South Korea Travel Guide: Everything you need to know

Spring weather in South Korea 

Mid-March to Mid-June 
Spring (and autumn) are often the best times to visit. Often known as cherry blossom season, Spring is beautiful (and busy). Flowers are in bloom, the sun’s out, landscapes are green, and daily temperatures are around 8°C – 20°C. 

Because of the lovely weather, tourist attractions are busier, and hotel and flight prices tend to be more expensive.

Summer weather in South Korea 

Mid-June to end-August  
Summer heat takes hold from around the middle of June and lasts until the end of August. This is the hottest time to visit South Korea and air-conditioning will become your best friend. Temperatures range from 23°C – 30°C but often go higher.  

In August 2023, Korea experienced several days of +35°C degree weather. 

In Summer, it’s also the wettest and most humid time of the year, with monsoon rains making up half of South Koreas rainfall in just a few months. If you’re travelling to South Korea in the summer, bring light clothes, raincoats, and purchase an umbrella at a convenience store. 

Autumn weather in South Korea 

September – mid-November 
Autumn is one of the best times to visit South Korea. After a few warm days in September (between 19°C and 26°C), the temperature begins to cool. T-shirts are fine to wear all through the day but by the middle of October, you may want to think about packing extra layers.  

South Korea’s fall foliage is another highlight of this time of the year, turning the peninsula into a riot of reds, oranges, and bright yellows for several weeks in October and November. By the end of November, temperatures are as low as 4°C and 12°C.

Winter weather in South Korea 

Mid-December – mid-March 
Winter in South Korea is relatively dry and freezing cold with temperatures regularly in the minuses and sometimes as low as -15°C.  

If you’re travelling to South Korea in winter, you’ll likely see snow so bundling up is essential. More adventurous travellers can enjoy skiing and snowboarding in some of the provinces.  

In touristy areas, you’ll find road signs and store directories are mostly in English and Korean. In restaurants and cafes (in these areas too), there are often English menus. Almost all kiosks inside restaurants can be swapped over to English.  

Signs for the bathroom? Not always in English. And when you’re buying something from a convenience store, asking for directions, speaking to a taxi driver, or placing an order in a restaurant you’ll most commonly be spoken to in Korean.  

When you tap in to ride the Seoul metro, you’ll be charged: 1,400 KRW (£0.84 | $1.12 | ZAR 20) for the first 10km. A bus trip will set you back: 1,500 KRW (£0.90 | $1.20 | ZAR 21).

Estimated daily public transportation cost in Seoul

If you’re visiting more than one area a day and using various forms of public transportation between sites, you can expect to spend between 6,000 KRW – 8,000 KRW a day (£3.60 | $4.80 | ZAR 84 – £4.80 | $6.40 | ZAR 112).  

That depends on what you’re eating (of course) but it also depends on where you’re eating.

Cost of a meal at Korean restaurants in Seoul

If you’re eating out at a Korean restaurant, you’ll be spending between 8,000 KRW – 12,000 KRW (£4.80 | $6.40 | ZAR 112 – £7.20 | $9.60 | ZAR 168) per meal.  

Craving Western food?

If you’re looking for a sit-down meal from a Western restaurant in South Korea, expect to budget 14,000 KRW – 25,000 KRW (£8.40 | $11.20 | ZAR 196 – £15 | $20 | ZAR 350) per meal.

Fast food like Subway, Shake Shack, Pizza and the like are much cheaper: More in the range of eating at a Korean restaurant.

How much is street food in Seoul?

Street food items are priced between 2,500 KRW – 10,000 KRW (£1.50 | $2 | ZAR 35 – £6 | $8 | ZAR 140). And trips to the convenience store will cost you a few thousand won each time, too.  

I budgeted 45,000 KRW (£27 | $36 | ZAR 630) per person, per day for food in South Korea. That’s more than enough to eat your way through the city. It doesn’t take into account that you may want to visit a Korean café…

If you’re planning on visiting one of the almost 100,000 cafes in Seoul, you’ll spend anywhere between 6,500 KRW – 16,000 KRW (£3.90 | $5.20 | ZAR 91 – £9.60 | $12.80 | ZAR 224) per visit.  

How much does it cost to visit a cafe in South Korea?

A coffee from Starbucks or other coffee chains in Korea costs around 5,000 KRW.

