In 2019 I spent a month in the capital of South Korea. Seoul was not until recently on the destination list of most travelers, although I think it generates more and more curiosity to travel to Korea.
The city is amazing and has many attractions that you can reach by subway and trekking very close to the city. Here you have some essential information to travel to South Korea or start preparing your trip.
PROFESSIONAL ETHICS. This post contains some affiliate links.
These links allow you to follow my recommendations and book them, and provide a little commission. Thus, you help keep this travel blog ad-free at no extra cost to you.
Basic facts about South Korea
- Population. 52 million. South Korea is a fairly homogeneous country with little migration.
- Capital. Seoul is one of the most vibrant cities in Asia. With 10 million inhabitants, it lives between its modern aesthetics, some well-kept heritage areas and the street culture of young people influenced by K-pop and the latest trends.
- Government. South Korea is a presidential republic with an established democracy since the end of the Korean War. The two dominant political currents are liberal and conservative. A particularity of South Korea is that it has always harbored the hope of reunification with the communist North.
Languages
Korean is the national language of South and North Korea. It belongs to the same family as Japanese, but for centuries it was written with Chinese characters. Therefore, a Korean king invented his own alphabet to match the phonetics of his language. This gives Korean a unique alphabet called hangeul.
English is the main foreign language studied by Koreans, along with Chinese and Japanese. English is spoken very little and poorly on the streets, outside of some tourist areas. In most businesses I had trouble expressing myself in English, except in some neighborhoods with American bases or expatriate population where it can be used a little more. Of course, Koreans are very patient and willing to solve the problem with the language. At a post office, someone even appeared to help me in Spanish.
Visa and travel documents to South Korea
Citizens the European Union and many American countries do not require a visa to enter South Korea on vacation. However, you should consult the Korean visa page in English (go to Visa Navigator, select your country and if you are a tourist, choose Short Term Visit).
If you have difficulties in arranging your visa or any other travel requirements to South Korea you can consult with iVisaTravel, they are specialists in entry documents to the most complex countries in the world.
Los ciudadanos españoles, de la Unión Europea y de muchos países latinoamericanos no precisan de visado para entrar a Corea del Sur de vacaciones. Sin embargo, debes consultar la página de visados de Corea en inglés (entra en Visa Navigator, selecciona tu país y si vas de turismo, elige Short Term Visit).
Si tienes dificultades para tramitar tu visado o cualquier otro requisito de viaje a Corea del Sur puedes consultar con iVisaTravel, son especialistas en documentos de entrada a los países más complejos del mundo.
La normativa de entrada referente al COVID-19 es distinta en cada país. Corea ha levantado las restricciones hace poco y conviene consultar la información actualizada. Para Corea del Sur la tienes en este enlace.
Cash and card payments
The currency of South Korea is the wong. One euro is equivalent to 1400 wongs. You can pay with credit and debit cards almost anywhere, so you won’t need to carry a lot of coins or bills. I recommend a card without commissions like Revolut or N26.
According to Expatistan.com, the cost of living in Korea is 6% more expensive than in Barcelona. It is not a cheap country to stay in, but food and transportation are quite affordable. Probably compared to Japan, it is cheap.
Tipping in South Korea is not mandatory. On the contrary, some people may be offended if you tip them. The service is excellent because the workers take pride in their work, they do their best to carry it out promptly and diligently.
Telephone and Internet
There are several cell phone companies operating in South Korea. For short trips, the prepaid KT Olleh card with unlimited data and incoming calls is a good choice. SK Telecom is perhaps the network with the best service in the country.
A SIM card can be purchased at convenience stores such as 7eleven, GS25, CU or Ministop which are open 24 hours a day.
Sockets and voltage
The South Korean plugs are the same as the Western European F-type plugs. The current is 220 V so no adapter is needed on this side either.
How to get to Korea
Incheon airport is the main access point to Seoul, although you could also enter through Seoul’s other airport: Gimpo. There are two Korean airlines: Korean Air and Asiana. The former has direct connections from Madrid and Barcelona.
