to keep their kids entertained or where to venture off to. 

Resorts are usually upper scale and can be exorbitant in the high season or weekends. While a condo is usually partially owned by several people, similar to a timeshare, the word is often used interchangeably with resort. Sometimes you’ll have both in the name, like “Yongpyong Resort Villa Condo”. If not used interchangeably, the condo would be more like a pension than a resort, meaning it is more basic with less amenities. 

Goshiwon (고시원)

While you most likely will not come across a goshiwon, I wanted to include it here as some Airbnbs are goshiwon. If the images of the place just show a bed and desk and looks like a shoebox, this is a goshiwon. 

These may be good options if you are coming to Korea alone for an extended period of time and don’t have the budget for a hotel. They are very small (roughly 16 sqm) with an en suite bathroom. Outside guests are not allowed, so take this into account before booking.

Connecting with other travelers or expats

Traveling alone doesn’t mean you need to be lonely. There are a multitude of different options to meet up with both foreigners and locals as you travel through the country. 

If you stay at a hostel, you are likely to meet other travelers, especially solo ones. If you aren’t staying at a hostel, one of the best ways to meet others is by joining a group tour on providers like Klook or Getyourguide where you can meet like-minded individuals and connect with a local guide. 

Meetup is also a great place to join groups of expats and locals who go on hikes, drink wine together, do pub crawls, visit UNESCO sites and so much more. Another one of the useful South Korean tips is that Facebook Groups are also pretty amazing places to find out more information on the areas you’re visiting, travel issues and general questions you may need answered. Just type in “Korea” and you’ll see the ample results from surfing to expats to foodies. 

You’ll miss out on a lot of the culture if you don’t at least go out once with a local. Koreans are communal by nature, so much of the culture involves meeting, drinking, chatting and eating outside the home. 

South Korea travel tips for safety – which areas are unsafe

The answer to which areas are unsafe is basically none of them. The entire country is pretty safe . Coming from South Africa , I still can’t believe the things people do here on a daily basis. 

Delivery men leave their motorbike running, people leave the keys in their car when popping into a convenience store, customers leave their laptops and phones on the table of coffee shops when going to the bathroom. It still blows my mind. 

The other day I dropped my gloves at a busy subway station in Seoul. They were pretty expensive too. Counting my losses, my wife suggested I phone Lost & Found, and yup, they had it there, waiting for me. I have heard numerous stories like this where expats have left their bags, cameras or laptops on buses or taxis, only to recover them the next day. 

Of course, don’t go doing these things on purpose, there are criminals in the country that will take the opportunity to steal if the situation arises. The major South Korea travel advice here is that there are no areas that you should “stay away” from, that if you happen to wander there by mistake your life will be in danger. 

Take normal precautions, don’t flash your valuables (even if everyone else is), and use your common sense. For some objective facts you can read this South Korea Crime & Safety Report (for 2020). You can also read my in depth article on Safety in South Korea for a more personal view on the topic (although a lot of objective research was also done). 

What about North Korea

While the Korean War never officially ended and the North and South are still technically at war, Western media usually has a way of blowing things out of proportion. The “North Korean threat” is not felt at all in the country and the South Korean army is all over the border with service being mandatory for all South Korean males.

If you want to visit North Korea, you can only do this through China. We have written extensively on visiting the hermit country which you can read about here .

How about safety in South Korea for a solo female traveler

There are women of all ages walking around alone at all hours of the night and there are CCTV cameras everywhere, especially in tourist destinations. While it is one of the safest countries in the world for solo female travellers there are a few precautions you will needs to take.

There was a rise on toilet, upskirt and changing room cameras ( molka or spy porn ) for a while in South Korea. The government has now placed extremely stringent rules on this where even pointing your camera at a female in the wrong place will wind you up in jail. This is due to large protests headed by the slogan “ My life is not your porn “. There are now also free hidden camera detectors you can download on your phone.

Laws in South Korea are also quite archaic when it comes to charging men for sex crimes. Being drunk in some cases if a legitimate excuse in the eyes of the law . Women are even victimised and blamed for “bringing it upon themselves”. So when you hit the club, always watch your drink. Some very bad people do take advantage of extremely drunk women.

Other than the above, South Korea travel tips for solo female travelers is to try and avoid going solo to the clubs. If you aren’t planning to visit South Korea for the clubs, you will be in good hands as South Korea is generally an amazingly safe place for female travelers.

Best season to visit South Korea

Korea is always a good idea. The entire country is on year round. There are festivals happening throughout the year as the citizens love being entertained and the country provides. 

The best time to visit Korea will largely depend on the type of weather you like as South Korea has four very distinct seasons. 

Autumn and Spring are the shortest and most beautiful with mild temperatures and the most beautiful foliage. The only thing is that they only last for just under 2 months each. Spring sees the cherry blossoms bloom and Autumn witnesses the changing of the leaves (dan-poong – 단풍 in Korean).

Winter and Summer in Korea are stark opposites, the former being absolutely freezing and dry, hovering around zero Celsius for four months. The latter is humid with harsh downpours and will have you sweating profusely. 

One of the top South Korea travel tips for seasons is that there is roughly a 3-4 hour difference of sunlight between peak summer and winter, so your days will either be longer or shorter depending on the season you travel. Food is also seasonal, which is why there are so many food festivals in South Korea. 

There are pros and cons of each season. Autumn and Spring have more moderate temperatures with higher tourist traffic. Winter is constantly freezing, but you can ski and hike the snow capped mountains. Summer sees a hoard of festivals and outdoor activities and you can visit all the best beaches. 

I would personally suggest coming just before Summer (April) or Winter (October) where temperatures are more moderate and tourist traffic is slightly down. Avoid all public holidays, especially Lunar New Year and Chuseok (Harvest Festival), as transportation is fully booked and many things are closed.

How long you need to visit South Korea

The question of how long you’ll need to visit South Korea depends very much on your travel style and what you’re coming to see. If you’re just visiting the capital, you will need less time, but a weekend in Seoul would be very rushed. We’d recommend at least 4 days in Seoul as there is a lot to cover and you won’t want to skim by the sites. 

Those wanting to venture onto other areas like Busan, Daegu, Gyeongju, Jeju or any day trips from Seoul to places like the DMZ or Suwon will need much more time. Each additional place can be visited over 2 days on their own. 

We would say a good amount of time to Seoul plus one other area is a full week. This way you can explore the various districts of the capital and you get to visit another area to get a well-rounded experience of the country. South Koreans might all be one nation with a similar mentality, but the cities all vary in vibe and atmosphere and you’d be doing yourself a disservice by only visiting Seoul. 

We have written pretty extensive articles on all these topics and suggest perusing through them before booking your trip. It will give you an idea of where to stay in Seoul, over 100 things to do in Seoul, which day trips you want to make and a complete suggested itinerary for 2, 4 and 7 days (including day trips). 

• Complete Seoul Itinerary – 2, 4 & 7 Days in Seoul

All the best day trips from Seoul

100+ great things to do in seoul, best areas to stay in seoul.

Seoul is spread out quite haphazardly and where to stay will very much depend on the sites you want to see. 

In our article on where to Stay in Seoul , we map out the entire city into different districts, state the best things to do in those districts and then offer advice on which type of traveler would stay there, offering tips for choosing the best place to stay in Seoul. Use the article to decide on where to stay. 

South Korea travel tips

In this section we’ll be providing actual South Korea travel tips and tricks to make your visit easier and more convenient. Read it all or skip to the sections that you need the most. 

There are some gems in here that you won’t find anywhere else on the internet as they are drawn from personal experiences throughout the years and a short term traveler cannot provide the same level of insight of someone who has lived here for a decade. 

General South Korea travel tips on public transportation

While using public transportation in South Korea is much like other countries, there are a few things to note that will make your life a whole lot easier and help you get around with ease. Before we start, know that in Seoul public transportation does shut down from around 12am-5:30am, so plan your trips accordingly. 

Taxis are always in operation but the rates differ depending on the times and days, rush hour and weekends are more expensive for example. They can also be a bit more difficult to find in the wee hours of the morning. One of the most useful South Korea travel tips is to download an app. Having an app will be a big help for finding cabs and also planning your journeys on public transportation. 

Using an app

There are two major apps that you can use when traveling in South Korea. They can be used to see the best routes for walking, driving, cycling or taking public transportation. In fact, they show the exact times that buses will arrive, to the second. You will however need a basic knowledge of Hangul to use them, another reason to learn the Korean alphabet. 

Google Maps is terrible in Korea, especially if you’re looking for the best routes. Before your trip, download and familiarize yourself with the following three apps: Kakaomap , Naver Map and Subway ( Mac , Android ). 

Naver is Korea’s Google and is better for English speakers than Kakaomap (started as Korea’s Whatsapp but is now a major conglomerate), but you can find many more options if you know how to write basic Hangul. 

Travel cards

It’s very rare to see people carrying cash these days. Wireless is the way forward in South Korea. People even have their credit cards on the phones now, where banks provide app cards instead of the usual plastic. This means wallets are a thing of the past .

This is no different for transportation. While there is the option to pay for your ride with cash, it is very rare and inconvenient to do these days. You could purchase a transportation card (called Tmoney) from any convenience store, but you will need to have a good handling of the language to direct the clerk to what you want. 

The easiest way to get your scannable travel card is to order it online and then pick it up from the airport as soon as you land. Reserve a Tmoney card with $5 top up online here . You can use this card on basically any form of transportation including buses, the subway, taxis and even some retail stores. It even comes on a mobile app where you can top up your card instantly and check your remaining balance. 

One of the top South Korea travel tips for those traveling by rail to other areas is to also book a KR Rail Pass. Book it online here . The pass allows you to travel to over 600 stations on 80 different routes using the high-speed rail. It provides unlimited rides for options of 3 or 5 consecutive days or flexible 2 and 4 day options. 

Riding the bus

Buses in South Korea are color coded by type, super modern, and ridiculously punctual. In Seoul, you get several types of city buses. 

The red buses go between districts and even provinces and have less stops as they usually only stop at major stations before hitting the highway. The green or blue buses are smaller and more local with more stops along the way so they can take longer to get between destinations. The yellow buses are super local tiny little things that don’t stretch too far. Purple buses are airport limousines. 

Larger buses occasionally have Wifi and USB chargers that actually work (many don’t) and most buses have small TVs playing constant ads. Seats are clearly marked for the elderly (yellow) and pregnant women (pink) and are usually close to the front. It is customary to give your seat to an elderly person should no other seats be available.

Bus driver friendliness will range from polite to aggressive. Some bow to each person that enters, some listen to the radio without even looking in your general direction and they don’t speak much English. They are under extremely tight schedules and often drive like they’re in an F1 race, but accidents are few and far between . It’s a common sight to see bus drivers hop out the bus, take a smoke break while the light is red and hop back in. Occasionally they jump into buildings to use the bathroom. 

The bus is a very common mode of travel in Korea as they are really efficient. One major reason to choose the subway over the bus is traffic, which gets atrocious during rush hours. Otherwise the bus is usually quicker and more convenient. Buses are the kings of the road in Korea with their own lanes on the freeways and people actually let them cut in. 

As bus drivers are trying to stick to an almost impossible schedule, they can be quite cranky. One of the top South Korea travel tips to know to avoid their wrath, is to have your bus card or cash ready and waiting. Know that you need to scan your bus card when you get on and off the bus (see our section above on cards to understand where to get them).

I have seen a driver scream at a poor female foreigner passenger when she couldn’t find her card when getting off. Just have your card on the ready and know where you’re getting off. 

Taking the subway

The subway is the most convenient way to travel around Seoul. There are also subways in Busan, Daegu, Daejeon and Gwangju. The reason I say that this is the most convenient is that the subway is most always on time, you can plan your trip to the minute using the subway app mentioned above, there is no traffic to sit in, and you will not be waiting outdoors. 

Getting a seat during rush hour is most likely not going to happen. Note that there are seats reserved for the elderly and pregnant women. If you are not in this category, you are expected not to sit in these seats, even if they are empty. It is also etiquette to give your seat up to an elderly person. 

Pro South Korea travel tips: Drinking and eating is prohibited on the train and you are supposed to either talk very quietly or not at all (on the phone or in person) unless you want to get the evil eye from fellow passengers. 

The subway is extremely well connected in Seoul. You can get to almost anywhere in the city and places in surrounding Gyeonggi Province conveniently. All maps, directions and stops are mentioned in Korean, English, Japanese and Chinese. If you use the app mentioned above you can see the best possible routes, depending on if you want less time or less transfers. There is even information on which cart to stand in to lessen your transfer time. 

Avoid rush hours at all costs if you can. It gets absolutely packed, especially in areas like Gangnam. Sometimes it gets so packed that it feels as if your feet leave the ground as you are pushed up against other passengers. 

All subways have free bathroom facilities, vending machines and some have convenience stores. You can either use a single transfer card at one of the machines which is in multiple languages. You get 500 won back at your final destination when you give the card back. Another option is to get a T-money card which you can top up at any subway station and most convenience stores around the city. You then just tap it when entering the subway. 

Catching a cab

Cabs are very affordable in South Korea and there are millions of them wherever you are in the country. They are more difficult to find in rural areas though. Not all drivers speak English so you may need to learn a few phrases to get by. 

The driver may choose not to give you a ride if your destination is too close or if they are headed to another city, like catching a Seoul taxi in Gyeonggi. Note that there are different color taxis depending on the service you need. We have written about the system here . 

You can ask your hotel to order you a call taxi to take you to your destination. If you are registered, you could also use an app like Kakao T or the premium TaDa (which took a short hiatus ), which is Korea’s version of Uber or Grab. 

Pro South Korea travel tips: It is against the law for a cab driver to swindle you out of money by going on extended routes or overcharging. If you feel something is up, you can take a picture of the driver’s taxi license which is always prominently displayed and call the Dasan Call Center by dialing 120. Once taking the picture, the driver will most likely change their tune. 

Hiring a car

It is advisable not to hire a car if you are only visiting Seoul. Public transportation is so good and convenient that you would not need a car to get around at all. If you are planning on taking a day trip from Seoul, you still have the option of taking an intercity bus or train (like the KTX, ITX or SRT) as they are also pretty easy and convenient to catch. 

Hiring a car is also more convenient when traveling outside of major cities where public transportation is less frequent. Places like Gangnueng on the East Coast or even Daegu are just so much better when you have a car as you can explore more and really understand the areas much better. 

If you do choose to hire a car you will need an international driving permit along with your original license. Hiring a car is a great option if you plan on venturing out to more unknown, rural areas as there is so much to explore in Korea beyond the bus routes. Driving, like in the US or most of Europe, is on the right. Try Kayak or Lotte Rentacar to book your car. 

Camping has grown in popularity and there are many RV camp sites popping up all over the country. You will need to book well in advance in season though if you plan to hire a car and go camping. 

Unfortunately, in order to use the keyless and contactless car hire services like GreenCar , where all you need is an app to unlock the car, you need to have a Korean license. Enterprise is apparently trying to introduce contactless car pickup though.

I do feel the need to mention Korean driving style as this is different from other countries. Korean driving style is very aggressive where you need to push to get into a different lane. Oftentimes drivers will turn without signaling, so be aware of this. Don’t be afraid to push in when needed. And always allow buses in.

Pro South Korea travel tips: You can turn right on red traffic lights and are expected to if no pedestrian is crossing the road. Always let buses in, they will drive directly into you if you don’t. 

Korea has many speed cameras. Your car will come with navigation, so make sure it is set to English before leaving. The navigation will warn you of any traffic lights ahead, the dinging sound can become quite annoying as there are so many, but it’s better than paying fines. Filling up with gas is very easy and simple, just say how much you need to fill up in Won. Note that there are both self services and gas stations with staff. 

Public bikes & scooters

There are multiple choices when it comes to e-scooters and bikes in Korea. Unfortunately, most of them cater to the locals. The easiest to set up for foreigners is Lime. 

Because scooters have been classified as motorcycles, most of the local options like Beam or Kickgoing , require you to put in your Korean driver’s license. Laws have changed though and e-scooters are classified as bicycles, so it may be easier to grab one of these. You also now do not have to wear a helmet and you can be as young as 13 to ride one of these. These laws may change in the future.

Remember that Korean drivers are quite aggressive and will turn into oncoming pedestrian traffic occasionally. So always make sure that you are safe before crossing the road. It may even be a good idea to get off the scooter before crossing as cars come fast and furious. 

Cities have public bicycles to use which can be normal manual push pedal bikes like the green Ddareungi (따릉이) in Seoul or electric hybrid ones like Kakao T Bike . They are pretty simple and easy to use and charge per kilometer. 

Pro South Korea travel tips: Note that some of the bike and scooter apps only allow you to place the items in certain areas when you are done. If you plan on going far, make sure that your final destination is not out of the zone otherwise you will be charged with an additional fee. These are clearly delineated on the apps as greyed out areas. You will also get a warning when you are entering one of these zones. 

Queuing in Korea

This is some South Korea travel advice you learn by living here. Queuing for public transportation in Korea is slightly different from other countries. The style of queuing will depend on the type of transport you are taking. 

When catching intercity buses, for example, the usual first-come-first-serve method works here. For more local transport, there is no queuing system whatsoever. Even if you got there early and have been waiting for 20 minutes, once the bus comes, everyone will fight to be the first on the bus, especially elderly women. 

You will need to push in like the rest of the people even if this seems against your instincts. The same goes for the subway in Seoul. Unlike places like Taiwan where the flow is very Zen, people tend to form a cluster instead of waiting patiently in line. My advice as a Westerner is to just go with the flow and not to get too hung up about people cutting in line. And if you see a seat, make a beeline for it. If you hesitate for a moment, it will be gone. 

Taking shoes off in homes & in changing rooms

As in other Asian countries like Japan or China , it is customary to take off your shoes when visiting some Korean homes and also some restaurants where you need to sit on the floor. As it was traditionally customary to sit on the floor at homes in Korea, this is an obvious hygienic practice, so you don’t muddy up the place you’re about to sit on. 

It’s mostly traditional Korean restaurants that will ask you to take off your shoes at the door where you will be provided with a pair of inside slippers (if you have feet over 280cm, i.e. US 10, expect them not to fit). It’s becoming more rare these days though. 

Korean homes still practice this custom, so make sure to take off your shoes before entering a house or any establishment where you will be sitting on the floor, like a tea room. Other places you may need to do this is in changing rooms like at Uniqlo or Zara. The sales person may say this to you in Korean which will be clearly indicated with their body language (they will point to your feet). If you are unsure, just ask!

Is South Korea expensive

Generally South Korea is less expensive that Japan, but definitely miles more expensive than most of Southeast Asia. Imported products like wine or alcohol are all very pricey. A meal out for one will most likely fall around the 10,000 KRW range, but this will vary depending on the restaurant.

Pizza and Western dishes can be outrageously pricey, like 25,000 KRW for a pizza. Local dishes will also vary on the prestige of the restaurant and the meal served. Eating Korean style sashimi or eel for example can be around 25,000 – 40,000 per person. Eating at a pojang macha can be roughly 1,000-5,000 KRW per item.

Alcohol at a convenience store is pretty cheap if you’re buying local. A beer will set you back around 4,000 KRW from 7-11 but will cost around 7,000 at a pub for exactly the same thing. Restaurants may charge even more. An Americano is about 4,000 KRW at a chain.

Hotels can vary largely depending on where you’re staying and can range from 20,000 KRW for a hostel to over 150,000 KRW for a quality hotel per night. Motels are roughly 50,000 KRW depending on the quality.

Subway rides and buses are around 2,000 KRW but can vary depending on where you are traveling to. Taxis have a basic fee of around 3,000 as soon as you step in and then charge an additional 700 KRW per km.

Shopping tips 

Shopping is Korea’s national pastime. So of course a lot of our South Korea travel tips revolve around this. Although much of the shopping has moved online over the past few years, malls and department stores are still thriving. They allow a sense of escapism and are always busy on the weekend and public holidays no matter where you are in the country. 

