Where to Start When Planning a Trip to South Korea
Transportation:
Whatever form of transportation you need, South Korea will provide. You can connect to all major cities by train, bus, flights, or even ferries. This is a great website that has a ton of helpful information on the different transportation in South Korea.
Once in the major cities, such as, Seoul, Busan, or Incheon. You can use the subway system. Depending on how long you plan to visit each city buying one time tickets is usually the most effective way to purchase tickets. I will admit the subway system in Seoul is massive. They have several lines and hundreds of stops. On the maps the stops are in English below the Korean and they have electronic kiosk to help narrow your search. Making it easier to find your way, however, make sure to give yourself plenty of time to navigate the subway.
Things to Consider:
Currency: Won
Best Time to Visit: April-May or September-October
Language: Korean
Drinkable Tap Water: Yes
Haggling: No
Tip: No
Flush Toilet Paper: Yes
Cash or Credit Card: credit card
Cultural Tips:
Take your shoes off before entering a home. It is very disrespectful if you do not. You will also have a pair of slippers in the bathroom that you are suppose to wear while using the restroom then take them off before leaving the bathroom.
When meeting people you will greet with a short bow and a soft handshake using both hands (think shaking with right hand and left hand grabbing your right wrist). This is a great video of what this greeting looks like.
It is considered rude to give and receive objects with one hand. Therefore, when giving or receiving an object grab with both hands, or have an object in the right hand with the left hand grabbing your right wrist.
What We Wish We Knew:
- Wifi is everywhere! At least in most major cities. Making it very easy to navigate without a phone plan.
- There are some subtle dinning manners that are nice to know before visiting. This article gives some ideas of some dinning etiquette.
