Are you planning a trip to Korea? Get ready for long rest? There are many things to take care of before you make travel plans and start packing your bags. Introducing Here are some of them for your attention.

First of all

For Togo To fully enjoy your time in Korea, you should go on a trip in a good mood. After all, Korea is far from paradise and quiet place where are yours Problems They will simply disappear as if by magic. There is a high probability that you will repeat the mistakes you make at home in Korea. So stop dreaming and start living.
It will pass Whether your holiday is wonderful or not is entirely up to you. Try to think clearly, understand and accept Korean culture.

Republic of Korea (South Korea) is a state in East Asia, located on the Korean Peninsula. The Republic of Korea occupies the southern part of the Korean Peninsula, protruding 1,100 kilometers from the main part of Asia. From the west the peninsula is washed by the Yellow Sea, from the east - Sea of ​​Japan, and from the south - the Korea Strait and the East China Sea.

Applying for a visa to Korea

For arrival V Southern Korea Foreign visitors must have a valid passport and obtain a Korean visa before entering the country. However, people from some countries can visit Korea temporarily without a visa. Additional For information on tourist, student and work visas, please visit the section Visas.

Flights

Many airlines with international routes regularly operate flights to Korea. Airlines Korean Air And Asiana Airlines also operate flights from various points around the world. Except they fly here and low cost airlines with which you can save a lot.

Money

Korean The currency is “won” (₩). The banknote denominations are ₩1000, ₩5000, ₩10000 and ₩50000, as well as ₩10, ₩50, ₩100 and ₩500 coins.

Money can be exchanged in banks, exchange service centers, or official exchange offices currencies Prices at banks vary, so it is better to choose other currency exchange institutions.

Important Please note that with the exception of Citibank bank accounts, only Korean bank accounts are reflected when accepting cash from ATMs in Korea.

ATMs(CD) are usually found in shops, subways, train stations, bus stations and shopping centers. When using international debit cards with the Plus and Cirrus logos, it is possible to access funds from international bank accounts through ATMs with the same logos.

Transfer from the airport and back

Exist various travel options between airports and populated areas in Korea.

Taxi: Despite the comfort, taxis are one of the most expensive types of transport. By information from the website of Incheon International Airport (http://www.airport.kr) trip from Seoul to airport, lasting about an hour, costs approximately 44,000 won for a standard taxi and 80,000 won for a luxury taxi.

Buses: Various types of buses depart from Korean airports, including special buses. airport transport, local buses and etc.

Car rent: Car rental is available in Korea for people with international driver's license ID. You can rent a car at the airport, large railway stations, and express bus stations.

Voltage and frequency

Voltage The power supply in Korea is 220 volts, 60 Hz. Plugs with two round pins are used. Depending on the voltage of your device and the shape of the plug, you may need converter voltage or adapter. Both can be purchased at discounted prices from centers like E-Mart and Home plus or electronic stores.

When crossing the border you must present the following documents:
international passport valid at the time of entry;
return tickets or tickets to a third country;
confirmation of sufficient Money for the entire period
stay in the country. If you have a hotel reservation (printouts from the Internet
enough) or border guards are rarely interested in a travel agency voucher
availability of financial resources from the tourist;
completed migration card and customs declaration
(issued on the plane, on the ferry or in the arrivals hall in front of the booths
passport control).

Culture and etiquette

to yours This is a brief introduction to etiquette and Korean culture that will help you better understand life in Korea.

Bow: Bowing is the most common form of greeting in Korea. Informal form of bowing reminds a nod, and a deep bow is considered the most polite greeting. Koreans sit cross-legged on the floor and bow deeply to the elderly.

The usual form of bowing consists of several stages:

Stand up right at a distance of 1-2 meters from the person you intend to bow to.
Take a bow from the small of your back while keeping your neck straight.
Straighten up.
Greet: “안녕하십니까”?

In order to feel natural, you must first practice this procedure. Bow And words: "안녕하십니까" ? – is liked by most Koreans as it conveys respect and modesty. It is also important to note that when speaking to elders, making eye contact is considered disrespectful.

Handshake: despite the increased number of handshakes in last years, it is not a traditional part of Korean culture. Shaking hands with a person of higher status or older yourself, when performing a slight bow, place your left hand on your right forearm. In the West, a very firm handshake is a sign of trust and respect, but if you do this in Korea, your new acquaintance may feel uncomfortable.

Respect for elders: Koreans have a reverent attitude towards age. Elders are treated with great respect. Young people always greet older people first. Guys call sisters or girls older girls - "Nuna", and younger girls - "Unni". "Hyung" is an older brother or a grown man for boys, and "Oppa" is for girls. If a person is over forty or if there are 10 summer age difference, then such men are called “Azhussi”, and women are called “Azhuma”.

