24 hours in Seoul, South Korea - How to spend a day in Seoul (2023)

FAQs

Is 1 day enough in Seoul? ›

One day in Seoul isn't enough to see everything you need to in the beautiful country of South Korea, but it is a good starting point. This post will be filled with tourist spots to visit in Seoul which is perfect for those of you who want to do some sightseeing in Seoul.

You should plan to spend around ₩118,491 ($91) per day on your vacation in Seoul, which is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors. Past travelers have spent, on average, ₩33,012 ($25) on meals for one day and ₩17,029 ($13) on local transportation.

Did you know that you can leave the terminal for awhile during a layover in Seoul? Incheon Airport offers this exciting deal for visitors where you can tour for up to 5 hours and witness some of Seoul's most famous sights. Just visit their website and choose what you wish to do before leaving on your trip.

You should plan to spend around ₩118,323 ($91) per day on your vacation in South Korea, which is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors. Past travelers have spent, on average, ₩30,541 ($24) on meals for one day and ₩17,227 ($13) on local transportation.

3 days ( 72 hours in Seoul) is a good amount of time to visit the highlights of the city. 4 to 7 days will give you the time to go hiking, visit more of-the-beaten-path attractions, or take a few day trips from Seoul.

3-5 days is a great start. That gives you enough time to explore the highlights of the city, plus a day or two to get out and explore the surrounding areas. It's a city of endless surprises, so you'll only be scratching the surface, but it's enough time to get a feel for Seoul.

Between its vast and affordable transit system, wide range of dining options, and abundance of low-cost activities and attractions, South Korea can prove a relatively inexpensive travel destination.

Although card payments are widely accepted, some merchants won't accept cards for purchases under ₩10,000. Also, only some ATMs will accept foreign credit/debit cards.So it's handy to have cash on you at all times to avoid a sticky situation.

Foreign currency declaration upon arrival. If you bring in means of payment not exceeding USD 10,000 to Korea, you do not need any permission or declaration. In addition, there is no need to report or authorize the importation of promissory notes, letters of credit, or bills of exchange.

How much money do you need for food in Korea? ›

If you're eating out at a Korean restaurant, then look to spend around 10,000 – 15,000 KRW ($9 – $13) for a meal. When eating at a more western restaurant, then you might spend 20,000 KRW ($18) at minimum for a meal. Fast food or a small meal will range around 5,000 – 7,000 ($4.50 – $6.30).

Do US Citizens Need A Visa For South Korea? No, you don't. US citizens traveling to Korea must have an approved South Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) to enter Korea.

The short answer is yes. It is possible to exit and reenter the airport. Whether or not you should depends on a range of factors, including if you're traveling internationally or domestically and how much time you have between flights.

You can pay by both cash and credit card. Available currencies are Korean Won, Japanese Yen, USA Dollar, Euro, and Chinese Yuan.

It is recommended to bring a minimum amount of cash with you. $200 USD should be enough to pay for small items and in case your card doesn't work. All of your other expenses should be paid with your card.

High season is considered to be June and July. The cheapest month to fly to South Korea is March. Enter your preferred departure airport and travel dates into the search form above to unlock the latest South Korea flight deals.

Dollars you can take it with you. But in Korea, shops do not take dollars depends on shops but they do not have changes in dollars. You can make exchange when you have dollars. You can ask where are the best exchange shops from the hotel reception.

In South Korea, there are regular ATMs and cash dispenser machines (CDs), which give out cash but don't accept deposits. CDs generally offer directions in English and are more convenient for travelers since most ATMs in South Korea require that customers have an account with a Korean bank.

You must have a valid U.S. passport and a visa or an approved Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) to enter Korea. Most U.S. passport holders traveling to Korea for tourism or business purposes for less than 90 days can obtain a K-ETA.

How much money do you need to survive in Korea? ›

On a national level, a family of four can expect to spend an average of 2,300,000 KRW per month (2,000 USD) in living expenses (excluding rent). A single expat can expect to pay 652,000 KRW (560 USD) per month (excluding rent).

The best time to visit South Korea is between March and May if you want to see the vibrant pink of the cherry blossoms in bloom. If you want to see the landscapes come alive as the leaves change in the cooler weathers, then we'd recommend visiting between September and November.

The best time of year to visit South Korea is generally considered to be the spring months of April, May & June, and the autumn months of September, October & November. During these two seasons days are typically sunny and dry with comfortable average temperatures.

A U.S citizen with a valid passport can visit the Republic of Korea with K-ETA for 90 days for the purpose of tourism or visitation. For detailed information on a foreigner's entry with K-ETA, please click here.

The best areas to stay in Seoul for first-timers are the neighborhoods of Insadong, Myeongdong, Hongdae, Gangnam, Itaewon, Jamsil, and Bukchon Hanok Village. These districts are very popular with tourists, and they offer a wide variety of tourist attractions and amenities.

As shown, more than 80% of Seoul was rated as walkable. However, only 0.8% was rated as a “walker's paradise” (the highest level). On the other hand, approximately 5.1% of all areas received Walkability Scores of less than 25, which indicates high rates of car-dependence.

The local currency, the South Korean won (₩) is worth around US$0.0008, which means that for each US dollar, a visitor can obtain around ₩1200.

