Armywanderers!! In this blog post we will share with you all the information you need when travelling to South Korea and what you will need to know when you get there. We will tell you the best websites to use when planning your trip and apps you should use when you get there.
Websites that also have apps available will have a * next to them.
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| BTS at Incheon Airport |
COVID INFORMATION:
Due to the ever changing rules, restrictions and laws, it’s best to check websites that are updated regularly. Check official government websites of the country you are flying from for travel notices, your country’s embassy website will have this information.
Here are some helpful websites:
Skyscanner South Korea Travel Restrictions - you can also check the travel restrictions for other countries on this website.
As of January 02, 2021 non-essential travel is not allowed, only business and students and returning Korean residents can actually travel to South Korea at this time. Everyone must quarantine for 14 days. Korean residents can do this at home but everyone else will quarantine at a government facility.
Here are a couple of blogs from Trazy explaining the process in detail. Before the pandemic Trazy was a great website to book almost everything you need for a trip to South Korea; SIM cards, portable WiFi, tickets to attractions and events. Now they are offering quarantine packages.
Visas:
Even without COVID travel restrictions, South Korea requires travelers from some countries to have a visa, this website will let you know if you need one:
It really depends on how you like to travel. South Korea does accommodate every type of traveler from budget to luxury.
This is a very useful website to plan your budget for your trip:
- Budget Your Trip - from personal experience, this is very accurate.
Money:
Exchange rates change daily, you can check them on this website, which also has an app.
To avoid banking fees from ATMs and/or from your own bank, it’s best to use an internet bank card or
a prepaid card. Here are some of the most popular ones,
though check double check because some of them may not be available in your home country.
Flights:
- Flying is the easiest way to travel to South Korea. Some of the best and most widely used airlines are Asiana Airlines and Korean Air. Most international airlines operate routes from other countries to South Korea as well.
Check out these websites to compare flights and prices for multiple airlines at the same time:
These websites can be used for all aspects of your trip from flights and accommodations to attractions, car rentals and travel insurance:
Accommodation:
There is a wide variety of places to stay when in South Korea, from high-end five star hotels to guesthouses to student hostels and of course, Airbnb. A unique experience is a templestay, where you can stay in a Buddhist temple. Each one of these offers a different experience. Hostels are obviously a cheap and cheerful experience where you will meet other like minded people because of the dorm style sleeping arrangements. Guesthouses are basically like bed & breakfasts, you will have a bit more privacy because of private rooms.
Domestic Travel:
South Korea has a technologically advanced transport network consisting of high-speed railways, highways, bus routes, ferry services, and air routes that crisscross the country. Most major cities in Korea have some kind of metro or subway system. The air route between Gimpo airport and Jeju is one of the busiest in the world.
Transportation cards can be used throughout South Korea on public transport and sometimes to actually pay for purchases in shops.
Tmoney cards can be divided into a basic Tmoney card, integrated cards, foreigner exclusive cards, customized card, and mobile Tmoney. Tmoney cards can be used as a transportation card as well as a method of payment at affiliated stores.
Cashbee card also functions as a transportation card and a method of payment at affiliated shopping centers and convenience stores.
Subways: Seoul, Busan, Daegu and Gwangju all have metros/subways and busses. Most major cities have some kind of metro/subway system.
Airlines:
Alternative Airlines - like Skyscanner for Korean domestic flights
Trains:
Buses:
Travel Insurance:
No matter where you travel you should always get travel insurance. There’s literally hundreds of travel insurance providers, shop around for the best policy for your needs. Here’s just some of the travel insurance websites:
South Korea is one of the most connected countries when it comes to WiFi coverage. But if you are worried about that you can rent portable WiFi, which can fit in your pocket or bag. You can buy a prepaid SIM card for your phone for however long you will be in the country.
Here’s a blog from Trazy that will give you all the information you need.
You will be able to use Whatsapp in South Korea but the most popular messaging apps are Kakao Talk and Line.
BT21 are Line Friends characters.
The first app you should download is of course Visit Korea
Klook is a great app to book experiences, events, attractions, festivals, spas, restaurants...
usually at a discount.
Navigation Apps:
Google and Apple maps are not accurate in South Korea due to their data
being kept on foreign servers South Korea doesn't allow them to update the info on the maps.
They are both several years out of date.
Though Google Maps is still useful to use to plan your trip, use it
mark the places you want to go to; cafes, bars, shops, museums etc. But you will need other
map apps to actually get around.
- Citymapper
- Naver Map - Google Play | App Store
- Kakao - Kakao has multiple useful apps. Their website has all of them in one place. Other useful Kakao apps are Kakao Metro, Kakao Bus and Kakao Taxi.
- Papago - Google Play | App Store
- Naver Dictionary - Google Play | App Store
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