At an independent café, expect to pay 6,000 KRW (£3.60 | $4.80 | ZAR 84) or more for the same thing. Desserts are usually around 6,000 – 10,000 (£3.60 | $4.80 | ZAR 84 – £6 | $8 | ZAR 140) each.  

16,000 KRW (£9.60 | $12.80 | ZAR 224) will cover one beverage and one dessert at most cafes.  

Remember if you’re visiting a café or two: You aren’t going to need 3 full meals a day. So, take that into account when planning your trip budget.  

Here’s my guide to 30+ unique cafes in Seoul, if you’re interested. Use code FOODIE for 25% off.

Examples of how much activities in Seoul cost:  

• Entry into one of the five palaces in Seoul is between 1,000 KRW – 3,000KRW (but free if you’re wearing Hanbok).  
• Renting a Hanbok costs between 10,000 KRW – 30,000 KRW (£6 | $8 | ZAR 140 – £18 | $24 | ZAR 420) depending on what accessories and add-ons you want.
  • Here’s a the place I went in Insadong, near Gyeongbok Palace.
• A trip to the observation deck of NSeoul Tower/ Namsan Tower is around 20,000 KRW (£12 | $16 | ZAR 280). Book now. 
• A colour analysis in Seoul can cost between 100,000 – 180,000 KRW (£60 | $80 | ZAR 1,400 – £108 | $144 | ZAR 2520)  
• If you’re planning on going to Nami Island – a return ticket on the ferry will cost 16,000 KRW (£9.60 | $12.80 | ZAR 224) or if you’re adventurous, the zipline to Nami Island will cost 50,000 KRW (£30 | $40 | ZAR 700)(with your ferry trip back included).  
  • I recommend travelling there yourself (I share how to get to Nami Island via public transport here) but there are also tours to Nami Island.
• Want to take photos at a photo booth in Seoul? That experience will start at 4,000 KRW (£2.40 | $3.20 | ZAR 56).

During all my time in Seoul, there were only two instances where I *had* to pay cash (besides the street food markets).

In both situations, the company didn’t accept non-Korean bank cards. Once at a nail salon and another time when I was getting my caricature drawn. Having some cash on hand while travelling is always advisable.  

Things to consider before booking accommodation:

Do you need free Wi-Fi? If you’re staying for a while, do you want a washing machine? Is free breakfast a must-have or are you planning to grab a quick bite at a coffee shop or convenience store? How do you feel about having to follow Koreas recycling rules? Are you planning to cook meals or eat out? How far is the walk from your accommodation to a subway line?

Etiquette you should know when travelling to South Korea

There is no tipping culture in South Korea.  

Tempted as you may be to tip people for good service, in Korea there is no tipping culture. Honestly, it can be confusing to some Koreans if you offer a tip. My rule: Unless there’s a tip jar, don’t offer one.  

Give and receive with two hands, please.  

If you’re receiving or passing items (especially money), it’s polite to use two hands or one hand, with the other hand supporting your elbow.  

Take off your shoes. 

Before you enter a building, café or temple (and definitely if you’re going to someone’s house), check if there are shoes at the door. It’s common to remove your shoes before entering. 

Don’t stick your chopsticks in your rice bowl. It’s a funeral ritual.  

Temple-dress code: 

If you’re planning to visit a temple in Korea, keep your shoulders and knees covered.  

Don’t write names in red. It’s a sign of death. 

Sort your garbage  

South Korea has pretty strict waste disposal rules. For this reason, you also won’t find trash cans while you’re out and about on the streets of Seoul.  

When throwing away your garbage in Korea, you’ll have to sort it into different categories including: Recyclables, food waste, and general waste.

In cafes and metro stations, adhere to the signs and in Airbnbs, check with your host if there are no waste disposal rules displayed (but they likely will be displayed). 

Etiquette for the metro in South Korea:  

Don’t sit in priority seats.  

Pink seats are reserved for pregnant women and there are four priority seats in the front and back of each subway car reserved for the elderly, disabled, for patients or people with young children. Don’t sit in them – even if they’re free/ the train is empty.  

Keep the volume down. 

Keep your voice down on the train and in buses. Loud conversations and phone calls are considered rude. If you want to watch a video or listen to music, use headphones.  

Join the queue.  

If you’re waiting to catch a train or bus in South Korea (and even when getting off), people form queues. This goes for busy cafes and restaurants, too. Join in, don’t cut in line. 

Follow the arrows.  

When you’re climbing stairs in the metro stations (and there will be a lot of stairs), follow the arrows so you’re walking on the correct side, to aid the flow of traffic. 

