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South korea Holiday Packages : rated 4.2 /5 (based on 616 reviews) | Packages starting from ₹60,000/-

South Korea Holiday Packages

The striking contrast in scenarios from cities that bear the evidence of modernism in Seoul to calm and serene traditional Korean villages, known as Hahoe village in Andong is a sight to behold. South Korea is slowly becoming a tourist attraction, and it is an excellent opportunity for the one who are planning to visit next to explore with our South Korea package.

It is a beautiful country full of cultural heritage, beautiful historical buildings rich in architecture, beaches, national parks, temples, and festivals. One hand the modern skyscrapers are taking over the cities like Seoul and Busan, on the other hand, the villages of The Hahoe Folk Village is being named a UNESCO Heritage Site for its display of local traditions and culture. Avail our South Korea holiday packages and get a golden chance to visit the cities and villages concurrently. You can also check your Korea Travel packages and visit the beautiful city of Seoul.

Places To Explore On South Korea Tour 

Are you fascinated by K-drama, K-pop and the whole Korean Culture then you need to visit and explore South Korea to understand why! We have made a list of places that will give you a glimpse of the rich heritage of Korea:

What’s Special: Cultural and artistic attractions, museums, textiles and jewellery

Nearby Attractions: N/A

Timings: Throughout the day

Major Attractions: Bukhansan National Park, Gyeongbokgung, Gwanghwamun Square, Changdeokgung, Bukchon Hanok Village, Cheonggyecheon stream, N Seoul Tower, Namdaemun Market, Seoul, Myeongdong

Distance From City: 0 km

Transportation Options: Subway trains and buses

Seoul is the capital and largest city of South Korea. If you are looking forward to making some memory, you could visit Seoul's Gyeongbokgung Palace, which was the main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty. If you're in the mood to try some adventure trip, you can take the world's steepest roller coaster at Everland, or take a cable car up to Mount Namsan to get an exhilarating view from up top. If you add Seoul to your itinerary, you can ask our executive about the South Korea trip cost from India at the time of booking.

2. Jeju Island

What’s Special: Museums, gardens, mountains

Timings: 24 hours

Major Attractions: Mount Hallasan, Cheonjeyeon Waterfalls, Seonim Bridge, Seongsan Ilchulbong, Jeongbang Waterfall, Manjanggul Cave, Jungmun Saekdal Beach, Daepo Jusangjeolli Cliff, Teddy Bear Museum.

Distance From City: 40 km

Transportation Options: Buses, trains

Jeju Island is located in Korea’s only Autonomous Province, Jeju Province. Apart from beautiful beaches, lush greenery comprising of waterfalls and mountains, Jeju Island also has caves, amusement parks, and museums. If you are sightseeing kind of a person, Seongsan Ilchulbong (translating to Sunrise Peak) is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites where you can experience the scenic view of sunrise unlike anywhere. The O'Sulloc Museum in Jeju Island has been one of the popular tourist destinations too along with Manjanggul Cave, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Jeju Island is a place that needs to be included in your South Korea tourism package.

If you are more of an adventure sport lover, you can visit amusement parks to try some water sports and the Jusangjeolli Cliff to see waves crashing against the rocks.

3. Seoraksan National Park

What’s Special: Vibrant flora and fauna, mountain streams

Nearby Attractions: Ulsanbawi Rock, Gwongeumseong Fortress, Sokcho Central Market, Sokcho Beach, Sinheungsa Temple, Seorak Waterpia.

Major Attractions: N/A

Distance From City: 17 km

Transportation Options: Buses

Seoraksan National Park has always been popular among hikers. Home to over 2000 animal species, this park looks spectacular in summer with lush greenery in full swing, and snow melting down the rocky slopes into crystal clear streams. Wildlife enthusiasts planning a trip to South Korea from India must visit this place. This place is known for its variety in flora and fauna and the rich biodiversity that it has to provide. 

What’s Special: Folk village, mask museum

Major Attractions: Andong Hahoe Folk Village, Saeyeongyo Bridge, Hahoe Mask Museum, Andong Mask Dance Festival, Dosanseowon Confucian School, Bongjeongsa Temple, Andong Soju Museum, Sinsa Dong Mural Village.

Distance From City: 1 km

Transportation Options: Buses cabs

Known as South Korea's cultural capital, Andong has the quaint village the Hahoe Folk Village which is a UNESCO heritage site as well. The village is full of cultural heritage, age-old customs preserved by the residents’ one of them being choga, a traditional house with a straw thatched roof. If you are willing to know more about South Korea Travel costs, then this place is the right choice for you.

What’s Special: Beaches, hot springs, temples, cultural village

Major Attractions: Full-day Busan city tour, Busan Public Yacht Tour, Busan Gamcheon Cultural Village, Haeundae Beach, Taejongdae, Gwangalli Beach, BEomeosa Temple, Dadaepo Beach

Distance From City: 325 km

Transportation Options: Buses, trains, cabs

After Seoul, Busan is the second largest city in the country. It has numbers of beaches, temples, and mountains. Visit the Buddhist Temples and Gukje Market for cultural experiences. If you are looking for adventure sports activities, the various beaches provide kayaking, windsurfing, waterskiing and lots more. If you wish to visit these places to your itinerary, you can ask the travel consultant to add it in South Korea holiday trip cost.

Why Choose South Korea Tour Package From Us?

Our South Korea Tour Packages are carefully curated for you by our experts at TravelTriangle. They are seasoned travelers who have taken the trip multiple times. This means that we promise you the best of South Korea. We want to make sure that you get your money’s worth. Hence the freedom to customize your South Korea trip which checks all your places to visit in South Korea. Wherever you live in India,South Korea enjoys direct connectivity with all the major cities of India like Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. So, pack your bags and get ready for an exciting trip. Read on to find out more about your vacation to South Korea. 

Best Time To Plan A Vacation For South Korea Trip

The months between July to September are the hottest, so if you want to get your tan on, then it might just be the right time to plan your vacation. The temperature is quite pleasant and sunny at the same time. It ranges from 23 degrees Celsius to 30 degrees celsius.

You will experience heavy rainfall during the months of July to September as well. The weather is hot with minimal amounts of humidity and heavy rainfall at times. Monsoon makes the city of Seoul look even more pretty and it seems to freshen up when the city gets dried by the sun rays.

Winter welcomes a number of avid sports lovers into Korea as there are a number of sports festivals that are being held. Sports like skiing, snowboarding, sledging, etc are quite common during the winter period when the temperature can go down up to 6 degrees celsius.

How To Reach South Korea?

South Korea is definitely within reach as there are direct flights from Delhi or Mumbai to this place. You will be able to reach Incheon International Airport from Indira Gandhi International Airport by a direct flight that will take up to 6 hours 30 mins. The preferred airlines are Malaysia airlines, Air Astanda and QatarAirways. 

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South Korea Packages By Cities

Duration ( in Days )

Budget Per Person ( in Rs. )

Hotel Star Rating

Showing 5 South Korea Tour Packages

Korea 6 Days Tour Package

₹ 60,000/- ₹ 65,217/-

Per Person on twin sharing

Hotel included in package:

Korea is a perfect destination for every kind of traveler. It offers a plethora of enti....

Upto 3 Stars

Sightseeing

Korea Winter Tour Package

₹ 80,000/- ₹ 86,956/-

• Jeju-do (4D)

Korea is situated in East Asia bordered by China, Russia, and Japan. There are temples ....

Upto 4 Stars

South Korea Winter Tour Package

₹ 130,000/- ₹ 141,304/-

The capital of the country in Seoul, which is a huge city with a population of over ten....

South Korea Tour Package With Airfare

• Hill station

South Korea is a beautiful nation on the Korean Peninsula, known for its hilly countrys....

Japan South Korea Tour Package

₹ 250,000/- ₹ 271,739/-.

• Hiroshima (1D)

This Japan Korea tour package from India brings together some of the m....

South Korea Tour Packages by Theme

Faqs about south korea tour packages, how much does it cost to tour south korea.

The cost of a South Korea tour depends upon various factors, such as trip duration, places & attractions covered in your itinerary, transfers, meals, and more. An ideal 6 days holiday to South Korea would cost you between INR 60,000 to INR 65,000 per person. This would include staying at a 3-star property in Seoul, along with sightseeing tours, adventures, visiting beaches, and more. A 7 days trip that includes staying at a 4-star property in Seoul and Jeju-do along with sightseeing would cost between INR 82,000 to INR 85,000 per person. You can also get your itinerary customized by mentioning your preferences before booking the package.

Is South Korea cheap for tourists?

There are numerous pocket-friendly alternatives available when it comes to a vacation in South Korea. If you are interested in a budget trip to South Korea then you can save on your expenses by planning your trip during the offseason. You can choose affordable stays and plan your days smartly to avoid unwanted expenses. It is always advised to book your package in advance, at least two months before your visit.

Is South Korea expensive for Indians?

The South Korean currency is Won, and one Won is less than an Indian Rupee. Which means, meals, shopping, hotels and any other expenditure made here might actually end up costing you less than it costs in India. The tickets to all attractions range from INR 500 to INR 2,000 except for a few fancy ones. A meal usually will cost around INR 500 to INR 1,000.

What is the best time to visit South Korea?

South Korea is actually a great destination all through the year. The winters see blankets of snow over the landscape, with Christmas and New Year celebrations in full swing. If you are fond of the pink Cherry Blossoms and related festivals, then the best time to visit South Korea would be from March to May.

What are the best South korea tour packages offered by TravelTriangle?

Below listed are some of the best South korea tour packages offered by us:

How to reach South Korea?

All the major cities in South Korea have international airports that receive flights from major cities all around the world.

How harmful is pollution in Seoul?

Like other major cities, Seoul has a fair share of pollution. It is advisable to wear a face mask while going out in the city.

What currency is used in South Korea?

The South Korean Won is the currency used in South Korea.

What languages are spoken in South Korea?

The official language is Korean. However, most of the people understand and speak English.

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South korea Tour Packages Reviews

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South Korea is slowly growing as a popular tourist destination and there are a lot of packages like South Korea vacation packages that are in the highlight for the travellers who want to explore South Korea as a whole. The K-pop, K-drama industry has a huge hand in this aspect. As the number of K-pop boy and girl groups dominate the world music industry, people are willing to learn more about Korean culture. Due to its unique culture, way of living and also the Korean fashion, South Korea is becoming popular among international tourists, who are looking to learn about a new culture.

The excellent shopping malls, a high-tech economy, museums full of culture and traditional stories, food, South Korea has a lot to offer the world. Through a South Korea trip plan , you will enter into a world whose culture and traditions are multidimensional and it will always keep you intrigued. Charming natural parks, hilly mountains, islands, ancient villages and the fastest-growing country in terms of economy and technology, South Korea has it all. It is your call to decide whether you want to spend your holidays in bustling cities or in ancient villages. Experience the best of all this with a South Korea tour package .

Things to do in South Korea

1. witness street art at isna dong street.

South Korea is famous for street art and if you’re someone who is willing to travel and see different places filled with artistic beauty, then this might just be the place for you. In the city centre, during the daytime almost every day you will find street artists performing. Isna Dong Street in Seoul is famous for hosting such artists and these performers will show everything from card tricks to juggling balls. One can ask for a customized performance as well or even join them. Even though they are professionals, they happily welcome anyone who is willing to take a short at a trick or at least replicate them. This way you can make some spare cash as well.

Along the streets, you will find a number of cafes and restaurants that look over the street. There are people who sell authentic souvenirs. You will also find small art galleries, boutiques and many small tea shops. There are a number of shops that are famous for selling authentic souvenirs and get visited by tourists quite frequently.

2. Explore the Bukchon Hanok village

This is one of the oldest villages in South Korea that is rich in historical reference. The village looks similar to a traditional Korean village that is not so common these days. As her legend goes, once there used to be hundreds of Hanoks who used to live here and that is how the village still maintains their ethnic and traditional lifestyle. All the teachings of Hanoks have been captured well by the members of the village and displayed on the architecture, paintings, etc. The people who visit this place will fall in love with the beauty that this place hosts instantly.

If you just walk around this village, you will be able to spot many women who are strolling around freely in their traditional Korean outfits. Since it is 2021, everyone is going with the latest fashion trends, however, the people of the village have their roots strongly bound with the culture of this place. The tourists will surely admire the Korean architecture and culture that they witness here.

3. Visit Mount Namsan through a Cable Car

Here is something adventurous that people of almost all august will like, suitable for the as it offers excitement along with proper safety. Mount Namsan is a popular tourist destination in South Korea and the procedure of travelling is even more famous. A cable car ride to the top of this mountain will allow visitors to witness all the surrounding landscapes and one can stare at the view from the top for hours. Zip-lining is a treat for adventure lovers and this cable car ride will offer a similar experience to them. One will feel like they are flying in the air when they step on this cable car and reach the top of the mountain. Once you reach the mountain, you can easily walk along the marked trail which will take you to a spot from where you will be able to clearly see a good portion of South Korea.

4. A tour of the Seoul Grand Park

There are many small and large parks in South Korea and among them, the Seoul Grand Park is one of the most preferred ones. Simply by the name of it, one can understand that it is quite large and as per records, it is currently the largest theme park in all of Korea. It has a concert hall, a botanical garden, an indoor zoo and many more. Built-in the city of Gwacheon, it gets visitors from all around Korea and from outside the country as well, who come to experience the biggest theme park they might have seen.

Inside the park, you get small hiking trails and walking along the well-maintained trails will make you feel relaxed. Inside the botanical garden, there are rare species of orchids, cactus, etc. You will find a small indoor greenhouse as well, where more than Two Hundred and fifty Korean plants are kept. The zoo has different types of animals starting from birds, insects to reptiles, snakes, etc.

5. Discover Namsan Park

The Namsan Park is one of the most scenic places in South Korea that consists of 14’th century walls surrounding the whole place. There is a maritime aquarium here that houses a number of exotic sea animals. There is a cable car that will take you up to the top of the mountain and throughout the way, you will feel like a bird or a flight taking off. Visitors often come to Namsan park, specifically because of the reason that they will be able to ride the cable car. The surroundings of this place are also worthy to grab attention, including the weather at the top of the hill, the altitude, the flora and fauna, etc.

If you are a history geek, then you will love to know that this place was built during the 15th century and the mountain was a sacred site for the people back then. It was a defence territory for Seoul which hosted a smoke beacon used for sending signals to the city. The park is built on the top of the mountain and it overlooks the whole of Seoul city.

Best Shopping Places and Restaurants in South Korea

South Korea has a unique fashion sense. Crisp, chic yet modern at the same time. All over the country, South Korea has hundreds of malls, high-end fashion outlets, retail outlets, stores and local markets spread across. Myeongdong in Seoul is a popular tourist hotspot for skin care and cosmetic shopping. Goto Mall is an underground shopping center with an alley full of clothes, accessories, and cosmetics. Dongdaemun is, on the whole, another level, for the shopaholics. There are wholesale and retail goods in all of its 26 malls and 30000 shops.

For traditional crafts and souvenirs, the local markets such as Insadong, Gwangjang Market are always a popular destination for domestic and international tourists alike. If you are looking to have some authentic South Korean dishes, what can be better than local restaurants and local eateries? Visit the high-end restaurants in Seoul, Busan, Myeongdong, and Hongdae are a must-visit. If you want to have a great local dish, you can also visit local eateries, this saves you money, and you never know, you might get to taste the best dish yet. Local eateries are hidden gems in most of the countries, not only in South Korea. With our South Korea travel package, you will have the best experience in the country and return home satisfied.

South Korea is a surreal place to be at since it takes you to a world full of cultural charm that will leave you completely awestruck. Along with the glam of skyscrapers and eccentric tourist spots, Korean cuisine will keep you drooling till the very last bite. From a plethora of street art to traditional events, South Korea is a cultural feast waiting to be explored. Therefore, South Korea tour packages make sure to plan an itinerary that provides you with the best of it all. So book your tour package now to commence a journey of a lifetime.

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South Korea Tour Packages

Let the magic begin when South Korea allures you to unravel its deepest secrets and bust myths. The place will make you go speechless with its beauty, charm, and vast culture.

South Korea is an eternal enigma in most people’s minds and to delve into its heart to discover it fully, a holiday in Korea is the ideal way. A South Korea tour package lets you witness towering mountains, mighty seas, glorious valleys, numerous islands, and flourishing biodiversity. It is as if God spared no expense in bestowing this country with an abyss of glory and splendour. And each of its gems attracts millions of tourists every year for a South Korea holiday. But a South Korea tour package is so much more than just the abundant natural beauty. 

Famous cities like Busan, Seoul, and Incheon welcome its visitors with open arms, with its traditional Korean hospitality, sprinkled with a good dose of modernity, making their South Korea holidays an affair to remember.  On your holidays in Korea, you will come to see that this place is a great amalgamation of traditional Korean values and a modernistic perception of the future. And a great way to discover this melting pot is to opt for one of the many online South Korea tour packages from India at Veena World. A holiday in South Korea can either be enjoyed as part of a South Korea group tour or as a dream South Korea honeymoon package from India. Whatever be your inclination, Veena World has the best package deals to Korea available at great prices.

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South Korea Frequently Asked Questions

We help you prepare for your trip and ensure an effortless and enjoyable travel experience.

How can I plan a trip to South Korea?

Which month is the best to visit south korea, what are the best places to see in south korea, what food is south korea famous for, is there snowfall in south korea, do you provide customised holidays to south korea, is a group tour a good option for travelling to south korea, is south korea worth visiting, how many days are enough in south korea, is it safe for foreigners in south korea, get to know more about south korea before booking your tour packages.

South Korea is a developed East Asian country, known officially as the Republic of Korea. On your holidays in Korea, visit its capital, Seoul, which is a major global city and is the fourth largest metropolitan economy in the world. This is one of the many reasons to include Seoul when opting for one of the South Korea tour packages. The Korean Peninsula, of which South Korea is a part, has been inhabited since the Paleolithic age. At a later age, this country was ruled by many monarchies of which the most notable ones were the Han Dynasty and the Goguryeo Dynasty.

Nothing could be more intriguing than delving into the revolutionary past of Korea with South Korea holiday packages. South Korea has seen a lot of struggle and has been engaged in many wars and battles. A reminder of these times can be explored on your Korea tour package to make for an interesting South Korea trip package. As per the Cairo Declaration, Korea was separated into two entities in 1948- North Korea and South Korea. But despite the trying times, this country has managed to claim its position as a global superpower, and your South Korea holidays can be an opportunity to experience this place.

On your South Korea holidays, do not miss the Korean Peninsula which extends from the Yellow Sea to the west, and the Sea of Japan and Korea Strait and the East China Sea on the south. The country’s population is fairly homogenous with ethnic Koreans representing about 96% of the populace. Although the majority of the people do not identify with any religion, Christians and Buddhists make up for the remaining. Experience this diversity with well-planned South Korea holiday packages.

Experience South Korea

One of the main reasons for the purity of the Korean culture is that the population is so homogenous, and it is evident when you embark on a South Korea tour package from India. And this can be done as part of online Korea group tours as well as individual South Korea holiday packages. Seoul is perhaps the most visited tourist destination in South Korea . On your South Korea tour package, you will find how beautifully the ancient and the modern co-exist. This developed country has world-class infrastructure and metropolitan cities. Cities like Busan, Seoul, and Incheon have stamped their authority and power on the world map by hosting global events like the Olympics, Asian Games, FIFA world cup and many Global summits. A Korea tour package lets you feel the pulse of this country. Just like the South Koreans love their festivals, they love their K-POP music and drama series. This makes for an exciting Korea tour package from India.

Your holidays in Korea will allow you to experience the contemporary vibe that the big cities radiate, while the other parts of South Korea captivate you with the mélange of natural beauty, a variety of spectacular landscapes, a treasure trove of rich cultural heritage and world-renowned cuisines. All this and more aboard Veena World’s online South Korea vacation packages and South Korea travel package. Be it a group tour package to Korea or an individual South Korea holiday package, Veena World caters to every budget at a great price.

Things to do in South Korea

Solo-trips are good, but the fun increases when you book group tour packages to Korea and enjoy the magnificence of South Korea with your group of friends. Holidays in South Korea are like no other and so are the Korea tour packages. As you will experience on your Korea tour package from India, there’s a staggering variety of things to do and see in South Korea.

Jeju Island:

Pyeongchang county : , seoraksan national park :.

Korea tour packages from India are designed in such a manner that you get to visit all the important places in Korea. Your South Korea trip package is incomplete if the itinerary does not have the aforementioned places in it.

Best Time to Visit South Korea

Autumn (September-November) and spring (April-June) are considered to be the best times to plan a Korea tour package from India or a Korea group tour visit as they offer warm, sunny days with clear blue for an excellent holiday in Korea.

How Much Is a Trip to South Korea in 2024/2025? A Travel Costs Breakdown

When planning a trip to South Korea, you might be wondering how much would it cost. Is South Korea expensive? Travel costs in South Korea are similar to Japan and are about twice as expensive as in other Asian countries , but you'll find that the great services and quality experiences make it worthwhile.

Different classes of hotels, modes of transportation, and experiences in South Korea can make a big difference to costs. In this article, we'll break down the travel costs in South Korea and share tips on how to make the most of your money.

• How Much Does a Private Tour to South Korea Cost
• Cost of International Flights to South Korea
• Cost of Accommodation in South Korea
• Cost of Transportation in South Korea
• Cost of Food in South Korea
• Cost of Attractions/Activities in South Korea

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How Much Does a Private Tour to South Korea Cost?

Being a small country, you're recommended to spend 7–10 days to do justice to the main destinations in South Korea.

A private tour in South Korea is around US$400–500 per day per person based on 2–4 people. This includes 4-star hotels, private guides, private cars, tickets for attractions, and a full-day itinerary. So, the total cost is about US$2,800–3,500 for a week and about US$4,000–5,000 for 10 days.

The Cost of International Flights to South Korea

Seoul, the capital city, offers numerous flight options. The average cost of a round-trip economy flight from cities in the USA like New York or Los Angeles to Seoul ranges from US$1,000–1,700.

From the U.S., the cheapest time to fly to South Korea is in mid-January and February, with round-trip prices around US$1,000–1,300. And the most expensive times to buy flight tickets are during the summer vacation months (June to August) and Christmas, when costs typically rise to US$1,500–2,000.

Direct flights from Europe to South Korea are fewer and most requires at least one stopover. A round-trip from London to Seoul is about US$900–1,500 on average.

For the best deals on flights to South Korea, we suggest you book your flights at least 3 months in advance. If you plan to travel during the busiest times like summer vacation, Christmas or New Year, it's better to book at least 3–6 months ahead.

Want to plan a memorable South Korea trip? Check more details about How to Plan Your Trip to South Korea >>>

The Cost of Accommodation in South Korea

The prices of South Korea's hotels range widely based on the hotel, room, and travel season. Peak season prices from June to August and in December tend to be higher and might rise by 30% to 50%.

Hotels in the capital city of Seoul are more expensive than in other popular cities like Busan and Jeju Island. A standard room in a 4-star hotel in Seoul costs from US$200–250 per night, while in Busan or Jeju Island one costs around US$100–150 per night.

Don't miss staying at a wooden Hanok hotel for an authentic Korean accommodation experience. A 4-star Hanok hotel costs around US$300–400 per night , where you could sleep on tatamis and enjoy Korean cuisine for breakfast. If you're traveling with your kids, some Hanok hotels offer family rooms where all of you (3–5 persons) can stay together.

To secure the best discounts at your favorite hotels and avoid last-minute changes, you're recommended to make reservations 3 months in advance. This is especially important during peak seasons like summer vacations and Christmastime.

Here are some itinerary ideas to South Korea based on the popular travel length: 7 days , 10 days , 14 days . Our South Korea travel advisor could customized the itinerary according to your preferences.

The Cost of Transportation in South Korea

KTX (Korea Train Express) is the fastest and most popular way to travel between cities in South Korea. For example, a trip from Seoul to Busan costs around US$45.

You can easily reach cities like Busan and Gyeongju by taking the KTX. If you're heading to a city without KTX services, a private car ride will take you there in about two to three hours.

Public transportation in South Korea is convenient and efficient. In urban areas, subway trains are the most chosen option with fares typically 1–2 USD, depending on the distance. Taxis are the expensive option, there are two kinds of taxis in South Korea, taking Seoul as an example:

• General taxis: The starting fare is US$3 for the first 1.6 kilometers. These taxis are typically orange, silver, or white.
• Premium taxis: The starting fare is from US$5 for the first 3 kilometers. Most drivers can speak English and offer excellent services. The cars are more spacious than general taxis and are usually black.

We highly recommend taking a private car when touring within A city. Taking a spacious private car provides you an effortless way to travel around, usually costing US$150–200 per day . This option helps you save time and energy, allowing you to dedicate more time to exploring highlights instead of figuring out routes.

In contrast, public transportation is cheaper, but you may have to walk more than 20,000 steps a day. Since South Korea is a mountainous country with many slopes, this might be challenging for older people or those with limited mobility.

If you are thinking of a trip to South Korea, we'd like to create a wonderful trip based on your needs and interests.

The Cost of Food in South Korea

Most travelers who come to South Korea are attracted by its delicious and affordable Korean cuisines.

• Street food is abundant and inexpensive, costing US$1–5 per dish, and including snacks like rice cakes and fish cake skewers.
• A meal at a mid-range Korean restaurant ranges from US$5 to 15 per person, a bowl of bibimbap usually costs US$8–10.
• Casual BBQ restaurants cost around US$15–25 per person.
• A high-end restaurant can cost US$50–100 or more.

South Korea boasts numerous cafés, with a cup of coffee typically ranging from US$3 to 5. If you opt to add a dessert, the total cost may come to around US$6–8.

The Cost of Attractions/Activities in South Korea

Most attractions and museums in South Korea are free, and many of the others cost only US$2–5. If you wear Hanbok to visit Gyeongbokgung Palace or Changdeokgung Palace, they're free too.

Prices of amusement parks in Seoul like Lotte World and Everland are higher, ranging from US$40–50 per person.

For some authentic South Korean experiences like a cooking class, traditional rice wine brewing, or a K-pop dancing class, prices typically range from US$ 50–80 per person. However, these activities are great value as they would immerse you in the local culture, bring you expert's insights into Korean traditions, and make your trip richer and more memorable.

Having a private guide might cost US$120–150 per day. With a professional private guide accompanying you, you'll enjoy high-quality guiding services, discover stories behind the attractions, and gain insights into Korean history and culture.

To save money, you could mix private guiding with exploring attractions on your own. While a private guide can deepen your understanding of the country, especially when visiting historical sites in Seoul and Gyeongju, cities majoring on natural beauty like Jeju Island can be explored at your own pace and appreciated to the full independently.

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SOUTH KOREA TOUR PACKAGE

South Korea, a fascinating country in East Asia, offers an array of enchanting attractions that cater to all types of travelers. South Korea has something for everyone, from bustling cities to the serene countryside, historical landmarks to modern marvels. Read More

If you’re planning a trip to this incredible destination from India, here’s a guide to the must-visit places and the best South Korea tour packages from india  to make your journey memorable.

Korea Packages from India: For travelers from India, there are numerous South Korea holiday packages available that provide convenience and excellent value for money. Whether you’re a couple looking for a romantic getaway or a group of friends seeking adventure, these packages cater to various preferences and budgets. From comprehensive itineraries covering multiple cities to specialized packages focusing on specific themes, you can easily find a tour package that suits your needs.

Exploring Seoul: Seoul, the capital city of South Korea, is a vibrant metropolis where ancient traditions seamlessly blend with modern advancements. It’s a must-visit destination that offers a myriad of attractions. Start your exploration with a visit to Gyeongbokgung Palace, a grand royal palace showcasing the country’s rich heritage. Don’t miss the chance to witness the Changing of the Guard ceremony, a captivating display of tradition and precision.

For shopaholics, a visit to Myeongdong is a must. This bustling shopping district is filled with trendy boutiques, department stores, and street stalls offering various products, from cosmetics to fashion. Experience the vibrant nightlife in Hongdae, renowned for its youthful energy, live performances, and trendy clubs.

Scenic Delights in Jeju Island: No visit to South Korea is complete without experiencing the breathtaking beauty of Jeju Island. Known as the “Island of the Gods,” Jeju boasts stunning natural landscapes, including pristine beaches, volcanic craters, and lush forests. Take a leisurely walk along the picturesque shores of Seongsan Ilchulbong, a UNESCO World Heritage site with a stunning crater peak. Explore the majestic Manjanggul Cave, one of the longest lava tube caves in the world.

Gyeongju, the Historical Gem: Immerse yourself in the rich history of South Korea by visiting Gyeongju, often referred to as the “museum without walls.” This ancient city is home to numerous historical sites, including UNESCO World Heritage sites such as Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto. Marvel at the intricate architecture and serene atmosphere of these sacred places. Don’t forget to explore the vast Tumuli Park, where you can see royal tombs dating back to the Silla Dynasty.

Other Remarkable Destinations: South Korea offers a multitude of other captivating destinations. Busan, the second-largest city, is known for its stunning beaches, vibrant markets, and delicious seafood. Visit the famous Jagalchi Fish Market and take a stroll along the picturesque Haeundae Beach.

In the countryside, experience the tranquility of Boseong’s green tea fields, where you can learn about the traditional tea-making process. And for a touch of adventure, head to Seoraksan National Park, a natural paradise with towering peaks, scenic hiking trails, and stunning waterfalls.

South Korea is a treasure trove of incredible destinations that will leave you in awe. Whether you’re interested in history, nature, shopping, or simply immersing yourself in the vibrant culture, South Korea has it all. With a range of South Korea tour packages from India , you can embark on a journey filled with unforgettable experiences. So, pack your bags, prepare for an adventure, and get ready to explore the enchanting beauty of South Korea.

20 Beautiful Places in South Korea You’re Going to Love

Are you planning a trip to Korea? It’s an amazing country that is completely foreign and It’s also home to stunning places including the Hanok structures from Jeonju to the coast that runs along Jeju Island to the palaces of Seoul Here are 20 Beautiful Places in South Korea You’re Going to Love.

1. Gyeongbokgung and Changgyeon Palace

Seoul has two main palaces – Gyeongbokgung and Changgyeon. It was opened in 1395. Gyeongbokgung Palace is a significant part of Seoul’s history. It is the principal Royal Palace in the Joseon Dynasty Gyeongbokgung Palace and is often called”the Northern Palace due to its position in the north of Seoul.

2. Insadong

Insa-dong is one of the the the most vibrant in south Korea, lively, and vibrant areas in Seoul, famous for the numerous restaurants and shops that make up the streets. This charming neighborhood is conveniently located near both palaces, making it the perfect place to enjoy a meal and some shopping. With its charming atmosphere and easy proximity to the palaces, Insa-dong is a must-visit destination. Re

3. Bukchon Hanok Village

Bukchon Hanok Village is an old Korean village close to other famous attractions like Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, and Jongmyo Shrine.

The village is dotted with traditional Korean houses, known as “hanoks.” Nowadays, many of these “hanoks’” function as restaurants, cultural centers, and tea houses. The visit to Bukchon Hanok Village Seoul offers visitors an authentic cultural experience that is unquestionably superior to any other. There is no entry fee for the village, making visiting Buckchon unique and totally free. Follow us on Instagram

4. Seoul Wall

The Fortress Wall of Seoul, popularly referred to as Hanyangdoseong, is a wall composed of various materials to defend the city against intruders.

The first time it was constructed was in 1396. the Seoul wall was first constructed in 1396. It is a long stretch of 18.6 kilometers. Currently, an area of 12 km has been preserved as a historic site.

One of the most popular ways for tourists to appreciate the beauty and the history of the Seoul Wall is to walk along the wall. There are a variety of Seoul Wall hiking trails to pick from, each offering its own beautiful scenery and exploration.

5. Ihwa Mural Village

After exploring Naksan Park, continue your artistic journey to Ihwa Mural Village, where over 70 artists have displayed their murals, paintings, and other works of art. The area was once slated for eviction until the “Art in the City Project” breathed new life into it in 2006, transforming it into the vibrant artistic hub it is today.

6. Bongeunsa Temple

Bongeunsa Temple is an ancient Buddhist temple open to all, even non-practising visitors. It was founded in 794. the temple’s history spans more than a hundred years, offering a peaceful and unreal experience.

After its renovation and the expansion of the surrounding city, Bongeunsa Temple has come to provide an experience in which traditional Korea meets contemporary Seoul.

7. Nami Island and Petite France

This full-day tour removes the hassle of finding foreign public transport systems with the return journey towards Nami Island. It will be a comfortable coach to this serene island and take in all the fascinating beauty that it has to provide.

This Seoul day tour takes you to well-known tourist attractions nearby, such as Petite France, along with The Garden of Morning Calm. These must-see destinations are a must when you’re within the area.

A trip to the stunning island will show you the reason. Relax and enjoy a pleasant day’s journey from Seoul.

8. Mount Seorak and Naksana Temple

South Korea is covered in impressive mountains and can be a nature lover’s paradise. If nature and hiking are your things, then make sure to go on this day hike from Seoul to climb the mountain at Mount Seorak.

It is an incredible peak on the shores of South Korea’s eastern coast. It takes you up Mount Seorak on the mountain in an air-conditioned van that will hike up to the summit. The climb to Mount Seorak is completely scenic, and the views from the summit are breathtaking.

9. Suwon Hwaseong Fortress and Korean Folk Village

This Seoul day trip allows you to visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Hwaseong fortress in Suwon. It will be a tour with a guide that ensures that you learn about this region’s rich culture and rich history of South Korea.

While exploring the many ramparts and fortifications, you can learn more about how the Joseon Dynasty ruled over Korea at Hwaseong Fortress. The experience will continue as you travel your visit to the Korean Folk Village, which recreates the homes of this period. It is a chance to see skilled tradespeople perform traditional Art and craft.

This must be one of the top-day excursions out of Seoul for those who want to understand more about the country’s unique heritage and culture.

Embark on a journey to the picturesque destination of Andong on this full-guided South Korea tour. Explore the outdoor museums of the past and immerse yourself in the rich history of this stunning area. Experience the best of Andong with the convenience and expertise of a full-guided tour.

11. Gyeongju Day Trip

The Gyeongju day excursion from Seoul allows you to visit several UNESCO World Heritage sites in just one day. The entire experience of visiting Gyeongju can be highly fascinating and educational and provides a great time away from the bustling city.

The ticket includes a ride to the KTX bullet train and an option to skip the line for Seoul Station. After arriving at Gyeongju station, you’ll receive a private, comfortable ride to the places.

On your trip, you’ll be able to take a trip to Hahoe Folk Village for a deep understanding of South Korean tradition.

12. Pocheon

South Korea has so much natural beauty. If you’re looking to discover South Korea’s stunning nature but are living in Seoul, this is the perfect day excursion for you. This day-long private tour of the Pocheon region will leave you feeling as if Seoul is far from you.

You can experience crystal clear waters and a sparkling lake in Pocheon, the Korea National Arboretum Pocheon. There are stunning forests here and the waterfalls are spectacular, and the cliffs and the overall feeling of tranquillity.

