Korea Travel 101Explore

Korea travel information for first-time foreign visitors.

Arrival paperwork, public transport, city routes, and local habits explained in clear English before your itinerary gets crowded.

Before you arriveOpen blog
Seoul skyline at nightfall with N Seoul Tower and the Han River

Plan your Korea trip, step by step

Follow the essentials in the order you will need them, from flight preparation to choosing where to go next.

Booking Seoul and Busan

Check the train, coastal ride, and attraction pass before you lock in your route.

  1. 01

    Korea entry requirements in 2026: K-ETA, e-Arrival Card, and visa basics

    A practical 2026 entry checklist for foreign visitors to Korea, covering passport checks, K-ETA exemption, e-Arrival Card timing, visas, and airport backup steps.

    Before you fly

    Photorealistic airport travel preparation scene with phone, wallet, boarding pouch, suitcase, and airport window
  2. 02

    Korea arrival guide for first-time visitors

    A practical Korea arrival guide for first-time visitors, covering entry paperwork, airport flow, SIM/eSIM, cash, transport cards, luggage, and airport-to-Seoul decisions.

    At the airport

    Traveler organizing passport, phone, luggage, cash, and a generic transit card after arriving in Korea.
  3. 03

    Korea transportation guide for first-time visitors

    A first-time visitor guide to transportation in Korea, covering airport transfers, Tmoney, subway and buses, taxis, ride-hailing, intercity trains, and route-planning apps.

    Getting around

    Traveler planning Korea transportation with a suitcase near a subway entrance and airport bus area.
  4. 04

    Korea regional travel guide for first-time visitors

    A practical regional travel guide for first-time Korea visitors, explaining when to add Busan, Jeju, Gyeongju, the DMZ, and other non-Seoul destinations.

    Beyond Seoul

    Traveler planning Korea regional routes with a train ticket, suitcase, and map-like notes on a station table.

Korea travel briefings

Read the essentials first, then choose the Seoul, Busan, or Jeju route that matches your pace.

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Two outlined travelers compare their sightseeing plans beside a photo-based Gwangalli Beach.

Is the Visit Busan Pass Worth It? 24H vs 48H vs BIG3 and BIG5

The pass can save money on a planned sightseeing route. Choose your attractions first, then compare the correct pass against the tickets you would actually buy.

Regional travel / Busan

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Two outlined travelers watch yellow Sky Capsules against a photo-based Haeundae coastline.

Busan Sky Capsule Tickets: Mipo vs Cheongsapo and How to Book

Choose the direction that fits your day, book the correct capsule size, and check that you have a dated boarding ticket rather than only an order confirmation.

Regional travel / Busan

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An outlined traveler checks his phone with luggage in a photo-based Seoul Station concourse scene.

Seoul to Busan KTX: How to Book with a Foreign Card

Start with KORAIL’s English website, compare the final total if you use a reseller, and make sure you can retrieve an issued ticket before leaving for the station.

Transit / Seoul / Busan

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