Etiquette for crossing streets in South Korea 

Wait for the green light at the crosswalk. 

In many countries, it’s okay to cross a street if there are no cars coming (even if the signal for pedestrians is red). In Korea, that’s not a thing. Even if there isn’t a single car on the road, it’s normal for Koreans to wait until the light turns green. When in Korea, do as the Koreans do.  

Don’t push the button below the crosswalk light.  

In some (maybe most?) countries, you can press the button on a traffic signal to prompt the pedestrian crossing light. In South Korea, the button on the traffic signal is for assistance (if you need help crossing the street) (for example, for blind people).  

Benefits of getting a SIM Card over Pocket Wi-Fi when travelling abroad

• You have the option to get a local number. This is useful because some restaurants and cafes require a number if you plan to book a table or hold your spot in a queue.  
  (I often get asked: Do you need a Korean number when you’re travelling in Korea? No. You can get by without one, but it’s easier to have one if you plan to visit trendy cafes, book hair and nail appointments or make reservations for workshops.) 
• You have the option (depending on the package) to make SMS’s/ Calls and receive them from back home. 
• You don’t need to carry an extra device around (namely, the pocket WiFi)

Drawbacks of getting a local SIM card when travelling abroad

• You’ll need an ‘unlocked’ phone to use a SIM card. If your phone is locked to a certain service provider/ carrier in your home country, you won’t be able to use a SIM card in a different country. 
• You’ll have to swap out your SIM card and store your primary SIM card in a safe place. 

Benefits of getting an E-SIM over Pocket Wi-Fi when travelling

• Most of the benefits are the same as a normal SIM card: You have the option to get a local number, have SMS and calling functionality, don’t need to carry an extra device and: 
• You don’t have to swap out your current SIM. The greatest benefit of an E-SIM is that it’s electronic. You can simply load the E-SIM onto your phone, configure the settings and off you go. 

Drawbacks of getting an E-SIM when travelling abroad

• You’ll need an ‘unlocked’ phone to use an E-SIM card. If your phone is locked to a certain service provider/ carrier in your home country, you won’t be able to use a SIM card in a different country. 
• E-SIMs, at least in Korea, cost more than a standard SIM or Pocket Wi-Fi device.

Benefits of getting Pocket WiFi over local SIM cards when travelling

• There’s no messing around with your SIM card 
• Pocket Wi-Fi can often connect to more than one device which is convenient if you’re travelling in a group or if you have multiple devices to connect. 

Drawbacks of getting a WiFi Device/ WiFi Egg when travelling abroad

• You’ll have to carry your Wi-Fi Egg/ Wi-Fi device with you. 
• If you rent a Wi-Fi device, you’ll have to return it. (Just a case of factoring that time into your travel day.) 
• You’re limited by battery life. The main reason people struggle with Pocket WiFi devices is due to the battery draining too quickly and them not having enough time to charge it before heading out again.

Transport cards allow you to catch buses, trains on the Seoul Metro, some ferries, and even taxis across South Korea (not just Seoul).  

These cards are easy to use (just tap them against card readers when entering metro stations/ climbing on busses) and can be recharged and topped up with Korean won when your balance is running low. 

Everything you need to know about a T-Money card:

• T-Money cards can be used across the whole country. 
• Price and pick-up: Purchase T-Money cards from convenience stores (they cost 4,000 – 7,000 KRW) (£2.40 | $3.20 | ZAR 56 – (£4.20 | $5.60 | ZAR 98).
• Top up your T-Money card in any metro station or convenience store.
• Benefits: T-Money cards never expire so if you come back to Korea (or should I say when you come back to Korea), you can use the same card. 
• You must use cash to top up your T-Money card.

Everything you need to know about Namane cards:

• Namane cards function like T-Money cards in that you can use them on buses and on the metro.
• What makes Namane Cards unique is that they can also be used as a normal Korean debit card – in all stores across the country.  
• You can top up the Namane card by card (with a small transaction free) or with cash (no transaction fee) and check your balances (split between transportation and normal spending) on the Namane app.  
• Another unique aspect of the Namane card is that you can customise what it looks like; loading your own image or design onto the card.
• Price of the Namane card: 7,000 KRW (£4.20 | $5.60 | ZAR 98).
• You can buy one when you arrive, from a kiosk in the CU, or book it online and design your card in advance.
• The drawback of a Namane Card: Unlike the T-Money card, which you can top-up at any convenience store or metro station, there are only specific spots where Namane kiosks are located.  