13. Jeonju Hanok Village

Go to the city that dates back to the past, Jeonju, Korea, for a delightful day trip. Old town Jeonju is stunning and is brimming with shops and cafes. Jeonju is full of charming cafes and shops and a variety of Hanok homes, which provide homesitting.

I suggest dressing in local costumes like many Koreans. We received much attention and entertainment when Westerners dressed in their costumes.

14. Jaman Mural Village

Be open to not visiting the Jeonju Mural Village. Jaman Mural Village is located outside the old town. You have to travel across an essential road to reach it. It is required to take the main road and climb a steep hill to reach it. Jaman Mural Village Jeonju is filled with murals, has numerous cute cafes, and is highly photogenic.

15. Hallasan Mountain

Hallasan is the most awe-inspiring mountain in South Korea, reaching an elevation of nearly 2,000 meters. The mountain is surrounded by Hallasan National Park (Hallasan Seongpanak). The shield volcano is revered by a few people who believe that spirits and gods dwell within it.

Many travellers enjoy a hike through Mount Hallasan Jeju Island, admiring the breathtaking views. It is dependent on the time of the year you are visiting Jeju. The hike could be pretty cold, especially before you begin exercising and getting warm!

16. Seongsan Ilchulbong

Also called “Sunrise Peak,” Seongsan Ilchulbong isn’t just among Jeju’s notable geographic features but is also a UNESCO World Heritage SiteIt was created hundreds of years ago by an eruption of volcanic ash beneath the sea. It offers the most stunning sunrise views on the island. It’s among the top Jeju activities to experience.

All travelers can accomplish the hike, with rest areas and benches regularly set up throughout the hike. The approximate time to reach the top of Seongsan Ilchulbong Jeju Island is a leisurely pace of 45 minutes.

17. Cheonjiyeon Waterfall

Often referred to in the popular press as the “Pond of God,” Cheonjiyeon Waterfall comprises three parts. Further exploration of the waterfall leads to a cave that is a swimming pool and other waterfalls.

Remember to check out my blog posts on the top Things to Do in Jeju Island and the ideal 3-Day Jeju itinerary. It’s elementary to get to Cheonjiyeon waterfall. It is close to Seogwipo. The most convenient option is to take a walk. If you walk in the correct direction, you will cross the rocks that were once the grand dam and follow them to the waterfall.

18. Jeongbang Waterfall

Another of Jeju Island’s best waterfalls is Jeongbang Waterfall. The waterfall is unique because it’s the only waterfall in Asia that flows directly toward the ocean.The black cliff falls from 23 meters in height Jeongbang Waterfall Jeju Island is, without a doubt, one of the most breathtaking natural wonders of the island. Rae

19. Sangumburi Crater

Sangumburi, the crater boasts an incredible circumference of over 2 kilometers. The extinct volcano caldera is awash with beautiful plants. There are red-thorned trees and Magnolia trees, as well as Ondaerim plant life. The diversity of the vegetation makes the Sangumburi crater a favorite location for scientists.

20. Seopjikoji

Seopjikoji can be described as a lovely area located in the eastern part of Jeju Island and has featured in a variety of Korean television dramas and has become quite well-known. The lighting tower, gingerbread home, and remarkable perspectives from Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak from the end of the lighthouse.

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South Korea: A perfect marriage between culture and modernity Stroll through the incredible alleys of this Eastern Asia gem with Dook   A fact that spectacular South Korea is visited by approximately ten million international travellers every year comes as no surprise as it is one of the most diverse countries in entire East Asia that defines itself through the varied contrasts and natural exoticness. Here is where you will see temples rising beside the gleaming skyscrapers, experience the hubbub of the cities with the serenity of natural marvels nearby and see both beyond-belief advanced technology and rich traditions coinciding side-by-side thereby, confirming that South Korea is so much popular for quirky, interesting things beyond its K-pop culture.     Officially called ‘ The Republic of Korea ’, the country of South Korea has so much to offer to avid travellers. Spanning an area of 100,032 square kilometres the country is cradled by the Yellow Sea on the west, the Sea of Japan to the east, while to its south lie the Korea Strait and the East China Sea. The country pulsates with a futuristic economy and holds the first spot among the world's most innovative countries and is also abundantly filled with charming hilly countryside sprinkled with cherry trees, paddy fields, ancient Buddhist temples, scenic coastal fishing villages, gorgeous ski slopes, remote islands and so much more. From Seoul to Busan offering a combination of leisurely cosmopolitan vibe, a peek into the traditional front and seaside relaxation to Jeju Island and Sokcho that give a ‘life-is-so-pleasant’ feel, from numerous hiking trails and treks to craggy mountain tops to vibrancy of the city festivals; whatever is your reason to visit South Korea, the country surely casts a long-lasting spell on its visitors.   South Korea may sound like a new destination to try out for Indian travellers and the task of planning a South Korea tour can be quite daunting. However, visiting this amazing country and exploring it’s not-yet-crowded cities can turn out to be a rewarding experience. All you have to do is refer to Dook’s bespoke South Korea Tour Packages online and kiss goodbye to all your worries about planning a South Korea trip .   Capital: Seoul Languages: Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese and Russian Currency: South Korean Won Driving Side: Right Best Time to Travel: Visit between April to June for seeing the cherry blossoms in full bloom and between September to November for enjoying the mild and pleasant temperatures.

Explore South Korea: Just when you start to think that South Korea couldn't possibly offer you anything else apart from all that’s mentioned above, you are highly mistaken! There are huge markets, old villages, traditional wooden guest houses, national parks, unique food scenes, historical palaces, remote islands, entertainment districts, shopping plazas and so much more that always pique your curiosity of trying to seek out something new every day. Start your South Korea tour in the capital city of Seoul, enjoy oodles of entertainment options here and then make your way to the idyllic Jeju Island which is rightly called the “ Hawaii of Korea ”. Your wanderlust-stricken soul will guide you towards Busan where you can discover the undiscovered villages and gorge the best of seafood before you make your way back to the K-pop capital, but with interesting stops at Gyeongju and Sokcho along the way. On your visit to South Korea through South Korea packages , a common thing you will notice in every Korean city is the vibrancy with a tinge of glamour, fun and all things elegant. Book South Korea Holiday packages from Dook and enjoy a memorable journey with your near and dear ones! 1. Seoul: vibrant, traditional and futuristic A trip to South Korea almost always means Seoul would be your first destination to start with. Being the capital city and the largest metropolis in South Korea, Seoul is considered to be one of the top choices on the bucket list of backpackers and curious travellers. Situated amidst lofty mountain ranges, the capital city is profusely gifted with an unparalleled landscape to explore. Ranging from museums and theatres to lively nightlife, from an array of shopping options, delicious cuisines and quirky cafes to the city's thriving streets lit with lanterns, Seoul gives you many reasons to fall in love with its perfectly blended vibe!

Mostly comprising the inhabitants of Korean origin, Seoul did not see many foreigners lately. However, gaining pace steadily with each passing year, it is developing into a top tourist destination. Thanks to the South Korean technology and pop culture that has exploded into the global mainstream in recent years and making Seoul catch all the headlines and excitement. Gladly, the city is now able to catch attraction beyond its technological advancements with some of its unique tourist spots coming into the limelight. Wanting to get a deeper insight into Seoul’s history? Visit Seoul’s two famous palaces- Gyeongbokgung and Changgyeonggung or take a guided tour to DMZ (Demilitarized Zone). If you’re planning on doing a lot of shopping in the city, Myeongdong is definitely where you need to stay. It’s a hyper shopping district filled with big brands and boutique shops, as well as many restaurants, cafes and street food stalls and if quirky Korean stuff is what you fancy taking home, Itaewon Shopping Street is the place to explore. You can also see a bunch of traditional South Korean Hanok villages while on your trip to Bukchon Hanok Village located on a slope of a hill. There are so many things to do, see and experience in South Korea and a delightful visit to Seoul gives you plenty of reasons to embark on another adventure-filled South Korea tour soon. 2. Busan: beachy and beautiful A thriving, lively city sitting on the coast of the country’s seaside on the south, Busan is South Korea’s second-largest metropolis and a definite not-to-be-missed gem while visiting South Korea. Now gaining traction with international visitors, Busan has always been extremely popular with locals and has been known for its number of picturesque beaches, hot springs, shrines, specialty seafood dishes and tiny, lesser-explored villages. Even though the major portion of South Korea might not be known for its laid-back lifestyle, in Busan, you are sure to find happy ease in daily life while you are free to feel the sea breeze, rub elbows with locals and appreciate the rich, cultural aspects of this incredible city.   Perhaps it’s the beaches here or the wonderful museums, popular karaoke rooms and maze-like colourful culture villages or likely an exciting combination of all that makes Busan fall in love with, so much so that you’ll never want to leave. There are an unlimited number of things to do in Busan , that may not get you as absorbed as Seoul will, yet the uniqueness in every attraction will make it a worthwhile trip from anywhere in the world. From Gamcheon Culture Village that is adorned with street art and is decked up with painted rainbow colours, murals and statues popped up to visiting Haedong Yonggung Buddhist temple situated by the sea, from hiking up to Igidae Coastal Walk to enjoy the magnificent ocean views to hopping on the most famous Haeundae and Gwangalli beaches, from the brightly lit streets of Seomyeon to trying the best Korean street foods, whatever you do or see in Busan, you are sure to get captivated!

3. Jeju Island: justifiably the “Hawaii of Korea” Just as the Philippines has Palawan, Indonesia has Bali, Thailand has Koh Samui and Japan has Okinawa, Jeju Island is South Korea’s strong contender for the best tropical island getaway in Asia. What was once Korea’s best-kept secret is now a well-liked destination opened up to the world, popularly termed as the ‘ Hawaii of Korea ’. Not only is Jeju the home to the largest (inactive) volcano in Korea but it also offers easy access to stunning beaches, lavish beachside resorts, verdant mountains and several hiking trails.   Thanks to the unmatched charms of its natural marvels like Hallasan Mountain and high tuff cone craters of Seongsan Ilchulbong, Jeju has been recognised as a biosphere reserve and a UNESCO Global Geopark in previous years. While Hallasan Mountain, being the highest in South Korea, is the representative tourist destination of Jeju Island, the bowl-like crater of Seongsan Ilchulbong is home to more than 200 species of plants and animals with magnificent panoramic views on offer. For island getaways, opt to visit Udo, Hamdeok Beach, Seobinbaeksa Beach, Hyeopjae Beach, Jungmun Beach, Woljeongri Beach, Gwakji Gwamul Beach and spare time for a nice cup of coffee or a beer while enjoying the sun and sea breeze.   Planning a holiday to the gorgeous Jeju Island in South Korea? You’ll be in for a real treat with Dook’s hand-weaved South Korea Tour Packages that feature the best and beachy adventures at Jeju. 4. Sokcho: soak yourself in the sheer wilderness and hearty seafood Sandwiched between the designated UNESCO Biosphere Preservation of District Seoraksan National Park and the Sea of Japan, Sokcho is a beautiful coastal city considered a great place to escape for a weekend or even longer. Much loved by the travel enthusiasts for its Seoraksan Mountain, the shimmering waters of the East Sea, luxurious hot springs, beaches and delectable seafood, Sokcho is a welcoming destination for almost all the seasons. While it is considered a good base for launching yourself into the wilderness of Seoraksan National Park, the city is also near the coast which means you can enjoy the seaside vibes in Sokcho beach and relish the fresh seafood while you are here. Since it is majorly a fishing town, strolling the fish market and choosing the live fish to eat is a must-do. The other few interesting things to do here include visiting the Teddy Bear Farm and Abai Village, filling your empty tummies at the Foodtown or Sokcho Jungang Market, catching the beautiful sunrise at Dongmyeong Port and admiring the views from Ulsanbawi Rock.

5. Gyeongju: a mishmash of history and culture Known as South Korea’s “museum without walls”, the ancient marvel of Gyeongju is a treasure trove of cultural and historical sites present in abundance all across the city. Once an erstwhile capital of the ancient Silla Kingdom, Gyeongju today, is one of the major metropolitan cities and home to various UNESCO designated heritage sites including the famous Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple. Gyeongju’s abundant archaeological sites include temple and palace ruins and nobility burial mounds and there are ongoing excavation efforts that are still revealing Silla’s treasures. The city from time immemorial has remained an important centre of Korean Buddhism and therefore, the Buddhist temple of Bulguksa is considered of utmost importance as a masterpiece of the golden age of Buddhist art of the Silla kingdom, encompassing seven national treasures. Both the Bulguksa and Seokguram (world-famous UNESCO-listed Buddhist grotto) are in the outlying districts of the city making them easily accessible through public transport. To get a deeper glimpse into South Korea’s cultural roots, there is no better place than the Gyeongju National Museum that houses an unparalleled collection of artefacts. Top Bucket List Travel Experiences in South Korea:   1. Enjoy the unobstructed views of Seoul city from the Namsan Tower 2. Go clubbing in HongdaeVisit the Trick Eye Museum 3. Bring out the beach baby in you at Haeundae and Gwangalli Beaches 4. Live in luxury at Sun Cruise Resort and Yacht 5. Drool over an array of shopping options in Myeongdong 6. Soak in the party vibes in Gangnam 7. Feast on Korean specialities (the famed BBQ, bibimbap, spicy rice cakes, Kimchi ) 8. While in South Korea, going to a K-POP concert is a ritual 9. Glide down the ski slopes of Pyeongchang 10. Pay a holy visit to the colourful Jogyesa Buddhist Temple 11. Visit the book-loving Cafe Comma 12. Visit a themed café- cat, poop, 3D, flower; the categories are endless 13. Get awed by the beauty of Gyeongbokgung Palace 14. If family entertainment is on your mind, Lotte World is where you should be heading to! 15. Eat live Octopus at Gwangjang Market 16. Say ‘bottoms up’ to the National Drink of South Korea- Soju 17. Watch the sunset at Sokcho’s Cheongchoho lake 18. Tour the largest National Park in Korea- Dadohaehaesang     19. Escape to a traditional Hanok Village; preferably Bukchon Hanok Village and Namsangol Hanok Village 20. Hike the spectacular trails of Seoraksan National Park 21. Travel back in time while you visit the Andong Hahoe Folk Village 22. Have an Abai Sundae (a sausage stuffed and steamed inside a squid) 23. Enjoy the snowy, winter wonderland during Halla Snow Festival 24. Capture the true essence of Korean Cherry Blossoms at Kyeong-Wha Station’s Cherry Blossom Tunnel 25. Take in the captivating beauty of picturesque Jeju-si island   See, explore and discover the splendours of South Korea with Dook South Korea indeed has a way to mystify people with its many charms. With a world of its own unique experiences, it does get a little difficult to pick the best South Korea tour that gratifies the travel appetite and also fits the bill. We, at Dook , therefore, take the controlling wheel on your behalf to dig up the fittingly best and the most personalised South Korea Holiday Packages for you from our inventory of exclusive South Korea Packages .

Explore More: Top Attractions in South Korea

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How to Plan a South Korea trip from India - South Korea trip cost

• Apply Visa Online
• Oct 10, 2023

The world we have entered is an era of globalization and extensive exposure to various international worlds, and destinations like South Korea have started becoming more and more demanding than ever. The country is often called the Land of Morning Calm! This Asian country has numerous unique things about itself.

For instance, the obsession with makeup makes it the makeup capital, and then late-night snacking is something you should surely try here. This is because of their exceptional food-delivering experience.

Moreover, the capital city of South Korea, Seoul is the largest city in South Korea and also the third-largest city in the world!  And then comes Kimchi. This is not just a normal dish eaten for fun but helps you with your digestive health, so this is another thing you should not miss to eat when you go to Korea. 

Besides all this, visiting the country on a planned budget must be your priority. Let's explore the basic rates and have an idea of how to plan the   South Korea trip cost from India . South Korea, which is an exciting as well as complex country, will surely astonish with everything it has to offer. 

Planning the South Korea Trip Cost from India

The expenses will be on four major things. They include flights, hotel stays, food, and commutes. Let’s have a look at a detailed travel plan and also the budget figures, which will help you to plan your trip in a more economical and yet interesting manner.

• Plan Your Accommodation

The hotel cost in Korea could vary from a range of Rs 3000 to Rs 11000 and more. This depends upon the hotel you are staying in, and the location of the hotel. 

• Show ITR For the Last Three Years

It is necessary to have documents prepared beforehand. Having an ITR for the last three years should be noted. 

• Trip Tickets

Make sure to book your round-trip tickets early. This is because it makes the ticket price less expensive. If you book your tickets,  seven to eight weeks before, you can actually get a better price.

• SIM Connection

You can purchase a SIM card or a wifi card from the airport itself. The price at the airport will be cheaper and you will be able to use your devices without a pause. 

• Travel Insurance

Safety is never an expense, it is precisely invaluable. Therefore, make sure to get travel insurance done before you go. 

When you arrive in South Korea you can go to the Hongdae area . If you arrive by late evening or at night, then you can have a warm welcome in this area.

This area is extremely famous for its nightlife and fun and has various options to explore shopping easily.  The night market here will please you for sure. The downtown area helps you connect with the locals and gives you an opportunity for sightseeing. 

As far as accommodation is concerned, then you can either book a hotel, or a guest room(which will be cheaper) and spend the night. Guest Rooms in Korea, and neat, clean, and decent enough.

So, you need not worry. If you choose a hotel, the hotel cost per night would start from a minimum of Rs 2800 and can go up to Rs 600 for hotels like Fairfield by Marriott in Seoul. This insight could help you choose a hotel that would balance your overall budget.

Thereafter, the following day, you can head to the city which will make your experience more meaningful. Yes, it is Seoul . The local sightseeing in Seoul, visiting Seoul Tower, Bukchon Hanok Village, National Museum of Korea, Gyeongbokgung Palace, Lotte World Tower, Itaewon, Blue House, Seoul Museum of Art, Jingwansa Temple, Bukhansan National Park, Cheonggyecheon and so much more.

Moreover, the love locks concept at the Seoul Tower is quite popular. Well, do not ask us to visit the country and experience it in the best way. Seoul Museum of Art and Bukhansan National Park are free tourist attractions.

For the Seoul Tower, the 1st floor of the Plaza of the N Seoul Tower provides a 16,000 WON ticket for an adult, which allows you to go up to the tower. Thereafter,  when you have filled your heart with all the fun here, you can head towards the famous Jeju Island.

As far as the commute is concerned, you can take a cab for a reasonable amount. The fares range from Rs 140 to Rs 630 in accordance with the distance traveled. From Seoul, you can also catch KTX to Makpo, Busan before catching a ferry to Jeju Island. 

Now, after you have given a day to Seoul, you can head to one of the best places in South Korea, the famous Jeju Island .  The island welcomes you with the best natural beauty and immense serenity.

Gloucester Hotel Jeju, Ecoland Hotel, and Hallim Resort are a few hotels in Jeju Island that you can get on a budget of Rs 5000 per night. There are hotels available at a price lower and higher than this. You can pick as per your budget. 

Well, on the fourth day, you can explore more of this stunning island of Jeju or go to Jeju City. There are around 70 casinos on this island .  Jeju Oriental Hotel & Casino, and Lotte Hotel Jeju are just a few of them. 

The price begins from Rs 500-5500. Sangumburi Crater, Eco Land Theme Park, Hallim Park, Udo, Dongmun Market, and more can be explored when you are on Jeju Island. Korea’s cherry blossoms start blooming in mid-March here. So, if you visit Jeju around this time, do not forget to cherish this lifetime experience with your loved ones.

After having all the fun on Jeju Island, you can head back to Seoul. Since you are now aware of the fares, you can choose the most economical mode as per your budget.

You can pay a visit to Myeongdong- a shopper's paradise that features a wide range of shops. Myeongdong is the place that can give you so much to carry back to India as a memory of Korea. 

Furthermore, Seoul experiences cherry blossoms in early April. If you are a true gazer of this natural scene, then plan your trip accordingly!

Furthermore, you can also go to Nami Island and Petite France in Seoul. Korean movies and serials have made these places quite popular.

There is an entry ticket for them. The entry ticket for Nami Island is around Rs 1000 for adults and Rs 620 for children. The entry ticket for Petite France is around Rs 620 for adults and Rs350 for children.

Nami Island is a half-moon-shaped island situated in the Gangwon Province of South Korea. The beauty of this place will mesmerize you!

The next day, you can depart from South Korea.  Seoul’s main as well as largest airport is Incheon International Airport.

It is a hub for over 80 local and international airlines such as  British Airways, Emirates, Korean Air, Malaysia Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Asiana Airlines, Jeju Air, and more. It is 48 km west of Seoul. You can reach here via bus, rail or taxi. 

Tips to Make Your South Korea Trip Cost from India Economical

Firstly, choosing hostels and guesthouses rather than hotels will bring down your expenses. There is no harm in carrying some homemade snacks with you. Instant tea or coffee sachets can also be taken. It will save you a lot in one week when you plan to calculate your S outh Korea trip cost from India .

Moreover, try to taste the food of the small eateries in alleys rather than expensive hotels. They are more delicious as they offer a typical local and real Korean taste. Korean beer and Korean Soju can be tried rather than drinking wine.

Thirdly, using public transport can be a smarter choice. Metro and buses are cost-friendly as well as convenient. Sometimes free buses for tourists are available from Seoul.

 Fourthly, you can also download the free “Subway Korea” application which provides live updates on the current timetables of the subway lines and the aligned cost. Moreover, trains for intercity travel are again a good alternative. 

Book your South Korea Visa with Visa2Fly

Visa2Fly is an online visa application platform that is dedicated to easing the lives of travelers. We simplify the way you book your visa application. Remember to book your visa timely as visa processing takes its own time. 

Visa2fly, not only helps but also assists you in compiling your documents from the comfort of your home. We offer more than just visa services as we believe that our customers should be offered a wholesome experience complete with currency exchange services, SIM cards, and travel insurance. 

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South Korea Travel Guide

Last Updated: August 6, 2024

Though South Korea is small (about the size of the US state of Indiana), it punches well above its weight in terms of things to see and do. Boasting a vibrant culture, incredible history, natural beauty, delicious food, and a wild nightlife, it’s home to both major cities and untouched nature, offering something for every traveler.

Seoul, the capital city and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the world (over half the country’s population of 50 million is concentrated here), is a lively hub for food lovers and partying. But while it gets all the attention, there is much more to explore, including 22 national parks, lush Jeju Island, and the infamous Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) bordering North Korea.

Best of all, since South Korea is a manageable size, you can see a good portion of it in a limited amount of time. The transportation here is modern, clean, and efficient, so it’s easy to get around quickly.

The country is also a foodie’s paradise, with cheap street food and delicious dishes like bibimbap, kimchi, and the famed Korean barbecue.

It’s one of my favorite countries in the world and one that I think is super under the radar and often overlooked by travelers. You never see the tourist crowds found in other Asian countries.

This travel guide to South Korea can help you plan your trip, save money, and make the most of your visit.

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on South Korea

Top 5 Things to See and Do in South Korea

1. Explore Seoul

Korea’s capital has a little bit of everything. It’s a bustling metropolis and global technology hub, with sleek and modern neighborhoods like Gangnam and iconic sights like the Lotte World Tower, the sixth-tallest building in the world. Yet there is a lot of history here too, including many museums, palaces, and temples, among them five UNESCO World Heritage Sites. When you’re done exploring for the day, Seoul has a robust street food scene, countless trendy restaurants, and fast-paced, soju-driven nightlife. You could easily spend weeks here and never get bored.

2. Tour the DMZ

The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separates North and South Korea and, despite the name, is the most militarized border in the world. You can only visit the Joint Security Area (JSA), which has military personnel from both sides, on a guided tour, but it’s a unique experience and an important way to learn about this ongoing conflict (the war started in 1950 and has not officially ended). On the tour, you’ll be able to actually stand in North Korea, visit the Third Tunnel of Aggression (which North Korea dug to sneak soldiers across the border), see the Freedom Bridge, and catch glimpses of North Korea from the Unification Observatory. Guided tours of the DMZ start from 80,000 KRW.

3. Visit Jeju Island

This volcanic, semitropical island is a popular domestic vacation spot. It’s accessible via cheap daily flights from Seoul that take just one hour. Known as “the Hawaii of Korea,” it’s a natural paradise, home to the tallest mountain in Korea (Mount Hallasan), lava tubes, beautiful beaches, and countless hiking and walking trails. Other attractions include visiting mythic Jeju Stone Park, wandering the Yeomiji Botanical Gardens, and watching the haenyeo divers — women who dive without any protective equipment to gather underwater treasures like shellfish and seaweed, which they then sell on the beaches. You can visit the Jeju Haenyeo Museum as well to learn more about this cultural practice that dates back centuries.

4. Sing karaoke

Known as noraebang , this is a cultural phenomenon and something worth experiencing at least once while visiting Korea. While the karaoke machine was originally invented in Japan, Koreans have adopted the pastime and made it their own. Here, you rent out a private room with a group of friends (instead of singing in a public bar, as is often the case in Western countries). Pricing is determined by the hour, with rates varying wildly depending on the number of people, time of day, day of the week, and whether snacks and drinks are included. Average group karaoke rates range from 5,000 to 15,000 KRW.

5. Step back in time at a hanok village

Other things to see and do in south korea, 1. visit changdeokgung palace.

One of the Joseon dynasty’s Five Grand Palaces, this 15th-century complex in Seoul was built in harmony with the natural environment at the foot of Bugaksan Mountain. Changdeokgung, or “Palace of Prospering Virtue,” was the main royal residence for 13 kings over the course of three centuries. The complex sprawls over 110 acres, 60% of which is taken up by the beautiful Huwon Secret Garden, home to over a hundred species of trees, flowers, and other plants (some of the trees here are over 300 years old!). The main draw is wandering around the exterior, with its restored buildings and gates, though you can also go inside Injeongjeon Hall, the palace’s throne room. Admission to the complex is 3,000 KRW; the Secret Garden is an additional 5,000 KRW. There are guided tours in English as well.

2. Explore Busan

Korea’s second-largest city is located just two hours from Seoul on the KTX high-speed bullet train. A coastal city, Busan boasts great beaches, such as Haeundae Beach, with its miles of sand, and Gwangalli Beach, known for its sunsets. Gamcheon Culture Village, the “mural village of Korea,” is a hillside neighborhood rich in street art and covered in murals, and nearly all the houses are painted bright colors. It’s a great place to wander around for a few hours, popping into the unique shops, cafés, and restaurants.

3. See the National Museum of Korea

If you visit only one museum in Korea, make it this one. Located in Seoul, it covers all aspects of Korean culture, art, and history, from prehistory to the early modern era. It also contains many national treasures and artifacts that have been designated as having special importance and value in Korean culture and history. Some of the most important ones include the sixth-century inscribed Bukhansan Monument, detailing military expansions; sixth-century gilt-bronze Buddhist statues; and the 10-story Gyeongcheonsa Pagoda, which dates to the 14th century. Don’t miss the exterior gardens, which feature indigenous plants, reflecting pools, and traditional Korean sculptures and lanterns. Admission to the main exhibitions and children’s museum is free.

4. Take a food tour

As a foodie, learning about a culture through its food is one of my favorite things to do while traveling. Korea has an incredible variety of amazing dishes to try, as well as a bustling (and delicious) street food scene. Taking a food tour with an experienced guide is one of the best ways to gain a deeper understanding of Korean cuisine. O’ngo Food offers a variety of tours in Seoul, Busan, Jeonju, and Jeju, with prices starting from 70,000 KRW per person.

5. Visit Gyeongbokgung Palace

Originally built in the 14th century by the kings of the Joseon dynasty, this palace in Seoul served as the seat of the government for two hundred years until it was destroyed by a fire and abandoned for centuries. Since the 19th century (and still today), it has been undergoing renovations to restore the complex to its former glory. It is considered the most stunning of all five royal palaces in Seoul, featuring grand gates, open courtyards, and terracotta-topped buildings set against the backdrop of Mount Bugak. In addition to wandering through the complex, you can also go into the many administrative halls and residential chambers set up to resemble the palace’s heyday. You can watch the changing-of-the-guard ceremony as well, every day except Monday. The National Palace Museum and the National Folk Museum are also located in the complex. Admission is 3,000 KRW.

6. See the cherry blossoms

While cherry blossoms are often associated with Japan, festivities surrounding the blooms are incredibly popular in Korea as well. Here, the season runs from late March to late April, with many festivals throughout the country. Just be prepared for crowds at the more popular ones, like the Yeouido Cherry Blossom Festival in Seoul.

7. Try taekwondo

Korean’s native martial art, taekwondo, is characterized by high kicks and punches and, like all such disciplines, emphasizes mental training. An Olympic event since 2000, taekwondo has only grown in popularity in recent years and is a point of pride in Korean culture. Kang’s Global Taekwondo in Seoul offers classes to adults and foreigners that cost around 43,000 KRW for one hour.

8. Learn to cook classic Korean foods

If you’d like to take your knowledge of Korean food one step further, take a cooking class, where you’ll learn to prepare classics like bibimbap, kimchi, bulgogi, and Korean pancakes. Hello K Cooking in Seoul offers a class where you’ll learn how to cook three main dishes and one stew — recipes and skills that you can bring home with you. Classes are 107,000 KRW.

9. Go hiking

Korea is an incredibly mountainous country, so hiking is a favorite pastime for locals. Be sure to immerse yourself in nature while visiting this lush land. There are even hiking spots near the bigger cities if you don’t have enough time or don’t want to venture too far afield. Bukhansan National Park, just outside Seoul, is a popular place to go hiking, offering panoramic views over the capital (expect crowds due to its proximity to the city, though). Yet with 22 national parks spread across the country, there are plenty of opportunities to escape the crowds (including lots of guided hikes if you don’t want to organize one yourself). For a multiday hike, the Jirisan Ridge Trek in Jirisan National Park is one of the most famous — a four-day walk from mountain shelter to mountain shelter.

10. Wander around Seoul Olympic Park

In 1988, Seoul hosted the Summer Olympics, which was only the second time the summer games had been held in Asia (the first was in Tokyo in 1964). Today, you can visit the massive park where the games were staged, and while Olympic Park does have many sports facilities, there’s much more to explore here as well. The park is divided into four sections, focusing on the arts, history, nature, and sports. In the arts section, you’ll find the SOMA Museum of Art and a park with over 200 sculptures, while in the history section, you can see the third-century defensive Mongchontoseong Earthen Fortifications, excavated dugout huts and storage pits left in the state in which they were uncovered. You can easily spend an entire afternoon here. Admission to the park is free.

11. Discover Jirisan National Park

Located in the southern part of the country (Namwon is the nearest city), this park is named after Jirisan (Mt. Jiri for short), the tallest mountain on mainland Korea. As it’s South Korea’s first national park (as well as its largest), hiking trails and cultural sites abound. You can visit seven major Buddhist temples and see several of Korea’s national treasures of ancient carved stonework from the seventh to the tenth centuries. One of the most important sites here is Samseonggung, or Three Sages Palace, a mountainside shrine dedicated to the legendary founders of Korea. Admission to the park is 1,600 KRW.

South Korea Travel Costs

Cheap hotel rooms start at 28,000 KRW for a room that sleeps one, while a double room generally costs at least 40,000 KRW. Expect basic amenities like Wi-Fi, a TV, air conditioning, and an electric teapot. Breakfast is usually not included at budget hotels.

Airbnb is available around the country, with private rooms starting at 25,000-30,000 KRW. For an entire home or apartment, expect to pay at least 50,000-70,000 KRW per night.

While wild camping is illegal in Korea, there are plenty of campgrounds should you want to pitch a tent. Expect to pay 7,000-20,000 KRW for a plot with access to bathroom and shower facilities, and usually even Wi-Fi.

Food – Korean cuisine has developed its own traditions and flavors over the centuries, with a unique emphasis on using uncooked, fermented, and pickled vegetables. Traditional Korean meals are often composed of a variety of side dishes, eaten with short-grain rice. A meal isn’t considered complete unless there’s kimchi on the table.

Common dishes include bulgogi (marinated, grilled beef), samgye-tang (chicken and ginseng soup), bibimbap (a mixed rice bowl), chap chae (a glass noodle dish), and many other noodle and rice dishes. Popular street foods include hotteok (a sweet, filled pancake), tteokbokki (spicy cylindrical rice cakes), and bungeo-ppang (a fish-shaped pastry filled with red bean paste).

Dining out in South Korea is relatively inexpensive. A meal at a casual restaurant serving traditional Korean food is around 9,000-15,000 KRW, while a three-course meal at a mid-range restaurant is around 25,000-30,000 KRW. Expect higher prices in larger cities.

Western food is more expensive. Expect to pay at least 20,000 KRW for a pasta dish at an Italian restaurant.

In terms of fast food, a combo meal (think McDonald’s) is around 7,000 KRW, while a burger is around 4,500 KRW. A typical Korean street food dish is 1,500-3,000 KRW.

A pint of beer is 4,000-5,000 KRW, a glass of wine is 6,000 KRW and up, and a cocktail is 7,000 KRW and up. A latte or cappuccino is 5,000 KRW.

If you cook your own food, expect to pay 50,000-70,000 KRW per week for basic staples like rice, pasta, vegetables, and some meat. Shopping at local markets is the best way to get great fresh produce for cheap.

Backpacking South Korea: Suggested Budgets

On a backpacking budget of 75,000 KRW per day, you can stay in a hostel dorm, cook all your meals, use public transportation and intercity buses to get around, skip the alcohol, and do mostly free activities like walking tours and hiking.

On a mid-range budget of 135,000 KRW per day, you can stay in a private Airbnb or cheap hotel, eat out for most meals at casual restaurants, enjoy a few drinks, take the occasional taxi as well as trains between cities, and do more paid activities like museum visits and food tours.

On a “luxury” budget of 255,000 KRW or more per day, you can stay in a nicer hotel or entire Airbnb apartment, eat out pretty much anywhere you want, drink at the bar, get a high-speed rail pass, and do as many guided tours and activities as you want. This is just the ground floor for luxury, though. The sky is the limit!

You can use the chart below to get an idea of how much you need to budget daily. Keep in mind these are daily averages — some days you’ll spend more, some days less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in KRW.

