Practical Info A–Z

German citizens can enter South Korea visa-free for up to 90 days. You need:

• Passport: Valid for at least 6 months beyond the end of your trip.
• K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization): Since 2021, visa-free travelers must apply for an electronic travel authorization before entry. Online at k-eta.go.kr, costs ₩10,000 (~7 €), valid for 2 years. Processing time: usually within 24 hours, often faster. Note: The K-ETA requirement is regularly suspended and reinstated — check the current status before your trip.
• Return ticket: Proof of onward or return flight may be required.

At Incheon Airport

Entry is quick and efficient — Automated Immigration Gates for registered travelers, otherwise regular passport control. Fingerprints and photo are taken. Customs: Up to 1 liter of alcohol, 200 cigarettes, and goods up to $800 USD duty-free.

The currency is the South Korean Won (₩ / KRW). Exchange rate (as of 2026): approx. 1 € ≈ 1,420 ₩.

Payment

South Korea is much more card-friendly than Japan — credit cards (Visa, Mastercard) are accepted almost everywhere: restaurants, convenience stores, taxis, markets. Contactless payment (NFC) works widely. Cash is still needed for:

• Small street stalls and Pojangmacha
• Some traditional markets
• Temple entry (sometimes)
• Machines without card readers

Withdrawing Money

• International ATMs: In convenience stores (CU, GS25, 7-Eleven), banks, and at the airport. Look for ATMs with "Global" or "International" markings.
• Fees: Depending on the bank, ₩1,000–3,000 per withdrawal + your bank fees.
• Recommendation: Exchange money at Incheon Airport (good rates) or withdraw from an ATM. In Seoul, the exchange booths in Myeongdong offer the best rates.

Tipping

No tipping! Like in Japan, tipping is uncommon in Korea and can even be confusing. Service is a given.

The T-money card is your most important everyday tool in Korea — a rechargeable prepaid card for metro, bus, taxi, and convenience stores.

Purchase & Recharge

• Purchase: At any convenience store (CU, GS25, 7-Eleven) or at the airport for ₩2,500 (~1.75 €). Also available as a "Korea Tour Card" specifically for tourists (with discounts at attractions).
• Recharge: At metro machines (English menu), in convenience stores, or via app.
• Refund: Remaining balance under ₩20,000 is paid out in cash at convenience stores.

Advantages

• ₩100 discount per metro ride compared to single-use tickets
• Free transfer metro ↔ bus within 30 minutes
• Payment in convenience stores, bakeries, some restaurants
• Taxi: Hold T-money to the card reader

A Jjimjilbang (찜질방) is much more than a bathhouse — it's Korea's social hub, wellness center, accommodation option, and cultural experience all in one. Multi-story facilities with hot pools, saunas, steam rooms, sleeping areas, restaurants, karaoke, and sometimes even cinemas.

How It Works

1. Entry: Pay at the reception (₩10,000–20,000, includes towels, pajamas, and locker). Shoes in the shoe locker, take the key with you.
2. Bathing area (gender-segregated, nude): First, shower thoroughly (sitting, with soap). Then into the hot pools, cold baths, and saunas. Completely nude — swimwear is not allowed. Don't be shy: everyone is nude, no one is looking.
3. Communal area (mixed, in pajamas): After the bath, put on the provided pajamas. Here you'll find saunas of different temperatures (ice, charcoal, salt, jade), rest areas with heated floors (Ondol), TV rooms, restaurants, and massages.
4. Overnight stay: Many Jjimjilbangs are open 24 hours — you can simply sleep on the heated floor or in a sleeping room. The cheapest accommodation option in Korea!

The Best Jjimjilbangs

• Dragon Hill Spa (Seoul): The most famous Jjimjilbang in Korea — 8 floors, outdoor pools, cinema, restaurant. ₩15,000 (weekend ₩18,000). Open 24h. Next to Yongsan Station.
• Siloam Sauna (Seoul): Popular with backpackers, affordable (₩10,000), near Seoul Station.
• Spaland (Busan): Luxurious spa in Shinsegae Centum City (world's largest department store). ₩18,000.

