South Korea (Korean: 한국, 韓國 Hanguk), officially the Republic of Korea (대한민국, 大韓民國 Daehan Minguk), is a country in East Asia. Known as the "Land of the Morning Calm", Korea has served as a cultural bridge between its neighbors, China and Japan, for a long time. In the 2nd half of the 20th century, South Korea emerged from the shadows of its turbulent past and achieved impressive economic growth, making it one of the world's most affluent countries today. South Korean pop culture, especially K-pop, is incredibly popular worldwide, driving higher levels of tourism to this nation. Despite their modernity and love for high technology, Koreans also take great pride in their history and traditions, and there many well-preserved historical sites that can give history buffs a glimpse into the ancient past.
Answers to what travellers most often look up about South Korea.
Cards and cash
The ₩50,000 can be hard to find and often only provided by ATM's and currency exchange facilities that display a picture of the yellow note on the outside.
Tipping
Tipping is not expected anywhere in South Korea and is not practiced by Koreans.
Korean
South Koreans speak Korean, and knowing a few words of this will come in very handy.
4G LTE is available in Korea.
Mobile networks
Tap water in South Korea is perfectly safe to drink, although you may want to follow the local habits of boiling and filtering if only to get rid of the chlorine smell.
An urban legend that is very prevalent in (and particular to) South Korea is the danger of fan death—that is, death occurring while sleeping in a room with an operating electric fan.
Coming from a land of strict Confucian hierarchy and etiquette, Koreans are regarded as reserved and well-mannered.
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
Seoul (서울) is the capital of South Korea. With a population of over 9 million (with over 20 million in the wider metropolitan area), Seoul is by far South Korea's largest city and one of East Asia's financial and cultural centers.
Busan (부산, 釜山; formerly romanized as Pusan) is a large port city located in the south-eastern province of South Gyeongsang, South Korea. It is the country's second city with beautiful beaches, mountains, spas, and renowned seafood.
Chuncheon (춘천, 春川) is the capital of Gangwon (강원, 江原), the northeasternmost province of South Korea. For travelers weary of Seoul's crowds and big city atmosphere, Chuncheon can be an enjoyable place to spend several days.
Daegu (대구, 大邱), formerly romanized as Taegu and officially known as the Daegu Metropolitan City, is South Korea's fourth largest city (after Seoul, Busan, and Incheon), and the third largest metropolitan area in the nation, with over 2.5 million residents. Daegu is in southeastern Korea, about 80 km (50 miles) from the seacoast, near the Geumho River and its main stream, Nakdong River in Gyeongsang-do.
Daejeon (대전, 大田, formerly Taejon) is the capital of South Chungcheong province. Yuseong Hot Springs Resort and Daecheong Dam are amongst the city's most popular tourist attractions.
Gwangju (광주, 光州) (means city of light), formerly romanized as Kwangju, is a metropolitan city in the center of South Jeolla province, South Korea. Gwangju has a thriving youth and arts culture and even a glance down the streets of 'Geumnam-ro' will note a generally more fashion-conscious populace.
Gyeongju (경주시, 慶州市; formally romanized as Kyongju) is in North Gyeongsang province, South Korea. The capital of the Silla Kingdom for approximately the whole first millennium CE, Gyeongju is definitely worth visiting if you are interested in Korean history.
Incheon (Hangul: 인천, Hanja: 仁川, formerly romanized as Inchon) is a city in South Korea on the coast directly bordering the west of Seoul. It is a rapidly expanding centre for new urban development.
Seoraksan National Park (설악산국립공원), also spelled Soraksan, is a national park in Gangwon, South Korea.
Andong (안동,安東) is a city in North Gyeongsang Province. Andong is the self-proclaimed "Capital City of Korean Spiritual Culture", having maintained aspects of the traditional culture of Korea throughout the past 2,000 years.
Ansan (안산) is a city in Gyeonggi, South Korea, on the coast of the Yellow Sea (locally called West Sea). The Yellow Sea lies to the west of the city, and portions of various islands lie within the city's jurisdiction.
Panmunjeom (Korean: 판문점), also P'anmunjŏm, is on the demarcation line between North and South Korea. It is a living relic of the Cold War era.
Yeosu (여수,麗水, pronounced YUHsu) is a coastal city in South Jeolla province, South Korea. Yeosu is one of the country's most picturesque port cities especially at night.
Jindo, also known as "Jindo-gun", (Korean: 진도군) is an island in South Korea, in the southwestern province of Jeollanam. It is the third-largest island in the country, accessible from the mainland via the cities of Mokpo and Gwangju.
Ulleungdo is an island to the east of the Korean peninsula, part of North Gyeongsang province in South Korea.
Pyeongchang (평창) is a city and a county in Gangwon. The city hosted the 2018 Winter Olympic and Winter Paralympic Games.
Places in South Korea on the World Heritage List.
Changdeokgung
Listed 1997
Jongmyo
Listed 1995
Hwaseong Fortress
Listed 1997
Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty
Listed 2009
Namhansanseong
Listed 2014
Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa Dolmen Sites
Listed 2000
Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes
Listed 2007
Gyeongju Historic Areas
Listed 2000
Baekje Historic Areas
Listed 2015
Sansa, Buddhist Mountain Monasteries in Korea
Listed 2018
Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats
Listed 2021
Gaya Tumuli
Listed 2023
List from Wikidata (CC0). Photos from Wikimedia Commons.
