South Korea

South Korea doesn’t get the attention that Japan and Thailand get from Western travellers, and that’s exactly why it’s worth going. The food is extraordinary. Not just Korean BBQ (though that’s incredible), but the entire food culture. Street food stalls on every corner. Banchan (the little side dishes that come free with every meal). Bibimbap. Tteokbokki. Fried chicken that’s better than anywhere else on earth. And you can eat until you’re uncomfortable for $5-10 a meal.

Beyond the food, Seoul is one of the most dynamic cities in Asia. Ancient palaces next to futuristic skyscrapers. Night markets that run until 2am. A cafe culture that’s more intense than Melbourne or Portland. And the internet is the fastest in the world, with free WiFi so reliable you’ll wonder why the rest of the planet can’t manage it.

Outside Seoul, there’s Busan (beaches, seafood, colourful villages), Jeju Island (volcanic landscapes and hiking), and a countryside full of temples, hot springs, and small towns that feel untouched by tourism.

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When to go

March to May (spring) and September to November (autumn) are the best times. Spring brings cherry blossoms (late March to mid-April) and comfortable temperatures. Autumn brings stunning foliage (October to November) and clear skies. Both seasons have mild weather perfect for walking and hiking.

Summer (June to August) is hot, humid, and rainy. Monsoon season peaks in July. Seoul hits 35C+ with high humidity. Beaches in Busan are packed. Not ideal unless you specifically want a beach holiday.

Winter (December to February) is cold. Properly cold. Seoul drops to -10C regularly. But if you like winter, the ski resorts are good, the hot springs (jimjilbangs) are at their coziest, and the food (Korean stews, hotpots) is at its most satisfying. Accommodation is cheap in winter.

What it actually costs

South Korea is excellent value for a developed East Asian country. Cheaper than Japan for most things, significantly cheaper for food. All prices in USD.

Budget ($40-60 USD/day per person) Guesthouses or jimjilbang (public bath/sauna, about $8-12 to sleep overnight), street food and local restaurants ($3-8 per meal), metro ($1-2 per ride), free palace visits (Gyeongbokgung is free if you wear a hanbok, which you can rent for $10-15).

Mid-range ($60-150 USD/day per person) Hotel ($50-100/night for a double), Korean BBQ dinners ($15-25 for two), mix of metro and taxis, a few paid attractions, day trips by KTX train.

Comfortable ($150-280+ USD/day per person) Boutique hanok (traditional house) hotels, private temple stays, high-end Korean BBQ, KTX first class, guided DMZ tours.

Food is where Korea destroys your expectations on budget. A bowl of bibimbap at a local restaurant costs $5-7. A massive serving of fried chicken with beer costs $10-15 for two. Street food tteokbokki costs $2. And banchan (the 5-10 side dishes that come with every meal) are always free and always refillable. You cannot eat badly in Korea if you eat where locals eat.

Flights from within Asia are cheap ($100-250 return from most regional cities). From North America $500-900. From Europe $400-800. From Oceania $400-700. Incheon Airport (ICN) is one of the best airports in the world and a major hub.

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Where to go

Seoul (4-5 days). Gyeongbokgung Palace (free in hanbok), Bukchon Hanok Village (traditional houses), Myeongdong for shopping and street food, Hongdae for nightlife and indie culture, Gangnam for the other side of Seoul, Itaewon for international food and bars, Namsan Tower for city views, and Gwangjang Market for the best street food in the country. Seoul is huge but the metro makes everything accessible.

Busan (2-3 days). Korea’s second city on the southeast coast. Haeundae Beach, Gamcheon Culture Village (the “Santorini of Korea” with its colourful houses), Jagalchi Fish Market (the biggest in the country), Haedong Yonggungsa Temple (a temple on a cliff over the ocean), and BIFF Square for street food. 2.5 hours from Seoul by KTX train.

Jeju Island (3-4 days). A volcanic island off the south coast. Hallasan (the highest mountain in South Korea, hikeable in a day), the Olle walking trails along the coast, lava tube caves, tangerine orchards, and beaches. Jeju has its own food culture including black pork and abalone. Cheap flights from Seoul (1 hour, $30-60 one-way).

DMZ (day trip from Seoul). The Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea. You must go with an organised tour (book 2-3 days ahead). The Joint Security Area (JSA) where you can technically step into North Korea is the highlight. Surreal, tense, and fascinating. About $50-80 per person.

