By Gabi ·
· 4 min read
BEST TIME
Apr to May, Sep to Nov
CURRENCY
Korean won (₩)
VISA
UK: visa-free for short stays
GETTING AROUND
Metro, KTX + T-money card
LANGUAGE
Korean
SAFETY
Very safe for solo women
01
South Korea has four very distinct seasons, and the shoulder seasons are the sweet spot.
Spring (April to May)
Cherry blossoms in early April, mild temperatures and perfect sightseeing weather.
Summer (June to August)
Hot and humid, with a monsoon season in July. Great for Jeju's beaches, less so for long city days.
Autumn (September to November)
Crisp, clear and colourful. Autumn leaves peak around late October, and it's ideal for hiking.
Winter (December to February)
Properly cold, especially in Seoul, but cosy cafes, ski resorts and far fewer tourists.
02
South Korea is mid-range on price. Eating out is great value, and public transport is cheap and excellent.
Food: street food, markets and Korean barbecue are all good value.
Transport: the Seoul metro is cheap, and the KTX high-speed train is the bigger spend.
Accommodation: the main cost, especially in central Seoul.
Extras: budget for cafes, K-beauty shopping and hanbok rental, it's hard to resist.
03
South Korea has a low crime rate and is widely considered one of the safest places in Asia for women travelling alone. Cities are busy and well lit late into the night.
Public transport feels safe at all hours.
Emergency help is easy to find, and tourist police patrol the busiest areas of Seoul.
Tap water is generally safe to drink.
On our trip you're with a group and a local guide the whole way.
04
UK passport holders can usually visit South Korea visa-free for short tourist stays. Korea runs an electronic travel authorisation scheme (K-ETA), and whether you need one has changed over time, so check gov.uk before you fly.
Make sure your passport is valid for the whole of your stay.
Most visitors arrive at Incheon International Airport (ICN).
Other nationalities vary, so always check your own government's advice.
05
Getting around South Korea is quick, clean and easy.
Pick up a T-money card to tap on for the metro, buses and taxis.
The KTX high-speed train connects Seoul with the rest of the country.
Jeju is a short domestic flight from Seoul.
Naver Map or KakaoMap work better than Google Maps for directions.
06
Pack for the season, and for a lot of walking.
Comfortable shoes for palaces, markets and city hills.
Layers, as spring and autumn days can swing from warm to chilly.
A light waterproof for summer showers.
Hiking-friendly trainers if you're heading to Jeju.
A plug adaptor for Korea's two-pin sockets.
Space in your case for Korean skincare, trust us.
The complete South Korea packing list
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STRAIGHT FROM THE TRIP
07
Is South Korea safe for solo female travellers?
Do I need to speak Korean?
How long do I need in South Korea?
RATHER NOT PLAN IT YOURSELF?
South Korea with the girls
Women-only group trip with a local guide. From £2049pp.
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