Language of the body: Touching someone who is not a relative or close friend is considered a violation of personal space among Koreans. When communicating, try to avoid touching and patting. Always pass and receive objects with your right hand (wrist or forearm should be supported with the left) or two hands. To call someone over, you need to extend your hand, palm down, and make “scratching movements” with your fingers. And never guide your index finger. When sitting, do not cross your legs. Keep your feet on the floor, not on your desk or chair.

Attachment: girlfriends and women who are relatives of each other can be recognized by the way they walk holding hands, which is a symbol of close relationships. Close friends relationship among men, are also expressed in a tendency to show less personal space towards each other, in comparison with how it is customary in the West. A close connection is demonstrated through friendly gestures. However, hugs are used less often as a greeting among Koreans than in Europe. Kissing and other intimate expressions of affection in public places are unacceptable.

Public transport: There are special seats at the end of subway cars and at the front of buses intended for the elderly, disabled and pregnant women. If everything busy, then it is customary for these persons to give up their seats in another part of the transport. Elderly people often categorically refuse such an offer, but the person who gives in, as a rule, insists on his own. If there is one free seat, Korean women are more likely to allow their companions - men sit, but they prefer to ride standing. Those sitting are expected to hold the bags of their companions.

Lavatory/toilet: Not all public places (bars, restaurants, etc.) have restrooms, but some use a public restroom inside the building. It is advisable to always carry napkins with you, as All restrooms can provide them. In some stations and other public places you may find Asian style toilets where the user is required to "squat" and throwing away Used napkins into specially designed containers. Most restaurants and cafes such as Outback Steakhouse, McDonald's, Coffee Bean, Tea Leaf, Starbucks have Western-style restrooms.

Street: Koreans usually walk on the left side of the sidewalk, opposite the flow of traffic. It's not often that you come across pedestrians walking and eating food at the same time. In many areas Can meet places that sell various snacks and light meals. However, it is customary to eat on the spot, standing in front of the counter. Don't forget that cars drive on the right in Korea. And on the sidewalks, delivery men on scooters periodically appear as if out of nowhere, so be vigilant!

Safety and security

South Korea is a relatively safe country. Until late at night as in big cities, and in rural areas, you can meet people on the street.

You can bring your pets

For that, to Bringing your pets requires a quarantine or rabies vaccination certificate issued by veterinary clinic or your government. In addition, with a certificate of quarantine you must contact the National Veterinary Research and Quarantine Service.

As always, we conclude our independent travel to south korea the final article, from which you will learn about how to move around the country on your own and by hitchhiking, where to look for registration, how to find cheap food and in general about our budget and route.

Travel map.

Cheap food and prices.

The currency of South Korea is the Korean out. At the time of our stay in the country, 1000 won = 1 $ or 35 rubles.

We exchanged currency at one of the bank branches; at the airport the rate was slightly worse than in the city.

Some examples of other prices:

• attractions - purely symbolically, no more than 5,000 won ($5).
• clothes - on sale you can buy for the same money as here in Russia from 5,000 won. For example, I bought pure Korean sweatpants good quality for 40,000 won (though I had to bargain hard).
• bus fare - on average from 800 to 4000 won (depending on the distance).
• food in a cafe - average price 4000 or 5000 won, you can find it cheaper or more expensive.

Registration and housing.

Since we are talking about one of the most expensive Asian countries, and we are frugal travelers, hotels are out of the question. Although one day we managed to spend the night in a motel thanks to the compassion of a hospitable Korean. If I correctly looked at the price tags on the stand, then the number cost him up to 60,000 won.

Only once we pitched a tent somewhere in the bush, after getting off the highway late in the evening. The rest of the time we managed to live in guests or churches. South Korean churches are the best option for a hitchhiker, because more often than not, even if the “padre” is not there, other people try to help us instead.

Only once were we denied an overnight stay in a church, but even then there were guys who helped us find a roof over our heads for as many as 3 days.

In the capital, and in other big cities (if you're lucky), you can use - om. For example, in Seoul we were lucky, but in the rest populated areas I had to think about housing on my own. If you like to think through everything in advance, I advise you to use the search for cheap hotels around the world.

Koreans.

If you carefully read everything that is written above and were not too lazy to read the articles, then you are probably convinced that Koreans are one of the nicest Asian peoples.

Very well-mannered, cultured, hospitable and trouble-free. They are ready to sacrifice their personal time and even work to help or “save” a tourist. For all their curiosity, they do not stare and try not to interfere.

It is not difficult for them to treat food or even arrange a whole dinner for a guest of the country. And driving an extra 50 km in the opposite direction is not a problem at all. In this way they are very similar to the Omanis, and have earned our love for themselves as a nation for a long time!

