South Korea travel guide
South Korea fits a lot into a small area. You can walk the royal palaces of Seoul, soak up the sea and seafood of Busan, hike the granite peaks of Seoraksan and eat bibimbap in the hanok lanes of Jeonju. Temples, mountains and fast trains are never far apart, and food runs through every day, from market stalls to long shared tables of side dishes. Choosing between places is part of the fun. Seoul and its neighbours Suwon and Incheon cover heritage and city life, Gyeongju is the old Silla capital with its tombs and temples, and the east coast around Sokcho and Gangneung offers sea and mountains. Jeju is a volcanic island for slower days of walking, beaches and coastal food. Spring and autumn are the best seasons, with blossom in April and colour in October. The country suits first-time visitors, families, food lovers, walkers and anyone who likes well-organised travel alike. Plan your itinerary city by city with Zippy Trips.
Capital: Seoul.
Visa for Indian passport holders
E-visa, applied for online before you fly.
Before you go to South Korea
- Currency
- KRW ₩
- Emergency number
- 112
- Plug type
- Type C, F
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe
- Tipping
- Not expected
- Bargaining
- Not expected
- eSIM
- Available
- Card networks
- Visa, Mastercard, Amex
- ATM fees
- Won 3,500 per withdrawal
Cities in South Korea
- Seoul South Korea's vibrant capital — the largest metropolis, seamlessly blending ancient Joseon palaces with futuristic architecture,…
- Busan South Korea's second-largest city and principal port — famous for its beautiful sandy beaches, majestic mountains, fresh seafood, and the…
- Gyeongju Once the 1,000-year capital of the Silla Kingdom, Gyeongju is an open-air museum of royal tumuli, Buddhist temples, and stone pagodas.…
- Jeju Korea's largest island — a UNESCO triple-crown destination with volcanic craters, lava-tube caves, tangerine orchards, and black-sand…
- Incheon The international gateway to South Korea, home to the ultra-modern Incheon International Airport, a historic Chinese quarter dating to…
- Gangneung Host city of the 2018 Winter Olympics coastal venues. Famous for Gyeongpo Beach, Ojukheon heritage site, Chodang tofu village, and Korea's…
- Daejeon South Korea's science and technology capital, home to Daedeok Innopolis — a massive cluster of over 1,500 research institutes and…
- Gwangju The cultural and artistic soul of southwestern Korea, shaped by the landmark May 18th Democratic Uprising of 1980. Gwangju hosts the…
- Ulsan South Korea's industrial powerhouse on the southeastern coast, home to the world's largest automobile assembly plant (Hyundai Motor) and…
- Jeonju The culinary soul of Korea — birthplace of bibimbap and makgeolli. Jeonju Hanok Village with its 735 hanok houses is Korea's best-preserved…
- Daegu A major industrial hub historically known as the center of Korea's textile industry — today equally famous for traditional medicine…
- Suwon Home to the magnificent UNESCO-listed Hwaseong Fortress, a late-Joseon masterpiece of military architecture. Also a major technology hub…
- Sokcho Gateway to Seoraksan National Park — Korea's most dramatic mountain landscape of soaring granite peaks, alpine valleys, and Buddhist…
Frequently asked questions about South Korea
- Do Indian citizens need a visa for South Korea?
- E-visa, applied for online before you fly.
- What currency is used in South Korea?
- The currency in South Korea is the South Korean Won (₩). ₹1 is about 14 ₩.
- Can I use cards and ATMs in South Korea?
- Accepted card networks: Visa, Mastercard, Amex. Typical ATM fees: Won 3,500 per withdrawal. Decline dynamic currency conversion at ATMs and card machines.
- Should I tip in South Korea?
- Tipping in South Korea: not expected.
- Is tap water safe to drink in South Korea?
- Tap water is safe.
- What plug type does South Korea use?
- South Korea uses Type C, F plugs.
- What is the emergency number in South Korea?
- Emergency: 112. Police: 112. Ambulance: 119. Tourist helpline: 1330.
- Can I get a SIM or eSIM in South Korea?
- SIM and eSIM available in South Korea.
- What is the capital of South Korea?
- The capital of South Korea is Seoul. Time there: IST + 3 h 30 min.