South Korea travel guide 2023

South Korea travel guide 2023 – Arooha Tours UAE

South Korea is among the counties in Asia which attract tourists from UAE. It is a country with rich history and attractions. Here we have a South Korea travel guide for you. It is a quick read guide covering everything you need to know about South Korea.

Here you will know about South Korea if it is the first time you are planning a trip to South Korea, the visa requirements, and much more.

01 Visa requirement

If you are a UAE passport holder, you don't require a visa to enter South Korea. You can stay in South Korea for up to 30 days & if you are an expatriate you need secure a South Korea visa before traveling.

02 About South korea

South Korea is a country in the East Asian region. It is located on the southernmost tip of the Korean peninsula and has about 30 million people.

South Korea's land area accounts for around 45 percent of the peninsula's total land area. Seoul (Sul) is the country's capital.

In the heart of South Korea's capital, Seoul, you'll find a bustling, 24-hour modern city – but turn a corner, and you'll come upon a 14th-century palace or charming teahouse.

03 COVID Situation & COVID restrictions for travelers

For you to enter South Korea, you must produce documentation of a negative COVID-19 (PCR) test (in either English or Korean) at least 48 hours before your departure. If you are traveling via South Korea, you are not obliged to show documentation of a negative COVID-19 test result.

It is possible that you will be required to take a COVID-19 test upon arrival. You may also be forced to remain in quarantine for seven days, depending on your vaccination status.

It is your responsibility to provide your accommodations if necessary. If you do not, you will be housed in a government-run facility at your expense. If you violate your self-quarantine, you could face substantial fines, deportation, or incarceration.

You may be excused from mandatory quarantine if you have had a complete COVID-19 vaccination regimen before April 1. Before traveling, you must complete the Q-code website, asking for information on your travel and vaccination history. You'll be given a Q-code to use when you arrive.

If you are a foreign national in South Korea on a long-term visa, you must apply for a re-entry permit before leaving the country. Holders of visas with the A1, A2, A3 and F4 categories are free from the above restrictions.

04 Currency

The South Korean won, sometimes known as the Korean Republic won, is the country's official currency.

The monetary subunit, jeon, is divided into 100 won. The jeon is no longer used in daily transactions, and only appears in foreign currency rates.

05 Tax refund for tourists

Tourists visiting South Korea can immediately claim a tax refund on purchases made at Tax-Free businesses, but they must show their passports.

For things to be eligible for a quick tax refund, they must cost more than 30,000 won, but less than 500,000 won (tax included) and be purchased in one transaction as of April 1, 2020.

To qualify for an immediate tax refund, you must have spent less than 2,000,000 won throughout your whole trip to Korea.

06 Language

Korean is the official language of South Korea and its national language. Korean, commonly known as Hangul, is the native and official language of South Korea and North Korea, and the Republic of Korea.

The language is vastly different from western languages in almost every way. Although English is not widely spoken in Korea, it can be used to communicate.

07 Weather

South Korea has a temperate climate with four different seasons distinguished from one another. Korea has a continental climate with cold, dry winters and extremely hot, humid summers. The country has a continental climate.

Seasons such as spring and autumn are particularly nice because the days are short and the temperatures are temperate and typically pleasant, making them the most comfortable times to visit South Korea.

08 Getting to South Korea from Dubai or Abu Dhabi

Here you will know the visa requirements to enter South Korea and how long the flight will take.

09 How far from Dubai & Abu Dhabi to South Korea

The nonstop flight time from Dubai to Seoul is approximately 8 hours and 15 minutes. The quickest nonstop flight between Dubai and Seoul takes nearly 11 hours. However, depending on the stopover destination and duration of the wait, some airlines may take up to 38 hours.

10 Major airports in South Korea

Incheon International Airport is the primary and biggest airport in South Korea. Other major airports in South Korea include Gimhae International Airport in Busan, Jeju International Airport in Jeju City, and Gimpo International Airport in Seoul. Gimhae International Airport is the busiest of the three.

11 Getting around South Korea

There are several means available to use getting around South Korea. Here we have highlighted the best three means to get around in South Korea.

By Air

Seoul's Incheon International Airport is a key East Asian transportation hub, with several daily flights from North America on Korean Air, United, and Delta — many of which are nonstop — arriving and departing from the country (L.A., San Francisco, Atlanta, etc.).

Incheon is well-connected to other areas of Asia and Europe, the Middle East, and other parts of the world, including the United States.

Gimpo International Airport, located in Seoul, handles the majority of domestic air travel. It is connected to the Seoul subway system and Incheon International Airport via the AREX train system.

Asiana Airlines, Jin Air, and Korean Airlines are among the airlines that fly into Gimpo. Other international airports in South Korea include those in Busan, Jeju, Daegu, and Cheongju, to name a few.

By car

Driving or hiring a car in South Korea is a relaxing experience that provides an excellent opportunity to map out your route throughout the country. A rental car is pricey, and you'll need an International Driving Permit in addition to your domestic driver's license when you pick up your vehicle at the rental counter.

When you arrive, you might think about renting a car at Incheon International Airport; this is usually the most economical and convenient option to have your own set of wheels.

Kumho-Hertz (operated under a Lotte Corporation license) is South Korea's largest professional rental business, with Avis a close second in terms of size and professionalism.

By train & city trains

Traveling around South Korea by rail is, without a doubt, the most convenient and efficient mode of transportation available. Think about acquiring a KORAIL rail pass before you depart for your trip. This will make around the city much easier once you reach your destination.

The KTX, South Korea's legendary high-speed bullet train, connects Seoul and Busan in less than three hours, making it the fastest train globally.

While connecting key cities around the country, the KTX is also a time-saving means of moving around. The train cars are up to date, clean, and serene.
If you intend to travel over the holiday season, consider making reservations for your tickets. During these periods, the route between Seoul and Busan is very congested.

12 Top things to do in South Korea - nowhere in the world you can do

  • Admire all that shiny new technology in the shopping districts of Seoul
  • Stock up on sea slugs at the fish market
  • Watch the sunrise on the eastern tip of beautiful Jeju
  • Get down and dirty at the Boryeong Mud Festival
  • Hike the rocky Seoraksan National Park