Compared to Japan, a trip to South Korea usually costs much cheaper. Airlines such as Qatar Airways, Finnair or Turkish Airlines usually have very competitive prices on their flights to Incheon. A one-week or 10-day trip to reconnect with Asia and get to know the “Korean Vibe” can cost you around €2500 – €3000.
Getting around South Korea
South Korea has a fast train network that makes getting from one part of the country to another very convenient. The central station in Seoul will help you to get all the information about schedules and destinations.
There is a Korea Rail Pass, the KORAIL Pass, which will make it easier for you to organize your trip at a lower price than buying individual tickets. You can buy the KORAIL Pass in the Reservation tab. There are 4 types:
- 3 consecutive days
- 5 consecutive days
- 2 days of use in a 10-day period
- 4 days of use in a 10-day period.
The train is the best way to plan your trip, as you will usually spend the first few days in Seoul where you can move around by subway and then use the KORAIL pass for the rest of your trip in Korea.
Korea by road
If you want to go around the peninsula, you can rent a car in Seoul. In this link you will find some companies operating in the country.
Driving can be a real challenge in Korea. Although the infrastructure is very modern, the signage is not always in English, and it can be difficult to get help outside Seoul, due to the lack of English or other languages of most people.
If you want to visit places that are not connected by train, you can use the Korean bus network. Here is a search engine that shows you availability and schedules for trains, buses and planes.
Book a flight, bus or train ticket
Best time to travel to Korea
The best time to travel to Seoul is spring or autumn, and it is ideal to travel to Korea at Easter. April coincides with the cherry blossom season on the banks of the Han River, so a river cruise is a must.
In autumn, the changing colors of the oak forests that cover the various mountains surrounding the city are another magical moment.
The Korean winter is freezing, and the summer is extremely hot.
Is it safe traveling to Korea?
If you have been to East Asia you already know that it is an extremely safe part of the world. South Korea is a safe country for both men and women. Solo travelers can do so without worry. There is very little violent crime and hardly any robbery or theft.
It is absolutely forbidden to use or possess drugs in South Korea. The laws are very strict in this respect. CBD is also not tolerated. Don’t risk it because the prison sentences are severe.
Alcohol consumption in South Korea is quite excessive. In fact, it is not uncommon to see drunk friends on weekdays in Seoul. Alcohol in Korea is consumed socially in large quantities. The BAC is 0.03 and exceeding it means the withdrawal of the license. The minimum age for drinking alcohol is 19 years old.
Women travelers in South Korea
Solo female travelers will find a very friendly country. It is perfectly feasible to tour South Korea on your own. In fact, there is a lot of respect for foreigners and, in general, you will find a polite and distant collaboration. However, you should avoid drunks, of which there can be many in some areas.
While traditional Korean culture still gives women a secondary role in the family, new generations are revolutionizing gender roles. Throughout the country there are many young women travelers and working women living independently.
Queer travelers in Korea
K-pop can give a wrong image of the dominant values in South Korea. The queer community should know that only in some specific spaces will they be able to freely flirt or express affection.
Being one of the most advanced countries in the region, most people are conservative and homosexuality is not socially accepted. It is clear that the new generations are much more open and in the most fashionable neighborhoods you will not have a problem.
Consensual sex between persons of the same sex of legal age is not punishable under the South Korean penal code. The gay bars in Seoul have been in the Itaewon area (Homo Hill) for years.
Health and travel insurance to Korea
There are no mandatory vaccinations for travel to Korea, except for the entry regulations regarding Covid19. If you are traveling from a country where yellow fever is endemic, then you should bring the appropriate vaccine.
The Korean healthcare system is very good, although all services for foreigners are private. It is advisable to carry travel insurance for any eventuality. I recommend the online insurance by IATI, a reputed European insurance for travelers around the world.
There are different types of insurance, from a basic package for short trips, standard (my recomendation), backpacker and even a year round insurance for those travelers who go several times abroad and want to save. Remember to assess if you will participate in risky activities or adventure sports that require an extra insurance coverage.