Personal review.

Despite the fact that Korea is not cheap country, it is very comfortable to move around thanks to the sincerity and hospitality of the local residents.

In the first couple of days, you may have to deny yourself something, but after a couple of days you already find cheap food options and how to see the sights for free. In addition, Koreans are not too keen on controlling foreigners, as, for example, in Sri Lanka.

If we consider the country from the point of view of an ordinary tourist, then perhaps the most interesting places in Seoul, Gyeongju, and Jeju Island. For a sophisticated traveler, the country will be a one-time destination. We may not have visited everything, but we have already seen a lot in other countries.

Today I am more brief than ever :). If you have any questions, we can talk in the comments to the article, and we say goodbye to you, dear friends, to the next country. As I promised, we will begin to publish articles on the topic of traveling around Central Asia. Thank you for your attention!

South Korea became the seventh country in our big trip across Asia. I must say that initially we didn’t really plan a trip to Korea, but shortly before preparing for the trip, news appeared about the abolition of tourist visas for Russian citizens. After this good news, we began to consider South Korea on the list of possible countries to visit. The trip itself was organized quite spontaneously; while we were in Malaysia, without clear plans for our further journey, we decided that why not add another Asia to Southeast Asia, and bought tickets to Seoul.

First impression of Seoul

We arrived in Korea completely unprepared. We didn’t have any plans or routes; to be honest, we didn’t even know very much about the country. Sometimes it’s nice and useful to mix up carefully planned trips with spontaneous ones.

Seoul

Seoul greeted us with a gloomy sky and a slight coolness (about 20 degrees Celsius), which we had already gotten used to in the hot Southeast Asia. In my mind, Korea was supposed to be like Hong Kong, but it turned out to be more like Japan.

Night Seoul

Seoul has quite a lot of faceless, utilitarian concrete buildings and monotonous residential areas, but in some places they are diluted with colorful neighborhoods with low houses and shining skyscrapers of business districts.

Housing in Seoul

Seoul is not the best cheap city for the budget traveler. The cheapest accommodation we were able to find was Hostel Korea Original. A night in a private room cost more than $30. For the first few nights we were able to get a room with our own bathroom special price, but then had to move to a room with a shared bathroom as the price for ours increased.

Room at Hostel Korea Original

Although we don't like hostels, we really liked Hostel Korea Original. The inside of the hostel was clean, quiet and cozy. For a tourist there is everything you need: a kitchen, a washing machine and even free coffee. The rooms are quite small and austere, but clean. In the morning, if you got up early, you could have time for a symbolic breakfast in the form of toast and jam, but they were eaten quite quickly, since they were simply placed on the table in the kitchen.

One of the streets in the area where the hostel is located

The hostel was located in a nice area with narrow streets and low brick houses; you can get to the center by metro or walk a few kilometers.

Search hotels in Seoul:

Food

We arrived at the hostel before check-in time, so we decided to go eat. Usually we rely on our own strength, but then we decided to ask the administrator where it would be better for us to eat, so that the food would be vegetarian. The administrator guy turned out to be very responsive and decided to take us to the cafe himself. We already thought that we were now going to be taken to yet another tourist spot with huge prices, but the guy took us to a reasonably priced eatery with Korean food, and also explained to the employees in Korean that we needed food without meat. No one spoke English in the cafe; the entire menu was in Korean.

Bibimbap and kimchi

They brought us two hot pots of rice and vegetables, accompanied by broth and kimchi - Korean pickles that are served with almost every meal. Strictly speaking, kimchi is spicy pickled Chinese cabbage, but kimchi snacks are not limited to it. Pots of rice are called bibimbap, and it is one of the most famous traditional Korean dishes. We really enjoyed the food and returned to this place several times.

Kimbap

In Korea, rolls similar to Japanese ones are popular, but they use rice without vinegar and do not add raw fish. The rolls are wrapped in nori sheets and filled with vegetables, omelette, ham and seafood. These rolls are called kimbap, they appeared during the Japanese occupation of Korea (from 1910 to 1945).

Korean cuisine is quite spicy, but in my personal experience it is much less spicy than Thai or Indian.

In Korea, as throughout Asia, street food is popular. Tents with food are clustered in certain walk-through areas, and they look very decent in terms of hygiene.

Street food in Seoul

Korea couldn't do without food that looked a little crazy to a European eye, for example:

Toast with whipped cream and caramel sauce
Ice cream that is poured into edible long spiral tubes
Canned silkworm pupae

Food prices in Korea far from Southeast Asia, and here a budget tourist cannot roam. In the most affordable places without waiters, you can hardly find dishes for $5-8; in most cafes, a meal will cost at least $10-15 per person. For at least a couple of weeks, we haven’t been able to come up with anything cheaper than buying food at the supermarket.