South Korea Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

I find South Korea to be one of the best value countries out there. It’s a really affordable place to visit. Accommodation can add up but food and drinks are generally cheap. Here are some ways to save money when you travel around South Korea:

• Visit the free attractions – With countless museums, shrines, temples, historic neighborhoods, and parks, Korea is filled with opportunities to become immersed in its culture. Many of the nation’s museums and cultural attractions are free, so don’t pass them up!
• Purchase a KORAIL Pass – If you want to travel by train, getting a rail pass is the most economical way to do so. You’ll get unlimited train travel for the time period you choose (2-5-day increments). Prices start at 121,000 KRW.
• Get a transit pass – Most major cities in Korea offer a day pass for public transit, which means great savings if you plan to hop around using buses and subways. Seoul’s day pass costs 15,000 KRW, though the longer you stay, the more you’ll save (a seven-day pass is 64,500 KRW).
• Buy a city pass – If you plan on visiting a lot of attractions, buy a city pass. Seoul and Busan both offer ones that include admission to popular sights, a transit pass, and discounts to restaurants and other attractions.
• Eat from the convenience stores – Convenience stores in Korea offer not only snacks and drinks but prepared boxed meals and cheap alcohol. If you’re on a tight budget, shop in those.
• Take the bus – While the trains are fun, the cheapest way to get around Korea is by bus. They take longer but are much cheaper, so if you have the time, opt for long-distance buses. Just show up at the bus station to reserve your tickets in advance, as most websites and apps are in Korean.
• Stay with a local – Couchsurfing lets you stay with a local for free, cutting your accommodation costs drastically. You’ll get to spend time with someone who can share their tips and advice in exchange for your own travel stories and culture. You can also use the app to meet people for activities (coffee, museum visits, etc.) if you don’t feel comfortable staying with a stranger.
• Drink like the locals – Soju, the national alcohol of Korea, is incredibly cheap, as is domestic beer. Just be careful to not let it sneak up on you — both monetarily and physically. Korea’s drinking culture is infamous!
• Stay in capsule hotels – If you don’t want to Couchsurf or stay in hostels but still want to save money, capsule or pod hotels are great options. These offer just what you need to sleep (a small, basic pod) yet can be surprisingly comfy and much more affordable than a traditional hotel. Prices start as low as 45,000 KRW per night.
• Bring a water bottle – The tap water here is safe to drink, so bring a reusable water bottle to save money and reduce your plastic use. LifeStraw is my go-to brand, as its bottles have built-in filters to ensure that your water is always clean and safe.

Where to Stay in South Korea

South Korea has plenty of budget-friendly hostels and guesthouses. Here are some of my recommended places to stay when you visit:

• Time Travelers Relax Guesthouse (Seoul)
• Zzzip Guesthouse (Seoul)
• Time Travelers party Hostel (Seoul)
• INSIDE Busan (Busan)
• Jeju Hiking Inn (Jeju)
• Backpacker’s Home (Jeju)

How to Get Around South Korea

Bus – Taking a long-distance bus is the cheapest and most popular way to get around the country. There are two types: express (which makes few to no stops) and intercity (which travels between smaller destinations and makes more stops).

Your best bet for reserving tickets in advance is to go directly to the bus terminal, as most bus websites and booking apps are in Korean and only accept Korean credit or debit cards.

Pricing depends on what class ticket you choose: standard, luxury, or premium. The four-hour bus ride from Seoul to Busan costs around 36,000 KRW for a standard ticket, Incheon to Busan takes just over four hours and costs 38,000 KRW, and Seoul to Daegu is 29,000 KRW and takes just under four hours.

Train – South Korea has a robust train system that can take you all over the country. Korean Train Express (KTX) is the country’s bullet train, regularly running at speeds up to 305 kilometers (190 miles) per hour. However, these only go between major cities, have limited schedules, and are more expensive, so KTX may not always be the most convenient choice.

KORAIL (the national railway service) operates slower-speed, intercity trains that offer a wider range of schedules and destination choices. You can also get the unlimited KORAIL Pass, which is offered exclusively to international tourists. A two-day adult pass is 121,000 KRW; a five-day adult pass is 210,000 KRW.

As a comparison of the two train types: the journey from Seoul to Busan on a KRX train costs around 90,000 KRW and takes 2.5 hours, while on a regular intercity train, it takes 5.5 hours and costs 47,500 KRW.

The further out you book, the cheaper KTX train prices get, while intercity prices stay about the same. You can book up to a year in advance.

Flying – South Korea is so small that flying around the country doesn’t really make sense. Trains can get you anywhere pretty quickly. However, if you’re very pressed for time and have cash to burn, there are a few budget airlines offering domestic flights between major cities. Most are around one hour long.

The flight from Seoul to Busan is around 30,500 KRW, Seoul to Jeju is 55,000 KRW, and Busan to Jeju is 22,000 KRW. However, you can find flights even cheaper when you book further in advance.

Low-cost airlines in South Korea include the following:

Car rental – Renting a car isn’t incredibly cheap in South Korea. However, it is one of the best ways to explore all the natural wonders that the country has to offer, many of which are inaccessible by public transportation. Expect to pay around 50,000-55,000 KRW per day on a multiday rental. Drivers need to be at least 21 years old.

When to Go to South Korea

Generally, the best times to visit South Korea are March-May and September-November. During these periods, the weather is mild, with temperatures of 10-24°C (50-75°F); prices for accommodation and transportation are lower; and there are fewer crowds.

In the spring, the cherry blossoms are in bloom all over the country, while the fall brings the beautiful colors of the changing leaves. Also, if you plan on doing a lot of hiking, the fall is the best time to visit.

The summer starts with monsoon season, from June through mid-July, and the rest of the summer is hot and humid in the cities (though it cools down in the mountains and along the coasts). Prices for accommodation are also very high during this time.

Winters in South Korea get very cold, with temperatures dipping as low as -6°C (21°F), so unless you plan on skiing, visiting from December through February might not be the best option (though the temples and landscapes look beautiful covered in snow).

How to Stay Safe in South Korea

South Korea is an incredibly safe place to backpack and travel around. Petty crime is rare here, though it never hurts to be cautious on public transportation and around popular tourist landmarks. Always keep your wallet and valuables secure and out of reach, just in case. Violent crime is even more rare.

Solo female travelers should feel safe here. However, the standard safety precautions apply as always. For specific tips, consult one of the many solo female travel blogs on the web.

While scams are super rare in South Korea, to avoid getting ripped off, you can check out this list of common travel scams to avoid .

When hiking, always bring water and sunscreen. Be sure to check the weather before you depart and dress accordingly.

Earthquakes occur regularly in the region, so it’s best to be prepared and download the Emergency Ready app, which the Korean government developed to provide information in English to foreign residents and tourists. It has all kinds of advice and tips for natural disasters, shows you where nearby emergency shelters are, and sends out warnings and notifications should a disaster occur.

If you do experience an emergency, dial 112 for assistance.

Always trust your gut instinct. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID, and forward your itinerary along to loved ones so they’ll know where you are.

South Korea Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!

South Korea Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on Asia travel and continue planning your trip:

Traveling with Friends: How to Avoid Disaster

The 5 Best Hotels in Singapore

The 7 Best Hotels in Bangkok

The 4 Best Hostels in Singapore

Where to Stay in Singapore: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit

The 13 Best Things to See and Do in Taipei

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In My Korea

Complete South Korea Travel Guide 2024: Korean Travel Tips

Planning a trip to Korea but not sure where to start? First-time traveller who isn’t sure if Korea is the right country for your next trip? Worried about travelling to Korea and facing problems with the Korean language, culture, money, Internet, transportation, hotels, food, or etiquette? Then this complete South Korea travel guide is packed full of tips that you’ll certainly need.

You’ll find all the best Korean travel tips and advice in this article. Whether you’re a first-time traveller to Korea, or you’ve visited before, this South Korea travel guide will show what to see, when to travel, and which places to visit, as well as help you avoid any difficult situations or surprising culture shocks.

This guide is designed to walk you through everything you need to know to prepare for your trip to Korea. You can use it to plan your itinerary, to pre-book travel essentials, to learn about what festivals and seasonal events are on, and to find more reasons to want to travel to Korea right now.

Table of Contents

Affiliate Disclaimer :  This site contains affiliate links and I may earn commission for purchases made after clicking these links.

What’s In This South Korea Travel Guide

This South Korea travel guide covers all the essential information you need to plan a trip to Korea. This is useful for first-time travellers to Korea who might not be aware of uniquely Korean cultural and travel issues. Even if you’ve visited Korea before, I’m sure you can learn a lot from this travel guide.

This article contains lots of insights and knowledge about travelling to Korea and is quite long. I’ve added links in each section to articles that provide more information about each topic. Therefore, I suggest viewing this South Korea travel guide on a desktop computer as it will be easier to read.

What Are You Looking For?

To help make it easier for you to find what you’re looking for, I’ve broken this article into the following sections. Click the quick links below to jump straight there or keep reading through all parts.

Latest Travel News

Entry Requirements

Why Visit Korea

When To Visit

Flights To Korea

Where To Stay

Korea Travel Costs

Travel Money

Phones & Internet

Public Transport

Where To Visit

Seoul Day Tours

Sightseeing Spots

Korean Activities

Korean Festivals

1-Week Itinerary

Culture Issues

Language Issues

Health & Safety

Korean Travel Tips

Korean Travel News And Travel Restrictions 2024

This section of the South Korea travel guide will show you the latest travel news and restriction updates, including any temporary or permanent changes to the entry process, visa changes, and other things that might affect travel to Korea. COVID-related updates will also be posted here.

Latest Korean Travel News In 2024

This section will detail any interesting or important travel news that could affect travellers to Korea, such as price increases in public transport, travel changes, new services, or closures.

The Korean government is aiming to boost tourism to Korea by doubling the amount travellers can claim back in tax when shopping in Korea. From 2024, travellers will be able to claim up to 5,000,000 KRW on eligible purchases with a limit of 1,000,000 KRW tax back per transaction. Source : Korea Herald

From August 2023, the price to travel on buses in Seoul is set to rise. Bus fares will rise to 1,500 KRW per journey. From October 7th, 2023, Seoul’s subway fares will rise to 1,400 KRW per journey. Other cities in Korea will enact similar rises throughout 2023 to cover higher costs of public transportation. Source : Korea Herald

From July 15th, 2023, the requirement to register your health condition through the Q-Code portal will be scrapped. Source : Korea Times

From July 3rd, 2023, children aged 17 years and younger, as well as adults aged 65 and older, will no longer need to apply for a K-ETA to travel to Korea. Furthermore, the validity period has been increased from 2 years to 3 years to make travelling to Korea easier. Source: K-ETA website .

From June 2023, Korea will end almost all pandemic-related restrictions for tourists and locals. Masks will no longer be necessary except in hospitals and infected people no longer face mandatory self-isolation (although the government still recommends 5 days self-isolation). Q-Code requirements haven’t been mentioned, however. Source : Korea Herald .

From April 2023 until December 2024, travellers from 22 countries won’t have to complete a K-ETA when visiting Korea, saving time and money for citizens of those countries. People from other countries still need a K-ETA. Source : K-ETA

The 22 countries temporarily excluded from the K-ETA requirement are Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Macao, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, UK, US (including Guam).

From April 2023, all foreigners under 19 years old (18 and under) can now enter major royal palaces and tombs, including Seoul’s Gyeongbokgung Palace, for free. Previously, all foreigners were made to pay a fee to enter. Source : Korea Herald

From March 2023, a quarter of all buses in Seoul will refuse cash payments and allow only card payments using transportation cards, such as the T-Money card. Seoul’s night buses won’t be included for now, and 262 of Seoul’s 370 bus routes will still accept cash. Expect further increases in cash-free buses in the future. Source : Korea Herald

From February 2023, the base fare for a taxi journey in Korea has increased by 1,000 won to a minimum of 4,800 won. The distance that the base fare applies has also been shortened from 2km to 1.6km, which will make fares more expensive. Source : Korea Times

What Are the Current COVID Restrictions In Korea In 2024?

Korea has been removing COVID-related restrictions in the country throughout 2022 and 2023. It is no longer necessary to show a QR code to enter a building and restrictions involving masks and health checks have mostly gone. The latest COVID-related rules for Korea are as follows .

Masks : From Monday, March 20th, Korea has removed the mandatory mask rule for public transport, one of the final places that masks were required for the general public. The only places that require a face mask (from June 1st) are in medical facilities (hospitals). Masks are not mandatory elsewhere, including in schools, shops, restaurants or anywhere outside. Source : Korea Herald

Self-Quarantine : From June 1st, Korea will no longer impose a mandatory self-isolation period on infected people. The government instead ‘recommends’ a period of self-isolation for 5 days to reduce the chance of transmission to other people. Source : Korea Herald

For further details about the latest COVID requirements for entering or travelling in Korea, check out the second section of this South Korea travel guide, which has a list of all the updated entry requirements, including visas, tests, and other considerations.

Planning to visit Korea? These travel essentials will help you plan your trip, get the best deals, and save you time and money before and during your Korean adventure.

Visas & K-ETA: Some travellers to Korea need a Tourist Visa , but most can travel with a Korean Electronic Travel Authorisation (K-ETA). Currently 22 Countries don’t need either one.

How To Stay Connected : Pre-order a Korean Sim Card or a WiFi Router to collect on-arrival at Incheon Airport (desks open 24-hours). Alternatively, download a Korean eSIM for you travels.

Where To Stay : For Seoul, I recommend Myeongdong (convenient), Hongdae (cool culture) or Gangnam (shopping). For Busan, Haeundae (Beach) or Seomyeon (Downtown).

Incheon Airport To Seoul : Take the Airport Express (AREX) to Seoul Station or a Limo Bus across Seoul. Book an Incheon Airport Private Transfer and relax to or from the airport.

Korean Tour Operators : Tour companies that have a big presence in Korea include Klook , Trazy , Viator , and Get Your Guide . These sites offer discounted entry tickets for top attractions.

Seoul City Passes : Visit Seoul’s top attractions for free with a Discover Seoul Pass or Go City Seoul Pass . These passes are great for families and couples visiting Seoul – you can save lots.

How To Get Around : For public transport, grab a T-Money Card . Save money on Korea’s high speed trains with a Korea Rail Pass . To see more of Korea, there are many rental car options from Klook , EconomyBookings , and RentalCars .

Travel Money : Use money exchanges near Myeongdong and Hongdae subway stations for the best exchange rates. Order a Wise Card or WOWPASS to pay by card across Korea.

Flights To Korea : I use flight comparison sites such as Expedia and Skyscanner to find the best flights to Korea from any country. Air Asia is a good option for budget flights from Asia.

Travel Insurance : It is important to insure your trips to protect yourself against the unexpected. World Nomad is a specialized travel insurance provider with options for different coverage for travellers from around the world. You can also purchase cover when you are already travelling.

How To Learn Korean : The language course from 90 Day Korean or Korean Class 101 both have well-structured lessons and lots of useful resources to help you learn Korean.

Current Requirements To Travel To Korea In 2024

This part of the South Korea travel guide is for tourists . If you plan to travel for business, employment, or other reasons, check your nearest Korean embassy for the latest travel requirements.

Most of the restrictions and requirements for travelling to Korea have now been scrapped. You can see what entry and travel rules are in place for Korea in the table below:

The following section provides more information and exceptions about these requirements:

COVID-positive travellers should avoid travelling to Korea : To avoid infecting others on the way to Korea, as well as in Korea, the Korean government recommends that you shouldn’t travel to Korea if you exhibit COVID-symptoms or have tested positive. Self-quarantine is mandatory in Korea.

There are no PCR or other testing requirements : It is not necessary to take a PCR or other test before travelling to Korea. However, you will be asked to take a test if you show symptoms of COVID or similar illnesses when travelling to or arriving in Korea.

There is no quarantine on arrival : Travellers to Korea no longer need to quarantine when entering Korea. From June 1st, there is only a ‘recommended’ 5 day self-isolation period for infected travellers, but this is not enforced.

Complete the self-health check before or on arrival : From July 15th, 2023, travellers to Korea no longer need to complete a Q-Code self-health check or declare their health status on arrival.

Apply for a K-ETA or tourist visa before travelling : You need to apply for either a K-ETA or tourist visa for South Korea before flying to the country. Entry will be prohibited without the correct one. From April 1st, 2023 until December 31st, 2024, 22 countries are excluded from the K-ETA.

If you’re not sure which of these you need to apply for, more information is provided in the next section of this South Korea travel guide about the K-ETA and tourist visa for Korea.

K-ETA (Korean Electronic Travel Authorisation)

The K-ETA (Korean Electronic Travel Authorisation) is an online travel authorisation that visa-free foreign visitors aged 18 to 65 must obtain before entering the Korea for tourism, visiting relatives, participating in events or meetings, and for business purposes other than profitable activities.

Tourists from 112 eligible countries need to apply for a K-ETA before travelling to Korea and won’t be allowed to board a flight to Korea without it. The approval process isn’t difficult, but requires accommodation details, travel dates, and personal details such as passport number, etc.

From April 1st, 2023 until December 31st, 2024, the Korean government has decided to suspend the K-ETA requirement for travellers from the following 22 countries:

Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Macao, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, UK, US (including Guam).

The aim is to reduce the burden of travellers coming to Korea and to encourage more people to visit Korea during the ‘Visit Korea Year’, which runs during 2023 and 2024.

Source : K-ETA website news .

From July 3rd, 2023, the Korean government will no longer ask for travellers who are 17 years and younger, or 65 years and older, to apply for a K-ETA when visiting Korea. These are ages based on the time you travel to Korea, not the age when you apply to travel.

Furthermore, the validity period of the K-ETA is now 3 years, not 2 years. The Korean government has decided to extend the validity period to make it easier for people to travel to Korea.

The K-ETA is based on your nationality , not the country you’re travelling from. That means, if you require a tourist visa from your home country (e.g. the Philippines), but are travelling from a country that requires a K-ETA (e.g. the USA), you can’t use the K-ETA to travel to Korea.

Tourists should apply as far in advance as possible at the official K-ETA website. If you would like to know more about the K-ETA, check out my article explaining what is the K-ETA . The K-ETA costs 10,000 KRW (about $9.00 USD). If you are charged more than this, you’re on the wrong site.

Official K-ETA website

Not sure if you need a K-ETA? Check out this infographic to find out.

Will The K-ETA End In The Future?

The K-ETA will continue for the indefinite future. It is not a pandemic-related travel restriction but a permanent feature that just happened to start in 2021. The Korean government have stated that the K-ETA will be ongoing and other countries and areas, such as the EU, are planning similar ETAs.

Update : In July 2023, the Korean government stopped requiring children 17 years and younger and adults 65 years and older to apply for a K-ETA. The validity period was also increased to 3 years.

Update : In April 2023, the Korean government suspended the K-ETA for travellers from 22 countries (listed previously). This is in an effort to reduce the burden on travellers visiting Korea during the ‘Visit Korea Years’ of 2023 and 2024. This lasts until December 2024, but could possibly go on longer.

Tourist Visas For South Korea

Tourists that aren’t from one of the 112 countries that require a K-ETA to travel to Korea will need to apply for a tourist visa. This includes nationals from countries such India, Indonesia, Pakistan, and the Philippines. Tourist visas are based on nationality (passport), not country of residence.

The process to apply for a tourist visa differs depending on the country and may be as simple as submitting an application at the Korean embassy in the country you live in. For other countries, it may be necessary to submit extra information like bank statements and a full itinerary.

If you need a tourist visa for South Korea, contact your nearest Korean embassy as soon as you can to start the process. Tourist visas may be rejected, delayed, or take longer than expected. For some countries, such as the Philippines, it is necessary to apply through a specialist visa agency.

Transit Tour Visas For South Korea

Visa-free entry for foreign transit passengers at Incheon Airport will resume from May 2023 after being suspended for 3 years during the pandemic. There are two types of visa-free transit entry methods for travellers to Korea, they differ in length, requirements, and eligibility.

The first type of visa-free entry for transit passengers is open to all travellers to Korea and allows entry for 3 days, as long as they take a transit tour from Incheon Airport. The second type of visa-free entry for transit passengers is available for 30 days, but only from travellers from 36 select countries.

Visa-Free Entry For Transit Passengers (3 Days)

From May 15, 2023, travellers from any country can travel from Incheon Airport to the Seoul Metropolitan area for up to 3 days, as long as they book at least 1 transit tour from Incheon Airport. If Korea is not their final destination, they’re free to explore more of Seoul after the tour.

There are a wide range of transit tours available from Incheon Airport, including cultural, historic, food, shopping, and entertainment tours. See the sights of Seoul’s most popular places in a few hours, or stay for longer and see more. You can find out more about transit tours from the Visit Korea website .

Requirements : To be eligible for a transit tour visa, travellers must:

• Have an onward flight to their home country or a 3rd country after Korea.
• Participate in a transit tour program by a designated travel agency.
• Stay within the Seoul Metropolitan area only.
• Have more than 2 hours between connecting flights.

Eligible countries : Visa-free entry with a transit tour is open to passengers of all countries, as long as they meet the above requirements.

Tip : If you have a transit tour in Korea, I recommend staying in Hongdae , as there is a direct train from Incheon Airport to Hongdae called the All-Stop Airport Line. Hongdae is also a really fun place where you can see lots of culture, try Korean dishes, and pack your suitcase with Korean souvenirs.

Visa-Free Entry For Transit Passengers (30 Days)

This will allow travellers from 36 countries to enter and stay in Korea for up to 30 days without a Korean visa. Travellers must be travelling to or from one of these 36 countries to be eligible to stay in Korea without a visa. This includes passengers who are not citizens of those countries.

Requirements : To be eligible for a visa-free entry as a transit passenger, travellers must:

• Hold an onward flight to any of the 36 countries mentioned below.
• Have no illegal stay records of any kind, nor have been denied entry to Korea.
• Not have exceeded a maximum of 3 days stay in any other transit airport.

Eligible countries : Travellers from the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and 32 EU countries (see picture below) can stay for up to 30 days, as long as the above-mentioned requirements are met.

Why You Should Travel To Korea In 2024

There’s not enough space in this South Korea travel guide to write down all of the reasons why you should travel to South Korea. Korea is an under-appreciated gem that has so much to discover and experience that’s completely different from what you’ll find in other countries.

Much the way that Japan has a very distinct culture and history, Korea has lots of unique, appealing places to see, people to meet, history to learn about, and natural sights to appreciate. Many people only see a small slice of Korean culture and beauty through modern media, but there’s a lot more.

Here are some of the reasons you should travel to Korea:

• Delicious foods and tasty seasonal dishes.
• Four distinct seasons that offer a variety of views.
• Fascinating history to learn about and explore.
• Stunning mountains and beaches for outdoor lovers.
• Unique and unusual festivals throughout the year.
• Friendly locals and a safe country to travel around.
• Modern, high-tech cities that are clean and efficient.
• Welcoming Buddhist temples and temple stays.
• Cheaper than most other developed countries.
• A shopper’s paradise with many markets and malls .
• Korea really wants you to come and visit.

Korea wants you to visit so much that they declared 2023-2024 the Visit Korea Year . This two-year period, confusingly referred to as a single year, is set to feature loads of events and activities to draw tourists to Korea, and includes promotions for discounted flights, accommodation, and food.

Some of the events you can expect to see during the Visit Korea Year(s) include K-Pop concerts, e-sports competitions, food festivals, and cultural celebrations. There’ll be K-Cultural stars involved, too, including your favourite K-Pop and K-Drama stars. Get ready to travel to Korea soon!

Want to know what you can do in Korea that you can’t do in other countries? Check out these amazing unique Korean experiences that should definitely be on your Korean bucket list.

The Best Time To Visit Korea

The best time to visit Korea is in spring (late-March to May) or autumn (mid-September until mid-November). These seasons have the most comfortable weather, ranging from 10 to 30 degrees Celsius, an average amount of rain, and also have the most festivals and events.

My favourite months to travel in Korea are April and October . Early-April is when cherry blossoms come out and the weather warms up enough to stop wearing a jacket. October in Korea is a beautiful month when autumn foliage sweeps across the country and the weather is warm and calm.

When you travel to Korea, the season you travel in can have a big impact on what you can see, eat, and do. This section of the South Korea travel guide is one of the most important and if you want to travel to Korea in the future, I recommend learning about Korea’s seasons before making plans.

What Can You See In Korea Each Season?

Although spring and autumn are undoubtedly the best time to visit Korea, there are plenty of reasons to visit in other seasons, too. Visitors to Korea who are restricted to travelling during certain times, such as during school or work holidays, needn’t be put off by travelling in summer or winter.

Here’s a summary of what you can see and do in each season in Korea:

Spring: Cherry Blossoms, Blooming Nature, Culture Festivals

Spring is an amazing season to travel in Korea as you can see colourful plum blossoms (Mar), cherry blossoms (Mar-Apr), and many other bright sights. The warm weather allows people go out more to enjoy cultural activities and spring festivals , such as the Lotus Lantern Festival and Jindo Sea-Parting Festival, and also trekking, hiking, and cycling. Spring is one of the most popular times to travel in Korea for locals, so expect places to be busy, especially around cherry blossom season.

Check out my cherry blossom guide for the best places to see cherry blossoms in Korea.

Summer: Beaches, Korean Desserts, Water Sports, Camping

Summer is a difficult season for travellers due to the high humidity and heat. June and July are rainy season in Korea and it may rain for days on end, causing people to change travel plans to indoor activities. In late July and August it gets very hot, which is good for going to the beach and enjoying water sports or water parks, which Korea has many of. Evening activities like hiking, drinking in rooftop bars, and visiting night markets are great ways to get out in summer when it’s not as hot.

Check out my guide to Korean summer activities for the best places to have fun during summer and rainy day activities in Busan in case the weather isn’t so good.

Autumn: Foliage, Festivals, Fresh Foods, Harvest Festivals

Autumn is another incredibly popular time to travel in Korea, especially in October when the autumn foliage is at its best. The foliage really brings everything to life, adding shades of colour to plain palace walls, mountains, and parks. The calm weather is warm with clear skies, making it perfect for going into nature to see the fresh fruits and other harvest goods, as well as join in harvest and cultural festivals. Enjoy local Korean dishes, fresh from the farm to your table.

Check out my guide to autumn foliage in Korea for the best places to see the leaves.

Winter: Snow, Winter Sports, Ice Fishing, Light Festivals

Winter in Korea is often neglected due to the cold weather, but is actually a very nice time to travel with delicious winter foods to try. It’s the driest time of year with blue skies making everything bright and beautiful. When it snows, sights look even more incredible. Jeju Island is a great place to visit during winter as it has fresh citrus and colourful camellia flowers to see. You can enjoy winter sports, festivals and activities, such as ice fishing, ice skating, sledding, and more.

Check out my guide to Korean winter activities for the best places to have fun during winter.

What Is The Weather Like In Korea?

The weather in Korea follows a similar pattern each year, spread over five distinct seasons. As well as spring, summer, autumn, and winter, Korea also has a rainy season, which starts around mid-June and finishes mid-July. It doesn’t constantly rain during rainy season, but may do for several days.

There’s always something to do in Korea, no matter what the season. Even rainy season in Korea is fine for travelling, as long as you plan lots of indoor activities and can be flexible with your schedule. Don’t let the weather in Korea put you off visiting, you’ll find plenty to do in each season.

Here’s a summary of the weather in Korea each season:

The graph below shows you the average temperature each month in Seoul. This is an average temperature, so some days will be much hotter and others much colder. I’ve experienced summer temperatures of over 35 degrees and winter nights of -20, so be prepared for both.

The table below shows the average rainfall for each month in Korea, based on records from climate-data.org . The summer months have the most, while winter in Korea is very dry. The rainfall in the winter months can turn to snow when it’s cold enough, too.

There will be more information about the sights, festivals, and events you can enjoy in Korea in later parts of this South Korea travel guide. Check them out for travel ideas for your trip to Korea.

How To Book Flights To Korea

Flying to Korea in 2024 is getting easier with more airlines offering direct or connecting flights to Korea and budget airlines adding more routes to Korea from other parts of Asia and as far away as the USA. There aren’t as many routes as there were in 2019, but they are returning month by month.

Booking a flight to Korea is one of the first things most people do and finding the right flight can really affect your travels. Choosing the right flight not only affects how much money you need to spend, but also when you’ll arrive, how you’ll get to your hotel, and where you’ll arrive in Korea.

Check out my guide to booking flights to Korea to discover the best ways to book a flight to Korea, including the best time to book (21 to 127 days before travel), where to get cheap flights, the various airlines that offer flights to Korea, and lots more.

Arriving At Incheon Airport

Most flights to Korea arrive at Incheon Airport, which is near Seoul. It takes about an hour to get to the centre of Seoul from Incheon Airport and there are various transportation options including a high-speed train, subway, limo buses, taxis, and private transfers.

The best option for transferring from Incheon Airport to your hotel is usually a limo bus as these run to popular areas of Seoul, such as Myeongdong, Hongdae, Gangnam, and Insadong. There’s also a direct train to Seoul Station and a subway that goes to Seoul Station via Hongdae.

Arriving during the daytime gives you the best options for getting from Incheon Airport into Seoul, while nighttime flights will leave you fewer options. There are a few night buses that run, but late arrivals will either need to stay at the airport or book a private transfer or taxi instead. More details about taking a taxi from Incheon Airport can be found in my guide to taxis in Korea .

If you want to book a private transfer direct to your hotel from Incheon Airport, contact Jerry Heng , a freelance driver. I want to recommend Jerry as he has years of experience organising airport pick-ups and drop-offs, as well as personalised tours around Korea. He’s also a friendly guy.

Recommended Flight Comparison Sites

I suggest checking at least one flight comparison website before booking any flights. You can alter the arrival and departure times, flight duration, choose direct or indirect flights, and sort by price to find the perfect flight for you. Skyscanner is my preferred comparison site, but they’re all useful.

Take time to change the dates and flight times to find the most suitable flights for you. Cheaper flights often have inconvenient arrival times, so you should decide whether it’s worth the hassle to save a bit of money. Sometimes spending more for the right flight is worth it, especially when time is limited.

I try to go for a balance of convenience and savings and avoid flights that arrive late at night or leave too early in the morning. These flights require you to book an extra night at the airport or make you lose time when you could be travelling and doing more interesting things.

Here are 4 of the best flight comparison sites for booking flights to Korea:

Skyscanner is one of the most popular flight aggregators and offers flights, hotels, and other travel bookings for all major destinations. Skyscanner shows airline environmental ratings and which flights are practical or difficult.

Expedia is a large US travel company that offers tours, flights, hotels, and other services around the world. You can book hotel and flights together, to save you time and effort when travelling. A good place to start your flight search.

Kayak is great for people looking for cheap flights to Korea. You can see price trends for your flight to Korea to see when the best prices are available. There are also lots of budget travel options on the site that can save you more.

WayAway is a flight comparison site for the modern generation, with Instagram tips & travel advice as well as a good selection of cheap flights. You can get cashback on bookings with their premium service.

Where To Stay In Seoul

Incheon Airport is the main arrival destination for most travellers visiting Korea, with more than 71 million travellers passing through the airport in 2019, making it the world’s 14th busiest airport . It’s close to Seoul and has lots of transportation options to get into Korea’s capital.

Seoul is the first place people visit, not only because it’s close to Incheon Airport, but because it’s undeniably the heart and soul of Korea. The greater Seoul area includes about 50% of Korea’s population (25 million people) and is by far the biggest, most vibrant, and fun city in Korea.

To travel to Korea you need either a K-ETA or tourist visa . One of the requirements to apply for these is the address of the first place you’ll be staying in Korea. Therefore, you should book at least your first hotel in Korea so you can begin those applications. Seoul is an ideal first place to stay.

Best Neighbourhoods To Stay In Seoul

Deciding where to stay in Seoul can be difficult because there are so many unique neighbourhoods, each offering something interesting for travellers to experience. Knowing which has the best sights, entertainment, culture, shopping, transport, markets, restaurants, cafes, etc., is useful.

Seoul’s neighbourhoods typically contain a mixture of several of these elements and will appeal to different types of travellers. Below is a very rough guide for which neighbourhood each type of traveller might enjoy. Of course, there are plenty of other things to do in each area.

As you can see from the list above, both Hongdae and Myeongdong have a lot to offer and I would definitely recommend either of these neighbourhoods for first time travellers to Seoul. Even people who have travelled to Korea before will find lots of reasons to stay there. They’re where I usually stay.

I have detailed guides to hotels in the two best districts for staying in Seoul – Hongdae and Myeongdong. My guide to hotels in Hongdae includes a range of hotels for all types of travellers, while my guide to hotels in Myeongdong highlights Myeongdong’s best budget to mid-range hotels.

Each neighbourhood feels unique and offers something to discover, from traditional markets and eateries, modern Insta-worthy cafe districts, peaceful parks and lakes, world-class skyscrapers, and many fun activities. Wherever you choose to stay, you’re sure to find something you enjoy.

I’ve included the 8 best neighbourhoods in Seoul in this South Korea travel guide, along with a small summary about what you can expect in each area. These are the most popular areas for tourists to stay in, but certainly not the only places to stay. There are also links to hotels in these areas.

Here are the 8 best neighbourhoods in Seoul:

Myeongdong is arguably one of the best places to stay in Seoul for any traveller. It has the best range of budget and mid-range hotels in Seoul and is conveniently located for sights, activities, and public transport. It’s close to popular tourist sites, such as the N Seoul Tower and royal palaces. There are traditional markets and Myeongdong’s famous street food alley to check out. As Myeongdong is popular with tourists, you’ll find more people that can speak English and places to exchange money.

Hongdae is one of the coolest neighbourhoods in Seoul and a must-see for any traveller to the city. This area has emerged as a creative hotbed for the latest Korean fashion, art, food, and culture, thanks to innovations from students of nearby universities. Youth culture is on display in Hongdae’s main and side streets, with boutique shops, trendy bars and cafes, inventive restaurants, street art, and live performances. If you want to see a vibrant, colourful side of Seoul, then Hongdae is the place for you.

Gangnam is an upscale area of Seoul that’s home to some of Korea’s biggest stars. This area was where K-Pop was invented, as can be seen by the golden Gangnam Style statue outside COEX Mall. Gangnam is a lot more than that, and is a powerful business area with Seoul’s best shopping and dining experiences, as well as some of the city’s finest cafes and bars. Gangnam has a host of upmarket hotels that provide outstanding luxury, but also has a selection of budget and mid-range hotels making it accessible for all travellers.

Jongno is the area north of Myeongdong that includes Insadong, Bukchon Hanok Village, Ikseongdong Hanok Village, Jogyesa Temple, 4 of Seoul’s royal palaces, the presidential Blue House, and lots more. This area is packed full of interesting sights and traditional restaurants and tea houses to explore. You can find a good range of hotels in Insadong, Seoul’s artistic area that is home to artists and tourist-friendly attractions. There are also guesthouses and apartments to rent in the residential areas of Jongno that offer a more homely stay.

Jamsil is an upmarket residential neigbourhood close to Gangnam that’s home to one of Korea’s largest companies, Lotte. You’ll find the Lotte World Tower, Lotte World Theme Park, and Lotte Aquarium in this area, as well as the beautiful Seokchon Lake and leafy Olympic Park. Jamsil is a great base for people visiting for cherry blossoms in spring as the Seokchon Lake Cherry Blossom Festival is one of Seoul’s best. There are lots of trendy cafes and bars near the lake and it’s a relaxed part of the city to stay in.

Dongdaemun is known for both its traditional markets, where you can buy a range of goods, as well as the futuristic Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP). The area is an unusual mix of traditional Seoul, with Gwangjang Market offering some of Seoul’s best Korean street food, and modern culture, displayed by the night markets and art installations at the DDP. There are lots of cheap eats and bargain markets and malls in this area, making it a great place to stay if you plan to do a lot of bargain shopping in Seoul.

Yongsan is the area encompassing the N Seoul Tower, the popular international area of Itaewon, the trendy hilltop area of Haebangchon (HBC), Seoul Station, the National Museum of Seoul, and many riverside parks. Yongsan has a busy train station with towering skyscrapers and hotels around it catering to business and luxury travellers, as well as shoppers. This quiet business and residential area has good transport links and fewer crowds than other parts of Seoul, as well as interesting cultural attractions.