We have written extensively about shopping in South Korea, so we won’t talk much about that here. You can find out some shopping facts (facts 2 & 14), places to go shopping on a Seoul itinerary , or more about shopping at major areas in Seoul like Dongdaemun, Myeongdong, Insadong or Apgujeong. 

Here, we will concentrate on the different types of shopping experiences you can have in Korea along with sizing, events, currency, discounting and bartering. This will help you to plan your shopping so that you are well prepared and can save some time, energy and hopefully money!

Currency & ATMs

Korean currency is known as the won (KRW) and written “₩”. Like the Japanese yen, the won is displayed in larger numbers such as ₩1,000 being equivalent to roughly US$1. So, expect to change your mindset before entering the country as everything will be in the thousands and millions. You’ll be an instant millionaire on arrival. 

As an economic powerhouse, Korea has a very strong and stable currency. For example in 2011, US$1 equaled 1,117 won; in 2021, it was at 1,098 .

Withdrawing money is not an issue in South Korea as there are ATMs all over the place. You can even search for ATMs if you download Korean map apps like Kakaomap or Naver Map. Withdrawal fees will depend on the bank and country of origin of the card, I usually pay around US$2 for withdrawals. 

The only issue withdrawing cash in South Korea is that you will need to find a “Global ATM” otherwise your card will not be accepted. Of course, you will also need to make sure your bank has activated your card for overseas usage.

I always use Woori Bank to withdraw as they are consistently in working order and allow for the highest withdrawal allowance (1 million per transaction). I have personally had issues with Hana and Shinhan where the ATM clearly said “Global” but the card didn’t work. Woori, Hana and Shinhan ATMs all offer international languages beyond English which you can choose by selecting the correct button on the touch screen. The amount will be in won, so convert the amount before you step up to the ATM. 

One of the best South Korea travel tips for currency conversion is that the best place to exchange foreign currency other than at the airport (which should be your first pick) is at Dongdaemun in Seoul. I don’t have experience of exchanging currency outside of Seoul, but market areas usually have money changers. 

Shopping experiences

There’s a lot of shopping to go around in South Korea. If you’re visiting the greater Seoul area and surrounding Gyeonggi Province, you’ll be struck with the number of department stores. Along the yellow subway line going from Seoul into Bundang District and onto Suwon, there is almost a department store at every subway stop. 

So where do you start your shopping journey and what do you need to know along the way? The best places to begin are the touristy areas as they cater for foreigners with store clerks that speak some English, tax refund services and larger sizes if you want to purchase clothing. 

For this reason you can start at places like Dongdaemun, Myeongdong and Namdaemun for all your fashion needs. Insadong is the best spot for cultural souvenirs. These areas have all the different shopping location types available from malls to department stores, outlets to underground shopping, big brands to boutique stores. 

Starfield COEX , the largest underground mall in the world, is a great option if you prefer a mall setting. Lotte & Avenuel in Jamsil (the same building that houses the Seoul Sky Tower ) is another option for upscale brands. 

Luxury items can be purchased at Apgujeong along Rodeo Street or at one of the big name malls like Galleria department store or top-notch Hyundai Department store . We have written extensively about all these places in our Top Things to do in Seoul Guide . 

Now that you know where to start your shopping spree in Seoul, we think some great South Korea travel tips will include more about the types of shopping experiences you can have in the country for a bit more insider info and a few more personal suggestions of places we love. 

First is to know the difference between the various types of places you can shop at. Operating hours will vary but usually go between 10am-11pm.

Shopping at fashion streets

These are quaint outdoor areas where shops are lined along paved pedestrian avenues and usually have more of a boutique, fashion-forward feel, but some have major brands too. There are usually also eateries and cafes all around. 

Some famous areas in Seoul include Insadong, Myeongdong, Samcheongdong (next to Gyeongbokgung Palace), or Apgujeong Rodeo Street. All major cities will have at least one of these roads which will sometimes end in “Pashon eu Gori” (패션의거리 – “Fashion Street”) like in Busan or Suncheon. Some are less obviously stated like Daegu Dongseongno Street (대구 동성로거리). 

Student boutique shopping areas

Very similar in layout to the fashion streets, the major difference is that they cater to students and are mostly situated around major universities. The brands are therefore mostly youth culture with an array of dives, bars, cafes and inexpensive eateries. 

These areas are rowdier, particularly at night when everyone’s had a drink or two, but they are quite vibey and fun. It’s always an interesting experience going shopping here at night and you can also find super trendy brands as well as some great sales. 

In Seoul you can try Hongdae (Hongik Uni), Edae (Ewha Women’s Uni), and Kondae (Konkuk Uni near Seongsu). It’s good to know that not all student areas will have shopping streets, but most do have a few stores around, i.e. Hyehwa is known for its theaters, but there are some shops along the main road. 

Underground shopping

If you want to go subterranean, you can visit one of the major underground shopping complexes in Seoul or around the country. These are usually near or joining the subway stations, so it includes smaller boutique style stores in small compartments along the passageways. They are different from COEX which is a proper mall. 

You can find some really great fashion finds here sometimes. Just note one of our South Korea travel tips for shopping is to be aware that electronics and some brands may be fake, so use your common sense and if something is too good of a bargain, it probably is. 

The most popular underground sopping areas include the ones at Gangnam, Jamsil & Jonggak Stations, with another in Myeongdong near Euljiro 1(il)ga Station entrance 6.  

Department Stores

Department stores are great places to experience shopping like a local, which means you can find discounts like a local. These are multi-level shopping complexes housed in large buildings where each level has a theme. They are usually separated into Mens fashion, Ladies fashion, Youth, Sports, and Home. 

As is the case across most Asian capital cities, some classier department stores have luxury brands and perfume on the first floor which feels more like an airport, and there is typically a grocery store in B1 with a food court or restaurants and an Event Hall somewhere in the building with ever-changing sales, sometimes the events are outside at the entrance. 

There are cafes, events, activities for kids and year-round sales at department stores where you can sometimes find items for up to 80% off. There are also concierge services, pushcarts, wheelchair facilities, seamstresses, shoe repairs, tax refund services, everything under one roof. 

In terms of which department stores to check out, there are too many to recommend, but if you are staying in Seoul, you could visit one of the many in the Dongdaemun or Myeongdong areas that we mention in our post . Alternatively, take a day trip to Bundang to visit some of the other options if you want to get away from the touristy ones, just don’t expect much English.

Outlets & Malls

My favorite places to find sales, outlets are huge spaces where fashion goes to die. Korea is extremely fashion-forward, so if you’re okay with wearing Nike’s from last season, then these are great places to visit as there are some enormous sales. 

Outlets and malls are basically department stores, yet spread out over 2-3 floors instead of 8-10. Malls are closer to department stores in content with seasonal international brands and occasional sales. Outlets are more the places where last season’s fashion is dumped and there are always sales. 

There are some great places to visit in Seoul and Gyeonggi including Lotte Mall in Suwon, Suji and Gimpo. Lotte outlet in Giheung, right next to Ikea, is my favorite as it reminds me of a Californian American Mall and it has a flowrider . There is also one in Gwanggyo which we mentioned in our Day Trips from Seoul article. 

Starfield, part of Shinsegae Group and owner of COEX also has some amazing Malls, the best one is in Hanam (city in Gyeonggi, not Hannam-dong in Seoul), next to Misa-ri and close to a marsh along the Han River. It is massive and joined to a Shinsegae Department Store.  

One more thing to note is the major shopping chains brands to look out for. Most department stores, malls and outlets are owned by Lotte, Hyundai, AK or Shinsegae (Starfield). Each has its own vibe, for example Lotte is more family-focused while Hyundai is more concerned about boasting a premium and luxury experience. The stores are basically the same. Happy shopping!

Bartering & cash discounts

If you’re expecting to come to Korea to haggle, your ability to get a cash discount will depend very much on where you are shopping and what you are buying. 

Some places in Korea are known for bargaining like the Yongsan electronics area, or if you are purchasing in bulk at places like Dongdaemun, Namdaemun or one of the wet markets like Noryangjin. Cash discounts are also accepted here. 

Prices at malls, department stores and chains are all fixed, so you won’t be able to haggle prices down at these establishments. You can try your luck at smaller, boutique stores or college areas, but expect nothing. 

To ask for a discount, you can say “kkakka juseyo” which basically translates into “give it to me for less”. The store clerk will then whip out a calculator and start typing furious equations to get a new price. You can always use your phone calculator if they don’t speak English and you are having troubles with the large numbers.

Sizes (Asian fit)

The stereotype that South Asians have a smaller frame is fairly true in South Korea. Due to size differences clothing is catered to Koreans and is therefore smaller in the country. I take a male large in the US, but in Korea I’m an XL, for example. Lululemon has been clever and introduced an “Asian Fit” that caters for a more petit frame, so their sizing is universal. 

Clothing is also measured differently here, so you can’t always rely on the S, M, L, XL etc. sizing guide. I have found one of the top South Korea travel tips is to measure using centimetres. I found out that I am a 105 for a t-shirt, so I completely disregard the previously mentioned format and look only for the numbers. The same goes with waist size. 

I have heard from my plus size female friends that shopping for clothing in Korea is quite a nightmare and that bras in larger sizes are basically non-existent. Some areas, like Itaewon, do cater for larger sized individuals though. 

When it comes to shoes, it is extremely difficult to find larger sizes, which is a 290 (US 11) for males. What is standard in Western countries, is extremely large in Korea. There are some places with larger sizes like Itaewon, flagship stores and the bargain bins at the outlets. Going to places like ABC Mart that sell multiple shoe brands will most likely result in failure. 

Events (or Sales)

There’s always sales going on in Korea and if you know where and when to look you can get some amazing deals. 

Firstly, if you’re visiting a department store or outlet, try locating the Event Hall. This is a partitioned area with massive sales. They are usually once off and change every week. Sometimes they have luxury brands, other times they have homeware, but it never hurts to walk past to see what’s on sale at the time of visit. Sometimes they’re located outside under tents by the entrance to the building. 

Seasonal sales are massive in Korea. As the country changes in season, so does the fashion and there is a massive push to get rid of “old” stock. The biggest event is Korea Festa which usually happens in November throughout the entire country where every mall has some kind of sale going on. 

Basically, one of the top South Korea travel tips is to buy winter goods in summer and summer goods in winter. And always look for the red tags in department stores, as well as sale racks which might have a sign saying “Last Chance” or “Last Size”. And if a store is having a sale, always ask if the price tag has the final price. Oftentimes, the discount is not clearly stated. Many times I’ve come to the counter and there had been an additional 40% off the marked discounted price on the label.

Then, look out for various other events marked “2+1 Event”, “1+1 Event” etc. This basically means buy 2, get 1 free or buy 1, get 1 free etc. This is everywhere from food items at convenience stores to clothing and electronics. 

Sometimes it gets a bit complicated like if you buy 2 of the same item, you get 50% off the second item only. Or you need a specific bank card to obtain the discount. These types of sales are even difficult to understand for native speakers. With that being said, there are always discounts available if you keep your eyes open. 

Walking paths & hiking

The entire country is absolutely covered in hills and mountains of all sizes and for all fitness levels. You could easily go from sprawling metropolis to the splendor of nature in minutes. One example is visiting Seoul Arts Center in Seocho. 

The huge art center is located right in the center of the Gangnam greater district close to Seoul National University of Education and Nambu Bus Terminal. At the back of the art center there is a path that leads up to a mountain called Umyeonsan (우면산) which is a 4.5km hiking trail ending near Sadang station, reaching an elevation of 221m with a temple called Daesongsa to visit. 

This is just one of thousands of examples of how accessible hiking is in Korea. All paths are well trodden, sometimes even lit up at night, with bathrooms along the way and outdoor fitness areas if you feel like having a workout on the top of a mountain. 

Hiking is extremely safe in South Korea with CCTV cameras usually at the start and end of the trails. You will notice that Koreans like to dress for each occasion and hiking is no different, with hikers decked out in the most up to date trekking apparel. 

Try to download one of the map apps mentioned above before you go as path signage can be deceiving, in Korean only and are not always 100% clear or accurate. While there is always a path down to a metropolitan area, especially in Seoul, you may take a completely wrong turn and end up going for longer than expected. Maps will help with this. 

Pro South Korea travel tips: Always take enough water and some snacks with you in case you get lost or need some energy. You can always call 119 if you need urgent assistance. On the more popular routes, there are even signs with numbers so that you can clearly tell the operator exactly where you are. 

Korea is also a very walkable country. There is even a path from Seoul in the north to Haenam in the south called the Samnam Route (삼남길) or you could walk from Busan to Haenam on the Namparang (south wave) Route. Jeju has it’s Olle Gil Route circling the entire island. Koreans love their “courses” and each major mountain has several to follow, usually marked on maps and color-coded.  

You can take a stroll along the Han River into Gyeonggi Province and beyond. Or just get lost in the maze that is Seoul, there is always a convenience store, public bathroom or transportation nearby.

Avoiding crowds 

If you can, always try to avoid using public transportation or driving during rush hour which can be from around 7-10am and 5-8pm. Being packed on the subway or waiting to get onto a bus can be quite an uncomfortable experience, so try to abide by these South Korea travel tips on avoiding crowds.

Lunch and dinner times are also extremely busy at restaurants. Like clockwork, the restaurants will all be filled up with people between 12-1pm and 7-8 and then like magic, everyone disappears. Coffee shops also fill up after lunch as Koreans love going to a second destination after the main meal. If you want a good seat at a cafe, arrive during lunch hours.

Pro South Korea travel tips : Avoid traveling to Korea on the biggest holidays Chusoek and Lunar New Year (Seollal) as the entire population goes on holiday, so prices for accommodation are sky high and sold out. Transportation is also sold out as the entire country goes back to their hometowns during these holidays. As these go by the Lunar calendar, the date changes each year. Chuseok is in September or October and Seollal is in January or February. 

Weekends are also super busy, so if you can, avoid the major sites on Saturdays and Sundays as there will be loads of foot and road traffic. Weekdays see much less people. 

Night clubs

Clubbing in Korea is an impressive experience. Megaclubs are state of the art facilities attracting international DJs and are always a blast. 

Pro South Korea travel tips: There have been cases of racial profiling at certain establishments , as South Korea has no legal prohibitions on racial discrimination by private businesses. Whatever the reason, you may be declined entry into particular venues for the way you look. Some clubs, pubs or bars deny entry to US military GIs for example. So just keep this in mind, there is not much one can do about the situation unfortunately. Just try the next venue on your list. If you get aggressive, or act against verbal assaults, know that Korean law most always favors the Korean citizen, no matter whether you instigated or not. Just walk away. 

Drinking culture

If you read our Korean facts article , you might be shocked to see how heavily Koreans drink , or that you can get alcohol at any time of the day and can drink in public. 

My first experience of drinking culture in Korea was seeing a group of youngish men huddled in a circle throwing up in the centre. Later that night I witnessed a grown businessman passed out on a staircase, cell phone in hand. These are not once-off sights. 

It’s important to note that alcohol is a social lubricant that cancels out otherwise stringent social norms. It’s a way for Korans to open up about their very busy and frantic lives to friends, family and coworkers. If you get blind drunk at a social gathering, it’s not uncommon for this to be canceled out Monday morning when you come back to work. 

At the centre of most meals is alcohol, usually a bottle of soju (rice wine) or makgeolli (fermented rice wine) depending on the meal. If you end up drinking with a local, you’ll also see that you’ll move locations quite frequently, especially if it’s a gathering of business colleagues. You may have pre drinks somewhereI (il-cha or first round), then move onto your main meal (i-cha or second round), and then head to a noraebang (sam-cha or third round) and beyond.

The heaviness of drinking culture is thankfully shifting in recent years, making it much easier to skip on the alcohol if you aren’t a heavy drinker. Older men will still push the alcohol though as old habits die hard. 

South Korea food tips

In our next section on South Korea travel tips, we’ll move onto one of the biggest draws the country has to offer, the glorious food. See our complete guide to Korean food if you’re unsure what there is on offer. 

This section provides some tips on dining out, etiquette at the table and a few small things that will make your life a bit easier at restaurants, eating in South Korea is a whole new experience worth enjoying fully.

Matjib Gori (Delicious food streets)

A lot of the tips for traveling to South Korea are for getting the best food. If you read the shopping section above, you will remember that we mentioned above about “fashion streets” or clusters to go shopping at. The same thing goes for food in Korea. 

When you hear the expression “matjib” (맛집 – directly translated as “delicious house”), this means a popular restaurant where the food is highly rated. 

Restaurant areas, like fashion districts, are usually clustered together where there are hundreds of choices to choose from. These areas will have different names such as matjib gori (matjib street), meokja golmok (먹자골목 – Let’s eat alleyway) and so on and are usually situated near business districts or universities. They are lively areas where everyone is eating and drinking in a jovial and social atmosphere. 

You will be able to find just about any meal in these areas from Western and Southeast Asian to Indian, fusion and local. As restaurants are clustered together, in Korea, it’s not necessarily about visiting a specific restaurant, but rather you select the meal you feel like and then choose a restaurant accordingly. There are also Cafe Streets (Cafe Gori) which have an array of cafes to choose from. 

Restaurant breaks between rush hours

Restaurants usually have a break time between meals to prepare for the next rush. If you are visiting a specific restaurant from afar, make sure they will be open. Eateries in malls usually don’t have a break time. Just keep this in mind if you choose to eat out of the usual dining times, many restaurants may be closed. 

One of the greatest things to consider when traveling to South Korea is that is does not have a tipping culture at all. In fact, some people may feel insulted if you provide a tip. The only places I have seen with a tip jar are bars and pubs, but then again, it is not necessary to leave anything. I have been chased down the street by store owners wanting to give me my cash back when I left a tip. 

Eating times

Koreans are trained very well at eating 3 meals a day. For this reason you will find meal times extremely busy. You may have walked into a restaurant at 11:50 to think they are going out of business and by 12:10 you can’t even hear the person sitting across from you it’s so noisy. 

Restaurants also often take breaks between meals to rejuvenate or prepare for the next rush. The door may be open, but they may not be serving food at the particular time you walk in. If it is not meal time and you pop your head in and things look stagnant, you may want to ask if they are serving food. You can say “문 열었나요?” (mun yeol-eotnayo, basically “is your door open?”). 

Try to arrive early at meal times, which is roughly 12pm for lunch and 6:30pm for dinner. Breakfast is usually eaten at home, so you won’t really be struggling early in the morning. In fact, many restaurants only open for lunch and dinner. There may already be queues outside of popular places 30 minutes before meal times for fear of missing out, or as they say in Singapore , kiasu . 

Call bells & ordering food

In western countries, your server is usually friendly and chatty as they know this will provide a greater tip. In Korea, servers are exactly that, people to serve your every foodie desire. There is no chit chat, discussing menu options, asking for recommendations and so on. You select what you want to eat and then either shout for service or some larger establishments have a call button on the table which calls for a server. 

Pro South Korea travel tips: Don’t be afraid to shout “yogi-yo!” (여기요! – over here!) to get someone’s attention. You’ll hear the response neh! (yes) and a server will come your way. Don’t keep them waiting. Ordering food in Korea is a quick process and is done swiftly so as to save time.

Not all servers will speak English, or at least they won’t feel confident to speak it. So you can either point at what you want on the menu and say how many you want. They should understand one through ten in English. If the menu is in Korean either ask for an English menu or use the translate image feature on Google Translate. Just know that this may bring some very strange translation results. 

Your food will come with the bill which is inclusive of tax. If you want to order something else, go ahead and they will update your bill. Unless the restaurant you are visiting is super fancy, you are expected to order, eat and leave as quickly as possible. Lingering around means less customers and you will feel a very rushed and awkward vibe if you stay around chatting after you have finished your meal. This is what coffee shops are for. 

Unless you are ordering Western food, your meal will come with metal or wooden chopsticks and a spoon. Some restaurants offer forks if they see you are struggling, but not all will have. It’s up to you to bring your own fork if you struggle with chopsticks. 

