South Korea first-time traveller guide

Seoul and Busan cover most first itineraries: palaces, markets and river parks in the capital, coastal food and hills in Busan. Spring and autumn are the comfortable windows; summers are muggy and wet. Entry requirements differ sharply by nationality — settle that first, then plan.

Visa-waiver nationalities generally need a K-ETA electronic travel authorisation approved before boarding, though temporary exemptions for some passports come and go. Chinese passport holders usually need a visa. Rules shift often — treat k-eta.go.kr and the Korea Visa Portal as the only sources of truth, and beware look-alike sites charging multiples of the official fee.

Verified against: K-ETA official portal and Korea Visa Portal

One T-money card runs subways, buses and convenience stores nationwide — buy it at any CU or GS25 and top up at station machines. Seoul Metro is bilingual-signed and dependable; AREX links Incheon airport to Seoul Station. Between cities, KTX high-speed rail beats driving; book seats on the Korail app.

Cards are accepted almost everywhere, but traditional markets and some older restaurants still prefer cash. Withdraw from KB or Shinhan branch ATMs, or 7-Eleven machines. Prices sit between Japan and Southeast Asia — a Seoul day of bibimbap and coffee runs above Bangkok, below Tokyo.

Prepaid SIMs and eSIMs from SKT, KT and LG U+ are sold at Incheon arrivals; eSIM via Airalo or Nomad activates the moment you land. Coverage is excellent nationwide, subways included. No VPN needed, and cafes rarely gate their Wi-Fi.

K-ETA can take days to clear — apply well before departure, never through third-party resellers. Waste sorting is enforced; ask your host which bags to buy. Several palaces and museums close Mondays, so do not stack them on one day. Late-night taxis take cards, but glance at the meter.