South Korea
Travel Guide
A vibrant culture influenced by music, the arts, cutting-edge technology, diverse architecture, unique clothing, stunning landscapes, and world-renowned cuisine.
Travel to South Korea. Explore South Korea’s compelling attractions, displaying its diverse culture, breathtaking landscapes, historical temples, and technological advancements. The country is also a haven for foodies, with its popular cuisine, including dishes like bibimbap, Korean BBQ, and kimchi. It offers diverse cities like Seoul which has everything from historic sites to street food markets, and beauty clinics, and Busan, a coastal gem with the largest seafood market in Korea! We will share everything you need to know about the main destinations, top attractions, hotels, food, transportation, travel requirements, comprehensive travel guides, and more!
What You Need To Know
Language
The main language spoken in South Korea is Korean. English proficiency, especially among older generations, may be limited, so using the Google Translate app is advisable for effective communication.
Entry Requirements
Upon arrival, South Korea offers tourists up to 5 months for visa-free exempt countries. The K-ETA is typically not required for visa-free countries if an arrival card is completed upon landing.
Currency
The main currency used in South Korea is the South Korean Won, abbreviated as KRW. The symbol for the South Korean Won is ₩. The most common denominations include ₩1,000, ₩5,000, ₩10,000, and ₩50,000.
Outlets
The power plug used in South Korea is typically a Type C or Type F plug with two round pins. Alternatively, you can bring a universal adapter with many different outlet variations efficient for international travel.
South Korea has a Value Added Tax (VAT) refund program for non-resident foreign tourists. To be eligible, you generally need to make purchases at participating stores that accept VAT refunds, meet a minimum purchase amount (typically around KRW 30,000), and apply for a refund before leaving the country. The standard VAT rate is 10%, and refunds are usually provided in cash or credited back to your card at the airport or designated refund locations.
Tipping is not a common practice in South Korea, and it is generally not expected or required in restaurants, hotels, or other service establishments.
Yes, tap water in South Korea is generally safe to drink, especially in major cities. You can also buy distilled and purified water from convenience stores and supermarkets.
When is the best time to visit South Korea?
The best time to visit South Korea depends on your weather preferences and preferred activities. Spring (April to June) offers mild weather and cherry blossoms, summer (July to August) is good for beach and outdoor activities, autumn (September to November) is cool with stunning foliage, and winter (December to February) is ideal for winter sports and festivals but can be very cold.
City Guides
Travel + Food Guides
Activities | Bucket list
A lot of time and effort is put into these blog posts and travel guides. There are some affiliate links throughout for accommodations, excursions and products where we make a small commission if you use them. There is no additional cost to you to use the links and if you found value in this content we would sincerely appreciate all and any support.
South Korea
Photo Gallery
Discover the world through our lens and uncover the most Instagram-worthy photo spots! Get ready to be inspired for your next vacation as you browse through our curated gallery photos!