How to get to South Korea. We're going to South Korea

01.04.2021

Before setting off, we talked with Russian expats who now live in Korea and read a couple of blogs, but did not receive significant help, so we decided that we would study the country on our own and find answers to our questions in a practical way.

Visa, currency and language

Citizens of Russia and the CIS do not need a visa to South Korea if the period of stay does not exceed 60 days. The country's currency is the South Korean won, €1 – ₩1275.

IN South Korea They don’t speak English at all, people don’t know it and don’t even try to learn it. And this applies not only to ordinary stores, but also to establishments that work directly with foreigners, for example, international Airport. Having gone through it inside and out, we found only one employee who tried to advise us with his fingers and with the help of basic words. The further you go to Busan, the less likely you are to meet at least such people.

How to get there?

The most profitable countries to get to South Korea are: South-East Asia. The cheapest flights are from China and the Philippines. You can grab tickets from ₩ 16958 to ₩ 84790 (€ 13.3 – € 66.5). We traveled by low-cost airline Air Asia from the Philippines. We bought tickets immediately when we heard about the discounts from the airline, and the ticket cost ₩ 59,353 (€ 46.5) per person. The flight lasts 3 hours 20 minutes.

In addition to Air Asia, there are 4 other airlines that most often have sales on their flights in Southeast Asia: Air Qatar, Airways Emirates, Korean Air, Cebu Pacific. Tickets from Russia (Moscow, St. Petersburg) cost from ₩ 678,322 (€ 532) one way, from Siberia (Novosibirsk) from ₩ 339,161 (€ 266). It is most profitable to fly from Vladivostok: tickets can be found from ₩135,664 (€ 106) to ₩ 203,497 (€ 160). Most often we track tickets on the websites Skyscanner and Aviasales, but during our travels we subscribed to all mailings of Asian airlines: this makes it possible to find out about ticket sales by different directions be the first to buy them at a favorable price.

Incheon Airport is not located in Seoul, but nearby, on a neighboring island. You can get to the city by bus for ₩ 15,262 (€ 12) or a taxi for ₩ 110,227 (€ 86), but the best option is by metro: travel from the airport to the city center will cost ₩ 8,479 (€ 6.5).

Public transport in the country is quite expensive. Bus travel costs ₩ 1250 (€ 0.9) one way per person, according to travel cost It will be a little less, but on a monthly scale it will be quite insignificant. On the metro you can use a travel card or buy a card with 1 trip, the price of which includes a deposit for its safety (there are no tokens in Korea). After the trip, you can return the card to a special machine and your money will be returned to you. The cost of the trip depends on the number of stations and starts from ₩ 1250 (€ 0.9).

It is better to order a taxi in Korea through the Uber app or from a specialized company; the cost starts from 2 km - ₩ 1600 (€ 1.25), for each additional kilometer - ₩ 650 (€ 0.5). For example, a trip within 15 minutes will cost no more than ₩ 8,000 (€ 6), and a half-hour trip will cost about ₩ 15,000 (€ 12). Be prepared that if you catch a taxi on the street, the drivers will charge prices 5 or even 10 times higher. There are also frequent cases when taxi drivers, even in specialized companies, tried to inflate the price, since you are a tourist.

Traffic in the country is not very intense. Busan is calm and there are practically no traffic jams. There are traffic jams in Seoul, but they are not at all comparable to Moscow, and even less so to big cities other Southeast Asian countries such as Bangkok or Ho Chi Minh City.

When to go?

South Korea has distinct seasons. In spring everything blooms and you can enjoy walks under the sakura. In summer, the weather is sunny and it is a good time to visit Jeju Island and the city of Busan (the second city in Korea after Seoul). Incredibly beautiful autumn with leaf fall against the backdrop of mountains and walks through national parks. Snowy winter and Seoul decorated for Christmas.

We managed to catch the real Busan autumn and Christmas Seoul. The weather in Busan is warmer than in Seoul, there is much more sun and therefore the onset of winter is not so felt. When we arrived in Seoul, the first snow fell the next morning. It was very slushy and blowing strong wind. It was only -2 outside, but it felt like -20. St. Petersburg residents know firsthand what it’s like. The climate is very similar.

Also, smog often comes to Korea from China. It is better not to appear on the street at this time. In 2019, there was smog for the first few weeks in January. Here is the answer to the question why Koreans constantly wear masks.

Busan

Usually we mark in advance on the map the places we want to visit and plan the route in such a way that in a day we can explore several places that are located next to each other.

