Arrival & Transport
Flights to South Korea
South Korea has two major international airports. The overwhelming majority of international flights land at Incheon near Seoul:
Incheon International Airport (ICN) — Seoul's Main Airport
Regularly voted the best airport in the world. 70 km west of Seoul on an artificial island. Coordinates: [37.4602, 126.4407]. Two terminals, excellent infrastructure with free Wi-Fi, showers, and even an ice rink. Transfer to Seoul: AREX (Airport Railroad Express) to Seoul Station in 43 minutes for ₩9,500 (6.70 €) or All-Stop train in 66 minutes for ₩4,750.
Gimpo International Airport (GMP) — Seoul's City Airport
Only 15 km from the center, primarily for domestic flights and short-haul routes (Tokyo Haneda, Osaka Kansai, Shanghai Hongqiao). Coordinates: [37.5585, 126.7906]. Metro Line 5 or 9 directly to the center in 20–30 minutes.
Gimhae International Airport (PUS) — Busan
For travelers who want to go directly to Busan. Coordinates: [35.1796, 128.9382]. Some international connections, mainly within Asia. Metro Line 3 to the city center.
Direct Flights from Germany
- Korean Air: Frankfurt → Seoul Incheon (10:30h), daily nonstop flight. 550–1,000 € round trip. Korea's premium airline with excellent service.
- Asiana Airlines: Frankfurt → Seoul Incheon (10:30h). 500–950 €. Part of the Korean Air Group since 2024.
- Lufthansa: Frankfurt → Seoul Incheon, Munich → Seoul Incheon. 550–1,100 €.
Affordable Connecting Flights:
- Turkish Airlines: Via Istanbul. Many German departure airports, from 450 €.
- Emirates/Qatar Airways: Via Dubai/Doha, from 500 €.
- Finnair: Via Helsinki — shortest detour to Asia, from 450 €.
- China Airlines/China Southern: Via Taipei/Guangzhou, occasional bargains from 400 €.
Flight Prices (Guidelines Round Trip from Germany)
| Period | Economy | Premium Eco | Business |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low Season (Jan–Feb, Jun–Jul) | 450–650 € | 850–1,200 € | 2,200–3,500 € |
| Shoulder (Mar, May, Sep) | 550–800 € | 1,000–1,400 € | 2,800–4,500 € |
| High Season (Cherry Blossom Apr, Autumn Foliage Oct/Nov) | 700–1,100 € | 1,300–1,800 € | 3,500–6,000 € |
| Christmas/New Year | 900–1,300 € | 1,500–2,200 € | 4,500–7,000 € |
Tipp
Incheon Airport offers free "Transit Tours" for passengers with a layover — multi-hour guided tours through Seoul including transport and guide. Perfect if you have a long layover. Information at the Transit Tour Desk in the transit area.
Achtung
During cherry blossom (late March – early April) and autumn foliage (October), flights are significantly more expensive and booked out early. Book at least 3–4 months in advance!
KTX — Korea's High-Speed Train
The KTX (Korea Train Express) is South Korea's counterpart to the Japanese Shinkansen — a high-speed train that races through the country at up to 305 km/h and connects the major cities in just a few hours.
The Main Routes
| Route | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Seoul → Busan | 2h 30 | ₩59,800 (~42 €) |
| Seoul → Daegu | 1h 40 | ₩43,500 (~30 €) |
| Seoul → Gyeongju (via Singyeongju) | 2h 10 | ₩49,900 (~35 €) |
| Seoul → Jeonju | 1h 30 | ₩33,800 (~24 €) |
| Seoul → Gangneung | 1h 50 | ₩27,600 (~19 €) |
| Seoul → Mokpo | 2h 40 | ₩55,200 (~39 €) |
Korail Pass (for Tourists)
Similar to the Japan Rail Pass, the Korail Pass offers unlimited rides on all Korail trains (KTX, ITX, Mugunghwa):
| Duration | Price |
|---|---|
| 2 Days (flexible in 10 days) | ₩121,000 (~85 €) |
| 3 Days (flexible in 10 days) | ₩138,000 (~97 €) |
| 4 Days (flexible in 10 days) | ₩175,000 (~123 €) |
| 5 Days (consecutive) | ₩198,000 (~139 €) |
Tips for the KTX
- Book online: Via the Korail app or letskorail.com (English version available). Seat reservation included.
