South Korea travel guide (2026)

Seoul anchors a country where Busan, Gyeongju and Jeonju are all a couple of hours away by high speed rail. City transit is dense and a lot of the country runs late, so a packed itinerary is realistic. It is safe, and transport signage is thoroughly multilingual.

Last checked September 2026

Suggested length: 4-6 nights recommended
Budget guide: About KRW 500,000-1,000,000 per person (excluding flights, 3-star hotel and local meals)

When to go

April-May and September-October are the most comfortable for both temperature and humidity. July and August are hot and humid, with the rainy season and typhoons on top. December to February drops below freezing in Seoul. Cherry blossom in early April and autumn colour in late October are short and shift by region and year, so check that season's forecast before fixing dates.

Getting between cities

High speed rail (KTX and SRT) links the cities. Seoul to Busan is about 2 hours 20 minutes and roughly KRW 59,800 in standard class. From 15 May 2026, KTX and SRT run through services and KTX fares departing Suseo dropped about 10%. In town, a single T-money card covers subway, bus and taxi, and transfer discounts apply automatically.

What each region is for

The palaces and Bukchon in Seoul, Haeundae and the Gamcheon village in Busan, the Silla sites at Gyeongju, the hanok quarter in Jeonju, and Jeju's volcanic landscape. Busan and Gyeongju are two hours from Seoul, so one travel day changes region entirely.

Food and eating culture

Each region has its own dish. Seoul offers the widest range of eating out, Busan means milmyeon and pork soup, Jeonju bibimbap and bean sprout soup, and Jeju black pork and seafood. Side dishes come with the meal, and solo dining has become easy to find.

Before you go

Do I need a K-ETA to enter Korea?

It depends on your passport. The K-ETA exemption has been extended through 31 December 2026 and covers 67 countries and regions, including the US, Canada, the UK, Australia and most EU member states — those travellers enter with no prior application, just normal immigration. If your nationality is not on the list, apply for a K-ETA before departure. The list is revised, so confirm on the official K-ETA site against your own passport.

How do I book high speed rail, and will a foreign card work?

KTX is booked through Korail and SRT through SR. Foreign-issued cards are frequently rejected at the 3D Secure step on the official sites, and a Korean phone number is sometimes required. If a foreign card is all you have, use Korail's channel for overseas visitors, a reseller platform, or simply buy at the station counter. Outside holidays and peak season, same-day counter purchase is usually fine.

How long and how much is Seoul to Busan?

About 2 hours 20 minutes on KTX, roughly KRW 59,800 in standard class; discounted fares can fall to the mid-30,000s. Since 15 May 2026, KTX-SRT through service cut KTX fares departing Suseo by about 10%, so compare Suseo alongside Seoul and Yongsan rather than assuming the main stations are cheapest.

Do I need a T-money card?

It makes everything easier. One card covers the subway, city and neighbourhood buses and taxis, and transfer discounts between subway and bus apply automatically. Buy one at any convenience store and top it up with cash. Tapping a foreign contactless card at the gate is supported unevenly by line and region, so T-money remains the reliable option for visitors.

How much cash do I need, and where do I change money?

Cards work almost everywhere, and even street vendors increasingly take cards or bank transfer, so cash rarely comes up. KRW 100,000 per person is plenty. Money changers in Myeongdong and Itaewon beat airport rates, and withdrawing from a city bank ATM with a foreign card is straightforward.

When is the best time to visit Korea?

April-May and September-October are the most comfortable. July and August combine heat and humidity with the late-June to July rainy season and August-September typhoons. December to February is below freezing in Seoul and needs proper winter clothing, though it is low season and suits skiing or an indoor-weighted itinerary. Cherry blossom and autumn colour are brief and move year to year, so plan against that season's forecast.

Cities in South Korea

Pick a city and its sights, transit and costs sit on one page.

Seoul travel guide

Capital of the 600-year Joseon dynasty and the heart of Korea. Royal palaces like Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung and the Bukchon Hanok Village survive among the skyscrapers, while the Han River, Namsan and endless alley cafés and eateries make this the city where tradition and modernity blend most intensely.

Seoul trip cost