If you are going to Busan for a week, then there is every chance to get to know it from all sides. And the first thing to do when exploring the city is to start with Gamcheon Culture Village(Gamnae 2-ro, Saha-gu, 203). Gamcheon Cultural Village is the most Instagrammable place in Busan. This is a concentration of colorful houses and narrow streets, painted walls and amazing installations. Here you can find the location with The Little Prince, look into the Grand Budapest Hotel, take a photo with Van Gogh - and this is just the beginning. If you get hungry or want to keep a souvenir from the village, there are many street cafes and cozy restaurants on the territory, as well as cute shops where you can buy souvenirs and notebooks with your favorite Korean bands. It is better to go to the cultural village for the whole day in order to have time to visit all the locations. The place is open from 9 am to 5 pm every day. Entrance to the village is free; a fee is charged separately for entry to some sites.

In every big city There is a TV tower that is considered one of the main attractions, Busan is no exception. Busan Tower, 120 meters high, is located in a small park. Yongdusan Park(Yongdusan-gil, Jung-gu, 37-30). When you climb the tower, you will have a view of the entire city. The spectacle will be more impressive if you climb the tower in the evening, when lights are lit throughout the city. Busan Tower – favorite place Korean lovers. According to legend, near the entrance to the building there is a secret place where you need to hang a lock in order to spend your entire life with your loved one. Entry to Busan Tower costs ₩10,000 (€8) per person and includes popcorn and a drink. The tower is open from 10 am to 11 pm daily.

After the tower, be sure to check out the largest seafood market in Asia Jagalchi Fish Market(Nampo-dong, Jung-gu). There is everything here: huge crabs the size of a 6-year-old child, meter-long squid and sea cucumbers the size of your little finger, moray eels, fish whose names you don’t know. You can not only buy seafood for yourself, but also ask them to cook it for you on the spot.

“There’s everything here: huge crabs the size of a 6-year-old child, metre-long squid and sea cucumbers the size of your little finger.”

After being impressed by the huge amount of seafood, treat yourself to some Korean street food and visit the most popular pedestrian street in Busan BIFF Square(Nampo-dong, Jung-gu). This is definitely the best place for shopping. Biff Square has many cafes, shops and small restaurants. Many of them starred Korean celebrities, so each establishment already hangs photographs from popular TV shows or series at the entrance as its business card. Let me remind you that in Korea they don’t speak English at all, so if you want to try street food, you will have to act blindly, trusting your intuition - no one will explain to you what this or that dish is made of. If you look at the asphalt, at the very beginning of the street you will see the Korean Avenue of Stars with the imprints of famous Korean actors and filmmakers.

The nature of Korea is beautiful at almost any time of the year (except winter), but it is especially beautiful in October or April. Mountains and fallen leaves, green trees or pink sakura. Nature, in my opinion, is the main attraction of South Korea. To enjoy it in Busan, you should definitely check out the city parks: Park Taejongdae(Dongsam-dong, Yeongdo-gu) and Igidae Park(Yongho-dong, Nam-gu). It’s impossible to single out just one, but it’s worth going there for the whole day. From here you can see a beautiful view of the sea and ships; fishermen are fishing below the rocks; at the very edge of the parks there are lighthouses that you can climb into. The territory of city parks is very large, so there is even a bus running through them. In the park you can see how persimmons grow and even pick up a handful of wild berries. Admission is free 24 hours a day.

In addition to admiring nature and learning about Korean culture, be sure to visit the Shinsegae business district. Take a photo at Busan's famous skyscrapers and stroll around Shinsegae Centum City(U-dong, Haeundae-gu, 1495). This shopping center was included in the Guinness Book of Records in 2009 as the largest shopping center in the world. To be honest, we got a little lost in it and instead of exiting we ended up on a glass bridge, from which we once again appreciated Busan at night. In the shopping center you will find stores of world brands (Gucci, Shanel, Louis Vuitton), several food court areas, saunas, spas and separate entertainment floors.

Not far from the shopping center there is one of the most beautiful bridges in all of South Korea Busan Harbor Bridge(Nam-gu). During the day it looks like the Brooklyn Bridge in New York, and in the evening it begins to shine with all the colors of the rainbow. It’s definitely worth a look, especially since next to it there is a cinema embankment, walking along which you can take photos with Spider-Man or Superman, appreciate modern installations and go to the most beautiful beach Busan Haeundae Beach(Haeundae-gu). He is “alive” at any time of the year. It's nice to walk along the beach and take great photos. Koreans here play sports, play backgammon and simply enjoy the views. There are many places to eat nearby, an artists' alley and a secret lovers' alley.

Seoul

The main modern attraction of Seoul, in my opinion, is Dongdaemun Design Plaza(Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, 281). This is a futuristic art center. Its design was developed by the famous architect Zaha Hadid. From the outside it looks like a huge spaceship, but inside it is completely snow-white. This place is a paradise for perfectionists and all lovers of minimalism. The art center hosts exhibitions, shops and cafes. And next to it is an installation of 25,500 LED roses. At night it looks very large, incredibly beautiful and romantic. The center is open every day from 10 to 19. Admission is free. Some exhibitions require a separate ticket purchase.

