Since it’s rocky beginnings after the Korean War ended, South Korea has become a powerhouse in Asia and is now the 5th largest city in the world. Rising steadily in popularity over the last few years, more and more visitors are heading to Seoul each year to experience the unique country that is South Korea.
When To Visit: During the shoulder seasons of Spring and Autumn are widely considered the best time to visit Seoul. Around May South Korea starts seeing beautiful cherry blossoms, breathing life into the whole city.
Summer time in South Korea can be hot and humid with flash flooding and lots of rain, while winter time is extremely cold with snow and ice a regular occurance.
Language: The official language of South Korea is Korean. Even in popular areas you many locals only speak Korean and there is a little bit of a language barrier. It’s a good idea to learn a few basic phrases to help you out with ordering food.
International Airport: The main airport in South Korea is Incheon International Airport (ICN). It’s about 45 minutes away from the city of Seoul and is one of the largest and busiest airports in the whole world!
The busiest air route in the whole world actually runs in South Korea, between Seoul and Jeju. There’s a flight between the cities every 15 minutes – which means 250 flights every single day and about 65,000 flights a year!
Capital City: Seoul
Time Zone: South Korea follows the Korean Standard Time Zone GMT + 9.
Currency: The currency in Japan is South Korean Won KRW. At that time of writing, $1AUD converts to 821 KRW, $1USD converts to 1,185 KRW and £1GBP converts to 1,504 KRW.
Credit Cards & ATMs: Credit and debit cards are widely accepted all over South Korea and ATMs are accessible everywhere. You’re able to get cash out from the ATMs if you need it, but generally cash is only required if you’re at a market or a smaller local restaurant.
Driving: Always drive on the right side of the road in South Korea.
Power: In South Korea the power plugs and sockets are of type C and F. The standard voltage is 220 V and the standard frequency is 60 Hz.
Internet Access: High speed wifi is available all over South Korea, including in hotels, restaurants and cafes, shops and main streets, as well as in every train station. There are very few places in the cities of South Korea where you can’t easily access the internet, although it might be a little more difficult if you travel to remote locations.
Visa Requirements: Visas are not required to enter South Korea for stays of under 90 days for anyone travelling with a passport from Australia, USA, all European Union countries and more. Make sure you check the visa requirements for your nationality before you go.
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