KOREA · Seoul, Busan, Gyeongju, Jeonju
Rehearse your South Korea trip before you go
KTX trains link Korea's cities, so old capitals and port towns are easy to add.
Dejavoy is a free game: plan a trip, then play it through day by day before you go, and catch closed days, missed bookings and tourist traps before they catch you.
Entry rules by passport
| Passport | What you need |
|---|---|
| Japan | Until 31 December 2026: No visa or pre-travel authorisation for a short tourist stay After that: Apply for a K-ETA Online, at least 72 hours before departure |
| South Korea | Your own country |
| China (mainland) | Get a tourist visa for South Korea A Korean tourist visa is needed (temporary waivers for tour groups may not cover you); apply at the embassy or visa centre |
| Taiwan | Until 31 December 2026: No visa or pre-travel authorisation for a short tourist stay After that: Apply for a K-ETA Online, at least 72 hours before departure |
| Hong Kong SAR | Until 31 December 2026: No visa or pre-travel authorisation for a short tourist stay After that: Apply for a K-ETA Online, at least 72 hours before departure |
| Singapore | Until 31 December 2026: No visa or pre-travel authorisation for a short tourist stay After that: Apply for a K-ETA Online, at least 72 hours before departure |
| USA | Until 31 December 2026: No visa or pre-travel authorisation for a short tourist stay After that: Apply for a K-ETA Online, at least 72 hours before departure |
| Canada | Until 31 December 2026: No visa or pre-travel authorisation for a short tourist stay After that: Apply for a K-ETA Online, at least 72 hours before departure |
| UK | Until 31 December 2026: No visa or pre-travel authorisation for a short tourist stay After that: Apply for a K-ETA Online, at least 72 hours before departure |
| An EU country | Until 31 December 2026: No visa or pre-travel authorisation for a short tourist stay After that: Apply for a K-ETA Online, at least 72 hours before departure |
| Australia | Until 31 December 2026: No visa or pre-travel authorisation for a short tourist stay After that: Apply for a K-ETA Online, at least 72 hours before departure |
| India | Get a tourist visa for South Korea A Korean tourist visa is required from the visa centre; it takes one to two weeks |
| Other | Apply for a K-ETA Online, at least 72 hours before departure |
Checked Oct 2026. Rules change: check the embassy or official site before you travel.
Traps travellers fall into
In the game these hide among the recommendations. See if you can spot them.
- Myeongdong street food SeoulMyeongdong's stalls are mostly tourist-priced. Markets like Gwangjang are better value
- Picking from the tank without asking the price BusanAt fish markets, agree the price per kilo and the total first; the upstairs table and cooking cost extra
- A walk through Bukchon at night? SeoulBukchon's core lanes are closed to tourists 17:00–10:00
Month by month
- JanuaryJanuary in Seoul: about 1°C by day and −7°C at night, sometimes below −10°C.
- FebruaryFebruary in Seoul: about 4°C by day and −4°C at night. Seollal falls on 6–9 February: shops close and trains fill.
- MarchMarch in Seoul: about 10°C by day and 1°C at night; mornings are still cold.
- AprilApril reaches about 18°C. Early April is cherry-blossom time, with huge crowds at Yeouido and Jinhae; some days bring yellow dust.
- MayMay is a fresh 23°C, the most comfortable month.
- JuneJune reaches about 27°C, with the monsoon (jangma) arriving late in the month.
- JulyJuly is the heart of the monsoon: 29°C, humid, with frequent downpours.
- AugustAugust is hot and humid at 30–31°C, with afternoon storms.
- SeptemberSeptember cools to about 26°C. Chuseok falls on 14–16 September: shops close and trains fill.
- OctoberOctober is a sunny 20°C, with autumn colour from late in the month. China's Golden Week (1–7 Oct) crowds Myeongdong.
- NovemberNovember in Seoul: about 10°C by day and 1°C at night; autumn colour early on, freezing mornings by the end.
- DecemberDecember in Seoul: about 3°C by day and −5°C at night, dry with a biting wind.
Sample routes
- ClassicClassic: Seoul & BusanFrom Seoul's palaces and markets by KTX to the port of Busan.Seoul → Busan
- DetourDetour: via Silla's capital, GyeongjuAfter Seoul, a night among Gyeongju's tombs and temples, then on to Busan.Seoul → Gyeongju → Busan
- Off the pathOff the path: Jeonju to the coastSleep in a Jeonju hanok, drink in Makgeolli Alley, then Gyeongju and Busan's sea-cliff villages.Seoul → Jeonju → Gyeongju → Busan
Hidden gems
- Ikseon-dong hanok lanes SeoulA maze of tiny hanok turned into cafés and boutiques.
- Huinnyeoul Culture Village BusanWhite houses on Yeongdo's sea cliffs, with a coastal trail and tunnel.
- Seokguram Grotto GyeongjuA stone Buddha in a mountain grotto, facing the sunrise.
- Jaman Mural Village JeonjuA small hillside neighbourhood of murals across from the hanok village.
- Mangwon Market SeoulA neighbourhood market near Hongdae with cheap croquettes and tteokbokki.
- Dwaeji gukbap (pork soup) BusanBusan's soul food: pork-bone soup with rice.
- Gyeongju National Museum GyeongjuSilla gold crowns and the huge Emille Bell, all free.
- Makgeolli Alley JeonjuOrder makgeolli by the kettle and the side dishes keep coming.
10 more to find in the game.
Before you go
- Install a travel eSIMFor maps and translation
- Install Naver MapGoogle Maps won't route you
- Pack a down coatFreezing winter mornings