South Korea

South Korea is compact, efficient, and easy to explore, especially if you plan a rough route before you land. Most first-time visitors combine Seoul, Busan, and either Gyeongju or Jeju Island. A classic one-week outline might look like: 4 days in Seoul, 2 in Busan, 1 in Gyeongju; with more time, add Jeju for beaches and volcanic scenery.

Use Hello’s trip planning to group sights by neighborhood so you’re not zigzagging across cities. For Seoul, cluster Gyeongbokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village, and Insadong into one day, then save Hongdae or Gangnam for evenings. In Busan, plan Haeundae Beach and Dongbaekseom on one day, and Gamcheon Culture Village and Jagalchi Market on another.

Korea is four-season and very weather-sensitive. Spring (late March–May) and autumn (late September–November) are ideal for comfortable temperatures and cherry blossoms or foliage. Summer is hot, humid, and often rainy; winter is dry and cold but perfect for ski trips and steaming hot jjimjilbang (saunas).

Before you fly, buy and activate a Hello eSIM so your phone connects as soon as the plane lands. That makes it easier to navigate public transport, translate signs, and call taxis without hunting for airport Wi‑Fi. You can also use Hello’s budget tracking to set a daily KRW limit and keep an eye on spending as you go.

South Korea’s public transport is fast, clean, and usually the easiest way to get around. In cities, the subway and buses are the backbone of travel; between cities, use the high-speed KTX trains or intercity buses.

Pick up a T-money or Cashbee card from any convenience store and load it with cash at subway machines. You can tap on/off subways and most buses nationwide, and even pay at some convenience stores. Typical subway rides cost around 1,250–1,450 KRW (roughly $1–1.20), depending on distance.

For longer trips:

• KTX Seoul–Busan takes about 2.5–3 hours; standard fares are often around 50,000–60,000 KRW (about $37–45).
• Intercity buses are slightly slower but can be cheaper and very comfortable.

Download a subway or map app and rely on your Hello eSIM connectivity so timetables and transfers are always up to date, even underground. In more rural areas or late at night, you may depend on taxis or ride-hailing apps; having mobile data and a saved hotel address in Korean is invaluable.

If you’re traveling with friends, use Hello’s expense splitting every time you buy KTX tickets or refill a T-money card together, so you don’t have to keep manual notes of who owes what.

Eating is a highlight of any trip to South Korea. From street tteokbokki in Myeongdong to charcoal-grilled samgyeopsal (pork belly) in a local BBQ joint, you can eat well at almost any budget. Typical prices:

• Street snacks like hotteok or kimbap: 1,500–5,000 KRW (about $1–4)
• Simple restaurant meals (kimchi jjigae, bibimbap): 8,000–12,000 KRW (about $6–9)
• Korean BBQ with drinks: 20,000–35,000 KRW+ per person (about $15–26+)

At BBQ restaurants, you usually order at least one portion of meat per person, and side dishes (banchan) are included and refillable. It’s common to share dishes, so Hello’s expense splitting feature is handy when the bill comes in one total. Just create a shared expense, snap the amount in KRW, and divide it.

Many menus use photos or basic English, but smaller spots may be Korean-only. Use your Hello eSIM to access translation apps on the spot. Don’t miss jeon (savory pancakes) with makgeolli on a rainy day, soondae (blood sausage) at markets, or a late-night chimaek session – fried chicken and beer. Use Hello’s budget tracking to monitor how much you’re spending on those spontaneous extra snacks and coffees.

South Korea blends high-tech modern life with deep-rooted traditions, and a bit of cultural awareness goes a long way. In temples like Jogyesa or at palaces such as Changdeokgung, dress modestly and speak quietly. When entering traditional guesthouses or some restaurants, you may need to remove your shoes, so wear socks without holes.

Basic etiquette tips:

• Offer and receive items (like money or a drink) with two hands or your right hand supported by your left.
• Public transport is generally quiet; keep phone calls short and subdued.
• Older people are shown strong respect; offering your seat on the subway is appreciated.

Public safety is generally excellent, but always keep an eye on your belongings in busy areas like Hongdae or Busan’s Seomyeon. Tap into Hello eSIM connectivity to quickly check last train times or safe walking routes back to your accommodation.

Cash and cards are both widely used. Contactless payments are common, but smaller markets or countryside shops may be cash-only. Track everyday expenses like coffee, café hopping, or arcade games in KRW using Hello’s budget tracking, so you know if you can splurge on that extra skincare haul in Myeongdong or a last-minute day trip to Nami Island.