General Information
 

Capital: Seoul.
Time: GMT + 9.
Tel. Code: 00 82 + 2 Seoul.
Official Language: Korean.
Currency: Won (W). Notes are in denominations of W10,000, 5000 and 1000. W1000 is called Chon Won in Korean (chon means ‘one thousand’). Coins are in denominations of W500, 100, 50 and 10.
Electricity: 2110/220 volts AC, 60Hz. Government policy is to phase out the 110 volt supply and many hotels now have a 220 volt supply.
Religion: Mahayana Buddhism with a large Christian minority. Also Confucianism and Chundo Kyo, which is peculiar to Korea and combines elements of Shamanist, Buddhist and Christian doctrines.

Climate: Moderate climate with four seasons. The hottest part of the year is during the rainy season between July and August, and the coldest is December to February. Spring and autumn are mild and mainly dry and are generally considered the best times to visit.
Required clothing: Lightweight cottons and linens are worn during summer, with light- to medium weights in spring and autumn. Medium- to heavyweights are advised during the winter.

Airports

Seoul (SEL) Incheon International Airport (ICN) is located 40km (25 miles) west of Seoul on Yongion.
Busan (PUS) (Kimhae) is 27km (17 miles) from Busan (in the far south).
Jeju (CJU) (Jeju), located on the island of Jeju, is 4km (2.5 miles) from the town centre.

Departure tax: W10,000. Transit passengers and infants under two years old are exempt.

Travel Times

The following chart gives approximate travel times (in hours and minutes) from Seoul to other major cities/towns in the Republic of Korea.

• City

• Air

• Road

• Rail

• Busan

• 0.50

• 5.30

• 4.10

• Taegu

• 0.40

• 3.50

• 4.10

• Kwangju

• 0.50

• 3.55

• 4.20

• Ulsan

• 0.50

• 4.40

• 4.00

• Chonju

• 1.10

• 3.00

• 3.20

• Cheju

• 0.55

• -

• -

• Kyongju

• -

• 4.40

• 3.30

Passport/Visa

Passport
Passport valid for a minimum of 6 months required by all.
Visas
Required by all except the following:

• Nationals of EU countries for touristic and business purposes for stays of up to 3 months (except nationals of Italy for stays of up to 2 months)

• Nationals of Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Brazil, Bulgaria, Colombia, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Dominica (Commonwealth of), Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Estonia, Grenada, Haiti, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Jamaica, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Peru, Poland, Romania, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Surinam, Switzerland, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago and Turkey for touristic and business purposes for stays of up to 3 months.

• Nationals of Lesotho for touristic and business purposes for stays of up to 2 months.

• Nationals of Tunisia for touristic and business purposes for stays of up to 1 month.

• Nationals of most countries, travelling for short-term touristic or transit purposes, are allowed to enter visa-free for a maximum duration of 30 days, provided holding confirmed onward or return tickets and proof of sufficient funds. This regulation applies to: Albania, Argentina, Australia (90 days), Brunei, Canada (6 months), Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Fiji, Guam, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong (90 days), Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Lithuania, Macau, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, New Caledonia, Oman, Palau, Paraguay, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, Slovenia, South Africa, Swaziland, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, USA, Vatican City, Venezuala and Yemen.