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Eastern Asia

South KoreaTravel guide

Explore South Korea visa rules

South Korea is a country in East Asia, with Seoul as its capital. It combines historic palaces, mountain scenery and traditional villages with modern cities and Korean pop music.

Why go

  1. Explore Seoul's palaces, museums and traditional teahouses.

  2. Visit Busan for beaches and seafood.

  3. See volcanic landscapes, lava tubes and Hallasan mountain on Jeju Island.

  4. Discover royal burial sites and cultural treasures in Gyeongju.

  5. Walk through traditional villages near Andong or in Jeonju.

  6. Hike in mountain parks such as Bukhansan and Seoraksan.

Best time to go: Autumn, starting in September, brings comfortable weather and colourful leaves. Spring is also pleasant, but yellow dust storms can affect the air.

Getting there

By air

  • Incheon International Airport is the main international gateway, about an hour west of Seoul. Trains connect it with Seoul Station and Gimpo Airport, and direct buses serve many places around the country.
  • Gimpo Airport serves domestic routes and a small number of international routes in Northeast Asia. The all-stop airport train reaches it from Seoul Station in less than 30 minutes.
  • Busan's Gimhae International Airport has routes from East and Southeast Asia, Guam and Saipan. A light rail line connects the airport with Gimhae and West Busan.

By land

  • You cannot enter South Korea overland through North Korea. There are no cross-border train services.
  • Do not attempt to cross the border yourself. It is heavily guarded, and crossing could endanger you and soldiers on both sides.

By sea

  • Busan has ferries from Japan, including Fukuoka, Shimonoseki, Osaka and Tsushima.
  • Incheon has ferry connections with several Chinese cities, including Weihai, Dandong, Qingdao, Tianjin and Yantai.

Customs

  • Avoid bringing snacks containing poppy seeds. They may be confiscated under drug import laws.
  • Do not bring North Korean propaganda, including books, stamps or postcards. These may be confiscated, and you could face a fine or jail.
  • Travellers who have visited or passed through designated strict quarantine areas must submit the Q-CODE health declaration or a Health Declaration Form on arrival. The source lists South Sudan, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Getting around

  • Trains

    Korail connects major cities, and Korea Train eXpress, usually called KTX, runs high-speed services. Super Rapid Train, or SRT, also serves the main Seoul–Busan and Seoul–Mokpo routes. Buy tickets at station counters or multilingual machines that accept cash and credit cards. Station staff usually speak basic English. Book at least a day ahead for weekend trips. Trains from busy stations such as Seoul and Busan can sell out. Slower Mugunghwa trains cost less than high-speed trains. Smoking is banned on trains and at stations, including outdoor platforms.

  • Subways

    Subways serve Seoul, Busan, Daejeon, Daegu, Gwangju and Incheon. Seoul's commuter trains connect smoothly with its subway system. Train stations generally have signs in Korean and English.

  • Buses

    Buses connect all cities and towns and are generally economical. Express and intercity buses may leave from different terminals in larger cities. Have your destination written in hangul, the Korean alphabet. Drivers and terminal staff may speak little English. Wear the seat belt when one is provided. Buses have no toilets, and trips under two hours may have no rest stop. For more space, look for udeung buses, which have three seats across instead of four. These usually cost about 50% more.

  • Domestic flights

    Flying is especially useful for reaching Jeju Island. For mainland journeys, fast trains often make flying less useful. Domestic routes are served by Korean Air and several low-cost airlines.

What to see and do

  • Seoul

    Visit Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung palaces, the National Museum of Korea and traditional teahouses in Insadong.

  • Busan

    South Korea's second city is known for beaches, seafood restaurants and festivals. Haeundae is its most famous beach.

  • Jeju Island

    This volcanic island has lava tubes, Seongsan Ilchubong and Hallasan, South Korea's highest mountain.

  • Gyeongju

    The former capital has royal burial sites and World Heritage cultural sites.

  • Traditional villages

    Hahoe near Andong, Yangdong, the Korean Folk Village in Yongin and Hanok Village in Jeonju offer a look at Korean traditions.

  • Boseong tea fields

    The green tea fields offer peaceful scenery.

Food and drink

  • A Korean meal and banchan

    Meals usually centre on rice, soup and fish or meat. Small side dishes called banchan often include vegetables and dried fish.

  • Kimchi

    Fermented vegetables, often cabbage with chilli, accompany nearly every meal. The heat ranges from mild to very spicy.

  • Doenjang and gochujang

    Doenjang is fermented soybean paste. Gochujang is spicy chilli paste.

  • Dakgalbi

    This is a regional speciality of Chuncheon.