Sometimes cutlery is hidden out of sight. If this is the case, either it will come with your meal, it may also be in a small container on the table, or it might be in a cutlery drawer underneath the table. 

Self water / coffee / side dishes

Most restaurants have a free water filtration system. You are expected to collect your own water and if you are with locals, you will also get water for the entire table as a custom. Sometimes there is free mix or capsule coffee too. If it isn’t free there should be a price nearby. 

Traditional Korean food comes with several side dishes like kimchi or sigeumchi (seasoned seaweed). If you finish one, don’t be afraid to ask for more, they will bring it to you for free. Just know that the second helping is usually aggressively larger and you are expected to finish everything. Sometimes side dishes are also self service where you can fill up to your heart’s content. Look for the “Self” sign to see if anything is self service.

Vegan & Vegetarian friendly

I am a pescatarian and know very well about vegetarianism in South Korea. When I first arrived there was one single vegan restaurant in the entire country, but now it seems to be coming a new craze. From all the Impossible Burgers sprouting up in the fast food chains to plant-based restaurants, South Korea is becoming more vege friendly.

Beware that if you use ask if something has “meat” in it (gogi in Korean) and the person answers “no”, don’t be shocked if you bite into a piece of ham. You will have to say that you are vegetarian rather as there are multiple words for various types of meat and Koreans will take you very literally. Gogi means “cow meat”, so if it has “pig meat” they will answer you directly.

Broths will 99% of the time contain some form of meat or bones. So if you ask if the kimchi or tofu stew has meat in it, and the answer is “no”, what they really mean is, “It was made using meat but doesn’t include chunks of meat in its current form”.

Join the Seoul Veggie Club on Facebook where you can find all the best plant-based restaurants and food in the city.  Happy Cow is another great option to finding the most amazing and avant-garde restaurants that do not have meat on the menu.  

Cafe culture – Sitting / working in a cafe

As a digital nomad, this is probably one of my favorite parts about living in Korea. There seems to be an endless stream of cafes and coffee houses throughout the country. It’s not an uncommon sight to see five Starbucks on one block, surrounded by other chains like Ediya, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf or Mega Coffee with a sprinkle of mom and pop stores.

One of the best things about these cafes is that they are a digital nomad’s dream with super fast free Wifi, power outlets, bathrooms and pretty comfortable seats. The best part is that, unless you’re at a more boutique cafe, you won’t get evil stares from the staff when you’ve been sitting there for several hours. 

South Korea also has something called a “study cafe” where you can hire a desk for a specified period of time. Shared workspaces are also popping up in Seoul like WeWork or FastFive . But coffee shops, especially the chains, are still amazing places to go to get some work done. The larger double, triple or even quadruple storey mega franchises are always great if you want a bit of privacy. And this is all for the price of an Americano. 

Coffee shops are a little different in Korea than in other countries. They are more focused on dessert and baked goods than brunch and meals, as bread is a dessert food in Korea. So don’t go expecting a huge assortment of food. 

Cafes also tend to get really busy after lunch as they are usually post-lunch meetup spaces. So if you want to get a seat, try going mid-morning before the rush. And when you’re done, always take your mug and plate back to the designated spot, don’t leave it on the table. As you can stay in cafes for hours, some places offer discounts for takeaways so that more seats open up, or if you bring your own tumbler. 

There are also designated areas in certain districts called Cafe Streets (Cafe gori) which is a cluster of cafes all in one walking street. Great examples include Samcheongdong (near Gyeongbokgung), Buamdong (only reached by bus), a few in the Hongdae / Hapjeong / Sangsu area and a really romantic one near Jukjeon Station in Bundang, Gyeonggi province. 

This is one of the most important South Korea travel tips, especially when dining with locals. Dining with others is an art in South Korea. When a Korean person invites you to a meal and at the end the bill is miraculously paid, don’t take it personally.

Of course, the situation may differ depending on who you are dining with, but usually the oldest person at the table or the senior of the company will pay for everyone. You can then pay for coffee, dessert, or wherever you go for round two or three if you are younger.

If someone travels to your area, you will need to pick up the check as they have put in the effort, and vice versa. Going Dutch (splitting the bill) is not really a thing here. Although, things are changing a bit with the younger, more worldly, generation. But still, expect an awkward pause or a bit of a struggle if you say “Shall we split?”

You may need to be quite sneaky if you want to pay for a meal. The best is to say you’re going to the bathroom and then you take the bill with you to the counter to pay. Expect to be berated and shouted at by the oldest at the table if you do pay as you may have disrespected their honor. It’s all about knowing the person you’re dining with. I still have no clue when I’m supposed to pay for my Korean in-laws.

Pouring drinks, dishing food

Drinking is a serious and subtle art in Korea. The most important thing to know is that you don’t decline a drink from someone who is older than you unless you have legitimate religious or health concerns. You are also expected to keep up with the oldest, having as many shots as them. One cheat is to sip slowly and always leave some alcohol in your glass. If your glass has liquid in it, it will not be topped up. 

If you are the youngest, keep a hawk’s eye on the other diners’ glasses. It is customary to pour for other people and to always top up when the glass is empty. You pour with one hand, the other hand holds onto your arm or rib while you pour. To receive a drink, hold your cup with two hands. When taking a sip it is customary for the younger individuals to turn their heads either to the right or away from the table, covering your mouth with your left hand as you drink. If someone is topping you up and it is enough, gently lift your glass up to inadvertently tell them “it’s enough”. When toasting, say “geon-bae”.

As with alcohol, if your dish is empty, it means you want more. Always leave a bit of food on your plate if you’re done. If you see others with empty plates, you can take some of the shared food and place it on their dish. If one of the side dishes is empty, call the server and ask for a top up – the table will be very impressed with you. 

Before the meal, you can place tissues at the table and then lay out the chopsticks and spoons as well. If there is self service water, you can pour a glass for everyone at the table.

The importance of sharing & communal eating

Following from the previous point, you should know that eating with company in Korea is a shared experience. This means that you will sit around a table and order a meal for everyone to share, unless it is a Western style restaurant. This is exemplified by Korean BBQ where you sit at a round table, cooking a meal for everyone to eat. 

Side dishes, main courses and desserts are all shared. This takes quite a bit of getting used to if you come from the West where it’s all about the individual. Dining is not about “what do I feel like today”, it’s more about sharing time together and eating “delicious food”. 

So what constitutes delicious in Korea. Healthy and fresh are the words that come to mind. You will find that Korean food has much less sodium and sugar than other countries, so expect a bit more of a dull taste. Over time your palate will change and when you return to the West everything will taste processed and unhealthy. 

You will most likely never be invited to eat at a Korean person’s home as this is not the norm for the culture. To dine with a Korean is to learn a lot about the culture and the traditions.  

Street food & pochang macha

A top experience in Korea is to dine on some deep fried, sugary street food at a pochang macha. Pochang macha are street food vendors housed in makeshift clear tented apparatus. They are either set up randomly around the area or at a specific location like Jongno 3-ga Pojangmacha Street, Namdaemun or Gwangjang Market, or even underground at Jamsil Station. 

We will not tell you what amazing food to find or where to find, that’s all been written in our article on the Best Korean Food in the street food section . What we focus on here is street food dos and don’ts. 

Eating street food at a pochang macha will be a different experience depending on the type of establishment. Some places you sit down, have a few drinks and eat multiple courses. Other places you stand, munch down your meal as fast as possible and leave. If the pochang macha has seats and it’s night time, it’s usually a longer affair. 

Unless you’re in a very touristy area, English will most likely not be spoken, so you will need to know how to order your food in Korean. Some vendors will have card machines, but it’s always best to pay in cash so that they don’t have to incur any fees.

If you’re eating tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) and odeng tang (fish cake soup) from a wheel cart vendor, know that you can drink as much of the soup as you like, just use the ladle and dish up for yourself. Know what you want to order and how to order before you go up to the cart as the vendor will not be patient. Don’t even expect them to look at you, just shout your order and pay the money. Eat there or take it away, the choice is yours. 

Ordering food at a pub, bar or hof

The biggest difference between going to a bar in the west and one in South Korea is that you’re expected to order food with your drinks. The type of food will depend on the establishment ranging from Western style finger food to Korean snacks to full on pub food. 

One thing for sure is that you will at least need to order one thing off the menu along with your drinks, even if you’ve just had a gigantic meal a few minutes before. The words pub, bar and hof are basically used interchangeably to mean a watering hole with snacks.

Sometimes there will be electronic dart boards and other fun stuff too. These days wine bars are also gaining in popularity. While they are usually pretty pricey, there are some cheaper ones like the Wine Han Jan franchise. 

South Korea travel tips on etiquette

While a lot of Korean etiquette has been discussed throughout the article already, we thought it would be nice to have some general etiquette tips so that you don’t commit too many cultural faux pas. 

As you saw in the food section above, there are a lot of intricate dining and drinking musts that are interwoven into the culture. The biggest take away is that you need to respect your elders. This is shown most noticeably in the language where the wording will actually change depending on whether you’re speaking to someone older or younger than you, whether they are senior or junior at your company. 

While you most likely won’t be learning the language on your trip, respecting your elders is evident in other areas of Korean life. For this reason, one of the first questions Koreans ask is your age. This is not considered rude, in fact, it would be rude not to ask as you may be speaking impolitely by using the incorrect phrasing. 

Respect for your elders and also the patriarchy has its roots in Confucianism which places emphasis on family, personal betterment and respect for age and authority. It is the reason why Korean women may seem more timid, why the elderly are treated so well and why everything in Korea is about family and the community. 

If you come from a Western country, which places more emphasis on the individual, this may be quite a shock to the system. My advice would be to go with flow, silently observe the difference in culture and don’t visit Korea with the idea that an entire culture with thousands of years’ history should change to suit your “modern” needs. 

This may sound harsh, but many Westerners visit without considering that things will be vastly different which leads to anger and rage. Visiting Korea is a chance to really explore a wonderful nation with many great practical positives that you can take home with you. 

No doubt you’ll witness the harsh elbows of the furious ajumma at the bus stop (ajumma is the word for “aunt” but is basically a stereotypical middle-aged to elderly woman), the politically incorrect meanderings and wind breaking of the ajeossi (like ajumma, but for a man), the leech-like store clerk following your every move and the handbag carrying 20-something man. Soak it all in, be attentive, let things slide and you will have a wonderful time. 

• Check if you need a visa, get help processing it at iVisa .
• Never ever leave without travel insurance. Get affordable coverage from World Nomads or long term insurance from Safety Wing .
• I find all of my flights on KAYAK . Check their Deals section too.
• Search for all your transportation between destinations on the trusted travel booking platform Bookaway .
• I book all my day trips and tours via GetYourGuide , they are the best and their tours are refundable up to 24h in advance.
• Get USD35 off your first booking with Airbnb .
• Compare hotels EVERYWHERE at HotelsCombined and book with Booking.com .
• Compare car rental prices at Rentalcars.com

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Best South Korea Travel Tips For an Unforgettable Holiday

By: Author Kris

Posted on Last updated: July 10, 2024

Traveling to South Korea?

Make sure you’re ready by taking notes of these 62 South Korea travel tips!

From planning your trip and understanding the culture to finding the best attractions and experiences, here you’ll find everything you need to make the most of your South Korean adventure.

Use this guide as a starting point to plan your journey of a lifetime! 

There is a really good chance that this post contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, we may receive a small commission (for which we are deeply grateful) at no extra cost to you.

Table of Contents

South Korea Essentials

• We have always found the best flights to Seoul on Momondo . You also have Skyscanner and recently WayAway , a new and promising travel aggregator, has popped up. It may be worthwhile to compare these three sites.
• Looking for more inspiration for your South Korea trip? Here are all our Korean posts.
• Use this step-by-step guide to plan your trip to South Korea.
• Looking for the perfect itinerary? Check out our 1 week Korea itinerary and 2-week Korea itinerary .
• Since foreign credit and debit cards don’t always work, we advise that you bring some spare cash.
• Don’t waste time upon arrival at the airport and order your Korea travel sim or portable WiFi device in advance so that it’s ready and waiting for you at the airport when you arrive.
• Consider getting the  Discover Seoul Pass  which covers 65 of Seoul’s best tourist attractions. It also has a T-money function that will save you ₩2,500 from buying a separate T-Money card. As an extra benefit, you get one free one-way A’rex Express train ride.
• Note that the Discover Seoul Pass is not always available. If it isn’t, you can see if they have the BTS edition. It’s a 24-hour edition of the Discover Seoul Pass without the T-money option. Instead, you get a Korea Tour T-money Card as a bonus. The BTS edition covers the same attractions as the regular Discover Seoul Pass. Here is more information about this pass and other Seoul discount passes.
• Visiting the DMZ is on the bucket list of many travelers. Check out the  best DMZ tours  here.
• Looking for accommodation? Look at this list of highly-rated boutique hotels or this list of cool hotels in Seoul . We also have a selection of Airbnb’s in Seoul . Accommodation posts for other places in South Korea are here .
• Here is a post with more travel tips for Korea.
• Last but not least, make sure you have travel insurance .

Best Travel Tips For South Korea  

Before you travel to south korea .

Traveling to South Korea can be an exciting and rewarding experience, but it’s important to make sure you have all your bases covered before you go.

Before you board the plane, there are a few things to consider, such as what to pack, key cultural differences, and the best ways to get around.

With the right preparation, you can ensure that your journey is as safe and enjoyable as possible! 

Join Our Korea Facebook Group 

Become a member of our Korea Travel Planning and Tips Facebook group.   

The purpose of this group is to help you plan an amazing vacation to Korea.  You can ask questions and exchange tips with fellow travelers. 

Is It Safe To Travel To South Korea? 

Yes, it is safe to travel to South Korea.

The country has a low crime rate and high-quality medical care.

Tourism is also a major industry in South Korea and the government has taken steps to ensure travelers’ safety while visiting the country.

Currently, the US State Department has not issued any travel advisories for South Korea and has rated the country Level 1: Exercise Normal Travel Precautions.  

Please refer to and follow current COVID-19 restrictions and travel requirements.  

What’s The Best Time To Visit South Korea? 

The best time to visit South Korea depends on what you want to do.

Spring is perfect for outdoor activities, with mild temperatures and beautiful blooming flowers.

Summer is great for beach visits and balmy evenings, while autumn is ideal for hiking and cultural experiences like the Chuseok harvest festival.

Winter is perfect for winter sports and the Lunar New Year celebrations.

No matter when you visit, South Korea is sure to impress. 

Should You Go Independent or Join An Organized Tour 

Whether you should join an organized tour or travel independently in Korea is up to you.

It is easy to travel independently, but there are pros and cons to joining a package tour.

Joining a package tour is more comfortable and less stressful than going solo.

You will have the opportunity to make new friends, learn about Korean history and culture, and see a lot in a very limited time.  

However, you will have less freedom as you will have to follow the group and less flexibility with limited free time. Consider your needs and preferences before deciding which is the best option for you. 

Budget 

Exploring South Korea on a budget is definitely possible. Accommodation can range from budget-friendly hostels to luxury hotels and prices can vary from €30-300 per night, depending on the type of rooms desired.  

The budget for meals can be kept to a minimum, with light meals such as noodles and soups costing around €4-5 and larger meals such as the famous buffet-style Korean BBQ costing €15-20.  

Street food is the cheapest option and varies widely in price from €1-4.

Popular snacks include Kimbap or Gimbap (Korean sushi), Hweori Gamja (Tornado Potato), Yangnyeom Tongdak (Fried Chicken), Eomuk (fishcakes), and Hotteok (sweet Korean pancake).  Here is a list of more delicious Korean food.

As long as you avoid fancy and touristy restaurants, €22 should cover all meals for one day.

With careful planning, a couple should be able to keep their daily expenses below €180 and even lower if they choose to stay in budget accommodations. This makes South Korea an affordable destination. 

Where To Find Cheap Flights To South Korea 

Finding a cheap flight to South Korea can be a daunting task, but with a bit of research and planning, it can be done.

It is best to start checking flight prices as soon as possible, preferably four to six months before the travel date.

This is when they are likely to be at their lowest, however, the exact price point is unpredictable.  

To get the most out of the search, use flight comparison websites such as Skyscanner , Momondo , and Google Flights to compare prices.

You can also set price tracking and alerts, and limit searches with criteria such as flight duration, departure time, arrival time, and stopovers.  

Low-cost carrier (LCC) airlines are also a great option for savings. With careful planning and research, you can confidently find the best and most affordable flight to South Korea. 

Where to Stay in South Korea  

When visiting South Korea you can choose from a variety of accommodation options, no matter what type of traveler you are.  

If looking for a cultural experience, consider staying in a Hanok, a traditional Korean house made of wood, stones, and earth.

• Best Hanok Stays in Seoul
• Best Hanok Stays in Jeonju

For a more luxurious experience, there are many vacation rentals and hotels located throughout the country.  

No matter what type of stay you’re looking for, South Korea has a variety of comfortable accommodations to choose from.

Let’s take a closer look at these options together.  

Hotels 

South Korea offers a wide range of hotel accommodations for travelers, from luxury five-star hotels to affordable boutique hotels. Here is an overview of some wonderful boutique hotels in Seoul.

Whether you’re looking to stay in Seoul , the country’s bustling capital city, or explore the markets of Busan , you are bound to find a hotel that meets your needs.  

Many of the coolest hotels in South Korea also offer modern amenities such as on-site restaurants, pools, spas, and fitness centers, providing you with easy access to luxury services during your stay.  

15 of the coolest hotels in Seoul ( boutique, urban, stylish and more)

Vacation Rentals 

Vacation rentals in South Korea offer a unique opportunity for travelers to explore the country in a more personal way.

With a variety of rental options, from Airbnb to vacation homes owned by locals, you can find the perfect place to stay for your next trip.  

Whether you’re looking for a cozy apartment in the city or a luxurious beach house, vacation rentals can cater to your every need.

No matter what type of traveler you are, Airbnbs are great at fitting any budget or style.  

• Best Airbnb’s in Seoul
• Best Airbnb’s in Busan

Hanok Stays 

Experience traditional Korean culture like never before by staying in a Hanok – a traditional Korean house from the 14th century!

These timber-framed, curved roofed structures provide a tranquil accommodation, adhering to strict nature and topography rules.  

From Seoul to Jeonju, there are many Hanok stays available to travelers, providing a unique opportunity to immerse in the traditional Korean way of living.

Jeonju is particularly popular for its Hanok heritage village and its commitment to preserving traditional culture.

With historic sites and beautiful views, every traveler will love staying in a Hanok.  

Whether you’re looking for a Hanok in Seoul or a Hanok stay in Jeonju, we have the best Hanoks listed for you to choose from.

So, plan your trip today and stay at one of these beautiful traditional Korean houses! 

Make Sure You Have Travel Insurance For South Korea 

As soon as you book your flights, the next step should be securing travel insurance.

Covering yourself against unexpected medical, personal, and financial issues while traveling abroad is a must.

Korea is generally a safe country, with a modern and trustworthy healthcare system.

Many doctors are capable of speaking English and are comfortable dealing with foreigners.

However, medical costs for tourists can be expensive, making a travel insurance policy all the more valuable.  

Make sure you understand what your policy covers and don’t solely focus on the cheapest option.

It’s best to get a policy that can cover costs as they happen, rather than paying upfront and awaiting reimbursement. 

For affordable, quality travel insurance, we recommend HeyMondo.

They have competitive prices and decent coverage. 

Check prices: HeyMondo

Learn Some Basic Korean Words 

Learning some basic Korean phrases is a great way to make the most of your travels to Korea.

Not only will it help you communicate better with the locals, but it will also allow you to observe and appreciate the culture more.

Knowing some key phrases such as “hello”, “thank you”, and “where is the bathroom?” will make your travels a much more enjoyable experience. 

Furthermore, by learning some basic Korean phrases, you will be able to navigate through the country more confidently and make more meaningful connections with people.

