Arrival by Air:

Korea is connected by air to every major capital in the world, either through direct flights or by connecting flights from major international airports in East Asia. About 37 international airlines maintain regular flight services, with over 1,500 flights into and out of Korea every week. Korea has eight international airports: Incheon International Airport, which opened in March 2001, and Gimpo for Seoul, Gimhae for Busan, Jeju, Cheongju, Daegu, Yangyang and Gwangju. Gimhae and Jeju operate direct flights to and from Tokyo, Fukuoka, Nagoya and Osaka in Japan.


Korean Air Lines (KAL), the larger of Korea's two national flag carriers, has opened new routes between Seoul and destinations in Europe, America and the Middle East. For the convenience of departing passengers, the Korea City Air Terminal (KCAT) is in Seoul's Gangnam business district next to the Korea World Trade Center in Samseong-dong. It provides check-in service and passport clearance. Nonstop limousine buses make the roughly 60-minute commute between Incheon International Airport and KCAT every 10 to 20 minutes. Another KCAT opened recently at Gimpo International Airport.

Special airport buses and city buses leave from various points in Seoul every 15 minutes from 5:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., and are less expensive alternatives to the KAL Limousine Bus line which connects Incheon International Airport with 19 major hotels in Seoul.

Since 1963, Seoul has been included in the round-the-world air schedule approved by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). This enables any passenger on a round-the-world ticket to visit Korea at no additional charge.


Arrival by Ferry:

Pukwan Ferry's Seonghee plies between Busan and Japan's Shimonoseki

Various steamship lines provide passenger service to Korea. Among those from the American West Coast are Waterman Steamship, American Pioneer, Pacific Far East, Pacific Orient Express, State Marine and United States Lines. Several companies, such as the BuGwan Ferry, Korea Ferry and Korea Marine Express, provide regular ferry services linking Busan and Jejudo Island with the Japanese ports of Shimonoseki, Kobe and Hakata. Another ferry line plies between Incheon and the Chinese ports of Tianjin and Weihai.

Temporary entry for private cars is allowed for passengers arriving by ferry, providing that drivers obtain the proper documentation.



General Information: Tourist information and assistance are available at all major tourist sites, airports and Korea Tourism Organization's Tourist Information Centers. These KTO centers are open everyday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The KTO also runs a tourist information site at www.tour2korea.com. Since a quarter of the population tends to travel to hometowns or other destinations during traditional holidays, make sure to book tickets well in advance if your trip coincides with these times. The busiest travel times are summer vacation (the last week of July through the third week of August) and the three-day national holidays Seollal (Lunar New Year's) and Chuseok (the 15th day of the eighth month by the lunar calendar).

During national holidays, offices and banks are closed, whereas palaces, museums, most restaurants, markets, department stores, cinemas and amusement facilities are usually open. A variety of local events, festivals and special performances such as sandaenori (mask dances), nongak (farmers' music) and samulnori (percussion quartets) are held in many locations.

Reservations for hotels in any part of the country can be made in Seoul through travel agencies. Foreign tourists can get instant assistance by dialing 1330 anywhere in Korea.


Guided Tour Services: Various travel agencies offer guided tours around Seoul's scenic attractions and historic sites. A wide variety of tours are available, including morning, afternoon and night tours as well as nationwide tours lasting a week or more.


Currency: Korea's currency is the won, which comes in 1,000, 5,000 and 10,000 won bills, and 10, 50, 100 and 500 won coins. Generally, banks are open between 09:30-16:30 Monday through Friday. Automated teller machines are in operation 24 hours a day. Most larger stores, hotels and restaurants in Korea will accept major international credit cards. However, it is advisable to carry some cash, since many smaller establishments and stores may not have credit card processing equipment.


Visas: Most tourists may visit Korea for 15 days without a visa, but a verified return trip ticket is required. Some nationals may stay for longer periods, one to six months, without visas, provided they do not engage in paid work while in Korea. Visitors planning to work or reside in Korea for longer periods are required to obtain a visa before entry and an alien registration card at a local immigration office within 90 days of arrival. (The government-sponsored website www.korea.net has links to more-detailed information.)


Animal and Plant Quarantine: All imported animals, plants and their products are subject to quarantine at airports and ports of arrival at the time of entry.