South Korea
South Korea moves fast: Seoul's palaces, neon districts and late-night food culture sit alongside Buddhist temples in the hills, Gyeongju's royal tombs and Busan's seafood markets and beaches. Jeju Island adds volcanic coast and hiking. KTX bullet trains link Seoul and Busan in under three hours, making a two-week trip easy without a car.
Overview
South Korea fits Joseon palaces, Silla tombs, mountain temples and one of the world's most wired societies into a country smaller than England. A first trip typically starts with four or five days in Seoul for the palaces, Bukchon's hanok houses, markets and a trip towards the DMZ, then takes the KTX south-east to Gyeongju, the former Silla capital, and on to Busan. Jeju, an hour's flight from Seoul, adds volcanic craters, lava tubes and the Olle coastal trails. Temple stays, hanok guesthouses and the Seoraksan mountains reward extra days.
Costs are moderate: Seoul hotels approach European prices, but food, transport and entry fees are cheap, and the subway and buses are spotless and simple to use with a T-money card. Koreans can seem reserved with strangers but are very helpful, and English signage is good in cities, less so in the countryside. Spring blossom and autumn foliage draw big domestic crowds, and the summer monsoon (late June to July) gives way to a hot, sticky August. It suits food lovers, city-breakers, hikers, K-culture fans and first-timers to Asia looking for an easy, efficient introduction.
Map of South Korea
Top 5 highlights
- 1History
Gyeongbokgung and Bukchon
The largest of Seoul's Joseon palaces, founded in 1395 and largely rebuilt after demolition in the Japanese colonial era. Watch the gate guard ceremony, then wander Bukchon's hanok lanes; visitors wearing hanbok enter the palace free.
- 2History
Gyeongju
Capital of the Silla kingdom for nearly a thousand years, scattered with grassy royal burial mounds and the Cheomseongdae observatory, while the hills hold Bulguksa Temple and the Seokguram grotto Buddha, both UNESCO-listed.
- 3Nature
Jeju Island
A volcanic island an hour's flight from Seoul: climb Hallasan, South Korea's highest peak at 1,947 m, watch sunrise from the Seongsan Ilchulbong crater, walk the Olle trails and see the haenyeo women divers at work.
- 4Nature
Seoraksan National Park
Granite peaks, maple-red valleys in October and Sinheungsa temple's giant bronze Buddha, near Sokcho on the east coast. A cable car climbs to the Gwongeumseong fortress ruins; tougher trails reach Daecheongbong at 1,708 m.
- 5Sacred site
Haeinsa Temple
A mountain temple in Gayasan National Park housing the Tripitaka Koreana, more than 80,000 13th-century woodblocks of Buddhist scripture. It is one of the best places for an overnight templestay with the monks.
Biggest cities
Seoul
A capital of five Joseon palaces, hanok lanes and mountain hikes within the city limits, with districts ranging from Hongdae's live music to Gangnam's malls; give it at least four days.
Busan
Korea's great port city mixes beaches at Haeundae and Gwangalli, the Jagalchi fish market, the hillside Gamcheon Culture Village and the seaside Haedong Yonggungsa temple.
Daegu
A hot inland city known for Seomun Market's night stalls, the early-20th-century missionary houses on Cheongna Hill and the Kim Kwang-seok mural lane; Haeinsa temple is an easy bus trip away.
Seoul's figure is for the Seoul Capital Area, which takes in Incheon (about 3 million people, including Korea's oldest Chinatown) and Gyeonggi province; the city proper has about 9.4 million. Busan and Daegu are city populations.
When to go to South Korea
Best time: Apr–May, Sep–Nov.
Average climate in Seoul
Festivals & events
- Mar–AprJinhae Gunhangje Festival
Korea's biggest cherry-blossom festival fills the naval port of Jinhae, in Changwon, with hundreds of thousands of trees in bloom; Seoul's Yeouido and Seokchon Lake follow within days.
- MayLotus Lantern Festival
Before Buddha's Birthday, a parade of glowing lanterns flows through central Seoul to Jogyesa temple, a UNESCO-listed tradition, while temples nationwide hang lanterns in their courtyards.
- JulBoryeong Mud Festival
A summer festival of mud slides, mud wrestling and pools on Daecheon Beach, using mineral-rich mud from the Boryeong tidal flats; hugely popular with foreigners and young Koreans.
How much does South Korea cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Bibimbap
Rice topped with seasoned vegetables, gochujang chilli paste, a fried egg and often beef; order the dolsot version, served sizzling in a hot stone bowl.
Samgyeopsal
Thick slices of pork belly grilled at the table, wrapped in lettuce with garlic, ssamjang paste and kimchi; best shared with friends and soju.
Kimchi jjigae
A bubbling stew of well-fermented kimchi, pork and tofu, the everyday comfort food served with rice in cheap restaurants across the country.
