From the neon lights of Seoul to the historical temples of Gyeongju and the coast of Busan, South Korea is a vibrant mix of tradition and modernity, city and nature. But a first-time trip to South Korea comes with a lot of questions: Is it easy to get around? How much money should you bring? Do you need to speak Korean?
In this guide, we’ll answer the most common questions people ask when planning their first trip to Korea, to give you the confidence to go ahead and book that trip!
Best Month to Visit South Korea
When should you go? Korea has four distinct seasons, and each offers something different.
Spring (March-May): Cherry blossom season, with warm afternoons and occasional rain. Take a hike to enjoy the flowers or wander through beautiful palace gardens in hanbok, Korean traditional clothes.
Summer (June – August): Hot, humid, and includes monsoon season (July – August), but there is still plenty to enjoy. Attend summer festivals such as the Busan Sea Festival or Boryeong Mud Festival and try some seasonal delicacies – naengmyeon (cold buckwheat noodles) and bingsu (shaved ice topped with sweet toppings) are well worth a try.
Autumn (September – November): Arguably Korea’s most beautiful season, known for danpung – the vibrant changing of the leaves. The weather is warm and comfortable and it’s the best time to hike incredible mountains such as Seoraksan – the peak foliage is in early November. You can also join Chuseok events at museums and historical sites to learn about this important holiday and take part in some traditional activities.
Winter (December – February): Cold and snowy, with fewer tourists around and plenty to enjoy. Check out the Lotte Tower Christmas Markets, the Taebaeksan Snow Festival or go orange picking on Jeju Island. Winter is the best time for street food – head to Myeongdong Walking Street to try bungeobbang (fish-shaped red-bean bread), hotteok (sweet pancakes filled with seeds and honey) and roasted sweet potatoes.
Top Things to Do in South Korea
Wondering what to do once you’re there? Here are a few must-do experiences:
Take a class: Try taekwondo, K-pop dance, or kimchi-making to experience Korean culture and meet fellow tourists with similar interests.
Experience nature: Take to one of Korea’s many walking trails, cycle along the Han River or take a yacht tour off the coast of Jeju Island for great scenic views.
Rent a hanbok: Have a photoshoot in traditional clothes, or wander around Gyeongbokgung Palace or Jeonju Hanok Village to truly feel like you’ve gone back in time to the Joseon Dynasty.
Visit a traditional market: Jagalchi Fish Market is a must-do in Busan, while Gwangjang Market in Seoul and Dongmun Traditional Market in Jeju City are the best places to try delicious traditional Korean food.
Hiking: Try your hand at Soraksan mountain, considered one of the most beautiful mountains in Korea, Bukhansan, the largest mountain in Korea located in Seoul, or Hallasan, the dormant volcano at the heart of Jeju Island, for incredible panoramic views.
Best Places to Visit in South Korea
While Seoul, the capital of South Korea, offers plenty to explore, don’t miss out on the rest of Korea!
Busan: Head to Busan on the high-speed KTX train for a laidback oceanside city vibe and incredible seafood.
East Coast (Sokcho, Yangyang, Gangneung): Enjoy the ocean, Korean-style – beachside chicken and beer, anyone?
Gyeongju: A must-visit for history buffs – check out UNESCO World Heritage Site Bulguksa Temple, Cheomseongdae Observatory and many fascinating museums.
Jeju Island: Discover Jeju’s unique history and culture, volcanic landscapes, gorgeous green tea fields, and stunning beaches (head over to Hyeopjae Beach for the ‘Emerald Sea’ and incredible sunsets).
Some other spots to consider:
- Jeonju: Famous for its Hanok Village and bibimbap.
- Incheon: Take a stop at some of Incheon’s beaches or the famous Chinatown for amazing Chinese food.
- Suwon: Home to the UNESCO-listed Hwaseong Fortress and accessible from the Seoul Subway line.
- Nami Island: Filled with activities for nature lovers and families, including a zipline, alpaca farm and the Garden of Morning Calm.
Getting Around South Korea: Is it easy, or will I get lost?
Worried about navigating Korea? It’s easier than you think – even without knowing Korean.
Download Maps
Before your trip, download Kakao Map or Naver Map; these will give much more accurate information than Google Maps, including expected transport arrival times and the best routes to your destination (with an approximate price too!). The Seoul Subway app can also help you plan your routes.
Get a T-Money Card
Buy one at any convenience store to use on buses, subways, and taxis. Top it up with cash using the machines at subway stations or ask the cashier at a convenience store.
Public Transport
The subway signage is clear and foreigner-friendly, and both the platforms and trains have multilingual announcements in Korean, Mandarin, Japanese and English. Most buses in big cities offer the same. A typical trip on a subway or bus costs around W1,500 – just tap your t-money card on the reader as you get on and off.
Taxis and Trains
Download the K.ride app for tourists to grab a taxi – this multilingual app makes reserving a taxi much more convenient and accepts most international bank cards. You can however grab a taxi on the street and use your t-money card to pay if you wish. For train tickets, download the English version of the Korail app to book any regular train across Korea including the high-speed KTX; it’s incredibly easy to use.
How Much Money Do I Need?
Whether you’re on a budget or like things a little more bougie, South Korea has something for every type of adventurer. Here’s a quick breakdown of what you might spend on essentials:
Food
- Convenience store meals: W2,000 – 5,000. Grabbing a kimbap or instant ramen pot from the convenience store is not only cheap but also a fun cultural experience.
- Korean restaurant meals: W10,000 – 15,000. We highly recommend trying Korean food as often as possible! It’s also great value for money, especially since side dishes tend to be unlimited.
- Western food: typically W15,000+. Seoul has a fantastic variety of restaurants serving food from all around the world, as well as catering to dietary needs such as Vegan or Halal, but these dishes will be a little more expensive than your regular Korean restaurant.
- Top Tip! Fruit and cheese are expensive in Korea, so pizza tends to be very pricey at around W23,000-35,000. Eat seasonal fruit to keep costs down and purchase from traditional markets instead of supermarkets to get the best price.