If you’re staying in a hotel that has a Namane kiosk in their lobby, and you’re worried about your debit card not working, it could be a good option for you. If you don’t have a kiosk nearby, my recommendation is to stick to a T-Money card. 

The Discover Seoul Pass acts as a transportation card 

I explain what the Discover Seoul Pass is, in the next section. When it comes to using the Seoul Pass as a transport card, it’s important to know you can use it before and after the pass duration. More on that below. 

You may have heard about the Seoul pass before. If not, I’ll catch you up: The Discover Seoul Pass functions as an admissions ticket (or gives you discounts) for 101 attractions in Seoul within 24, 48, or 72 hours.  

Another great feature of the Discover Seoul Pass is that it acts as a transport card too; allowing you to use on card for sightseeing and travelling on buses and in the metro (I talk more about how to use public transportation further down). Book the Seoul Pass here.

Will the Seoul Pass still work as a transportation card after it expires?

Yes! If you purchase a 24-hour Seoul Pass, it will still act as a transportation card for the rest of your trip in South Korea. 

If you plan to visit multiple Seoul attractions in quick succession, the Seoul Pass is a great option to save money while travelling.

The Korea Rail Pass (KR Pass) provides unlimited rides on almost all the trains operated by South Korea’s major railway provider KORAIL.  

If you’re planning to visit more than one area in South Korea (beyond Seoul) (for example: Busan or Daegu), consider getting the KR Pass – it covers 80 routes, over 600 stations and there are options for flexible or consecutive day travel.  

Take a look at the details/ book the KR Pass on Klook.

If your group is travelling on the Seoul Metro, everyone needs their own T-Money/ transportation card. But if you’re travelling by bus in Seoul, you can use one T-Money card – you’ll just have to ask the driver to charge you for however many passengers you have.

• Don’t sit on seats designated for pregnant woman (pink seats) or the four seats at the end of each carriage (those are priority seats for the elderly/ disabled).  
• Keep your volume down (this goes for all public transportation). And it includes the volume of your voice. It’s considered rude to speak loudly on public transportation in South Korea.

• Enter buses in South Korea at the front door. 
• Tap your T-money/ transportation card on the reader next to the bus driver.
• Move quickly to find your spot/ seat. One thing I wasn’t prepared for is how quickly bus drivers take off: They’ll start moving before you’re seated. 
• Often, the screen and spoken announcements about stops are only in Korean so I suggest keeping track of the route on your phone. NaverMap is great for this.  
• Before you reach your stop, press the red “Stop” button located in various parts of the bus. 
• Once you’ve pressed the “Stop” button, you can tap your T-Money card again on the card reader at the back door (near the middle of the bus). 
• You’ll notice most Koreans get ready to climb off the bus before the bus driver has come to a stop. Do as the Koreans do; gather your things and get ready to leave promptly. 

• Taxis are generally white or orange in South Korea.  
• There’s a display in the windscreen of all taxis in South Korea. In most parts of the world, red means no/ full/ busy but in South Korea, seeing a red sign that says “빈차” in a taxi means it’s available/ accepting rides. (Green signs mean taken and blue means not working/ not in operation.) 
• Simply raise your hand to hail a taxi off the street.  
• Have a Korean address ready. Most taxi drivers don’t speak a lot of English so have a Korean version of the address you’re going to ready to show them. 
• Payments can be done by cash, TMoney or debit cards at the end of your trip. 

N Seoul Tower (also commonly called Namsan Tower) is an iconic landmark and observation tower in the heart of Seoul, South Korea.

What is there to do at Namsan Tower?

• Take in the views of the cityscape, surrounding mountains and Han River.
• Eat at one of the 6 restaurants/ cafes at Namsan Tower.
• Send a postcard from the top observation deck.
• Add to the famous “Locks of Love”. You can purchase padlocks and a marker from the souvenir store and leave it among the thousands of other messages.
• At 15h00 each day, there is a Korean cultural performance in front of the tower.

Lotte World Tower is an architectural marvel, standing at 555 meters tall, making it the 6th tallest building in the world.

What is there to do at Lotte World Tower?

• Take in the incredible views of Seoul from the Lotte World Tower observation deck.
• After redeeming your ticket for the observation deck, you hop into the elevator for a minute-long ride to the 118th floor. Along the way, you watch an animated experience showing a time-lapse of the construction of Lotte Tower.
• On floor 120 – the Sky Terrace – you have the chance to stand outside and feel the breeze – hundreds of meters up in the air.
• There are a few cafes where you can grab a treat, too.

