🛂 Visa & K-ETA
Updated 2026 — rules change yearly, verify at k-eta.go.kr before booking.
✅ K-ETA WAIVED through December 31, 2026
Nationals of 22 countries enjoy visa-free entry for up to 90 days. From January 1, 2027, K-ETA becomes mandatory again for these countries.
Your Entry Checklist — Step by Step
1
Book Flight
Choose airline & dates
4
At Immigration
Show QR + passport · Faster lane for K-ETA holders
K-ETA Exempt Countries (through Dec 2026)
Australia · Austria · Belgium · Canada · Denmark · Finland · France · Germany · Italy · Japan · Netherlands · New Zealand · Norway · Poland · Singapore · Spain · Sweden · UK · USA (incl. Guam) · Hong Kong · Macau · Taiwan
⚠️ e-Arrival Card is MANDATORY from Jan 1, 2026
Even if K-ETA exempt, ALL visitors must submit the e-Arrival Card within 72 hours of arrival (free, returns a QR code). Paper landing cards are discontinued.
K-ETA Details (when required from 2027)
💰 Cost & Validity
- Fee: ₩10,000 (~$7.30 USD), non-refundable
- Valid: 3 years, multiple entries
- Apply: ≥ 72 hours before boarding
- Portal: k-eta.go.kr (official only)
🚨 Common Mistakes
- Using third-party sites ($40–80 upcharge)
- Submitting e-Arrival Card >72 h early (it expires)
- Listing "TBD" for accommodation (rejected)
- Confusing K-ETA with e-Arrival (separate forms)
💡 Pro Tip
Screenshot your e-Arrival QR before leaving Wi-Fi — airport Wi-Fi can be congested. K-ETA holders use a faster immigration lane.
🛬 Choosing Your Airport
| Airport | Code | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Incheon International | ICN | Long-haul international | 2 terminals (T1/T2); free shuttle every 5 min |
| Gimpo International | GMP | Japan/China/Taiwan + domestic | Closer to Seoul city center (40 min) |
| Gimhae (Busan) | PUS | Southeast Korea | Asiana/KE + budget intra-Asia |
| Jeju International | CJU | Jeju Island | World's busiest domestic route |
LCC vs Full-Service
Full-service (Korean Air, Asiana): Included meals, 2× 23 kg luggage, lounges.
LCCs (Jeju Air, T'way, Jin Air, Air Busan, Air Seoul, Eastar): Save 30–50 % but fees for bags (typically 15 kg) and seat selection. Worth it for short flights under 4 h.
🏥 Travel Insurance
Strongly recommended. Korea has excellent hospitals but healthcare is NOT free for foreigners. A typical ER visit costs ₩300,000–₩1,000,000 ($225–$750). A CT scan ~₩300,000. One inpatient day ₩500,000+.
Minimum Coverage Targets
- Medical emergency: ≥ $100,000 USD
- Medical evacuation: ≥ $250,000 USD
- Baggage loss: ≥ $1,500 USD
- Trip cancellation: ≥ trip cost
Visa/Amex cards often include emergency-only coverage — verify limits before relying on card insurance alone.
💱 Currency & Exchange
❌ Don't exchange at your home airport — rates are 5–8% worse. Exchange a small "landing kit" (~$100) on arrival, then exchange the bulk at Myeongdong booths.
Best Exchange Spots in Korea
🏆 Myeongdong Exchange Booths (Best Rates)
- Money Box — 24-hour kiosk available
- Embassy Exchange
- Jeil Money Express
- Myeongdong Ilpumhyang
Hours: 09:00–21:00 most shops · Rates: 1–2% over bank rate
Myeongdong Currency Exchange Zone — cluster near Myeongdong Station Exit 6
💰 How Much Cash to Bring
- Keep ₩100,000 (~$75) as buffer
- Traditional markets: cash only
- Small rural restaurants: often cash
- Street food carts: cash preferred
💳 Card Usage 2026
- 80%+ of Seoul is cashless
- Visa/Mastercard accepted everywhere large
- Seoul Metro accepts foreign cards directly (from Mar 17, 2026)
- UnionPay also widely accepted
📱 SIM / eSIM / Connectivity
Recommendation order: eSIM (if supported) → Physical SIM at airport → Pocket Wi-Fi (only for groups sharing)
| Option | 2026 Price | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| KT eSIM | ₩33k–₩65k (5–30 days) | Local number, instant | — |
| SK Telecom eSIM | Similar | Best speed/coverage | No local number |
| LG U+ unlimited SIM | ₩25k/5d, ₩32k/7d, ₩130k/60d | Cheapest unlimited | Weaker rural |
| Airalo / Holafly / Nomad | $8–$22 (5–30 days) | Pre-purchase, instant | Data caps, no KR number |
| Pocket Wi-Fi | ₩4–6k/day at airport | Shareable | Extra device + battery |
💡 eSIM Compatible Devices
iPhone XS+, Google Pixel 3+, Samsung Galaxy S20+ all support eSIM. Pre-activate before landing for instant connectivity.
Free Wi-Fi in Korea
Available at all subway stations, buses, cafés, and convenience stores. Networks: "Seoul-Public-Wifi", "Free-T-Wifi", "KT-WiFi-Free". Usually no login required in Seoul.
🧳 Packing by Season
Spring
5–20°C
Mar–May
Summer
25–33°C
Jun–Aug
Autumn
10–22°C
Sep–Nov
Winter
-10–5°C
Dec–Feb
💡 Buy in Korea instead (cheaper than home):
Sunscreen · Sheet masks · KF94 masks · Hand cream · Umbrella · Slippers · Socks · OTC medicines (Tylenol = "타이레놀") — all available at Olive Young or Daiso.
💰 Daily Budget
Backpacker
$40–$70/day
₩55k–₩95k
Hostel dorm · Street food · Public transit · Free attractions
Mid-range
$100–$200/day
₩135k–₩270k
3-star hotel · Casual restaurants · Main sights · Occasional taxi
Luxury
$250+/day
₩340k+
5★ hotel · Fine dining · Taxis everywhere · VIP experiences
2026 Unit Prices
🏠 Accommodation
- Hostel dorm: ₩20–40k
- 3-star hotel: ₩90–150k
- 5-star: ₩400k+
🍜 Food
- Subway ride: ₩1,550
- Casual meal: ₩10–20k
- Convenience meal: ₩4–6k
🚇 Transport
- Subway (base): ₩1,550
- KTX Seoul–Busan: ₩59,800
- Taxi base: ₩4,800
🏨 Where to Stay
| Area (Seoul) | Vibe | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Myeongdong | Tourist epicenter, shopping | First-timers, easy access |
| Hongdae / Yeonnam | Youth, nightlife, indie cafés | 20s–30s travelers |
| Gangnam | Business, luxury, K-pop agencies | Higher budget, K-pop fans |
| Itaewon | International, halal, LGBTQ+ | Foodies, English-friendly |
| Insadong / Bukchon | Traditional, hanok vibes | Cultural travelers |
| Seoul Station / Jongno | Transit hub | Day-trippers, KTX users |
Other Cities
- Busan: Haeundae (beach), Seomyeon (central entertainment)
- Jeju: Jeju City for arrival/transit, Seogwipo for nature/waterfalls
- Gyeongju: Old town near Bulguksa temple
- Jeonju: Hanok Village — best traditional stay experience