Why go to South Korea?
I have always thought that the only thing South Korea had to offer was its popularized K-POP culture, but the more I explored the country, the more I realized how wrong I was.
South Korea is a country full of amazing natural reserves, technological advancements beyond belief, and an attractive traditional culture unlike any other country I have experienced.
And no, South Korea is nothing like Japan!
Even though South Korea is not exactly a big country, there are quite a few national parks you can explore, some within the proximity of Seoul.
Seoul is the kind of city that blends modern and traditional cultures together perfectly. Walking around the city is like walking through a melting pot of hundreds of years of tradition, surrounded by the future.
The people of South Korea may seem indifferent at first (like in all big cities), but the more you get to know them, the more you will see how nice they are.
When it comes to Korean food, you can't deny that Korean BBQ is something of a requirement to try before you leave the country. The smell of grilled beef, together with Soju, is something you will not forget. Not to mention all the weird food you can eat, like live octopus (which is really delicious!), and all the raw fish and shells you can eat fresh at the fish market.
How to Get to South Korea?
The best way to get here is to fly into Seoul. I would recommend you browse through Skyscanner or Expedia to find a cheap flight from where you live to Seoul that best fits your itinerary.
How to Get Around South Korea?
My preferred mode of transportation in South Korea is the bus because it is reliably fast, efficient, comfortable, and usually easily accessible from the main part of the city.
When you are taking a bus from a big city like Seoul, make sure you know where the terminal is because there are several terminals in Seoul, and all of them are in different parts of the city. My suggestion is to ask your hostel for the information before you plan anything, as they will know the best time and route to take.
For traveling around Seoul, the Metro is the way to go. The city is widely connected, and you can go almost anywhere with it. But one of the problems with South Korea is that Google Maps doesn't function fully due to some law enforcement, but you can use other local apps to navigate the city like: iPhone | Android.
In some cases, it might be better to fly instead; for example, you will save more time flying from the mainland to Jeju Island rather than taking an overnight cruise. It might even be cheaper if you book the flight in advance. There are plenty of cheap airlines you can buy from, such as Jeju Air, Air Busan, or even Korean Air sometimes.
When to Go to South Korea?
South Korea has very clear-cut seasons, and for most cases, each offers a unique perspective of the country. The summer (June to August) can be hot and humid. Winter (December to February) can be extremely cold but with less risk of rain. Autumn (September - November) is when the forests can turn reddish orange, and the best time of all is spring (March - May), when flowers bloom and festivals are in full swing.
I was there at the end of Spring (5th May), right in time for the family month with Children's Day followed by a Buddha's Birthday celebration. The streets became lit with lanterns and were full of colorful parades, traditional shows, and concerts. I would highly recommend you to go to Seoul during the Buddha's Birthday festival.
Which tourist SIM card is best for South Korea?
South Korea has the fastest internet in the world. Yeah, that's right! In the world! I've tested it on a regular hostel WIFI, and it took 5 minutes to upload a 4 GB file. You will have absolutely no problem finding fast and reliable WIFI in South Korea. Every hostel has it, every cafe has it, everywhere you go, you will find it.
If you are the type of person who needs 24-hour internet access, you can get a local SIM card for cheap at the airport with unlimited data and no throttling. Yes! No throttling, no bullshit! I love this country!
Tips: To stay connected with people at home, be sure that you have a VPN, such as ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and you can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.
Daily Budget
Traveling here will typically cost you more than visiting most other countries. You can expect to spend around $45 - $65 USD per day per person, including food, accommodation, and transportation.
Please keep in mind that these are suggested daily budgets based on my own style of travel, which leans more towards the budget side of things. If you aim to stick to this budget, anticipate sleeping in dormitories, dining out only occasionally, and being comfortable with the cheapest and most convenient modes of transportation, which often involve a considerable amount of walking.
What to Pack for South Korea?
As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to South Korea:
- Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
- Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
- Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
- Fleece Jacket: For colder weather, layering is the key, and a fleece jacket makes an excellent insulating layer. I recommend the Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece (for women).
- Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
- Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
- Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
- Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
- Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
- Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
- Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
- Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
- Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.
For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.