🇰🇷 South Korea travel essentials
Everything you need to plan a trip to South Korea — climate, currency, packing essentials, public holidays, voltage and plug types, and what locals actually wear.
Top cities in South Korea
Public holidays in South Korea
Plan around national holidays — many businesses close, transport gets busier, and prices for flights/hotels can spike.
Money & currency
The South Korean Won (KRW, symbol ₩) is the official currency. Live exchange rates are updated daily.
Visas & entry rules
Top-passport entry rules for South Korea — quick reference, but always confirm with the destination's official consulate before booking flights:
| Passport | Rule | Stay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 US passport | K-ETA (online) | up to 90 days | K-ETA online required before flight (₩10,000). |
| 🇬🇧 UK passport | Visa-free | up to 90 days | — |
| 🇪🇺 EU passport | Visa-free | up to 90 days | — |
| 🇨🇦 Canadian passport | K-ETA (online) | up to 90 days | — |
| 🇦🇺 Australian passport | K-ETA (online) | up to 90 days | — |
Last reviewed 2025-2026. Visa rules change with little notice; this table is informational and not legal advice.
Plan a trip to South Korea
Use one of our planning tools to figure out exactly when and how to go:
What to pack
Each city has month-by-month packing lists computed from local climate data — temperatures, rainfall, peak hazard seasons, and South Korea's dress code.