Yeouido is a large island that rests in the Han River, overlooking Hongdae and Yongsan. It has some of the best parks in Seoul and is a popular place for locals to walk along the river on weekends and at night. These parks are home to Seoul’s biggest cherry blossom festivals, as well as summer night markets, fireworks performances, live music, and people enjoying life outside of work. Yeouido is the upmarket financial centre of Seoul, making it an ideal base for business, luxury, and family travellers.

Seoul’s neighbourhoods are informal designations, not necessarily the official district name. For example, Hongdae is a neighbourhood in the Mapo-gu district and Myeongdong a neighbourhood in the Jung-gu district. Whereas Jongno is both the neighbourhood and district name (Jongno-gu).

You might see some areas referred to differently. However, the terms I’ve used in this section are the names most commonly used to describe these areas by tourists and expats. Koreans will certainly know which area of Seoul you’re talking about when you use these names.

Learn more : If you want to know more about Seoul’s best districts and figure out where the best place to stay for your trip to Korea, then check out my detailed guide about where to stay in Seoul . It’s packed with useful info about each neighbourhood, hotel recommendations for different budgets, and tips about booking accommodation in Seoul. Also learn more about the Han River Boat Service launching in 2024 to connect Yeoudio, Jamsil and other riverside destinations.

Hotel Recommendations For Seoul

There are hundreds (maybe thousands) of hotels in Seoul to choose from ranging from multi-person dorm rooms to the height of luxury looking down over Seoul from a 5-star hotel room in the Lotte World Tower . Whatever your budget or requirements, there’ll be somewhere to stay in Seoul for you.

To save you time searching for the best places to stay in Seoul, I’ve created a list of the 9 best luxury, mid-range, and budget hotels in Seoul, as well as 6 long-stay serviced apartments. This list has been created based on customer reviews, location, facilities, amenities, reputation, and quality.

I live outside of Seoul, so often book hotels when I’m visiting Seoul for the weekend . I’ve stayed at quite a few of these, so can personally recommend them based on my own experience. I’ve had both good and bad hotel experiences in Seoul and only want to recommend the best to you.

Recommended Luxury Hotels

Seoul has some incredible luxury hotels to enjoy, each with a true 5-star service, excellent amenities, and delectable restaurants. Many of Seoul’s best luxury hotels are located in Gangnam, Seoul’s wealthiest district, where you can find top restaurants and designer brand shopping.

Recommended Mid-Range Hotels

If you want to experience a luxurious stay in Seoul without breaking the bank, then these mid-range hotels will be perfect for you. These unique, 4-star hotels are reasonably priced and provide stylish, comfortable rooms that you’ll sleep easily in after a busy day exploring Seoul.

Recommended Budget Hotels

Seoul has a wide range of excellent budget hotels with prices that might surprise you for a large city. These are some of my favourite places to stay in Seoul when I visit for the weekend and are popular with travellers due to their convenient location, facilities, and comfortable beds.

Recommended Serviced Apartments

If you plan to stay in Seoul for a month or more, these serviced apartments will provide you all the comforts of home with the benefits of staying at a hotel. These excellent serviced apartments come with cleaning services, health facilities, cooking facilities, and are value for money.

Cost To Travel In South Korea In 2024

This part of the South Korea travel guide will help you understand some of your expected costs to travel to Korea. The costs to travel to Korea include flights, accommodation, food, drinks, transportation, activities, sim cards, visas, souvenirs, travel insurance, and lots more.

The costs you will pay when you travel vary massively depending on what type of traveller you are and what style of travel you can afford. If you want 5-star luxury and fine-dining, your budget will be very different from someone eating ramyeon from 7-11 and staying in a budget guesthouse.

Therefore, I will try to provide expected costs for 3 different types of traveller – budget , mid-range , and luxury . These aren’t exact figures, but should give you a rough idea of how much you’ll spend.

Daily Costs To Travel In Korea

There are costs that you will pay each day when travelling in Korea that can be averaged out to give you a daily cost. Knowing these figures will help you plan your budget for Korea and to see where you can afford to spend more for the one-off costs to travel, which will be covered next.

The daily costs are accommodation, food & drinks, transportation, attractions & tours, and miscellaneous expenses that can pop up unexpectedly. These miscellaneous costs might include getting a street food snack, an unexpected entrance fee, or a few extra drinks in the evening.

Transportation will be covered later in this South Korea travel guide and there are some useful tips to reduce your transportation costs. You will also be able to see some of the best attractions, tours, and activities in Korea and you’ll be able to work out how much you’ll spend on those.

Here are the daily costs per person to travel in Korea:

Please note : These are costs per day, per person . Couples and families sharing a room will have lower costs as double rooms aren’t much more expensive than single rooms. Some days will be cheaper, some much more expensive, especially if you take day trips or visit premium attractions.

There are also one-off costs not included in these daily costs. These can be pre-travel costs, such as flights and a K-ETA or tourist visa (already covered), travel insurance, vaccinations, and such like. Pre-travel costs are different for each traveller and depend on your country of residence.

Other one-off costs during travel in Korea may include day tours, souvenirs, shopping, celebrations, medical costs, and expenses that you don’t normally pay each day. Again, these vary for each traveller and are difficult to calculate as people’s budgets are so different.

Is Korea A Cheap Country To Travel In?

Korea is relatively cheap country to visit, but certainly isn’t always a budget destination. The cost to travel to Korea has risen over the last few years and might be more expensive than you think, even if you’ve previously visited Korea. Flying to Korea is certainly more expensive now.

Food costs rose by 7.5% in 2022 alone and these costs have been passed on to restaurants, which now charge higher prices for meals. Transportation costs rose by about 20% in 2023 for buses and subways, although these are still relatively cheap compared to some countries.

Despite these price increases, travelling in Korea is still cheaper than travelling in most other high-income industrialised countries such as Japan, the USA, and Western Europe. If you’re from countries such as the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, or Malaysia, Korea may seem expensive.

City Passes That Save You Money In Seoul

There are a number of city passes that can save you money when visiting Seoul by offering free or discounted entry to some of the best attractions in the city for a single price. The original city pass for Seoul is the Discover Seoul Pass, but now there is also the Go City Pass and Klook Pass Seoul.

Here’s a summary of each of these Seoul city passes:

Discover Seoul Pass : Available in 24 | 48 | 72 hour periods, allows entry to top attractions in Seoul such as Lotte World Adventure, N Seoul Tower, COEX Aquarium, Alive Museum, Zoolung Zoolung, Sealala Sauna, Gyeongbokgung Palace, and more. Prices start at 50,000 KRW .

Go City Seoul Pass : Available as 1 – 5 day passes or a flexible pass for up to 7 attractions. Covers a wider amount of attractions than the DSP, including a DMZ Tour, Nanta Cookin’ Musical, Seoul Land, Seoul Pub Crawl, Seoul Ghost Tour, and more. Prices start at 68,000 KRW .

Klook Pass Seoul : Available for use 2 – 5 attractions, including Everland or Lotte World Adventure theme parks. The Klook Pass Seoul allows free entry to selected attractions within a 30 day period. Attractions include the N Seoul Tower and Lotte World Aquarium. Prices start at 44,000 KRW .

If you’d like to know more about these passes, be sure to check out my article about the Klook Pass Seoul , as well as my suggested Discover Seoul Pass itineraries . I’ll have a review article of the Go City Seoul Pass soon, too.

How To Save Money In Korea

There are always ways to save money and spend less in Korea. Budget options exist for travellers and you can travel in Korea for less than 150,000 KRW per day, even as little as 50,000 KRW per day. Here are some of the ways you can save money in Korea and travel more for less:

Eat like a local : Visit the traditional markets, food stalls, and traditional Korean restaurants. These are much cheaper than eating foreign foods in Korea. University areas are usually cheap, too.

Spend less on coffee : Coffee in Korea can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. A latte could cost you 5,000 KRW in a chain store, but there are cheap hole-in-the-wall cafes where it’s half that.

Shop in the markets : From designer goods (possibly fake) to souvenirs, the markets of Seoul and other cities usually have the best prices. Don’t be afraid to haggle.

Use public transport : Korea has a fantastic public transport network both in cities and between cities. Don’t waste money on taxis and private transfers when you can use a bus or subway.

Book everything online : You can find discounted entry and tour tickets online that are much cheaper than the regular price. Use Klook , Get Your Guide , and Viator for the best prices.

Stay in guesthouses and hostels : You can find rooms for as little as 10,000 KRW per night in shared dorms and 20,000 KRW in guesthouses. Book ahead to find the best prices.

Take advantage of free things : There are lots of places you can visit for free in Seoul and free services, such as walking tours in Seoul, 30-minute hanbok rentals, and even free entry to the palaces.

Get your tax back : Korea makes it really easy to recover tax you’ve paid when shopping. Stores in Seoul will process tax returns for you or you can claim a refund at the airport when you leave.

You will see tips and links in this South Korea travel guide that are designed to help you save money when you visit Korea. Booking tours, attractions, and sim cards in advance can save you a lot of money, as can using a T-Money card and Wise travel card. Keep reading for more money-saving tips.

Travel Money And Money Exchanges In Korea

If you follow the tips in this section of this South Korea travel guide, you can certainly save yourself a lot of money and avoid unnecessary fees when spending in Korea. Learn where and how to exchange money, how to avoid ATM and card fees, and how to get tax back before you leave.

Because this section covers a lot of the common questions people ask about travel money in Korea, it will be broken down into a question and answer format. This should make it easier for you to find the information you’re looking for and discover answers you didn’t know you were looking for.

Can You Use A Foreign Card In Korea?

Almost all foreign credit cards with Visa or Mastercard will be accepted in Korea and it is possible to use these cards to pay across the country. American Express is also accepted in popular tourist areas, but not as widely as Visa or Mastercard and may have problems outside of big cities.

Foreign debit cards should work if they use Visa or Mastercard, but there may be restrictions in place with your bank when using them abroad. It is recommended that you call your bank to check before travelling. For both credit and debit cards, check your bank for any fees you’ll pay overseas.

Can You Withdraw Cash From An ATM In Korea?

You can withdraw cash from ATMs in Korea using a debit card, but not all ATMs will accept international cards. Look for a sign saying ‘Global ATM’ or ‘Foreign Currency ATM’ to withdraw cash in Korea with a debit card. You can also withdraw cash using a credit card, but it’s more expensive.

Whether you use a debit or credit card, an ATM is likely to charge a fee to withdraw money using a foreign card. Your bank or credit card company may also charge a fee or give a bad exchange rate. These costs can add up a lot if you withdraw regularly, so try to make fewer withdrawals.

Learn more : Should you use cash or card when you visit Korea? This article about the how to pay in Korea has lots of useful information about payment methods in Korea, including alternatives to the usual mix of cash and a credit card.

How Can You Save Money When Paying By Card In Korea?

Instead of using a foreign debit or credit card in Korea, which might have expensive fees or not work in places, here are two better options. The first is the WOWPASS travel card , which offers tourist-friendly card services in Korea. The other is to apply for a travel card that can be used globally.

Both the WOWPASS and the two other travel cards offer the ability to pay by card in Korea and to withdraw cash in Korean won. They also offer better exchange rates than you’ll find in airport or local money exchanges in Korea. They each have some unique features, which will be illustrated below.

Pay Like A Local With WOWPASS

The WOWPASS is a new way to pay in Korea that combines the essential functions of a T-Money transportation card with the benefits of a local debit card. This is a prepaid card you can top up at more than 90 locations in KRW or your own currency. Just look for the bright orange WOW machines.

The T-Money function in the WOWPASS means it’s more useful than other travel cards as you don’t need to carry two separate cards when you travel. Please note, you still need to charge the T-Money balance of WOWPASS with cash, just like a regular T-Money card.

The WOWPASS travel card allows you to add up to 1,000,000 KRW to your card and can be used to pay for almost anything in Korea without any fees. The card is issued by a Korean company, so you can use it to withdraw cash at any WOWPASS machine located in Seoul & other cities in Korea.

Thanks to the user-friendly WOWPASS app, users can freeze or replace their card, check their spending, add funds, and check exchange rates. Because the WOWPASS isn’t tied to your home bank account, it also reduces the damage by card fraud, in case the worst was to happen.

As well as a regular WOWPASS, you can also reserve the All-In-One Airport Package , which includes the WOWPASS, 10,000 KRW T-Money balance, and a discounted Korean sim card. This is really useful for those who want to get connected and travelling as soon as they arrive in Korea. Get the WOWPASS app for Android or Apple .

Tip : Use the invitation code INMYKOR1 to get cashback on WOWPASS top-ups in foreign currency.

Overseas Travel Cards You Can Use In Korea

Overseas travel cards are another option for spending in Korea and I use them myself to spend money from my UK bank account in Korea, as well as when travelling in other countries. They’re really simple to use and are much cheaper than paying with my foreign card or exchanging money.

Two of the leading travel card companies are Wise and Revolut . I use both of these to pay for things in Korea and have written an article about how to use the Wise card in Korea . You can use them to pay for hotels, food, drinks, transportation, taxis, attractions, and lots more. They’re really useful.

Here’s a summary of the main features of these travel cards:

The Wise travel card allows you to easily transfer and convert money from your home bank account into dozens of other currencies and use this money to pay when you’re travelling. You only need to transfer as much as you plan to spend and can easily transfer back anything you haven’t. The exchange rate will be better than your bank or a money exchange offers, too.

A versatile, easy to use app breaks down what you’ve spent by category so you can track your travel spending. You can withdraw cash from ATMs, pay by QR code, use it for Google Pay, and pay by contactless. Even if you lose your card, you can still spend money. It’s also really safe as you can freeze your card, set spending limits, and limit how much money you transfer.

The Revolut travel card can be used in Korea to pay for a wide range of goods and services without expensive fees for spending your home currency overseas. Unlike the Wise travel card, which lets you transfer money into different currencies and then spend in a local currency, such as Korean won, the Revolut travel card lets you pay fee-free with your home currency.

The Revolut travel card comes with an easy to use app that can be used to manage your money both at home and when travelling in Korea. You can check your spending with categories and reports and set budgets for your spending. The Revolut travel card also offers cashback in the US, stock and crypto investments, and the same security features as the Wise travel card.

Can You Use Apple Pay In Korea?

Apple Pay wasn’t previously available in Korea due to a lack of approval by Korea’s financial regulator. However, in February 2023, Apple Pay received approval to begin operating in Korea through the Hyundai Card Co., allowing payments with Apple devices from March 2023 onwards.

The Apple Pay payment system has been available in Korea since March 21st , 2023 and allows Apple Pay members to pay for goods and services at NFC-enabled payment terminals. However, on the launch date of Apple Pay, there were only 70,000 NFC-enabled payment terminals in Korea.

The lack of NFC-enabled payment terminals will be a big issue for Apple Pay users in Korea as there are around 2,900,000 shops in Korea and most won’t accept Apple Pay. Franchises like Starbucks can’t accept Apple Pay and it can’t be used to pay for public transport. You’ll need a T-Money card.

Samsung Pay, which uses MST technology, not NFC, currently dominates the Korean market. NFC-enabled terminals should grow, especially in tourist areas and city-centres from 2023 onwards. This will be good news for Google Pay, which also uses NFC technology and also isn’t in use in Korea yet.

Should You Exchange Money Before Travelling To Korea?

It is not necessary to exchange money into Korean won before travelling to Korea, but it can certainly be useful to have a small amount of money. Exchange rates for Korean won outside Korea may not be as good as within Korea and changing large amounts of cash before you travel isn’t essential.

It might be hard to get Korean won from your local bank or money exchange as it’s not one of the most commonly exchanged currencies. Therefore, you might find exchange rates less favourable and extra fees applied to exchange money. Using travel cards like Wise or Revolut is a better option.

Should You Change Money At Incheon Airport?

I’ve travelled around the world and always avoid exchanging money at the airport if I can help it. Airports often have the worst rates for money exchange as they know people need to get local cash, there aren’t many other options, and you need at least a bit of money to travel to your hotel.

Incheon Airport is an exception to this rule and I’ve compared travel exchange rates at several times when flying into and out of the airport. The foreign currency exchange rates at Incheon Airport aren’t that bad and are just slightly higher than what you’d find in Seoul. Not the best, but not bad.

There are also Global ATMs at Incheon Airport, so you can withdraw cash here. If you have a Wise or Revolut travel card, you can withdraw up to $200 fee-free from an ATM in Korea. However, Korean banks will charge a withdrawal fee (about 3,000 KRW), which applies to any foreign card used.

Where Can You Exchange Money In Seoul?

Seoul is the first destination for most travellers to Korea and if you want to save money on exchange rate fees, I recommend exchanging money in the capital. There are two main options for exchanging money easily and quickly in Seoul – WOW money exchange machines and money exchanges.

Here’s a summary about the two main ways to exchange money in Seoul:

The cheapest and most convenient option for exchanging money in Seoul is through a WOW money exchange machine. This automated machine gives the best exchange rates and can quickly and easily exchange foreign cash for Korean won. It doesn’t accept card payments, only cash. All you need to do is scan your passport and deposit your cash and it will convert it into Korean won immediately. There are dozens of these machines in Seoul, as well as in other cities like Busan and Daejeon.

The traditional way to exchange foreign currency in Seoul was through a money exchange. You can find these in Myeongdong, where many tourists stay and visit in Seoul. There are also money exchanges inside banks and in other tourist hotspots. These used to be the best place to exchange money, until the WOW money exchanges were introduced and travel cards like Wise and Revolut made it easier to use a card. If you want to use a money exchange in Seoul, Myeongdong is the best place to do it.

Can You Get Tax Back When Shopping In Korea?

Travellers to Korea can claim tax back on eligible purchases during their trip. This can be done immediately after you purchase an item (if the shop offers the service) or at Incheon Airport or other airports in Korea before you depart.

Instant tax refunds are available at certain locations in Seoul and other big cities. These are usually department stores and large chain stores. You are able to claim tax refunds for goods up to a total value of 2,500,000 KRW (incl. tax). There is a tax refund limit of 500,000 KRW per transaction.

2024 Tax Refund Changes : From 2024, the tax refund limits will be doubled, so you will be able to claim up to 5,000,000 KRW of tax back and claim up to 1,000,000 KRW back per transaction. Source: Korea Herald .

To claim a tax refund you need:

• To show your passport
• To be a tourist in Korea
• To spend between 30,000 to 300,000 KRW in one place
• To be leaving Korea within 3 months

Tax isn’t refundable on all purchases, so be sure to check when shopping. Tax refunds can also be claimed at the airport as long as you have the receipt and the goods you’ve purchased.

Mobile Phones And Internet In Korea

Staying connected to the Internet when visiting Korea is becoming more and more essential these days. Keeping your mobile phone, tablet, or computer connected to the web is useful not only to stay in touch with people back home, but also to help you save money and travel Korea more easily.

There are several options to stay connected in Korea when you travel. The main options for travellers are tourist SIM cards, either physical or eSIMs, portable WiFi routers, and relying on free WiFi provided in public places and hotels. All of these are good options, but there are other considerations, too.

This South Korea travel guide will cover the main differences between Korean SIM cards and portable WiFi routers and which will be most suitable for you. There are also details about why you might want a Korean phone number and which apps to use to help you travel in Korea.

Don’t forget, if you bring your phone or other mobile devices to Korea, you’ll need a travel adapter .

Should You Get A Korean SIM Card Or WiFi Router?

Both a Korean SIM card or portable WiFi router will provide access to Korea’s high-speed mobile networks and keep you connected to the Internet. They provide a secure internet connection, but do so in a different way and with different available features. Find out about the best Korean SIM card for tourists in this SK SIM card review .

Here are the main features of Korean SIM cards and WiFi routers:

Costs : SIM cards and WiFi routers are similarly priced when using them for a two week period, but they are charged in different ways. SIM cards are fixed-price and can be bought for set time periods, whereas WiFi routers are charged daily. WiFi routers are cheaper in the short-term.

Ease of use : If you purchase or pre-order a SIM card or portable WiFi router at Incheon Airport, which I highly recommend, the staff will install or setup everything for you. Once they’re activated, it’s very simple to use either one. Cancelling and returning them at the airport is also easy for both.

Here are the reasons you should get a Korean SIM card or portable WiFi router in Korea:

You should get a Korean SIM card when visiting Korea to get a Korean phone number. The benefits of having a Korean phone number are mainly to make calls and use Korean apps. SIM cards are also useful if you want a secure connection everywhere you go and plan to make calls or send texts. When you have a SIM card, you can tether your network connection to connect other devices you own. Korean phone coverage is amazing and you’ll get service everywhere. SIM cards don’t require you to carry any extra devices and are cheaper over the long-run than WiFi routers.

You should get a portable WiFi router if you’re travelling in a group or as a family as you can connect multiple devices to one router. This is much cheaper than getting separate SIM cards for all travellers, but also requires people stay close together. WiFi routers are charged per day and if you need additional days, they’ll be automatically added and charged when you return the router. This means you’ll never have to worry about your service suddenly ending. The main downside to using a WiFi router is the lack of Korean phone number, but that might not be an issue if you don’t need one.

Where Can You Get Korean SIM Cards Or WiFi Routers?

You can get a Korean SIM card or portable WiFi router in several ways. The easiest way, and one that I definitely recommend, is to purchase online through a tour company such as Klook , Viator , or Get Your Guide , and get a SIM card at Incheon Airport or other entry point into Korea when you arrive..

The main reason I recommend this method is that you can guarantee you will get a SIM card or router and it will be waiting for you when you arrive. The collection desks at Incheon Airport are open 24-hours a day and they will help you install everything you need to get started immediately.

You can also get SIM cards and WiFi routers when you arrive at the airport and you should find similar rates. However, you won’t be guaranteed a device and you will need to pay in person. When you book online, you can pay in your home currency and avoid those issues.

I don’t recommend getting a SIM card or WiFi router in Seoul or other cities. It is possible, but you may run into language issues and find less tourist-friendly options. Phone shops outside the airport usually cater to Koreans, not tourists. Airport rentals are the easiest options for visitors to Korea.

What’s The Benefit Of A Korean Phone Number For Tourists?

There are two main benefits of having a Korean phone number for tourists. The first benefit is the ability to call people when you’re in Korea. This can be useful for making reservations, keeping in touch with people, and in case of emergencies.

The second benefit of having a Korean phone number is the ability to use Korean apps . It isn’t mandatory to have a Korean phone number to use Korean apps, but most won’t let you use their services unless you sign up with a phone number. Using Korean apps makes travelling easier.

A phone number is like a form of identity in Korea, which is why you need your passport to register a SIM card. Once you have a phone number, many more services are available, including food delivery, ordering taxis, making reservations (such as for the Busan Sky Capsule ), and online messaging.

What Apps Do I Need For Travelling In Korea?

If you have a Korean phone number, you can use Korean apps. Even without a Korean number, you can still download these apps and use some of their services. Full features typically require a phone number though. There are other, non-Korean apps that will help you when travelling, too.

Here are the most useful apps to use when travelling in Korea:

Papago : This is the essential translation tool for visiting Korea. Papago’s translation services are the best and you can use the app to take pictures and translate Korean signs, menus, and other pictures.

Naver Maps : To find your way around Korea, use Naver Maps or Kakao Maps. Their systems are much more accurate in Korea than Google Maps. Use them to plan travel routes and transport times.

Kakao Taxi : Uber and Grab don’t really exist in Korea, so if you plan to take a taxi, you’ll need to use Kakao Taxi. Simple to use and takes the hassle out of trying to use Korean to give directions.

Kakao Talk : This is Korea’s most popular messaging app and is useful for keeping in touch with Korean friends, contacting businesses in Korea, and even calling abroad.

Seoul Subway : Use this app to travel around Seoul’s underground more easily. Plan your route, see when the next train is due to arrive, check connections, and see how late the trains run.

Korail Talk : This app allows you to book trains on Korea’s high-speed train network and regular train routes. This app has an English setting, so you can check train times and prices easily.

Coupang Eats : This is a food-delivery app that allows you to order almost anything edible and get it sent directly to you. You can even order convenience store goods. Useful for rainy days.

Mango Plate : Find restaurants in Korea with this app and discover the best places to go out and eat. You can also see restaurant details and get directions in Naver Maps and Kakao Maps.

WOWPASS : To use the WOWPASS to pay like a local in Korea and for T-Money functions, you’ll need the WOWPASS app. This will let you check your balances and spending and control your card.

Wise & Revolut : As mentioned in this South Korea travel guide, using a travel card to pay for items in Korea will save you money when you travel. If you use Wise or Revolut, make sure you have the app.

Klook : This company provides some of the best tours in Korea and if you make bookings through their website, you can easily manage them with the Klook app.

Intercity Bus by T-Money : This app is great for booking buses between cities in Korea. There is an English version that allows you to book tickets, check times, and see available seats.

These apps should be available on both Android and Apple. Some of these apps might default to Korean, but you should be able to change them to English in the side menu.

Is There Free WiFi In Korea?

Travellers in Korea have the option to not get a sim card or portable WiFi but still stay connected. This is thanks to the excellent Free Wifi in Korea that is provided in public transport, government buildings, restaurants, cafes, and many other places. This is mostly in the cities, however.

Hotels also provide free WiFi in most cities in Korea. If you plan to rely on free WiFi, I recommend using the hotel’s WiFi to plan routes, check opening times, and research places you want to visit. Take screenshots of these details so you can see them later, even if you don’t have Internet access.

The only warning I would give about relying on free WiFi when travelling in Korea is the increased use of mobile-dependent apps and passes in Korea. Physical tickets and passes are being phased out in favour of digital versions, which often need an active Internet connection to use.

I’ve noticed in recent years that services that impact travellers have moved to digital versions. This includes the T-Money card, Discover Seoul Pass, train and coach tickets, attraction tickets and event tickets. I believe that having a reliable net connection will be a must for most travellers soon.

Using Public Transport In Korea In 2024

This section of the South Korea travel guide looks at Korea’s public transport system and how to navigate it as a traveller. Korea has arguably one of the best public transport systems in the world. It’s cheap, well-connected, frequent, and runs on time. Other countries could learn a lot from Korea.

The great news for tourists is that Korea’s public transport is very foreigner friendly and information is provided in English in almost all places, as well as Chinese and Japanese in popular areas such as Seoul and Busan. Travelling by public transport in Korea is cheap, easy, and convenient.

How Much Does Public Transport Cost In Korea?

The cost of public transportation in Korea is fixed, no matter what day you purchase tickets on. If you buy one month in advance, or last minute, you will pay the same price for the journey. Journeys within a city are a single price and not dependent on how far you travel, unless you leave the city limits.

All journeys are single fares and you can’t buy return tickets. You will need to buy two singles when you want to travel somewhere and back again. The cost of a single fare depends on how you pay for the ticket – by cash or with a transportation card.

Here are the costs for public transport in Korea by payment method, type and user:

Please note : The cost of subway rides is set to rise to 1,400 / 1,500 KRW in October 2023. These prices will be adjusted when this occurs.

How Do You Pay For Public Transport In Korea?

The cost of public transport in Korea depends on whether you pay with a transportation card, such as T-Money, a Korea Tour Card , or Cashbee, or in cash. This applies to both subways and buses. If you use a transportation card, you should add credit to it, then touch it to the card reader at the subway or bus to pay.

To use cash to buy a subway ticket, you will need to buy a ticket at the station. For buses, you should pay the correct fare to the driver when boarding the bus. However, since 2022, buses across Korea have started to end the use of cash and some will insist on payment by transportation card only.

In the future, bus payments are expected to become simpler with fares deducted via bluetooth-enabled phones that have the relevant app downloaded. This system has already been in place in Gyeonggi Province since March 2022 and is likely to spread to more bus routes in the future.

I highly recommend getting a T-Money card when you travel to Korea. You can use it to pay for public transportation (at a discounted rate), and it will work almost everywhere in Korea. It can also be used to buy goods from shops, cafes, and restaurants. It’s really convenient and a must-have for Korea.

Using T-Money To Pay For Public Transport In Korea

A T-Money card is the essential transportation card for using public transport in Korea. You can purchase one at Incheon Airport, subway and train stations, and convenience stores across Korea. The card can be used in many places. It never expires, so you can use it on different trips, too.

Here is how to use a T-Money card in Korea:

• Purchase a T-Money card (2,500 KRW)
• Add money to the card (cash top-up only)
• Enter the bus or subway station
• Tap the T-Money card against the card reader (see pic above)
• Tap the T-Money card again when you get off (for transfer discount)
• Recharge when necessary

I recommend adding about 10,000 KRW for each day you plan to travel in Korea. That means about 70,000 KRW for a week. You can add more money later if necessary. You can top up at convenience stores and transport stations. There is also an app version of T-Money, but the card version is better.

How Do You Use Trains In Korea?

The train network in Korea is divided into high-speed trains (KTX) and regular trains (ITX and Mugunghwa). The KTX network connects major cities in Korea and is convenient for travelling around Korea quickly and cheaply. The carriages are comfortable and come with modern facilities.

Unlike other forms of public transport in Korea, transportation cards like T-Money aren’t accepted for trains. You will need to buy a train ticket to travel and all tickets are single tickets. The price to buy a ticket doesn’t change and you can refund a ticket up to the last minute for only a small fee.

You can book tickets within 30 days of travel through the official Korail website or app, or at a train station in Korea. Unfortunately, buying a train ticket online in Korea can be difficult as Korean payment systems often reject cards issued outside of Korea. Buying in person is recommended.

How To Book Korean Rail Tickets Outside Of Korea

If you want to book Korean train tickets outside of Korea, you can do it online with Trip.com , which is Korail’s exclusive overseas distributor. The price is slightly higher (about 5%) than the price you’ll pay in Korea, but it will allow you to book tickets online and secure your seat in advance.

If you plan to travel on the main KTX route between Seoul and Busan, I highly recommend booking tickets in advance. There are three types of tickets available – first class, regular, and standing. The journey takes 2:34 and you don’t want to be standing for all that time. Book ahead for comfort.

Is The Korea Rail Pass Worth The Price?

The Korea Rail Pass is a good option for tourists who plan to travel long distances by train in Korea, such as between Seoul and Busan or Seoul and Jeonju. The pass has two main options – flexible and consecutive. These mean you can use it any time (flexible) or within consecutive days.

The flexible pass is more expensive, but offers more freedom to travel around Korea over a longer period. You can use the pass to only cover big journeys and won’t feel pressured to use it again until you’re ready. The extra cost is more than worth the inconvenience of having to rush travel plans.

Will you save money with the Korea Rail Pass? That depends on your travel plans, how often you’ll be travelling by train, and how many people are travelling. If there are 2 people or more, purchase the group saver pass and save 10,000 KRW each on the pass. Group tours make it better value.

The Korea Rail Pass does not allow you to ride on the subway for free, which would make it better value. It can also be complicated to reserve tickets online using the pass and buying tickets in the regular way is more convenient. Overall, the pass isn’t essential, but might save you money.

How Do You Use Taxis In Korea?

Taxis in Korea can be hailed from the street or called directly to you using apps such as Kakao Taxi . Companies like Uber and Grab don’t have a large presence in Korea and operate the same way as Kakao Taxi, by helping you find an official taxi driver. Private taxi services aren’t common.

The big issue facing the Korean taxi industry in 2024 is the lack of taxi drivers. This can make it hard to get a taxi, even when using an app like Kakao Taxi. Late night taxis are particularly difficult to find. Read this guide about how to use Kakao Taxi to help you learn how to call a taxi in Korea.

Taxi prices in Korea are reasonable, especially compared to countries like Japan and the UK. Although base taxi fares rose in 2023 to 4,800 KRW, the price is still low and relatively affordable to travel by taxi if you need to. It’s a good option if there are no direct public transport routes.

Taking a taxi to and from Incheon Airport is a convenient option if you have a lot of bags or you are travelling in a group. For solo travellers or couples, I would recommend using public transport or a limo bus, as it’s significantly cheaper and won’t take much longer than a taxi.

How Do You Use Intercity Buses In Korea?

Intercity buses in Korea operate in a similar way to trains. You can only book tickets within 30 days of travel and can only buy single tickets. Book tickets online through websites such as T-Money Bus or Bustago , through app versions of these sites, or at the bus terminal you will depart from.

You can’t walk onto intercity buses without a ticket, nor can you use transportation cards like T-Money to pay on entry. You will need to pay for and receive your ticket (physical or digital) before you can enter the bus. Ticket machines usually (but not always) have English options for buying tickets.

There are no return bus tickets in Korea and you can only buy tickets from your point of departure, unless you book online or via an app. If you’re travelling from Seoul to Gangneung, for example, you will need to buy a ticket in Seoul and then a ticket in Gangneung. You can’t buy both in Seoul.

How Can You Hire A Car In Korea?

Renting a car is a great way to see parts of Korea that aren’t covered by the train network and gives you the freedom to explore at your leisure. If you plan to travel to Jeju Island, which doesn’t have any trains, hiring a car will be a lot more convenient and is almost a must if you plan to travel inland.

Car rental in Korea isn’t that expensive and you can rent a modern car for as little as 75,000 KRW per day. I recommend booking car rentals through Klook , they will deal with the Korean car rental companies and reserve a car for you. This is easier than trying to do it in Korean.

To hire a car in Korea, you will need:

• Driver’s license (must have had it for at least 1 or 2 years)
• International Driving Permit (in some cases)
• Credit card (in the name of the main driver)
• Valid photo ID (passport)
• Printed voucher for rental (if booked online)

Here’s some more information about the International Driving Permit and rules you should follow when driving in Korea, such as the legal requirement to wear seatbelts, booster seats for under 6s, and not using your phone while driving. Be sure to read up on local rules before driving in Korea.

Best Places To Visit In Korea In 2024

The next few sections of this South Korea travel guide will help you figure out what you want to do and see on your travels. This first section will give you a brief introduction to the best places to visit in Korea, including the major cities, tourist hotspots, and unique areas that you’re sure to love.

Here are the best places to visit in Korea:

Seoul: Korea’s Capital

Seoul is Korea’s vibrant, bustling capital and truly a must-see for any first-time visitor to Korea. There is so much to see and do in Seoul that you could easily spend a week or more exploring the city and not get bored. You will find yourself falling in love with the city for different reasons. Maybe it’s the friendly people, the deliciously cheap street eats, the way things just work, the hidden murals on old buildings down side streets, the feeling of safety even in a big city, or the historic sights creeping out from modern buildings. Seoul includes everything Korea has to offer, plus a lot more you won’t find elsewhere.

What To See In Seoul

Here are 10 great places to visit in Seoul:

• Gyeongbokgung Palace
• Bukchon Hanok Village
• Myeongdong Street Markets
• Lotte World Tower & Seokchon Lake
• Dongdaemun Design Plaza & Markets
• Yeouido Han River Park & Cruise
• Secret Garden (Changdeokgung Palace)
• N Seoul Tower & Namsan Mountain
• COEX Mall & Bongeunsa Temple
• Bukhansan National Park

Busan: Big Coastal City

While Seoul is a showcase of all things Korean, Busan is unashamedly its own city and a celebration of coastal life and local culture. Busan is famous for fresh seafood, traditional markets, great beaches, big festivals, movies, temples, and places to explore the coast. Beaches are popular places to visit in Busan, along with cliff-side walkways with views over the ocean. Central Busan is a lively spot with lots of entertainment and markets to enjoy, including a famous fish market where you can choose your own lunch and then eat it. Busan is spread out and deserves several days to explore it properly.

