Passport & Visa
* Valid passport and Korean visa is needed for all visitors to the Republic of Korea.
* EXEMPTION: Visitors with round-trip tickets from countries that have a special agreement with Korea can stay in Korea up to 30 or 90 days depending on the type of agreement between the two countries.
* For more information: Visit Korea
Travel Insurance
* We recommend getting travel insurance in your country prior to your visit to Korea.
* Insurance is also available at the Incheon International Airport: See website
Time Difference
* Korea Standard Time (KST) + 9 hours UTC
* Current time in Korea: See current time
Korean Currency
* Currency: Won (\)
- 4 Kinds of Notes: fifty thousand, ten thousand, five thousand, one thousand won
- 4 Kinds of Coins: 500, 100, 50, 10 won
* 10,000 won, 5,000 won and 1,000 won are most frequently used in everyday life
* Only 1,000 won bills and coins are accepted on buses, or when using vending machines
* Exchange Rate: Approximately 1,130 won to USD 1
Climate
* Four Distinct Seasons in Korea: Spring(March ~ May), Summer(June ~ August), Autumn(September ~ November), Winter(December ~ February)
* Weather Information of October in Korea
Phone calls / Mobile Phones
* Rent mobile phones or apply for roaming services at Incheon and Gimpo Airports
* Save time by reserving your Korean mobile phone before your trip
* Details: KT: Website SKT: Website
Electricity & Voltage
* Voltage : 220 volts
* The outlet has two round holes and is the same type used in France, Germany, Austria, Greece, Turkey, and many other countries
* Inquire the hotel front desk for multi-voltage travel adapters. They are sold in duty-free shops, convenience stores, airports etc
After Arriving In Korea
Business Hours
Post Offices
10:30AM – 8PM closed on Mondays
Department Stores
10:30AM – 8PM closed on Mondays
Restaurants & Retail Stores
11AM – 9PM commonly, in some cases until 2 – 3AM
Major Convenience Stores (GS25, CU, Seven Eleven etc.)
9AM – 6PM weekdays only
Transportation
Seoul's public transportation system is well known for its cleanness and cheap fare. By using buses and subways, there is practically no place that you cannot reach in Seoul. Fares are based on distance traveled, and the standard fare (up to 10 km) is 1,250 won for adults; additional 100 won is charged for every 5 km. For details, please refer to the homepage of Seoul Transport Operation and Information Service: Website: http://topis.seoul.go.kr/eng/main/main.jsp
Bus
- Lines: Blue, Green, Yellow, Red, Customized, Nightrider
- Fares: 1,250 won for adults, additional 100 won charged for every 5 km
- Payments: Notes, Coins, Transportation Cards (T-money, U-Pass, EB Card, Cashbee, Korail Membership Card etc.)
Subway
- Lines: 15 colored lines
- Numbers and names are given to each station
- For station map and details: http://topis.seoul.go.kr/eng/page/transInfo_1_2.jsp
Taxi
Types: Standard, Deluxe, Jumbo, International
1) Deluxe Taxi(Mobeom Taeksi)
- Black Taxi with yellow signs, provides much space and higher service
- Fare: Basic fare and additional fares are higher than standard Taxi
2) Jumbo Taxi
- Fits six to ten passengers, provides simultaneous foreign language interpretation by phone
- Fare: Same as Deluxe Taxi
3) International Taxi
- Drivers speak one or more foreign languages; English, Japanese or Chinese
- Operates on reservation basis
- Number: 1644-2255
- E-mail: reserve@intltaxi.co.kr
- Fare: Calculated according to 3 divided sections in Seoul
* Details: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/TRP/TP_ENG_7.jsp
Helpful Numbers
* Seoul Global Center (Any question about visiting or living in Seoul)
Number: 1688 0120, 9AM – 6PM Weekdays Only
* Korean Tourism Organization Information Line (Tourism information, translation services, complaints center) Number: 1330, 24 hours
* Seoul's Dasan 120 Call Center
Number: 120, 9AM – 10PM
* Police
Number: 112, 24 hours
* Fire & Ambulance
Number: 119, 24 hours
* Emergency Medical Information Center
Number: 1339, 24 hours
* Local Telephone Number Guide
Number: 114
* International Medical Center at Yonsei Sinchon Severance Hospital
Number: +82-2-2228-5880
* International Health Care Center at Seoul National University Hospital
Number: +82-2-2072-0505
* International Health Care Center at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital
Number: +82-2-590-2932
Nearest Facilities
* Shilla Duty FreeSince its opening in 1986, The Shilla Duty Free has positioned itself as Korea’s leading travel retailer by offering trendy products at reasonable prices and high quality services to various international visitors. With stores in Seoul, Incheon Int’l Airport, Jeju. The Shilla Duty Free offers over 550 world-famous luxury brands in boutique items, cosmetics, fashion, jewelry, watches, etc.
- Business Hours: 9:30~21:00
- Telephone: +82-2-2639-6000
- Homepage: http://www.shilladfs.com/comm/kr/en/storeMain?org_cd=01
* Lotte Duty Free
Lotte Duty Free is Korea's largest duty free shop and has a 20 year long history. It carries luxury goods from over 500 companies.
- Business Hours: 9:30AM – 9PM
- Telephone: +82-2-759-6600~2
- Homepage: http://en.lottedfs.com/branchGuide/1/intro
* Shinsegae Department Store
Located in the heart of Seoul, where tradition meets modernity, the Main Store is a luxurious premium shopping venue. The Main Store consists of the ‘main building’, which is a premium and the very first department store of Korea, and the ‘new building’, an urban style department store.
- Business Hours: 10:30AM – 8PM
- Telephone: +82-2-1588-1234
- Homepage: http://english.shinsegae.com/english/dept/dept_store.asp?STORE_CD=15
- Shopping Guide for Foreigners: http://english.shinsegae.com/english/faq/faq_dept.asp