FAQ South Korea
There’s lots of things to think about when planning a trip. To make life a bit easier for you we have put together our top FAQs for travelling to South Korea below.
Our destination specialists are experts in all things Korean, from what to pack to tipping customs. They have used their first-hand experience to answer these questions to help you have a smooth trip.
Whilst we have done our best to cover as much as possible below, please feel free to get in touch if you find you’re still left looking for answers and we’ll gladly help!
Before departure
Your passport only needs to be valid for the duration of your stay in South Korea, however we would always recommend ensuring your passport has at least six months remaining as some airlines apply this rule regardless of the destinations own entry requirements.
Short-term visitors (less than 90 days) with British citizen passports do not need to obtain a visa prior to travelling. This includes those coming for business, tourism, and to visit family and friends. You will need to complete a free online e-Arrival Card up to 72 hours before you land and you will need proof of your outward or return travel from South Korea.
Handy Hint: before departure make copies of your passport, bank cards and insurance documents and leave them with family or friends in the UK. Also keep a copy in your luggage, in a separate place from your original documents, and e-mail yourself scanned copies too. This will make things easy if you lose any paperwork during your visit.
Yes, we would always recommend taking out comprehensive travel insurance when travelling, especially overseas, that is suitable for your requirements and needs.
This depends hugely on when you’re travelling, given how distinct Korea’s four seasons are. For spring or autumn, its best to pack layers as mornings and evenings can be chilly, even when afternoons are mild. Summer calls for lightweight, breathable clothes and an umbrella for sudden monsoon downpours. Winter needs proper thermals, a warm coat, gloves and decent boots, especially if you’re heading to the mountains.
Year-round essentials: comfortable walking shoes (Korea is a country made for exploring on foot), a portable charger, and a spare pair of socks to slip off easily – you’ll be removing your shoes a lot, from temples to traditional restaurants and hanok stays.
It is always best to get the advice of a GP or travel nurse before travelling overseas to check which vaccinations you might need or if any boosters are required. The Travel Health Pro website provides a comprehensive guide on all the vaccinations you should consider.
Departure
We know heading off on holiday is always a little bit stressful, especially on the day you leave, so we would advise doing these things before you depart:
- Check you have all your necessary documentation, including your passport!
- Take a photo of your documents and email it to yourself and travelling partners. Having a copy on your phone always comes in handy too.
- Ensure you have all your chargers and converters for any phones, cameras, tablets you are taking. A portable battery pack is a handy item to have in your hand luggage.
- Take snacks and a big bottle of water for your flight.
- Get to the airport with plenty of time to spare, we advise arriving 3 hours prior to your flight departure.
- Pack a change of clothes in your hand luggage and take a photo of your checked bag in case it goes missing en route.
- Sit back and relax knowing we have your holiday sorted!
Arrival
Korean is the official language, written in Hangul, a phonetic alphabet that’s actually much easier to pick up than it looks. English is fairly widely spoken in Seoul, in tourist areas and among younger Koreans, but it’s far less common once you’re outside the capital or off the beaten track. A translation app and a few basic Korean phrases go a long way, and locals genuinely appreciate the effort.
Hello – Annyeonghaseyo (안녕하세요)
Thank you – Gamsahamnida (감사합니다)
Yes / No – Ne / Aniyo (네 / 아니요)
Excuse me / Sorry – Joesonghamnida (죄송합니다)
Goodbye – Annyeonghi gaseyo (안녕히 가세요)
Korean food is bold, communal and endlessly varied, think sizzling Korean BBQ, comforting bowls of bibimbap, and kimchi in more forms than you knew existed. Meals are typically shared, with a table full of banchan (small side dishes) accompanying the main event. Expect a lot of fermented and spicy flavours (gochujang chilli paste turns up everywhere), alongside incredible street food, from tteokbokki to Korean fried chicken.
Vegetarians can eat well at Buddhist temples in particular, though it’s worth knowing that many dishes use fish or meat-based stocks even when they look plant-based. For vegans, we recommend downloading the HappyCow app before you go, as its the best way to find vegan spots and read up-to-date reviews.
Korean culture places a lot of weight on respect, hierarchy and subtlety. A few things worth knowing: use both hands (or support your forearm) when giving or receiving something, especially from someone older; take your shoes off when entering homes, temples, and some restaurants; and avoid sticking chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice, which is associated with funeral rites. Public displays of affection are generally understated, and it’s considered polite to wait for the eldest or most senior person to start eating or drinking first. None of this needs to feel intimidating – a little awareness and a willingness to follow others’ lead will take you a long way.
Safety
Yes, South Korea is considered one of the safer destinations in Asia, with low crime rates and a strong culture of public order. As with anywhere, it’s sensible to take normal precautions against pick-pocketing in busy areas, and to have proper travel insurance in place. If your trip includes the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) between North and South Korea, this is a heavily regulated, officially organised tourist experience, and perfectly safe when visited as part of a Rickshaw Travel tour.
We are contactable in the UK during office hours and our local partners in destination are available 24/7 for any support or help you might need. They are in the best position as they will be on the same timezone, they should be your first contact in a case of emergency.
Tips and practical information
The local currency is the South Korean won (₩ / KRW). Card payments are accepted almost everywhere, even for small purchases, and contactless is the norm in cities – but it’s still worth carrying some cash for smaller markets, temples, or rural areas. ATMs are widely available, particularly in convenience stores like GS25 and CU, which often have the most reliable machines for foreign cards.
Tipping isn’t part of Korean culture, and it’s not expected in restaurants, taxis, hotels or bars. In some cases, trying to leave a tip can even cause confusion or be politely refused. Good service is simply seen as standard, not something requiring an extra reward – so you can relax and enjoy not having to do the maths at the end of a meal.