SOUTH KOREA IS A LAND OF STARK CONTRASTS AND CONTRADICTION, A PLACE WHERE TRADITIONS AND TECHNOLOGY ARE EQUALLY EMBRACED. IT’S CAUGHT IN BETWEEN MODERNIZATION WHERE SKYCRAPERS LOOMS OVER ANCIENT TEMPLES AND WHERE THE FRANTIC PACE OF LIFE IS OFFSET BY THE SERENITY OF NATURE.

WHEN IT COMES TO NATURE, SOUTH KOREA IS WONDERFULLY DIVERSE, WITH SPECTACULAR NATIONAL PARKS, REMOTE SANDY BEACHES, HOT SPRING ISLANDS AND RUGGED MOUNTAIN PEAKS.

KOREANS ARE FIERCELY PROUD OF THEIR COUNTRY AND FOR A GOOD REASON. THE KOREAN PENINSULA HAS A STORIED HISTORY AND THIS COLORFUL HERITAGE IS WOVEN INTO THE FABRIC OF THE LAND.

THE REST OF THE COUNTRY IS LITTERED WITH FORTRESSES, TEMPLES AND PALACES. BUT IT’S NOT ALL ABOUT HISTORY. GASTRONOMES ARE WELL CATERED TOO.

SOMETIMES IT CAN BE LIKE A STRANGE PLACE OF CURIOUS CUSTOMS, AND STRANGE FOODS, BUT THAT’S WHAT MAKES IT SO EXCITING!

ESSENTIALS

CURRENCY : You’ll use the Korean won when you’re traveling on cruises to South Korea, and you’ll find ATMs are popping up more and more. You can also exchange currency at a local bank. Tipping simply isn’t part of the culture in South Korea, so don’t worry about tipping your taxi driver, tour guide, or waitstaff at a restaurant while you’re here.

CAPITAL : Seoul

LANGUAGE : South Korea has one official language: Korean, although Japanese, English and Mandarin are widely spoken and understood.

POPULATION : 51,628,117 (2022 est.)

CLIMATE : The Republic of Korea lies in the temperate zone with four distinct seasons. Its winters are cold and dry due to the continental high atmospheric pressure, and summers are generally hot and humid because of the North Pacific anticyclone.

TRANSPORTATION

Transportation in South Korea is provided by extensive networks of railways, highways, bus routes, ferry services and air routes that traverse the country. Buses are one of the most popular means of transportation in Korea. The best way to get around Seoul is via the subway. You can throw in a taxi ride here and there if you plan on staying out late, or a bus ride if your destination is too far to walk. Seoul is often ranked as having one of the best public transportation systems in the world, and with clean and punctual trains and buses and signs in several languages at most subway and bus stops, it's not hard to see why.

1. Train

One of the most convenient ways to travel between cities in Korea is by train. Bus schedules can vary depending on traffic, but that is hardly the case for the railroad, allowing passengers to make accurate travel plans and move to destinations on time.

Korean trains are classified based on their speed and the amenities offered on board. The classifications include the express trains KTX and KTX-Sancheon; regular trains ITX-Saemaeul and Mugunghwa; and KORAIL tourist trains. Ticket fares depend on the train type and distance of travel. The two main railway lines are Gyeongbu Line and Honam Line but other railway lines also include Jeolla and Gyeongjeon Lines, which reach as far as Yeosu and Changwon on the southern coast.

For an affordable travel around Korea, tourists can consider buying the KORAIL Pass, an exclusive railway pass for foreigners that allows unlimited use of all trains, including the KTX, for a selected number of days.

2. Subway

Consisting of 22 lines in total, Seoul has one of the most extensive networks yet convenient urban railway systems in the world, serving regions beyond the center. Operating from as early as 4 in the morning to as late as 1 at night,  it is one of the most efficient ways to travel around the city, getting you where you need to be when you want to be. Fares are also relatively cheap starting at a base fare of 1,350 won (1 USD) with a discount of 100 won for T-money users!