You should start exploring Seoul from the most popular shopping district Myeongdong Shopping Street(Jung-gu). This favorite place youth and the best place to experience modern Korean culture. Here you can try street food, go shopping, even catch a mini-concert of street musicians.

After shopping in Myeongdong, take a walk to Seoul Tower YTN Seoul Tower(Namsangongwon-gil, Yongsan-gu, 105). She is considered the symbol of the city and is depicted on most postcards of Seoul. The height of the tower is 236 meters, and the views from it simply cannot be described in words. In the evening, Seoul is especially beautiful from above. You can visit the tower daily from 10 to 23, entrance ₩ 10,000 (€ 8).

Continuing your evening route around the city, include in your list of places Banpodaegyo Bridge. This is the longest fountain bridge in the world (1140 meters). In the evening the show begins and it glows with all the colors of the rainbow.

If you want to get to know the culture and traditions of South Korea better, go to a traditional village Bukchon Hanok Village(Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, 37). Korean national houses are called hanok. Walking along the alleys and looking inside the houses, you will get acquainted with the 600-year history of the country and even be able to try on hanbok - the Korean national costume.

Hidden among the modern streets of Seoul is a cafe 943 King's Cross Harry Potter cafe(Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, 417), which will immerse you in the world of magic and magic. Here you can try on the mantle of a Hogwarts student, drink a glass of butterbeer and ask the sorting hat which house you will study in. Three floors of photo locations, a souvenir shop and food all in one place. Open from 11.30 to 22.00.

Food

In Korea, a lot of attention is paid to food - Koreans have a kind of cult of food. If you watch them, you will notice that they look at photographs of food when they travel in public transport; film themselves on the phone while they eat; During the conversation they talk about food. Even their greeting “siksa haschessoe?” translated into Russian as “have you eaten yet?”

There is a lot of food in South Korea and it is varied, but they are more popular National dishes. Here is a list of the most popular.

In first place is something without which it is impossible to imagine a Korean table - this kimchi. A favorite dish of all generations. This is sauerkraut in hot red pepper, most often it is used as a side dish for the main dish or as an appetizer. The secret of kimchi is passed down from generation to generation.

The second most popular dish is bibimbap, a large bowl of rice mixed with vegetables, eggs and sauces added to them. For a spicy taste, nori seaweed, kuzhut, soybean sprouts and kimchi are added to the dish.

“Koreans look at photographs of food when traveling on public transport; film themselves on the phone while they eat; during conversation they talk about food"

Fans of meat dishes should definitely try it kalbi, bulgogi And samgyepsal. Kalbi prepared from marinated beef: pieces of meat are fried in sauce and eaten with seasonings. Bulgogi- This is sweet meat fried in sauce and served with various seasonings. Samgyepsal are cuts of pork that are fried and served along with vegetables and traditional Korean snacks. The older generation consumes all these dishes exclusively with soju (rice vodka).

Kimbap These are traditional Korean rolls. Rice and fresh vegetables wrapped in nori sheets are drizzled with sesame sauce and served as a side dish to the main course. Koreans love meat very much, so you can often find rolls filled with beef or pork instead of the usual fish.

And for dessert, the favorite sweet delicacy of Koreans. Ttok is a pastry made from glutinous rice with a nut or fruit filling. Its taste is very specific, but it’s definitely worth trying once.

One dish in any establishment, from ordinary cafes to restaurants, costs no less than ₩ 8,500 (€ 6-7). But when ordering food, do not forget that in South Korea they serve large portions. One serving can feed two, proven!

Housing

It is better to book accommodation in Korea in advance, at least several months in advance, and preferably six months in advance. For a bed in the simplest hostel in a room for 10 people you will pay ₩ 34,000 (€ 27). Airbnb rooms and double rooms in hotels cost from ₩59,500 (€47) per night.

During the trip, we decided to live in housing from different price categories to compare the pros and cons. In Busan we lived in good hotel and were able to evaluate the level of Korean service. But as I said above, English is difficult in Korea, so we assessed the level, but we had to negotiate everything through a translator. Although, towards the very end of our stay, the receptionist learned one phrase in English – “clean room”.

Service in Korea is at a high level. In the morning, when your room is cleaned, you will be given a new robe and a refreshing face mask along with a bottle of water. Almost every hotel includes breakfast and there is a free coffee and popcorn machine next to the reception. Everything in the rooms is very technologically advanced and clean.