You will be able to learn about the country’s history and culture without relying on translation services or worrying about being misunderstood.  

If you’re looking to learn some basic Korean phrases, there are several applications such as Duolingo and Rocket Languages that can help you.

These apps contain lessons and exercises that can help you quickly and efficiently learn the basics of the language.

They also offer more challenging lessons that can help you to explore the language in more depth. 

Of course, if you are only looking for a basic understanding of Korean, try Google Translate.

With Google translate you are able to download a language for offline access, allowing you to translate menus, signs, and directions on the go.  

Overall, learning some basic Korean phrases is well worth it for any traveler looking to make the most of their time in Korea.

It will give you more confidence to explore the country and make more meaningful connections with the people you meet. 

Watch Some Korean Dramas and Movies or K-Pop

If you’re looking to get an idea of modern Korean culture, beautiful scenery, and some of the country’s quirks before traveling to Korea, then you should definitely check out some of the popular Korean TV shows and movies.

One of the most beloved classics is Reply 1997 or 1988, which gives viewers an insight into Korea’s own nostalgia period.

Taegugki in particular is an amazing movie about the Korean War, and it will give you a better understanding of the country’s history.  

If you’re looking for something more lighthearted, then try Boys Over Flowers , Secret Garden, and My Love from the Star.

She Was Pretty is a personal favorite, with a wonderful message about self-love. 

Two newer movies to watch are 1987 and I Can Speak. This will give you an even better glimpse of the country’s culture and will help you to appreciate the country even more. 

Planning a Trip to South Korea: a Step By Step Guide

For more recent Korean dramas, try Crash Landing on You, Hotel del Luna, Itaewon Class, or When the Camellia Blooms.

These shows feature some of the most popular actors and actresses from Korea and will help you to understand Korean drama culture. 

Aside from TV shows and movies, there are many other ways to learn about Korean culture before traveling to the country.

Reading books about the history and culture of Korea is a great way to learn more about the country and its people. 

Korea is an amazing country with a rich history and culture and watching popular Korean TV shows and movies is a great way to get an idea of what to expect when you visit the country.

Note that it is not necessary to watch all of the shows and movies to get a good understanding of the country, but it is a great way to get a better grasp of modern Korean culture and the country’s quirks.

The Currency Is the South Korean Won

The Korean Won is the official currency of South Korea. It is represented by the symbol ₩ and is subdivided into 100 jeon.

South Korea is a popular tourist destination, so it is important to understand the value of the won and how you can exchange your currency when you arrive.  

Exchanging Currency in South Korea

One option to exchange your currency for South Korean Won is to visit a Currency Exchange Booth.

These are located in all major airports, train stations, and tourist hot spots. You can expect to receive a competitive exchange rate, and the service is usually quite fast.  

Another option ( that we recommend ) is to withdraw Korean Won from an ATM using a debit or credit card.

ATMs are available all over South Korea and accept a range of international cards.  

Using ATMs in South Korea  

ATMs are widely available throughout South Korea and are a convenient way to withdraw Korean Won.  

Most international cards from leading banks are accepted, although you should check with your bank before you travel. You may need to try different ATMs before you find one that accepts your card. The situation has improved since our first visit several years ago but we still come across ATMs that do not accept our cards.

Except for that, ATMs are easy to use, and you will receive clear instructions in both English and Korean.  

Keep in mind that ATM fees can range between 500 and 3500 won per transaction.

Many machines only accept Visa or Mastercard for cash withdrawal, you should check with your bank what costs are associated with withdrawing money with this card.  

To avoid the worst-case scenario where you lose your card or can’t withdraw money with your card, we recommend bringing some cash money with you.

Bring Cash 

Traveling in South Korea can be an incredible experience, but as we already mentioned it is important to remember to take some cash with you.

We already mentioned one reason in the previous section. If for some reason your credit cards aren’t working in the ATMs you will still have some spare cash that you can exchange for Korean Wons.

It’s also a good idea to always carry some cash. There are several reasons.

South Korea is known for its modern, technological infrastructure, but some businesses still rely on cash transactions, meaning it is essential to have the local currency with you at all times.  

This is not so much the case in bigger cities but attractions, eateries, and shopping experiences that are found in small, off-the-beaten-path locations do sometimes not accept credit or debit cards.

Additionally, cash is often the preferred method of payment for smaller transactions, such as buying snacks from street vendors.  

Finally, it is always a good idea to have some extra cash in case of an emergency.

Having local currency on hand will give you peace of mind, and enable you to easily pay for unexpected expenses.  

Learn from our mistakes when traveling for the first time to South Korea. 

Money Scams in South Korea  

As with any destination, there are some scams that tourists should be aware of in South Korea.

Common scams include taxi driver scams, monk posers, and pickpockets in crowded areas.  

Always make sure your taxi driver turns on the meter at the start of the journey, otherwise, you may be charged an inflated price.

If you plan on taking taxis, we recommend that you use the Kakao Taxi app which is available on  Google Play , – Apple . This is a sort of Uber and has a very intuitive and easy-to-use interface.

Scammers have been known to dress up as monks and ask for donations from tourists.

Real monks never ask for donations, so avoid these individuals.

It is also a good idea to be aware of any offers that seem too good to be true, and never give out your personal information. 

International Drivers Licence 

An International Driver’s permit (IDP) is obligatory when driving in Korea with an international license.

The IDP is a translation of your local license and you should request this from your local authorities. Everybody needs this unless you have a Korean Driving license.

You will need to provide it along with your official driver’s license when you pick up your car.

The IDP needs to be issued by a country that has ratified the  Vienna  or  Geneva  convention. (click the links to see the list of countries)

Here is more information on renting a car and driving in South Korea.

Everything you need to know for your South Korean road trip

Check If You Need a Travel Adapter 

When traveling to South Korea, it is important to consider the type of plug and voltage in the country.

South Korea uses plug type F, which is also used in a number of other countries such as Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and some European countries.

If you live in a country that uses a different plug type, you will need a plug adapter for travel in South Korea.  

Additionally, South Korea operates on a voltage of 220V and 60hz, which may be different from the voltage in your home country.

To ensure your devices are compatible, you may need to invest in a travel adapter that can convert the voltage as well.

Fortunately, these are easily available online, as well as at many electronics stores and department stores. 

Covid Testing And Q-Code  

This information is accurate at the time of writing. We recommend always checking the latest information on the official government website .

Travelers to South Korea no longer need to worry about being tested pre-departure or on-arrival and having to quarantine.

As of October 1, 2022, entry into South Korea requires travelers to apply for a Q-Code.

This QR code is issued after you’ve entered your passport details and have answered some questions about your health. It contains your health and contact information. The application must be done no more than three days before your entry into the country.  

The Q-Code is a way for South Korea to ensure the health and safety of travelers entering the country.

It is recommended that travelers have this code ready for when they arrive at their destination.

This code will allow for fast and easy entry into the country.  

Staying Online In South Korea

South Korea is one of the best places to be if you need to stay connected while traveling. It was the first country to roll out 5G and has plans to implement 6G as soon as 2028.

With its advanced infrastructure, South Korea boasts lightning-fast internet speeds and reliable WiFi in most areas.

Whether you need to stay connected for work or just to stay in touch with friends, you can rest assured that you will have access to WiFi in many places in South Korea.

Note that we still recommend buying a sim card or WiFi egg.   The free WiFi coverage is not good enough to solely rely on that alone.

Although we often used the free Wifi when available during our latest trip in March 2023 we noticed it is sometimes unreliable.

For example, we were using the T-money card on our phones (the APP-version) and noticed that while many train/metro stations had WiFi, not all did. (or you don’t manage to log in, the Internet is not available, …)

A SIM card or WiFi egg is not that expensive and can give peace of mind.

While You Are in South Korea  

Read on to find out what to do while you are in South Korea! 

Korea Itinerary  

South Korea is a fascinating destination with a wealth of exciting sights and activities to explore!

From the bustling metropolitan city of Seoul to the traditional villages of Jejudo, South Korea is packed with incredible experiences.

The country also offers a range of itineraries to suit a variety of interests and budgets.

Here are some of the best itineraries to help you make the most of your trip to South Korea.  

For the City Lover

Start your trip by exploring the dynamic city of Seoul.

Visit the ancient palaces of Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung, then take a stroll along the Han River.

Stop at the Bukchon Hanok Village to experience traditional Korean architecture, then head to the bustling Myeong-dong for shopping and street food.

End your day with a visit to Namsan Tower for a stunning view of the city.  

For the Nature Lover

Head to Jeju Island and explore its stunning beauty.

Take a hike up Mount Hallasan and marvel at the magnificent views, or make your way to Seongsan Ilchulbong for a spectacular sunrise. Don’t forget to admire the many amazing waterfalls on the island.

Visit the Jeju Folk Village Museum to learn about the island’s history and culture, and don’t miss the Manjanggul Lava Tube to explore the underground cave system.  

The easiest way to get around Jeju is by rental car. Here is all the information you need about renting a car and driving in Jeju.

For the Culture Seeker

Explore the traditional culture of South Korea with a visit to Gyeongju.

Start at the Seokguram Grotto, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, then make your way to the historic Bulguksa Temple.

Visit the Cheomseongdae Observatory and the royal tombs at the Daereungwon Tomb Complex, then check out the Gyeongju National Museum to learn more about the city’s past.  

Whether you have 1 day, 3 days, 5 days, 7 days, or more, we have the perfect itinerary for you!

Check out our Epic 7-Day South Korea itinerary here or the best 2-week South Korea Itinerary here .  

Saving Money in South Korea 

Saving money in South Korea is easy if you know the right tips and tricks!

Here are a few ways to make sure you get the most out of your trip without breaking the bank.  

• Eat Local. One of the best ways to save money while in South Korea is to try the local cuisine. There are plenty of delicious, affordable options such as bibimbap (rice with vegetables and meat) and kimchi (spicy fermented cabbage). Avoid touristy restaurants and instead explore the local eateries for a true taste of Korea. 
• Take Advantage of Discounts. South Korea is full of discounts everywhere you look. Many stores offer coupons and discounts to students, seniors, and military personnel. Be sure to ask if you’re eligible for any discounts before you make a purchase.
• Use Public Transportation. South Korea has an excellent network of buses, trains, and subways. Taking public transportation will save you money compared to taking a cab or renting a car. Plus, you’ll get to experience the local culture and see the sights as you go!
• Shop at Markets and Supermarkets. Markets and supermarkets in South Korea offer a variety of fresh produce, snacks, and other items at much lower prices than touristy shops and convenience stores. Be sure to check out the local markets and supermarkets for the best deals.
• Stay in Hostels. If you’re looking to save money while in South Korea, hostels are a great option. They’re usually much cheaper than hotels, and you’ll get to meet travelers from all over the world.

By following these simple tips, you’ll be able to save money and enjoy your trip to South Korea without busting your budget. 

Seoul 

Explore the vibrant city of Seoul, South Korea, a must-see destination for travelers from around the world.

With its fascinating history, diverse culture, and countless attractions, you’ll be sure to have an unforgettable experience. Yet travel to Seoul can be expensive.

That’s why cost-saving tips can be so beneficial. Make the most of your trip by following these tips for a budget-friendly visit! 

Discover Seoul Pass 

One of the best ways to save money while traveling in Seoul is with the Discover Seoul Pass.

This 1-3 day pass provides free entry to 35 attractions, discounted entry to another 30, and a free one-way Airport Express (A’REX) ride.

It also has a T-Money function, meaning you don’t have to buy a separate card to use public transport.  

The Discover Seoul Pass can be bought online and picked up at the airport or Myeongdong Tourist Information Center.

If the Discover Seoul Pass isn’t available, you can always try the BTS edition.

This 24-hour pass offers the same attractions as the regular Discover Seoul Pass, plus a bonus Korea Tour T-Money Card.  

Check prices and availability:

Discover Seoul Pass

Discover Seoul BTS Pass

Free Museums in Seoul 

Seoul, South Korea is a city full of history and culture, and it is home to some of the most amazing free museums.

Whether you are a history buff, an art enthusiast, or just looking for a way to spend your day, these free museums are sure to deliver a unique cultural experience.  

National Museum of Korea

The National Museum of Korea is a must-see for anyone interested in learning more about the history of this fascinating country.

It houses a vast collection of artifacts, documents, and art pieces from all different periods of Korean history.

Art lovers can explore traditional and contemporary works in the museum’s galleries.  

Entrance is free to the Main Exhibition Hall and the Children’s Museum. 

The War Memorial of Korea

The War Memorial of Korea is another great place to visit.

This museum is dedicated to the brave men and women who fought in the Korean War.

It houses a wide range of memorabilia, including weapons, uniforms, and vehicles.

It’s a beautiful and humbling reminder of the sacrifices made by the people of this country.  

• 25 Best Things to Do in Korea for High-Flying Fun
• Funny Facts About South Korea

Seoul Museum of History

The Seoul Museum of History is the perfect place to learn more about the city’s past.

This museum features exhibits on Seoul’s history, from its founding to the present day.

Visitors can also explore the museum’s interactive displays, which make learning about the city’s history fun and engaging.  

National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art

For a more modern experience, head to the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. This museum features some of the most exciting contemporary art from around the world.

From sculptures and paintings to photography and multimedia installations.

The museum offers free entry Wednesday and Saturday evenings between 18:00 to 21:00.  

These are just a few of the amazing free museums in Seoul.

Whether you are a history buff or an art enthusiast, you are sure to find something that interests you. Make sure to add a visit to one of these free museums to your itinerary when you plan your trip to Seoul. 

Visit the Palaces on Seollal, Chuseok, or on the last Wednesday of the month for free entry! 

Spend the holidays of Seollal and Chuseok exploring the ancient palaces of Korea and enjoying free entry to these majestic sites.

The palaces of Korea are steeped in history and beauty, making them ideal places to visit over the festive period.  

Explore the Gyeongbokgung Palace, the largest and most impressive of the five royal palaces, or the Changdeokgung Palace, which was once the primary residence of the royal family.

Discover the grandeur of the Joseon Dynasty at the Deoksugung Palace or learn about the culture of the era at the Jongmyo Shrine.  

All four of these palaces offer free entry over the Seollal and Chuseok holidays, so take the opportunity to explore and learn more about Korean history.

Many of the palaces also allow free entry on the last Wednesday of the month.

Lastly, if you wear a Hanbok you can also enter for free.

So if you happen to be visiting then, enjoy the discount.  

Google Maps

Google Maps doesn’t work well in South Korea due to the country’s strict laws requiring mapping data to be stored on local servers.

It does work if you plan on using public transport but doesn’t when you plan on making a road trip and it also can’t be used for walking directions.

This can be particularly frustrating for tourists, who rely on the app to get around and explore the country by car.

As a result, you must find alternative methods of navigation when driving a car.

Fortunately, there are a number of mapping apps that are available in South Korea, offering tourists an easy way to get around and discover the country. 

South Korea Navigation Apps 

Navigating South Korea just got a whole lot easier with a range of apps designed to help visitors get the most out of their stay.

From finding the closest restaurant to finding the best shopping bargains, these apps will make your time in South Korea as enjoyable and stress-free as possible.

Here are some of the best apps for navigating South Korea:  

Korea Seoul Metro Navi  

Are you planning a trip to Seoul and looking for an easier way to navigate around the city? Look no further than the Korea Seoul Metro Navi app.

This comprehensive tool provides an interactive map of the Seoul Metro along with schedules, directions, and even nearby attractions.  

With the Korea Seoul Metro Navi app, you can quickly and easily search for routes, directions, and even nearby places to eat and sleep.

You can also view the fare per station and check the status of the train and its arrival time.

Furthermore, the app also provides information about different attractions, such as tourist spots, traditional markets, and even shopping centers.  

The app also allows for multi-lingual support and provides the latest news about the Seoul Metro.

You can also save your preferred routes and get notifications when the train is arriving, so you’ll never miss a train.

Plus, you can also access the Seoul Metro’s Customer Service Center from within the app. 

Available on:  Google Play  –  Apple

Naver Maps  

Discovering South Korea by car just got easier with Naver Maps.

This innovative application allows you to explore the country like never before.

With features such as 3D maps, real-time traffic information, and detailed directions, navigating through South Korea couldn’t be simpler.  

Naver Maps is available for free on both Android and iOS devices, and it’s easy to use. Simply enter a destination and the app will instantly provide you with accurate directions.

You can also access real-time traffic information and 3D maps, making it easy to plan your route.

Points of interest, restaurants, and hotels are also easy to locate, and the app even lists recommendations from local guides.  

Available on:  Google Play  –  Apple (This app is not getting much love for its Apple version.  We used the Android version which worked like a charm)

Kakao Taxi 

Kakao Taxi, the popular ride-hailing application in South Korea, offers a convenient and affordable way to get around.

This app allows users to easily request a taxi ride with just a few clicks on their smartphone.  

The app uses GPS technology to locate the nearest taxi and provides an estimated fare so users can prepare for their ride in advance.

Once the user confirms their booking, the taxi will arrive quickly and take them to their desired destination.  

The payment can be processed through the app if you have a local credit card. If you haven’t you can choose to pay the driver. Most taxis in Seoul accept international credit cards.

Kakao Taxi is a simple and secure way to travel around the city. 

Available on:  Google Play , – Apple

Here are some other helpful navigation apps in South Korea that you may want to explore.  

KakaoMap is an alternative to Naver Map, with a few extra features such as public transportation information and an augmented reality feature.

It also has a comprehensive database of restaurants and other points of interest, making it a great tool for exploring South Korea.  

Available on: Google Play and Apple .

Visit Korea is a great app for planning your trip to South Korea. It provides detailed information on attractions, events, and festivals, as well as transportation information and tips for getting around.  

Available on: Google Play and Apple.

By downloading one of these apps or more, you can make your stay in South Korea as easy and enjoyable as possible.

Transportation in South Korea 

Getting around South Korea is easy and efficient with a wide range of transportation options available.

From cars and trains to buses, South Korea offers travelers a variety of ways to explore the country.

Whether you’re looking to get from A to B in the most efficient manner possible or you want to take your time and enjoy the journey, you will find the best option that suits your needs below.   

Getting Around in Seoul

Exploring Seoul doesn’t require a car.

This bustling metropolis is full of opportunities to experience its culture and attractions, all without the need for a vehicle.  

You can easily get around on the extensive metro system, hop on a bus, or even rent a bicycle.

All these options are convenient and affordable, so you don’t need to worry about renting a car or dealing with the city’s crowded roadways.

Walking around Seoul is a great way to experience its different neighborhoods and unique cultural attractions.

You can explore on foot and find hidden gems that you may not have seen otherwise.

Enjoy the ease of the city’s public transportation and the freedom of exploring Seoul on foot! 

Transportation in Seoul 

Seoul, South Korea boosts a modern transportation system.

Travelers have a range of options to get around the city, from the comprehensive public transport network to taxis and car rental services.  (although there’s really no need to have a rental car to explore Seoul)

The Seoul Metropolitan Subway system is the most popular way of getting around, with over 20 lines and almost 600 stations connecting the city.

The metro runs from 5 am to midnight, with regular services and a flat fare of 1,250 KRW (around $1 USD). For larger journeys, a surcharge applies once you leave your destination station. It is easy to access, and most stations and trains will display information in English.  

In addition to the subway, there are also buses, trains, and express buses connecting Seoul with the rest of the country.

Taxis are also readily available, the fare is based on the distance and the time of your journey. Expect to pay around 7,800 KRW (around $6.00 USD) for a short ride from one sight to the next.

For more information on how to get around Seoul check out this article .  

Want to know how to get from Incheon Airport to Seoul? Click here!  

Although you don’t need a car for Seoul, a car can be handy if you are visiting other parts of South Korea. 

Getting Around in the rest of South Korea

If you’re planning a trip to South Korea and are wondering whether you need to rent a car or not, the answer is maybe.

Renting a Car

Although Seoul, Busan, and other major cities are relatively well-connected by train, several areas of the country have no service at all.