Korea is one of the most safe countries in the world: none large quantity thefts, no drug addicts, no robberies, and public morality is so developed and strong that it is almost impossible to hear rudeness addressed to you.

If you decide to go to South Korea, namely in, decide on specific dates in advance, because the cost of the flight will depend on them, and not on how far in advance you buy plane tickets. The cheapest tickets to South Korea are, and.

If we talk about transport in Seoul, then to rent a car you will need an international license book - Russian plastic is not suitable. All public transport and orange taxi (state) is paid for by the T-money system - plastic card, on which money is deposited through the terminal.

Everything is like in Russia - you put your card on the turnstile, it tells you the remaining balance, and you move on.

The subway is quiet and calm inside the cars, but no one waits for people to get off and gets on right away, so be prepared to jostle a lot and for a long time. If you live in Moscow and think that this will not surprise you, you are mistaken, in Korea everything is much tougher.

In the subway and on the streets there are corrugated yellow paths - landmarks for the blind. In Seoul, everything is quite well equipped for people with disabilities, so if you or your relatives were afraid to face the problem of the inability of Korean streets, then feel free to brush aside all fears.

Money. Don't count on credit cards- they are accepted, but rarely and reluctantly: Koreans love cash very much. Therefore, exchange part of the money immediately at the airport, and the rest in banks. When you go to stores, pay attention to the price tags. If they are not there, the price of the product is most likely greatly inflated, and you will not be able to negotiate.

If you smoke, take a supply of cigarettes with you because Koreans hardly smoke and it can be difficult to buy cigarettes.

Before the trip, you need to remember about the traditional greeting - you need to bow slightly. Koreans also prefer to bow rather than say “thank you” as a form of gratitude. Direct eye contact, by the way, can be regarded as a threat and disrespect. You can also shake hands, but there is a special ritual in this too: both the right and left hands are presented and shaken, although preference is given to the right - the left hand is placed under the right. If this rule is not followed, the impression will be that you are a very uncultured person and far from polite.

If it turns out that you will be drinking with one of the Koreans, you should never fill your glass - pour it for others, not for yourself.

Since we're talking about alcohol, it's worth mentioning food. The meal cannot begin until the oldest person in age sits down at the table. When choosing food, don't think that in Seoul they cook only dogs and insects, you can find completely normal European cuisine there, but the food is often spicier than we are used to. Also, not all cafes and restaurants offer tea, but they always bring water for free. But be prepared for the fact that in some restaurants and cafes they wash plates right on the road, and you watch all this.

We talk about what to see independent traveler in Seoul. The capital of South Korea hides an unlimited number of surprises and surprises.

When planning to visit South Korea, tourists hope to see the beauty local nature, try Asian cuisine, get acquainted with historical, cultural and architectural monuments. But no one can even imagine what a surge of emotions and carnival of impressions hospitable Seoul has prepared.

Main city South Korea and also one of the largest economic and shopping centers Asia is located on east coast countries. Seoul is a mixture of antiquity and modernity, making it attractive to a wide range of audiences. Do you want to be in a secluded place alone with nature? Do you have a desire to get to know the centuries-old masterpieces of architecture that belonged to the imperial dynasties? Are you looking for a city for shopping or want to have fun in nightclubs with friends? The capital of South Korea will satisfy any wishes of its guests.

Organizing a trip to Seoul

Since 2014, the visa has been abolished for Russians planning to stay in South Korea for up to 60 days. All you need is a passport, insurance, and a round-trip ticket. The country can be reached by air or by water. Closest to Seoul sea ​​port is located in Incheon. Located in the same city international Airport. You can get from Incheon to Seoul by subway, train, bus or taxi. It all depends on the budget and available time.

The recommended time to plan a trip is April-May and August-September. Although Seoul is located at the same latitude as Mediterranean resorts (Turkey, Sicily, Balkans), weather it has more contrast due to the absence of obstacles for northern winds, the predominance of a monsoon climate with its high humidity.

What to bring as a gift from South Korea

Seoul – heavenly place for the shopaholic. There are many shopping centers, markets and... Appliances, clothing, jewelry, furniture, dishes - you can buy absolutely everything on the city streets. Tourists bring as souvenirs from South Korea:

Planning a trip? That way!

We have prepared some useful gifts for you. They will help you save money while preparing for your trip.

• Porcelain;
• Painted ceramics;
• Folk products: embroidery, national costumes, fans, umbrellas;
• Ginseng in any form;
• Amethyst and jade products;
• Seaweed cookies.