In Seoul we were less fortunate. We lived in a hostel, the standard of living there is much worse. But what saved us was that the Koreans were good-natured and, even without understanding English, tried to answer our questions and help.

Before checking into the hostel, we spent the first few days in Korean saunas. What are Korean saunas (“chimchilbang”)? Most often, these are large centers where Koreans come to relax with family or friends. The so-called “sanatorium in the city.” These centers have everything: spa, steam rooms, entertainment rooms, food, etc. You can relax there and spend the night. Fixed price: ₩ 17,000 (€ 13) for 12 hours. In small areas, this is a place where people come to wash and spend the night. They give you clothes to sleep, soap supplies and a key to your closet. You sleep on a yoga mat with a round pillow under your head. This pleasure costs ₩12,000 (€ 9) for 12 hours. Frequent visitors to such places are drunk Koreans and young people who did not have time to go home.

South Korea has become for me a country of contrasts and unexpected ideas. Being in Seoul, I felt like I was in Asian America.

There are people around with both European and Oriental appearance. As for food, fast food is very popular; in the summer there are gastro markets on the street. There are shops of famous brands, corners of both Korean and foreign cosmetics, and various showrooms everywhere. There is even a museum of collectible sneakers (you can also buy top-end sneakers there). And at the other end of the country there are small villages and an abundance of Buddhist temples, where people do not think about the latest fashion and music. How can one get to such a contrasting country?

general information

The main thing you need to know: the most convenient way to get to Korea is to fly. By air is the fastest and least problematic. There are a total of 21 airports in South Korea, 7 of which are international. The rest only accept domestic flights. The most popular airports are:

Incheon - largest airport countries,
Gimpo,
Busan Gimhae,
Jeju.

Russian citizens flying from their country usually land at Incheon Airport. There should also be no visa problems, since Russian citizens do not need a visa to visit the country for up to 60 days.

You can also get to Korea by ferry. Indeed, ships from Vladivostok and Zarubilo sail to Donghae and Sokcho.

By plane

As I already said, the best way to get to South Korea is by plane. This way you can fly to three parts of the country:

Seoul,
Busan,
Jeju.

Let's talk about everything in order.

Air travel options

To Seoul

You can get from Donghae to Seoul either by bus (the journey takes 4–5 hours, the ticket costs about 35 USD one way), or by train (the trip lasts 5 hours, the ticket costs about 20 USD).

To Sokcho

Also, once a week a ferry departs from Vladivostok and Zarubino to Sokcho. Sokcho is a city in the northeastern part of South Korea. The transfer is provided by the ferry company Stena Daea Line.

The ferry departs from Vladivostok on Monday and arrives at the port of Sokcho the next day (about 22:00). A one-way ticket will cost approximately 170 USD. The ship departs from Zarubino on Thursday, the time is approximately the same as from Vladivostok. One way ticket from 150 USD.

When is the best time to go to South Korea?

High season in South Korea this is the period from May to September. In May it is about +17 °C and dry. In summer the temperature is about +25–27 °C. Sometimes it rains, but, as I myself have observed, it is short-lived and does not last more than a day. September and October are still quite warm months. At the end of October about +15 °C.

Of course, in the summer there is much more entertainment, open markets and a variety of street culture. But, despite the seasonality, I believe you can go to any time of the year. In winter there is little precipitation and the temperature is about 0 °C. It is better to go only in summer, as it is a city by the sea, and in winter it is much less remarkable.

Prices for flights to South Korea and accommodation in the summer are, of course, higher. In December - January, direct flights can cost about 25,000. That is, the same as flights with transfers in spring - summer or even lower. But I flew in the summer and didn’t regret it at all :).

Passing the border

There is a visa-free regime for Russians, and this greatly simplifies life :). However, do not forget about the rules that still remain. At the airport or seaport when crossing the border, they may ask for information about the hotel (reservation, address), medical insurance (policy health insurance can be done at any insurance company), tickets for the return flight or the next one after Korea, as well as confirmation of the availability of financial resources.

Moreover, on passport control You will need to submit your fingerprints and also take a photo. All these devices are located directly at the control desk, the process will not take much time. You must also fill out an immigration card and customs declaration. They are usually issued on the plane.

Seoul is the capital of South Korea, a city of the future and a place where it is good for both local residents and tourists. Europeans, including Russians, are treated differently here. Any Korean will help a lost tourist to the best of his ability and will be smiling and friendly. Respect and maximum sympathy local residents pleasantly surprises the average domestic citizen, who is not accustomed to such a reaction. True, there are difficulties in communications: for full knowledge in English The majority of the local population is not worth calculating. Nevertheless, everything here contributes to a wonderful holiday.