Getting around
KTX high-speed trains link Seoul with Busan, Daegu, Gyeongju, Jeonju and Gangneung, and express buses reach almost everywhere else cheaply. Seoul and Busan have excellent metros, and a T-money card works on metros, buses and most taxis nationwide. Domestic flights serve Jeju from most cities. Naver Map and KakaoMap are far more detailed than Google Maps in Korea, and Kakao T is the main taxi app.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- CF220V — bring a UK-to-C/F adapter
- Emergency numbers
- Ambulance: 119
- Fire: 119
- Police: 112
- Dasan Call Centre (+82 2 120) – available 9am to 6pm Monday-Friday
- Danuri Call Centre (1577 1366) – available 24/7
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +82
- Time zone
- UTC+9 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Generally safe to drink
- Driving
- On the right
- Tipping
- Not part of Korean culture and can cause confusion; prices include service, though some upmarket hotels add a service charge to the bill.
- Etiquette
- Bow slightly when greeting, give and receive things with both hands, and pour drinks for others rather than yourself. Remove shoes indoors, and never stand chopsticks upright in rice.
- Main airports
- Incheon International Airport (ICN), Seoul; Gimhae International Airport (PUS), Busan; Jeju International Airport (CJU), Jeju
Visas & entry for South Korea
Shown for a British passport.
Apply online before you go (travel authorisation)
You can enter South Korea for up to 90 days for short-term business or tourism. You must have an onward or return ticket. It’s illegal to be employed in South Korea while visiting visa-free, whether as a teacher or in any other capacity.
South Korea operates an electronic travel authorisation system called K-ETA. Anyone eligible for visa-free entry to South Korea is usually required to get K-ETA approval before departure. However, British nationals travelling visa-free to South Korea are temporarily exempt from requiring a K-ETA until December 31, 2026. Further information about the K-ETA exemption can be found on the K-ETA notice board.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Tetanus
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- Hepatitis BJapanese encephalitisRabiesTuberculosis
- Yellow fever certificate
- No yellow fever certificate is required to enter.
- Malaria
- Very low risk of malaria
- There is a very low risk of malaria in the northern areas of South Korea, in Gangwon-do and Gyeonggi-do Provinces, and Incheon City, near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in South Korea
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| Sat 6 Feb 2027 | The day preceding Korean New Year |
| Sun 7 Feb 2027 | Korean New Year |
| Mon 8 Feb 2027 | The second day of Korean New Year |
| Tue 9 Feb 2027 | Alternative holiday for Korean New Year |
| Mon 1 Mar 2027 | Independence Movement Day |
| Sat 1 May 2027 | Labour Day |
| Mon 3 May 2027 | Alternative holiday for Labour Day |
| Wed 5 May 2027 | Children's Day |
| Thu 13 May 2027 | Buddha's Birthday |
| Sun 6 Jun 2027 | Memorial Day |
| Sat 17 Jul 2027 | Constitution Day |
| Mon 19 Jul 2027 | Alternative holiday for Constitution Day |
| Sun 15 Aug 2027 | Liberation Day |
| Mon 16 Aug 2027 | Alternative holiday for Liberation Day |
| Tue 14 Sep 2027 | The day preceding Chuseok |
| Wed 15 Sep 2027 | Chuseok |
| Thu 16 Sep 2027 | The second day of Chuseok |
| Sun 3 Oct 2027 | National Foundation Day |
| Mon 4 Oct 2027 | Alternative holiday for National Foundation Day |
| Sat 9 Oct 2027 | Hangul Day |
| Mon 11 Oct 2027 | Alternative holiday for Hangul Day |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Useful phrases in Korean
| English | Korean | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | 안녕하세요 | an-nyeong-ha-SEH-yo |
| Thank you | 감사합니다 | kam-sa-ham-NEE-da |
| Please | 주세요 | JOO-seh-yo |
| Excuse me | 실례합니다 | shil-leh-ham-NEE-da |
| How much is this? | 이거 얼마예요? | ee-guh UL-ma-yeh-yo |
Know before you go
- Download Naver Map or KakaoMap, plus Papago for translation, before you arrive; they remain far more reliable than Google Maps for walking, driving and public transport directions in South Korea.
- Buy a T-money card at any convenience store or station; it covers subways, buses and most taxis, but top-ups are usually cash only, so keep some won handy.
- Book hotels early for cherry-blossom season in early April, autumn foliage in October, and around Chuseok and Lunar New Year, when much of the country travels at once.
South Korea travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit South Korea?
The best time to visit South Korea is generally Apr–May, Sep–Nov. Peak months are April, May, September, October and November. Average highs in Seoul range from 2°C to 30°C across the year.
How much does a trip to South Korea cost per day?
Roughly £50 a day on a tight budget, £110 mid-range and £240+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in South Korea?
South Korean won (KRW).
What plug type does South Korea use?
Type C and F sockets at 220V. UK visitors need a travel adapter — UK Type G plugs will not fit.
Which side of the road do they drive on in South Korea?
Traffic drives on the right in South Korea, unlike the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in South Korea?
Generally safe to drink.
Do I need a visa for South Korea?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: You can enter South Korea for up to 90 days for short-term business or tourism. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for South Korea before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/south-korea/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for South Korea?
TravelHealthPro recommends Tetanus for most travellers, with Hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis, Rabies and Tuberculosis sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
