South Korea Travel Guide

K-pop, palaces, street food, and the world's fastest internet

Capital Seoul
Population 51.7 million
Currency Korean Won (₩)
Language Korean
Time Zone KST (UTC+9)
Visa Information

Some nationalities require a K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorisation) before arriving. Apply at k-eta.go.kr, costs around KRW 10,000 (around USD $12), takes 72 hours, valid for 2 years with multiple entries. Allows up to 90 days per visit.

Best Time to Visit

Spring Mar – May

Best time to visit. Cherry blossoms (late March – April) transform Seoul and Jeju Island. Mild and sunny. Gyeongbokgung Palace in spring is striking.

Summer Jun – Aug

Hot and humid with a monsoon season in July. Beach resorts on the south coast and Jeju are busy. Boryeong Mud Festival (July) is a major event.

Autumn Sep – Nov

Second best season. Vivid autumn foliage from October, crisp and clear weather. Seoraksan National Park in autumn is impressive. Fewer tourists than spring.

Winter Dec – Feb

Very cold in Seoul (-10°C possible). Ski resorts (Pyeongchang, Yongpyong) are popular. Jeju Island is milder. Streets are quieter, great for experiencing local culture.

Top Things to Do

Culture

Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul

The largest of Seoul's five grand palaces, built in 1395. Watch the changing of the guard ceremony hourly. The National Folk Museum inside is free. Wear hanbok for free entry.

Food

Myeongdong & Street Food

Seoul's busiest shopping and street food district. Tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), Korean fried chicken, tornado potato, and corn dogs at every stall. good for a a lot to take in.

Culture

Bukchon Hanok Village

A preserved neighbourhood of 600-year-old traditional Korean houses (hanok) on a hillside between two palaces. Best at dawn before the tourist crowds. Rent a hanbok for photos.

Nature

Jeju Island

South Korea's volcanic island paradise. Hallasan volcano, dramatic lava tube caves, black sand beaches, and a UNESCO triple crown. 1-hour flight from Seoul.

Culture

DMZ (Demilitarized Zone)

A guided tour of the border between North and South Korea. The Joint Security Area at Panmunjom, the Third Infiltration Tunnel, and the eerily empty Dora Observatory are sobering and interesting.

Nature

Seoraksan National Park

Dramatic granite peaks, Buddhist temples, and ancient forest. One of Korea's most beautiful national parks, impressive in autumn foliage season (Oct). Cable car to the peak.

Food

Korean BBQ & Chimaek

Grilling meat at your table is a national institution. Sam-gyeopsal (pork belly), galbi (short ribs), and bulgogi wrapped in perilla leaves. Finish with chimaek, fried chicken and beer.

Culture

N Seoul Tower & Namsan Park

Seoul's iconic tower atop Namsan Mountain. Observation deck with 360° city views. The Locks of Love terrace. Accessible by cable car or a 20-minute hike through the forest.

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Staying Connected in South Korea

Networks

SK Telecom, KT (Korea Telecom), LG U+

Speed

World-leading 5G coverage nationwide. 4G LTE everywhere else. South Korea has some of the world's fastest mobile internet speeds.

Airport WiFi

Free, very fast WiFi at Incheon and Gimpo airports. No registration needed. Incheon is consistently voted Asia's best airport.

Apps That Need Data

Naver Maps (more accurate than Google in Korea)Kakao T (taxis)Papago (translation)KakaoTalk (messaging)Coupang Eats (food delivery)Korail (trains)

Travel Tips

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Useful Links

Did You Know?

South Korea has the world's fastest average internet speed and highest smartphone penetration rate, nearly 95% of the population owns one.
South Koreans are collectively one year older than the rest of the world, they count age from conception, not birth.
Seoul's subway system is one of the world's largest and carries more passengers daily than New York and London's systems combined.

Frequently Asked Questions

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