Things you need to know when visiting South Korea   

South Korea has come a long way toward becoming one of the world’s best and most popular tourist destinations. The country is rich in culture, tradition, landscape, and cuisines—name it all. The increasing popularity of Korean dramas and music has drawn more attention to the spectacular country that is South Korea.

With its amazing infrastructure and technological advancement, not only is the country safe to visit but easy and fun as well. There are so many things to see and a lot more places to visit, even if you are planning on relocating there or just visiting as a tourist for a short while. It is expected that even though you feel like you have a grasp on the country in general from basic research or watching Kdramas, you’ll need some help on what to expect. Below are a few things you need to know to help make your stay a lot more comfortable and enjoyable.

• Pre-trip registration
• Things to pack
• Time to travel
• Language
• Currency and cost
• Food and drinks
• Accommodation
• Transportation
• Internet, SIM, and Apps
• Tourist Attractions
• Souvenirs
• Emergency and safety

Are you curious to know more? Keep reading 😌

Pre-trip registration

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For you to visit South Korea, the document required depends on the duration and reason for your visit. Those who will be visiting as tourists for three months will be given a passport. However, if you want to work in the country, you’d have to obtain a visa.

Most Western countries can visit Korea without a visa for three months; the only difference is the length of stay. Visitors from countries like America and South Africa are allowed to stay for thirty days; sixty days for Portuguese and Italians; and Canadians can enjoy up to a six-month stay. Even with the visa-free stay, applying for a Korean Electronic Travel Authorization is necessary. This authorization can and should be gotten from the K-ETA website at least three days before traveling.

Note that in addition to the passport, which will not be stamped, you will be given a booklet that contains your time of arrival and the expected time you are expected to leave the country as a tourist. There will be a huge fine to pay in a case where you exceed the time slated for your departure.

Things to pack

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Now that we are done with the official aspects, the next step is to plan the things you’d need to take with you. You do not want to be stuck in South Korea without that special cream or that difficult-to-get prescription medication. The fact is, you can get almost anything you need in South Korea, but if there are any specific brands of any product you need, you should bring them with you.

An essential item should be your cards for payment, that is, your debit, credit, and ATM cards. Your travel medical insurance should come with you, as should work permits, travel itineraries, and so on. Things like makeup, soap, and books may be easily gotten from the many stores. Bringing cash along is not necessary, your credit card will suffice.

Packing for a trip to South Korea, just like any other country, requires you to think long and hard. If you are fussy and like things a particular way, you might have to bring almost everything essential. If you’re not, all the better, as you’ll have enough space in your luggage for souvenirs to take home.

Time to travel

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A successful trip is a well-timed trip; the same goes for visiting South Korea. You’d want to go when you can enjoy all the country has to offer in comfort. People will advise you to go in the spring or fall, and they’ll be right. In spring, the country glows with cherry blossoms, and during the fall, the beauty of the landscape is more pronounced as the leaves turn red.

This is not to say that visiting in the summer or winter is a no-no. Quite the contrary, if you do not mind the humid summer days and the cold winter, then there are still a lot of activities and sights for you. Best still, anywhere you go will be a lot less crowded and less expensive than during the peak seasons of fall and spring.

You may also want to miss out on visiting in time for the two major holidays, the lunar new year and Chuseok. This is because a lot of Koreans will be on the road, making transportation difficult. Also, a lot of shops and stores will be closed for the holiday. To avoid this holiday completely ruining your travel plans, you must check the date every year you visit because it changes every year.

Language

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When coming to South Korea, you should learn the Korean alphabet (Hangul), as it will help you pronounce Korean words and ultimately learn the language. A lot of Koreans under 50 indeed understand broken English, but it will be a lot easier for you if you could pick up a few helpful phrases and words before you visit. The Korean language is not difficult to learn as it was made to be as easy as possible from its inception, so a little effort will go a long way.

However, if you are horrible at learning languages, a translator app or a phrase book is most necessary because you’d need Hangul to be able to navigate your daily life in Korea. Just as you’d be delighted if a foreigner spoke your language, Koreans are appreciative of foreigners who speak their language or at least try to. Speaking the language will make your stay easier and help you make a few friends along the way.

Currency and cost

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South Korean currency is called ‘won’. There are four notes and coins, namely the 50,000, 10,000, 5,000, and 1,000 notes. Also the 10, 50, 100, and 500 coins. You can stay for the whole duration without having to use cash by paying with your credit card. Still, it is advisable to hold a bit of cash for purchases in smaller shops. You can change cash at currency kiosks, which you can find in very busy tourist areas.

The most expenses you would incur while in the country would be on things like transportation, accommodation, outings, and food. The food in Korea is not so expensive, and you have variety. Everything else will be determined by your location; things are likely to be more expensive in Seoul than in Busan or Daegu.

It is not expensive to stay in Korea if you’re thrifty and stick to your budget. There is nothing that is startlingly expensive, and there are always cheaper alternatives for basic needs.

Food and drinks

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If you’ve ever watched a Korean drama, you’d be eager to try the delectable cuisine that South Korea has to offer. The variety of food to eat is nothing short of wonderful; added to that are the side dishes (banchan) that accompany meals, making for a wholesome eating experience. Food like kimchi, bibimbap, Korean BBQ, and Korean street foods should be tried at least once in the country. Of course, you must try the famous soju and makgeolli.

For those traveling alone, eating out might be a bit of a challenge. This is because Koreans usually eat in groups, so it might not be as easy to find a restaurant where they have single servings; not as easy but not impossible. This is even more reason to learn hangul and bring a friend along. You can also just enjoy the delicious servings yourself.

