South Korea, South Korea - Travel Guide

South Korea blends ancient traditions with hyper-modernity, offering bustling cities, serene temples, beautiful national parks, and a vibrant pop culture scene. Its delicious cuisine and friendly people make it a truly unique travel destination.

Quick Facts

Recommended Stay7 days

Budget$50/day

Mid-range$100/day

Luxury$500/day

Known For

Republic of KoreaSeoulBusanJeju IslandEast Asia

🇰🇷 Country Information: South Korea

CapitalSeoul

CurrencyWon (₩)

Language Korean , English (limited), Chinese (limited), Japanese (limited)

Phone Code+82

Electricity220V (Type C, F)

Tap WaterSafe to drink

Tipping

Tipping is generally not expected in South Korea, including at restaurants, taxis, or hotels
Service charges are usually included in prices
Tipping may be seen as rude or confusing, as it is not part of the local culture

Money & Payments

ATMs are widely available
Credit cards are widely accepted, especially in urban areas; some smaller businesses may prefer cash
Bringing some cash is advisable for smaller shops or rural areas
No black market for cash

Cultural Norms

Bowing is a common greeting and sign of respect; deeper bows indicate more respect
Remove shoes when entering homes, temples, and some restaurants
It is considered rude to blow your nose loudly in public
Use both hands when giving or receiving objects, especially money or business cards, as a sign of respect
Elders are highly respected, and it is customary to show deference to them
Avoid writing a person's name in red ink, as it is associated with death

LGBTQ+ Information

Exercise caution. While LGBTQ+ individuals are not explicitly protected by anti-discrimination laws, public perception is slowly improving. Same-sex marriage is not recognized.

Alcohol & Drug Laws

Legal drinking age is 19 (Korean age, which can be 18 by international age)
Drug laws are very strict, even for small amounts and for foreign nationals
Penalties are severe

Special Laws

It is illegal to smoke in most public indoor spaces, including restaurants and cafes
Jaywalking is illegal and can result in fines
Public displays of affection are generally frowned upon
Do not bring durian into public transportation or hotels due to its strong smell

Common Phrases

NoAniyo (ah-nee-yoh) 아니요

YesNe (neh) 네

HelloAnnyeonghaseyo (ahn-nyuhng-hah-say-yoh) 안녕하세요

Excuse meJoesonghamnida (joh-song-hahm-nee-dah) 죄송합니다

Thank youGamsahamnida (gahm-sah-hahm-nee-dah) 감사합니다

Climate

Generalized climate for South Korea, which has distinct regional variations (e.g., humid continental in the north, humid subtropical in the south, mountainous areas). This classification represents a broad overview.

Climate Zone: Continental Warm

Best Time to Visit

Hot/Monsoon Season: Jun
Sep
Cold Season: Dec
Mar

Getting There

Fly directly to Incheon International Airport (ICN) from major global cities (e
g
, flights from Los Angeles approx
12
14h, $800
1500; from London approx
11
12h, $700
1200)
KTX high
speed train connects major cities (e
g
, Seoul to Busan approx
2
5
3h, $50
60)
Extensive intercity bus network offers affordable travel to smaller towns

Getting Around

Seoul boasts an excellent subway system; T
Money card recommended
Kakao T (taxi, ride
hailing) and Naver Map are widely used
Buses are extensive and reliable
Taxis are abundant

Health & Vaccinations

Routine vaccinations recommended
No specific altitude sickness concerns
Probiotics can be useful for new diets
No malaria risk in populated areas

Staying Connected

eSIMs are widely available
KT, SK Telecom, and LG U+ are major network providers
Airalo, Nomad, and Holafly eSIMs work well

Local Cuisine

Kimchi Jjigae must_try

A classic Korean stew made with fermented kimchi, pork or seafood, tofu, and scallions, boiled in a rich anchovy broth. This hearty, spicy, and sour d

Tteokbokki street_food

Chewy cylindrical rice cakes simmered in a thick, sweet, and fiery red chili paste sauce called gochujang. Tteokbokki is one of Korea's most popular s

Bulgogi must_try

Thinly sliced, marinated beef that is grilled or stir-fried. The sweet and savory marinade typically includes soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and sugar

Hotteok snack

Sweet, flattened pancakes often sold by street vendors, especially in the winter. The dough is filled with a mixture of brown sugar, cinnamon, and som

Naengmyeon seasonal

A refreshing cold noodle dish, traditionally eaten during the summer but popular year-round. It features long, thin buckwheat noodles served in a tang

Book in Advance

Plan ahead for the best experience. Here's what to book before your trip:

🔴 Must Book in Advance

Accommodation (Hotels/Popular Stays) Accommodation

Book 2–4 months in advance, especially for high season

Booking early secures better rates and availability, especially for popular areas or during peak travel seasons.

DMZ Tours tour_or_activity

Book 2 weeks to 2 months in advance

DMZ tours have limited daily capacity and often require security checks, making early booking essential to secure a spot.

K-pop Concerts and Fan Events Attraction

Book as soon as tickets are released (often 3-6+ months in advance)

Tickets sell out instantly upon release due to extremely high global and local demand, often involving lotteries or complex booking processes.

🟡 Recommended to Book Ahead

High-Speed Rail (KTX) Tickets Transport

Book tickets up to 1 month in advance

Reserving in advance is recommended to ensure a seat on popular routes, especially during weekends and holidays.

High-Demand Fine Dining / Popular Restaurants Dining

Book 1 week to 1 month in advance

Popular or Michelin-starred restaurants often have limited seating and book out quickly, especially for dinner.

Fun Facts

1. Writing a person's name in red ink is a cultural taboo, as it traditionally symbolizes death and was used to record the names of the deceased.
2. The number four is considered unlucky because the word for 'four' (사) sounds similar to the word for 'death' in Korean; elevators in some buildings may label the fourth floor as 'F' or skip it entirely.
3. South Korea traditionally used an age system where everyone was considered one year old at birth and gained another year every New Year's Day, although the international system was officially adopted in June 2023.
4. South Korea has a "no tipping" culture, meaning tipping is generally not expected or required in restaurants and services.

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