What To See In Busan

Here are 10 great places to visit in Busan:

• Haeundae Beach & Beach Train
• Jagalchi Fish Market
• Gamcheon Culture Village
• Haedong Yonggungsa Temple
• Songdo Beach & Cable Car
• Huinnyeoul Culture Village
• BIFF Square & Centum City Mall
• Oryukdo Skywalk & Coastal Paths
• Lotte World Busan
• Busan X The Sky Observatory

Jeju Island: Natural Wonder

Jeju Island is a gorgeous island created from a volcano rising out of the ocean 2 million years ago. Today it’s one of the New 7 Natural Wonders of Nature and deservedly so. The lush island is packed with pine trees, tangerines, rolling hills and fields, cacti, and jet black volcanic rock tumbled all around. You can relax on a beach, go horse riding, explore ancient lava tubes, scuba dive, climb to the volcano’s peak, chill in a beach-side cafe, explore traditional markets, learn about local culture, and lots more. The island has two main cities, but the attractions are spread out along the coast.

What to See On Jeju Island

Here are 10 great places to visit on Jeju Island:

• Hallasan Mountain (Volcano)
• Seongsan Ilchulbong Sunrise Peak
• Hyeopjae & Hamdeok Beaches
• Seogwipo Maeil Olle Market
• Jeju Folk Village
• Yakcheonsa Coastal Buddhist Temple
• Jungmun Beach & Jusangjeolli Cliff
• O’Sulloc Green Tea Museum
• Cheonjiyeon & Jeongbang Waterfalls

Gyeongju: Historic Capital

Gyeongju , the former capital of the Shilla Kingdom in ancient Korea, is a true treasure trove of UNESCO World Heritage sites, as well as local culture, history, and natural beauty. Described as an outdoor museum, you can see many of the big attractions in the Gyeongju Historic Area, including the 1,400 year Cheomseongdae Observatory . There’s so much to see in Gyeongju outside this area though, including the impressive Bulguksa Temple, one of the best Buddhist temples in Korea. There’s also the Bomun Lake Tourist District, a dreamy sight during cherry blossom season.

What To See In Gyeongju

Here are 10 great places to visit in Gyeongju:

• Bulguksa Temple & Seokguram Shrine
• Cheomseongdae Observatory
• Donggung Palace & Wolji Pond
• Yangdong Folk Village
• Hwangnidangil Hanok Street
• Daereungwon Tomb Complex
• Bomun Lake Tourist Complex
• Woljeonggyo Bridge
• Gyeongju National Museum
• Gyochon Traditional Hanok Village

Jeonju: Traditional Views & Food

Jeonju is the perfect destination for a day trip from Seoul and has most of its main attractions in one area of the city. What can you see in Jeonju? The main attraction is the gigantic Jeonju Hanok Village , featuring more than 700 traditional hanok houses. You can dress up in Korean hanbok, dine on Jeonju’s famous bibimbap in an old restaurant, and see how life in Korea used to be. There are plenty of other sights nearby, including a traditional market, pretty river, and the rather unusual Jaman Mural Village.

What To See In Jeonju

Here are 5 great places to visit in Jeonju:

• Jeonju Hanok Village
• Jeongdong Catholic Church
• Gyeonggijeon Shrine
• Nambu Traditional Market
• Jaman Mural Village

Suwon: Fortress City

Suwon is another city close to Seoul that you can visit in a day and see many interesting and unique sights. The main draw of Suwon is the Hwaseong Fortress and the fortress walls, which are still intact and run for 6km around the city. Inside this fortress you’ll find lots of museums, historic buildings, parks, and activities, such as archery. There are often cultural festivals in this area, too. Surprisingly, Suwon is the best place to get KFC (Korean Fried Chicken). There’s a whole street dedicated to making it.

What to See In Suwon

Here are 5 great places to visit in Suwon:

• Hwaseong Fortress & Fortress Walls
• Hwaseong Haenggung & Haengridan Gil
• Fried Chicken Street
• Korean Folk Village
• Gwanggyo Lake Park

Incheon: Modern City With Islands

Incheon is one of Korea’s largest cities, but is sadly ignored as it’s right next to Seoul and most people think it’s just there for the airport. That’s not true at all and there’s plenty to see and do in Incheon. Described as a futuristic city, Incheon is at the front of Korea’s push to become an ultra-modern country and nowhere shows that more than Songdo Central Park . The traditional side of Incheon is also worth exploring, including the Chinatown, which is home to Korea’s most popular student food – jajangmyeon . If you want to explore a lesser-seen side of Korea, check out the islands near Incheon to see ancient fortresses, temples, and charming sights.

What to See In Incheon

Here are 5 great places to visit in Incheon:

• Songdo Central Park
• Incheon Chinatown
• Wolmido Island
• Incheon Grand Park
• Ganghwa Jeondeungsa Temple

Gapyeong County: Tourists Treats

Gapyeong County is a rural part of Korea just outside Seoul that is one of the most popular day trip destinations for visitors and locals alike. Inside Gapyeong County is the lovely Garden of Morning Calm , a beautiful sculpted garden that showcases traditional Korean buildings set amongst thousands of different plants and trees. There’s also Nami Island , an ever-popular attraction that has long tree-lined streets to explore, woodland animals, bike paths, and even a zip line to the island. You can also visit Petite France, a recreation of a French village, Gapyeong Rail Bike Park, and Cheongpyeong Lake, and many other attractions in Gapyeong.

What To See In Gapyeong

Here are 5 great places to visit in Gapyeong:

• Nami Island
• Garden of Morning Calm
• Petite France
• Gapyeong Rail Bike Park
• Cheongpyeong Lake

North-East Coast: Amazing Beaches

The north-east coastal region of Korea, spreading between Sokcho and Gangneung , features some of Korea’s most popular summer seaside resorts and beaches. The wide, sandy beaches are perfect for water sports, working on your tan, and sitting at night listening to local musicians perform BTS covers and their own tunes. Sokcho deserves at least two days to explore, more if you plan to visit nearby Seoraksan National Park , one of Korea’s best places to see autumn foliage. Gangneung is where to see cherry blossoms in spring, sit and relax at a seaside cafe at Gangneung Coffee Street , and enjoy beach life.

What To See On The North-East

Here are 5 great places in north-east Korea:

• Sokcho Beach
• Gangneung Beach
• Seoraksan National Park
• Yangyang Surfyy Beach
• Gangneung Coffee Street

East Coast: Harbour Cities

Ulsan and Pohang are two industrial cities that don’t get enough attention, but are ideal for a weekend visit once you’ve explored other top sights. These coastal cities both have good beaches, coastal walks, and green spots, including a pretty bamboo forest in Ulsan. In Pohang, you can see the dizzying Space Walk , which looks out over the city and ocean. There’s also a former Japanese district with old buildings, and the famous Homigot Sunrise Square where you can watch the first sunrise of the year. Ulsan is famous for whaling and visitors should check out the charming Jangsaengpo Whale Museum and Daewangam Park.

What To See On The East Coast

Here are 5 great places on Korea’s East Coast:

• Yeongildae Beach & Space Walk
• Ilsan Beach & Daewangam Park
• Jangsaengpo Whale Museum
• Homigot Sunrise Square
• Taehwagang National Garden

South-West: Iconic Rural Destinations

South-west Korea is a long way from most travellers’ typical route, but this area is worth visiting if you have time. Gwangju , one of Korea’s largest cities, is hidden away down here and surrounded by natural beauty, including the Juknokwon Bamboo Forest , Boseong Green Tea Fields, and Suncheon Bay Nature Reserve. If you plan to hire a car , these spots will show you a completely different side to Korea. Gwangju, too, which is a fun city and the birthplace of Korean democracy. Hidden in the far corner of Korea is Mokpo, a lovely coastal city that has a new cable car carrying you over the ocean.

What to See In The South-West

Here are 5 great places in south-west Korea:

• Damyang Juknokwon Bamboo Forest
• Boseong Green Tea Fields
• Gwangju Culture Park & Penguin Village
• Suncheon Bay Nature Reserve
• Mokpo Marine Cable Car

South Coast Islands: Summer Getaways

Best explored during the hot summer months and early autumn, the south coast islands in Korea, which span from Busan to Mokpo, are where Koreans spend their summer holidays. The most popular destinations here are Geoje, Tongyeong, Yeosu, Namhae, and Goheung and each offers winding coastal paths, beaches, natural beauty, and fun summer activities. The best way to see these islands is with a rented car or by bike, riding around the coast visiting a few different beaches and attractions. Don’t expect too many cultural sights, instead you’ll find luges, gardens, water sports, and lots of fun.

What to See On The South Coast

Here are 5 great places on Korea’s South Coast:

• Dolsan Park & Cable Car
• Namhae Geumsan Boriam Hermitage
• Hallyeohaesang National Park
• Oedo-Botania Botanical Garden
• Skyline Luge Tongyeong

As you can see, there are many great places to visit in Korea. Korea is truly a country of undiscovered wonders that people aren’t aware of. Seoul is an incredible place to visit, but there’s so much more to see. That’s why I try to include lesser-known places in this South Korea travel guide.

The list above covers a lot of the most popular or tour-worthy destinations in Korea, but there are still more places I could recommend, such as Andong (home to the mask dance festival), Gunsan (port town with a retro vibe), Daegu (big city with historic sights), Daejeon , and many more.

Besides cities and towns in Korea, there are also 18 national parks to explore, thousands of mountains, Buddhist temples, beaches, bike routes, campsites, and so much more. I’ll include a few of each of these in the next few sections of this South Korea travel guide.

Best Day Tours From Seoul In 2024

Taking a day tour while you’re staying in Seoul is a great way to see more of Korea’s top attractions without the hassle of moving hotels to somewhere new. The 10 day tours from Seoul below can all be done in a day or less and can even be combined with other activities in the same day.

I don’t want to include every day tour available in this South Korea travel guide as there isn’t enough room to talk about them all. If you want to find more day tours, I recommend looking at the options available through tour providers such as Klook , Viator , and Get Your Guide .

Please note : There are many day tours from Seoul and they come with various prices. I recommend avoiding the very cheapest as these will often waste your time by taking you to some overpriced gift shop area and pressuring you to buy souvenirs or rushing you through too many attractions.

Here are 10 great day tours from Seoul:

Why Visit The DMZ

The DMZ, the demilitarised zone between North & South Korea is a truly unique place to visit when you’re in Korea. There are several different locations to see in this area, each reflecting the bitter struggle between the two Korea’s in the ongoing Korean War. Some of the highlights are the 3rd Tunnel, Dora Observatory, Dorasan Station, Gamaksan Suspension Bridge, and the Imjingak Park. There’s also the Panmunjom Truce Village where you can walk into North Korea, but this is currently closed. Tours are required to travel to certain parts of the DMZ.

Why Visit Gapyeong County

Gapyeong County is home to Nami Island, the Garden of Morning Calm, Petite France, Gapyeong Rail Bike Park, and several other fun attractions. Nami Island and the Garden of Morning Calm are the most popular and can both be visited in a day. You can witness beautiful scenes at these destinations, especially during cherry blossom season (April) and autumn foliage season (October). Tours from Seoul to Gapyeong County are convenient and can take you to multiple places in one day without the hassle of buses and finding your own way.

Why Visit Hwaseong Fortress

Hwaseong Fortress and its fortress walls offer a unique chance to see what life was like in Korea 200 years ago. Not only can you walk the full length of the walls around the city, you can also try archery and other traditional activities in the fortress grounds. There are many museums, fortress buildings, and exhibitions showing how people lived in this period. You can also enjoy the beautiful ponds and streams that run through the palace with traditional Korean restaurants and cafes looking out over these areas.

Why Visit Korean Folk Village

Discover traditional Korean life at the Korean Folk Village in Yongin during a day trip from Seoul. Walk through dozens of recreated farm buildings, government offices, academies, shops, smiths, schools, and other traditional buildings from Korea’s past to get a feel for how people lived at this time. Actors dressed in traditional Joseon-era costumes bring the scenes to life. You can try fun activities, such as mask carving, horse riding, and archery. Witness exciting festivals and cultural performances, too.

Why Visit Jeonju Hanok Village

A day trip to the Jeonju Hanok Village in Jeonju is a great way to experience various traditional Korean cultural activities in a beautiful setting. This sprawling hanok village has over 700 traditional buildings for you to explore, dine in, or even stay in. Make sure you rent hanbok in Jeonju so you look like Korean royalty and make memorable photos during your trip. Whilst you’re in Jeonju Hanok Village, you can try local delights such as Jeonju bibimbap and PNB chocopies. Also check out the traditional Nambu Market and Jeongdong Catholic Church.

Why Visit Alpaca World

When you travel to Korea, you may not think about seeing alpacas, which are from an entirely different continent. But Korea’s love of all things cute means that these furry friends have become very popular in Korea and have their own theme park a few hours from Seoul. There are dozens of cuddly alpacas to see, feed, and play with at Alpaca World , as well as hundreds of other cute critters such as ponies, rabbits, deer, goats, fennec foxes, and more. There are 17 separate areas to explore in Alpaca World and it’ll provide hours of fun for the whole family.

Why Visit Seoraksan

Seoraksan National Park on Korea’s east coast is a great day trip from Seoul for those who want to see mountain peaks, leafy valleys, stony rivers, and a gigantic Buddha. Even if you’re not a keen hiker, you can explore lots of the park’s valley pathways easily, or reach the top thanks to the convenient cable car. See the sights from the observatory and check out the small temple in the clouds. Make sure you try haemul pajeon (seafood pancake) and makgeolli (rice wine). It’s the traditional meal Koreans enjoy after hiking.

Why Visit Everland

Everland is Korea’s biggest theme park and is packed with attractions for everyone to enjoy. Thrill seekers will love the rollercoasters, such as T Express (the world’s 4th steepest rollercoaster) and many more exciting rides. Check out the Zootopia section to see wild animals and wild rides, or the Plantopia section for floral beauty, romantic walkways, and seasonal delights. There are plenty of attractions, cultural performances, entertainments, and seasonal events to keep you amused all day long.

Why Visit Danyang

A great way to see Korea’s countryside is with a day trip to Danyang to enjoy the rush of sailing over valleys and beside mountains while tandem paragliding. Feel the wind in your face and the sensation of riding the air currents as you pass over the many delightful views of Danyang. You can enjoy other activities in this area, such as the Mancheonha Skywalk , a clifftop lookout with incredible views, riding an alpine coaster, and zooming along a zip line. The perfect day tour from Seoul for thrill seekers.

Why Visit Dae Jang Geum Park

Fans of Korean period dramas and movies will love a day trip to Dae Jang Geum Park in Yongin. This is the largest historical drama filming set in Korea and was used to film MBC productions such as ‘Wind in the Palace’ and ‘The Great Queen Seondeok’, as well as K-Pop videos including Daechwita by Suga from BTS. If you’re lucky, you may see filming going on here. But even if you don’t, it’s a fun place for those who want to learn more about Korea’s history and take some cool pictures in a real movie set.

I’ve linked to tours provided by reliable tour companies in Korea. If you would rather book a tour through a local guide, contact Jerry Heng or Andrew Chung Hanbyul . They’re freelance guides with years of experience offering tours in Korea and both offer amazing service.

These places are accessible by public transport, but may take much longer than a tour would do, wasting your precious time. Check out my guide for getting to Nami Island to help you navigate Gapyeong County. For other destinations, I would recommend a tour – it’s more practical.

Best Sights To See In Korea In 2024

South Korea truly has something for everyone. There’s so much I want to include in this South Korea travel guide, which is why this section is full of different sights to see and explore. However, to keep things short and simple, I’ll just list them, not give full details about each one.

Whether you’re travelling to Korea to learn about Korean culture or history, to see Korea’s impressive landmarks, to enjoy family fun attractions, to hop from cafe to cafe, to immerse yourself in nature, or simply to eat and shop, then you’ll definitely find something for you in this section.

Famous Landmarks In Korea

Landmarks and iconic buildings are often top of a traveller’s bucket list for Korea as they provide great photo opportunities, showcase the best of the country, and offer fantastic views. Seoul has many top landmarks, but you can see plenty of other sights outside of the capital, too.

Here are 10 famous landmarks in Korea:

• Lotte World Tower (Seoul)
• N Seoul Tower (Seoul)
• Dongdaemun Design Plaza (Seoul)
• Cheonggyecheon Stream (Seoul)
• DMZ Area (near Seoul)
• Nami Island (Gapyeong County)
• Gamcheon Culture Village (Busan)
• Seongsan Ilchulbong (Jeju)
• Homigot Sunrise Square (Pohang)
• Banwol Purple Island (West Coast)

Historic Sights In Korea

Discover life in the Joseon period and before in Korea’s many captivating historic sights, including royal palaces, Buddhist temples, fortresses, and hanok villages. There are so many amazing historic sights to see in Korea, with each city having something to see.

Here are 10 historic sights in Korea:

• Bukchon Hanok Village (Seoul)
• Gyeongbokgung Palace (Seoul)
• The Secret Garden (Seoul)
• Seoul Fortress Walls (Seoul)
• Hwaseong Fortress (Suwon)
• Bulguksa Temple (Gyeongju)
• Gyeongju Historic Area (Gyeongju)
• Jeonju Hanok Village (Jeonju)
• Haedong Yonggungsa Temple (Busan)
• Andong Hahoe Village (Andong)

Korean Modern Cultural Sights

Fans of BTS, K-Dramas, Korean movies, and modern Korean culture in general have a lot to see and do in Korea. As well as famous filming locations across the country, these modern cultural sights will entertain, inform, and provide great destinations to visit.

Here are 10 modern cultural sights in Korea:

• Hallyu K Star Road (Seoul)
• K-Style Hub (Seoul)
• Hongik Uni. Station Area (Seoul)
• COEX Artium (Seoul)
• Asia Culture Centre (Gwangju)
• BIFF Square (Busan)
• Dae Jang Geum Park (Yongin)
• Sunshine Studio (Nonsan)
• Kim Gwang-Seok Street (Daegu)

Family Fun Attractions In Korea

Families travelling to Korea have plenty of things to see and do and ways to enjoy spending time together. There’s no Disneyworld or Universal Studios in Korea, but there are plenty of great alternatives, as well as places for children to explore, learn, and discover.

Here are 10 family fun attractions in Korea:

• Lotte World Adventure (Seoul)
• Everland Theme Park (Yongin)
• Seoul Grand Park & Zoo (Seoul)
• Alive Museum & Dynamic Maze (Seoul)
• Seoul Children’s Museum (Seoul)
• Zoolung Zoolung (Seoul)
• Sea Life Busan Aquarium (Busan)
• Jeju Dinosaur Island (Jeju Island)
• Alpaca World (Gangwon Province)
• Skyline Luge & Lotte World (Busan)

Korean Museums & Galleries

Travellers to Korea who want to learn about Korea’s history, culture, and art will love Korea’s impressive museums and galleries. These are great places to visit when the weather is bad and you might be surprised at how much there is to learn about Korea’s past.

Here are 10 museums & galleries in Korea:

• National Museum of Korea (Seoul)
• War Memorial of Korea (Seoul)
• Seoul Museum of Art (Seoul)
• Seoul Museum of History (Seoul)
• Seodaemun Prison Museum (Seoul)
• Museum Kimchikan (Seoul)
• National Folk Museum of Korea (Seoul)
• Gyeongju National Museum (Gyeongju)
• National Maritime Museum (Busan)
• Daegu Art Museum (Daegu)

Cafe Areas In Korea

When you need a break from travelling in Korea, visit one of these cosy cafe areas and take time to relax and recharge. Although Korea was traditionally a tea drinking country, cafes are now everywhere and you’ll find photogenic cafes everywhere these days.

Here are 10 cafe areas to visit in Korea:

• Ikseondong Hanok Village (Seoul)
• Gyeongui Line Parks (Seoul)
• Samcheondong Cafe Street (Seoul)
• Sinsa-dong / Garosugil Road (Seoul)
• Jukjeon Cafe Street (Seoul)
• Jeonpo Cafe Street (Busan)
• Haeridangil (Busan)
• Hwangnidangil (Gyeongju)
• Hwaseong Haenggung Area (Suwon)
• Gangneung Coffee Street (Gangneung)

Korean Markets & Malls

If you want the best selection of street food, souvenirs, and bargain shopping options, be sure to visit Korea’s many traditional markets. It’s a cultural experience itself. Korea also has some of the world’s largest malls with a wide variety of Korean and international goods.

Here are 10 markets & malls in Korea:

• Gwangjang Market (Seoul)
• Dongaemun Market (Seoul)
• Hongdae Shopping Street (Seoul)
• Starfield COEX Mall (Seoul)
• Jagalchi Fish Market (Busan)
• Seomyeon Underground Mall (Busan)
• Centum City Mall (Busan)
• Seogwipo Maeil Olle Market (Jeju)
• Nambu Market (Jeonju)
• Paju Premium Outlets (Paju)

Korean Natural Wonders

Korea is a country covered in mountains, waterfalls, valleys, rice terraces, and beautiful natural sights. Make time to visit some of these natural wonders when you visit Korea and you’ll be amazed at the incredible views you can find. The national parks are truly breathtaking.

Here are 10 natural wonders to see in Korea:

• Hallasan Mountain (Jeju)
• Jirisan National Park (Southern Korea)
• Seoraksan National Park (Gyeonggi)
• Garden of Morning Calm (Gapyeong)
• Juknokwon Bamboo Forest (Damyang)
• Boseong Green Tea Fields (Boseong)
• Udo Island (Jeju Island)
• Seongsan Ilchulbong Sunrise Peak (Jeju)
• Hyeopjae Beach (Jeju)
• Suncheon Bay National Park (Suncheon)

These 100 ideas are just the tip of the iceberg for what you can enjoy when travelling to Korea. There’s so much more to discover and I recommend you add some time to your travel plans to explore without a plan. Sometimes the best travel memories come from unexpected discoveries.

Best Activities To Try In Korea In 2024

Often the most memorable moments when travelling come from the experiences we have, not just the places we visit. Visiting a palace is interesting, but visiting a palace while dressed in traditional Korean hanbok , pretending you’re Joseon-era royalty with your friends or family is much more fun.

This section of the South Korea travel guide offers 10 fun activities you can try when you visit Korea. These will give you a good introduction to Korean culture, food, history, and nature. If you want more ideas, check out my list of 50 unique Korean experiences you can only do in Korea.

One of the top experiences to try in Korea has to be wearing Korean hanbok. It is available for all members of the family (even pets) and you can rent hanbok near most palaces or hanok villages. The hanbok easily fit over your regular clothes and come in a variety of colourful or traditional designs. You can get hair styling, accessories, and even have a hanbok photoshoot . Rentals can be as short as one hour or up to a full day.

Travellers to Korea can’t say they’ve truly tried Korean cuisine until they’ve eaten Korean street food from a market stall or street vendor. There are many types of Korean street food to sample in Korea, such as savoury snacks like tteokbokki and eomuk , to sweet treats like hotteok and bungeo-ppang . Korean street food is cheap and delicious. It’s usually not that healthy, but always leaves you feeling great. Give it a try.

Experience life as a Korean would have in the Joseon-era with a night in a traditional hanok house. A hanok stay is very different from sleeping in a hotel and allows you to try a night on a futon (with underground heating keeping you warm in winter). Slide the doors aside in the morning and walk out onto the wooden decking to enjoy traditional Korean tea at a low table and the sight of the ornately decorated garden. Don’t forget to take your shoes off before you enter.

Seoul and other cities in Korea still have fortress walls you can walk or hike along that will offer incredible views of cities and mountains. As you walk along the fortress walls, you begin to imagine what life would have been like as a soldier keeping the city safe from invaders. Nowadays, you can enjoy exercise and sightseeing at the same time. Seoul’s fortress walls are a good place to start, but you can find fortress walls in many other places.

Visiting a Korean sauna might be a bit shocking for first-time travellers to Korea, but it’s a great way to relax and is especially good in winter. When you enter a Korean sauna, you should take off all your clothes, have a shower, and then enter one of the hot baths. Being naked in front of others can be scary for some, but you soon overcome that fear. Korean saunas sometimes have a communal resting area called a jjimjjilbang . These areas require pyjamas and offer snacks, drinks, and places to rest.

The Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism have set up a templestay program at dozens of temples across Korea where you spend a day or two at the temple and join in various activities. This is truly a unique experience that you should try in Korea as you get to see customs performed by the monks that aren’t normally shown to the public. You also get to stay overnight at the temple and experience a hanok stay at the same time. Guests can also eat healthy vegan temple food, learn a lot, and chat with the monks.

A noraebang is the Korean version of a karaoke room, but is more popular in Korea and is commonly visited by locals and tourists alike. This is a great place to visit in the evening after a big Korean bbq meal and a few drinks. Everyone can relax and belt out their favourite Korean or international tunes together (or alone), shake some tambourines in support, or just watch and enjoy the atmosphere with some drinks. You can find these in every town and city in Korea and they provide a cheap night of fun and drinks.

Open since 2020, the Sky Bridge at Lotte World Tower offers unbeatable views of Seoul and a nerve-racking trip above the city. Walk between the two towers at the top of the Lotte World Tower and peer down the 541 metre drop to the city streets below. It’s actually very safe and you’re strapped into a harness as you walk from one side to the other, but this definitely isn’t for the faint-hearted. If you’re not sure you can handle the height, check out the Seoul Sky Observatory on the 117th floor instead.

Koreans love to drink coffee and also love cute, unusual things, which is probably why theme cafes have become so popular in Korea. Besides the many cat cafes, there are theme cafes where you can stroke sheep, pet dogs, and see other animals. There’s more to Korea’s theme cafes than just drinking coffee with animals, you can also try drinking from a toilet at the Poop Cafe , paint pictures, build lego, go camping, practice being a wizard, and more. Hongdae in Seoul is the best place to find theme cafes.

Although cafes are replacing Korean tea houses, Korea still grows and drinks lots of tea, especially green tea. You can visit these tea fields in areas such as Boseong and on Jeju Island, both of which have visitor centres and attractions to teach you about the wonderful world of Korean tea. The Daehan Dawon Tea Plantation in Boseong has lush green fields all year round and has been used as a filming location for several Korean shows. The O’sulloc Tea Museum on Jeju Island also has lovely views.

I recommend trying at least a few of these unique activities, they’ll really make your trip to Korea more memorable and offer insights into Korean culture and life. My advice is to be brave when visiting Korea and try new things, even if they seem a bit unusual at first. The same applies to Korean foods.

Best Korean Festivals To Join In 2024

There are dozens of festivals held in Korea each year celebrating the seasons, local products, traditions, culture, and often just for the sake of having fun. Visiting a festival in Korea will offer you a glimpse of how locals celebrate life, culture, and nature and let you join in the fun.

Whenever you visit Korea, there’ll be festivals going on. However, the biggest festivals occur in spring or autumn. As mentioned previously in this South Korea travel guide, these are the best seasons to visit Korea as the weather is pleasant and people are celebrating the end of summer or winter.

Cherry Blossom Festivals

The cherry blossom festivals in Korea occur in late March and early April and are some of the biggest festivals in Korea. People flock to forests, lakes, and rivers to see the pretty blossoms. The Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival has over 2 million visitors each year, and even more people visit Seokchon Lake and Yeouido Hangang Park in Seoul. There are many festivals and tours to see cherry blossoms in Korea so you should be able to find a quiet place to enjoy the view.

Winter Light Festivals

During the cold, dark days of winter, attractions such as Nami Island, the Garden of Morning Calm, and Herb Island transform into sparkling winter wonderlands with millions of bright lights illuminating them. There are also winter illumination festivals in Korean cities, such as the Haeundae Lighting Festival in Busan, Cheonggyecheon Stream Winter Lights in Seoul, and the Busan Christmas Tree Cultural Festival. When it snows in Korea, these festivals look even more magical.

Summer Music Festivals

Summer in Korea is hot, but that doesn’t stop people enjoying day-long music festivals across the country. From chilled jazz festivals like the Seoul Jazz Festival , to action-packed concerts like Psy’s Summer Swag , there are music festivals to suit everyone. This is a popular summer activity in Korea , so be sure to book in advance for ticketed events. If you can’t get tickets, just go to a popular beach in the evening and you’ll usually find musicians performing.

New Year Festivals

There are various festivals in Korea to celebrate the solar new year. New Year’s Eve festivals involve a bell-ringing ceremony where a giant bell is rung at midnight to welcome in the new year. Fireworks festivals are common events in cities across Korea, starting at midnight, too. Koreans celebrate the start of the new year by visiting the East Coast to see the first sunrise of the year at places like Homigot Sunrise Square or Seongsan Ilchulbong on Jeju Island.

Buddha’s Birthday Festivals

Buddha’s Birthday is like Christmas for the Buddhist world, but celebrated very differently. It also falls on changing dates each year as it follows the lunar calendar, just like Korean New Year. Korean Buddhist temples across Korea will celebrate by putting up colourful lanterns and decorations for at least a month before the actual date. The biggest festival celebrating Buddha’s Birthday is the Yeon Deung Hoe Lantern Festival , which features thousands of lanterns and a lantern parade through central Seoul.

Boryeong Mud Festival

The Boryeong Mud Festival is one of Korea’s largest festivals and attracts visitors from around the world. Running for 2 weeks during rainy season, this is the best way to see a Korean festival even when the weather is bad. There’s a lot to see and do at this festival, including getting dirty in the mud with mud sports, mud wrestling, mud tug-of-war, and other mud-filled events. Boryeong is famous for the high-quality mud found in nearby waters and, by joining this festival, you’re getting a free mud facial.

Jinju Lantern Festival

The visually stunning Jinju Lantern Festival is held in October each year in Jinju City and runs for several weeks. During the day, watch cultural performances and enjoy exploring the central fortress grounds of Jinju. Once it gets dark, see the city transform as thousands of lanterns, some as big as trees, come to life. There are so many weird and wonderful lanterns to discover at this festival. You can also set your own lanterns to float down the river with your wish inside.

Andong Mask Dance Festival

The Andong Mask Dance Festival in Andong, home of the Andong Hahoe Village, is a great opportunity to witness traditional Korean dance and music performances. Not only can you see traditional Korean performances during this 4 day festival, there are also international performers displaying their own culture’s dancing. Get hands-on with traditional Korean culture at this festival. Explore Andong and learn about its contributions to Korea’s cultural development.

Goyang Flower Festival

The Goyang International Flower Festival runs twice per year, once in spring and once in autumn. It’s a beautiful celebration of floral beauty mixed with Korean cuteness and creativity. At this flower festival you can stroll through a maze of different displays, with each section focusing on certain flowers and plants. There are indoor displays with vividly coloured roses, nature-based outdoor photo zones, and the lovely Ilsan Lake Park in the background.

Baekje Culture Festival

The Baekje Culture Festival probably isn’t one that first-time travellers to Korea would know about. Held in Gongju and Buyeo, the two former capitals of the ancient Baekje Kingdom, this 10-day long festival held around Chuseok (Korean mid-autumn harvest festival), is packed with unique events and sights and is set in historic locations in each city. There’s local food to try, musical & cultural performances, fun photo zones, lantern displays, and much more.

Knowing when you plan to visit Korea will help you research what festivals are on and what the weather will be like. There are certainly a lot more than just the ones mentioned above, including some others mentioned previously in the seasons part of this South Korea travel guide.

I recommend using a tour company to see out of the way festivals like the Jinju Lantern Festival and the Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival. These are often far from typical tourist destinations and can take hours to get to by public transport. Tours are worth the cost to save you time and avoid hassle.

Recommended Itinerary For Korea In 2024

In this section of this South Korea travel guide is my recommended first-timer itinerary for South Korea. This introduces you to two of Korea’s biggest cities, as well as a couple of day trips to highly rated destinations in Korea. There’s a mix of history, culture, nature, sights, and experiences.

This itinerary starts in Seoul as that’s where most people arrive to Korea after flying into Incheon Airport. If you arrive in Busan, you can change the route to start and end there instead. For travellers to Korea with only 2 or 3 days, I recommend using the first few days of this itinerary instead.

The itinerary lasts for one week, which isn’t enough time to see all of Korea, but enough time to get a feel for the country. If you have more time, use this itinerary and add in or replace extra destinations as you like. Jeju Island is certainly worth visiting if you have an extra 2 or 3 days.

Classic Sights Of Korea Itinerary

This itinerary covers a few must-see sights in Korea, including the two largest cities, the history city of Gyeongju, and some popular day trip destinations from Seoul.

Day 1 : Arrive in Seoul and explore Gyeongbokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village, Insadong Art Street, Jogyesa Temple, and Cheonggyecheon Stream. Get dinner at the Jonggak Avenue of Youth for authentic Korean food that’s better than the touristy places in Myeongdong.

Day 2 : Learn about Korean history at the War Memorial of Korea or National Museum of Korea, explore Seoul’s traditional Gwangjang market in Dongdaemun, take the cable car to the N Seoul Tower for sunset & night views, then head down to Itaewon or Myeongdong for dinner & drinks.

Day 3 : Take a day trip to Gapyeong and visit Nami Island, the Garden of Morning Calm, and the Gapyeong Rail Bike Park. Return to Seoul for dinner and rooftop drinks in Myeongdong and then walk along the fortress walls from Dongdaemun Station if the weather is good.

Day 4 : Take the KTX to Busan, drop your bags, and take the subway to Nampo-dong for Jagalchi Fish Market, Bosu-dong Book Alley, and traditional sights. Take a taxi to Huinnyeoul Culture Village. End the day in Haeundae for evening dinner & drinks and a walk along the beach at night.

Day 5 : Take the bus to Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, then a taxi to Songjeong Beach. Relax in a beachside cafe, then take the Haeundae Beach Train to Cheongsapo, change to the Sky Capsule, and end up in Haeundae. Take a bus to Gamcheon Culture Village and get dinner at Songdo Beach.

Day 6 : Take a day trip from Busan to the UNESCO World Heritage City of Gyeongju. Visit the Gyeongju Historic Area, then Gyeongju Gyochon Traditional Village for traditional food and sights of Woljeonggyo Bridge. See tranquil night views of Wolji Pond before getting dinner at Hwangnidangil.

Day 7 : Head back to Seoul on the KTX for a final day of shopping and sightseeing in Hongdae. Walk along the Gyeongui Line Forest Park or Book Street or visit a theme cafe. Take the subway directly to Incheon Airport from Hongdae or spend a night here and check out the lively night scene.

Please note : I recommend trying not to cram too much into your itinerary. You may want to see as much as possible, but people often end up rushing past sights and not appreciating them. Plan for less and see more if you have time. It gives you a chance to be spontaneous.

To plan a realistic itinerary for South Korea, it is important to factor in transportation, meal breaks, and rest times. Use Naver Maps to plan your route and work out travel times. A short journey on the map might take much longer if there’s no direct route. Also consider breaks if you plan to walk a lot.

Cultural Issues When Visiting Korea

The next few sections of this South Korea travel guide will provide answers to some of the most common questions first-time travellers to Korea have in regards to cultural, language, and safety issues. Korea is a culturally unique country with customs and traditions you might not be aware of.