Flight

If you decide to visit South Korea, namely, the city of the future - Seoul, then first you need to decide on the date of your trip and the nuances of the flight. Whether to buy a ticket six months before the expected date of travel or a month does not matter. The low cost of a flight depends on the specific dates of departure and return. The average cost of an economy class ticket per person there and back is 35,000 rubles ($1,100). But if, for example, you extend the duration of your trip to Korea by one day before the originally intended departure and, accordingly, fly a couple of days later, then the price of the flight will drop to 25,000 rubles ($760), thereby saving you up to 300 on the flight $.

In this case, you will not be able to save on the total cost of the trip, because you will have to spend money on additional accommodation, food, etc. However, it is always better to see and visit more than with more short trip, while spending the same amount.

Skyscanner offers a convenient search for cheap flights. And yes, there are apps for iOS, Android or Windows Phone.

In my case, a round-trip ticket cost about 26,000 rubles ($800) from Emirates Airlines. Before booking a ticket on the company’s website, you can independently choose your landing location, the desired menu from a variety of dishes, etc. The flight took place on an Airbus A380 aircraft with a 3-4-3 seat configuration. Each passenger had a comfortable folding seat and his own 9-inch display for watching modern films in a variety of languages, including Russian. In addition, you can simply listen to music or play games. The flight took 17 hours with one transfer in Dubai. Don’t be upset about lost time due to a transfer, because, for example, in Dubai the largest Duty Free in a world that works around the clock. So, save your money.

Getting around the city

Upon arrival in Seoul, you can order a taxi directly at the airport. Passenger transportation services are provided by taxi drivers with special certificates and guaranteed knowledge of English. A taxi is relatively cheap: for an hour's ride across the city we only had to pay $40.

The Seoul metro is a different story. It’s not easy to understand the metro map, so it’s better to plan your route in advance in a quiet and quiet place, and not on the go. Although the Seoul metro is radically different from the Moscow metro for the better: there are no queues, crowds of people or similar chaos. Everything is as clear as possible, if, of course, you know the destination in advance. To get from one destination to another you have to overcome a huge number of stations and repeatedly change from one line to another, so it is often much more convenient and faster to use by land transport or even on foot.

To travel by metro you need a travel card, which must contain a certain amount of money in advance. The fare varies depending on the distance of the trip. When entering the metro, the minimum cost of the trip is debited from the card, and if you only want to travel a short distance, no more money will be debited from the card when you exit. If you had to travel a lot, then when you exit the subway, the amount of the actual distance traveled will be additionally debited from the card in excess of the minimum travel fare, which, by the way, is 1050 won, which is equal to approximately 1 dollar (1100 won).

Accommodation

At any modern capital There is a huge selection of places to stay. Seoul is no exception. To focus on the city and your travel experience and not spend a lot of money on accommodation, I recommend choosing hostels, of which there are plenty in Seoul. On average, a night's stay in a hostel for one person will cost about $20. During our trip to Seoul, we stayed in two hostels. And in each of them there are many free places, so if for some reason you don’t like the room, you can move right on the spot to a completely empty 4-bed room next door. The environment in hostels is always more than comfortable: everywhere is clean and tidy, there is free Wi-Fi or even desktop computers for guests. There are no surprises in this regard.

In the next part I will talk about interesting places Seoul.

To be fully prepared for your trip to the Land of Morning Freshness and get answers to all possible questions before your trip, use our tips.

1. How and when to fly

South Korea is a pleasant place to travel all year round. If you want to bask by the sea, the ideal month for this is August: the rainy season will already end and the air will warm up to 27–30 °C. In autumn, Korea is warm and dry, you can walk through numerous national parks, enjoying the bright autumn colors, admiring the famous red maples, and the best time for this is the end of September - beginning of November. In winter, temperatures rarely drop below -6°C, making this excellent weather for skiing and snowboarding. Spring in Korea is warm and sunny, with very little rainfall. And in the spring, cherries, dogwoods, and azaleas bloom, and this is worth admiring. Peak flowering occurs in April. Read more about what to do in different seasons in South Korea.

There is a seasonal direct flight from St. Petersburg to Seoul from the largest airline in South Korea, Korean Air, which means that from spring to autumn you can fly to the capital of Korea without unnecessary headaches and transfers. Departures are carried out daily, except Monday and Wednesday, the flight time is 8 hours 50 minutes.

2. How to get around the city

Seoul has a problem, like any other modern metropolis - traffic jams. Therefore, if possible, it is better to use the metro and other public transport. It's easy with a single T-money card, which will help you save 10% on each trip compared to a single ticket.