  • Korean fried chicken

    Chains include Kyochon, Puradak, Chicken Bus and Kkanbu Chicken.

  • Jajangmyeon and tangsuyuk

    Jajangmyeon is noodles with a thick brown sauce. It is often paired with tangsuyuk, sweet-and-sour pork.

Money

South Korean won, written ₩ or 원; currency code KRW.

  • Banknotes come in ₩1,000, ₩5,000, ₩10,000 and ₩50,000 values. A ₩50,000 note may be difficult to use for purchases below ₩10,000.
  • Common coins are ₩10, ₩50, ₩100 and ₩500.
  • Some menus and price tags show prices in thousands of won. A price of 3.5 means ₩3,500.
  • Bargaining is common at outdoor markets. Ask for a lower price once or twice rather than naming a specific amount.

Tipping: Tipping is not expected. Many hotels and a few tourist restaurants add a 10% service charge.

Typical costs

  • A careful traveller eating, staying and travelling in the local style can manage on under ₩60,000 a day.
  • Top-class hotels and Western food can cost more than ₩200,000 a day.
  • Seoul accommodation typically costs about twice as much as accommodation elsewhere in the country.
  • Seoul–Busan standard high-speed train travel costs ₩59,800 in the source's Monday–Thursday fare table. Small extra charges apply from Friday to Sunday.
  • The slower Mugunghwa train from Seoul to Busan costs ₩28,600 in the same fare table.
  • Small rental cars start at ₩54,400 a day when rented for a week.

Language

  • Korean is the main spoken language, and standard Korean is understood almost everywhere.
  • Korean Sign Language is an official language.
  • Basic English is used in many tourist shops and restaurants, but detailed conversations can be difficult.
  • Some tourist-area shopkeepers speak Japanese, Mandarin or Cantonese.
싸게 주세요 — ssage juseyo
Cheaper, please.
약 — yak
Medicine; look for this word on pharmacies.
주스 — juseu
Juice.
커피 — keopi
Coffee.

Staying safe

  • South Korea has low crime rates and is generally safe for women walking alone at night.
  • Avoid drunken arguments or fights in bars and nightclubs.
  • Leave other people's belongings alone, even if they seem unattended. Picking up a lost item can be treated as theft.
  • Police stations are found in every district, often near subway entrances and bus stops. Interpreters can help when officers do not speak English.

Local customs

Do

  • Use a person's full name followed by -ssi unless they suggest another form of address.
  • Ask how to address someone if you are unsure. Job titles are often preferred in business settings.
  • Wrap a hanbok, the traditional Korean garment, left over right.
  • Try English before Japanese when speaking with local people.

Don't

  • Do not use only a person's given name unless they are a close friend or a young child.
  • Do not address someone by their family name alone in Korean; this can sound disrespectful.
  • Do not wrap a hanbok right over left. That arrangement is used when dressing the dead.
  • Do not assume a tip is expected. Tipping is not part of normal local practice.

Staying healthy

  • Tap water is safe to drink. Some people boil or filter it to remove the chlorine smell.
  • Mountain spring water is untreated and may be unsafe. Use a translation app to read Korean water-testing notices or warnings.
  • Seek help promptly if you are seriously ill. Hospitals may refuse emergency admissions, so finding a hospital that can accept you can take time.
  • Most doctors can communicate in English, but nurses may speak little English. Ask doctors to slow down if needed.

Phone and internet

  • Naver Map and KakaoMap offer English searches and directions on mobile phones.
  • Both map apps require a login to save places.
  • Their desktop websites are in Korean only.

Where to stay

  • Accommodation is available across many price ranges. Seoul prices are typically about twice those elsewhere in the country.
  • Some higher-end hotels offer Western-style and Korean-style rooms.
  • Korean-style rooms use ondol floor heating and mattresses laid on the floor instead of beds.
  • Some jjimjilbang public baths and saunas allow cheap overnight stays. Weekends can be very busy with families.

Trips to South Korea

Day-by-day itineraries by snuck, shaped around you.

5 nights
Seoul at Your Own PaceSeoulSuwonFrom, per person~US$1,540
 8 nights
Korea, Palaces to the CoastSeoulGyeongjuBusanFrom, per person~US$2,500
 9 nights
Seoul and Jeju for TwoSeoulJeju Island — JungmunFrom, per person~US$2,930

Outdoor adventures in South Korea

South Korea has mountain hikes, winter skiing, surfing and popular beaches. Spring and autumn are the best seasons for hiking, while winter suits skiing and hot springs. Many mountain areas have trails, maps and places to stay.

  • Seoraksan National Park

    HikeGangwon

    1–3 days Spring and autumn

    Follow the hiking trails using English signs and maps. Mountain huts are available, and most are heated.