Korea is a society that places a strong emphasis on social image, respect for others, and social harmony. This means Koreans will often try to avoid conflict, especially in public. To show respect for Korean culture and to avoid being rude, try to respect social harmony and always avoid conflict.

If you follow these tips, you’ll find it easier to avoid accidentally upsetting someone in Korea. There’s far too much to cover in this South Korea travel guide, so if you’d like to know more, check out my detailed guide to Korean etiquette and culture , it’s packed with tips and insights to understand Korea.

What is considered rude in Korea? It is considered rude to point with one finger or with chopsticks, give and receive with one hand, cross your legs when sitting, and to walk inside with your shoes on. Things considered rude in other countries such as swearing and spitting are also rude in Korea.

What is considered unlucky in Korea? It is considered unlucky to write someone’s name in red ink and to stand chopsticks upright in rice. Both are used in rituals for deceased people. The number 4 is also unlucky as the word is the same as the word for ‘death’.

Do you need to tip in Korea? It’s not necessary to tip in Korea and most restaurants and cafes won’t expect or allow you to tip. There is no service charge added to bills in Korea, with the exception of some upmarket restaurants, bars, and hotels in touristy areas of Seoul. Tipping guides is okay.

Do you need to take off shoes when going inside? If you enter someone’s house in Korea, you should take off your shoes. This rule also applies to temples, traditional restaurants, and other places in traditional buildings. Most cafes, shops, and restaurants won’t ask you to take off your shoes.

When should you use two hands in Korea? You should use two hands when giving and receiving things in Korea, such as money, a gift, a business card, or food. When you shake hands, use both hands, not just one. The same applies to pouring drinks, both pouring and holding a glass.

Do I have to act like a Korean in Korea? You don’t have to follow Korean customs and traditions when you visit Korea. You are a guest in the country and Koreans won’t expect you to know every rule. However, showing cultural awareness in Korea will help you make friends and impress locals.

The best tip for being culturally sensitive in Korea is to first consider all the things that you’d consider rude in your own country – spitting, swearing, shouting, physical violence, etc. Show the same acts of kindness you’d show at home – help others, give up your seat for those in need, be polite, etc.

Furthermore, remember that social harmony is really important in Korea and try not to cause a scene. Keep your voice down in public, don’t talk or act aggressively, be polite, and don’t force things when people are reluctant. Koreans may feel obliged to do things, even when they don’t want to.

Language Issues When Travelling Korea

Language issues can be a big concern for first-time travellers to Korea as Korean is a very different language from English and has a unique alphabet. Korean is also one of the most difficult languages to learn for English speakers, ranked alongside Japanese, Chinese, and Arabic.

However, as a tourist to Korea, you don’t need to worry about mastering the language. English is used for signs and announcements in most places that you’ll need it, such as on public transport, at the airport, at attractions & tourist sites, on menus, and most other places. It’s common across Korea.

If there is a sign or notice that isn’t in Korean, I recommend using the Papago app to take translate it. Use the image translation function in the app to scan the sign and Papago will translate it into English for you. It’s really convenient and the way I translate things I can’t read in Korean.

Do Korean People Speak English?

Speaking in English to Korean people is different from being able to read and translate signs. English is taught from elementary school until the end of high school. That doesn’t mean everyone will remember it, but there’s a good chance some people will know English, especially younger Koreans.

It is best to ask if someone speaks English before trying to have a conversation. You can do this in Korean by asking “영어 할 수 있어요?” (Yong-oh hal su iss-o-yo?) or just ask it in English. Tour guides and people in the tourism industry will probably be able to speak English, but it’s not guaranteed.

Shyness is an issue in Korea and locals may be reluctant to speak English at first for fear of making a mistake. As an English teacher in Korea, I know that Korean students are usually quite competent in English, but lack confidence to use it. Be patient and encouraging when talking in English.

Although some Koreans may be too shy to use English, other people may be enthusiastic about speaking English to you and want to practice it. I’ve been asked random questions in English by strangers in the street in Korea who want to practice English and find out about my life.

Should You Learn Korean Before Visiting Korea?

If you do want to learn some Korean before you travel, I recommend you start by learning the Korean alphabet , or at least learning some basic Korean travel phrases . Knowing how to introduce yourself, discuss prices, ask for directions, and ask for help will make your trip to Korea a lot easier.

You can learn Korean online through courses such as 90 Day Korean and Korean Class 101 , or with self-study textbooks like the excellent Talk To Me In Korean series. There are lots of resources on YouTube, too. I particularly like Learn Korean with GO! Korean Billy as he explains things clearly.

Another way to prepare to move to Korea is to read some Korean novels in English . Although these books won’t teach you any Korean, they’ll offer up valuable insights into Korean culture, both traditional and hidden under the surface. Literature is a good way to gain an understanding of a culture.

A warning about Konglish : Although Korea uses English in many useful ways, there’s also a lot of Konglish. The sign above is a good example of random English words being used to look cool, but ending up being confusing. There’s a lot of this in Korea and it’s mostly harmless, so don’t worry.

Health And Safety Issues In Korea

First-time travellers to Korea may be worried about health and hygiene issues, such as if certain foods are available and if they’re safe to eat. Other issues include vaccinations, personal safety, and how easy it is to contact emergency services. These issues are addressed below.

Is Korean Street Food Safe To Eat?

Korean street food is generally safe to eat and won’t give you any health issues unless you have an intolerance to the food. Korean street food can be spicy or contain a lot of salt, be aware of your own personal tolerances and dietary requirements before trying it.

Also be careful when ordering food with meat or seafood and check that it is cooked thoroughly. Korean street food that has been left out for a long time is more likely to cause food poisoning problems, so ask for freshly cooked food if you’re concerned.

Is It Easy To Find Vegan-Friendly Food In Korea?

There are many vegan-friendly Korean dishes , such as gimbap , japchae , pajeon , bibimbap , ramyeon , and tteokbokki . However, some restaurants may use non vegan-friendly ingredients when preparing these foods, so be careful. Kimchi isn’t vegan-friendly due to its seafood ingredients & sauces.

Vegetarianism and veganism aren’t common in Korea with fewer people following these diets than in countries such as the USA or UK. Vegetarians in Korea account for 3% of the population, while vegans in Korea are only 0.2% of the population as of 2022. The UK is 10% and 2% respectively.

However, the number of vegan-friendly restaurants and bakeries is increasing each year in Korea, especially in areas such as Hongdae and Itaewon. Korean Buddhist temple food is vegan-friendly and a good option for vegans who want to enjoy vegan food while learning about local Korean culture.

If you’re concerned about accidentally ordering non vegan-friendly food, or want to know how to tell someone about food allergies or requirements, check out my guide to Korean phrases for ordering food . This has a whole section about special requests when ordering food in Korean.

Is It Safe To Drink Tap Water In Korea?

Korean tap water is potable and safe to drink. Korea ranks 23rd for water hygiene, which is above the USA, Canada, and Australia. However, many Koreans don’t drink tap water , preferring to use water purifiers and bottled water instead, claiming that tap water smells strange or water pipes are bad.

Personally, I don’t like drinking tap water in Korea as it tastes a bit stale, but it’s perfectly fine to drink and doesn’t cause any problems. Bottled water is very cheap in Korea and costs 600 KRW for a 500ml bottle from a convenience store. Buying water from a supermarket is a cheaper option though.

Do You Need Any Vaccinations To Travel To South Korea?

There are no mandatory vaccinations required to travel to Korea , but it is suggested you should have at least routine vaccinations such as tetanus, MMR, and polio. Hepatitis A & B, typhoid, and Japanese encephalitis vaccinations are also recommended.

Is Korea Friendly To Tourists?

Korea is generally friendly and welcoming to tourists. The Korean government spends a lot of money and effort to promote Korean tourism to the world and there are many incentives to bring people to the country. Korean people are also mostly polite and welcoming, especially in the tourism sector.

Is Korea A Dangerous Country To Travel In?

South Korea is a safe country to travel in and the crime rate in Korea is low, comparable to Norway or the Netherlands. Public crimes, such as theft and assault, are rare. Pickpocketing and purse snatching aren’t common and unattended goods are generally left alone or reported to the police.

How safe is Korea? I regularly see people leave their phone or handbag on a cafe table to reserve it before going up to order a drink. People even leave their laptops open while they pop out for lunch or go to the toilet. Stealing disturbs social harmony and is one of the reasons it’s rare in Korea.

Physical violence is also rare, but still occurs in Korea, as it does in all countries. This is most often found in areas with lots of bars and when people are drunk. However, visiting bars in Korea is a lot safer than I’ve experienced in other countries and trouble is not common, even in busy places.

How Do You Contact Tourist Information Services In Korea?

Call 1330 in Korea to contact the Travel Helpline . The Korean Travel Helpline provides the following services free of charge to tourists in Korea.

• Tourist Information : Find out about attractions, opening hours, prices, and other information.
• Tourist Interpretation : Access travel information in several languages.
• Tourist Complaints : Report rip-offs and problems you encounter when travelling in Korea.
• Tourist Police : Report minor crimes in English and other languanges.

There are tourist police patrolling the streets of Seoul, dressed in purple uniforms as shown in the picture above. In popular tourist locations like Myeongdong and Bukchon Hanok Village, you’ll also find friendly tourist information staff dressed in red shirts with matching red cowboy hats.

What Should You Do If You Have An Emergency In Korea?

If you need to report a fire or medical emergency in Korea, you should call 119 from any phone. To contact the police in Korea, call 112. You will need to select an option to report an emergency in English or another language. It may take some time to be redirected to an English speaker.

• 119 – Medical Emergency & Fire Rescue
• 112 – Police

When you use medical services in Korea, you have to pay the cost of treatment, but there is no fee for the ambulance ride as this is covered by the Korean government. Travel insurance should cover the cost of medical bills, so if you’re worried about a large medical bill, insurance is recommended.

Fortunately, the cost of treatment in Korea is quite reasonable and Korea has advanced medical facilities, which is why it’s a popular medical tourism destination . Many people travel to Korea for minor and major surgery, including laser eye surgery, cosmetic surgery, and internal medicine.

Is Air Pollution A Problem In Korea?

Air pollution is an issue in Korea, especially in spring & summer. Winds blow yellow dust from Central Asia, field burning spreads fumes across Asia, and fossil-fuel burning contributes to higher levels of air pollution. Some days there’ll be very low visibility and health risks for people with lung problems.

My Personal Travel Tips For Korea

This South Korea travel guide is a collection of information I’ve researched and learned since moving to Korea in 2015 and blogging about Korean travel since 2019. I hope the provided information and insights are useful and assist you plan your dream first-time, or even tenth-time, trip to Korea.

This section includes my personal tips that didn’t really fit anywhere else and reflections built from travelling all over Korea in all seasons. These are tips I would offer to first-time travellers to Korea and people who might have some worries about visiting the Land of Morning Calm. I hope they help.

The Real Korea Isn’t What You See On TV

Korea is a developed country that went from being a 3rd world country in the mid 20th Century to a high-tech country in a short time. Despite the many high-rises and modern K-Pop stars, there are still shadows of the former Korea seen in both run-down slums and people with ‘traditional’ values.

The image created by selective K-Culture can distort people’s reality when dreaming of a trip to Korea in the same way Korean people can suffer from Paris Syndrome when visiting France. There are many wonderful things about Korea, but don’t travel thinking that everything is as shown on TV.

Be Prepared For Culture Shock

One of the best things about travelling is seeing a country and people that act and behave differently to how you do in your own country. This is known as culture shock and can be both a blessing and a challenge for first-time travellers to Korea. Things you might be used to can be different in Korea.

Some examples of culture shock in Korea include the way age determines hierarchy in Korea and how older people can be rather pushy, especially on the subway. Younger people also typically don’t question the decisions of older people in Korea as it is considered rude and disrespectful.

Less extreme cultural differences that might confuse some first-time visitors to Korea include having to shout to call someone to take your order in a Korean restaurant or not giving a tip. Koreans might similarly look at you strangely if you do something culturally different, such as walking while drinking.

Don’t Overpack When You Travel To Korea

First-time travellers to Korea may be worried about visiting a country like Korea without taking everything they need from home, even the kitchen sink. My advice is to pack as light as possible and leave yourself some space in your suitcase. There are two reasons for this.

• You can buy most things you need in Korea . This includes sun cream, heat packs, clothes, shoes, cosmetics, travel accessories, etc. They’re also probably cheaper in Korea, too.
• You will want to take home lots of things . From weird Korean snacks to beautiful hand-crafted pottery and woodwork, there are so many things to buy in Korea.

(1) The only exception is if you might have a problem finding correct-fitting items. Korean shoes and clothes are slightly smaller than what you’d find in Western countries and the sizes are also differently labelled. I’m a medium in the UK but a large (sometimes XL!) in Korea. Be careful when shopping.

(2) It’s hard to fit everything you buy in Korea into an already full suitcase. Fortunately, you can buy extra suitcases at low prices. Check out Namdaemun Market for cheap luggage options, as well as shops like the one pictured below (this is in Busan) in places like Hongdae and Dongdaemun.

Electricity In South Korea

Be careful with electric items when travelling to Korea. Korea uses type C and F plugs , which are used in Europe, Russia, and other parts of Asia. The standard voltage is 220V with 60Hz frequency. Anything designed for a standard voltage between 220V and 240V should be fine in Korea.

Laptops, mobile phones, and other portable devices will be fine when you travel in Korea as long as you use a travel adapter with a USB or socket connection. Hairdryers, shavers, curlers, and similar devices might have problems charging in Korea and run out of power very soon. My shaver did.

Go With The Flow And Go Quickly

Korea is a very busy country and you might hear people mutter ‘빨리빨리’ ( ppalli ppalli ) if you walk slowly, especially in the subway. Koreans work long hours and are eager to get home or go out for dinner. Don’t take it personally if people push past you and don’t feel like you have to rush.

Know Where To Throw Away Rubbish

It can be difficult to find a bin to throw away rubbish in Korea, even in urban areas. The best place to dispose of rubbish in Korea is at a convenience store. You can find recycling and trash bins in these shops. If you go hiking or explore the countryside, expect to carry your rubbish home with you.

South Korea Travel Guide FAQs

Finally, here’s a few FAQs about this South Korea travel guide, in case the above information didn’t cover enough for you.

What is the best month to visit South Korea?

The best months to visit South Korea are April and October. April is warm and you can see cherry blossoms in Seoul at the start of the month. October is warm with clear skies. During October you can see autumn foliage across Korea.

How much money is enough for South Korea?

The amount of money you need to travel in South Korea depends on your travel style and desired level of comfort. A rough budget for South Korea is 50-100,000 KRW per day for budget travellers, 100-200,000 KRW per day for mid-range travellers, and 200,000+ KRW per day for luxury travellers.

Is South Korea friendly to tourists?

South Korea is a welcoming country and friendly to tourists. There are many services to welcome tourists to South Korea, including free transit tours from Incheon Airport, cultural performances in tourist destinations, low entry fees to traditional attractions like Gyeongbokgung Palace, and tourist information and signs in multiple languages.

What do I need to know before travelling to South Korea?

It’s important to know about the weather before travelling to South Korea as this can impact your day to day travel and affect what clothes you’ll need. You should also research what festivals are on before you travel, what seasonal events are happening, such as cherry blossom viewing, and also how to use public transport and get connected to the net.

What is the cheapest month to visit South Korea?

January and February are two of the cheapest months to visit South Korea and are considered low season as the weather is cold. Hotel prices and flights to Korea will be lower in these months. Winter is a good time to travel to Korea to see snow and enjoy winter sports and festivals, however, some attractions will be closed during this time of year.

Do I need a South Korea travel guide?

It is good to check a South Korea travel guide to research your trip, especially for first-time travellers to Korea. Korea has a unique culture, language, and customs that might be confusing for new travellers. A South Korea travel guide will help you prepare for these factors and give you ideas to create your perfect trip to Korea.

Can you drink tap water in Korea?

Korean tap water is potable and safe to drink. You can drink water from hotels and apartments in Korea. Restaurants and cafes will provide you with free drinking water, which usually comes from a water cooler. Bottled water is available from convenience stores and is reasonably priced.

Is South Korea safe for first-time travellers?

South Korea is a safe country for first-time travellers to visit. Personal crimes, such as theft, mugging, and physical violence are rare in Korea and it is safe to walk the streets of Seoul, even at night. First-time travellers can prepare for a trip to South Korea by being aware of potential scams, such as taxi drivers over charging them or being ripped off in the traditional markets.

What are the best apps for travelling in South Korea?

The best apps for travelling to South Korea are Papago, Kakao Taxi, Naver Maps, and Seoul Subway. These apps will allow you to translate between Korean and English, hail taxis, and navigate as you travel. All of these apps have English language options and are free to use.

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Hi! My name is Joel, I'm the author of In My Korea and writer of this article. I've lived, worked and travelled in Korea since 2015 and want to share my insights, stories and tips to help you have the best experience during your trip to Korea.

I love learning more about Korean culture, hiking the many mountains, and visiting all the coolest places in Korea, both modern and traditional. If you want to know more about my story, check out the ' about me ' section to learn why I love living in Korea.

4 thoughts on “Complete South Korea Travel Guide 2024: Korean Travel Tips”

This South Korea travel guide is a comprehensive resource for anyone planning a trip to Korea. It covers everything from entry requirements and travel tips to accommodation options and places to visit. Whether you’re a first-time traveler or have been to Korea before, this guide has something for everyone. The inclusion of the latest travel news and COVID-related updates adds to its relevance and usefulness. I appreciate the detailed breakdown of sections and the inclusion of quick links for easy navigation. Overall, this guide is a valuable tool for anyone looking to explore the wonders of South Korea.

Moderator – Nice Article! In My Korea

Thank for the great info! Could you please recommend any tours agency for a few day trips around Korea? I found a few , but they are pretty pricey!

Hi, thanks for reading. Klook and Viator have a good selection of tours in Korea with some of the best prices on the market. I’m not sure which tours you’re looking for, but they usually do day trips for less than $100 per day that cover popular tourist sights.

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All you need to know about south korea tour.

South Korea is like no other, brimming with rich cultural experiences, exquisite food, and plenty of affordable shopping options. Whether trying on a traditional Hanbok dress or taking a culinary class to learn kimchi making, you will never run out of activities to experience in this country. You can try all this with our exclusive South Korea tour packages .

If you’re planning your first trip to ‘The Land of Morning Calm’, it can be overwhelming to jot down all the places and adventures to dip your toes into. Fret not, for we have gathered all the necessary information that you will require to plan the perfect holiday through our South Korea tour packages.

Table of Content:

About south korea, essential tips to know before travelling to south korea, india and south korea – historically & culturally connected.

• Best Budget South Korea Tour Packages

South Korea At A Glance

• Top Reasons To Visit South Korea

Best Time To Visit South Korea

Top things to do in south korea, shopping in south korea, foods to try out in south korea, art and culture in south korea.

When the Japanese left Korea after 2nd World War in 1945, the country was divided by an internal border based on a circle of latitude (38th°N). In 1950, the Korean People’s Army invaded its southern counterpart with help from the Soviet Union. However, the attempt was thwarted, leading to a three-year Korean War. At the end of the war, an armistice declared that Korea would remain a divided country, viz.; South Korea and North Korea. Tensions between the two countries have remained ever since, with South Korea alternating between democracy and dictatorship and now gradually moving to liberal democracy today.

Over the decades, the country has experienced many cultural, economic, and educational developments. Over the decades, South Korea transformed from one of the poorest countries in Asia to one of the wealthiest countries in the world. It is now considered one of Asia’s ‘Four Tigers’, with the others being Taiwan, Singapore, and Hong Kong.

• Spring and autumn are the two best seasons to visit South Korea.
• Korean New Year and Chuseok are 2 major holidays. All tourist attractions can be quite crowded.
• The public transport in South Korea is affordable and efficient.
• T-Money cards are available for multiple access to subways and public buses.
• Tipping is not a part of Korea’s customs and culture. While it is appreciated, it’s not necessary.
• South Korea is pretty safe, but watch out for petty thieves, drunken brawlers, and con artists.
• If you are invited as a guest, carry gifts or flowers and give them to the host using both hands.
• You can get by with English, but learning a few Korean words is good.

Our South Korean tour packages are immensely popular among families with teenage children thanks to the influence of K-drama and K-pop. In 2020, Netflix India saw a 370% growth in the Indian viewership of K-dramas. Due to these K-dramas, a world of Korean pop culture made its way to India through Korean food, Korean singers, and popular touristy locations in South Korea.

Similarly, Korean beauty products have a huge fan following in India. The Korean glass skin trend is immensely popular with teenage girls who often visit the country to buy makeup products for cheap.

But the two countries are historically connected thanks to Korea’s beloved queen, Heo Hwang-ok, who is believed to have arrived from a distant land called Ayuta, probably referring to Ayodhya or the Ay Kingdom from ancient Tamil Nadu. Over six million Koreans, especially those belonging to the Gimhae Kim, Gimhae Heo, and Incheon Yi clans, trace their lineage to the Queen. Also, Tamil and Korean are more similar than you know, with over a thousand words that are exactly similar, including Amma (Omma), Appa (Appa), and pul or grass (pul).

Our Best Budget South Korea Tour Packages

Top reasons to visit south korea.

Looking for a reason to book our all-inclusive South Korea tour packages? From its captivating culture and futuristic architecture to its scrumptious cuisine, there are myriad reasons to book a trip to South Korea right away.

Rich History and Fascinating Culture

You can witness South Korea’s culture and history through its multiple fortresses, palaces, and temples. While you may have heard or read about its history, experiencing the places in person and connecting to historical events is an entirely different experience.

South Korea’s vibrant culture is a vital reason to visit the country with our fantastic South Korea tour packages. Koreans highly value harmony and emphasise respect for elders. These principles have made South Korea a harmonious and peaceful place with comparatively lower crime rates than countries with similar economic statuses.

Delectable Cuisine

Koreans are incredibly proud of their food and cuisine. Due to the country’s climate and natural isolation, South Koreans have unique food preparation techniques.

Korean food includes soups, stews, meat dishes, noodle preparations, seafood, and side dishes called banchan. The cuisine is characterised by a balanced mix of vegetarian and animal products and plenty of fermented food. As you travel across the country, your tastebuds will have a gala time sampling the numerous flavours of Korean cuisine.

Picturesque Landscapes

From the quiet countryside to mountain ranges and beaches, the landscapes to admire in South Korea are endless. There are certain untouched rural regions that provide a deep and fascinating insight into the traditional lifestyle followed by Koreans. The hidden temples and lush rice terraces you discover in the country are sure to leave you spellbound.

Since South Korea is a peninsula, the beaches and coastal regions are some of the most coveted destinations for tourists worldwide. Jeju Island, for example, is among Korea’s most visited places. The national parks and countless mountains allow for adventurous hiking trips.

Changing Seasons

South Korea has four distinct seasons throughout the year, making it an exciting place to visit and live. No matter which time of the year you choose to travel to the country, you will experience a distinct flavour in terms of weather. As the cherry blossoms in the spring give way to orange and red colours in the fall, winter transforms South Korea into a wonderland blanketed with snow. Each season has unique festivals, events, and food that travellers can relish.

Café Culture

The dalgona coffee craze that swept the world during the COVID lockdown originated in South Korea. South Korea has a young but original coffee culture with theme cafes centred on concepts like animals, books, puzzles, art, board games, etc. For instance, you can hang out with cats while sipping coffee in a cat café, read comic books in a comic book café, or compete with fellow gamers in a gaming café.

These coffee shops are usually found in tourist areas and near universities, where students and exchange students visit often. Spend your evenings in South Korea exploring its stylish rooftop bars and themed cafes.

Contemporary Architecture

South Korea beautifully blends traditional hanok architecture with modern buildings. Cities like Seoul and Busan are famous for their tall and contemporary buildings that draw inspiration from traditional Korean design ideas focusing on simplicity and promoting inner harmony. Conventional Korean homes or hanoks are distinguished by their gently sloping roofs and a harmonious relationship between architecture and nature. Most South Korean tour packages include a hanok stay in their itinerary. The experience often consists of a tea ceremony, cooking class, learning to wear a hanbok, etc. Make sure you stay in a hanok or at least visit one during your stay.

Thrilling Shopping Scene

When you visit South Korea, remember to set aside a few days exclusively for shopping. While there are traditional souvenirs like hanboks, ginseng, Korean masks, etc., that you can buy for friends and family, the country is famous for its smart electronic gadgets, cosmetic products, face sheet masks, and ramyeon. Some things you must buy in Korea include cookware, cutlery (especially Korean wooden spoons), clothes, and cool socks. You can also purchase prescription glasses for as little as INR 3,000, including the price of an eye checkup.

Koreans have high beauty standards and dedicate much time, energy, and money to beauty rituals and skincare routines. If you’d like a flawless skin like them, we suggest shopping for Korean makeup and skincare products. They’re cheap and fantastically innovative.

South Korean weather is diverse, with four main seasons. While it is a great all-year-round destination, some months of the year are especially worth visiting.

Spring and autumn are the busiest tourist seasons in South Korea, making them expensive periods to explore the country as compared to winter and summer. Here’s an overview of what each season brings about so you can decide the best time to choose our South Korea tour packages .

Spring In South Korea (April To June)

Between April and June, spring engulfs South Korea, covering the country in a delightfully pink hue owing to the abundance of cherry blossom trees. The weather remains pleasant and doesn’t fluctuate much, making it a popular time for tourists to explore the country. The minimum temperature is 11 degrees Celsius, and the maximum is 27 degrees Celsius.

If you are travelling to the country around this time, expect sunny days and clear skies. Since this is peak tourist season, ensure you have pre-booked major tourist attractions. 25°C is still cold for South Indians, so wear warm clothes. The Jinhae Gunhangje Cherry Blossom Festival is one of the most spectacular festivals to witness in South Korea during springtime.

Summer In South Korea (July To August)

South Korea remains warm during summer, with frequent rains between July and August. Temperatures range from 22 degrees Celsius to 31 degrees Celsius. Due to the periodic showers, it is humid and hot, and not a popular time for tourists. Accommodation and airfares are usually cheaper during the summer months. Bring hats, raincoats, and sunscreen if you travel to South Korea during this season.

Autumn In South Korea (September To November)

As the rains fade, South Koreans get ready to welcome autumn. Maple blossoms are visible throughout the country, with red and orange shades dominating the landscape. The temperature oscillates between zero degrees Celsius and 11 degrees Celsius.

Visit Seoul International Fireworks Festival is a popular tourist attraction during this season. Autumn is a busy tourist season in South Korea, so we advise travellers to book beforehand if they plan to travel to the country during these months.

Winter In South Korea (December To March)

The winter season brings about chilly weather in South Korea, with the minimum temperature at -7 degrees Celsius and the maximum temperature at 3 degrees Celsius. There are fewer people on the streets during this time of the year if you like the thought of walking around in the snow and enjoying a cup of hot chocolate in the cosiness of your hotel room or are looking to enjoy winter activities like strawberry picking, ice-skating, and ice-fishing, look for South Korea tour packages around this time.

Remember to pack plenty of warm clothes if you’re planning your holiday during winter. Carry snowboarding and skiing gear as well. Since this isn’t the most popular tourist season, lodgings and flights are comparatively cheaper.

South Korea offers a potpourri of activities and experiences for solo travellers and families. With our South Korea tour packages, you can explore the popular and hidden gems of this beloved holiday destination while also partaking in outdoor activities that give you an adrenaline rush.

Things To Do As A Family

Jeju island.

Jeju Island is the largest island in South Korea. Spread over an area of 1,849 square km, it is a volcanic island and the main island of the Jeju Province. The island was supposedly formed around two million years ago due to volcanic eruptions.

Some of the things you can do on Jeju Island include enjoying the scenic view, visiting the many beaches, going for a full-day trek up the Hallasan mountain, visiting Yakcheonsa Temple, visiting the Jeongbang Waterfall, the only waterfall in Asia that directly falls into the ocean, and relishing some spicy seafood stew. Some water activities you can enjoy in Jeju include snorkelling, surfing, and swimming.

Everland Theme Park

Visit Everland Theme Park, the largest theme park in South Korea. Situated in Yongin’s Everland Resort, it receives millions of visitors each year. Besides the many attractions, the park is home to a zoo and a water park your kids will love.

When it was inaugurated in 1976, the park was named Yongin Farmland. It derived its present name in 1996. Before heading to the park, check out the timings of the seasonal festivals and daily fireworks show.

Gyeongbokgung Palace

Yi Seong-gye built the Gyeongbokgung Palace to serve as the official palace of the Joseon dynasty. Situated in northern Seoul, it is the biggest of the Five Grand Palaces that came into existence as a result of the Joseon dynasty, with the palace also serving as the seat of the government.

The palace was declared cultural property in January 1963. Its restoration started in the 1990s after much of it was destroyed during Japan’s occupation of Korea. The National Folk Museum and the National Palace Museum are located within the palace complex, which covers an area of 415,800 square metres.

Nami Island

Nami Island, also known as Namiseom, is a half-moon-shaped river island in the Gangwon Province. Filled with vibrantly coloured flowers and lush greenery, it is a must-visit spot for both adventure lovers and nature enthusiasts. Due to its spellbinding scenery, the island has been the location for several K-dramas. The island derived its name from General Nami, who was falsely accused of treason during King Sejo’s rule and died at 28.

Petite France

Petite France, as the name suggests, is a French cultural village in the Gyeonggi Province. Beloved among K-drama fans for serving as a backdrop on multiple occasions, it is undoubtedly one of the most Instagrammable locations in the country.

Lovers of the book The Little Prince will find tributes to the novel in several corners of this village. Apart from shops and French houses, this destination also has mime shows, puppet shows, and music box demonstrations.

National Folk Museum of Korea

The National Folk Museum of Korea is housed in the Gyeongbokgung Palace. Visited by over two million people every year, the museum represents the culture and daily lives of Korean people. It contains replicas of objects that are part of a traditional Korean household.

Jogyesa Temple

The Jogyesa Temple became the chief temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism in 1936. The temple’s establishment in 1395, at the beginning of the Joseon Dynasty, was crucial to Korean Buddhism. The modern temple was built in 1910.

Things To Do For Adventure Lovers

• Hot air balloon ride
• Bungee jumping
• Paragliding
• Scuba diving
• Parasailing
• White water raftingRock climbing

South Korea is a dream destination for budget shoppers, especially if you are looking for makeup and skincare products.

There are plenty of other items you can pick up for friends and family members. Here are a few things you can check out at the shopping malls and streetside stalls in South Korea and the best shopping destinations to grab souvenirs from:

What To Buy

Korean beauty products.

Korean pop culture, or K-pop, has made Korean beauty brands famous worldwide. Some things you can buy for cheap include face sheet masks, hand lotions, BB creams, and cleansing products. You can purchase an entire world of beauty products during your trip.

Pro-Tip: Make sure you keep Google Translate handy to understand the usage instructions and ingredient list. Also, make sure you don’t fall for the innovative packaging as the product could be mediocre – test every product for efficacy before buying.

You can always take a piece of the country’s culture by buying a hanbok, the traditional clothing of Koreans. Cool and crazy socks and stockings are also trendy. Available in high quality and affordable prices, you can find a wide variety of socks with pop culture elements designed on them.

We’re sure you’ll be tempted to buy cute, affordable stationery items. Korean stationery products, such as pencil cases, notebooks, and planners, are colourful, eye-catching, and adorned with popular characters.

K-pop and K-drama Paraphernalia

Families with teenage girls are often our primary clientele, thanks to the popularity of K-pop and K-drama. You will find images of your favourite K-drama actors and K-pop artists plastered on posters, t-shirts, and even paintings.

Korean Paper (Hanji)

Hanji is traditional Korean handmade paper made from the bark of mulberry trees. In the past, it was used to cover windows and doors to keep the interiors warm. Today, it is used to make clothes, stationery, lamps, and paper dolls.

Traditional Korean Masks

Traditional Korean masks are used during rituals and ceremonies. Historically, they have been a part of the royal court and an element in one’s battle uniform. Tourists often buy these masks as they are known to bring good luck. Usually made of alder wood, these masks are waterproof.

While tea is not as popular in South Korea as it is in Japan and China, it is still a popular souvenir. Fruit teas such as sweet plum tea, for instance, are widely consumed not only because of their taste but also because of their health benefits.

Dried Seaweed

Dried seaweed, also known as Gim or Kim in Korean, is made into thin paper-like layers. It is then sold to be eaten with rice, while some also eat it on its own. Packed with vitamins and calcium, dried seaweed can be bought at convenience stores and traditional markets.

Korean Ginseng

Korean ginseng is popular for its multiple health benefits. Due to its unique geography and climate, Korea is known to grow the highest-quality ginseng. Travellers purchase Korean ginseng because it reduces stress, boosts stamina, deals with high blood pressure, and increases concentration.

Gochujang is a fermented red pepper paste commonly used in Korean cuisine to make sauces, marinades, stews, and soups. The paste and its prime ingredient, gochugaru, are very popular in India.

Since Indian food is often a burst of flavours, it makes sense why Indians love to use gochujang in their food, which is why you can bring plenty of it from South Korea during your trip. This element can be used in vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes with a mix of spicy, sweet, earthy, and salty flavours.

Where To Shop

• Myeong-dong: For skincare, makeup, and international brands.
• Hongdae: For accessories, paintings, secondhand goods, and local crafts.
• Dongdaemun: For jewellery, shoes, clothes, and textiles.
• Starfield COEX Mall: For books, electronics, beauty products, and fashion items.
• Apgujeong: Make sure to visit the luxury boutiques, department stores, shopping malls, and beauty clinics.
• Itaewon: For leather goods, souvenirs, shoes, antiques, and clothes.
• Samcheong-dong: For stationery, accessories, and interior goods.

Things To Remember When Shopping In South Korea

• Carry cash or, better still, international cards since you can save on international transaction fees with the latter. Street vendors prefer to be paid in cash over cards.
• Since Koreans are petite, it isn’t easy to find foreigner-friendly clothes. Check with your tour guide or ask locals for places where you can find clothes for tall or plus-sized people in Korea.
• The stores in the underground shopping malls do not have trial rooms. Make sure you are sure about the size before buying.
• Shop owners in underground malls are happy to waive sales tax if you pay using cash instead of a credit card. You can also get a bigger discount if you buy a lot from a particular shop, which is why it is advised to bargain well.
• Asking for free product samples is completely acceptable in South Korea.
• Beware of counterfeit products when buying skincare and makeup. Stick to known brands and names, even if you’re buying affordable items or products in bulk.

Food is an integral part of South Korean culture. Did you know that there are over 100 different types of kimchi? This alone should give you an idea of how seriously the Koreans take their food, which you will witness during your trip with our South Korea tour packages.

Almost every social gathering in the country is centred on food. Much like several other Asian countries, South Koreans love to share their food. South Korean food is lip-smacking and hygienic, whether at a street stall or a fancy restaurant.

Some of the things you must try on a South Korea tour include:

Kimchi is one of the oldest dishes in Korea and has been around for over 2,000 years, connecting itself to the Silla dynasty. This sour and spicy dish is made using fermented vegetables. While kimchi can be made using a wide variety of vegetables, it is traditionally made using napa cabbage.

