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InternationalTravel.ai > Korea

Korea

Coastal Beaches

Best Season to Visit: Fall

Best Off-Peak Month to Visit: August

Famous For: K-pop culture, Buddhist temples, Korean BBQ, DMZ and Korean War history

Train Access: Yes (korail, seoul metropolitan subway, very safe)

Bus Service: Yes (Seoul Bus, Intercity Bus, relatively safe)

Tourist Visa: Most Western passport holders (US, UK, Canada, Australia, EU citizens) receive 90-day visa-free entry for tourism. Visitors must have a valid passport and return ticket. E-visas are not required for standard tourist visits from these countries.

South Korea spans from Seoul's ultramodern districts to Jeju Island's volcanic landscapes. Travelers visit the DMZ in Gyeonggi Province, hike Seoraksan National Park in Gangwon, and explore Busan's beaches and seafood markets on the southern coast. The Gyeongju region preserves Buddhist temples and ancient Silla Kingdom ruins. Visitors eat bibimbap, Korean BBQ, and street food in Myeongdong and Gangnam districts. The Jeonju Hanok Village features traditional wooden houses. Jeju Island offers black sand beaches, waterfalls, and the Hallasan volcano trek. Incheon's Chinatown and the DMZ Joint Security Area draw history-focused travelers. Winter sports happen in Pyeongchang and the Taebaek Mountains.

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Podcasts

Episode 8: Jake Barber - The Expat Finance Expert Returns

Jake Barber, the Founder and CEO of SJB Global, is a life-long expat and an expert in expat finance. Over the course of Expat Exchange's nearly 30 years online, there are few people we have met with as much lived experience and professional acumen as Jake. We were thrilled to welcome him back to the show and look forward to having him on again!

Episode 6: Jake Barber - Expat Finance Expert and Lifelong Expat

Jake Barber is an expat finance expert and the founder and principal of SJB Global. A lifelong expat currently living in Marbella, Spain, Jake has vast experience helping expats from the United States, the United Kingdom, and other countries manage their finances while living abroad. Get a primer on what you need to know both before and after you move abroad!

Planning Your Trip to Korea

Weather: Korea experiences four distinct seasons with cold, dry winters and warm, humid summers. Winter temperatures typically range from -5°C to 5°C (23°F to 41°F), with occasional snow, particularly in northern regions and mountainous areas. Summer temperatures average 20-30°C (68-86°F) with high humidity and occasional typhoons from July to September. Spring and autumn are mild and pleasant, making them popular seasons for outdoor activities.

Festivals: Busan International Film Festival, Seoul Lantern Festival, Jeonju International Film Festival, Boryeong Mud Festival

Best Destinations for Kids: Lotte World in Seoul features indoor theme park rides and an ice skating rink. Everland in Gyeonggi Province combines amusement park rides with a zoo and botanical gardens. The National Museum of Korea in Seoul has interactive exhibits and family programs.

Hidden Gem: Jirisan National Park in South Jeolla Province remains less crowded than Seoraksan, with 40+ peaks, mountain villages, and hiking trails connecting Gurye and Namwon. The region offers traditional temple stays and rural guesthouses without Seoul's tourist infrastructure.

Budget-Friendly Advice: Guesthouses (jjimjilbangs) and budget hotels cost 30,000-60,000 KRW per night. Meals at pojangmacha (street stalls) run 5,000-10,000 KRW; restaurant meals 8,000-15,000 KRW. Subway systems in Seoul, Busan, and Daegu cost 1,250-2,500 KRW per ride. Intercity buses and KTX trains connect regions affordably. Convenience stores (GS25, CU, Emart24) provide cheap snacks and meals.

Accessibility: Seoul's subway system has elevators and accessible cars on most lines; buses display real-time information. Accessible restrooms exist in major shopping centers and tourist sites. Steep temple stairs and rural mountain areas present barriers for mobility-limited travelers. Taxis are affordable and widely available as an alternative to public transport.

For the Solo Traveler: Solo travel is safe in Korea; violent crime against tourists is rare. Public transport is reliable and English signage appears in major cities and tourist areas. Seoul, Busan, and Jeju Island have established solo traveler communities and guesthouses. Women travelers report feeling secure, though late-night solo travel in unfamiliar neighborhoods warrants standard precautions. Hiking trails like Seoraksan and temple stays attract independent travelers.

Planning a 1 Week Stay: Start in Seoul (3 days) visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace, Myeongdong, and the DMZ. Travel to Busan (2 days) for beaches and seafood markets. End in Jeju Island (2 days) hiking Hallasan or exploring coastal cliffs. Use KTX trains for intercity connections.

Planning a 1 Month Stay: Spend 10 days in Seoul and surrounding Gyeonggi Province including the DMZ and Suwon Fortress. Allocate 8 days to Gangwon Province for Seoraksan hiking and Nami Island. Visit Busan and the southern coast for 7 days. Explore Jeonju's Hanok Village and Jirisan National Park for 5 days. End with 5 days on Jeju Island. This pacing avoids rushing and includes lesser-visited areas like Jirisan and rural Jeonju.

Delving into the Culture

Movies Set: Oldboy, My Sassy Girl, The Host, Train to Busan, Parasite

Popular Foods: Korean cuisine is known for its bold flavors and variety of dishes. Some of the most popular foods include kimchi, a fermented vegetable dish, usually made with cabbage; bulgogi, thinly sliced marinated beef grilled on a barbecue; bibimbap, a mixed rice dish with vegetables, meat, a fried egg, and spicy gochujang sauce; and Korean barbecue, where diners cook their own meat at the table. Popular desserts include patbingsu, a shaved ice dessert with sweet toppings, and hotteok, a sweet syrup-filled pancake.

Unusual Eats: Sannakji is a dish that consists of live octopus tentacles that are still wriggling when served, often seasoned with sesame oil and seeds. Hongeo is fermented skate fish that has a strong, ammonia-like odor, which can be challenging for those not accustomed to it.

Popular Sports: football, baseball, basketball, taekwondo, golf

Popular Teams: FC Seoul (football), Doosan Bears (baseball), Samsung Lions (baseball), Anyang KGC (basketball)

Cultural Faux Pas to Avoid: In South Korea, it is considered rude to leave your chopsticks sticking vertically out of a bowl of rice, as this resembles a ritual for the dead. It is also a faux pas to write someone's name in red ink, as this is traditionally associated with death. Additionally, when drinking with elders, it is polite to turn your head away and cover your mouth with your hand when taking a sip.