T-money and Cashbee transport cards are valid on buses and subways in Seoul and other regions of Korea (in all major cities there is a metro), you can also use them to pay for taxi fares.
City buses operate in all regions of Korea and have a specific color. All buses in Seoul are painted in four colors: yellow - roundabouts, green ones operate within one area between metro stations, blue ones serve several areas, red ones carry out suburban services. Read more about Seoul buses and other types of transport in the “Transport” section on the website of the National Tourism Organization of Korea.

Sometimes it is more convenient to take a taxi. A lot of them. More budget taxis are orange (in Seoul; in satellite cities - silver), luxury taxis are black with a yellow sign on the roof.

3. Where to change money and should you tip?

The Korean currency is the won. The rate may change, but this moment 1000 Korean won (KRW) = 57.6 rubles, or just under $1. Almost everywhere, except for small shops and markets, cards of international payment systems are accepted.

Cash is best exchanged at Korean banks or specialized points located in tourist areas, such as Insadong, Itaewon, Myeongdong. You can also exchange money in big hotels or directly at the airport (Incheon or Gimpo), but the commission will be higher than in the city.
Save your documents - you can exchange local currency that was not useful during your trip back into dollars only if you present a certificate from the bank.

Tipping is not customary in Korea. Trying to tip is perceived negatively by Koreans. However, in European or American bars in South Korea, where there are no Koreans among the staff or management, such a gesture will be appreciated as usual.

4. How and what to buy

Korea is called a shopaholic's paradise. Large department stores stock the world's high-end brands Chanel, Gucci, Prada, Hermes, Bulgari and many others. There are interesting clusters with clothes from local designers. Excellent cosmetics, beautiful products made of mother-of-pearl and pearls and, of course, souvenirs. The most popular are the Korean national costume hanbok, dozhagi ceramics, puchae fan and pok jumoni lucky bag.

Large shopping centers and markets often operate around the clock.
And more good news for shopping lovers: Duty Free, that is, a duty-free shopping zone, is available not only at airports and ports in Korea, but also in department stores of large brands (for example, local majors Lotte and Huindai).

In Korea, there is also the usual tax refund on goods purchased in the country - Tax Refund. Look for blue star stickers. If you don't find such a sticker, ask about Global Blue, Tax Refund or Tax Free from the staff. The minimum purchase amount is 30,000 won. The purchase price per purchase should not exceed 500,000 won, including tax. You will be able to return from 10 to 20% for jewelry. Save the receipts, fill out the Tax Free Form, prepare your passport and purchased items and go to the return point, which is not only at the airport, but also in the city center - they are indicated on receipts and at duty-free points. If you can't wait, use by mailbox Global Blue, located next to customs. Drop in your completed, stamped Tax Free form with your receipts to receive a refund on your credit card.

And yet, every summer in Seoul there is a big summer Sale(Seoul Summer Sale), where tourists can get up to 50% discount if they obtain a special card at the airport in advance.

5. What language to speak

Before traveling to a non-English-speaking country, the question always arises whether you need to acquire a phrasebook in order to somehow communicate with the locals if necessary.

The official language in South Korea is Korean. If you want to be known as a polyglot among your local acquaintances, remember a few useful phrases. “Hello” - “anyon haseyo”. In a more informal dialogue with friends, you can say “anyon” - “hello.” “It’s very nice to meet you” - “mannaso pongauyo.” “Thank you” - “kamsahamnida”. “Goodbye” - “annenyonhi keseyo” - is said to the one who remains. In order to make a good impression, these phrases will be quite enough.

But don’t be shy to ask directions or ask any other questions in English, because Koreans devote a lot of time to learning this language and will not mind practicing. If you don’t know who to contact on the street, look for the tourist police, whose representatives are distinguished by their blue uniforms and black berets. Its staff will help you find your way around or translate the sign on the sign (although most are dubbed into English). Information support is also part of their responsibilities.

6. How not to be left without communication

South Korea is famous for the fastest Internet in the world - 26.1 Mbit/sec, as well as its accessibility to the population. Free Wi-Fi is available in many establishments and hotels in Seoul, in museums, train stations and airports, and even on the subway, but outside the capital it is somewhat more difficult to find. Therefore, local operators offer portable Wi-Fi routers (also called Wi-Fi eggs), which allow you to access the Internet wherever there is a cellular connection. You can rent a Wi-Fi router at the airport, although it is quite expensive.

Those who want to purchase a SIM card from a local operator can do so online in advance and then pick up the SIM card at the airport. Particularly popular among foreign tourists are 5, 10 and 30-day SIM cards that provide unlimited access to the Internet. SIM cards are also sold in large supermarkets and specialty stores. Don't forget to check if your phone is unlocked for use abroad.

It is worth noting that electricity in Korea is standard - 220V, 60Hz, sockets are the same as in Russia. So you don't need to buy any special adapters.

