Travel Guide
Travel Guide
Essential information for first-time visitors to Korea.
Basic Information
- Official language
- Korean
- Currency
- Korean Won (KRW)
- Time zone
- Korea Standard Time (KST), UTC+9
- Visa
- Visa-free entry periods vary by country, so check before you depart.
Getting Around
- KTX / Express bus
- The KTX high-speed rail and express/intercity buses are convenient for traveling between cities. You can book ahead via apps like Korail Talk or T-money.
- Airport transfers
- From Incheon International Airport to Seoul, you can take the AREX airport railroad, an airport bus, or a taxi.
Subway & Bus
- Subway
- Major cities like Seoul and Busan have extensive subway networks. Map apps such as Naver Map or Kakao Map make navigating easy.
- Bus
- Trunk, branch, and local bus routes are clearly segmented, and real-time arrival info is shown on stop displays.
Transit Cards
- T-money
- Available for purchase and top-up at convenience stores, and usable on most subways, buses, and taxis.
- Transfer discounts
- Transferring with the same transit card within a set time window gives you a fare discount.
Currency & Payments
- Currency exchange
- You can exchange money at the airport, city banks, or private exchange counters — areas like Myeongdong tend to offer better rates.
- Card payments
- Most stores accept credit cards, though some traditional markets and small shops are cash-only.
Internet & SIM Cards
- SIM / eSIM
- Travel SIM or eSIM cards can be purchased at carrier booths at Incheon Airport or reserved online in advance.
- Pocket Wi-Fi
- If you're traveling with a group, renting a pocket Wi-Fi device is also a good option.
Travel Etiquette
- Shoe etiquette
- It's customary to remove your shoes in hanok houses, floor-seating restaurants, and private homes.
- Public transit etiquette
- Keep phone calls quiet on the subway and bus, and leave priority seats open for those who need them.
Emergency Contacts
- Crime report
- 112
- Fire / Ambulance
- 119
- Tourist Police (foreign visitor support)
- 1330
- MOFA Consular Call Center
- +82-2-3210-0404
Seasonal Weather Guide
- Spring (Mar–May)
- Mild weather and beautiful cherry blossoms. Bring a jacket for the wide temperature swings.
- Summer (Jun–Aug)
- Hot and humid, with frequent rain during monsoon season (Jun–Jul).
- Autumn (Sep–Nov)
- Cool, clear weather — the best season for viewing autumn foliage.
- Winter (Dec–Feb)
- Dry and cold, with heavy snowfall possible depending on the region.