- Seoul Station: Main station for KTX connections to the south. Yongsan Station for the Honam Line (Jeonju, Mokpo). Cheongnyangni Station for the KTX to Gangneung.
- Standing Tickets: If sold out, there are cheaper standing tickets — not recommended for 2.5 hours to Busan.
Tipp
Book KTX tickets online via the Korail app — there are occasionally early-bird discounts of 10–30%. On weekends and holidays, the KTX to Busan is often sold out — book at least 2–3 days in advance.
Metro, Buses & T-money
South Korea's public transport is among the best in the world — punctual, affordable, clean, and in Seoul so comprehensive that you hardly ever need a taxi.
Seoul Metro
Seoul's subway network is gigantic: 23 lines, over 700 stations — one of the largest in the world. All stations have announcements and signage in Korean, English, Chinese, and Japanese. Air-conditioned, with Wi-Fi in the trains and platform doors at almost all stations.
- Single ride: ₩1,400 (~1 €) with T-money, ₩1,500 with single-use ticket (+ ₩500 deposit)
- Operating hours: approx. 5:30 AM – 12:00 AM
- Frequency: Every 2–5 minutes during peak hours
T-money — Korea's IC Card
The T-money card is your most important everyday tool: a rechargeable card for metro, bus, taxi, convenience stores, and vending machines. Buy it at the airport or any convenience store for ₩2,500 (1.75 €).
- Discount: ₩100 discount per ride compared to single-use tickets
- Transfer discount: Free transfer between metro and bus within 30 minutes
- Recharge: At machines in metro stations or in convenience stores (CU, GS25, 7-Eleven)
- Also for: Taxi (hold card to reader), convenience stores, vending machines
Buses
Seoul's bus network perfectly complements the metro — especially for routes not covered by the metro. Colors indicate the type:
- Blue: Main lines across the city
- Green: Feeders to metro stations
- Red: Express buses to the suburbs
- Yellow: Inner-city short distances
Taxi
Taxis are surprisingly affordable in Korea: Base fare ₩4,800 (~3.40 €), then ₩100 per 131 meters. A typical 20-minute ride in Seoul costs ₩8,000–15,000 (5.60–10.50 €). Night surcharge (midnight to 4 AM) 20%. Apps: Kakao Taxi (Korea's Uber) — works via GPS, no language skills needed.
Navigation Apps
Attention: Google Maps works only to a limited extent in South Korea (no route planning due to security laws). Instead, use: Naver Map or Kakao Map — both have English versions and are significantly more accurate than Google Maps in Korea.
Tipp
Be sure to download the <strong>Kakao Map</strong> app (English version available). Google Maps does not show bus and car routes in Korea — a result of security laws around the North Korea border. Kakao Map and Naver Map are the local alternatives and work perfectly.
Achtung
Google Maps is practically unusable for navigation in South Korea — it shows neither bus nor car routes. Rely on Kakao Map or Naver Map. These apps are free, available in English, and significantly more accurate.
Domestic Flights & Ferries
South Korea is compact, but for some routes, flights or ferries are the best option:
Domestic Flights
The most important route: Seoul (Gimpo) → Jeju — the most flown domestic route in the world! Over 70 flights daily, flight time only 65 minutes. Prices: ₩50,000–120,000 (35–85 €) depending on booking time. Airlines: Korean Air, Asiana, Jin Air, Jeju Air, T'way Air (budget airlines from ₩40,000).
- Seoul Gimpo → Jeju: 65 Min., from ₩40,000 (28 €)
- Seoul Gimpo → Busan Gimhae: 55 Min., from ₩50,000 (35 €) — often not faster than KTX when factoring in airport times
Ferries
Ferries connect the mainland with the numerous islands:
- Mokpo → Jeju: Night ferry, ~5 hours, from ₩30,000 (21 €)
- Busan → Jeju: Night ferry, ~11 hours, from ₩40,000 (28 €)
- Busan → Tsushima (Japan): International ferry, 1h 10 with high-speed ferry
Tipp
For the route Seoul → Busan, the KTX (2.5 hours, city center to city center) is almost always superior to flying — when you factor in check-in, security checks, and airport transfers, the KTX saves time and is often cheaper.
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