Travel  ( Facts for the Travelers )

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Passport/Visa Requirements

These requirements are subject to change. Check with the embassy or consulate in your home country before you depart.

Australian and New Zealand citizens:

A valid passport and a return ticket are required for stays of up to 15 days.

Canadian citizens:

A valid passport and a return ticket are required for stays of up to six months.

EU citizens:

A valid passport and a return ticket are required for most EU citizens for visits of up to two or three months; maximum length of stay is dependent upon country of origin. Full British citizens do not require a return ticket.

Japanese citizens:

A valid passport and a return ticket are required for stays of up to 15 days.

U.S. citizens:

A valid passport and a return ticket are required for stays of up to 16 days.

Others:

Citizens of countries not listed above may or may not require a visa and should check with the nearest South Korean embassy or consulate in their home country for further details.

Phone Code

The international telephone access code is 82. The area code for Seoul is 02, for Pusan 051, for Kwangju 062, and for Taejon 042. Omit the 0 if calling from abroad.

To place an outgoing direct-dialed international call, dial 001 or 002 plus the country code and number. To reach an international operator, dial 0077, and for local directory assistance, dial 114.

Time Zone

Korea time is 9 hours ahead of Greenwich mean time (GMT) or 9 hours ahead of London, 14 hours ahead of New York and Montréal, 12 hours ahead of São Paulo, 8 hours ahead of Berlin, and 1 hour ahead of Shanghai.

Business Hours

Banks are open 9:30 AM-4:30 PM Monday-Friday, and 9:30 AM-1:30 PM on Saturday.

Shopping hours at department stores are usually 10:30 AM-7:30 PM, including Sundays (though they close for one day during the week). Smaller shops keep hours of 8:30 AM-6 PM (though some remain open even longer), and are open most days of the week.

Holidays

Banks and most businesses close on New Year's Day and the day after (1-2 January), Lunar New Year (three days in January or February; dates vary), Independence Movement Day (1 March), Arbor Day (5 April), Children's Day (5 May), Buddha's Birthday (May; date of celebration varies), Memorial Day (6 June), Constitution Day (17 July), Liberation Day (15 August), Ch'usok, or the Harvest Moon Festival, also known as Korean Thanksgiving (celebrated for three days in September or October; dates vary), National Foundation Day (3 October), and Christmas Day (25 December).

Weather

South Korea's climate is continental, with cold, dry winters and hot, rainy summers. In Seoul, the average January temperature is -5° C (23° F), and the average August temperature is 25° C (77° F). Winter temperatures are higher along the south coast and considerably lower in the mountainous interior. Rainfall is concentrated in the summer months (June to August). The spring and autumn months are mild and mostly dry.

Money

The basic unit of currency is the won (W), which is divided into 100 chon. Notes are available in denominations of W1,000, 5,000 and 10,000, and coins are denominated as follows: W1, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 500. For current international exchange rates.

Currency and traveler's checks can be exchanged at banks in large towns and cities, but can be difficult to change in rural areas. Remember to keep a good supply of cash on hand for weekends (when banks are closed).

Credit cards are widely accepted in large department stores and hotels, but will not be accepted by many smaller shops in either the cities or in rural areas. Traveler's checks may be difficult to change in smaller towns.

Tipping

Tipping is not customary in Korea. Service charges are added to the bill in many establishments, and no further tip is expected. Hotel porters, however, customarily receive a bit of change, as do taxi drivers-but only if they assist with the luggage.

Customs

Visitors are allowed to import duty-free, for their personal use, 1 liter of spirits, 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, 250 grams of pipe tobacco, 100 grams of snuff, 100 grams of brick tobacco (or any combination of the above tobacco within 500 grams limit), 60 milliliters of perfume and gifts up to W300,000.

Watches, cameras, jewelry, precious metals, jewels, and furs that are not declared upon entry will be subject to tax upon departure. Departure tax is W8,000 per person.

Crafts, sculptures, paintings, etc. must be evaluated by the Art and Antiques Assessment Office in Kimpo, Tel. +82 (2) 662-0106, or Tel. +82 (2) 664-8997, before you leave. Items considered to be of cultural value will be retained by South Korea.

Taxes

A value-added tax of 10 percent is included in the price of most goods, and a few services.

Measurements

The metric system is standard throughout the country.

Electricity

Current is either 110 or 220 volts AC, 60 Hz. You'll find plugs with two flat pins (110 volts) or with two round pins (220 volts). Visitors from abroad who wish to operate personal small electronic items, should bring a plug adapter and a transformer.

Driving

A vast network of roads exists in South Korea. Major cities are connected by good roads, but the minor roads are not always paved or well maintained. Road signs are written in Korean and in English. Traffic congestion is a definite challenge in larger towns and cities. Traffic drives on the right.

You must be at least 21 years of age to rent a car in South Korea. A valid passport and an international driving permit (available from automobile clubs in one's home country) are also required.

For more details on getting around in South Korea.

Emergencies

Throughout the country, call 112 for police and 119 for the fire department or to summon an ambulance.