The cost of food in Korea is exceptionally cheap. Public transportation is also affordable. In Korea, a bowl of noodles can cost as little as three US dollars.

CREDIT CARDS ISSUED OVERSEAS can be used in Korea with most merchants, although Korean credit cards are often required for online purchases. You must continue to make payments on your overseas credit card to your own country's card issuer. Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted networks in South Korea.

Credit Cards in South Korea

Most major credit cards are accepted with Visa and MasterCard being the most widely so, but many shops and banks charge a transaction fee of between 2-4%. Amex is also accepted in a few places in the major tourist areas, but will not be quite as useful.

Can I use my American debit card in South Korea? ›

Credit cards, debit cards, and cash are all accepted without issue in South Korea, with cash becoming less common.

South Korean won is the only reliable currency in South Korea. Some places, especially in larger cities, will accept US dollars, but change will generally be given in won.

Guns, narcotics, pornography, subversive material, treasonous material, and counterfeit goods are prohibited from entering Korea.

Re: Can I use USD in Seoul/Itaewon? Euro is easily changed in Korea. USD is in general as acceptable as KRW would be in Ireland. Itaewon is slightly the exception for places like tailors, jewelers will take any currency that's stable.

The price of Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) in Seoul is ₩7,898. This average is based on 7 price points. It can be considered reliable and accurate. Latest update: March 03, 2023.

Cost of Clothing in Korea

It is possible to buy things like T-shirts for 5,000 won ($4.50) and jeans for 20,000 won ($17.70) in some places. Luxury items get expensive very quickly, and there is a “luxury tax” which makes more expensive jewelry very pricey.

Unless you are in a tourist beach area, we advise that you avoid a bikini in favor of a one-piece suit and a sarong. A skirt or loose-fitting pants are good in the heat and will protect you from the sun. A loose cotton shirt is very useful too. If you are here on business go for skirt-suits (not too short) with heels.

What happens to your luggage if you miss your layover? ›

What happens to your luggage if you miss your flight? In the event that you missed a connection or got held up in security and your checked luggage has gone ahead without you, immediately track down an airline representative. The carrier may be able to track your bags and hold them for you until your arrival.

Normally, when layover flights are booked with the same airline, your baggage will be automatically transferred through to your final destination. However, if the two flights are with different airlines, you may have to claim and re-check your baggage during your layover.

If you checked a bag, you'll have to collect it from baggage claim from the international flight. You'll need to clear customs and immigration. Next, you'll recheck your luggage for the domestic flight. Finally, you'll need to go through Transportation Security Administration screening.

Shinhan Bank, Woori Bank, and KEB Bank have Foreign Exchange Counters in major Tourist areas like Myeongdong, Itaewon, etc. Your credit card provides you with the absolute best exchange rate for purchases in South Korea.

You can bring prepared food for personal consumption into Korea, but it cannot exceed USD 400.

You may bring large sums of money with you in the form of cash, money order, or traveler's checks. There is no maximum limit, however, any amount exceeding $10,000 USD must be declared upon arrival on both the Form 6059B and FinCEN 105. All forms must be filled in completely and truthfully.

A 24-hour city, Seoul has an intense work-hard, play-hard culture. The booming metropolis fuses tradition and modernity.

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

Most U.S. passport holders traveling to Korea for tourism or business purposes for less than 90 days can obtain a K-ETA. Apply at the K-ETA website for 10,000KRW.

Yes. * Arriving passengers will experience some combination of temperature screening, health questionnaires, quarantines, and/or COVID-tests, depending on points of departure, visa status, and nationality.

What is meant by a 24 hour city? ›

Hence the definition of the 24-h city as a "pulsating glamorous place where something is always happening on the streets" emerged in order to elevate cities' night status through activities such as shop-top and apartment living, innovative restaurants, high-tech hubs, bohemian cafes and late-night bookshops (Holmes ...

Itaewon. Of course, being expat central, Itaewon is an extremely popular area for expats to meet. Foreigners living in Korea either live in the Itaewon area or they come there often for the international cuisine, the nightclubs, the bars and the special events like quiz nights and fundraisers.

Avoid drawing parallels between the Korean culture or language to Japan. Korea should be acknowledged for its distinctiveness and difference from other East Asian cultures. Avoid exhibiting anger or distress in heated displays or outbursts of emotion.

The short answer is yes. It is possible to exit and reenter the airport. Whether or not you should depends on a range of factors, including if you're traveling internationally or domestically and how much time you have between flights.

Seoul residents use cards known as Multiple Journey Transportation Cards (or T-money cards) to pay for subway rides, with fares starting at 1,350 won (about $1.20) for the first 10 kilometers of travel. T-money cards cost 2,500 ($2.24) won for the card; fares for 10 kilometers traveled cost 1,250 won ($1.12).

If you are traveling on a budget you can probably get around with 80 000 krw a day but you might not be staying in the nicest hotels or have the best food. For those on a mid range budget, 120 000 krw should be enough and for those on a luxury budget, a minimum of 200 000 krw should be ok.

The cheapest way to get from India to South Korea is to fly which costs ₹18,000 - ₹31,000 and takes 11h 43m.

Between its vast and affordable transit system, wide range of dining options, and abundance of low-cost activities and attractions, South Korea can prove a relatively inexpensive travel destination.