South Korea

South Korea packs a lot into a relatively small country, so a bit of planning goes a long way. Many travellers start with Seoul, then add Busan, Gyeongju, or Jeju Island depending on how much time they have. A week is enough for Seoul plus one extra destination; 10–14 days lets you slow down and enjoy more local neighbourhoods.

Use the Hello trip planning tools to sketch a day-by-day outline: group sights by area (for example, Gyeongbokgung Palace and Bukchon Hanok Village in the same day) to cut down on transit time. Save key addresses in Korean as well as English, so you can show them to taxi drivers or bus staff.

Weather matters here: spring (cherry blossoms) and autumn (clear skies and foliage) are ideal, while summers are hot and humid and winters can be icy. Pack layers and a portable charger—you’ll rely on navigation apps constantly.

Book popular experiences early, especially weekend trips to Jeju or hanok stays in Jeonju. For big city travel days, add notes in Hello to remind yourself about subway routes, station names, and any timed entries (like certain museum slots), so you’re not scrambling while on the move.

South Korea’s transport network is fast, clean, and intuitive, once you know a few basics. Between cities, the KTX high-speed trains link Seoul with Busan and Gyeongju in a few hours; tickets range widely, but booking ahead gives the best prices and seat choices. For budget travel, intercity buses are slightly slower but often cheaper.

In Seoul and Busan, the subway will be your main ally. Buy a rechargeable T-money or Cashbee card at convenience stores or machines, then tap in and out. Avoid rush hour (around 6–7 pm on weekdays), when trains become extremely crowded.

Helpful tips:

• Stay near a subway station – Aim for accommodation within a 5–10 minute walk.
• Use local map apps – Naver Map or Kakao Map give more accurate directions than some global alternatives.
• Respect etiquette – Keep your voice low, don’t block doors, and stand on the right of escalators.

Activate Hello eSIM connectivity before you land so your phone works immediately for maps, real-time train schedules, and translation apps. Save your routes and timings inside your Hello trip plan; having everything in one place makes navigating even late-night transfers surprisingly stress-free.

Eating is a highlight of any trip to South Korea, from streetside stalls to polished restaurants. Start with classics like bibimbap, samgyeopsal (grilled pork belly), tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), and kimchi jjigae (kimchi stew). In Seoul, explore Gwangjang Market for bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes) and mayak gimbap; in Busan, don’t miss fresh seafood at Jagalchi Market.

Prices are generally reasonable: a simple local meal is often around 7,000–10,000 KRW (about 6–8 USD), while a mid-range restaurant dinner can be 25,000–40,000 KRW (roughly 20–34 USD). Street food snacks usually cost just a few thousand won.

Practical tips:

• Look for places busy with locals—that’s usually a good sign.
• Many menus are only in Korean; photos, plastic displays, or translation apps help a lot.
• Sharing dishes is normal, so order a few plates for the table.

Use Hello’s expense splitting when dining with companions, especially at Korean BBQ where you order multiple items. The budget tracking feature is handy for keeping an eye on how much you’re spending on coffee in hip areas like Hongdae or craft beer around Itaewon, all in KRW so you stay aligned with your daily budget.

South Korea’s currency is the Korean Won (KRW), and card payments are widely accepted, especially in cities. Still, carry some cash for small markets, older restaurants, or rural buses. ATMs in convenience stores are a reliable way to withdraw money, though fees vary by bank.

To keep your spending under control, set a daily allowance and log costs using Hello’s budget tracking in KRW. You can tag entries by category—transport, food, shopping—which helps you adjust plans if you’re splurging too much on café-hopping or cosmetics.

Staying connected is straightforward with a Hello eSIM: buy and activate before you fly, so your phone connects as soon as you land. This avoids roaming surprises and lets you use navigation, translation, and messaging apps the moment you step out of the airport.

Everyday essentials:

• Bring a universal adapter (South Korea uses 220V, Type C/F plugs).
• Keep emergency numbers handy: 112 for police, 119 for medical and fire.
• Download KakaoTalk if you plan to chat with locals or businesses.

When travelling with others, use Hello’s expense splitting to divide taxi fares, accommodation, and group tours fairly—no awkward debates over who paid for what at the end of the trip.