The views of Seoul from Hangang Park are beautiful.

What is there to do at the Han River Park?

• Rent a bicycle and cycle along the paths by the Han River.
• Take a ride on the swan boats.
• Get snacks from the nearby convenience store and have a picnic.
• Enjoy getting away from the hustle and bustle of the crowds in Seoul.
• Every evening 19h00 to 21h00, 10,000 lights on the Banpo River Bridge light up. There’s a 20-minute light and fountain show spanning the 1140m bridge. And the best view of the Rainbow Light show is right here: At Banpo Hangang Park. Shows are cancelled if it’s raining.

When it was originally constructed, Bongeunsa Temple (which used to be known as Gyeonseongsa Temple) was located near the Royal Tomb of King Seongjong. During Joseon King Myeongjong’s reign, it moved to its current spot: Just north of COEX mall.

This is a beautiful Buddhist Temple in Seoul, known for its colourful lanterns and calm scenery.

What is there to do at Bongeunsa Temple?

• Take in the views of the temple and enjoy the colourful lanterns.
• On the 9th day of the 8th month, of the Lunar Calendar, the Buddhist ceremony called Jeongdaebulsa is held, where monks march through the temple, carrying some of the 3,479 scriptures housed here on their heads.

• Gyeongbokgung Palace | 경복궁
  • Closed on Tuesdays. 3,000 KRW entry.
  • Its development marked the official change of Korea’s capital to Seoul.
  • The most beautiful and biggest. Also, the most visited.
• Changdeokgung Palace | 창덕궁
  • Closed on Mondays. 3,000 KRW entry.
  • Most well-preserved of all the palaces in Seoul.
  • Known for its ‘Secret Garden.’ Visits to the Secret Garden are strictly regulated but so worth it: It’s so beautiful. Prices for a garden tour are 8,000KRW on top of the entry fee.
  • Unlike the other palaces, with a set layout, Changdeokgung Palace was built to harmonise with nature so it feels totally different to the other palaces.
  • It’s been a UNESCO World Heritage sight since 1997.
• Changgyeonggung Palace | 창경궁
  • Closed on Mondays. 1,000 KRW entry.
  • The most unique aspect of this palace is the botanical garden, which was added by the Japanese during one of their occupations of the palace. They also added a zoo, but it’s no longer at the palace.
• Deoksugung Palace | 덕수궁
  • Closed on Mondays. 1,000 KRW entry.
  • Famous for its stone-wall road (you’ve probably seen it in a KDrama!)
  • The last King of Korea, Gojong, lived at Deoksugung in his later years. 
• Gyeonghuigung Palace | 경희궁
  • Closed on Monday (and 1 January). Free entry.
  • Only 1/3 of this palace has been restored.
  • This is the least-known of all five palaces in Seoul.
  • In times of emergency, Gyeonghuigung is where the king was moved to.

Read this before planning a trip to Seoul’s palaces:

• Entry into each palace ranges from free to 3,000KRW.
• If you’re wearing Hanbok (Korean traditional dress), you’ll get in free.
• On the last Wednesday of every month, entry to Seoul’s palaces is free too.
• On National Korean Holidays (guess what?) entry to the palaces is free as well.
• Especially at the most visited palaces: The further in you go, the less busy (and thus more beautiful) it gets. I promise!

• Bukchon Hanok Village | 북촌 한옥마을
  • Naver Map link.
  • Be a considerate traveller. These Hanoks are residential houses so, keep your volume down and don’t trespass.
  • You’ll find more than 900 Hanoks (traditional houses) in Bukchon Hanok Village, which date back to the Joseon Dynasty.
  • Nearby is Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changeokgung Palace, making this Hanok Village an easy one to add to a Seoul itinerary.
• Namsangol Hanok Village | 남산골한옥마을
  • NaverMap link.
  • Namsangol Hanok Village is a restored Korean village which opened in 1998. It’s located near Namsan Tower.
  • Here, you’ll find five restored hanoks (traditional Korean houses), a pavilion, a traditional garden and a stage.
  • The five hanok houses at Namsangol Hanok Village used to belong to aristocrats and government officials of the Joseon dynasty. They used to be located in different parts of the city but were rebuilt here (all but one uses the original materials from the hanok).