Gyeongju (1-2 days). The ancient capital of the Silla Dynasty. Tombs, temples, ruins, and museums packed into a small city. Often called “the museum without walls.” Easy day trip from Busan by bus (1 hour).

Temple stays. Many Buddhist temples across Korea offer overnight stays where you join the monks for meditation, tea ceremonies, and communal meals. Haeinsa and Golgulsa are popular choices. $40-60 per night including meals and activities. A genuinely unique experience.

What to skip

Myeongdong for actual shopping. It’s all K-beauty stores and chain shops at tourist prices. The same products are cheaper in Olive Young stores in any neighbourhood or in underground shopping malls near metro stations.

The Trick Eye Museum. There are several “trick art” museums in Seoul. They’re fine for kids but not worth the time or money for adults. The city itself has far more interesting things to see.

Itaewon for Korean food. It’s the international district. Great for Western food when you need a break, but for Korean food you’re better off in literally any other neighbourhood.

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Must-do experiences

Korean BBQ dinner. Sit at a table with a built-in grill, order pork belly (samgyeopsal) or marinated beef (bulgogi), and cook it yourself with endless side dishes. Wrap the meat in lettuce with garlic, ssamjang (paste), and kimchi. $10-20 per person at a good local spot.

Eat your way through Gwangjang Market in Seoul. Korea’s oldest market. Stalls selling bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes), mayak gimbap (mini seaweed rice rolls, “addictive rolls”), knife-cut noodles, and raw beef tartare (yukhoe). Everything costs $2-5 and the atmosphere is pure energy.

Visit Gyeongbokgung Palace in a hanbok. Rent a traditional Korean outfit (hanbok) from one of the shops near the palace for $10-15 for 4 hours. You get free palace entry and some of the best photos of your trip. It’s not just for tourists. Korean locals do it too.

Spend a night in a jimjilbang. A Korean public bath and sauna complex. $8-12 entry. You bathe, sauna, relax in heated rooms, eat snacks, and can sleep overnight. Siloam Sauna and Dragon Hill Spa in Seoul are popular with travellers. Communal bathing is normal here so be prepared for nudity in the bath area.

Hike Hallasan on Jeju Island. The highest peak in South Korea. You can hike to the summit and back in a day (about 8-9 hours for the Seongpanak trail). No technical skills needed, just fitness. Free entry. The volcanic crater lake at the top is worth the climb.

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Practical tips

The currency is the Korean Won (KRW). $1 USD is roughly 1,300 KRW. Cards are accepted everywhere, including street food stalls. Contactless and Samsung Pay are standard. Cash is rarely needed.

Most Western passport holders get 60-90 days visa-free. Some nationalities need a K-ETA (Korean Electronic Travel Authorization, $10) before arrival. Check before booking.

Seoul’s metro is clean, fast, cheap, and covers the entire city. Signs and announcements are in Korean and English. Get a T-money card at any convenience store ($3 deposit) and top up as you go. It works on metro, buses, and even taxis.

The WiFi is extraordinary. Free WiFi on the metro, in every cafe, and in most public spaces. You may not even need a SIM card.

Tipping is not part of Korean culture. Do not tip at restaurants, taxis, or hotels. It can actually cause confusion.

Korean addresses are confusing because the numbering system doesn’t follow Western conventions. Use Naver Maps (more accurate than Google Maps in Korea) or KakaoMap. Download one of these before arrival.

Google Maps works but is less detailed than local alternatives. Naver Map or KakaoMap are what Koreans use and they’re significantly better for local navigation, restaurant reviews, and transit directions.

Convenience stores (CU, GS25, 7-Eleven) are everywhere and sell surprisingly good meals ($3-5 for kimbap, sandwiches, and instant noodles with hot water stations). They’re a legitimate meal option, not a last resort.

Planning your trip

1 week Seoul and Busan: Seoul (4 nights, DMZ day trip), KTX to Busan (3 nights, Gyeongju day trip).

10 days complete: Seoul (4), KTX to Busan (2), Gyeongju day trip, fly to Jeju (3).

2 weeks deep dive: Seoul (5, including DMZ), KTX to Gyeongju (1), Busan (3), fly to Jeju (3), fly back to Seoul (1, last night before departure).

Book your trip

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More destinations from travlperks: For a similar East Asian experience with a different flavour, see our Japan guide. For city-state intensity, try Singapore or Hong Kong. For cheaper Asian options, check out Vietnam or Thailand.