Surrounding Seoul and covered in its urban sprawl, with the Korean Demilitarized Zone close by.
Natural wonderland with the Seoraksan National Park, beaches and ski resorts.
A landlocked province filled with mountains and national parks.
Central western part of the country. The flat areas are made up of rice paddies. Point where main train lines and highways converge and known for its hot springs.
Largest province and richest area for historical and cultural sites, such as Andong, Gyeongju and the islands of Ulleungdo.
Known for its gorgeous seaside cities and beaches where most Koreans take their summer holidays.
Noted for great food.
Lots of beautiful small islands and landscapes, fantastic food (especially seafood along the coast) and good for fishing.
South Korea's honeymoon island, created by a volcano. Great scenery with wildflowers and horseback riding.
Public transport and paid services in South Korea.
By train
National train operator Korail (KR) connects major cities in South Korea.
By bus
Buses (버스 beoseu) remain the main mode of national transport, connecting all cities and towns.
By boat
Ferry boats surround the peninsula and shuttle out to Korea's many islands. The main ports include Incheon, Mokpo, Pohang, and Busan. The most popular destinations are Jeju and Ulleungdo.
By plane
South Korea is a relatively small country with a fast and efficient train service, so flying is not the fastest way to get places unless you are going to the island of Jeju.
By car
An International Driving Permit (IDP) may be used to drive around South Korea. In general, road conditions are good in South Korea, and directional signs are in both Korean and English.
By taxi
Taxis are convenient, if a somewhat pricey way of getting around the cities, and are sometimes the only practical way of reaching a place.
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in South Korea.
Finding apps for South Korea…
Other ways to travel:Smart cards
Operators checked against their official websites in October 2026; services that have stopped running are not listed. Logos and Wikipedia links: Wikidata (CC0)
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Seoul · International · ICN
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Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.
Average conditions in Seoul
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | 1° | 3° | 9° | 15° | 21° | 25° | 27° | 28° | 24° | 18° | 11° | 3° |
| Avg. low | -7° | -5° | -1° | 5° | 11° | 16° | 21° | 22° | 16° | 10° | 3° | -5° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 20 | 31 | 37 | 72 | 84 | 116 | 361 | 260 | 138 | 53 | 47 | 22 |
| Humidity | 77% | 74% | 74% | 74% | 75% | 76% | 84% | 83% | 79% | 75% | 75% | 76% |
Choose your passport and destination to see whether you need a visa.
Budget
$65
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$165
Per person, per day
Luxury
$445
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $30 | $95 | $260 |
| Food and drink | $15 | $35 | $85 |
| Local transport | $10 | $15 | $40 |
| Activities | $10 | $20 | $60 |
Estimate from World Bank price levels (2025). Actual costs vary by city and season. World Bank
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We do not label countries as safe or unsafe. Below is the official advice from two governments, with the date it was last updated. Always read the full advice before you travel.
US Department of State
Level 1 of 4Exercise normal precautions
Exercise normal precautionin the Republic of Korea (ROK or South Korea). Large-scale demonstrations may occur with little notice, potentially disrupting transportation and other essential services. Tensions on the Korean Peninsula remain high. North Korea continues to conduct missile launches and other military activities that may increase tensions. Travelers should monitor local developments and remain vigilant. The South Korean government conducts civil emergency drills throughout the year. Please note that consular services, including passport services, are not available at the U.S. Consulate in Busan; they are only available at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
No advice against travel. Read the full advice before you go.
Global travel impacts due to escalation in the Middle East Escalation in the Middle East has caused widespread travel disruption, including airspace closures, delayed and cancelled flights. Your travel plans may be affected, even if your destination is not in the Middle East. Before you travel: check travel advice for any countries or territories you are transiting through check for the latest updates from your airline or tour operator review your travel insurance policy for coverage monitor local and international media for the latest information and sign up for travel advice email alerts Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: see general advice for women travellers read our guide on disability and travel abroad see general advice for LGBT+ travellers read about safety for solo and independent travel see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad Travel insurance If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. About FCDO travel advice The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice. Get travel advice updates Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. Follow FCDO: travel advice on X travel advice on Facebook Travel Aware on Instagram
Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in South Korea.
Travel tipsComplete 2026 guide to South Korea travel requirements. Check K-ETA exemptions, application fees, arrival card rules, and Incheon transit procedures.
7 min read
ItinerariesExplore our Busan travel guide. Plan visits to Haeundae Beach, Gamcheon Culture Village, Jagalchi Fish Market, and scenic Haedong Yonggungsa Temple.
6 min read
Travel tipsCompare Korea transport cards: T-money, WOWPASS, and Climate Card. Learn costs, subway coverage, reload rules, and which card fits your stay best.
7 min read
ItinerariesThe essential first-time South Korea itinerary covering Seoul royal palaces, Busan coastal seafood markets, Gyeongju tombs, and volcanic Jeju Island.
6 min read
Travel tipsComplete 7-day South Korea travel budget guide covering actual costs for hotels, KTX bullet trains, food, and sightseeing across budget and luxury tiers.
7 min read
Nature & adventureDiscover the best time to see cherry blossoms in South Korea with regional bloom calendars, top spots in Seoul and Jinhae, and travel tips.
6 min read
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