South Korea
Dynamic Korea — K-culture, street food, and ancient palaces
Currency
₩
KRW
South Korean Won
KRW
Cashless Payments
9 / 10
Highly cashless-friendly
South Korea is one of the most cashless societies in the world. Credit and debit cards are accepted virtually everywhere — from convenience stores to street food vendors. Samsung Pay and KakaoPay are dominant mobile payment methods. Many buses and subways accept contactless cards. Cash is rarely needed except at some traditional markets.
Cash Advice
Bills (₩1,000, ₩5,000, ₩10,000, ₩50,000) and coins (₩10, ₩50, ₩100, ₩500). South Korea is highly cashless — credit cards and mobile payments are accepted almost everywhere. Cash is mainly needed at traditional markets and small street food stalls.
Daily Budget Guide
Meals & Transportation only — excludes accommodation · Prices in KRW
₩20,000–₩35,000
≈ $15–$25 USD
Kimbap shops and convenience store meals (₩3,000–₩6,000 per meal). Subway and bus with T-money card (~₩3,000–₩5,000/day).
₩50,000–₩85,000
≈ $35–$60 USD
Korean BBQ, bibimbap restaurants, and cafes (₩10,000–₩20,000 per meal). Mix of subway and KakaoTaxi rides.
₩140,000+
≈ $100+ USD
Fine dining and Michelin-starred restaurants (₩50,000–₩150,000+ per meal). KTX travel and private transfers.
Tipping Guide
ℹ️ Tipping is not a common practice here. Service charges are usually included in the bill.
Restaurants
Tipping is not practiced and not expected. Service is included in the price. Leaving money on the table may cause confusion.
Hotels
Tipping is not customary at Korean hotels. Bellhops and housekeeping do not expect tips.
Taxis / Drivers
Do not tip taxi drivers. Fares are metered. Rounding up is not expected.
Visa Requirements
Select your passport to view visa requirements.
Official Links
🔒Always verify you are on official government domains (.gov). Be cautious of third-party sites charging fees for free government services.
- 🔗Visa Information
Korea Immigration Service — official visa application and requirements portal
- 🔗Korea Tourism Organization
Official tourism board with travel guides, events, and practical information
- 🔗K-ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization)
Apply for K-ETA pre-travel authorization (required for some visa-exempt nationalities)
- 🔗Customs & Prohibited Items
Korea Customs Service — what you can and cannot bring into South Korea
Rules & Restrictions
⚠️ Always verify current laws before travel. Laws can change and penalties vary.
⚖️Legal
- Drug laws are very strict. Possession of marijuana or other controlled substances can result in imprisonment of up to 5 years, even for small amounts.
- Smoking is prohibited in all indoor public spaces, restaurants, bars, and within 10 meters of building entrances. Designated outdoor smoking areas are marked.
- Photographing military installations is prohibited. Be careful near the DMZ and military bases.
🎭Cultural
- Remove shoes before entering homes, temples, and some traditional restaurants. Look for shoe racks at the entrance.
- Use both hands or your right hand supported by the left when giving or receiving items, especially from elders. This shows respect.
- Bowing is the standard greeting. A slight bow of the head is sufficient for casual interactions.
- Do not write someone's name in red ink — it is associated with death in Korean culture.
🏥Health
- Tap water is safe to drink in South Korea, though many locals prefer filtered or bottled water.
Apps & Getting Around
Seoul has an excellent subway system — one of the world's best. The Seoul Metro covers the entire city and connects to surrounding areas. Buy a T-money card at any convenience store for tap-and-go on subways, buses, and even taxis. The KTX (Korea Train Express) connects Seoul to Busan in about 2.5 hours. Intercity buses are comfortable and affordable. Taxis are clean, metered, and relatively cheap. KakaoTaxi is the standard ride-hailing app.
Navigation
- KakaoMapNavigation✅ Foreigner-friendly
The most accurate map app for South Korea — better than Google Maps for local navigation, bus routes, and walking directions.
- Naver MapNavigation✅ Foreigner-friendly
Korea's other major map app. Excellent for finding restaurants, cafes, and transit routes. English support available.
Food
- Yogiyo / BaeminFood⚠️ Locals mainlyRequires local SIM
Korea's top food delivery apps. Require a Korean phone number to register. Not practical for short-term tourists.
Transport
- KakaoTaxiTransport✅ Foreigner-friendly
Korea's dominant ride-hailing app. Works with international cards. Available in English.
- T-money (card/app)Transport✅ Foreigner-friendly
Rechargeable transit card for subway, buses, and taxis. Buy at convenience stores or airport. Can also be added to Samsung Pay.
Public Holidays 2026
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Power & Plugs
Type
Type C
Voltage
220V
Frequency
60Hz
Type
Type F
Voltage
220V
Frequency
60Hz
SIM Card Guide
Typical price range
₩20,000–₩40,000 (approx. USD $15–$30) for a 5–10 day data SIM
KT (Korea Telecom)
Tourist SIM available at Incheon Airport. 5-day to 30-day data plans. Best nationwide coverage.
SK Telecom
Prepaid tourist SIM at airports and convenience stores. Unlimited data plans available.
LG U+
Tourist SIM with competitive data rates. Available at airport counters.
Suggested Attractions
Gyeongbokgung Palace (Seoul)
Grand Joseon dynasty palace. Free entry if wearing hanbok (traditional Korean dress, rentable nearby for ~$10–$15).
N Seoul Tower (Namsan Tower)
Iconic tower with panoramic views of Seoul. Cable car ride up Namsan Mountain is extra.
Lotte World (Seoul)
Indoor and outdoor theme park in Jamsil. One of the world's largest indoor amusement parks.
DMZ Tour (Demilitarized Zone)
Visit the border between North and South Korea. Must book through an authorized tour operator.
Bukchon Hanok Village (Seoul)
Traditional Korean village with 600-year-old hanok houses. Free to walk through — be respectful of residents.
Jeju Island (Hallasan Mountain)
UNESCO World Heritage volcanic island. Hallasan hiking is free. Domestic flights from Seoul are ~$50–$80.