Just take a look at the railway map and you will notice several blank spots.

Renting a car will give you the independence and freedom to explore these regions and make the most of your stay in South Korea.

Driving in South Korea is relatively relaxed and you can easily make your own schedule and sleep in if you want.

You can also add extra stops to your journey which will ensure that it is not only about the destination but the complete journey.

The train is a viable option to go from Seoul to Busan and the journey is serviced by Korea’s high-speed train.

However, with a rental car, you can visit places like the Sangdang Sanseong Fortress, Korea’s Independence Hall, or the Andong Hahoe Folk Village, that you would otherwise miss.

The KTX train is the fastest and most convenient way to travel around South Korea.

Boasting a top speed of 305 km/h (190 mph), the KTX train can get you from Seoul to Busan in just over 2.5 hours.

KTX trains depart from Seoul Station and other major cities throughout the country.

Tickets can be easily purchased online or at the station and are available in both first and economy.

The seating is comfortable and each car is equipped with power outlets and complimentary Wi-Fi available for certain class tickets.

Other classes can purchase WiFi access if desired.

The KTX is an ideal way to explore South Korea. As you travel along the track, take in the stunning views of the countryside and cities.

Plus, with its fast speed and punctual service, you’ll be able to make the most of your time and visit more places in a day.

Intercity Buses

Intercity buses are a great option for traveling around South Korea.

They offer a cost-effective way to get between cities, without sacrificing much time.

It typically takes the same amount of time to reach Seoul from other cities as it would take on the slow train, but intercity buses are much cheaper than the KTX.

Plus, they make a 15-minute stop in between, so you can grab a snack or stretch your legs.

Tipping in South Korea

Tipping in South Korea is not as common as in other parts of the world, so there is no need to tip when you are visiting.

In fact, tipping may be seen as rude or insulting by the locals.

Generally speaking, restaurant and bar staff, taxi drivers, and tour guides will not expect tips and most Korean people do not leave gratuities.

Must-Do Activities in South Korea

South Korea has so many amazing activities and sights to offer.

This is why it is important to prioritize which activities you want to explore so that you don’t miss out.

Here are some of the most popular activities to add to your South Korea itinerary:

Visit Gyeongbokgung Palace

This royal palace, located in central Seoul, is a must-see for any history lover.

Not only is it a stunning example of traditional Korean architecture, but it’s also home to the National Palace Museum of Korea, where you can learn about the country’s history.

Explore the DMZ

The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) is a unique place between North and South Korea.

Here, you can learn more about the Korean War, explore the Joint Security Area, and even take a tour of the DMZ tunnel.

There are several ways to visit the DMZ. Here you can find more info about the different tours.

Go Shopping in Myeongdong

Myeongdong is Seoul’s shopping mecca, with its bustling streets lined with stores, restaurants, and street vendors.

From designer labels to local brands, you’ll find everything you need to make your trip complete.

Take a Hike Up Mount Seoraksan

South Korea is home to some of the most beautiful mountain ranges in the world. Of these, Mount Seoraksan is a must-see for outdoor enthusiasts.

The national park offers stunning views, opportunities to spot wildlife, and a number of hiking trails to explore.

Taste Korean Barbecue

Korean barbecue is a popular local delicacy that has spread throughout the world.

Meat is cooked over a charcoal or gas grill and then served with a variety of Korean side dishes.

Best experienced in a group of 2 or more, this local delicacy is sure to have your taste buds buzzing.

Visit Jeju Island

Jeju Island is a beautiful, volcanic island off the coast of South Korea. Here, you can find stunning beaches, lush forests, and the iconic Hallasan volcano.

A popular holiday destination with locals, Jeju Island is a great location to sit on the beach and soak up the sun.

Gyeongju, South Korea is a must-see destination with a fascinating history.

Home to numerous ancient ruins and artifacts from the Silla Dynasty (57 BC to 935 AD), the city is known as the “museum without walls”.

Travelers can explore the 8th-century Bulguksa Temple, the Cheomseongdae Observatory, and the Seokguram Grotto, a stunning Buddhist temple carved into a granite mountain.

The city also hosts various traditional events, such as the Gyeongju Cherry Blossom Festival, and offers a variety of regional cuisine at local restaurants and markets.

Don’t miss adding Gyeongju to your South Korea itinerary!

Jeonju, South Korea is an amazing city, filled with fascinating historical sites and tantalizing traditional cuisine. Enjoy the many sites and sounds on your next trip to Jeonju.

Try starting your day by exploring the Jeonju Hanok Village, a traditional Korean village preserved and maintained for over 600 years. Looking for a traditional place to stay in Jeonju? Check out these Jeonju hanok stays.

In Jeonju you can stroll along cobblestone streets, admire the historical architecture, and visit some of the traditional museums.

To get a real taste of traditional Korean culture, make sure to sample some of the delicious local cuisines such as bibimbap and bindaetteok.

Next, make your way to Gyeonggijeon Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This shrine is home to the portrait of King Tae-Jong and is a great spot for taking beautiful Instagram-worthy photographs.

For a fun night out, visit Jeonju Jungang Shopping Street for some great shopping, food, and entertainment.

Here, you can find everything from souvenirs and traditional clothing to street food and nightclubs.

As Jeonju has a variety of activities to choose from, it is the perfect destination to add to any traveler’s South Korea itinerary. Here is a list of things to do in Jeonju.

South Korea is a hiker’s paradise.

Outdoor enthusiasts have the opportunity to explore South Korea’s diverse landscape, from the Taebaek Mountains to the lush forests of Hallasan National Park.

Here are some of the best hikes in South Korea that you won’t want to miss.

• Bukhansan National Park: Located in the heart of Seoul, Bukhansan National Park offers some of the best urban hiking in South Korea. With over 70 km of trails, you will be sure to find a hike that suits your skill level.
• Yeongsil Trail: This trail, located in the northeast of the country, is great for experienced hikers. Measuring more than 20 km in length, the Yeongsil Trail takes you through stunning views of valleys, forests, and mountain peaks. With its challenging terrain, it’s not for the faint of heart.
• Seoraksan National Park: Seoraksan National Park is the third largest national park in South Korea and is home to some of the country’s best hiking trails. With over 200 km of trails and paths, this park is perfect for hikers of all levels. Don’t miss the Ulsanbawi Rock, which offers stunning views of the surrounding area.
• Hallasan National Park: For a taste of the tropical, head to Hallasan National Park on Jeju Island. With lush forests and waterfalls, this park is the perfect spot for a peaceful hike. As a bonus the Hallasan Trail even gives you the opportunity to experience South Korea’s tallest peak!

Go on a Road Trip

If you’re looking for a unique way to explore South Korea, why not take a road trip?

South Korea is home to a variety of beautiful landscapes, with plenty of sites you can only access by car.

From breathtaking coastal views and quaint fishing villages to lush mountains and rolling hills, a road trip is a great way to explore South Korea.

Take a drive along the East Sea Coast Road to get a glimpse of the country’s stunning coastline.

Stop for a bite to eat at one of the many small seafood restaurants that line the beach that you wouldn’t otherwise get to visit by bus.

Of course, be sure to take a drive on the Yeongdong Expressway, which winds through the stunning mountain range of the Taebaek Mountains.

Here, you can take in breathtaking vistas only accessible by car.

For those looking to explore more of the country’s culture, the Gyeongbu Expressway is a must.

This expressway passes through many of the nation’s historical sites, including the ancient city of Gyeongju, the birthplace of the ancient Silla Dynasty, allowing you to visit many sites in one journey.

Looking for a list of tips for your South Korean road trip? Check out this post.

Here is an overview of more fun things to do in South Korea.

Food And Drinks in South Korea

South Korea is a country rich in culture, and that includes its cuisine.

With a variety of flavors, textures, and colors, the food and drinks in South Korea will tantalize all your taste buds.

One of Korea’s most popular dishes is bibimbap, a rice dish with vegetables and beef; bulgogi, a dish of marinated beef.

You may also enjoy trying samgyeopsal, which is pork belly grilled and served with various side dishes.

For those looking for a sweeter taste, South Korea also has some delicious desserts.

You should try patbingsu, a shaved ice dessert with sweet toppings like sweet red beans and ice cream; hodugwaja, a fried pastry filled with red bean paste; and hotteok, a pancake filled with sweet syrup.

For beverages, the traditional Korean drink of choice is soju, a clear, vodka-like liquor.

There are also a variety of teas, including green, oolong, and hibiscus, as well as makgeolli, a milky rice wine.

Kimchi is a staple dish in South Korea and is often eaten at every meal. It’s made of fermented cabbage or other vegetables, flavored with garlic, ginger, scallions, and chili peppers.

It’s salty, spicy, and pungent – a unique flavor experience that you won’t forget!

Kimchi is so popular in South Korea that it’s been recognized as one of the nation’s intangible cultural assets.

The flavor and preparation of kimchi varies by region, and you can find different varieties when traveling around the country.

If you’re looking to try some authentic kimchi, head to a traditional market in South Korea.

There, you’ll find huge jars of kimchi, as well as stalls selling fresh kimchi, both of which make for a great souvenir.

You can also find kimchi-based dishes at restaurants, including kimchi jjigae (a stew) and kimchi bokkeum (a stir-fry).

South Korea even has its own Kimchi Festival, which is held annually in October in the city of Gwangju.

The festival celebrates the city’s kimchi culture and includes food tastings and demonstrations, as well as kimchi-making competitions.

Don’t Forget to Try the Street Food

South Korea is a country that loves its street food.

Whether you’re in Seoul, Busan, or any other city in the country, you’ll find a fascinating array of snacks and treats to try.

From the classic tteokbokki (spicy stir-fried rice cakes) to hotteok (sweet pancakes filled with sugar and nuts), there is an abundance of tasty snacks to savor.

You’ll also find a variety of different seafood dishes, such as odeng (fish cakes served in a warm broth) and haemul pajeon (seafood pancakes).

If you’re an adventurous eater, you might want to try some of the more unusual dishes, like deep-fried silkworm larvae or live octopus.

Of course, no visit to South Korea would be complete without trying the country’s famous fried chicken. With its unique mix of sweet and spicy sauces, it’s a must-try.

Vegetarian and Vegan Food

South Korea is fast becoming a paradise for vegetarians and vegans!

With its vibrant culture, rich history, and expansive culinary offerings, it’s no surprise that many tourists are choosing to explore the country’s vegetarian and vegan food scene.

From traditional Buddhist temple food to vegan-friendly restaurants and street markets, there are many options for modern-day vegans/vegetarians in South Korea.

Traditional Buddhist temple food is a must-try for vegetarians and vegans who are looking to experience authentic Korean cuisine.

Temple food is usually vegan-friendly and made with local, seasonal ingredients.

Many temples offer vegan cooking classes, so visitors can learn to make traditional dishes like bibimbap and japchae.

Vegan-friendly restaurants are popping up all over South Korea, offering a wide range of plant-based dishes.

Many of these restaurants serve vegan versions of traditional Korean dishes like kimchi, bibimbap, and japchae.

South Korea also boasts a vibrant street food scene, with many vendors offering vegan-friendly options.

From plant-based gimbap and ramen to vegan kimbap, there’s plenty of delicious vegan food to be had while exploring the country’s cities.

Convenience Store Food

Korea is littered with convenience stores. You can find them everywhere, both in the big cities and in the countryside.

With a wide selection of snacks, drinks, and other convenience store food, it’s no wonder that these stores are a favorite stop for travelers.

From traditional onigiri to modern snacks like shrimp chips and soybean snacks, there is a variety of options to choose from.

If you’re looking for a quick snack, opt for chips, crackers, cookies, rice cakes, or seaweed snacks.

For a more substantial snack, convenience stores also offer onigiri, a rice ball filled with a variety of fillings. Whether it’s tuna, salmon, or beef, you will find something to fill your stomach.

For a refreshing drink, convenience stores in South Korea offer a variety of options. From traditional tea and coffee to popular soda drinks, there is something to quench your thirst.

There is also a large selection of juices, smoothies, and energy drinks available.

If you’re looking for a quick and easy meal, you can find a variety of pre-packaged meals such as ramen, fried chicken, and sandwiches available.

These pre-packaged meals are perfect for those looking for a light meal on the go, or if you don’t have enough time to stop at a restaurant.

Soju is South Korea’s national spirit, and it has been enjoyed by locals for centuries.

It is a clear, colorless distilled spirit, traditionally made from rice, wheat, barley, sweet potatoes, or tapioca.

It has a strong, slightly sweet flavor, and is typically served neat in small glasses.

With an alcohol content between 15-25%, it is a strong drink but has become an integral part of South Korean socialization.

It is also a great way to break the ice with locals, so don’t be afraid to give it a try!

Coffee culture is alive and well in South Korea, where locals and tourists alike can enjoy a cup of freshly brewed coffee.

From cafes in the heart of the city to cozy coffee houses on the outskirts, you can find a cup of coffee to suit your taste.

Keep in mind that cafes are seen as a luxury in South Korea and come at a premium cost. This means you may find drinks and services more expensive in South Korea, than back home.

Fruit in South Korea is a delight for the senses! From sweet, juicy apples to the unique flavors of persimmons and pears, the country’s mild climate and fertile soil make it ideal for growing a variety of delicious fruits.

South Koreans enjoy eating fruit as a snack, as part of a meal, or even as a dessert.

Apples are one of the most popular fruits in the country, with many varieties such as Fuji, Royal Gala, and Golden Delicious available for purchase.

Pears are also popular, with varieties including Ya-li, Kosui, and Hosui.

Persimmons, Korean melons, and Asian pears are just a few of the other fruits available in South Korea that you may not find back home.

If you visit Jejeu you will find yourself surrounded by tangerines. This fruit thrives really well on this tropical island and the locals love this fruit, which is especially eaten in winter to get a vitamin C boost.

Korean Etiquette

When visiting South Korea, it is important to be aware of and follow local etiquette. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your visit:

• Greet people with a bow. It is customary to bow when meeting people, especially seniors.
• T ake off your shoes when entering someone’s home or a temple. It is a sign of respect. – Don’t point with your finger. Instead use an open hand.
• Don’t be surprised if someone doesn’t accept your tip. It is not customary to give a tip in South Korea, so don’t be offended if someone refuses your offer. It’s even better to not tip at all as this can be considered rude.
• Be gracious when receiving a gift. It is customary to accept a gift with two hands and to express your thanks.

By following these simple etiquette rules, you will have a more enjoyable and respectful visit to South Korea.

With so many unique and exciting experiences to be had in South Korea, it’s easy to see why this destination has become a popular vacation spot. From historical attractions to modern urban attractions, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

By following these 62 South Korean travel tips, you can make sure you make the most of your South Korean adventure and create unforgettable memories.

So what are you waiting for? Pack your bags, book your ticket, and start planning your South Korean adventure today!

August 31, 2024

Why Korean Olympians are the Most Lethal

A guide to korea’s elegant and enigmatic moon…, the top k-news from around the world, the 5 best korean sunscreens right now, gwangbokjeol manse happy national liberation day, korea.

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Where to Go, What to See & How to Stay on Budget

By Patricia Liu and Joel Marinan

There has never been a better time to visit South Korea. Clean, modern, sophisticated, and ultra safe, Korea is a destination that you will want to come back to again and again. With the rise of Korean culture and entertainment throughout the world, the country is experiencing a renaissance of sorts, especially for foreigners who wish to experience all that Korea has to offer.

Korea has always been a fascinating country to visit and deserves a place on everyone’s travel bucket list. Known for its stunning blend of tradition and modernity, Korea features futuristic technology, bustling markets, and a thriving pop culture scene. There are no guns or drugs allowed in Korea, and visitors can expect a high level of safety and cleanliness while exploring the country. Also of note is that Korea is a no tipping culture, so savoring the delicious cuisine is extra affordable, as are the cab rides to restaurants and other destinations.

Speaking of affordability, the exchange rate between the Korean won and the US Dollar has been very favorable for Westerners, which is another perk of traveling to Korea right now.

Our South Korea Travel Guide shows you where to go, what to see, and when to travel. Start your journey with itinerary ideas and pre-travel tips, the best day trips, and lots more essential Korean travel advice. Let’s go!

Here are some of our most popular articles that will help you make the most of your trip to South Korea.

A Travel Guide to Exploring Asia From South Korea

An Insider’s Guide: 30 Essential Travel Tips for South Korea

A Local’s Guide to Gyeongju

19 Did-You-Knows About Korea

19 Best Things to Do in Seoul – An Insider’s Guide

23 Reasons Seoul Will Be Your New Favorite City

Off the Beaten Path: 5 Cool Things to do in Seoul

7-Day Trip to Korea Including a Train to Busan

Latest travel updates.

• Vaccination is NOT a requirement for entry into Korea.
• There is no requirement on the passport’s remainder validity for entry. You may travel to Korea as long as your passport remains valid throughout your stay in Korea.
• From April 1st, 2023, travelers from the USA, Canada, and 21 other countries no longer need to apply for the K-ETA to travel to Korea. This will run at least until 31st December, 2024 and is designed to make it easier to travel to Korea.

Planning Your Trip To Korea

Check the Korean Embassy for any possible travel restrictions.

• If you’re not sure where to stay, check out our guide to the  best hotels in Seoul  . You can find our recommendations for the best luxury, mid-range, and budget hotels in Seoul, as well as long-term apartments that you’ll love.
• For the best flight deals to South Korea, Best of Korea recommends  Skyscanner  and  Expedia . You  can find the cheapest prices and most convenient flights and buy the one that suits you best.
• For the best hotel prices in Seoul, Best of Korea recommends  Klook  0r  Agoda  – they cover most hotels in Seoul and the rest of Korea and offer great prices without hidden fees.
• Before you travel to Korea, it’s a good idea to think about your SIM options. SIM stands for Subscriber Identity Module and unless you have the proper SIM service, you will not be able to use your phone. You can order an eSim card, regular sim card  or  portable WiFi router to collect at the airport so you’re connected as soon as you arrive. You can also check with your phone provider to see if you can turn on a dual SIM function on your phone.
• You can change a small bit of money before you travel, but you can also use the airport ATM to get some Korean won.
• There are large differences in exchange rates so you will need to do some comparing before you exchange a large sum of money. You can exchange USD to KRW easily at banks or money exchange shops in all major tourist areas like central Seoul (Myeongdong and Namdaemun are good places but the Coex Center also offers money exchange. You can also negotiate the exchange rate with the vendor if you think it is too high.
• You can withdraw cash from bank ATMs. Alternatively, use a pre-paid travel card like the one offered by  Wise , which allows ATM withdrawals and payments and works perfectly in Korea.
• Don’t forget to bring a  travel adapter for your electronics and leave plenty of extra space in your suitcase for the many Korean souvenirs and goodies you’ll buy on your tri

Do US Citizens Need A Tourist Visa?

No, travelers from the USA don’t need a tourist visa to enter South Korea. You can visit for up to 90 days visa-free.

Current COVID-19 Rules In Korea

Most COVID-19 rules in Korea have been dropped and now there are only 2 main rules to be aware of. First, face masks are mandatory when visiting medical facilities (hospitals). There is no longer a 7-day mandatory quarantine for people in South Korea. If you’re infected with COVID, the Korean government recommends a 5 day self-quarantine, but it’s not enforced. Travelers to Korea should follow the current restrictions or may be liable for fines or deportation.

Korean Tourism Support Hotline

If you have any concerns or problems when traveling in Korea, you can call  1330 . This is a dedicated tourism support hotline where trained specialists provide tourist assistance and is available in Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese, Russian, Vietnamese, Thai, and Malay.

US Government Travel Advisory For Korea

The U.S. Department of State currently has a level 1 travel advisory (Exercise Normal Precautions) for the Republic of Korea (ROK). Find out more about current travel advisories for South Korea on the  Department of State  website.

6 Best Destinations In Korea

South Korea is truly a country of contrasts. From the bustling, modern city of  Seoul , with cutting-edge designer buildings, VR labs, and AI robots, to peaceful UNESCO World Heritage cities like Jeonju  and  Gyeongju , there are many unique places to explore.

