South Korea Travel Guide - Travel Insights and Tips
Traveling to South Korea? Our detailed South Korea insights, blogs and travel tips will help you plan the best trip.
Whether your interest in visiting South Korea comes from history or the global impact of K-culture, it is a land that will fascinate you to no end. The country is brimming with rich culture, natural beauty, and amazing food. So, if you are curious, continue onwards with our South Korea travel guide. There are so many amazing things to do in South Korea, like trying traditional Korean food, cycling, and exploring vibrant Seoul. With a number of things to do in Seoul alone, including trying all the delicious street foods, you must be wondering how many days to spend in South Korea.
Depending on your itinerary and plans, you need to spend at least two weeks in South Korea. In terms of the best time to visit South Korea, April, May, September, and October are all amazing options. Read on and get planning your South Korea getaway!
Top Destinations in South Korea
Discover the highlights of South Korea.
Explore the Modern Metropolis of Seoul
With skyscrapers alongside the ancient and beautiful Jogyesa Temple and parks that offer tranquility and relaxation, Seoul is a perfect spot to begin or end your South Korea journey. Jump on this 12-day tour that brings you back to the capital after exploring the entire country. View Tours
Learn History in Gyeongju
South Korea has a storied past, from the demilitarized zone with North Korea to temples and tombs. On this 12-day tour, explore this wonderful city by bike. Go see Cheonmachong, an ancient royal tomb, and Cheomseongdae, East Asia’s oldest astronomical observatory. View Tours
Relax on a Beach in Jeju Island
Board a ferry to Jeju Island, filled with natural beauty and jaw-dropping hiking routes such as Seongsan Ilchulbong also known as Sunrise Peak. Join the all-female divers who will help you uncover the crystal waters and explore the traditional liquor making sites. Jeju is an island that you will never want to leave. View Tours
South Korea at a Glance
Quick facts about South Korea.
The capital city of South Korea is Seoul. Founded in 1384, this historic city is the melting pot between the old and the new. Discover high-tech buildings and architecture alongside traditional temples and parks.
100,210 square kilometers. South Korea is pretty easy to navigate with great bus, train, and ferry services.
+82. If you are calling Seoul add the area code 2 after the country code followed by the phone number. For Busan, the area code is 51.
South Korea uses the South Korean won. You can use your credit, debit, or prepayment card pretty much everywhere in South Korea. However, there will be international charges. You will also find ATMs at every bank.
The main airport in South Korea is Incheon International Airport. It is 48.3 kilometers away from Seoul and is served by a whole host of international airlines. CODE: ICN CLOSEST CITY: SEOUL
If you are visiting South Korea as a US citizen, you either need a valid visa or approved Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA). You can fill these out online before you travel. If you are a British national, you can visit South Korea for up to 90 days without a visa, but you need to have an onward ticket. As always, check the travel advisories or visit the nearest embassy and consulate to find out about visa requirements.
The official language of South Korea is Korean. However, Mandarin, Japanese, and English are widely understood, especially in larger cities and tourist hotspots.
The local emergency contact number in South Korea is 112, and that gets you through to the police, fire, and ambulance services.
Koreans are the largest drinkers in Asia. So, if you are looking to party or let your hair down while you are in South Korea, you will feel right at home here. Try all the local liquors and beers during your trip.
When to visit South Korea
Read the below travel guides to find the best time to visit South Korea.
- Jan Avg Daily: 1 ° C Avg Nightly: -9 ° C
- Feb Avg Daily: 4 ° C Avg Nightly: -7 ° C
- Mar Avg Daily: 9 ° C Avg Nightly: -2 ° C
- Apr Avg Daily: 17 ° C Avg Nightly: 5 ° C
- May Avg Daily: 22 ° C Avg Nightly: 11 ° C
- Jun Avg Daily: 26 ° C Avg Nightly: 16 ° C
- Jul Avg Daily: 27 ° C Avg Nightly: 20 ° C
- Aug Avg Daily: 28 ° C Avg Nightly: 20 ° C
- Sep Avg Daily: 24 ° C Avg Nightly: 14 ° C
- Oct Avg Daily: 18 ° C Avg Nightly: 7 ° C
- Nov Avg Daily: 10 ° C Avg Nightly: -1 ° C
- Dec Avg Daily: 3 ° C Avg Nightly: -7 ° C
- Excellent
- Good
- Fair
- Poor
FAQs for South Korea
Read the most frequently asked questions and answers about traveling to South Korea below.
- How much does it cost to tour South Korea?
- How many days are enough for South Korea?
- Do I need a visa to go to South Korea?
- What is the best time to travel to South Korea?
- Is South Korea friendly to tourists?
Sustainable travel — How to travel through South Korea responsibly
In line with Bookmundi’s vision, we wish to provide our travelers with a sustainable travel experience through South Korea. As part of this effort, we carbon-offset any South Korea tour that you purchase through us. You can read more details about our carbon offsetting efforts.
Here’s what you can do to travel to South Korea more responsibly:
- Carbon-offset your transport to South Korea via airlines such as Korean Air. The moment your tour starts in South Korea, and provided that you have purchased your tour through Bookmundi, we will carbon-offset your tour from its starting point to its ending point.
- With so much natural beauty around South Korea and so much industry, there is often a conflict when it comes to environmentalism. Check out the GKL Foundation, which aims to make tourism sustainable and responsible, so the lands will be enjoyed for years to come. It describes itself as combining sustainability with social responsibility.
- On an individual basis, travelers can look to travel in groups, carpooling, or taking public transport to reduce their carbon footprint. South Korea has an amazing public transport system. so it is well worth learning more about this green way of getting around the country.
South Korea travel tips and insights
- It is always a good idea to write down the name of the destination when asking for directions.
- Avoid large gatherings such as protests and rallies.
- Always opt for registered taxis or public transport while traveling at night.
- Since all ATMs do not accept foreign credit cards, have some local currency with you.
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DaeHee Won Travel Expert in South Korea- Nigel Sutherland Travel Expert in South Korea
- Katrina Cao Travel Expert in South Korea & Japan
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