You can check the conditions and get a 5% discount by using the link on this page.
What to do in South Korea: 5 must-see destinations
Seoul is Korea’s premier destination. However, there is much more to see in South Korea if you leave the capital. Here are some must-see places for you to enjoy nature and Korean heritage.
Seoul, a metropolis that has it all
The capital of Korea is a cultural hotbed where the tradition of the ancient kingdoms, the modernity of a country reborn after the war and the trends set by the new generations are mixed.
In Seoul, you will discover several World Heritage sites such as the Changdeokgung palaces, the Jongmyo temple and the tombs of the Joseon dynasty. In addition, you can visit some nearby cities of interest, such as Incheon and its Chinatown or the Hwaseong Fortress.
The trendy places are in neighborhoods such as Itaewon, Gangnam or Hongdae. Go there for mingling with the young crowd and buy the most fashionable stuff in town.
Jeju island, a romantic getaway
Jeju Island is a volcanic island 90 kilometers off the Korean coast. It is considered the island of the gods. Mount Halla dominates the island, which has beautiful white sandy beaches.
Jeju is Korea’s ultimate romantic destination. Here you will find every couple you can imagine.
Busan, the port city of Korea
Korea’s second city has a strong seafaring spirit. Located in the southeast of the country, it has a milder climate, making it a beach destination for local tourism.
Busan is a modern city, but retains a lively fish market and a neighborhood of colorful houses: Gamcheon Culture Village.
In addition, around Busan there are several monasteries and fortresses and many opportunities for hiking.
Seoraksan National Park
If you like the mountains and treks, Seoraksan Park is just one of the natural areas with hiking trails for all levels, from one to several days in length. In fact, at the very gates of Seoul, there are already several areas for trekking of varying difficulty.
Seoraksan is the most admired mountain area in the country. It is easily reached from the capital by train or bus to Sokcho.
Traditional villages: Hahoe and Yangdong
The Confucian heart of Korea is preserved in the villages of Hahoe and Yangdong, in the province of Gyeongsang, in the east of Korea. To get there, you have to go to the city of Andong.
These two villages preserve the architecture and traditions of the Choson period and were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010.
It is said that the late Queen of England wanted to spend one of her birthdays here.
What to eat in Korea
Korean cuisine is a culinary corpus very different from its neighbors. If you like spicy flavors and want to try the widest selection of preserved vegetables, you will enjoy eating in Korea. Most of the main dishes are rice and meat based, although Korea eats a lot of fish.
- Bulgogi. Marinated beef with a sweet touch.
- Bibimbap. Rice with cooked vegetables served in a hot stone bowl that ends up lightly toasting the ingredients.
- Chapchae. Sweet potato noodles with vegetables.
- Korean barbecue. One of Koreans’ favorite leisure activities is going to the restaurant to have their meat cooked on a barbecue.
You can read much more about Korean cuisine in this article on must-try Korean dishes.
What to do in South Korea in 10 days
Based on my month-long experience in Korea, I have prepared a 10-day itinerary that allows you to discover the country in a simple way. I tell you what to see and how to organize your visit to Korea for a week or, ideally, a little longer.
Are you planning a travel to Korea on your own?
Here are some tools to help you save, as you prepare for your trip to South Korea from home. Today can be a great day to start planning your next holiday.
🛂 Check if you need a visa for South Korea
🛫 Find the best flights to Seoul
🦺 Health and travel insurance with a 5% discount
📶 Internet in South Korea: eSIM with a 5% discount
🛌🏼 Book hotels in Korea at best rates
🚏 Book your train and bus tickets hassle free
🚂 Get your KORAIL Pass for Korean trains
🕌 Join excursions and guided tours in Korea
🚘 Rent a car for your itinerary
🏧 Revolut card: comission free payments and withdrawals abroad
All my posts about Korea
If you have questions or would like me to write a more detailed article about a destination in South Korea, leave a comment in the section below. Have a good trip to Korea!