Other ingredients in Kimchi include onion, ginger, pumpkin, radish, scallion, crushed garlic, and chilli powder. It is often eaten on its own, consumed with rice, or added to rice cakes, soups, and porridge.

Another popular dish to try during your vacation is bibimbap, which is both nutritious and filling. Vegetarian and non-vegetarian versions of bibimpap are available easily in street markets, food courts, and restaurants, and the ingredients vary depending on the region.

The dish is essentially a bowl full of eclectic ingredients, usually containing warm rice, mixed vegetables, raw egg, chicken or beef, soy sauce, and a seasoning of chilli pepper paste.

Tteokbokki is an iconic Korean street food served in almost every corner of the country. These red-orange rice cakes are made using rice cakes, fish cakes, diced garlic, onions, and scallions mixed in a spicy and sweet sauce made with chilli paste.

This is a savoury and juicy beef dish made using thin slices of grilled and marinated beef cooked with green peppers, onions, and garlic over a charcoal burner, lending it a unique smoky taste. Bulgogi is usually served alongside leafy vegetables such as spinach, lettuce, kimchi, and ssamjang (a thick red spicy paste).

Sundubu Jjigae

Sundubu-jjigae is a spicy soft tofu stew served in a large stone bowl. In addition to tofu, the stew includes mushrooms, vegetables, seafood, pork or beef, and chilli paste or gochujang. All of this is usually topped with a raw egg. Ingredients are modified or removed based on the region and chef.

Jjajangmyeon

While jjajangmyeon is originally a Chinese dish, the Korean version is thicker and sweeter. This Korean Chinese noodle dish consists of a thick sauce created using vegetables, diced pork, and chunjang (black bean paste).

Samgyetang is a comforting chicken ginseng soup that will soothe your soul. The soup is very healthy and loved for its meaty and creamy flavour. A bowl of samgyetang includes Korean jujube, scallion, rice, Korean ginseng, garlic, chicken, spices, and chestnuts.

South Koreans love naengmyeon during summer. These cold buckwheat noodles are both lightweight and filling. Besides noodles, a bowl of naengmyeon consists of Korean pear, cucumbers, beef, and boiled eggs. The concoction often adds vinegar and mustard to enhance its sour flavour.

Korean Fried Chicken

While the original KFC is fried once in a high-pressure fryer, Korean fried chicken is fried twice, giving it crispier skin and juicy flesh. The meat is also coated with a sweet and spicy sauce.

Certain restaurants add green pepper to the mixture to make the dish spicier. Korean fried chicken is a popular snack with beer and soju, Korea’s favourite alcohol.

We can also include a food tour in your South Korea tour package itinerary to help you appreciate the country’s food culture.

The Japanese and Chinese cultures have significantly influenced Korean culture. This can be seen through Confucianism, an ancient Chinese belief system that stresses the importance of morality and ethics. These values are still prevalent in Korean society, whether showing respect to family members and elderly individuals or following an ethical code of conduct in one’s social life. Koreans highly value loyalty and sincerity. Whenever Koreans meet, they bow as a sign of respect and gratitude to the other person.

Family is one of the most significant aspects of a Korean’s life. Patriarchal ideologies are still followed, and gender roles remain traditional, with the father being considered the head of the family. A hierarchical structure is observed, and parents expect their children to respect and obey it. Most kids live with their parents well into adulthood as it is considered their duty to look after their family.

Celebrations

Korean festivals and celebrations are mostly connected to family or harvest. Numerous festivals are celebrated throughout the year with utmost pomp and glory. Since agriculture is imperative in Korean culture, most events focus on praying for a good harvest.

South Koreans primarily practice Buddhism, Christianity, and Confucianism. Buddhism has significantly impacted Korean art, culture, and lifestyle. Yungdrung Bon is the primary symbol of Korean Buddhism and is visible in all religious institutions in Korea.

Arts and pop culture

Korea’s pop culture has made a mark in the modern world due to the popularity of K-dramas and K-pop. The stage manners, singing skills, and smooth dance moves of K-pop artists make them stand out in music and entertainment. Gugak is the term for Korea’s traditional music, and the history of Korean music is as rich and deep as the country’s history. Music as a subject began to be studied seriously during the rule of King Sejong of the Joseon dynasty in the early 15th century.

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Travel tips.

Visa Information

Check visa requirements before traveling, ensuring a smooth entry and compliance with destination regulations.

Health and Safety Tips

Prioritize health, stay hydrated, follow safety guidelines, and maintain personal hygiene for a secure journey.

Currency and Tipping

Familiarize with local currency, consider customary tipping practices for respectful and seamless travel experiences.

How many days is enough for a trip to South Korea?

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Two weeks in South Korea for an Indian traveller

South Korea

Nami Island, the magical location of many K-Drama romatic shoots

Anyong Haseyo ! (Hello in Korean)

India's Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore in his much reveared poem 'Lamp of the East' referred Korea as "In the golden age of Asia, Korea was one of its lamp bearers, and that lamp is waiting to be lit once again, for the illumination of the East."

From the moment when I first started researching about South Korea as possible travel destination, I could not help but be obsessed by it. The K-Pop,K-Dramas, the fabled Korean food and the awesome nightlife as seen on TV was something we wanted to experience first hand.

Fun fact: Millions of Koreans trace their origins to Suriratna, a princess from Ayodhya who had married the Korean king Kim Suro

Why visit South Korea

The Korean peninsula is a unique piece of unexplored part of Asia –mountains, Hanok villages, rice fields, and huge cities. While its troubled history has made Korea’s very existence nothing short of miraculous, amazingly its traditions and customs have largely survived intact – and for visitors, this highly distinctive culture is an absolute joy to dive into.

As for the Korean people themselves, they are a real delight: fiercely proud, and with a character almost as spicy as their food, they are eager to please tourist who come to live or holiday in their country.

Mr. Lee, the owner of our Traditional Homestay at Seoul. A lovely person who ensures a lovely experience

Wonderful restaurant staff who patiently explained how Korean food was to be eaten

We were clicking the sea food market, when one of the shopkeepers asked 'How bout a pic with me?' :)

Seasons and Weather

South Korea’s climate is typically temperate with four distinct seasons. There is never a bad time to visit South Korea but travelers should time their visit according to what they want to see and do during their trip.

Why we choose November?

Once the rains have passed, however, the country is bathed in the most stunning shades of orange and red as the autumn leaves start to bloom. With mild temperatures, low rainfall and a wealth of unadulterated natural beauty, autumn (September to November) is a close rival to spring with regards to being the best period to visit South Korea.

(September to November) This is the best time to visit Seoul because weather is pleasant, prices are more affordable, and crowds are thinner. Do take note to avoid Chuseok or Korea’s autumn harvest festival.

Climate | Seoul

Temp Min- 0 Degree, Max- 11 Degree, Rains- 46mm

Climate | Jeju Island

Temp Min- 10 Degree, Max- 16 Degree, Rains- 62mm

Important information and Travel Essentials

• Most places, museums, and shops close on Mondays and Tuesdays

• A lot of cosmetic stores hold sales starting on Thursdays and up to the weekend.

• Passport: Make sure your passport has at least six months validity and one empty page left.

• Flight tickets: When coming to Korea, you need to have a return/leaving flight otherwise you won’t be accepted onto the flight. It is also useful to have a paper copy to show to the airport staff.

• Hotel reservations: upon arrival in Korea you’ll be asked to fill in your first night’s hotel address on the landing card at immigration. Make sure you have a booking for the first night and having a paper printout is useful to refer to.

• Travel insurance is vital for Korea and indeed anywhere in the world. Korean health care is excellent but can get expensive. You also want to insure your luggage and flights in case there are damages or delays.

• Credit Cards and Debit Cards: Visa and MasterCard are accepted everywhere in Korea. Make sure to check with your bank if your card can be used abroad.

• Traveling In Seoul: When traveling around Seoul you need a T Money Transport card for using public transport.

• Naver Maps: Essential for exact locations and directions

T- Card Purchase details

In South Korea, travelers can buy a Single Journey Ticket or a rechargeable card called T-money Card. These cards can be used for all the buses, subway, and taxis. If you’ve forgotten to bring your wallet, you can even make payments with these cards in convenience stores.

Where to buy your T-money Card

Can easily purchase the basic T-money Card at retail convenience stores such as CU, GS25, and 7-Eleven. The card itself costs 2,500 KRW. Nowadays, Kakao Friends is gaining a huge popularity and it has released T-money Cards with totally cute Kakao characters. These cards cost 4,000 KRW

Visa application process

Foreign nationals entering Korea are generally required to have a valid passport and a Korean visa assigned by overseas branch of Korean embassy or consular offices. For Indian citizens travelling to Korea, a single-entry visa valid for 90 days is usually issued.

In India, Visa application centers are divided into 4 zones: North (Delhi), East (Kolkata), South (Chennai) and West (Mumbai).

• North & East zone applicants must apply through VFS office at http://www.vfsglobal.com/korea/india/

• South & West zone applicants can apply directly at their respective Korean consulate offices. We applied through Girikand travels - 2900 Visa fees + 1600/- processing fees per person

Documents required

• Original passport valid for a minimum period of three months after the expiry date of the visa (passports issued more than ten years ago are no longer accepted)* and 1 old passport if applicable plus one copy of the first and last page of the current passport. The passport should have 3 blank pages (either side).

• Visa application form.

• 2 recent photographs not older than 6 months. The photograph must measure 35 mm in width by 45 mm in length. 80 % face size, white background, ears should be seen, no specs.

• Covering letter mentioning details of the applicants, passport details, brief details of visit.

• Hotel Reservation.

• Confirmed Return Air ticket.

• Original personal bank for last 6 months updated with seal & sign on each page with healthy balance.

• Salary slips for last 6 months.

• Leave letter on company letter head with seal & sign

• Business proof , shop act registration proof, MOA etc. – if self-employed( covering letter on company letter head

• Retirement proof – if retired

• School / College Bona-fide if student

• Income Tax Returns or Form 16 for last 3 years.

• Day to day itinerary

Average food prices in South Korea in dollar (priceoftravel.com)

• Budget breakfast- if your hotel doesn't include breakfast there are plenty of fast and cheap options- 2.49 - 5.81 Dollars

• Budget lunch- Look for places where locals go for good-value and good quality lunches- 3.74 - 8.31 Dollars

• Budget dinner- Proper sit-down restaurants range in price greatly, but cheaper ones are there if you look-4.98 - 9.97 Dollars

Important Words to remember

Contrary to what we read everywhere, Korean people actually could speak and understand English very well. However, it always helps to at least learn the basic salutations in any country you visit.

• Hello/Goodbye – An-nyeong-ha-se-yo

• Thank you – Kam-sa-ham-ni-da

• I can’t speak Korean well – Han-guk-mal jal mot-hae-yo

Apps to install

• Korean Subway App- Kakao Car

• Maps- Kakao Metro Maps, Naver Maps

Hotels we used with cost(Total Cost of booking all accomodations: 74,693/-)

Ibis Ambassador Seoul Insadong

Cost: 24649/-

Check-in: Saturday, November 2, 2019 (3:00 PM - 12:00 AM)

Check-out: Wednesday, November 7, 2019 (7:00 AM - 11:00 AM)

Typical Korean-traditional house- Booked on Airbnb

Date: 7 November-9 November

Payment: 12,194/-

Address: Seoul, 종로구 경운동 23 110-310, South Korea (23, kyungun-dong, jongro-ku,Seoul)

Ibis Ambassador Busan City Centre

Hotel Cost: 17,500/-

Check-in: Saturday, November 9, 2019 (3:00 PM - 11:00 PM)

Check-out: Tuesday, November 12, 2019 (until 11:00 AM)

Yeha Guesthouse- Pay at Hotel

Cost: 10,689/-

Check in: Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Check out: Friday, November 15, 2019

T-Mark Myoendong

Cost: 5837/-

Check in: Friday, November 15, 2019 (from 3:00 PM)

Check out: Saturday, November 16, 2019 (until 12:00 PM)

Airline Bookings:(Total Cost: 80974/- for 2 including return on all airlines)

Singapore Airways (Mumbai to Seoul return)

Mumbai 1 November 11 PM- Seoul 2 November 10 PM

Seoul 16 November 9 AM- Mumbai 16 November 9 PM

Korean Air (Busan to Juju and return Seoul) Check out their super cool Safety K-pop video

Busan 12 Nov 3 PM- Jeju 12 Nov 4 PM

Jeju 15 Nov 11 AM- Seoul Gimpo 15 Nov 12.30 PM

Other advance bookings

Travel Insurance:

Cost: 3100/-

Company: TATA AIA Insurance

KTX train from Seoul to Busan- http://www.letskorail.com/ebizbf/EbizBfTicketSearch.do

Train: KTX 117(Seoul to Busan)

Date: 9 November’19 Time: 9AM-11.15 AM

Cost: 59800 Won pp

4G Portable Internet- Important for directions

Buy from: SK Telecom (Suggested to reserve online in advance)

Approx. cost: 5000/- INR

Where to pick:

• Arrival/Departure: Incheon International Airport Terminal 1 (1st floor) Arrival / Incheon International Airport Terminal 1 (1st floor) Departure

• Address: Between Exit 5 and 6 on the ground floor (For reserved phone pickup & rental phone / T-Wifi) Rental and Return - Business hours: 24hours

• Between Exit 9 and 10 on the ground floor: Rent/return rental phone or T Wifi - Business hours: 06:00 ~ 22:00

Koridoor Tours DMZ tours ( this was unfortunetely suspended due to tensions between North and South, but its a must do)

Tour Title: DMZ/JSA & 3rd Tunnel Tour (Seoul 08:00am)

Departure: 2019-11-05

Cost: ￦193,200 (2 person)

Yeha Bus Tours for Jeju island 2 day guided tours

Detailed Itinerary

Below are details of our 2 weeks of absolute mermarising travel in South Korea.

Our itinerary is for mid budget travelers and has a lot packed in. You can easily tweak the itineray and even make it better as required.

Mumbai International Airport

Mumbai to Seoul flight

Total time available at Singapore Airport layover: 4 Hours

Things to do at Singapore airport: We had a layover for few hours at Changi Airport.

Airport Boulevard

Grab a FREE Massage (T1, 2 & 3)

Get a FREE (foot) massage at multiple points throughout terminals 1, 2 and 3. As you walk down the corridors to the departure gates in each terminal, you will notice several banks of 2 automatic foot massage chairs by OSIM. Whilst most people walk past thinking this is a pay-for machine, the fact is that you can just sit down, pop your feet into the booties and get yourself a 15 minute foot and calf massage – which is why it is one of the best things to do in Singapore airport

Foot Massage + Unlimited Time

Visit the Butterfly Garden (T3)

One of the best Changi Airport things to do is visit the amazing Butterfly Garden. It is located on the roof of Terminal 2 and it is free to enter for all passengers. Home to over 1000 butterflies, and up to 40 different species (at various points in the year) visitors can learn about their lifecycle at Education Corners throughout the tropical enclosure, and even see the breeding and feeding of butterflies at close range in individual enclosures. Oh, and did I mention there’s a 6m grotto waterfall. Its an instagrammers dream! It is easily one of the best things to do at Changi Airport, one of the many FREE things to do in Changi Airport and a must visit on your layover in Singapore Airport.

Incheon International Airport (ICN)

Landing at 10PM night at Seoul, immigration, Go to Hotel and Sleep.

Stay at: Ibis Ambassador Seoul Insadong (2 to 7 November)

How to reach hotel from airport:

Bus fare: KRW 10,000/- pp (1200INR)

Bus No. 6011: After Customs, exit Gate 5, buy ticket from Bus ticket office and then head towards Bus Stop 5B to board Bus # 6011. Get off the bus at the Anguk Stn. stop. The trip will take approximately 60 minutes.

In the same direction the bus departs, walk approximately 50m and make a right at the intersection. Walk for another 150m and cross the street at the crosswalk heading left. Make another right after crossing for approximately 150m, and Nagwon Tteok-jib will be visible. Taking the side street from Nagwon Tteok-jib, walk straight for approximately 100m and the hotel will be on the left. From the bus stop, it will take approximately 8 minutes to walk to the hotel.

Bus No. 6002: Please get off the bus at the Jongno 3-ga Stn. stop. The trip will take approximately 60 minutes. In the opposite direction the bus departs, walk approximately 50m and turn right by crossing the intersection. Walk straight for approximately 5 minutes and Nagwon Tteok-jib will be visible. Taking the side street from Nagwon Tteok-jib, walk straight for approximately 100m and the hotel will be on the left. From the bus stop, it will take approximately 10 minutes to walk to the hotel.

National Museum of Korea

Time to spend: 3 Hours, Entry Fees: Free

In order to truly know the history and culture of a country, you must visit its museums. It is there that you will find traces of the lives of the past, which enable us to better understand the present and anticipate the future. Visitors to the museum can understand and appreciate Korean history and culture through diverse experiences, events, and exhibitions. The permanent collection offers a fascinating journey through thousands of years of history, from simple hand axes of the Paleolithic Age, to a splendid gold crown from the Three Kingdoms Period, exquisite celadon from the Goryeo Dynasty, masterful paintings from the Joseon Dynasty, and photographs from modern times.

War Memorial of Korea

Visit the War Memorial of Korea

Time to spend: 2 Hours, Entry Fees: Free

The Korean War doesn’t get as much international recognition as The Vietnam War or even the Gulf War, but it’s very much a part of the fabric of the nation. The War Memorial of Korea is a somber tribute to those who lost their lives fighting for the freedom that Kim Il-Sung sought to snatch away from them, as well as to Koreans who have lost their lives in subsequent conflicts. It is also a museum of Korean military history, and visitors can wander the more than 13,000 item exhibition as well as a large outdoor area displaying aircraft, tanks, and naval vessels.

Age of Empires fans may recognize the Korean 'Turtle Ships'

It was during the Korean war that our nation Bharat dispatched doctors to treat injured soldiers of war, thus ensuring help to friends but ensuring to never invade any nation that does not harm sovereignty of its territory

Get on stage outside Gangnam Station Exit 5 and record yourself dancing the “Gangnam Style” while the song plays in the background. Take the subway to Gangnam Station (Green Line 2, Red Sinbundang Line. Other places to visit: Samsung D'light, Shop at Artbox, Line Friends Café and Store, Shop at Gangnam underground station

Starfield COEX Mall

Do visit the Starfield COEX Mall for huge library when in Gangnam

Gyeongbokgung Palace

Gyeongbokgung Palace (Tuesday Closed) – Visit Gwanghwamun Square en-route the palace

How to get there: Take the Subway to Gyeongbokgung Station and Exit #5

Time to spend: 3 Hours 9 AM-12.30 PM

Entrance: 3,000 Won ($2.63), closed on Tuesdays

This stunning palace was constructed over 700 years ago and is the oldest and biggest palace in the city. The main gate is facing south towards the statue of King Sejeong, whom invented the Korean alphabet back in the days. Open daily except Tuesdays.

Changing of the guard ceremony is at 11 AM and 1 PM. check English guided tours -11:00, 13:30, 15:30

Free Guided Tour Tours depart from in front of the information center at Heungnyemun Gate. Duration: About 1 hr-1 hr 30 min

Royal Guard Changing Ceremony-The Royal Guard changing ceremony started since 1459 during the Joseon Dynasty. After extensive research from historical records, the ceremony has been reenacted since 1996 allowing visitors a rare insight of this traditional royal palace ceremony. The ceremony takes part at Gwanghwamun Gate, the entrance of Gyeongbokgung Palace where the king rule the country.

Performance Times

• Sumunjang (Royal Guard) Changing Ceremony: 10:00, 14:00 / 20 minutes per ceremony

• Gwanghwamun Gate Guard-on-Duty Performance: 11:00, 13:00 / 10 minutes per ceremony

• Sumungun (Gatekeeper) Military Training (outside Hyeopsaengmun Gate): 09:35, 13:35 / 15 minutes per ceremony

Posing with the chief of palace guards

The 'Change of guard' at palace is a must watch, do check out the timings mentioned above with locations

Bukchon Hanok Village

Time: 2 Hours , Entrance: Free

Bukchon Hanok Village in Seoul, located adjacent to the Gyeongbukgung Palace, is one of the most interesting things to do in Seoul. Exploring the streets and checking out the Korean traditional homes is fun. Within the village there are also a few homes that have opened their doors as guest houses

How to get there: Suggest that after visiting Gyeongbukong Palace, head towards Subway Gyeongbukong Palace, leave exit 2 and head to Tosochok for the famous Ginseng chicken for lunch(approx. 1500/- per person).

After lunch taking the subway 1 stop to Anguk and take the exit to Bukchon. Walk on the main road northwards for about 5-10 mins. You will reached the entrance of the village on the left. Do remember to cross over to the other side and see the other parts of the village. By the time you walked over the other side you will be near Anguk station again.

Being a famous Instagram spot, people often come dressed in Korean traditional dress Hanbok. We clicked this pic with a wonderful couple

Cheonggyecheon stream

Seoul Lantern Festival

Location: Cheonggyecheon Stream until Cheonggye Plaza and Supyogyo Bridge

Every year, Seoul Lantern Festival takes place from the first Friday of November to the third week of November. From 5 pm to 11 pm, lanterns light up along the Cheonggyecheon Stream until Cheonggye Plaza and Supyogyo Bridge. Furthermore, it always promotes a specific theme every year.

In addition to the spectacle of lanterns, the festival offers several activities to enjoy. You can put up a wish lantern, write a new year’s wish note or even make your own lantern. Likewise, you can enjoy Korean street food and see fantastic parades illuminating the night of Seoul!

Day trip to DMZ

Unfortunately for us due to then tensions between North and South Korea, the DMZ tour was cancelled. This is however a must do, and have shared all details above.

But it gave us a wonderful opportunity to explore SEOUL on foot without a plan.

Unique stations of SEOUL

Kimchi festival in progress, this was a chance discovery and we loved it !!

Lotte malls, do check it out at least once and try the food courts mostly at lower ground floors

Nami Island

Nami Island - Instagramers delight !!!!!

Time: Full Day (Takes 1 Hr. 30 min by Metro)

Nami Island covers an area of 430,000 square meters. This half-moon shaped island in the middle of the Han River is a reforested and transformed island into the resort town that it is today. From mid-September to November, visitors can enjoy spectacular fall foliage across Nami Island. The reed beds on the riverside are another nature’s gift you will be able to enjoy during fall.

How to reach: Travel by train to Gapyeong Station- Walk or take a cab from the station to the ferry wharf- At the wharf, buy tickets to the island, which costs ₩13,000. The 13,000-won fee already covers both the entrance fee and roundtrip ferry fare.

Entry: 8000 KRW pp

• The Central Korean Pine Tree Lane: A scenic path lined with thick pine trees leading to the center of the island.

• Ginkgo Tree Lane: A must-stop spot for enjoying the splendor of vivid yellow ginkgo leaves during autumn.

• Metasequoia Lane: A path lined with giant redwood trees, offering magnificent scenery.

• Riverside Paths: The wooden walks around the water’s edge where you can take in the stunning views of the lake and surrounding mountains.

Bus details for tour

The best way to go to Petite France from Nami island is taking “Gapyeong tour bus“. By using this tour bus you can also visit The Garden of Morning Calm and Gapyeong Rail Bike which are also very popular tourist spots.

Ticket for Tour bus- 6000 won pp. Purchase from bus driver

Garden of Morning Calm

Inspired by the poem of one of India’s greatest poet Sri Rabindranath Tagore, in which he had described Korea as “The Land of the Morning Calm", this attraction is a collection of around 13 unique gardens.

Founded in 1996, the arboretum, comprised of thirteen small theme-oriented gardens, attracts more than 650,000 visitors annually, showcasing about 1,000 varieties of flowers and plants. It grew popular since its appearance in the movie, “The Letter” (1997) featuring Choi Jin-sil and Park Shin-yang.

Petite France- We could not cover this, but it is managable if time in either of the above locations is cut short

The concept of Petite France encapsulates ‘flowers, stars, and the Little Prince.’ The village contains a memorial hall dedicated to Saint-Exupery, the author of the celebrated French novel, Le Petit Prince (1943) and as such, it is called the Little Prince theme park.

Myeongdong Market

Myeongdong Night Market

Direction: Head to Myeongdong Subway Station (Exit 6) from Line 4 and walk for about 5 minutes

Myeongdong is one of the major shopping districts in Seoul. Suggest shopping here for Korean skincare and cosmetics but clothing, home goods, and snacks can be found here, as well. The area also contains restaurants serving up traditional Korean fare. Two main shopping streets, one coming from Myeongdong Subway Station and the other from Lotte Department Store at Euljiro, intersect.

Places to visit: A’Pieu for budget cosmetic, Lotte Department store, Milky Bee Rose ice cream at Myeongdong, Etude House Shopping for mid-range cosmetics, Hello Kitty Café, Tony Moly cosmetics

Head over to Line Friends Store for a click with a huge lovely big Bear

Namsan Tower

Namsan Seoul Tower

We explored neighbourhood in the morning, then checked out and moved to Homestay experience (details above). Afternoon left for N Seoul Tower

Getting there: Go straight from Myeongdong Station Exit 5 towards Hoehyeon Intersection and then turn left. There are three shuttle buses to go to the Namsan Seoul Tower: No. 02, No. 03 and No. 05.

N Seoul Tower is an iconic tourist attraction in Seoul. With its love padlocks, wide variety of restaurants and cafes, live performances and crazy views over the city. The tower was built as a radio wave tower but also as a tourist attraction. It is now one of the highlights of Seoul and a must see attraction while in the city.

Ticket price: 10,000 won per person+ 1200 won p/p for Bus

Tips to avoid queues

• The Tower has become a must-visit spot for local and foreign couples, who head here to lock their “padlock of love” onto the railing - and there are thousands of love locks scattered around the base of the tower! In case you’re coming with your sweetheart - don’t forget a lock (but if you do - you can buy one at the souvenir shop on place).

• Though the best views are from the Observatory (level 3F), you can enjoy a panoramic view of Seoul on the Glass Terrace (1F), Roof Terrace (2F), and in the lobby without paying an admission fee.

• Before you go back from the Observatory to the ground floor, take the staircase down one level and go to the sky restroom - the highest restroom in Seoul with incredible views!

• Admission to the Observatory is free if you dine at N Grill with a full-course meal or with a lunch set. There are other combinations, check them here. The reservation is highly recommended well in advance, especially in high season.

• If you want to take an entire picture of N Seoul Tower, you have to go to the Roof Terrace at 2F level and lie down on the floor down the stairway.

Lock your Love at the N-Seoul Tower. A cost saving hack- bring your own customized lock from home country to save cost and stand out :)

Leave by 7.45 AM for Suwon, Nooriro Fares- Adult Standard Class: 2,700, Head to Seoul Station (Line 1). Tickets to Suwon cost 2,700 KRW

Visit Paldalmun Gate- Paldalmun gate is the southernmost gate land marking the entrance to Old Suwon. Left of the gate (and down an alley) is the start of your hike on the fortress walls surrounding the city. Getting there: Take Bus #11, 13, 36, 39 to Paldalmun

24 Martial Arts Performance at Sinpungnu -Get to the main gate right on time for this fantastic performance! It’s at 11:00 a.m. every day besides Monday, and it’s a demonstration of the 24 different martial arts recorded and illustrated in MuyeDoboTonji in 1790.

Hike Hwaseong Fortress: Suwon City’s Ancient Walls-Walk the perimeter of the heart of Old Suwon. Hwaseong Fortress is a world heritage landmark completed in 1796 to keep invaders out and away from the King’s temporary palace. The entire hike takes around 3-4 hours depending on your fitness level. Admission is 1,000 won.

Hwaseong Haenggung Palace - Hwaseong Haenggung Palace was a temporary palace that many kings went to for relaxation and a getaway. The palace was once the seasonal home of King Jeonjo, who would escape from his palace in Seoul. Located within the Hwaseong Fortress walls, you can explore the palace grounds and even in some of the live reenactment shows and sword fighting performances on the grounds

Try Galbi for lunch- Suwon’s specialty is not just one dish but an entire cut of meat: galbi (short ribs), and the many ways to enjoy it. When you reach the Hwahongmun, the fortress’ north water gate with 7 arches, you’ll have reached the halfway point of your hike. Yeonpo Galbi is the perfect rest stop, right beside the gate. Try their galbi jeongsik (20,000 KRW or P881.48 per person), a hefty set meal with marinated galbi grilled at your table, beef and soybean stew, salad, and a table full of banchan (side dishes)

Suwon Hwaong Museum- Walk to the Suwon Hwaseong Museum. The Suwon Hwaong Museum focuses on the history of the Suwon Fortress and the lifestyle within it.

Archery at Yeonmundae

Ever wanted to know what it was like to be a Suwon warrior or try your hand at archery? Located inside the city walls is an archery field. For 2,000 won, you get 10 arrows to test your aim at the target and see if you have what it takes to be a Joseon Dynasty soldier.

Do ensure NOT to miss out on the performance, details mentioned above

Seoul Station

KTX from Seoul to Busan

KTX Booking- 7000/- total

KTX to Busan – 9 AM- 12 PM- to transit from train station to subway line 1 Bujeon station- Reach Hotel and place bags

Hotel reach- Takes 30 Minutes

Haedong Yonggungsa

Haedong Yonggungsa Temple

Route: The cheapest way to get from Busan Station to Haedong Yonggungsa is to line 1 subway and subway which costs ₹160 - ₹200 and takes 1h 24m

No trip to Busan is ever complete without paying a visit to Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, Busan’s most beautiful temple in the northeastern area. Unlike most South Korean temples which look spectacular against the mountainside, this Buddhist temple boasts a unique coastal setting. There are dozens of statues including the Twelve Zodiac Figures, stone wishing wells, an eight-story pagoda, and a tranquil sanctuary.

Haeundae Beach

Busan’s Haeundae Beach is equivalent to Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach. There’s always something going on within the area, from culture fests and upscale shopping venues to a photo museum and art galleries. If none of these appeal to you, simply sit back, relax, and bask in the sunshine while dipping your toes in the fine white sands. The coastline contrasting with glamorous modern buildings in the background is simply gorgeous.

Gamcheon Culture Village

Metro Line 1 to Toseong Station, from exit 6 turn right and walk for 3 minutes, Take Bus 2 or 2-2.

For a huge dose of art, history, culture, and more, you have to visit Gamcheon Culture Village. Discover crayon-colored houses, charming galleries and coffee shops, and amazing street art. In 2009, a group of students decided to brighten up the houses by repainting them. The project completely transformed the village. Today, the Gamcheon Culture Village is brightly colored with murals and sculptures created by the residents.

Nampodong Street

Arrive at Nampo-dong , Busan’s #1 tourist attraction including Korean street food, Yongdusan ‘Mt. Yongdu’ Park (take the escalator), Busan Observation Tower and of course the endless amounts of shopping (From High-End brands to Imported Goods to Street Clothes).

Visiting Gyeongju is like stepping back in time. You are greeted with rolling green fields and crumbling ancient ruins. Gyeongju is known as “The Museum without walls” and for good reason – upon every turn, you are met with a new historical site.

Bus: Seoul Express Bus Terminal to Gyeong ju Express Bus Terminal From Nopo Bus Station in Busan there are buses running every hour to Gyeongju bus terminal. The ride takes around 45 minutes and costs around 5000 krw, depending on the bus company. The bus will arrive at the Express Bus terminal which is located in downtown Gyeongju and just next to the Gyeongju intercity bus terminal. From here the city center is just a 10 minute walk away.

Bulguksa Temple

Bulguska Temple and Seokguram Grotto

Gyeongju’s first site to be declared a UNESCO site are the joint sites of Bulguska Temple and Seokguram Grotto. Bulguska Temple is located about a 40 minutes bus ride from the centre of Gyeongju up in the mountains. The grounds on which the Bulguksa temple buildings are covers a huge area which is located in a stunning mountain park. The site includes many pagodas, temple halls and is surrounded by stunning scenery, changing each season. This the by far one of the best things to do in Gyeongju!

Location: 385, Bulguk-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea

Opening Times: November – January 07:30 – 17:00

Time: 4 Hours

Entrance Fee: 5000 won

How To Get Here: From Gyeongju train station or Gyeongju bus terminal take bus nr. 10 or 11. Approximately 1 hour. Once you get to Bulguksa Temple, you can ride Bus 12 as it will take you to the Seokguram Grotto. The bus arrives after a 30-minute interval.

Gyeongju National Park

Gyeongju Bus Terminal Area

The bus terminal area or city center is the main touristic center. Therefor it is highly recommended to stay in a guesthouse or hotel in this area. The best places to visit are the Unknown Tomb, the Tumuli Park, Cheomseongdae Observatory, Gyerim Forest, Wolji Pond, the National Museum of Gyeongju and Gyochon Village. All these locations lie within walking distance of each other and can be discovered in one day.

Gyeongju Yangdong Village (We did not visit as explored the main city on foot instead)

The Gyeongju Yangdong Village is located in the outskirts of Gyeongju and is Korea’s biggest traditional village dating back from the Joseon Dynasty. The huge village has many cultural heritages, national treasures and folklore materials. The village is popular among foreign travelers and even the Prince of Wales paid a visit to the village in 1993.

Location: 93, Yangdongmaeul-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

Opening Times: Open all year around 09:00 – 18:00

Entrance Fee: 4000 Korean Won

How To Get There: From Singyeongju Station or the Gyeongju Express Bus Terminal take Bus 203, 212, 252, 200, 203, 205, 206, 207, or 208. Get off at the Yangdong Folk Village Bus Stop.

Jeju Airport (CJU)

Explored Busan on foot in morning, afternoon flight to Jeju.

Jeju Island

3 PM Korean Air- Busan/Gimhae to Jeju

Reach Hotel in Jeju by 5 PM. Check-in. Explore Jeju on Foot evening

Guided Bus tour around Jeju- Yeha East Coast Tour

Probably the best, economical and friendliest bus tours on Jeju. The pickup is convienent from Yeha Hostel, English speaking guides and clear and friendly.

Tour is spread across routes(West, East, South) we picked one for 2 days.

Below is the complete tour detail. Few of the activities like horseriding are meh! but rest of the locations and scenery will blow you away. Definite recommend to use the tour services !!

Horseback riding - Horses can be seen all around Jeju Island. Horses were the most preferred gifts to be presented to the King from Jeju because the island was popularly called “the pasturage of horses”. The horses used for riding are known as Jejusanma and are of mixed breeds.

Seongeup Folk Village

Seongeup Folk Village- Located at the foot of Mt. Halla on Jeju Island, Seongeup Folk Village is a small town that holds a vast amount of culture. Cultural properties in the folk village have been handed down from generation to generation and include treasures such as residential houses, Confucian shrines and schools, ancient government offices, stone statues, large millstones (pulled by horses or ox), fortress ruins, and stone monuments.