There’s nothing worse than coming back from vacation and hearing about incredible places you missed that you wished you’d seen, such as a beautiful Buddhist temple by the beach (Haedong Yonggungsa Temple) or a leafy island getaway where deer and rabbits roam freely (Nami Island).

Here are 6 of the best destinations in Korea that you absolutely must visit, as well as some of the sights you’ll want to check out while you’re there. We’ll be bringing you lots more detailed destination guides in the future, so be sure to visit again soon.

Korea’s Busy Capital

Seoul is Korea’s largest city, capital, and first, stop for most travelers to Korea. There are  many beautiful places in Seoul , including landmarks, relics from ancient kingdoms, towering skyscrapers, Buddhist temples, Michelin-starred restaurants, and some of the best street food you’ll find in the world. If you see only one city in Korea, you should definitely visit Seoul.

You’ll never be bored in Seoul. Whether you’re traveling as a family, as a couple, or by yourself, there’s so much to do. Be sure to plan lots of time to check out Korea’s capital.

This  Full Day Tour  of Seoul will show you some of the hottest spots in the city, while this  Customized Private Tour of Seoul will allow you to choose where to go.

Here are 10 of the best Seoul attractions:

• Gyeongbokgung Palace
• Bukchon Hanok Village
• Starfield COEX Mall
• Bukhansan National Park
• Myeongdong Street Markets
• Lotte World Tower
• Secret Garden (Changdeokgung Palace)
• Dongdaemun Design Plaza
• N Seoul Tower
• Yeouido Hangang Park

Korea’s Second City

Busan, Korea’s second city, is a thriving port city far away from Seoul both physically and culturally. This popular summer destination features some of Korea’s most popular beaches and bars. Explore Busan and you’ll find sprawling markets, fresh seafood, film festivals, the world’s largest shopping mall, coastal temples, and lots more.

Busan is a city with some very photogenic sights. See the sunrise on the beach, hike around leafy coastal streets on the side of cliffs, and marvel at the wide range of (living!) seafood in the markets.

This  Full Day Tour  of Busan will show you the best beaches, markets, and local sights, while this  Customized Private Tour of Busan  will allow you to choose where to go.

Here are 10 of the best Busan attractions:

• Haeundae Beach
• Gwangbokdong Food Street
• Haedong Yonggungsa Temple
• Huinnyeoul Culture Village
• Gamcheon Culture Village
• Oryukdo Sky Walk
• Lotte World Busan
• Jagalchi Fish Market
• BIFF Square & Centum City Mall
• Taejongdae Resort Park

UNESCO City

Gyeongju is the former capital of the Silla Kingdom, part of the Three Kingdoms part of Korean history. These days, Gyeongju is an open air museum housing Korea’s finest history and monument. This UNESCO World Heritage City is a must-see for those who want to learn more about Korea’s deep cultural past.

Gyeongju is packed with temples, palaces, historical sights, and monuments. But it’s not just the history that draws the crowds, the city is an area of natural beauty, lined with cherry blossoms and shadowed by misty mountains.

This  Full Day Tour of Gyeongju  from Busan will take you around Korea’s open-air museum city, showing the top UNESCO sites along the way, while this  Customized Private Tour of Gyeongju  will allow you to choose where to go.

Here are 10 of the best Gyeongju attractions:

• Gyeongju Historic Area
• Bomun Lake Tourist Complex
• Bulguksa Temple & Seokguram Shrine
• Donggung Palace & Wolji Pond
• Yangdong Folk Village
• Cheomseongdae Astronomical Observatory
• Gyeongju National Museum
• Gyochon Traditional Hanok Village
• Woljeonggyo Bridge
• Gyeongju National Park

Natural Wonder

Jeju Island is Korea’s semi-tropical island that’s a popular vacation destination for locals and tourists alike. This area of outstanding natural beauty offers up rugged coastal walks, sandy beaches, green hills, and a volcano to hike up for those who enjoy a challenge. Culture and cafe lovers will also find Jeju Island a charm.

From snorkelling under the sea, to hiking above the clouds, sampling Jeju’s black pork BBQ, and drinking local green tea, there’s so many exciting activities, sights, tastes, and experiences waiting for you on Jeju Island.

This  Full Day Tour of Jeju Island  will show you some of the most incredible UNESCO World Heritage sites on Jeju’s East Coast, while this  Customized Private Tour of Jeju Island  will allow you to choose where to go.

Here are 10 of the best Jeju Island attractions:

• Seongsan Ilchulbong Sunrise Peak
• Jusangjeolli Hexagonal Lava Cliff
• Hallasan Mountain (Volcano)
• Hamdeok Beach
• Jeju Folk Village
• Hyeopjae & Geumneung Beach Areas
• Cheonjeyeon & Jeongbang Waterfalls
• Udo Traditional Island
• Yakcheonnsa Coastal Buddhist Temple
• O’Sulloc Green Tea Fields

Traditional Korea

Jeonju is famous for its historical and cultural sights, including the sprawling Jeonju Hanok Village, packed with more than 700 traditional  hanok  houses. Jeonju’s many impressive sights are close to each other and perfect for a day trip from Seoul or Busan. You can even stay overnight in one of the traditional houses.

Jeonju is a tourist hotspot so there are plenty of things to keep travelers entertained and places to experience traditional Korean food and drinks. Be sure to check out the Jeonju bibimbap, one of Korea’s national dishes. Rent hanbok (traditional clothes), take lots of pictures, and see the sights.

This  Full Day Tour of Jeonju  will show you around the beautiful  hanok  houses and traditional Korean restaurants, while this  2-Day Tour of Jeonju  includes an overnight stay in a  hanok  and lots of delicious Korean meals.

Here are 10 of the best Jeonju attractions:

• Jeonju Hanok Village
• Gyeonggijeon Shrine & Portrait Museum
• Jeongdon Catholic Church
• Jeonju Hyanggyo Confucian School
• Nambu Traditional Market
• Jaman Mural Village
• Omokdae Viewpoint
• Deokjin Park
• Hanbyeokdang Pavilion
• Taiji-ro & Hyangoyo-gil Shopping Streets

Rural Attractions

Gapyeong County is an area just outside of Seoul that’s home to several interesting attractions celebrating Korean and foreign culture. The lush green hills and blue rivers of Gapyeong make it a great place to immerse in Korean nature.

You’ll find some of the hottest day trip locations here. Explore Gapyeong County on a day trip from Seoul. You can see romantic tree-lined streets and cafes on Nami Island, explore one of Korea’s most beautiful gardens, take a trip to Petite France, and enjoy cycling through the hills on an abandoned railway track.

This  Full Day Tour of Gapyeong  will show you around Nami Island, Garden of Morning Calm, and the Rail Bike Park.

Here are 10 of the best Gapyeong attractions:

• Nami Island
• Garden of Morning Calm
• Petite France
• Ganchon Rail Bike Park
• Edelweiss Swiss Village
• Cheongpyeong Lake
• Jarasum Island
• Kalbongsan Recreational Forest
• Gapyeong Sledding Hills
• Nami Island Zip Line

There are loads of locations to visit in Korea that make for a perfect day trip from Seoul. Hop on a coach, train, or tour bus in the morning and explore one or more of these unique destinations.

Here are 10 of the best day trips from Seoul to discover on your next journey to Korea:

• DMZ (North Korean Border)
• Suwon Hwaseong Fortress
• Everland Theme Park
• Jeonju Historic City
• Seoraksan National Park
• Korean Folk Village
• Alpaca World
• Gwangmyeong Cave

Most travelers to Korea arrive at Incheon Airport and then travel into Seoul (it’s only 40 minutes away) to begin their journey. Seoul is certainly an incredible place to start traveling, but it definitely shouldn’t be your only destination. Korea has a lot to offer, including a lot of seasonal activities and events that you should take into consideration.

Spring and fall are the best seasons to visit Korea and during these times the traditional cities like Gyeongju and Jeonju look amazing. They’re covered with cherry blossoms or fall foliage and this creates some postcard-like scenes. Gapyeong area is packed full of natural sights to enjoy, so definitely check out these areas.

If you’re visiting during summer, head towards the coastal areas, including the north-east coastal towns of Gangneung & Sokcho, or the south-east coastal areas of Busan and the nearby islands, such as Geoje, Tongyeong, and Yeosu. You’ll find lots of winter activities to enjoy in these areas.

Winter is cold and dry and, ironically, a great time to visit Jeju Island . This semi-tropical island is warmer than the mainland, but still gets snow on the mighty Hallasan Mountain. You can sit on a sunny beach one day and then hike knee-deep in snow the next. Jeju is also famous for its citrus, with thousands of tangerine trees dropping their juicy fruits in early winter.

Where To Stay In Seoul

South Korea is truly a country of contrasts. From the bustling, modern city of  Seoul , with cutting-edge designer buildings, VR labs, and AI robots, to peaceful UNESCO World Heritage cities like Jeonju  and  Gyeongju , there are many unique places to explore. If you’ve decided on Seoul, here are some of the best hotels that are well located and highly reviewed.

Choosing the best destinations to visit in Korea can be a challenge, especially if you don’t know what there is to see. You might not have heard of some of these destinations, which is not surprising. Korea is a country of undiscovered wonders that are waiting to be found.

If you want the best Seoul has to offer, these luxury hotels are for you. Located in Seoul’s glitziest neighborhoods, these hotels are within walking distance of Michelin-starred restaurants, chic boutiques, galleries, museums, and the finest shopping experiences available.

Expect nothing but the best in terms of service and style at these luxury hotels. Silky soft sheets, immaculate rooms with the finest fixtures and fittings, and true 5-star service from the hotel staff. These hotels have sports, dining, and entertainment facilities to make you comfortable during your stay.

Airport transfers are available with these hotels, making your journey into and out of Seoul a breeze. Located in popular upmarket districts in Seoul, these neighborhoods have lots of local charm for you to discover, as well as allow easy access to other parts of the city with excellent transport options nearby.

Not only are these beautiful, comfortable hotels inside, but they are also located in some of the most iconic buildings or districts and provide amazing views over some of Seoul’s most interesting districts. The view from the first hotel is worth the cost alone.

Recommended Luxury Hotels In Seoul

Here are 3 of the best luxury hotels in Seoul that we recommend for an unforgettable stay in Korea’s capital:

Families. couples and other travelers that want to experience the best of Seoul without breaking the bank can sleep easy with these mid-range hotel recommendations in some of Seoul’s trendy, vibrant districts, including Hongdae, Gangnam, and Myeongdong.

Encounter stylish accommodation in Seoul’s Hongdae districts, which is full of street culture and artistic scenes from the district’s eponymous Hongik University – one of Korea’s leading art centers.

Fashion lovers and shoppers will find lots to love in downtown Gangnam, with its wide streets and glassy storefronts bracketing narrow side streets and hidden delicacies.

Myeongdong is famous for its budget and mid-range accommodation options, including several hotels by the famous Lotte chain – one of Korea’s best mid-range brands.

Whichever mid-range hotel you choose in Seoul, you can be sure you’ll have fantastic city views, convenient subway access, and lots of unique cultural sights, sounds, and tastes to experience.

Recommended Mid-Range Hotels In Seoul

Here are 3 of the best mid-range hotels in Seoul that we recommend for an comfortable stay in Korea’s capital:

Seoul has a wealth of budget accommodation options that will help make your money go further. These hotels are all around $100 or less but offer the comfort and convenience that you’d expect to find in a mid-range hotel. One even has a beautiful rooftop pool.

Although these hotels are cheaper, don’t lower your expectations. You’ll always find great service in Korea. Save on sleeping to spend more on shopping, souvenirs, sights, and all the other fun things there are to do in Seoul.

These budget hotels in Seoul are also in great locations for shopping, enjoying local culture, and seeing the real side of Seoul and Korea. Hongdae offers bargain hunters the chance to get boutique fashion at market prices, Gangnam has plenty of cafes and cheap eats tucked away off the main avenues, and Myeongdong is a budget traveler’s paradise full of $1 street food and bargain souvenirs.

You won’t be disappointed with a night at any of these hotels. If you want to make your budget go further so you can spend more on some of the incredible day trips Seoul has to offer, definitely book a night at one of these hotels.

Recommended Budget Hotels In Seoul

Here are 3 of the best budget hotels in Seoul that we recommend for an affordable stay in Korea’s capital:

Korea Travel Tips

Korea is a unique country with a written language that looks nothing like English, fascinating etiquette rules , and an always busy lifestyle. Travelers may be lost trying to do even the simplest things.

These travel tips include the best options for staying connected, how to use public transportation easily and cheaply, great discount cards that will save you money as you travel, where to exchange money, and how to learn some basic Korean phrases for when you travel.

These essential Korea travel tips have been crafted by experienced travelers who love to save time and money. Only the best quality services and products are recommended here.

Here are our Korea travel essentials that’ll help you get around more easily, save you money, and let you get the most out of your trip.

Plan ahead now and you’ll have fewer troubles on your travels, giving you more time to enjoy your time in Korea.

If you’re traveling to Korea, you’re almost certainly going to want to get access to the internet to help you navigate, translate Korean, or even book tickets to attractions. Korea has one of the world’s best mobile internet and the prices are very reasonable. 5G mobile internet services are available across the country and Korea was one of the first to get the super-fast service. You won’t have problems connecting with a sim card or WiFi router when you travel.

Sim Cards & Data Plans

A Korean sim card is a great way to get access to all your usual cellphone services when you travel to Korea. Sim cards come with data-only packages, or data and phone services combined.

Buying a Korean sim card will give you access to a Korean phone number, which is useful when using Korean apps. If you want to order food online in Korea, you need to have a Korean phone number to complete the order.

Korean Sim Card Costs

Prices start at W5,900 ($5) for a 1-day sim. You can also get 10-day sim cards (W34,700/$28) and 30-day sim cards (64,400/$52). These all come with unlimited data, domestic calls, and texts.

You can purchase a  Korean Sim Card  From Klook and collect it at the airport. This is a very convenient option as you can use it immediately to help navigate and check in back home.

Portable WiFi Routers

A Korean portable WiFi router will give you access to mobile internet throughout Korea by connecting to WiFi hotspots run by the major phone companies in Korea and comes with great coverage.

The major benefits of a portable WiFi router include a lower cost than a Korean sim card and also the ability to connect up to 3 devices to 1 router. That means that families and groups will be able to share the service.

Korean Portable WiFi Router Costs

The cost of a Korean portable pocket WiFi router is W3,200 ($2.60) per day. You can rent the WiFi router for as many days as you require and pay in advance and pay any excess days when you return it.

You can also purchase a  Korean Portable WiFi Router From Klook and collect it at the airport. You can book online before you travel so that it’s guaranteed to be waiting for you.

Should I Get A Sim Card Or WiFi Router In Korea?​

Both a sim card and WiFi router are great options for travelers to Korea and will almost guarantee a great reception for mobile internet. The choice between whether you should get a sim card or WiFi router in Korea really comes down to the costs involved and if you need a Korean phone number.

WiFi routers are cheaper and allow you to connect 3 devices, so they’re perfect for families. However, a sim card gives you a Korean phone number, which means you can call people and also register for Korean apps which require a phone number.

Check out our detailed article about the  Best Sim Card & Portable WiFi  options for traveling to Korea.

Traveling to any country involves potential scams, bad exchange rates, mistakes, and confusion when it comes to dealing with foreign currency. Fortunately, travelers to Korea have a wide range of options for travel money both before and while they travel.

Korea is a safe, modern country and one that has pushed hard for the mass adoption of cards. Almost every location that deals with money is required to accept card payments. This is great news for travelers to Korea as you can use a card to pay for meals out, entrance tickets, trains, and lots more.

Cash is still needed for some things, such as topping up transportation cards like the T-Money Card (more on that soon) and for paying for small things like street food. Please note, as Korea doesn’t have a tipping culture, you don’t need cash for leaving a tip. In fact, if you try to leave a cash tip, it’ll be returned to you in most places.

Read on to find the best tips to avoid getting ripped off when exchanging money and how to pay the lowest fees when you use a card to pay in Korea. Be a smart traveler and save more money for shopping and souvenirs.

Korean Money Exchange Options​

Once you arrive in Korea, there are several options for exchanging money. First, you can exchange money at a money changer in tourist areas such as Myeongdong. These money changers used to have the best rates in Seoul.

However, a better option these days is to use the currency exchange machines from WOW Exchange. These machines are located all over Seoul’s most popular tourist spots, stations, and hotels. They allow you to exchange foreign cash directly to Korean won, with better rates than at the airport. You can also use these machines to claim a tax refund for your shopping before heading to the airport. Both options require a passport.

Should I Change Money At The Airport?

Exchanging money at the airport is easy and convenient as you can instantly get cash to use for shopping, transportation, and general use. However, the exchange rate at the airport is usually much worse than you’ll find in other places in Korea, as mentioned previously. If you need cash as soon as you land, withdraw a small amount ($50) and then exchange the rest in Seoul.

Travel Money Cards For Korea

While cash is useful and familiar when traveling, a much better option is to use a travel money card (also known as a currency card). Travel money cards, such as the Wise Travel Money Card, allow you to pay for travel expenses without the need to carry cash or convert money.

A travel money card offers the convenience of using a credit card without high fees that a regular bank could charge. It also allows you to withdraw cash from an ATM without a fee (up to a limit), so you can avoid carrying any cash on the flight or using a money exchange. The exchange rate is the mid-market rate, meaning it’s better than you’ll find even at the money exchanges listed before.

Can I Use My Bank Card In Korea?​

Credit cards are widely accepted in Korea. Visa and Mastercard users shouldn’t face a problem, but other cards aren’t as widely accepted. Debit cards and cash withdrawals might not work depending on the bank. Your bank may charge a fee when using it overseas, or give a bad exchange rate. Check with your bank before traveling.

The best option for travel money in Korea is to have a mixture of cash and cards, with a backup credit card just in case. Taking some USD with you is always a good option as you can find plenty of places to exchange it to Korean won and probably at a better rate than you’ll get in the US. If you want to withdraw money in Korea, look for the global ATMs in tourist areas.

Taking a  travel money card  will be safer, cheaper, and more convenient than relying on your own bank or credit card, too. These cards offer competitive rates and are widely accepted around the world so you can use them to visit other countries, too. If you use a travel money card and it gets lost or stolen, you can freeze the card instantly with the app and not have to worry about losing the balance on the card.

When you visit Korea, you’ll notice that most people pay for goods with a card or payment app, even for small purchases like a bottle of water. Unfortunately, the payment apps that are common in the US, such as Apple Pay or Google Pay, aren’t available in Korea. Korean apps, such as Kakao Pay, require a Korean bank account, and therefore aren’t an option for travelers.

T-Money For Public Transport

The T-Money Card is an essential purchase for every traveler to Korea. The T-Money Card is a transportation card that allows contactless travel on Korea’s buses and subways. Simply buy a T-Money Card, top-up the card, then use it to travel.

Not only is this transportation card really convenient, it also saves you money. You’ll receive a discount on every bus or subway journey when you pay with the T-Money Card. These discounted fares are available in all cities across Korea, not just Seoul.

This isn’t the only use of the T-Money Card. You can also use to buy a coffee from Starbucks, get lunch in McDonald’s, shop for Korean cosmetics, and even to watch a baseball game. It’s a very useful card that can be used anywhere you see the T-Money Card.

You can get the  T-Money Card in Korea from subway stations and at certain transport centers, including Seoul Station and Incheon Airport. The card costs 2,500 KRW. You can buy the card with a credit card, but to top-up the card, you need to use cash. If you buy a Discover Seoul Pass, this card includes the T-Money functions.

Save With The Discover Seoul Pass

Travelers to Seoul have a lot of options for incredible attractions to enjoy and experience. However, tourists, especially families, can find that the cost of these attractions quickly add up, especially when you are visiting many locations in a short time.

