South Korea Travel Guide
April–June and September–early November are mild and clear. July–August is hot with monsoon rain; January is cold and dry.
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South Korea at a glance
Best time to visit South Korea
April–June and September–early November are mild and clear. July–August is hot with monsoon rain; January is cold and dry.
Peak: Cherry blossom (early April), autumn foliage (late October), Seollal and Chuseok — transport books out and small shops close.
Shoulder season: Late May–June and mid-September: comfortable temperatures and far shorter queues.
Visa and entry
K-ETA required for most visa-free nations. Apply online at k-eta.go.kr before departure.
Entry rules depend on your nationality and change frequently. Always confirm with an official embassy or consulate source before booking.
Money and tipping
South Korea uses the KRW (₩).
Not expected. Some upscale Western-style hotels add a service charge; elsewhere, keep the change.
Getting around
A T-money card covers subway, bus and many taxis. Seoul's base subway fare is roughly ₩1,400, with free bus↔subway transfers inside 30 minutes.
When a pass pays off: Free transfers mean pay-as-you-go with T-money usually beats any pass; a Discover Seoul Pass only pays off if you do 3+ paid attractions in one day.
Local etiquette
Do
- Give and receive money, cards and gifts with two hands.
- Pour drinks for others rather than yourself, and turn slightly away when drinking with elders.
- Ask for banchan refills — the side dishes are free and refilling is normal.
Avoid
- Don't tip — service is included and it is usually declined.
- Don't start eating before the oldest person at the table.
- Don't write someone's name in red ink.
Common scams and tourist traps
- Airport taxis occasionally take the long route — the AREX train or an app like Kakao T with an upfront fare avoids it.
- “Juice bar” and “booking club” touts in Itaewon and Hongdae can produce very large bills; ask for the price list before sitting.
Health
Routine immunizations are typically sufficient for South Korea, with no special vaccinations required for most travelers. This is general information, not medical advice — consult a doctor or travel clinic before your trip.
When locals eat
Meal windows shift by country, and eating on the local clock is the difference between a full restaurant and a closed kitchen.
| Meal | Early riser | Typical | Night owl |
|---|---|---|---|
| breakfast | 7:00 AM | 7:30 AM | 9:30 AM |
| lunch | 11:30 AM | 12:00 PM | 1:30 PM |
| dinner | 6:00 PM | 7:00 PM | 9:00 PM |
Useful Korean phrases
Subway and main signage is bilingual; English is common with younger people in Seoul, much less so elsewhere.
- Hello
- 안녕하세요(an-nyeong-ha-se-yo)
- Thank you
- 감사합니다(gam-sa-ham-ni-da)
- Excuse me (to get attention)
- 저기요(jeo-gi-yo)
- How much is this?
- 얼마예요?(eol-ma-ye-yo)
Staying connected
eSIM providers that cover South Korea: Airalo, KT Roaming, Ubigi. Buying an eSIM before you fly avoids airport queues and roaming charges.
South Korea travel FAQ
- When is the best time to visit South Korea?
- April–June and September–early November are mild and clear. July–August is hot with monsoon rain; January is cold and dry.
- Do I need a visa to visit South Korea?
- K-ETA required for most visa-free nations. Apply online at k-eta.go.kr before departure. Entry rules depend on your nationality and change often — confirm with an official consulate or embassy source before booking.
- Do you tip in South Korea?
- Not expected. Some upscale Western-style hotels add a service charge; elsewhere, keep the change.
- What currency is used in South Korea?
- South Korea uses the KRW (₩).
- What power plug and voltage does South Korea use?
- South Korea uses Type C and Type F sockets at 220V / 60 Hz. Check your device's rated input before travelling; most modern laptop and phone chargers handle both 110V and 220V.
- What is the emergency number in South Korea?
- In South Korea, call 112 (police) / 119 (fire & ambulance).
- What time zone is South Korea in?
- South Korea is in the Asia/Seoul time zone (UTC+09:00).
- What language is spoken in South Korea?
- The main language is Korean. Subway and main signage is bilingual; English is common with younger people in Seoul, much less so elsewhere.
- Is public transport worth buying a pass for in South Korea?
- A T-money card covers subway, bus and many taxis. Seoul's base subway fare is roughly ₩1,400, with free bus↔subway transfers inside 30 minutes. Free transfers mean pay-as-you-go with T-money usually beats any pass; a Discover Seoul Pass only pays off if you do 3+ paid attractions in one day.
- What health precautions should I take in South Korea?
- Routine immunizations are typically sufficient for South Korea, with no special vaccinations required for most travelers. This is general information, not medical advice — consult a doctor or travel clinic before your trip.
Plan a South Korea trip around how you actually travel
Travaio builds a day-by-day plan from your travel style, with verified places, real opening hours, and local meal times already accounted for.
Plan my South Korea tripThis guide is general travel information, not legal, medical, or financial advice. Visa, health, and safety requirements change — verify anything time-sensitive with an official source before you travel.