Location: Korea
Great for: Singles, Couples, Families, Groups, Honeymoons, and Budget Travelers
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Asia’s third-largest economy is also Asia’s hottest tourist destination. With K-pop, k-dramas, and technology, old and new South Korea is a compelling place to visit. What surprises first-time visitors is how quiet, peaceful, and traditional South Korea is outside of the 24-hour-a-day megalopolis of Seoul, its largest city. Caught up in the ultra-modern, beyond the high-tech vibe of South Korea’s capital, it's hard to imagine that a very short distance away are hiking trails, ski slopes, bicycle paths, beaches, and Buddhist monasteries. Ancient palaces even exist within the city.
Discover what you need to know when deciding if vibrant South Korea will be your next destination - from visa requirements to cultural norms.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
US nationals are currently eligible for a 90-day visa on arrival. Travelers are required to have a passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of return and at least 2 blank pages. These conditions will be reviewed for travel after 31 December 2024. and it is always recommended to review requirements before travel.
CURRENCY
This is a fun won....ok I couldn't resist. This is a fun one. The Korean won is the official currency of South Korea. The symbol is ₩, and the code is KRW. So I say it is fun because the currency sounds like you are trading your condo for a nice meal but 100.000 KRW is $74.12 as of the writing of this article. Bring your calculator or at least use the one on your phone. The exchange rate is good right now for USD so enjoy! Click here to learn more about the KRW .
CREDIT CARDS AND ATMS
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted, American Express less so. Cash is needed for shopping at small, local restaurants and shops. ATMS are easily found outside banks, in major hotels, and in some convenience stores.
TIPPING
It is not customary to tip in Korea and trying to tip might even cause embarrassment or confusion. Liberal use of the phrase ‘thank you’ is always understood, appropriate and appreciated. Thank you: gamsahaeyo (gam-sigh-oh)
SHOPPING
Given the exchange rate and the cost of goods in South Korea, save room in your suitcase, you WILL be shopping. Clothes, shoes, K-beauty cosmetics, and crafts are the typically purchased souvenirs of South Korea. Hallyu (K-pop culture) items also make good souvenirs too. Speaking of K-Beauty, it is huge and costs a fraction of what it costs here in the States so stock up! And it is not just for the ladies. Men also take care of their skin. You'll find small boutique shops to major luxury brands in Seoul so shop to your heart's content.
TIME DIFFERENCE & FLIGHT TIME
Settle in for a long day. The flight is approximately 15 hours depending on where you are flying from. LIkley you will have one connection before that flight making it about an 18-hour day. Seoul is 14 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time so going in a day or two early will help with jet lag.
CLIMATE
South Korea has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons making it ideal for all types of travelers. Winters are usually cold and dry. Summers are hot and humid. Spring and autumn are pleasant and popular times to visit. Spring offers iconic Cherry Blossoms and autumn offers wonderful fall foliage colors in all their splendor.
Seoul's average maximum temperature in January is 35° Fahrenheit and in July the maximum daytime temperature is about 83° Fahrenheit.
ELECTRICITY
South Korea operates on 220 volts, 60 hertz, and requires plug type C or F which is two round prongs. You will need both a converter for appliances and adapters to fit the C and F outlets.
LANGUAGE
The official language of Korea is Korean, English is widely spoken in tourist areas but you may want a translation app for rural areas. Signs at the airport are in English and you will find this in shopping and dining locations. Download the Papago app for times when you have to translate.
CULTURAL NORMS AND ETIQUETTE
Respect is a big part of South Korean society and therefore there are many rules that show respect. Patience in line, quiet in the subway and on trains, accepting and giving gifts with two hands to name a few. Although changing a bit, public displays of affection, PDA, are frowned upon. This is a lengthy topic if you want to learn more about cultural norms and etiquette check out the blog dedicated specifically to this topic.
BEST WAY TO SEE SOUTH KOREA
There are many ways to see South Korea and how you see it depends on your travel style, comfort level in a foreign country, the amount of time you have, and your budget. As of the writing of this article, South Korea is a level 1 travel destination which is the safest classification from the US State Department.
Hotel Stay - With the exchange rate as it is, hotel stays are more reasonable. The heart of the city, of course, is more. Public transportation is on time and a great way to get around. Stay in Seoul and see the sites with day trips to areas nearby or book a night or two in other parts of the country like Busan. There is so much to see in Seoul and the surrounding area you could easily stay for two weeks. However, if you just want the must-see sites, allow at least 3 full days.
Cruise - There are a host of cruises that go to Japan with stops in Korea. The average range is from 7 -12 days for both Japan and South Korea to longer cruises that include a few other countries. Take just a cruise or take a cruise and add on time in Korea to immerse in the culture. The cruise will give you a taste of each city but immersion takes time. Popular cruise stops are Incheon (for Seoul), Busan, and Jeju Island. You will get 1-3 of these stops on many cruises.
Tour - Coach tours in South Korea are available with numerous suppliers. Many have it as an add-on to Japan. Most are ten days or more to allow time to experience the destination. The benefit to coach tours is that you can hit the must-see sights, you don't have to worry about driving, and some meals and unique experiences are included. I always recommend an extended stay before or after the tour to spend time exploring on your own.
There you have it, a brief rundown of things to know when considering South Korea as your next stop. Watch for articles about the must-see sites, palaces, museums, outdoor activities, and temple stays. Happy Travels!
At Vibrant Travel, we research, plan, and book vacations for busy travelers, couples, and groups looking for authentic experiences in Europe and beyond. We take the confusion of travel planning, the overwhelm of group organization, and hours of searching online off your plate and use our knowledge of the locations, vendors, and experiences to create a vacation you will love without the hassles, time, and stress of planning it yourself. Best of all we only work with vetted vendors who provide the highest quality services.
We specialize in select destinations that you might find on your bucket list; Ireland, Iceland, and Italy. But each year we create a group trip to bucket list destinations like Japan, Korea, Australia, Kenya, and South Africa to name a few.
The vacations we plan are the vacations we love to take ourselves so we can offer you experiences and places you may not have even considered but ones that will create memories that last forever.
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