South Korea
Last checked:
- Capital
- Seoul
- Currency
- KRW · South Korean won
- Languages
- Korean
- Plugs
- Type C, F · 220 V
Emergency numbers
Top 5 places
- Gyeongbokgung Palace and Bukchon Hanok Village · Seoul
Main Joseon palace with guard ceremonies, next to a neighbourhood of traditional houses (residents' quiet hours apply).
- Myeongdong, Insadong and the Han River · Seoul
Shopping and street food, traditional crafts, and riverside parks for evenings.
- Gamcheon Culture Village and Haeundae Beach · Busan
Colourful hillside village and the country's best-known city beach.
- Jeju Island · Jeju
Volcanic island with Hallasan, Seongsan Ilchulbong crater and coastal trails.
- Bulguksa Temple and royal tombs · Gyeongju
Former Silla capital packed with UNESCO-listed temples and burial mounds.
Getting around
Public transport
T-money card
Rechargeable card for subways, buses and many taxis nationwide; sold and topped up (cash) at convenience stores and stations. Gives a small discount per ride and free transfers.
Public transport
Climate Card (Seoul)
Seoul unlimited transit pass for subway and buses at a fixed price; short-term versions for visitors are available (varies).
Trains
KTX
High-speed trains; Seoul to Busan in about 2.5 hours. Book on the Korail website/app, which has an English version.
Ride-hailing app
Kakao T
Main taxi app; works with foreign phone numbers and some foreign cards (varies). Shows the estimated fare and the route.
Ride-hailing app
Uber (UT)
Uber in Korea books licensed taxis; useful for visitors because it works with your existing account and foreign cards.
Bike share
Seoul Bike (Ttareungyi)
City bike share with cheap day passes, rented through the Seoul Bike app.
Money and cash
Currency: KRW · South Korean won
Cards are accepted almost everywhere, including taxis and convenience stores, but some foreign cards are declined by local terminals and websites. Bring a physical Visa or Mastercard credit card plus some cash for street food, markets and backups. Use global ATMs (marked 'Global' or 'Foreign card'), often in convenience stores and banks.
Tipping
Tipping is not customary in South Korea and is not expected anywhere in normal service. High-end hotels and restaurants add a service charge instead.
| Restaurants | No tip. Upscale and hotel restaurants usually include a 10% service charge in the bill. |
|---|---|
| Cafés and bars | No tip. |
| Taxis and ride apps | No tip; pay the meter. |
| Hotels | No tip expected; luxury hotels include service charges. |
| Tours and guides | Not expected; some guides for foreign groups accept tips (varies). |
| Food delivery | No tip. |
Service charge: what’s true
High-end hotels and restaurants often include a service charge of 10-15%. It is always on the bill and covers service; customers are not expected to add a gratuity.
Pressure tactics to watch for
Tip pressure is rare. The more common issue is people offering 'free' cultural experiences or blessings and then asking for money.
Useful phrases
- 계산서 주세요 (gyesanseo juseyo) The bill, please.
- 카드 돼요? (kadeu dwaeyo?) Can I pay by card?
- 감사합니다 (gamsahamnida) Thank you.
Etiquette
- Remove shoes when entering homes, some guesthouses, temples and restaurants with floor seating.
- Use two hands, or one hand supported by the other, when giving or receiving money, cards or drinks from older people.
- When drinking with others, pour for others rather than yourself, and turn your head slightly away when drinking with elders.
- Do not stick chopsticks upright in rice.
- Keep quiet on the subway; priority seats are for elderly, pregnant and disabled riders.
- Respect residents in Bukchon Hanok Village: keep voices low and visit within posted hours.
- Foreigners must not join political demonstrations.
Scams and how to handle them
Taxi overcharging
Where: Incheon Airport, Myeongdong, Itaewon, late night
How it works: Drivers do not turn on the meter, take long routes or quote flat fares to foreigners.
How to avoid it: Use Kakao T or Uber, check the meter is running and follow the route on a map app. Ask for a receipt.
Fake monks
Where: Around Jogyesa temple and busy Seoul streets
How it works: People dressed as monks sell trinkets or ask for donations, then keep the money.
How to avoid it: Politely decline.
Culture or religion recruiters
Where: Seoul shopping areas and subway stations
How it works: Friendly strangers invite you to learn about Korean culture or an ancestral ritual in their studio, then ask for money or try to recruit you into a religious group.
How to avoid it: Decline invitations from strangers to private studios or ceremonies.
Drink spiking and nightlife assault
Where: Itaewon, Hongdae and other nightlife districts
How it works: Assaults and sexual assaults have occurred in nightlife areas, sometimes after drinks are spiked.
How to avoid it: Watch your drink, stay with friends and use licensed taxis late at night.
Card and online booking fraud
Where: Smishing texts and fake booking sites (varies)
How it works: Text messages pretending to be couriers or officials contain malicious links; fake sites sell tickets or rooms that do not exist.
How to avoid it: Do not click links in unexpected texts; book through official sites or major platforms.
Safety
- Crime against foreigners is rare; occasional theft happens in crowded tourist areas such as Itaewon.
- Avoid travelling alone late at night in nightlife districts; use licensed taxis or public transport.
- Crowd crush risk at big events and festivals: follow police directions and avoid narrow packed alleys.
- Drink-driving limits are very strict (lower than many Western countries).
- Download the Emergency Ready App for civil defence and disaster alerts; typhoons are possible June to November.
- Have destinations written in Korean for taxi drivers.
How widely English is spoken
Subway signs and announcements are in English in Seoul and Busan. Younger people may speak some English, but most taxi drivers and older people do not. The free 1330 tourist hotline offers interpretation.
Sources
- GOV.UK Foreign travel advice: South Korea, safety and security
- Wikivoyage: South Korea
- Wikivoyage: Seoul
- Wikipedia: List of tipping customs by country
We check these guides against official and well-known sources, but rules and prices change. Spot something out of date? Email support@tourits.app.