A great way to save money when you travel in Seoul is to buy a  Discover Seoul Pass  – a special card that offers you big savings on some of Seoul’s top attractions, as well as other benefits.

If you plan to visit Seoul’s Royal Palaces, N Seoul Tower, Lotte World Adventure Theme Park, the COEX Aquarium, Alive Museum, Seoul Zoo, or other premium attractions, you can gain free entry when you purchase a Discover Seoul Pass.

Not only that, you can also get a free river cruise, free hanbok rental, free ride on the Airport Express from Incheon Airport to Seoul, free City Tour Bus Ride, free T-Money Card and lots more.

The Discover Seoul Pass is valid for 24 | 48 | 72 hours and is valid from the moment you first use it until that many hours later.

Things To See & Do In Korea

If you want to build your own itinerary for South Korea, then this section of the South Korea Travel Guide will provide the building blocks you need to craft the perfect trip.

South Korea is a country packed with famous landmarks and sights, unique culture – modern & historical,  family-fun activities, outdoor adventures, cozy cafe districts, and natural wonders. There’s more to do in Korea than you could imagine and it’s impossible to explore it all in one trip. Try to plan your itinerary by cities and locations. For example, plan your day in Seoul stay by district.

Here are some of the best things to see and do in South Korea, broken down into different themes so you can find things that interest you the most. The location of each of these attractions is included, too, so you can create a city by city itinerary, seeing the best South Korea has to offer.

These attractions are available all year round so whenever you go to Korea, you can enjoy them. There are plenty of things to see and do in Korea that only happen during certain seasons. Check out the  Season Guide  in this South Korea Travel Guide for more information about Korean festivals and seasonal events.

Here are 10 of the best Korean landmarks:

• Lotte World Tower (Seoul)
• Bukchon Hanok Village (Seoul)
• Nami Island (Gapyeong)
• Banwol ‘Purple Island’ (West Coast)
• N Seoul Tower (Seoul)
• Dongdaemun Design Plaza (Seoul)
• Seoraksan National Park (Gangwon Province)
• Hwaseong Fortress (Suwon)
• Cheonggyecheon Stream (Seoul)
• Gamcheon Cultural Village (Busan)

Why travel to a diverse country such as Korea and not embrace the local culture? Here are 10 of the best unique Korean experiences you can only enjoy fully in Korea. Be brave, try something new and create lasting memories of your Korean adventure.

Here are 10 of the best uniquely Korean experiences:

• Wear Traditional Korean Hanbok (Royal Palaces)
• Sing In A Korean Noraebang (Everywhere)
• Sleep In A Korean Hanok House (Hanok Villages)
• Visit The Kimchi Museum (Seoul)
• Eat Street Food (Traditional Markets)
• Experience A Korean Temple Stay (National Parks)
• Drink Makgeolli – Korean Rice Wine (Everywhere)
• Visit The World’s Most Dangerous Border – The DMZ
• Relax In A Korean Sauna (Everywhere)
• Visit A Korean Green Tea Field (Boseong, Jeju)

Here are 10 of the best Korean historic sights:

• Gyeongbokgung Palace (Seoul)
• The Secret Garden (Seoul)
• Bulguksa Temple (Gyeongju)
• Jeonju Hanok Village (Jeonju)
• Seoul Fortress Walls (Seoul)
• Haedong Yonggungsa Temple (Busan)
• Andong Hahoe Folk Village (Andong)
• Gyeongju Historic Area (Gyeongju)
• Baekje Historic Area (Gongju, Buyeo)
• Jangsaengpo Whale Museum (Ulsan)

Here are 10 of the best modern K-Culture spots:

• K-Pop Headquarters (Seoul)
• HYBE Insight (Seoul)
• COEX Artium (Seoul)
• K-Style Hub (Seoul)
• Hongdae Shopping Street (Seoul)
• Hallyu K-Star Road (Seoul)
• Asia Culture Center (Gwangju)
• Busan International Film Festival Square (Busan)
• MBC World Theme Park (Seoul)

As you’ll see, there’s just so much to see and do in Korea. You could spend a whole week in Seoul and not run out of exciting activities to do and sights to explore. Our advice is to try to avoid planning to do too many things in one day and adding in plenty of free time.

There’ll be many random things that catch your eye, such as a curious side street, or your nose, like the delicious smells from a food stall. Make sure you’ve got flexibility in your schedule to investigate these surprises and to take a rest if you need to – walking and traveling for days on end can get tiring.

Korea comes alive at night and markets and city streets are often best explored after the sun goes down. Drab concrete buildings come alive with neon signs, lanterns, and electric lights and are quite a sight to be seen. Visit popular tourist attractions such as the royal palaces and hanok villages during the morning as they’ll be less crowded.

If you plan to visit the Secret Garden in Changdeokgung Palace (you really should!), tickets are available on the day and sell out fast. Getting to these places early can guarantee you get tickets, see the sights unobstructed, and have time in the evening to soak up the night life and culture.

Here are the 10 best family-friendly activities in Korea:

• Nami Island & Garden of Morning Calm (Gapyeong)
• Seoul Grand Park & Zoo (Seoul)
• Lotte World Adventure (Seoul, Busan)
• Alive Museum & Dynamic Maze (Seoul)
• Seoul Children’s Grand Park (Seoul)
• Seoul Children’s Museum (Seoul)
• Everland & Caribbean Bay Theme Parks (Near Seoul)
• Sea Life Busan Aquarium
• Jeju Dinosaur Island (Jeju)
• Alpaca World (Gangwon Province)

Here are the 10 best museums & galleries in Korea:

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

Here are the 10 best cafe areas in Korea:

• Ikseondong Hanok Village (Seoul)
• Gyeongui Line Hongdae (Seoul)
• Samcheondong Cafe Street (Seoul)
• Jeonpo Cafe Street (Busan)
• Hwangnidan-Gil (Gyeongju)
• Gangneung Coffee Street (Gangneung)
• Sinsa-Dong / Garosugil Road (Seoul)
• Jukjeon Cafe Street (Seoul)
• Hwaseong Haenggung Area (Suwon)
• Kim Kwang Seok Gil Street (Daegu)

Here are 10 of the best Korean markets and shopping areas:

• Gwangjang Market (Seoul)
• Myeongdong Market Area (Seoul)
• Jagalchi Fish Market (Busan)
• Centum City Mall (Busan)
• IFC Mall (Seoul)
• Starfield COEX Mall (Seoul)
• Nambu Market (Jeonju)
• Seomyeong Underground Shopping Center (Busan)
• Seogwipo Maeil Olle Market (Jeju)

Here are 10 of the best natural sights in Korea:

• Hallasan Mountain (Jeju)
• Jirisan National Park (Jeollanam Provice)
• Seoraksan National Park (Gyeonggi Province)
• Seongsan Ilchulbong Sunrise Peak (Jeju)
• Damyang Juknokwon Bamboo Forest (Damyang)
• Boseong Green Tea Plantation (Boseong)
• Haeundae Beach (Busan)
• Udo Island (Jeju)
• Hwaamdonggul Cave (Gangwon Province)

Travel Itinerary For Korea

When planning a travel itinerary for South Korea, it’s best to think about what kind of experience you want when you travel to South Korea and build your itinerary from that. What kind of traveler are you and what do you want to take away from your Korea trip? Are you planning a trip for yourself, for your family, or as a romantic escape?

Do you want to learn about traditional Korean culture and history? Are you visiting to immerse yourself in modern Korean culture and maybe meet your idols? Are you planning to get out into Korea’s mountains to hike and join a Buddhist Temple Stay? Or are you going to eat, drink, shop, and make the most of Korea’s discounted goods? Or all of the above?

This section of this South Korea Travel Guide will offer some of the best one-week and two-week itineraries for South Korea. These itineraries are rough guides, created to help you begin planning your trip. Feel free to pick and choose the parts from them that you like to create your own travel itinerary for South Korea. We’ll be adding more great itineraries soon, be sure to check back for the latest ideas.

Classic 1 Week Itinerary For Korea: Seoul, Busan, Gyeongju

This is one of the most popular of the 1-week itineraries for South Korea and will take you to the most famous and interesting places that are top of most travelers’ South Korea bucket lists. Starting in Seoul, Korea’s capital, you’ll explore the best sights in this city before taking a day trip out to the lovely Gapyeong County to get a breath of fresh Korean countryside air.

From day 4, zip across the whole of Korea on the high-speed KTX train and explore Korea’s second city, Busan. See coastal temples, fish markets, wide beaches, and more in Busan before taking a day trip to Korea’s historic UNESCO World Heritage City, Gyeongju. On the last day, it’s time to return to Seoul to pack your bags full of the best souvenirs and snacks and say farewell in the highest part of the city.

Afternoon : Dressed in your hanbok, enjoy more traditional Seoul with a walk around the narrow streets of the Bukchon Hanok Village. Visit traditional Korean teahouses, galleries, markets, and more.

Evening : Check out the stalls and shops of artsy Insadong, contemplate Jeogyesa Temple, and take an evening stroll along the Cheonggyecheon Stream before dining in Myeongdong or the Jonggak Avenue of Youth. This  Full Day Tour  of Seoul will show you some of the hottest spots in the city, while this  Customized Private Tour of Seoul  will allow you to choose where to go.

Afternoon : Head back to central Seoul and witness the bustling sights and delicious smells of Seoul’s traditional Gwangjang and Dongdaemun Markets. Try delectable Korean street foods here.

Evening : Take the Namsam Cable Car to the top of Namsan Mountain and watch the sunset from N Seoul Tower. See some of Seoul’s fortress walls before heading back down to go late-night shopping at Myeongdong Market.

Afternoon : Zip line or sail over to Nami Island for impressive nature, bike rides, leafy walks, and cozy cafes. See popular scenes from K-dramas and even some wild animals, like deer and rabbits.

Evening : Pedal your way along an abandoned railway at the Gangchon Rail Bike Park before heading back to Seoul for fine dining in Gangnam’s Apgujeong Rodeo district.

Afternoon : Head to the Nampo-dong near Busan Station and visit Jagalchi Market for a fresh seafood lunch. Then explore cosy Bosu-dong Book Alley or take a taxi to the Huinnyeoul Culture Village.

Evening : Take the subway up to Haeundae Beach for Busan’s best night-scenes. Grab dinner overlooking the beach, or at one of the market stalls. If you’re feeling brave, visit BUSAN X the SKY to see breathtaking views over the coast and city.

Afternoon : Head to the Gyeongju Gyochon Traditional Village for a traditional meal and to see the stunning Woljeonggyo Bridge. Gyeongju National Museum is nearby, too.

Evening : See the tranquil night views of Wolji Pond where palace buildings reflect perfectly in still waters. Stop at Hwangnidan-gil area for dinner and drinks before returning to Busan.

Afternoon : Explore the artistic shopping streets of Hongdae for last minute souvenirs and gifts for yourself. Take a break in one of the unique animal or artsy cafes.

Evening : Either take a night cruise along the Han River from Yeouido Hangang Park or dine in style at the Lotte World Tower in Jamsil, the world’s 6th tallest building. Both offer great night views of Seoul and unforgettable memories to take home.

Korean Seasons Guide

The best time to visit South Korea is during the warm spring or fall seasons. The weather is mild and clear, there’s a range of festivals and seasonal activities to enjoy, and you can travel to Korea comfortably.

The best months to visit are April, May, September, and October. These months are all during the Korean school semester, so there won’t be as many local travelers around during the weekdays. However, expect the weekends to be busy as people leave the cities to travel within Korea.

Large public holidays, including  Chuseok (mid-autumn festival) in September / October) and Buddha’s Birthday (May), provides travelers with the opportunity to experience Korean culture and celebrations. These holidays change each year based on the lunar calendar.

Korean Weather & Climate

South Korea is a country that experiences four very distinct seasons, with temperatures ranging from 100 Fahrenheit in the summer to below 0 Fahrenheit in the winter . Each of South Korea’s seasons brings opportunities to see unique natural views and enjoy the different climates in Korea.

Spring has some of the gentlest weather, with light rain and a quick jump in temperature to the 60s and 70s by late March. Summer begins with the rainy season in late June and becomes extremely humid and hot throughout July and August before cooling again in September.

Fall has the best weather in Korea, with many warm, sunny days. Cold winter weather appears very quickly in mid-November and the first snow usually appears by late November. Winter is dry and sunny with the lowest chance of rainfall but is also very cold. Snow isn’t constant, but can fall for several weeks on and off during winter.

Visiting in spring offers the chance to see beautiful cherry blossoms stretch across the country, as well as many other spring flowers that brighten up Korea after a cold winter.

Spring starts in late March with the awakening of the cherry blossoms and ends in early June with the start of the rainy season. South Korea is a country with a close connection to nature, which can be witnessed in the many spring festivals and celebrations that happen throughout the year.

Some of the best spring festivals include the Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival, Damyang Bamboo Forest Festival, Yeon Deung Hoe Lotus Lantern Festival, Jindo Sea Parting Festival, and Boseong Green Tea Plantation Festival.

The weather in summer is perfect for getting outside and relaxing on one of Korea’s many beaches. Some of the best activities include spending a weekend camping or glamping by the beach, hiking in shaded valleys in the national parks, and water sports such as surfing, kayaking, and scuba diving.

Unfortunately, the heat may put off some travelers, and high humidity makes it uncomfortable to move around too much. Fortunately, Korea is a modern country with lots of air-conditioning and ways to deal with the hot weather, including delicious summer dishes.

Cool down with a bowl of Korean bingsu (shaved ice dessert) or a cool latte in one of the many cozy Korean cafes in popular beach destinations.

Travelers to Korea in the fall are treated to spectacular fall foliage creeping far and wide. You can see it falling on palace grounds, sprawled on mountains in national parks, and along city streets.

The start of the fall foliage season in Korea coincides with the end of the hot and humid summer, with clear skies and cool weather, making it the perfect time to travel in Korea. Like spring, the fall season in Korea is one of the festivals and celebrations.

The Chuseok holidays in late September / early October are the biggest public holidays of the year, with cultural events held in popular tourist destinations. There’s also a range of cultural festivals, such as the Andong Mask Festival, Baekje Culture Festival, Jinju Namdang Yudeung Lantern Festival, Jeonju Bibimbap Festival, and the Seoul Kimchi Festival.

Winter, like summer, has more extreme weather than spring and fall, with temperatures often in the 20s and 30s and below. This season, however, is also one of the best for travelers who want to see clear, blue skies and experience good weather.

Winter is the driest season and it very rarely rains. If you don’t mind the cold weather, it’s perfect for traveling around South Korea. One of the biggest draws during winter is the chance to see snowy Korean landscapes, from snow-bedecked royal palaces to frosty peaks atop Korea’s many mountains.

Winter sports are popular in Korea, with ski and snowboard resorts aplenty. Winter also offers the chance for family fun with winter attractions including sledding, winter illuminations, and Christmas parades.

Cost To Travel To Korea

The cost to travel in South Korea largely depends on your personal style of travel. You can travel on a low budget in Korea, for under $50 per day, or you could also travel for 10 times that amount if you wished to.

Food costs range from a few dollars for a bowl of  jajang  (black soybean) noodles to hundreds for premium  hanwoo (Korean beef) steak. The same applies to accommodation, with budget hostels costing $10 per night and premium 5 stars hotels costing hundreds.

Most travelers to Korea will already know what they want to prioritize their spending on. Some travel to Korea to eat, others to shop, and many more to experience the unique culture and history that Korea has to offer.

The costs in this section of our South Korea Travel Guide are based on the latest costs in Korea from this year. Examples of different costs have been covered to give you an idea of what to expect when you try to budget.

Please note, these prices are based on traveling in Seoul during non-peak times. Prices may be higher in peak times, which include cherry blossom season (Apr) and fall foliage season (Oct). Popular tourist cities, such as Gyeongju and Jeonju, may also have higher prices on weekends.

How Much Does It Cost To Travel In South Korea?

Travelers may find they want to spend more on hotels and less on eating out, or vice-versa, so don’t feel like you have to only follow the costs for one section. This is only a guideline to help you plan based on your own personal preferences.

To make it easier to figure out your expected costs to travel in Korea, this South Korea Travel Guide has broken down the costs into 3 different categories. These categories loosely fit 3 different types of travelers, as described below:

• Accommodation:  $200+ per night, per room (double)

Korea has a wide range of luxurious hotel options, including rooms in the Lotte World Tower, historic hanok houses, and glamping for those who want to escape to the countryside.

• Food & Drink:  $100+ per day, per person

It’s easy to spend a lot on food and drink in Korea as there are so many delectable restaurants. Fresh seafood, Korean steak, or the finest foreign foods are all available.

• Transportation:  $20+ per day, per person

Taxis and transportation are relatively cheap in Korea. A taxi journey across Seoul can cost less than $20 for 30 minutes and even the 1st class options on Korea’s high-speed trains are under $100 for the longest journey (Seoul to Busan).

• Accommodation:  $100 ~ $200 per night, per room (double)

You can book 4-star hotels in Seoul for very reasonable prices and enjoy both comfort and lower prices than you’d find at home. Korea has a wide range of comfortable mid-priced hotels.

• Food & Drink:  $50+ per day, per person

With all-you-can-eat Korean restaurants that serve unlimited Korean BBQ and other dishes for under $20 or $30 per person, it’s easy to enjoy the best food Korea has to offer without breaking the bank.

• Transportation:  up to $15 per day, per person

Use the subway and buses to get around the big cities and trains to travel further around Korea without breaking the bank. You can even splash out on a taxi and pay only a few dollars per person when traveling as a group for a few dollars extra.

• Accommodation:  up to $100 per night, per room (double)

Hostels and guesthouses can be found for under $50 per night and are perfect for somewhere to rest and recharge. If that’s all you need, save money here and spend it elsewhere.

• Food & Drink:  $20 – $30 per day, per person

If you budget well and stick to street food, free hotel breakfasts, and convenience store foods, you can eat well and still have enough to splurge on good food for dinner.

• Transportation:  up to $10 per day, per person

Walking and buses are cheap and convenient ways to travel around Korea’s biggest cities. Traveling from city to city is also cheap, with intercity buses costing less than $10 for 1-2 hour journeys.

Further Costs To Travel In South Korea

Besides these everyday costs to travel in South Korea, there are other costs that you’ll need to cover from time to time. These costs include internet & phone access, day trips, activities, souvenirs, travel insurance, and flights. These costs will be broken down into low and high-end costs that you can expect to pay in Korea.

Museums and galleries offer unique (and authentic) Korean souvenirs such as pottery, painting, tea & soju sets, and more. If you want something a bit more special, head to the underground markets near Gwangjang Market in Seoul and get your own handmade hanbok, which you can get posted back home to save luggage space.

• Small Souvenirs: $5+
• Korean Cosmetics: $5+
• Korean Artworks: $10+
• Korean Tea (box of): $10 to $20
• Korean Soju Set: $10 to $20
• Korean Handcrafts: $10+
• Tailored Hanbok: $200+

The day trip prices quoted below are the prices you can expect to pay with a reputable tour company like  Klook  or  Trazy . Hiring a private guide will be a lot more expensive and might come to $200+ per day.

Please note:  The prices quoted below are estimates and may change depending on the season or tour services.

• DMZ Tour – $50 to $120
• Nami Island Area – $40 to $70
• Everland Theme Park – $30 to $50
• Jeonju Hanok Village – $50 to $70
• Korean Folk Village – $50 to $60
• Seoraksan Mountain – $70 to $150

As mentioned earlier in this South Korea Travel Guide, buying a  Discover Seoul Pass  is a great way to save money on Seoul’s premium attractions.

• Royal Palaces – $3
• N Seoul Tower – $10
• Hanbok Rental – $10+
• Seoul City Tour Bus – $10
• Han River Cruise – $15 to $30
• Seoul Sky Observatory – $30 to $50
• Aquariums – $20 to $30
• Seoul Zoo & Seoul Grand Park $10
• Amusement Parks – $30 to $40

Flight costs depend on which airports you’re traveling from. A flight from Los Angeles to Incheon Airport (Korea’s main airport) costs around $1400 right now. Flight costs vary depending on the season and time of day.

