Tips for Planning Your Trip to South Korea

Many nationalities, including the UK, US, Canada, Australia and most of the EU, can enter South Korea visa-free for short tourist stays, typically up to 90 days, though it's worth double-checking the current allowance for your passport.

Since 2023, most visa-exempt visitors are also required to complete a K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorisation) online before departure. This is a straightforward form, usually processed within a day or two, and needs to be sorted before you fly rather than on arrival. Some nationalities are currently exempt from K-ETA as part of a trial scheme, so it's worth checking the latest rules close to your travel dates as they do tend to change.

For more information, check out our ‘Visas, passports & money’ page on our website.

Korea runs on the Korean won, and although the country is increasingly card-friendly, it's still worth carrying some cash, particularly for smaller restaurants, markets and rural areas where card machines aren't always available.

There are lots of ATMs throughout the country, but not all accept foreign cards. Machines at convenience stores like GS25 and CU, and at post offices, tend to be the most reliable. Contactless card payment is common in cities, but they use Korea's own systems, like Samsung Pay and Korean debit networks, so don't expect Apple Pay to work as universally as it might at home.

Korea's biggest quirk for visitors is that a lot of the usual travel apps don't work as well here. Google Maps has limited navigation data in Korea for security reasons, so download Naver Map or KakaoMap instead. They both have English options and are far more accurate for walking and transit directions. For taxis, Kakao T is the local equivalent of Uber and can link foreign cards.

A translation app with a camera function, like Naver Papago, is worth having too, since not every menu or sign comes with an English translation, particularly when outside the big cities. It’s a good idea to sort these out before you land, since app stores and creating accounts can be fiddly to navigate especially if you're relying on patchy airport wifi…

Getting connected

…Having said that, South Korea has excellent, fast wifi almost everywhere but it's still worth arranging data for the moments in between. Airport pick-up SIM cards and pocket wifi devices are both easy to book in advance and collect on arrival, and are generally cheaper and simpler than roaming charges. An eSIM is now a popular alternative if your phone supports one, since it can be activated before you even land.

Get a T-money card

One of the most useful things you can do on arrival is pick up a T-money card, a rechargeable transport card that works on subways, buses and many taxis across the entire country. They're sold at convenience stores and subway station machines for a small fee, and can be topped up the same way. It saves a lot of fumbling with cash and ticket machines, so it’s definitely worth getting as soon as you arrive.

Korean weather is heavily dependent on the season, so what clothing you pack depends on when you’re going. Summers (June to August) are hot and humid, so lightweight, breathable clothing is highly recommended, along with rain gear for the monsoon season in July. Winters (December to February) are cold, particularly in the north, so you’ll need proper layers and a decent coat. Spring and autumn are generally the most pleasant times to visit, with mild weather, though evenings can still be cool.

Whatever the season, make sure to pack comfortable walking shoes as cities are best explored on foot, and many temples and traditional sites involve a fair amount of walking or stairs. It's also worth packing a pair of shoes that slip on and off easily, since many restaurants, temples and traditional guesthouses require you to remove them at the door.

Korean culture strongly values respect, particularly around age and hierarchy. While visitors aren't expected to know every custom, understanding a few basics can help.

A slight bow is a common greeting alongside or instead of a handshake. Public displays of affection are less common than in many Western countries, and it's polite to remove your shoes when entering a home, temple, or any space with raised flooring. Tipping isn't expected anywhere in South Korea, including restaurants and taxis, and can occasionally cause confusion if offered. Koreans are generally very welcoming of visitors that make an effort, so a little research into their customs beforehand is well received.

Health and safety

South Korea is one of the safer countries to travel in, with low crime rates even late at night in major cities. Tap water is generally safe to drink, though most locals still opt for bottled or filtered water. There’s lots of pharmacies dotted about the country, marked with a green cross, and pharmacists in tourist areas often speak some English. As with any trip, travel insurance is worth arranging before you leave, and it's important to register any pre-existing conditions or medication needs, particularly since some common Western medications require a prescription in South Korea that they might not at home.

South Korea's transport network is particularly great for travellers. The KTX high-speed rail line connects major cities like Seoul, Busan and Gyeongju in just a few hours, and tickets can be booked in advance through the Korail app or website. Within the cities, their subway systems are clean, efficient, and signed in English as well as Korean, making it easy to navigate even without local language skills. If you're planning to cover a lot of ground, it's worth mapping out your route in advance, since KTX tickets for popular routes and holiday periods can sell out.

• Check public holidays and festival dates, particularly Seollal (Lunar New Year) and Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving), when much of the country closes and trains and hotels get booked up fast.
• Download offline maps as a backup, even with a good data plan, in case you find yourself somewhere with a weak signal.
• Learn a handful of basic phrases such as greetings, thank you, and numbers. These can be really helpful even if your pronunciation isn't perfect.
  • Annyeonghaseyo (안녕하세요) - "Hello."
  • Gamsahamnida (감사합니다) - "Thank you." (The formal, safe-to-use-anywhere version for places like restaurants, taxis and hotel staff)
  • Juseyo (주세요) - "Please give me." ("i-geo juseyo" "this, please")
  • Eolmayeyo? (얼마예요?) - "How much is it?"
• Keep a note of your accommodation address in Korean, since showing it to a taxi driver will be easier than trying to explain it.

With a K-ETA sorted, the right apps downloaded, and a T-money card in your pocket, South Korea is pretty easy to travel through, leaving you free to focus on the food, the culture, and the places rather than getting tangled in the logistics.