Gwangchigi Beach

Gwangchigi Beach - Gwangchigi Beach is One of Olle Trails; Olle Trail No.1. We could see the entire side view of Seongsan Illchulpeak at Gwangchigi Beach. Recently Gwangchigi Beach has become an attention as one of 10 secret scenic attractions in Jeju Island

Woman diver show [UNESCO Intangible cultural asset] -

Haenyeo refers to female divers who dive into the ocean water to gather various shellfish, seaweed, etc., without using any underwater diving equipment. When diving underwater, a haenyeo carries only a pair of goggles, a round ball-like tube to keep her balance, and a basket to put her collections in. Such women involved in the fishing industry are known to be scattered all around Jeju-do, Korea, Japan, and Russia.

Seongsan Sunrise Peak

Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak [UNESCO World Heritage] (Trekking: 60 minutes) - Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak rose from under the sea in a volcanic eruption over 100,000 years ago. Located on the eastern end of Jejudo Island, there is a huge crater at the top of Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak. The crater is about 600m in diameter and 90m high. With the 99 sharp rocks surrounding the crater, it looks like a gigantic crown.

Manjanggul Cave

Manjang Cave [UNESCO World Heritage] (Trekking: 60 minutes) - Manjanggul Cave is one of the finest lava tunnels in the world, and is a designated natural monument. A lava tunnel is formed when the lava that was deep in the ground spouts from the peak and flows to the surface. Manjanggul Cave has a variety of interesting structures inside including 70cm lava stalagmites and the lava tube tunnels.

Hyeopjae Beach

Hyupjae & Gumneung Beach

Hyupjae Beach is one of the popular places that many tourists visit in anytime. The white sand beach has extra fine sand mixed with shells that glitters with silver, and the emerald-colored water is crystal clear. Also one of well-known island ‘Biyang do -flown island’ can be seen from Hyupjae beach.

Hallim Park

Hallim Park, almost 100 thousand square meters, has a variety of gardens that can be enjoyed in any season. The most famous tourist sites in Hallim Park are Hyeopjaegul and Ssangyonggul Caves known to be the only two-dimensional caves in the world.

Osulloc tea garden

O’sulloc Green tea field - O'sulloc Museum teaches visitors about Korea's traditional tea culture. The “o“in “o'sulloc“, means to appreciate and enjoy, and it also stands for the origin of sulloc, only sulloc, and of sulloc tea. The museum, which first opened in September 2001 is widely known in Korea. The entire building takes the shape of a green tea cup. It seeks to harmonize the cultures of the West and East, and past traditions with the modern world.

Sanbang Mountain

Sanbang Mountain Cruise- Appreciate the blissful and picturesque ocean view of Sanbang Mountain, Brother Island, Hexagon Lave cliff of Mt.Songak and Dragon Coast, which have been designated as Global Geoparks, from the Sanbang Mountain Cruise(about 1hour).

Cheonjeyeon Waterfalls

Cheonjeyeon Waterfall -

According to a legend, Cheonjeyon Falls means “the pond of God” where nymphs descend to take a bath. The first cascade of Cheonjeyon Waterfall is 22 m high and the water forms a pond 21 m in depth. The water flows farther along to form the second cascade of 30 m high. Up from Cheonjeyon Falls is the stunning arch bridge Seonimkyo, which is also called Seven Nymphs Bridge. From ancient times, people have believed that they can recover from any disease if they stand under a waterfall on either the Buddhist All Souls Day or Cheoseo Day (at the end of August). Right next to the falls is Yeomiji Botanical Gardens and many other tourist attractions

Head back to Seoul City, explore city on foot.Catch night or early morning flight back to India.

Wait ! did we forget to menti on about the food delight in Korea !!!

South Korea is a foodie delight. Do grab and opportunity to try different cruisines whenever and whereever possible.

Happy travelling !

Recommended Tour Packages

Further Reads

10 Best South Korea Budget Tips + Travel Costs (2024)

Are you wondering how much a trip to South Korea will cost? Here’s our in-depth travel guide on the 10 best South Korea budget tips you should know before your trip. We’ll show you how to plan your South Korea travel costs and many ways to make your trip more budget-friendly. We also share all of our costs for a 2 week trip to Korea from accommodation and snacks to transport and activities.

South Korea is ultimately one of the best countries we’ve travelled to. The country blew us away with its beautiful culture, rich history and delicious food.

Have you been wondering if South Korea is expensive to visit? Depending on the prices of your home country, it’s really not too bad. Compared to the UK it is much more affordable and it’s even slightly less expensive than beloved Japan!

We’ve created this budget guide to share our South Korea travel costs of travelling the country for 2 weeks. We visited Seoul, Gyeongju, Golgulsa Templestay, Busan and Jeonju!

Honestly, we had a great time and can’t wait to go back in the future and we’ll probably still stick to a budget. For now, we’ll show you that South Korea can be done on a budget and what travel costs you can expect.

This post may contain affiliate links. We will receive a small commission if you make a purchase using these links, at no additional cost to you .

10 Best South Korea Budget Tips

Table of Contents (Skip to a section!)

Here are our top 10 South Korea Budget tips to help you plan the best trip! After these tips, you’ll find our full South Korea travel cost breakdown split into separate categories.

1. Swap Restaurants for Markets & Street Food

One of the best ways to travel to South Korea on a budget is to choose your food carefully. The price to eat somewhere in South Korea is very reasonable, but some places will be expensive too.

Throughout our 2 weeks in South Korea we ate our food at restaurants, markets, street stalls, convenience stores and grocery stores ! It definitely helps the bank to cook your own food and you can try the endless supply of ramyeon!

Places to eat in South Korea on a budget

• Myeongdong Street Food (Seoul)
• Maru – Budget-friendly Korean street food in the heart of Insadong (Seoul)
• Gwangjang Market – Our favourite! (Seoul)
• Haeundae Market (Busan)
• Gwangbokdong Food Street (Busan)
• Fast-food chains – Places like Lotteria, No Brand Burger and Subway

We highly recommend visiting Gwangjang Market whilst visiting Seoul. Grab a mung bean pancake, bibimbap and dumplings and you’ll be very full ( this food will feed two people )!

A few Korean dishes to try to keep your South Korea travel costs low:

• Ramyeon (The easiest food to grab at a convenience store)  1,500 ₩
• Bibimbap (Very popular with a variety of toppings)  6,000 ₩
• Gimbap (Korean Sushi, you can find these everywhere)! around 2,000 ₩
• Mandu (Korean Dumplings) 5,000 ₩
• Tteok-bokki (Spicy & saucy Rice Cakes) 3,000 ₩

You’ll be surprised by how good the food is in the convenience stores in South Korea. Locals grab food from here all the time and it’s perfect for those in South Korea on a budget.

If there are some restaurants you’d like to try, just add that to your budget and eat at convenience stores the next day. International and Western food will also usually cost more than Korean, but Korean food is very good!

Osegye Hyang is our favourite traditional Korean restaurant with affordable prices. We’ve even created a Vegan in South Korea Guide – Best Restaurants & Snacks (2024) !

Note – There is no tipping culture in South Korea. It’s likely the staff will kindly decline your tip! This is common throughout East Asia.

2. Stay in Budget Accommodation in South Korea

Accommodation can take up a big part of your South Korea travel budget. Especially if you choose amazing hotels! Although it’s nice to feel comfortable, maybe take the time to look at some other options before spending more than your budget.

Hostels and small private rooms are going to be the most affordable places to stay in South Korea. Most hostels offer private rooms that are still cheaper than hotels.

It’s really down to preference, but we didn’t stay in one bad accommodation on our South Korea trip and we stayed in private rooms!

Hostels usually cost around 25,000₩ per person with male, female or mixed dorms available. A private room in a hoste l is around 40,000₩ per room and hotels are usually 70,000₩ or more!

Where to stay in South Korea on a budget

• Seoul  –  Hostel Tommy  – A lovely hostel with dorms & private rooms! –  Find here on Booking.com !
• Seoul – Kimstay 9 – Basic private rooms! – Find here on Booking.com !
• Busan  –  Dynamic Guesthouse  – A shared penthouse with great views –  Find here on Booking.com !
• Gyeongju  –  Doobaki Guesthouse – The best hostel in South Korea! –  Find here on Booking.com !

There are also a few ways to get free accommodation in South Korea :

• Couchsurfing – Stay in a local house, for free! Find out more here !
• Workaway – Exchange work/volunteering for free accommodation and food!
• Worldpackers – Volunteer for free accommodation and food!
• Trusted Housesitters – Look after a locals pet whilst they’re out of town

It’s also important to note that accommodation will be more expensive in the peak time of year such as the Cherry Blossom season, spring and fall. Winter is usually the cheapest time to visit South Korea on a budget.

3. Do you need a Sim Card in South Korea?

When you start to Google about sim cards or wifi in South Korea, there’s a lot of information telling you to get one! We agree, but it’s definitely possible to travel the country without one.

We have a solution to help your South Korea budget. Pick up an E-Sim for 15,000₩ ! (€10.99 for 12 days)

E-sims are the perfect option if you only need internet or mobile data. You don’t even need to buy them in advance like other sims or wifis.

As we visited South Korea for 2 weeks, we purchased our sim on Day 3 of our trip. This made us realise how much easier it is to have the internet on the go, but luckily Seoul is a very easy place to get around and we downloaded offline Maps.

If there’s more than one of you, it’s also possible to hotspot the E-sim data from one phone, although you’ll have to check your data allowance! The instructions come with the E-sim, but you simply install it into your phone settings. The customer service team answer quickly if you have any problems!

There’s also some great deals if you do need a Korean phone number. Here’s a few other options ranging in price:

E-Sim  – Here’s a  12 Day E-Sim (15,000₩, €10.99 for 12 days and 6gb of data)

Prepaid Sim  – Purchase ahead of time and pick up at the airport. This sim has a Korean number! The price changes depending on how long you need it. Find  a sim card on Klook here ! (£15 for 10 days)

Portable Wifi  – The most expensive option is portable Wifi and this is usually what travellers get if they’re not worried about their South Korea travel costs. Find a  portable Wifi on Klook here ! (£20 for 10 days) Also, pick it up at the airport.

It’s also a good idea to carry around a  portable charger  for your phone so you always have enough battery to last the day. We recommend  Anker Power Bank and just charge it up every few days if you’ve been using it a lot.

4. Use Buses to get around South Korea on a Budget

The transport in South Korea is some of the best in the world! It’s reliable, well connected and quite affordable considering how good it is.

If you want to stick to your travel budget in South Korea, we recommend catching Intercity and Express Buses around South Korea. They are so comfy and you can book your seats in advance.

Here’s the prices we paid for transport around South Korea on a budget

• KTX (Fast Train) Seoul to Gyeongju – 2 hours – 49,000₩ (£32)
• Express Bus – Gyeongju to Busan – 45 minutes – 5,000₩ (£3.30)
• Express Bus – Busan to Jeonju – 3 hours – 25,000₩ (£16.40)
• Express bus – Jeonju to Seoul – 2.5 hours – 14,000₩ (£9.20)

The buses from Seoul to Gyeongju will take around 4-5 hours and usually cost around 22,000₩ £46.40 . We took a train as we wanted to arrive in Gyeongju early and also wanted to experience a train in South Korea as we only used buses in Japan.

If you want to add Jeju Island to your South Korea travel costs, then it’s best to book a flight from Seoul or Busan. The ferries are often more expensive and they will take longer.

It’s possible to book trains in advance, but you can only book buses in advance if you have a Korean number. We booked our bus tickets as soon as we arrived at a new destination, usually booking them 2-3 days in advance.

Express & Intercity Buses  – Have a look at bus times on the official Korean website – Kobus tickets

Trains  – Book your train tickets in advance here – Korail tickets here (or a Korea Rail Pass )

Flights  – Flights to Jeju Island from Seoul or Busan –  Check Skyscanner  for flight times and prices !

5. Get a T-Money card

This is another great way to stick to your South Korea budget. A T-Money card is a discounted transport card that works all over South Korea in cities and towns. It’s for local transport to each destination, not for long bus journeys.

Using a T-Money card is not just about saving money, but saving time too! You won’t need to purchase a local ticket every time you use the bus or subway. Simply tap your card when you get on and off transport and you’ll be good to travel around South Korea!

A T-Money Card costs 2,500 ₩ . There’s also tourist cards and designed cards that cost 4,000₩

How to get a T-Money Card?

T-Money cards are available to purchase at the airport, at major stations and convenience stores (such as CU, GS25, 7-Eleven and Ministop).

How to top up my T-Money Card?

You can only top up a T-Money card with cash and not by debit or credit card. Make sure you grab money out of an ATM if you arrive in South Korea without Korean Won! Here’s how you can top up using cash:

• At Convenience Stores! Hand your card over, give the employee the cash and it’s all done!
• Some other local newsstands or shops offer top-ups. Look out for the T-Money logo!
• At major stations, find a ticket machine and choose how much you want to add to your card. The machines can be changed to English!

6. Use Local Buses and Subway instead of Taxis

Local buses are always the most affordable way to travel around any city and it’s the same with South Korea. However, the subway is also very budget-friendly too!

As the transport is well connected, you won’t need to use taxis anyway! The best way to feel comfortable about using public transport in South Korea is to download the app – Naver Maps . Google Maps doesn’t work in South Korea, so it’s best to use the local navigation app!

It costs 1,250₩ to use the Subway in South Korea which is £0.82p ! For reference, in London, it costs £2.60 to take one journey. We used subways and buses all around Seoul, Gyeongju, Busan and Jeonju without any issues! Naver Maps is perfect with timing and where to go.

7. Shop at Convenience Stores

One of the best South Korea budget tips is to eat and shop at the convenience store! Food and meals are well priced and you can usually heat the food inside the shop too! It makes travelling around South Korea on a budget so much easier!

The tax in South Korea is included in the price, so you don’t have to worry about extra prices at the checkout (like in Canada or the US).

Our favourite convenience store snacks are Ramyeon, Lotus Biscuits, Chocolate Soy Milk (it’s okay to laugh), Japanese Onigiri and Frozen dumplings (to add to your Ramyeon back in a hostel kitchen).

There are plenty of lunches to find in convenience stores based around rice or noodles. The best part is convenience stores are everywhere!

8. Make use of the Free Things To Do

This South Korea budget tip may be obvious – activities don’t always have to cost money. There are so many free things to do around the country and some of them are highlights of our trip! Here’s a list of great things to do for free if you’re in South Korea on a budget.

Seoul – A city filled with unique neighbourhoods, hikes and parks. There are so many free things to do in Seoul to help your South Korea budget. Check out our 5 Day Seoul Itinerary !

• Explore neighbourhoods such as Insa-dong, Ikseon-dong, Myeongdong, Hongdae, Itaewon & Gangnam
• Walk around the beautiful Bukchon Village & Ihwa Mural Village
• Feel the nature at Namsan Park

Gyeongju – Some of the best things to do in Gyeongju are free! Browse our 11 Best Things to do in Gyeongju: Itinerary (2024) ! Here’s a few suggestions:

• Admire Woljeonggyo Bridge, Donggung Palace & Wolji Pond
• Visit Cheomseongdae & Gyerim Forest 
• Window shop in Hwangnidan-Gil & explore the Hanok Village

Busan – Another great city for finding budget-friendly activities! We also have a 3 day Busan Itinerary !

• Gamcheon Culture Village (yes it’s free!) & watch the sunset at Lotte Department Building
• Walk along the Igidae Coastal Walk & relax at Haeundae Beach
• Discover Nampo-dong & Haedong Yonggung Temple

Jeonju – Walk through the famous Hanok village and check out the murals, markets and shrines!

• Explore Jeonju Hanok Village & Jaman Mural Village
• Walk through Nambu Market & visit Gyeonggijeon Shrine
• See the views from Omokdae

Jeju Island – Filled with natural wonders, Jeju is filled with free things to do. You’ll just need transport to get around!

9. Use Klook to Save Money on Activities

Klook is one of the best companies to book activities, tours and things to do in South Korea. It’s similar to GetYourGuide, but Klook is used more in Asia. We’ve used this website in South Korea and Japan to buy discounted tickets such as Disneyland, Seoul Tower and Hanbok rentals .

It’s also a great place to find sim card or portable wifi deals! When using Klook, you can easily book your activity in advance and sometimes there’s an option to pick up the ticket at the airport on arrival.

Activities to buy on Klook in South Korea:

• Seoul Tower – Go to the top of Seoul Tower in Namsan Park – Buy your ticket in advance!  
• Hanbok Rental – ( Gyeongbokgung Palace  as it’s the perfect size to explore and there’s a great rental shop nearby!  Find the link on Klook here –  Hanbok Rental Klook
• DMZ Tour – Visit part of North Korea – Book tickets with Klook here !
• Korea Rail Pass – If you decide to use the train, consider a rail pass – Here’s more info !
• Everland 1 Day Pass – One of South Korea’s theme parks – Buy your tickets here !
• Nami Island – Take a trip to Nami Island from Seoul – Find out more info here !

Staying in a temple is another fantastic activity that can’t be missed on your South Korea trip! It can be booked on Korea’s temple stay website ! Also, check out our Golgulsa Templestay Review !

10. Travel Off Peak

If you’re planning your travel budget for South Korea, one of the first steps is to figure out which time of year you want to visit.

The most popular time to visit South Korea is between April and May due to the beautiful cherry blossom season. Prices for accommodation and flights will most likely be more expensive and it will also book up fast. There will be more tourists and locals around, especially in the parks.

If you’re travelling to South Korea on a budget, it may be best to avoid these months and visit off-peak.

The off-peak months to travel to South Korea are January, February, late October , November and early March. If you can find good deals on flights and good accommodation prices outside of these months, then go for it! January is usually the cheapest month to travel as it’s cold, but it’s perfect if you want to ski!

Summer isn’t the best time to visit South Korea due to the hot and humid weather, but it’s still a popular time to visit due to worldwide holidays.

How to Budget in South Korea

So that’s our 10 South Korea budget tips! There are many ways to travel on a budget, it all depends on how comfortable you are. We love hostels, but some people we know would never stay in them. For us, they’re budget-friendly, comfortable and just a place to sleep or meet new people!

Ultimately it comes down to food, accommodation, transport and activities. Check accommodation in advance before you book your flights just to get an idea of prices for that month. Here’s a few more tips on how to budget in South Korea:

• If you want to shop, Namdaemun and Dongdaemun are filled with discounts in Seoul
• Tours will cost money, so make sure you add must-do activities to your budget
• Eat more street food and at markets
• Check prices for your visa ( every country is different )
• Use Skyscanner to browse flight prices for different times of the year

Accommodation in South Korea – We use Hostelworld and  Booking.com  to find accommodation in South Korea. You can filter to the lowest price and check reviews from previous guests.

Travel Insurance  – Don’t forget travel insurance whilst planning your South Korea budget.   SafetyWing  is a flexible monthly-rolling travel insurance to help you stay safe on your trip. You can add more months to your trip too! –  Find out more here!

E-Sim  – Here’s the E-sim we used on our South Kore trip – 12 Day E-Sim (15,000₩, €10.99 for 12 days and 6GB of data)

Costs compared to other countries in Asia

We have only visited countries in Southeast Asia, South Asia and Japan.

After visiting both Japan and South Korea, we have to admit that South Korea is slightly cheaper! The country is more affordable meals out and transport (especially the train!)

Comparing South Korea to countries such as Thailand, Sri Lanka or the Philippines, we have to say that South Korea is more expensive on every level. Accommodation is almost three times the price compared to countries in Southeast/South Asia. Food and activities are more too.

A full breakdown of our South Korea Travel Costs

Here’s the full breakdown of our South Korea travel costs. We both shared the same card and cash, but for this breakdown, we’ll show you roughly how much the same trip would cost for one person too.

Our full South Korea travel costs for 2 people (2 weeks)

• Korean E-Visa – 20,600₩ (£14)
• Intercity Transport -186,800₩ (£123)
• Local Subway & Buses – 88,000₩ (£58)
• Activities – 225,800₩ (£148)
• Restaurants & Markets – 345,600₩ (£227)
• Groceries – 109,110₩ (£72)
• Snacks – 120,300₩ (£79)
• Accommodation – 586,200₩ (£385)
• Miscellaneous – 20,500₩ (£13.50)

Total Cost – 1702,910₩ (£1,120)

Our Transport Costs – 274,800₩ (£181) – prices for two people

T-Money Cards – We accidentally bought the Korea Tour Cards at the airport so spent 4000₩ instead of 2500₩. We topped up our cards with 80,000₩ (£52.60) to get around the cities in towns during our 2 week trip. There’s a chance we may have a bit of money leftover on our cards too!

Accommodation – 586,200₩ (£385) – prices for two people

• 5 nights in Seoul (private room in a hostel) – 260,000₩ / £171
• 2 nights in Gyeongju (private room in a hostel, Korean style beds) 72,000₩ / £47
• 3 nights in Busan (private room in a shared apartment, shared bathroom) 117,000₩ / £77
• 1 night in Jeonju (private room in a Hanok with free breakfast) 52,200₩ / £34
• 2 nights in Seoul – different place – (private room in a guesthouse) 85,000₩ / £56
• Seoul – 52,000₩ (£34.20) per night / 26,000₩ (£17.10) per person
• Gyeongju – 36,000₩ (£23.50) per night / 18,000₩ (£11.75) per person
• Busan – 39,000₩ (£25.60 per night / 19,500₩ (£12.80) per person
• Jeonju – 52,200₩ (£34 per night / 26,100₩ (£17) per person
• Seoul – 42,500₩ (£28) per night / 21,250₩ (£14) per person

Our accommodation costs came to 586,200₩ (£385) which is 293,100₩ (£192.50) per person for 2 weeks! One of our nights we spent at Golgulsa Templestay which we’ve included as an activity.

Activities – 225,800₩ (£148) – prices for two people

• Golgulsa Templstay – 120,000₩ (£79)
• Archery at Golgulsa Temple – 20,000₩ (£13.20)
• Palaces – 26,000₩ (£13.20)
• Hanbok Rental – 24,000₩ (£15.80)
• Seoul Tower – 8,300₩ (£5.50)
• Photo Booth – 4,000₩ (£2.60)
• Bukchon Observatory with free drinks – 6,000₩ (£4)
• Gamcheon Map – 2,000₩ (£1.30)
• Arcade games – 15,500₩ (£10.20)

Shopping & Miscellaneous – 20,500₩ (£13.50) – prices for two people

• Laundry / Laundry Detergent ( 2 washes ) – 4,000₩ (£2.60)
• Socks & Lip Balm – 12,500₩ (£15.15)
• Plasters – 4,000₩ (£2.60)

Restaurants & Markets – 345,600₩ (£227.40)

We ate at multiple restaurants and markets during our 2 weeks in South Korea, we also revisited a few if we loved the food. Osegye Hyang is our favourite restaurant (traditional Korean)! Here’s a few examples of our meals:

• Lunch at a Traditional Korean Restaurant – 27,000₩ (£17.80)
• Lunch at a Hot Pot Restaurant – 26,000₩ (£17.15)
• Lunch at 7-Eleven – 83,00₩ (£5.50)
• Lunch at Lotteria – 14,200₩ (£9.40)
• Lunch at a Bibimbap Restaurant- 16,000₩ (£10.55)
• Lunch at a Korean Street Food Restaurant 19,000₩ (£12.50)
• Dinner at a Japanese Restaurant – 18,000₩ (£18.90)
• Dinner at Gwangjang Market – 12,000₩ (£7.90)
• Dinner at a Korean Restaurant – 16,000₩ (£10.55)

Snacks – 120,300₩ (£79.15)

In the snack category, we’ve included random snacks at convenience stores or street food. Here are a few examples of snack prices in South Korea.

• Lotus Biscuits – 3,800₩ (£2.51)
• Sweet Potato Street Food – 1,000₩ (£0.65)
• Chocolate Soy Milk – 1,200₩ (£0.79)
• Onigiri – 1,200₩ (£0.79)
• Mochi – 2,500₩ (£1.65)
• Red Bean Bun – 3,000₩ (£2)
• Bakery (4 Doughnuts) – 13,100₩ (£8.65)
• Korean Rice Cakes – 4,000₩ (£2.65)

Groceries (which include meals) 109,110₩ (£71.80)

Our grocery section is very close to snack selection but we tried to split it up into food that we took home or cooked for meals. We bought a lot of instant noodles, frozen dumplings, inari sushi and soy milk.

• Bread – 2,250₩ (£1.49)
• Inari Sushi Pack – 4,500₩ (£3)
• Bananas – 4,900₩ (£3.20)
• Ramyeon – 2,400₩ (£1.60)
• Frozen Dumplings – 6,400₩ (£4.20)

Total Food Costs – 575,010₩ (£378.40)- prices for two people

Food Costs per day in South Korea – 41,072₩ (£27) – prices for two people

Total Cost of a 2 week trip in South Korea for 2 people – 1702,910₩ (£1,120) & 141,909₩ (£93) per day

Our total cost doesn’t include flights in and out of the country, but for reference, we flew from Manila to Seoul for £135 each with Jeju Air and Seoul to Bangkok for £105 each with Air Asia. Our flights worked out well as we were already travelling in Asia at the time, we booked them 2 months in advance.

We hope this helps you plan your South Korea budget! We think that £46 per person, per day, is a pretty good price to travel around South Kore. We also had the best time and didn’t feel like we lost out on anything.

Korean food is amazing and we ate at restaurants and markets a lot more than cooking our own food. If we cooked more, our South Korea travel costs would be even less!

Is South Korea expensive to visit?

After looking at all of our South Korea travel costs, we’ve concluded that South Korea isn’t expensive to visit compared to the UK. Depending on your home country, the prices may be more, but we were pleasantly surprised with the prices of food.

The accommodation we booked was also really great! If you’re visiting South Korea on a budget, you’ll need to watch your spending when shopping or eating at fancier restaurants.

How much money to bring to South Korea for 2 weeks?

If you’re planning a travel budget for South Korea, we always recommend budgeting more than you think you need. We spent 1702,910₩ (£1,120) for two people during our 2 weeks in South Korea and although we ate a lot of instant noodles, we did everything we wanted to do!

We recommend budgeting at least 1215,715₩ (£800) if you’re a solo traveller with the addition of flights.

Travel Essentials for a South Korea Trip

Here are a few travel essentials we always bring with us:

• Amazon Basics Packing Cubes  – The best way to pack your bag!
• Anker Power Bank  – Keep your phone charged on the go!
• Stainless Steel Water Bottle  – The water in Korea is drinkable, bring a reusable bottle and fill it up!
• Rain Mac in a Bag  – Carry a lightweight raincoat or umbrella around Korea!
• Worldwide Travel Adaptor  – The ultimate travel plug when travelling to different countries!
• Joby GorillaPod 3K Pro Kit  – The best  lightweight  tripod to take anywhere in South Korea! We have a  Joby GorillaPod  and use it for our  Sony A600 . There’s also a  Joby Phone Tripod  if you take photos on your phone.

Let us know if you have any more South Korea budget tips and we’ll have to keep adding to this guide! We highly recommend visiting South Korea even on a budget. Make sure you have extra money just in case anything goes wrong and always have travel insurance! Now you know how to create a travel budget for South Korea!

Don’t forget about Travel Insurance! –  SafetyWing  Nomad Insurance

SafetyWing  is a flexible monthly-rolling travel insurance to help you stay safe on your trip anywhere in the world.  Find out more here!

More  South Korea  guides:

• Ultimate 2 week South Korea Itinerary: Best Places (2024)
• 5 Day Seoul Itinerary – Best Things To Do (2024)
• Staying in Golgulsa Temple: The Best Templestay in Korea (2024)
• 25+ Best South Korea Travel Tips: What to Know
• 3 day Busan Itinerary: What to do in Busan (2024)
• 11 Best Things to do in Gyeongju: Itinerary (2024)
• Ultimate South Korea Bucket List: 20 Best Things To Do
• Vegan in South Korea Guide – Best Restaurants & Snacks (2024)
• All our  South Korea  posts!

That’s the end of our  10 Best South Korea Budget Tips + Travel Costs (2024)!  Have the best time in South Korea on a budget and if you need any more help planning – send us a message on Instagram (@thesunrisedreamers) or leave a comment below!

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Amy & Dan are the founders of The Sunrise Dreamers. They are travellers from the UK who have been on the road since 2017 whilst living in places like England, Canada, Thailand and the Canary Islands. They share their knowledge of travelling the world with detailed travel guides and tips. They're experts in vegan travel and show their audience how to travel on a budget.

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Thank you so much for such awesome tips. Planning a trip for early next year so these tips will definitely be useful.

Amazing! You’ll have a great time! 🙂

Thank you this has really helped with my planning a budget travel trip to South Korea. I was just wonder if you, or any other readers used a WOW pass, it seems to get a lot of good reviews?

Hi Ashley! Thank you so much 🙂 Personally, we haven’t used a WOW Pass but know it’s an all-in-one prepaid card for foreign travellers! As we’re from the UK, we just use a debit card that has no foreign charges. (example, Starling or Revolut) Sorry I can’t share more info about it! Safe travels.

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Cost of a Trip to South Korea & the Cheapest Time to Visit South Korea

The average price of a 7-day trip to South Korea is $1,452 for a solo traveler, $2,504 for a couple, and $1,084 for a family of 4 . South Korea hotels range from $45 to $202 per night with an average of $67, while most vacation rentals will cost $110 to $440 per night for the entire home. Average worldwide flight costs to South Korea (from all airports) are between $953 and $1,513 per person for economy flights and $2,992 to $4,751 for first class. Depending on activities, we recommend budgeting $34 to $69 per person per day for transportation and enjoying local restaurants.

See below for average , budget , and luxury trip costs. You can also look up flight costs from your airport for more tailored flight pricing.

The Cheapest Times to Visit South Korea

On average, these will be the cheapest dates to fly to South Korea and stay in a South Korea hotel:

• January 8th to March 18th
• August 20th to December 9th

The absolute cheapest time to take a vacation in South Korea is usually early September .

Average South Korea Trip Costs

Average solo traveler.

The average cost for one person to visit South Korea for a week is $1,109-$2,277 ($158-$325 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $34 to $69 per day for one person’s daily expenses

Flights : $535 to $1,308 for economy

Lodging : $56 to $74 per night for one 2 or 3-star hotel room

or $66 to $81 per night for a 1-bed vacation rental

Average Couple’s Trip

The average cost for a couple to visit South Korea for a week is $1,875-$4,068 ($268-$581 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $67 to $138 per day for two people’s daily expenses

Flights : $1,070 to $2,616 for economy

Average Family Vacation

The average cost for 4 people to visit South Korea for a week is $3,678-$8,060 ($525-$1,151 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $134 to $277 per day for four people’s daily expenses

Flights : $2,140 to $5,233 for economy

Lodging : $112 to $148 per night for two 2 or 3-star hotel rooms

or $100 to $120 per night for a 2-bed vacation rental

Traveling Cheap to South Korea

How cheap can you make a vacation to South Korea? The cheapest trip to South Korea is about $126 per person per day for travelers willing to take standby flights, deal with inconvenience, and otherwise limit travel expenses. About 5% of rentals are available in the $0 to $100 range for an entire place, and vacation rentals can be booked for as low as $16 per night. These inexpensive rentals must be booked as early as possible and may not be in the most desirable areas. 1-star hotels are more likely to be available, with rooms starting at around $38.

Even cheaper trips are possible depending on where you live and whether you can drive. Check the cheapest times to fly for more saving ideas.

Budget Solo Traveler

The lowest cost for one person to visit South Korea for a week is $882-$2,116 ($126-$302 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $17 to $34 per day for one person’s daily expenses

Lodging : $38 to $45 per night for one 1-star hotel room

or $66 to $95 per night for a 1-bed vacation rental

Budget Couple’s Trip

The lowest cost for a couple to visit South Korea for a week is $1,536-$3,662 ($219-$523 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $34 to $68 per day for two people’s daily expenses

Budget Family Vacation

The lowest cost for 4 people to visit South Korea for a week is $3,078-$7,037 ($440-$1,005 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $68 to $136 per day for four people’s daily expenses

Lodging : $77 to $90 per night for two 1-star hotel rooms

or $98 to $142 per night for a 2-bed vacation rental

Overall it is easy to travel to South Korea cheaply.

The Cost of a Luxury South Korea Trip

There is no true ceiling on the cost of a luxury trip, so our estimates are based on what most people do in South Korea.

Luxury Solo Traveler

The high-end price for one person to visit South Korea for a week is $2,421-$9,507 ($346-$1,358 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $68 to $138 per day for one person’s daily expenses

Flights : $1,333 to $3,303 for first class

Lodging : $102 to $202 per night for one 4 or 5-star hotel room

or $441 to $873 per night for a preferred vacation rental

Luxury Couple’s Trip

The high-end price for a couple to visit South Korea for a week is $4,229-$13,776 ($604-$1,968 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $136 to $276 per day for two people’s daily expenses

Flights : $2,665 to $6,606 for first class

Luxury Family Vacation

The high-end price for 4 people to visit South Korea for a week is $8,452-$24,942 ($1,207-$3,563 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $271 to $552 per day for four people’s daily expenses

Flights : $5,331 to $13,212 for first class

Lodging : $204 to $404 per night for two 4 or 5-star hotel rooms

or $666 to $1,311 per night for a preferred vacation rental

South Korea Hotel Prices

The cost of staying in South Korea is lower than the average city. On average hotels are less expensive than vacation rentals. Luxury vacation rentals are more expensive in South Korea due to very high property costs. The graphs below show how much cost can vary depending on the type of experience you’re looking for.

South Korea Lodging Cost by Star Status

The average price for the class of hotel is on the (y) axis. The hotel class (out of 5 stars) is on the (x) axis.

Prices are based on South Korea hotel averages and may not reflect current prices. In some cases, we extrapolate prices to estimate costs, and hotels with your desired star rating may not be available.

Vacation Rental Prices

The percent of vacation rentals in the price range is on the left (y) axis. Price range is on the bottom (x) axis.

There are a healthy amount of vacation rentals serving all budgets in South Korea.

Flight Costs to South Korea

Averaging flights around the world, prices go from a high of $1,513 average in mid December to a low of $953 in early September. Median flight price is $1,051. These prices are based on millions of flights. For South Korea our data includes thousands of originating airports, and hundreds of airlines. The area has average variance in price compared with other locations.

Average Flight Cost by Season

Average flight cost by day of week.

The cheapest day to fly in is typically Wednesday, and the cheapest day to fly back is usually Wednesday. Click here to see data for the cost of flights from your airport. In South Korea, the difference between the cheapest and the most expensive week is about $560, so you can easily save about 59% simply by using our free flight guides and booking in advance.

Daily Expenses Budget

Daily vacation expenses vary more based on what you’re interested in doing. A fine dining restaurant with drinks around South Korea can easily cost $255 per person or more, while a standard nice meal might be about $17 per person. Private tours can cost $510 per day, but self-guided tours to see the outdoor sights can be free. Costs vary wildly, so recommendations are made based on the cost of living and averages we see for this type of vacation.

Other South Korea Guides

Travel costs nearby.

• Daejeon, South Korea
• Geumsan, South Korea
• Boeun, South Korea
• Cheongju, South Korea
• Nonsan, South Korea
• Gongju, South Korea
• Muju, South Korea
• Wanju, South Korea
• Goesan, South Korea
• Cheonan, South Korea

Travel Costs in Popular Places

• Gulf State Park, the United States
• Brussels, Belgium
• Makassar, Indonesia

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