Visit Seoul
Seoul – a City of Endless Discoveries
Encircled by mountains and crossed by the mighty Han River, Seoul, the capital of the Republic of Korea, is a city like no other in the world. It is a place where the ancient and the modern coexist in perfect harmony. From traditional palaces to technologically advanced skyscrapers: Seoul is a city of contrasts which make it unique and tremendous.
The capital is a dynamic city that never sleeps, and the list of possible activities is endless. Roaming in the street, strolling in the trendy shopping centre, savouring fine Korean food, and admiring the outstanding architecture are some of the many activities to do. Let yourself be charmed by this splendid Asian city!
| Night or Day - Seoul is always busy |
Climate
Seoul is located in a temperate zone, with four distinctive seasons: winter, spring, summer and fall. It is characterised by a monsoon period starting at the end of June until September.
At the beginning of June you can expect mild and pleasant weather. The temperature at this time is between 15°C and 20°C. However, do not forget to bring a warmer jacket to wear during the evening and in some air-conditioned restaurants or shops.
The day is about 14 hours long. Sunrise takes place around 04.00 AM and the sun sets around 18.30 PM
Currency and Credit Cards
The basic Korean currency unit is the Korean Won. The exchange rate is approximately KRW 975 to the USD 1 as of June 2008.
Credit cards, including VISA, American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and JCB, are accepted at major hotels, department stores, and larger restaurants. Foreign banknotes and travellers cheques can be exchanged at foreign exchange banks and other authorised money changers. Please note that ATMs are available but all instructions are in Korean.
In all cases, while dealing with currency exchange, be certain to have your current and valid passport with you.
Language
The official language spoken in the Republic of Korea is Korean (Hangeul).
You will not have any problem communicating in English in tourist facilities. All employees there have at least a basic understanding of English.
| Hangeul is composed of syllables each containing a minimum of one consonant and one vowel sound |
Local Time
Standard time zone (UCT/GMT + 9 hours).
Must-Sees
Please download the Seoul’s Must-Sees document here.
Passport and Visa Information
International visitors coming to Korea need to have a valid passport and a visa. Visitors from countries with special agreements with Korea may enter Korea temporarily without visa. To see the List of Countries whose citizens do not need a visa, please download the PDF here.
Visitors from countries not listed above must apply for a visa before entering Korea. Please visit the following website for all information needed in order to obtain a visa: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/index.kto (please go to "Getting to Korea" and click on "Visa & Customs").
Safety Tips
In general, Seoul is a very safe city. Crime levels are far below those of most other major cities, especially in regard to violent crimes. The biggest risk especially for pedestrians are the motorists. Do not forget to look both ways before crossing a road even if the traffic lights are green!
As it is true for most major cities, one should take all of common-sense safety precautions one would take anywhere else. Take a good street map with you and perhaps a mobile phone in case you get lost.
Shops
Korea’s shopping hours are almost limitless. Most shops are open until 10 pm, and some markets are even open 24 hours.
There is a wide variety of shops ranging from markets to huge shopping malls. Be aware that aside from shops in the Iteawon area (also see Seoul’s Must-Sees) and the duty free shops, you may encounter communication problems.
Tipping
Tipping in Korea is not customary, although a ten percent tip may be appropriate for example for special services as offered in some touristic restaurants or when in a restaurant where you have been served several plates. Even in taxis, it is not necessary to tip the driver unless he carries your luggage or helps you around.
Getting around in Seoul
By metro:
Seoul's subway system is the faster and cheaper way - but try to avoid the rush hour.The Seoul Subway Corporation (http://www.seoulsubway.co.kr) and the Seoul Metropolitan Rapid Transit Corporation (http://www.smrt.co.kr) combine to move more than 4 million passengers daily. Their eight lines cover downtown and the suburbs, attending all of Seoul's main attractions including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Jeongdong Theater, and the National Folk Museum. All stations are serviced every two minutes during rush hours and every five minutes otherwise. English marked signs make the subway tourist friendly. Fares: USD40 for one zone; USD50 for two zones. Hours: 5:30a-mid daily.
By bus:
The express bus terminal, located along the Hangang River, handles most of Seoul's out of town bus traffic via four lines. The Dong Seoul terminal is smaller and only handles buses servicing South Korea's eastern coast including Gangneung and Busan.
By Train:
Korail, Korean Railroad (http://www.korail.com/) services all of South Korea. 
By car:
Highway 1(Gyeongbu Expressway) enters Seoul from a south direction after starting in Busan, in South Korea's southeast corner. Highway 15 (Seohaean Expressway) fans into Highway 1 south of Seoul after following a scenic route along the country's western seaboard. And Highway 50 (Yeongdong Expressway) also connects into Highway 1 south of the city and represents the fastest thoroughfare east across the country to the Sea of Japan. Nevertheless Driving is not recommended. Congestion is constant and parking is limited to private garages, many of which charge as much as USD6 an hour.
By taxi:
Taxis are easy to flag in the city and passengers can choose between inexpensive or pricey. Regular taxis are white or silver and charge less. Almost none of the drivers, however, speak English; having a written destination is recommended. The deluxe taxis are twice as expensive but worth the cost since most of the drivers speak English and are trained to cater to tourists. And as an added bonus mobile car phones are available. Tol fees are the passenger’s responsibility.
By bicycle:
Bicycling in Seoul is a death wish. There are very few bike paths, drivers have little regard for sharing the road, and heavy summer rains diminish visibility.