    • Spring dust storms can make the air difficult to breathe.
    • Mountain spring water is untreated and may be unsafe.

  • Hallasan

    HikeJeju

    1–3 days Spring and autumn

    Hike on Jeju Island using the English signs and maps described for these mountain routes.

    • Mountain spring water is untreated and may be unsafe.

  • Jirisan

    Hike

    1–3 days Spring and autumn

    Use the hiking trails, English signs and maps. Mountain huts are available, and most are heated.

    • Keep well away from wild boars, especially mothers with piglets.
    • Mountain spring water is untreated and may be unsafe.

  • Bukhansan National Park

    HikeSeoulnear Seoul

    Spring and autumn

    Use public transport to reach the mountains north of Seoul, then follow a hiking course towards Bukhansanseong Fortress.

  • Haeundae Beach

    BeacheBusannear Busan

    Summer

    Visit Haeundae Beach in Busan.

  • Songjeong Beach

    BeacheBusannear Busan

    Visit Songjeong Beach in Busan.

  • Busan winter surfing

    SurfingBusannear Busan

    Winter

    Surf in Busan; no specific beach or operator is identified.

  • Pohang winter surfing

    Surfingnear Pohang

    Winter

    Surf in Pohang; no specific beach or operator is identified.

  • Gangchon Ski Resort

    SkiingGangwonnear Chuncheon

    Winter

    Take the free shuttle from Chuncheon. The resort is about a 30-minute drive from downtown.

    • January and February can be bitterly cold.

  • Nami Island cycling

    CyclingChuncheon area

    Bike hire for 30 minutes or more

    Take a train to Gapyeong Station. Continue to the dock by bus in about 15 minutes or taxi in 5–10 minutes. The boat crossing takes less than 10 minutes. Hire a bicycle or tandem on the island.

  • Geumjeong Fortress route

    HikeNorth Busannear Busan

    3–4 hours Spring and autumn

    At the top of the mountain, head towards the South Gate, called Nammun. Continue through the North Gate, called Bukmun, then descend to Beomeosa Temple.

    • Research the route before setting out; Busan's hiking trails are not always well marked.

  • Seokbulsa temple hike

    HikeNorth Busannear Busan

    About 90 minutes from the cable car station Spring and autumn

    Hike from the cable car station to Seokbulsa temple.

    • Research the route before setting out; Busan's hiking trails are not always well marked.

  • Jangsan Mountain

    HikeHaeundae, Busannear Busan

    A day Spring and autumn

    Hike Jangsan Mountain in Haeundae.

    • Military bases and minefields near the summit are marked and fenced off.
    • Research the route before setting out; Busan's hiking trails are not always well marked.

  • Jungdo Island cycling and hiking

    CyclingChuncheonnear Chuncheon

    A day trip

    Take the ferry, which runs every half hour. Rent a bicycle for the paved trail around one side of the island, or explore on foot.

    • Cost: Adult ferry fare: ₩5,500. Bike hire: approximately ₩10,000 per hour.

  • Cheongpyeong-sa temple walk

    HikeChuncheonnear Chuncheon

    Spring and autumn

    Take a taxi from Chuncheon's central station to Soyang Dam, about 30 minutes away. Take the ferry, then walk up through the wooded valley to the temple.

    • Cost: Including the ferry: adults and youth ₩5,000; children ₩3,000.

  • Bong Ui Mountain

    HikeChuncheonnear Chuncheon

    Spring and autumn

    Head north of downtown Chuncheon's Myongdong area, just south of the Soyang River. Trails reach the summit from all sides.

  • Gangchon cycling

    CyclingChuncheon areanear Chuncheon

    Reach Gangchon by train from Seoul; the journey is described as taking about 40 minutes. Use Gangchon as a base for cycling.

  • Yuseong Hot Springs and Foot Spa

    Hot springYuseong-gu, Daejeonnear Daejeon

    Winter; the foot spa also suits summer

    Visit the hot springs in Bongmyeong-dong. For the foot spa, leave Yuseong Spa subway station towards the main junction to the north. Turn east and follow the grassy central strip for about 500 m.

    • The foot spa water is hot, with temperatures varying along its length.

  • Palgongsan and Gatbawi

    HikeDaegu areanear Daegu

    Spring and autumn

    For Palgongsan, take Express Bus 1 from Ayanggyo Station Exit 2. For Gatbawi, take a bus from downtown Daegu towards Palgongsan or Gatbawi, then hike from the nearest stop.

  • Gyeryongsan National Park from Donghak-sa

    HikeGongjunear Gongju

    Spring and autumn

    Take bus 107 from Daejeon Korail station. A faster option is to take the subway to National Cemetery station and board bus 107 beside the exit. Start your hike at the tourist information booth near Donghak-sa.

