SOUTH KOREA TOURS

It depends! You’ll need to budget for spending money, meals (only the ones which aren’t included, obvs) and those immense optional activities. Go through your itinerary and think about the optionals you’re keen to experience – it’s all part of the fun!

For summer, the usual essentials like t-shirts (especially those that cover your shoulders), shorts, loose-fitting pants (for comfort and stuffing your face with all the local eats), trainers (those 10k steps will occur daily), light jackets and a hoodie. Travelling South Korea during winter? Add in essentials like a scarf, a (long) warm coat, gloves, thermals and boots. Your full packing list will be included in your trip notes!

Seollal (Korean New Year) on the first day of the lunar calendar. Families get together to pay tribute to their ancestors. Independence Movement Day on 1 March which commemorates the beginning of public protest against Japanese colonial rule in 1919. Children’s Day is a pretty unique one celebrated on 5 May – parents give presents to their kids and spend the whole day together. Parents Day is a week later. Hangul Day on 9 October celebrates the creation of the Korean Hangul alphabet – that’s pretty awesome if you ask us. 

South Korean won (KRW).

The best time to visit South Korea has to be between March and May! Warm weather? Check. Less rain spots? Check. Cherry blossoms. Check! October and November are awesome to see those trees in peak autumn, too.

You must have comprehensive travel insurance to participate in a Topdeck trip to South Korea. You will be unable to join us without it. 

It’s your responsibility to obtain the correct visas for your trip. Ask your travel agent or check with the relevant embassies before you depart. 

Find travel advice for Australia citizens here, for New Zealand citizens here for US citizens here, for Canadian citizens here and for British citizens here. If you’re travelling from a country not listed here, head to the relevant government website for more information. 

We recommend you consult your doctor about health and vaccination requirements before you travel to South Korea. 

For current travel safety advice, please check your home country’s travel advisories.

Mobile phone reception in South Korea varies. Signal is likely to be better in cities and towns than in rural areas. Remember to check your network provider’s roaming fees to avoid any nasty surprises on your next bill! Alternatively, an eSim is a great option to roam locally. Another thing to bear in mind, Google Maps doesn’t work in South Korea; the locals use the app Naver.

The plug types in South Korea are Type C and F. South Korea operates on a 220V supply voltage and 50Hz. 

We recommend you bring a universal plug adapter – airports usually sell them, but it’s cheaper to buy one before you go.

Go when the trees are in full blossom in spring, or when they’re burning orange during autumn. Be aware that your experience may change during Lunar New Year and Chuseok. Learn some basic Korean! Don’t expect heaps of personal space when you’re out and about – it's a BUSY place. Take a mask with you to protect yourself from local pollution and dust. For couples, leave the PDA at home.

Hello = 안녕하세요 (annyeong haseyo) 

Yes = 네 (ne) or 예 (ye) 

No = 아니요 (aniyo) 

Maybe = 아마도 (amado) 

Please = 주세요 (juseyo) 

Thank you = 감사합니다 (gamsahamnida) or 고마워요 (gomawoyo) 

You’re welcome = 천만에요 (cheonmaneyo) 

Excuse me (for someone’s attention) = 저기요 (jeogiyo)