Best of Korea recommends  Skyscanner  and  Expedia  for the best flight deals to Korea.

Why Travel To South Korea?

In recent years, travelers from around the world have been increasingly drawn to South Korea. The country is a must-see destination in Asia, with more than 17 million travelers in 2019. After reading this South Korea Travel Guide, you’ll understand what draws so many people to the Land of The Morning Calm, as Korea is also known.

There are myriad reasons why people visit Korea. Many come to experience life in a unique country, packed with historical and cultural sights that you won’t find elsewhere in the world. In the afternoon you can walk through a royal palace dressed in  hanbok  (traditional Korean clothes), sip green tea in a  hanok  (traditional Korean house), and pass Buddhist monks walking peacefully through an ancient temple.

Modern South Korean culture is conquering the world, with chart-topping acts that include BTS and Black Pink, Oscar-winning movies like Parasite, and phenomenally successful TV shows like Squid Game. This brings in legions of fans flocking to shooting locations and film sets to relive their favorite K-Culture moments. Some lucky travelers even get to catch sight of their favorite K-Stars walking around Gangnam, a hotspot for Korea’s most famous citizens.

Not only is Korea a beautiful country, it’s a country that will make you beautiful, with some of the world’s best fashion and beauty shops. Korea is famous for its K-Beauty products and is a beauty and fashion shoppers paradise. From the street fashions of Hongdae, to the luxurious fashion malls of Gangnam, and the wall-to-wall malls with discount clothes in Dongdaemun, you’re guaranteed to find something you can’t resist at a great price. If you prefer a cultural shopping experience, there are traditional markets all over Korea, where you can experience street food, buy novel gifts, and see how locals live and socialize.

There’s so much more to South Korea than what you’ll find in the cities, however. South Korea, a country that’s 70% mountainous with coasts on three sides, offers so much to nature and adventure lovers. Hiking , South Korea’s national pastime, is a popular way to see more of the Korean countryside, looking down over rice fields, forested valleys, and pockets of urbanization. Skydiving, parasailing, scuba diving, water sports, cycling, rock climbing, white water rafting, and lots more are on offer and very reasonably priced. South Korea is a great place to enjoy the great outdoors.

The real jewel in South Korea’s natural crown, however, has to be Jeju Island – one of the New 7 Wonders of the Natural World. Explore lava caves, hike to the peak of the central dormant volcano (Hallasan Mountain), trek around the rugged coast, relax on a sandy beach in a modern cafe, and even try your hand at horse riding.

Whatever your reason to travel to South Korea, you’re sure to find more and more reasons to return again and again. Let this South Korea Travel Guide whet your appetite for your first trip, inspire you to plan a follow-up trip, and guide you to the best things to see and do in South Korea.

South Korea Travel Guide FAQs

Not sure about the South Korea travel restrictions and want to know more about visas, vaccinations, and what the rules are? This next section covers some of the most frequently asked questions about traveling to Korea now. If you have more questions that aren’t covered below, feel free to write to us on the  Best of Korea  Facebook page.

Do I need a visa to travel to South Korea?

US citizens and tourists from 111 other countries, including Canada and Mexico, don’t need a visa to travel to South Korea. The US government and South Korea have a visa-free travel arrangement and tourists can stay for up to 90 days.

What happens when I arrive in South Korea?

From May 2023 onwards, there are no forms to fill out as long as you have nothing to declare to customs. Travelers with nothing to declare can enjoy a hassle-free entry procedure by simply walking through the “Nothing to Declare” passage. Travelers who carry items that exceed the duty-free limit, foreign currency that exceed the value of US$10,000, or other items that require customs declaration must still fill out a declaration form and walk through the “Goods to Declare” passage.

Can I travel to Korea if I'm unvaccinated?

Yes, you can still travel to South Korea if you’re unvaccinated. South Korea no longer restricts travel based on vaccination status (as of October 2022).

LET'S GO TO KOREA

Best destinations in korea, where to stay in seoul, korean travel tips, things to see & do, travel itineraries for korea, korean season guide, cost to travel to korea, further costs to korea, why travel to korea now, south korea travel faqs.

What To Do in Korea in May: The Family Month

10 Ways to Spend a Magical Christmas in Korea

Hiking in Seoul, the Top 5 Mountains You Must Try

Jeju Island: Top 10 Places You Must See

How to travel to korea.

Requirements To Travel To Korea

• Don’t forget to bring a  travel adapter for your electronics and leave plenty of extra space in your suitcase for the many Korean souvenirs and goodies you’ll buy on your trip.

No, travelers from the USA don’t need a tourist visa to enter South Korea. You can visit for up to 90 days visa-free. However, you must apply for the K-ETA before traveling and upload your travel plans and hotel details.

Here are 6 of the best destinations in Korea that you absolutely must visit, as well as some of the sights you’ll want to check out while you’re there. We’ll be bringing you lots more detailed destination guides in the future, so be sure to visit again soon

This  Full Day Tour  of Seoul will show you some of the hottest spots in the city, while this  Customized Private Tour of Seoul  will allow you to choose where to go.

Winter is cold and dry and, ironically, a great time to visit Jeju Island. This semi-tropical island is warmer than the mainland, but still gets snow on the mighty Hallasan Mountain. You can sit on a sunny beach one day and then hike knee-deep in snow the next. Jeju is also famous for its citrus, with thousands of tangerine trees dropping their juicy fruits in early winter.

Korean Travel Tips

Korea is a unique country with a written language that looks nothing like English, interesting  Korean Cultural And Etiquette Rules , and an always busy lifestyle. Travelers may be lost trying to do even the simplest things.

These essential Korean travel tips have been crafted by experienced travelers who love to save time and money. Only the best quality services and products are recommended here.

If you’re traveling to Korea, you’re almost certainly going to want to get access to the internet to help you navigate, translate Korean, or even book tickets to attractions. Korea has one of the world’s best mobile internet and the prices are very reasonable. 5G mobile internet services are available across the country and Korea was one of the first to get the super-fast service. You won’t have problems connecting with a sim card or WiFi router when you travel

South Korea is a country packed with famous landmarks and sights, unique culture – modern & historical,  family-fun activities, outdoor adventures, cozy cafe districts, and natural wonders. There’s more to do in Korea than you could imagine and it’s impossible to explore it all in one trip. Try to plan your itinerary by cities and locations. For example, plan your day in Seoul and stay by the district.

Here are some of the best things to see and do in South Korea, broken down into different themes so you can find things that interest you the most. The location of each of these attractions is included, too, so you can create a city-by-city itinerary, seeing the best South Korea has to offer.

Any South Korea Travel Guide would be incomplete without thee top landmarks & famous areas in Korea. These unmissable Korean attractions offer some of the best sights in Korea, showing you Korean history, culture, design, and sense of humor.

Learning about Korea’s past is not only enjoyable, it’ll also open your eyes to how modern Korean culture has evolved. Witness the majesty of grand palaces and the humble Buddhist temples and gain an insight into life in Korea with these fascination historical sights.

Are you a fan of Korean culture? Then check out these 10 modern K-Culture locations in Korea. Whether you’re ARMY or an arthouse cinema fan, you’ll love these sights. K-Drama fans, check out these  K-Drama Filming Spots in Seoul .

If you’re traveling to Korea with your family, you don’t need to worry about the kids getting bored. There are plenty of family-fun attractions in Korea to keep them amused and to show them what Korea’s really like.

Culture lovers will find no shortage of places to learn about Korean, Asian, and world history & culture. Korea has a rich history and displays this through a range of museums. Learn about traditional life, Korean wars, the democracy struggles, and even  kimchi .

Once a land of teahouses, Korea has now fully embraced coffee culture. Korea’s late-night culture makes cafes a great place to gather and chat. The rise of social media has also led to hundreds of insta-worthy cafes with photogenic decor, unusual coffee designs, and delicious desserts.

Many people travel to Korea just to shop, thanks to the low prices, haggling in the markets, and good quality items. From traditional markets to high-end designer goods, there’s somewhere to shop for everyone. Be sure to try authentic Korean street foods in the markets, too.

Korea is a country surrounded by sea on 3 sides and 70% mountainous, giving it a wealth of natural beauty. Besides  Korean cherry blossoms , flowers, and fall foliage, there are sculpted gardens, shimmering ponds, riverside parks, and a volcano to see.

Morning : Explore Seoul’s historic royal palaces starting with Gyeongbokgung or Changdeokgung Palace in central Seoul. You get free entry if you’re wearing a Korean hanbok, so be sure to pick one up from the rental shops outside.

Morning : Learn about Korea’s history at the National Museum or War Memorial in Yeongsan. These fascinating museums have interactive exhibits and feature 1000’s of years of Korean history.

Morning : Take a day trip from Seoul to explore Gapyeong County. See the wonders of the Garden of Morning Calm and its idyllic nature. This is one of the most beautiful gardens in Korea.

Morning : Grab an early breakfast at Seoul Station and ride the high-speed KTX train directly to Seoul. It takes less than 4 hours and rides past rice fields, mountains, and the Korean countryside.

Morning : Take a day trip to the UNESCO World Heritage City of Gyeongju and roam the Gyeongju Historic Area. See Daereungwon Tomb Complex and Cheomseongdae Observatory.

Morning : Pack your bags and ride the KTX back to Seoul. Head to Hongdae for street food snacks or Michelin-starred delights in famous restaurants.

South Korea is a country that experiences four very distinct seasons, with temperatures ranging from 100 Fahrenheit in the summer to below 0 Fahrenheit in the winter. Each of South Korea’s seasons brings opportunities to see unique natural views and enjoy the different climates in Korea.

March to May

June To August

September to November

December to February

Korean Souvenir Costs

The best places to buy souvenirs in Korea are in the traditional markets and tourist areas. Insadong in Seoul has a lot of art and souvenir shops, as do the market streets around Bukchon Hanok Village. Hongdae offers lots of bargain snacks and souvenirs to take home.

Day Trip Costs From Seoul

A day trip from Seoul is a must to see a different side of Korea from what you’ll experience in the capital. Taking a day trip is a great chance to experience Korea’s countryside, nature, and hard-to-reach cultural attractions.

Korean Activity Costs

Seoul and other Korean cities have so much to offer to tourists. From historical palaces to exciting theme parks and attractions, it’s easy to have fun, explore, and discover more about Korea’s history.

Flight Costs To Korea

Flight costs depend on which airports you’re traveling from. A flight from Los Angeles to Incheon Airport (Korea’s main airport) costs around $1370 right now. Flight costs vary depending on the season and time of day.

The cost to fly to Korea is more than twice the normal price right now. Fortunately, Korea ended the restrictions on the number of flights into the country from June 2022 and flight costs and availability should be improved in the near future.

There’s so much more to South Korea than what you’ll find in the cities, however. South Korea, a country that’s 70% mountainous with coasts on three sides, offers so much to nature and adventure lovers. Hiking, South Korea’s national pastime, is a popular way to see more of the Korean countryside, looking down over rice fields, forested valleys, and pockets of urbanization. Skydiving, parasailing, scuba diving, water sports, cycling, rock climbing, white water rafting, and lots more are on offer and very reasonably priced. South Korea is a great place to enjoy the great outdoors.

From September 2022 onwards it is no longer necessary to provide any vaccination status or take any PCR or RAT tests. A mandatory health check will be required, but this is only a simple form you can fill in on arrival.

What happens if I get a positive PCR result?

If you test positive for COVID-19 while in Korea, you will need to quarantine for 7 days at government facilities. Travelers who break the quarantine rules are subject to deportation or fines.

However, if a traveler (vaccinated or unvaccinated) tests positive for COVID-19 in Korea, they will have to self-quarantine until negative.

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How to Plan Your Trip to South Korea 2024/2025 (6 Easy Steps)

South Korea is a popular destination for many travelers, especially for families with teenagers and couples. Besides its history, nature, and modernity, South Korea offers unique and lively experiences, such as K-pop, the hanbok, Hanok hotels, bibimbap, and more, which continue to draw travelers from all over the world.

In this article, we'll explain everything you need to know to plan a wonderful trip to South Korea, including the top places to visit, how long you should spend there, the best times to visit, and the costs.

• 1. Do I Need a Visa to Visit South Korea
• 2. Top 4 Places to Visit in South Korea
• 3. Best Times to Visit South Korea
• 4. How Many Days to Spend in South Korea
• 5. How Much Does a Trip to South Korea Cost
• 6. How to Get To and Around South Korea

Do I Need a Visa to Visit South Korea?

Nationals of many countries are exempt from needing a visa to enter South Korea, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Most travelers could stay in South Korea without a visa for 90 days.

Top 4 Places to Visit in South Korea

With so many wonderful destinations in South Korea, we know it could be difficult to narrow down where to visit. Below are some recommended places to visit for your first trip, based on our knowledge and feedback from our clients.

1) Seoul — Capital City with a Perfect Blend of History and Modernity

As the bustling capital city of South Korea, Seoul is a must-see city when planning a first trip to South Korea. It offers plenty of experiences that would enrich your trip.

If you want to explore history-filled attractions to deepen your understanding of South Korea, don't miss a visit to one of the oldest royal palaces, Gyeongbokgung, and the quiet Korean traditional village of Bukchon Hanok.

Beyond the representative attractions, you could also wear a traditional hanbok and stay in Korean-style accommodation to enrich your trip.

If your children are interested in K-pop, you could see the idols at the famous broadcasting buildings and visit the renowned Korean Wave music companies.

2) Busan — Bustling Seaside City

Busan is a charming seaside city known for its glistening beaches. You could enjoy the comfortable sea breeze and feed seagulls at Haeundae Beach and sample fresh seafood.

As well as beautiful sea views, Busan has many culture-rich attractions. Visit Korean Buddhist temples with stunning sea views, such as Haedong Yonggung Temple, and enjoy the unique art of Gamcheon Culture Village with its multicolored houses.

You can just tell us your preferences and requirements, and we will customize a tour for you.

3) Gyeongju — Ancient Capital with a Long History

Gyeongju, the ancient and medieval capital of South Korea , has a rich history that spans thousands of years and has well-preserved ancient buildings. There, you could explore some UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Bulguksa Temple, which has stood for over a millennium, and Yangdong Folk Village, which is home to the largest hanok village in Korea with Joseon Dynasty (1392–1897) buildings.

4) Jeju Island — Formed by Volcanic Activity and Suitable for Relaxation

Known all over the country for its picturesque natural views, Jeju Island is one of the most popular destinations for travelers to escape from the country's larger cities and relax for a few days.

Jeju Island was formed by volcanic activity, resulting in various natural landscapes, such as the Manjanggul lava tube, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

You could enjoy exciting sea outdoor sports, such as surfing, deep diving, and snorkeling. Additionally, you could relax by basking in the wonderful sunrise or sunset on the sandy beaches.

Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family 's best-rated service across trusted platforms.

Best Times to Visit South Korea

South Korea has four distinct seasons and it's suitable to visit all year round.

The best times to travel to South Korea are in spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) , when you could enjoy pleasant weather, clearer days, and the best scenery. In spring, you could admire the blooming cherry blossoms and in autumn, you could view the vibrant red foliage.

Summer (June to August) is hot and humid in South Korea, and it is the rainy season as well. But it does not rain every day and you could still enjoy a flexibly planned trip. Compared with July and August (the summer vacation months), June is cooler and less crowded, which makes it a better time for families to visit South Korea.

Winter (December to February) is cold and dry in South Korea, making it a good time to bathe in the hot springs. Christmas and New Year are two of the busiest periods to travel so we suggest that you plan ahead at least 3–6 months in advance as hotels are easily booked up.

Just contact us  if you are thinking of a trip to South Korea. We'd like to create a wonderful trip based on your needs and interests, whatever the weather.

How Many Days to Spend in South Korea

For a first trip to South Korea, we recommend a 10-day trip to explore the highlights in the top cities from north to south covering Seoul, Busan, Gyeongju, and Jeju Island.

Below are three well-selected South Korea itineraries ideal for vacations of three popular lengths (7, 10, and 14 days), each offering authentic activities to enrich your trip.

1) 7-Day Essence Itinerary: Explore Seoul and Busan

Here is the handpicked itinerary, for inspiration:

• Days 1–4: Seoul
• Days 5–7: Busan

7 days are enough to explore South Korea's top two cities of Seoul and Busan. You could wear a traditional hanbok to stroll around culturally-rich Bukchon Hanok Village and stay at a traditional Hanok hotel in Seoul, take a day trip to explore well-preserved UNESCO sites in Gyeongju, and relax with the sea breeze in Busan.

2) 10-Day Classic Itinerary: the Most Chosen Korea Tour Plan

• Days 1–3: Seoul
• Days 4–5: Gyeongju
• Days 6–7: Busan
• Days 8–9: Jeju Island
• Day 10: Departure

This 10-day itinerary is based on the 7-day itinerary with the addition of Jeju Island. It's perfect for first-timers to explore the best of South Korea without rushing and to enjoy its natural beauty.

On Jeju Island, you could explore unique volcanic landscapes, enjoy sunrise or sunset on a sandy beach, and enjoy some free time doing outdoor activities such as snorkeling and surfing.

3) 14-Day South Korea and Japan Itinerary

14 days is ideal for a trip to both South Korea and the neighboring country of Japan, spending 1 week in each country. Not only could you immerse yourself in Korean culture, but also you could experience kid-favored anime elements, stay at a ryokan with an onsen, and watch a geisha performance in Japan.

• Days 4–5: Busan
• Day 6: Fly to Osaka in Japan
• Days 7–9: Kyoto
• Days 10–11: Hakone
• Days 12–14: Tokyo

Week 1 in South Korea: Seoul–Busan

Start your wonderful trip in South Korea. Experience traditional activities in Seoul, such as trying on a hanbok to meander around Bukchon Hanok Village, and relax on a sandy beach and feed some seagulls in Busan.

Week 2 in Japan: Osaka–Kyoto–Hakone–Tokyo

Fly to Osaka to continue your trip in Japan. In the impressive medieval capital of Kyoto , you could dress up like a ninja to learn techniques from a ninja master, wear a kimono to visit the famous Fushimi Inari Shrine, and feed friendly deer in Nara.

Take the Shinkansen to Hakone , the well-known home to hot springs, and stay at a Japanese-style ryokan with an onsen.

In Tokyo, the capital city perfectly combines history and modernity. You could meander around the Asakusa district with its Edo-era vibe, make sushi with an experienced chef, and buy your favorite anime products at Pokémon Center.

Check more details about plan a 12-Day or 2 Week Itinerary in South Korea and Japan.

How Much Does a Trip to South Korea Cost?

The private tour cost in South Korea is about US$400–500 per day per person based on a family of 3–5 people , including 4-star hotels, a full-day itinerary, tickets for attractions, private cars, and private guides.

Travel costs are typically one or two times higher in peak times such as the cherry blossom season in March to April, Christmas, and New Year. Therefore, we recommend that you plan your trip at least 3–6 months in advance.

How to Get To and Around South Korea

Most flights from international starting points, such as North America, Europe, and Australia, land at Incheon International Airport in Seoul or Gimhae International Airport in Busan . These airports are conveniently close to their corresponding cities and are international hubs for some of South Korea's leading airlines.

Most cities in South Korea are conveniently connected by the KTX (South Korea's high-speed railway) , which is the most comfortable and efficient way of traveling. For instance, the journey from Seoul to Busan takes approximately 2½ hours.

Get Inspired with Some Popular Itineraries

At Asia Highlights, we create your kind of journey — your dates, your destinations, at your pace. You can have any trip tailor made for your travel.

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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.

🏨  Here are the top hotels in Central Seoul

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.

🏨  Here are the top hotels in Itaewon

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.

🏨  Here are the top hotels in Hongdae

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 . Use my code  ROSEAN3468  for $3 USD off your first esim.

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.

Top 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 guided group tour for Gyeongbokgung Palace

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

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

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.