    • Cost: Donghak-sa entry: ₩2,000.

  • Mount Bomunsan trails

    HikeDaejeonnear Daejeon

    Year-round

    Use one of the mountain's access points. The most popular approach is through Bomunsan Park junction.

  • Sikjangsan Mountain Forest

    HikeDaejeonnear Daejeon

    Year-round

    Explore the walking trails in Sikjangsan Mountain Forest in Daesung-dong.

  • Mount Gubongsan

    HikeDaejeonnear Daejeon

    Year-round

    Use the walking trails on Mount Gubongsan in Kwanjeo-dong.

  • Mount Jangtaesan forest trails

    HikeDaejeonnear Daejeon

    Explore the forest trails at Mount Jangtaesan in Jangan-dong.

  • Mount Gyejoksan cycling and walking trails

    CyclingDaejeonnear Daejeon

    Year-round

    Use the cycling and walking trails at Mount Gyejoksan in Hyopyeong-dong.

Airports, metros and trains in South Korea

Airports with scheduled flights

  • CJJCheongju International AirportCheongjuMain international airport
  • TAEDaegu International AirportDaeguMain international airport
  • PUSGimhae International AirportBusanMain international airport
  • ICNIncheon International AirportSeoulMain international airport
  • CJUJeju International AirportJeju CityMain international airport
  • MWXMuan International AirportMuan (Piseo-ri)Main international airport

Metro and subway

  • BusanBusan Metro125 stations139.1 kmsince 1985
  • DaeguDaegu Metro91 stations82.9 kmsince 1997
  • DaejeonDaejeon Metro22 stations22.6 kmsince 2006
  • GimpoGimpo Goldline10 stations23.67 kmsince 2019
  • GwangjuGwangju Metro20 stations20.1 kmsince 2004
  • IncheonIncheon Subway68 stations80.5 kmsince 1999
  • SeoulSeoul Metropolitan Subway338 stations358.46 kmsince 1974
  • SeoulShinbundang Line (Neo Trans)16 stations33.4 kmsince 2011

Trains

Rail network
4,837 km
Electrified
3,787 km
High-speed lines
1,548.7 km
Top speed
305 km/h

People and safety in South Korea

Religion

No single faith is a majority. Very mixed.

  • No religion46%
  • Christian29%
  • Buddhist23%
  • Folk religions<1%

LGBT+ travellers

Legal in law, risky in places

  • Same-sex marriage is not recognised.
  • Legal gender change is recognised.

Check your own government's travel advice before you go, and be careful with public displays of affection and dating apps.

Women travellers

Ranked #37 of 181 countries for women's safety, inclusion and justice.

72% of women say they feel safe walking alone at night where they live.

Who can visit without a visa

Travellers from 110 of 198 countries can visit South Korea easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Visa not required44
  • eTA required66
  • eVisa3
  • Visa required85

Who can visit easily, by part of the world

For each part of the world: how many countries' travellers can come easily. Easy means no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Americas32 of 35 countries
  • Europe41 of 46 countries
  • Oceania12 of 14 countries
  • Asia17 of 49 countries
  • Africa8 of 54 countries

Questions

When is the best time to visit South Korea?

Autumn, starting in September, has comfortable temperatures and colourful leaves. Spring is also pleasant, but dust storms can affect the air.

Can I manage without speaking Korean?

Basic English is used in many tourist shops and restaurants, but detailed questions can be difficult. Learning to read hangul, the Korean alphabet, helps with signs and menus.

How do I get from Incheon Airport to Seoul?

Airport trains run to Seoul Station, taking 43 minutes on the express or 56 minutes on the all-stop service. Buses also leave from outside the international arrivals hall.

Can I buy train tickets without booking online?

Yes, station counters and multilingual ticket machines sell tickets. Machines accept cash and credit cards, and station staff usually speak basic English.

Which map app should I use?

Use Naver Map or KakaoMap for English searches and directions. The source says Google Maps does not provide walking or driving directions.

Do I need to tip?

No, tipping is not expected. Many hotels and a few tourist restaurants add a 10% service charge.

Is all Korean food spicy?

No, even kimchi ranges from mild to very spicy. Meals usually include rice, soup and several small side dishes.

Can I drink tap water?

Yes, tap water is safe to drink. Untreated mountain spring water may be unsafe.

What is a Korean-style hotel room?

It usually has ondol floor heating and a mattress laid on the floor instead of a bed. Furniture is often low, and guests sit on the floor.

Who should I call in an emergency?

Call 112 for police or 119 for fire and ambulance services. Emergency-service English interpreters are available 24 hours a day.

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