Dos and don'ts

In the house it is customary to take off shoes and walk barefoot.
It is not customary to pierce food with chopsticks like a fork. Chopsticks should not be left upright on a plate, especially stuck into rice. And you shouldn't use them as a pointer during a conversation.
Saying a categorical “no” is considered bad manners. Here evasive answers are accepted and there is practically no imperative mood.
In Korean culture, personal space is highly valued, so it is not customary to pat people on the back, hug strangers, or generally touch strangers.
It’s better not to gesticulate: gestures that we are used to may have a completely different meaning in Korean culture and may even seem offensive.
In Korea, elders are respected - by age and position. There are many things you cannot do in front of your elders, and besides, you are supposed to treat them in a special way: bow deeply, wait for someone to give you a hand, and always return the handshake with both hands. Pouring wine and passing objects to the elder must also be done with both hands or holding the other by the wrist.
It is not customary to blow your nose in public, but you are supposed to sneeze loudly. And you can even slurp to show that you are enjoying the food.

A holiday in South Korea will certainly give you vivid impressions and emotions. A combination of modern cities with skyscrapers, traditional Korean culture and architecture, picturesque national parks, beautiful beaches, flavored with developed infrastructure, will make a trip to this country comfortable and memorable.

South Korea looks especially advantageous for residents Far East Russia, because it’s closer to fly here than to Moscow and the European part of the country.

I present to your attention a large useful material about traveling to South Korea, where you will learn how to get there cheaply, how to get around, where to live, what to see, and how much the trip will cost.

Koreans

Visa to South Korea: is it necessary?

Since 2014, Russians can enter the country without a visa if their stay does not exceed 60 days (but not more than 90 days a year).

Documents for visa-free entry to South Korea:

a passport that is valid for at least six months from the date of entry
a completed migration card, which will be given to you on the plane or other transport
completed customs declaration (if there is something to declare)

Instructions for filling out a migration card

I also saw on the Internet that you need return air tickets and proof of availability Money(hotel reservations, bank certificate, cash, etc.). But they didn’t ask us anything from this list; we arrived on a flight from Kuala Lumpur. However, I advise you to do it just in case.

Hotel reservations can be made at Booking (select the “free cancellation” option).

How to make an air ticket reservation without payment, I wrote in detail in. Although it would be ideal if you have real return tickets.

If you plan to stay in SC longer, you will need a visa. They can be workers, students, or researchers.

How to get to South Korea cheaply?

The most convenient way to get into the country is to fly, as most tourists do.

There are direct flights from Russia to South Korea from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Khabarovsk and Vladivostok.

There are direct flights to Daegu from Khabarovsk and Vladivostok by T’Way Air and Hanh Air at a price of approximately 13-15 thousand rubles in both directions.

There are direct flights to Seoul from Vladivostok (S7, Aeroflot, Jeju Air, Korean Air), from Moscow (Aeroflot, Korean Air), from St. Petersburg (Aeroflot), from Khabarovsk (S7, Aeroflot, Asiana Airlines).

There are direct flights to Busan from Vladivostok (Aeroflot).

Most cheap way get to South Korea - catch a sale on the Korean low-cost airline Jeju Air from Vladivostok to Seoul. Once they were selling tickets for 3,000 rubles one way and 6,000 round-trip. Unfortunately, sales don't happen that often.

Airfare from Moscow

Transport in South Korea

Aircraft

The largest airlines are Korean Air and Asiana Airlines, which have flights between the capital and other cities of the country, as well as between provincial cities.

Also, pay attention to Air Busan, Jeju Air, Eastar Jet, T'way Airlines, Hanh Air if you are planning to take a domestic flight.

Jeju Air counter at Jeju Airport

Prices are low, discounts are common at the beginning of the work week, but on weekends tickets are more expensive, and they sell out quickly. For example, we flew from Jeju to Busan for only 48,000 won for two (with 15 kg of luggage each).

Trains in Korea

The country also has a convenient railway system, although it does not cover all regions.

KTX High Speed Train

Trains come in three main classes:

KTX- high-speed, fly from Seoul to Busan in two and a half hours (costs 59,800 won in economy class, 83,700 won in first class)

Saemaul- stops only in large cities, the same trip costs 42,600 won.

Mugunghwa- the slowest, but still comfortable. Seoul-Busan costs 28,600 won.

If you plan to travel a lot by train, buy an unlimited KR Pass, it will be more profitable. A one-day pass costs 81,000 won, and a three-day pass costs 113,000 won.

You can buy tickets at railway stations, travel agencies, as well as on the official website of Korean railways. You can also check the train schedule there in advance.

Buses

The bus system in the country is very developed, with thousands of buses plying the roads between all major and minor cities. There is no place you can't reach.

