South Korea travel guide

Getting there

Most travellers arrive at Incheon International Airport near Seoul, with further international flights to Gimpo, Busan's Gimhae and Jeju; ferries also link Busan with Japan.

Best time to visit: Apr–May and Sep–Nov – cherry blossoms in spring, bright autumn leaves in fall.

Tougher months: Late June to August – the hot, humid monsoon season (jangma) brings heavy rain; January can be bitterly cold.

Weather by month in Seoul

• 2°J
• 5°F
• 11°M●
• 18°A●
• 24°M●
• 28°J●●
• 29°J●●●
• 30°A●●●
• 26°S●●
• 20°O●
• 12°N●
• 4°D

Average daytime highs in °C; dots show how rainy the month is (one dot dry, three dots wet).

Time zone: Asia/Seoul. Compare with your local time.

Visas: in our passport dataset, 62 of 198 other passports can enter South Korea without arranging a visa first (visa-free or visa on arrival), 136 need an e-visa or electronic authorisation, and 0 need a visa in advance. Check your passport.

Background: Visa policy of South Korea (Wikipedia).

Official advisory: Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions (U.S. Department of State, updated 2025-05-28). Read the advisory.

Source and more: South Korea travel facts on RoamSun

Stay

Most trips to South Korea are based around Seoul, Busan or Gyeongju. Pick a base for your main interest, then add day trips rather than moving hotels every night.

Typical daily budget: about US$50–75 for a backpacker and US$130–220 mid-range, per person.

Source: RoamSun South Korea page · Browse hotel guides

Connect

Plug types: C, F. Voltage: 220 V. Check your own devices on the plug and currency checker.

Calling code: +82.

Mobile data: read the travel eSIM setup guide before you fly so the plan is installed and ready on landing.

Source: Advinne eSIM guide · RoamSun

Do

• Seoul (Capital Area · megacity): Royal palaces, hanok alleys, futuristic design and non-stop food and nightlife in one dynamic capital.
• Busan (Southeast · coastal city): Korea's second city combines beaches, hillside villages, seafood markets and seaside temples.
• Gyeongju (North Gyeongsang · ancient capital): The former Silla capital is packed with UNESCO-listed temples, tombs and relics.
• Jeju Island (South · volcanic island): Lava tubes, waterfalls, coastal trails and Hallasan make Jeju Korea's favourite getaway.
• Seoraksan National Park (Gangwon · mountains): Jagged granite peaks, waterfalls and blazing autumn colours near the east coast.
• Jeonju (North Jeolla · hanok village & food): A traditional hanok village and the birthplace of bibimbap, with a renowned food culture.
• Andong (North Gyeongsang · folk heritage): Home to Hahoe Folk Village, a UNESCO-listed clan village with mask-dance traditions.
• DMZ (Gyeonggi · border area): Observatories and tunnels along the demilitarised zone, visited only on organised tours.

Things to do

• Wear hanbok at Gyeongbokgung. Rent traditional dress and stroll the grandest of Seoul's Joseon palaces as the guards change.
• Eat at Gwangjang Market. Perch on a stool for bindaetteok pancakes, gimbap and spicy tteokbokki in Seoul's oldest market.
• Stay in a temple. Join monks for dawn chanting, meditation and vegetarian meals on a temple stay programme.
• Hike Bukhansan. Scramble up granite peaks within the city limits for sweeping views over Seoul.
• Explore Gyeongju. Cycle between grassy royal tombs, Bulguksa Temple and the Seokguram Grotto in the 'museum without walls'.
• Climb Hallasan on Jeju. Trek to the crater rim of South Korea's highest peak on its volcanic holiday island.
• Visit the DMZ. Join an organised tour to the border area for a sobering look at the divided peninsula.
• Soak in a jjimjilbang. Spend an evening in a Korean bathhouse with hot pools, saunas and heated floors.

Source: full South Korea guide on RoamSun

Eat and drink

• Bibimbap – rice bowl with vegetables, egg and chilli paste
• Samgyeopsal – pork belly grilled at the table
• Kimchi – spicy fermented cabbage served with every meal
• Tteokbokki – chewy rice cakes in sweet-spicy sauce

Source: RoamSun South Korea guide

Talk

Twenty basic Korean phrases with a simple sound guide. Say them slowly; a smile does the rest.

Basic phrases: pronunciation is approximate and the list has not yet been reviewed by a native speaker. Capital letters mark the stressed syllable where that applies. Spot a mistake? Tell us.

Money and safety

Currency: South Korean won (KRW). Currency and plug checker.

Tipping: Not expected or customary..

Emergency numbers: 112 police · 119 fire & ambulance.

• Cards and mobile payments are accepted almost everywhere, though some market stalls prefer cash.
• Look for global ATMs at convenience stores and banks, as not all machines accept foreign cards.
• South Korea has very low crime, and it is safe to walk around at night in cities.
• Take care crossing roads – drivers and scooters do not always yield, even at crossings.

Source: RoamSun South Korea facts