South Korea Guide 🇰🇷 [All You Need to Know]

Best time to visit South Korea

Spring (March - May) and Autumn (September - November) are the best seasons to explore South Korea. In spring, you can marvel at the beauty of cherry blossoms, while in autumn, you can witness the enchanting transformation of leaves into majestic hues of red, orange, and yellow. 

In April, South Korea, particularly Seoul, transforms into a spectacle of pink cherry blossoms, creating a breathtaking landscape.

Summer (June to August) cranks up the heat, making it unbearably hot and humid, a scenario typical of many Asian regions. In addition, there is the monsoon period which lasts from late June to mid-July.

Winter, from December to February, brings in the chilly and snowy vibes, so make sure to wrap yourself up in cozy puffy jackets and snug thermal gear.

Budget for traveling to South Korea

It really comes down to how you like to travel, but for a solo adventure in South Korea lasting 10 days, a mid-range budget would be around $65USD per day.

If you're cool with crashing in budget-friendly hostels, hitting up free stuff in Seoul, and munching on local eats, you could probably squeeze it down to about $40USD per day.

So, in a nutshell, exploring Korea won't break the bank, but if you want to level up your trip, staying longer can make it even more budget-friendly per day.

How to get in & around Korea

Getting around South Korea using public transport is a piece of cake and won't burn a hole in your pocket.

If you're heading to other cities and not planning to rent a car, hop on the KTX, the speedy train. It might cost a bit more, but these trains are super efficient and will zip you to Busan in just 2.5 hours—double that if you're driving.

And if you're looking to fly down to Jeju, it's pretty budget-friendly, with round trips going for around 100 USD. 

Apps to download before visiting Korea

The most used apps for travellers are :

👉🏻 Kakao Talk (it's like the Korean version of WhatsApp)

👉🏻 Naver Maps or the Kakao Maps (trust me, Google Maps doesn't cut it here, so grab this local one)

👉🏻 Google Translate (the talking feature is a game-changer; make sure to download the Korean offline pack)

👉🏻 Seoul Subway App (there are plenty in English out there).

How many days to visit South Korea

When planning a trip to South Korea, it is important to decide how long you will be staying. Because flights to Korea can be a bit pricey, it's worth getting the most bang for your buck by extending your stay.

If you're only around for a week, you'll miss out on loads of awesome stuff in South Korea and might end up just checking out Seoul and few places in Busan. But, like mentioned, there's a whole bunch of cool things waiting for you beyond the city limits.

Here is my 9 day itinerary recommendation :

SOUTH KOREA ITINERARY 9 DAYS

Day 1 - 5 : Visit Seoul. Take a Day trip from Seoul. Find below my 5 day Itinerary in the capital. (5 night)

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5 Days Seoul Itinerary 🇰🇷

Seoul, the capital of South Korea, has everything you could wish for in a travel destination. It's a captivating mix of history and modernity, seamlessly blending the nation's culture and values. As one of the world's largest cities, Seoul is a hub of international cultures, yet it remains deeply rooted in Korean tradition. That's why I believe Seoul should be the perfect starting point for your Korean adventure. Spending five days in Seoul, South Korea is just right for catching all the buzz-worthy highlights of this city. In this guide, I'll walk you through the best things to experience in Seoul, ensuring an unforgettable journey through this dynamic city. Includes : 👉🏻 Detailed plan for each day 👉🏻 Where to Stay 👉🏻 Things to Do 👉🏻 Place to Eat 👉🏻 Shopping Spots

Backpacker • Couples • Digital Nomads • Family • Groups • Female Solo • Architecture • Art • Budget • Adventure • Coffee • Foodie • History • People & Culture • Photography • Romantic • Road Trip • Shopping • Wine

$10.00

Itinerary

Day  6 - 8 :  Visit Busan, the second biggest in South Korea. Find below my 3 day itinerary for visiting Busan (3 nights)

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3 Days Busan Itinerary 🇰🇷

When visiting South Korea, Seoul is often the first, and perhaps only, stop on the itinerary—and understandably so. Despite being the country's second-largest city and a bustling metropolis in its own right, Busan doesn't always receive as much attention from tourists. However, if you're seeking a nature-filled experience, the refreshing sea breeze, interactions with locals, and a deeper dive into South Korea's cultural side, then Busan is the ideal destination for you. In this guide, I'll walk you through the best things to experience in Seoul, ensuring an unforgettable journey through this dynamic city. Includes : 👉🏻 Detailed plan for each day 👉🏻 Where to Stay 👉🏻 Things to Do 👉🏻 Place to Eat 👉🏻 Shopping Spots

Backpacker • Couples • Digital Nomads • Family • Groups • Female Solo • Adventure • Architecture • Art • Boutique • Budget • Coffee • Foodie • History • Outdoors • People & Culture • Photography • Road Trip • Romantic • Shopping • Slow Travel

$15.00

Itinerary

Day 9 : Back to Seoul and fly back home

If you've got a 12 or a 14 - days plan, I would recommend adding 3 nights on Jeju Island (you can hop on a quick flight from Busan or Seoul).

Things to know before traveling to South Korea

Currency in South Korea

The currency used in is the Korean won (KRW), and you'll see it written as ₩ or 원 in Korean. About ₩1000 is around $0.75USD. 

Official Language

In South Korea, the official language is Korean. While you'll definitely come across English speakers, especially among the younger crowd, however, you might come across some lost-in-translation moments during your trip. 

You can use the google translate in such cases.

Voltage

The voltage is 220V, and the frequency is 60Hz in South Korea. If you're from Europe, – your power plugs will fit right in but if you're from the US or Singapore, you'll want to snag yourself an adaptor. 

However, in both cases it is advisable to keep a adaptor handy.

Internet 

The internet scene in Korea is pretty awesome. Free public wifi is everywhere, from major transit spots and touristy areas to even your little countryside nook.

If you're all about staying connected 24/7, you can grab a prepaid sim card right at the airport.

Getting in & around South Korea 

The public transport system in South Korea is incredibly convenient. Get a T Money Card for seamless access to subways, trains, and buses.

Plus, you can even use it at convenience stores!

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