In Korea, you remove your shoes when entering:

• Private homes: Always — the home is treated as a clean space.
• Temples: In all buildings (not on the outdoor grounds).
• Traditional restaurants: When sitting on the floor (Ondol) — recognizable by the raised entrance area with a shoe rack.
• Hanok guesthouses: Always.
• Jjimjilbangs: At the entrance — shoes go in the locker.
• Fitting rooms in stores: Sometimes.

Look for the raised area or a shoe rack at the entrance — these are the signs. Wear socks without holes and shoes that are easy to slip on and off (slip-ons instead of lace-ups).

Korean drinking culture has clear rules — knowing them opens doors and hearts:

• Never pour for yourself: Always pour for others. When your glass is empty, someone will pour for you.
• Two-handed: Hold the bottle with both hands when pouring (or with one hand and the other on the elbow/forearm).
• Turn away from elders: When an elder or superior pours for you, turn slightly to the side and cover the glass with your hand when drinking.
• Don't refuse the first glass: Refusing the first offered glass of Soju is considered rude.
• Empty glass: An empty glass is an invitation for a refill — keep your glass half full if you need a break.
• Anju: Food is always ordered with drinks (Anju) — drinking without eating is considered uncultured.

South Korea has the fastest internet in the world — 5G coverage everywhere, free WiFi in every metro station, every bus, every café, and even in mountain huts at 1,500 meters altitude. For travelers, there are three options:

Options for Mobile Internet

• eSIM (recommended): Purchase online in advance (e.g., via Airalo, Holafly, or KT Roaming). Activate upon arrival — immediate internet, no physical swapping needed. From ₩10,000 (~7 €) for 5 GB/7 days.
• SIM card: Buy at Incheon Airport from KT, SK Telecom, or LG U+. Prepaid SIM with data from ₩20,000 (~14 €) for 5–30 days with unlimited data.
• Pocket WiFi: Small device for rent, connect multiple devices. Pick up/drop off at the airport. From ₩3,000/day (~2 €). Providers: WiFi Dosirak, Korea WiFi.

Free WiFi

You can find free WiFi ("Free WiFi", "PublicWiFi@Korea", or "KT_Free") at almost all public places: metro stations, buses, cafés, shopping centers, parks, tourist information centers.

South Korea is one of the safest travel destinations in the world — the crime rate is extremely low, and violent attacks on tourists are practically unheard of. You can walk through any street in Seoul at night without fear.

Safety Tips

• Theft: Rare — Koreans leave their laptops and phones in cafés while going to the restroom. Still, keep an eye on valuables in tourist areas (Myeongdong, Itaewon).
• Taxis: Safe and regulated. Use Kakao Taxi (app) for added security and price transparency.
• Natural hazards: Typhoons (August–September), heavy monsoon rains (June–July). Earthquake risk minimal.
• North Korea: Despite political tensions, the safety situation for tourists in South Korea is never at risk. The Foreign Office classifies South Korea as a safe travel destination.
• Emergency numbers: 112 (Police) / 119 (Fire/Ambulance) / 1330 (Tourist Hotline, English, 24h)

These apps make your Korea trip significantly easier:

• Kakao Map: THE navigation app for Korea (Google Maps doesn't work properly!). Bus, metro, car, walking — all perfect.
• Naver Map: An alternative to Kakao Map, also excellent. Both available in English.
• Kakao Taxi: Korea's Uber. Order a taxi via GPS — no language skills needed.
• Papago: Korea's best translation app (by Naver). Better than Google Translate for Korean — with camera translation for menus.
• Korail: Book KTX tickets.
• MangoPlate: Korea's Yelp — restaurant reviews in English.
• Coupang: Korea's Amazon — for last-minute shopping with same-day delivery.