You can download apps such as Subway Korea, KakaoMetro, and Korean Subway to get real-time departure and arrival times.

3. Bus

The public bus system in Seoul is well-developed, connecting every corner of Seoul with hundreds of routes running throughout the city, and like the subway, they start operating from the early hours of the morning until late at night. Moreover, you’ll have no problem spotting the bus you have to take as they are easily discernible by their color, each one of them is color-coded according to the area they serve. They sure do make public transportation in Seoul easy for almost anyone!

In general, buses are categorized according to whether they are General, Rapid, and Local buses. Let’s take a quick glance at the different types of buses in Seoul!

4. Taxi

Transportation in Seoul is generally cheap and taxis are no exception to this. What’s more, it has now become easier than ever to hail a cab, without having to flail your arms around wildly

KOREA TOUR CARD is a useful transportation and travel card exclusive to international tourists. The card provides convenient access to public transportation anywhere in Korea. KOREA TOUR CARD also provides discount benefits at popular attractions such as National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul, Everland, and Lotte World. The card can be purchased online or at offline stores. A mobile app version of the card is also available and can be used on devices that support NFC function to pay for services and purchase goods. The mobile app allows convenient access to all the benefits of the KOREA TOUR CARD without the hassle of carrying a physical card in your wallet.

Price

4,000 won (card is not loaded upon purchase)
* Cash only

Retail locations

For online purchase, check the Korea Tour Card website for detailed information
Card vending machines at major Seoul subway stations from Line 1 to 4 and at Incheon International Airport Terminal 1 Station, Gimpo International Airport Station, and Seoul Station on Airport Railroad Line
Convenience stores: 7-Eleven, emart24 (card may not be available in all stores)
In-flight purchase: Jeju Airlines (40 international flights stopping at Incheon or Busan)
Affiliated banks within airports: Shinhan Bank (Incheon International Airport branch (Transportation Center B1), Jeju International Airport) / Woori Bank exchange booths (Incheon International Airport near Arrival Gates A-F (between exits 9 & 10) in Terminal 1 1F & Arrival Gates A-F (exit 4) in Terminal 2 1F, Gimpo Airport in Domestics Terminal 1F, Jeju International Airport near Gate 5 1F, Gimhae International Airport)
• Other locations: Shinhan Bank (Myeong-dong Branch, Hongik Univ. Branch), Seoul Myeong-dong guesthouse Como

Reload & refund locations

Convenience stores and Tmoney service desks at subway stations (Seoul Subway Lines 1-8, Incheon Subway Lines 1-2)
Cards can also be reloaded using the card reloading devices inside subway stations.
Upon refund, travelers can receive the remaining balance loaded in the card with a service charge of 500 won; card purchase payment will not be refunded. Cardholders are advised to load their card in small amounts as refund process for over 50,000 won can be complicated and time-consuming.

MPASS CARD

Metropolitan Pass, or MPASS, is a transportation card exclusively for international tourists traveling in the Seoul metropolitan area. The pass offers 20 rides a day for the duration of the pass. Additional funds can be loaded to MPASS to be used as a Tmoney card.
Please note that MPASS cannot be used to pay for taxis and may not be accepted at convenience stores.

Card Types and Pricelist

MPASS comes in five different durations: 1-day, 2-day, 3-day, 5-day, and 7-day passes. MPASS will be registered as day one upon its first use and will be valid until midnight of the last day. MPASS can be purchased with Korean won only.

Areas of use

Subway lines, airport railroad all-stop train, Seoul city buses (mainline buses, branch buses, circulation buses, city buses, night buses)

Retail & refund locations

Travelers can purchase or receive card refunds from the areas listed below. Refund applies to the card fee and remaining balance loaded in the card; 500 won will be charged for the refund service.
* MPASS prices include a 5,000 won deposit. When the card is returned, users will receive a 4,500 won refund.