Note that when you require assistance from a waiter, you’d have to use the call button under the table or you simply raise your hand and call out to the waiter. A simple ‘Yogiyo’ which translates to “over here,” will do. If there is no water on your table, it is most likely that the water is self-serve. If you look around, you’ll see a water dispenser with cups stacked close to it. You can get water from there. Tips are not required when you pay at the counter after your meal.

You certainly should not leave Korea without sampling the Korean street food at Gwangjang. Even soju, which comes in different flavors and can be mixed with other drinks, should be given a try. Don’t worry about the cost; soju is inexpensive and common when compared to other drinks. Also, remember to brush up on your chopstick skills and Korean table manners; it will help.

Accommodation

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This is one of the most essential things you could spend your money on. Not to worry, while you can stay in the best hotels for 100,000–400,000 KRW during your stay, there are cheaper and still nice alternatives. Hotels in Seoul cost a lot because of the location, but the capital city also has hostels. These hostels have affordable dorms for tourists, where you can spend 20,000 won a night. You can also stay at guest houses or motels, but the cost depends largely on the city in which it is located.

If you have a tight budget and want to scrimp on the cost of accommodation, you can stay at a jjimjilbang. Jjimjilbang is a public bathhouse in Korea—yet another thing you should have seen in Kdramas. They have amenities like a sauna, karaoke, a video game quarter, and even a lounge for sleeping, all at an affordable price of 8–12,000 KRW. There are jjimjilbang that run 24/7, and staying is not horrible as long as you remember it is a ‘public’ bath house.

Transportation

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Korean transportation is efficient, and anybody who has been in the country will second this. The Korean Train Express (KTX) is one of the nicest and fastest transport systems you’d ever get on; it is not expensive, and it saves a lot of time.

Intercity buses are another alternative transport you can use, and while they are not as fast, they are also less expensive than the KTX, and they make stops during the trip, which is helpful for those with motion sickness.

There is also the option of flying from one of the smaller airports in the country with Korean airlines like Jeju Air, Asiana Airlines, Air Busan, and others. The airlines are all nice, but check for airlines that suit your budget; after all, the flights within the country take a maximum of one hour.

The Korean Subway adds to the list of transportation options, and you can ride the subway as long as you have your T-money transit card, which can be obtained and filled out at any convenience store around the country. The best part is that this card can also be used for buses and most taxis, as well as subways. You should remember to tap your card as you enter and leave the transport, as your fare is charged based on the distance.

Taxis are okay as well; just ensure your driver understands and knows your destination. While taxi drivers can be nice and helpful, it will be a lot easier for both of you if you had your destination written in Hangul. Avoid black taxis if you are on a tight budget because they charge more.

Korean transportation is safe. You should be aware of your surroundings, but there is nothing to be scared of.

Internet, SIM, and Apps

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South Korea has really fast internet service, and there will be free Wi-Fi in most places you go, so you do not need to worry about that. If you need to get a local SIM card for when you travel to the countryside and there is no accessible Wi-Fi, then there is an easy way around it. Korea now has an E-SIM, which you can sign up for online instead of purchasing one physically. If you didn’t come with a phone, renting one is also possible.

Some useful apps will help you navigate the country. You should get a Kakao Map or Naver Map for maps. To help you find restaurants and cafes, Mangoplate is your go-to. Kakao T and Subway Korea for transportation.

Tourist Attractions

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There are so many places to visit in the country that there is no way to do justice to them all. However, there are a few places that are highly recommended.

The first place is the capital city, busy Seoul. In Seoul, you can visit a ton of places like the Bukchon Hanok Village, Namsan Tower, Gyeongbokgung Palace, entertainment districts like Itaewon, the markets for food and fashion enthusiasts, and so on. Frankly, Seoul is packed with must-see places.

In Seoul, there are a lot of cafes, and you should visit a couple of them. You’d wonder what makes cafes so special until you see the amazing themes these cafes have. Also, they are a great spot to take pictures for your social media pages.

The next stop after Seoul should be the country’s second-largest city, Busan. In Busan, you have a lot of beaches, restaurants, cafés, and bars. The city also has mountains if you are a fan of hiking and scenic spots for the best pictures. Daegu is a great place to visit if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of Seoul.

If you love traditional buildings, you will want to take a tour around Jeonju. It hosts a lot of hanoks (traditional Korean houses) and has 800 traditional buildings, which will be a thrill for you when exploring.

Jeju Island is one place you should not miss. It has the best beaches, and the infrastructure and stunning views will be worth every penny you spend getting there. Jeju is the country’s most popular tourist attraction.

If you plan to tour the country, you should hire a travel guide and plan multiple trips because such a country rich in culture and traditions will need a long time to fully explore.

Souvenirs

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If you are looking for things to take home with you, there are souvenirs at most tourist attractions you visit, in addition to souvenir shops. You can go the extra mile and get yourself one or more Korean skin care products, and you can be assured that they are top-notch because Koreans are fully invested in skin care. Getting a modern Hanbok is another option for a souvenir. You can get K-pop merchandise and CDs. Visit a souvenir shop and get whatever appeals to you.

Emergency and safety

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Korea is relatively safe, and people are really helpful, especially when you misplace things. Still, you will need to be careful and aware of your surroundings. Avoid going to lonely places and try not to get drunk when you are alone; it puts you in a vulnerable spot.

In an emergency, dial 112 for the police, and 119 for emergency services.

In summary, there are a lot of things to be covered, but you will just have to come and experience them yourself. South Korea is welcoming to visitors, and if you come with an open and eager mind, you’d surely enjoy your stay.