Buses are divided into express and intersity, which often arrive at different terminals in the same city. The former run between the main big cities, the latter - between smaller provincial ones. In addition, there are also varieties by class: Ilban (regular) and Udeung (superior, with three seats in a row). Night buses are usually superior with an appropriate price.

Intercity bus

VIP bus with three seats in a row

In general, the bus ride is quite comfortable, the driver makes stops every 2-3 hours, and the roads have all the infrastructure with cafes, toilets and entire shopping complexes.

As a rule, there is no need to buy tickets in advance, except on holidays and weekends. This can be done at the bus station before departure. You can view the schedule in advance at (select English in the upper right corner).

Bus station in Busan

Ticket vending machine

Car rental in Korea

To rent a car in Korea, you will need an international license (issued more than a year ago), and you must be over 21 years old. The road infrastructure here is well developed: you will find equipped parking lots, campsites, cafes, gas stations... The roads are chic and wide with dividing fences and multi-level interchanges.

Road infrastructure is excellent

Ferries

Ferries operate to numerous islands. We did not sail on these (more precisely, only from Jeju Island to Udo Island), but all information about schedules and prices can be found in the ports.

Ferry from Jeju Island to Udo Island

Local city transport

The best way to save money on traveling around cities is to buy a special transport T-money card. It is sold in special machines in the subway (on arrival at the airport too), or in supermarkets GS25, CU, 7-11 and costs 2000-2500 won. You can also top up your balance there. When entering and exiting the subway or bus, simply lean it against the special machine.

What is the main advantage of this card? It gives you a 100 won discount on each trip, plus the ability to travel on another mode of transport for free if you transfer within 30 minutes. Thus, it pays for itself in a day. We spent the rest of the card at a supermarket at Seoul airport before our flight.

The metro is the most convenient urban transport; there are subways in 6 largest Korean cities. The fare usually starts from 1,100 won; for long distances it is a little more expensive. We have never paid more than 1800 won for a subway.

Subway in Seoul

When is the best time to go?

The best months to visit South Korea are April, May, September and October (if you plan to actively travel around the country) and from mid-June to September (if beach holidays are your priority).

In winter, you should come only if you plan to ski in the Olympic PyeongChang and the surrounding area; it is at this time that there is snow in the mountains and all the conditions for a ski holiday.

In spring the weather here is warmer than in Russia. April is famous for cherry blossoms, it looks really incredible, and May is like summer in central Russia. However, there may be a chilly wind in the evenings, so bring sweaters.

In summer beach season opens from late June to early September. It's hot and humid. Ideal time for beach holiday at any of the many resorts, the most famous are Jeju Island and Busan.

At the end of September-October, autumn takes over yours and the trees are painted yellow-red. Best time for trekking and visiting national parks, and it’s not so hot anymore.

When is the best time to go to Korea: spring and autumn

Housing

Finding a place to stay overnight in Korea is not a problem. In any more or less tourist city you will find a large selection of accommodation from hostels to decent hotels of global chains.

If you are traveling alone, hostels are the best option. But sometimes it’s more profitable for two people to rent a hotel room.

You can book hotels on the website, which collects in one place offers from different reservation systems, such as booking.

An interesting accommodation option could be a hanok - a traditional Korean house converted into a guesthouse. You will sleep on the floor on a mattress, but the floors are heated, so the house is warm. A list of such houses throughout the country can be found here (Korean only).

You can feel like a Buddhist monk and spend the night in a monastery thanks to the Templestay program. More than 100 temples across the country are accessible to travelers. More details on the official program.

Tents on the beach in Busan

IN national parks It is possible to spend the night in campsites and shelters. It’s not expensive at all, besides, there is the necessary infrastructure and amenities, and you don’t have to drag a tent from home with you :) List of campsites with prices throughout the country. Select a national park and look for the “Fee” section in the left menu.

Renting apartments from the owners will be beneficial for families with children, large companies and simply those who like to feel at home. To do this, search at

The most high prices and demand for hotels in July, August, September on the coast and in October, November in national parks and nearby. Therefore, if you are traveling during this period, it is better to book in advance.

Breakfast is rarely included in the price, but there are still such options, it is very convenient. The staff usually speaks reasonable English, unless you go completely off the beaten path.

Holidays in South Korea: resorts and attractions

Holidays in South Korea are quite diverse. There are both beach and ski resorts, despite the small size of the country.

The peninsula is washed by three seas on three sides, so there is plenty to choose from among beach resorts. The most popular resort in South Korea among both locals and tourists is the volcanic Jeju Island. Magnificent beaches from volcanic sand, stunning landscapes and clear sea make it very popular place recreation.

On Jeju Island

Udo Island and the volcano in the distance