South Korea
South Korea pairs the capital Seoul with the Silla monuments of Gyeongju and the volcanic island of Jeju.
South Korea covers the southern half of the Korean Peninsula and nearby islands, with North Korea lying beyond the Demilitarized Zone to the north. Seoul, the capital, anchors a metropolitan area of about 26 million people, roughly half the country's population. Visitors come for the modern city and its history: Seoul became the Joseon capital in 1392, and Gyeongju was the capital of the Silla kingdom, with monuments such as Hwangnyongsa, Seokguram and the Emille Bell.
Plan around the seasons. Spring runs roughly early March to early May, and autumn mid-September to late October; autumn is clear and dry. Summer is hot and humid, and most annual rain falls from June to September. Jeju Island lies about 100 km off the southern coast and is home to Hallasan, a dormant volcano and the country's highest point at 1,950 m. Incheon International Airport is the main gateway, and the KTX high-speed train links the major cities on the Gyeongbu line.
Five things to know before South Korea
- Check whether K-ETA applies to you
22 countries and regions, including the US, UK, Canada and Australia, are exempt until 31 December 2026; other visa-free passports apply on the official site before boarding. K-ETA explained
- Load a T-money card on day one
It covers the subway, buses and many taxis in Seoul and Busan. Buy it at a convenience store; many top-up machines take cash only.
- Download Naver Map or KakaoMap
Google Maps shows transit routes in Korea but gives poor walking and driving directions. The two local apps have English modes and are far more accurate.
- Book KTX seats ahead for weekends
Seoul to Busan takes about 2.5 hours. Friday evening and Sunday afternoon trains fill up, so reserve on Korail as soon as your dates are fixed. Busan
- Pick your Seoul base by subway line
Myeongdong suits a first trip, Hongdae the airport train and nights out, Jongno the palaces. The line matters more than the name. Where to stay in Seoul
South Korea travel guides
Practical guides from writers who live there.
Palaces, markets and where to base
Read the guideBusan travel guideBeaches and fish markets, 2.5 hours by KTX
Read the guideGyeongju travel guideSilla tombs and Bulguksa temple
Read the guideJeju travel guideHallasan, lava tubes and coast roads
Read the guideSeoraksan National ParkHiking, cable car and the best months
Read the guideVisa checkerEntry rules by passport, K-ETA included
Read the guideTrains and transportKTX, subways and airport links
Read the guidePhone and dataeSIMs for maps and messaging apps
Read the guide
Destinations in South Korea
CityGangneungExplore
CityGwangjuExplore
CityMokpoExplore
CitySeogwipoExplore
CityGyeongjuExplore
CityBusanExplore
CitySuwonExplore
CityJeonjuExplore
CityJeju CityExplore
CitySeoulExplore
CityDaeguExplore
CityIncheonExplore
CityPohangExplore
CityAndongExplore
CityYeosuExplore
CityTongyeongExplore
CitySokchoExplore
CityBoseongExplore
CityDamyangExplore
Hostel beds, cheap eats, buses and free sights.
- Bed a night
- ₩30,000
- Food
- ₩25,000
- Transport
- ₩5,000
- Sights
- Free
A 3-star room, casual restaurants, public transport and one paid sight a day.
- Bed a night
- ₩80,000
- Food
- ₩60,000
- Transport
- ₩15,000
- Sights
- ₩20,000
A 4-star room, good restaurants, taxis and a guided tour.
- Bed a night
- ₩150,000
- Food
- ₩120,000
- Transport
- ₩50,000
- Sights
- ₩80,000
When to go
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Best
- JanuaryPartly cloudy3 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh2°Low-5°Freezing, dryJanuaryPartly cloudy
- High
- 2°
- Low
- -5°
- Precipitation
- 19 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Freezing, dry
- FebruaryClear5 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh5°Low-3°Cold, clearFebruaryClear
- High
- 5°
- Low
- -3°
- Precipitation
- 25 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, clear
- MarchClear6 rainy daysHigh12°Low2°Thaw, dusty daysMarchClear
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 46 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Thaw, dusty days
- AprilClear7 rainy daysHigh18°Low8°Cherry blossomAprilClear
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 68 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cherry blossom
- MayClear8 rainy daysHigh23°Low13°Warm, clearMayClear
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 130 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, clear
- JunePartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh28°Low18°Humid, rain startsJunePartly cloudy
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 146 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Humid, rain starts
- JulyRain17 rainy daysHigh30°Low23°MonsoonJulyRain
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 349 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Monsoon
- AugustRain17 rainy daysHigh30°Low23°Hot, humidAugustRain
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 325 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, humid
- SeptemberRain10 rainy daysHigh26°Low19°Clearing, ChuseokSeptemberRain
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 172 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Clearing, Chuseok
- OctoberPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh20°Low11°Autumn colorOctoberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 85 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn color
- NovemberClear6 rainy daysHigh12°Low4°Crisp, quietNovemberClear
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 57 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Crisp, quiet
- DecemberPartly cloudy4 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh3°Low-4°Cold, lightsDecemberPartly cloudy
- High
- 3°
- Low
- -4°
- Precipitation
- 27 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, lights
Average daily high and low in Seoul, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in South Korea
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
10
- Feels like
- 7°
- Humidity
- 36%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 35%
Seoul
05:37 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today16°6°35%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 35%.
- Wed17°8°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 17°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu16°10°53%Thursday: Rain. High 16°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 53%.
- Fri12°3°8%Friday: Clear. High 12°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 8%.
- Sat6°-2°0%Saturday: Clear. High 6°, Low -2°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sun8°1°4%Sunday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Mon10°0°2%Monday: Clear. High 10°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 2%.
Updated 01:25 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 1,333 KRW
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Festivals by month
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- AprLotus Lantern FestivalSeoul
- MayGangneung DanojeGangneung
- JunSeoul Queer Culture FestivalSeoul
- JulPentaport Rock FestivalIncheonBoryeong Mud FestivalAcross South Korea
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
On tour in South Korea: Bruno Mars The Romantic Tour Goyang, May 21 – 30, 2027
Before you go to South Korea
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South Korea FAQ
How many days do I need in South Korea?
Five days covers Seoul and a day trip. With eight to ten you can add Busan and Gyeongju by KTX without rushing.
Is K-ETA a visa?
No. It is an online travel authorization for visa-free visitors, approved before you board. Some nationalities have been exempt for a set period, so check the official K-ETA site for yours before you fly.
Can I pay by card everywhere?
Almost. Foreign cards work in shops, cafés and taxis. Markets and some small restaurants prefer cash, and many T-money top-up machines only take notes.
When is the best time to visit South Korea?
April for cherry blossom and October for autumn color are the peaks. May and September are easier on crowds. Summer is hot and humid, with a rainy season from late June.
How do I get from Seoul to Busan?
By KTX in about 2.5 hours from Seoul Station to Busan Station, which is the fastest and most comfortable way. Express buses are slower but run often.