South Korea

Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) are the sweet spots for visiting South Korea. Spring brings the iconic cherry blossom season - the whole country transforms into a pink wonderland, while autumn delivers crisp air and jaw-dropping golden foliage across the mountains. Summer (June–August) is hot, humid, and comes with a monsoon season, but it's also festival season, so there's plenty going on. Winter (December-February) can be cold, especially in Seoul, but if you're after some world-class skiing post-tour, it's absolutely the time to go.

We always recommend speaking to your local doctors. We're not medically trained, so we can't give official advice on vaccines you need/don't need.

Great news for many travellers, South Korea offers visa-free entry for citizens of over 100 countries for short stays (typically up to 90 days). UK, US, EU, and Australian passport holders can generally enter without a visa for tourism. That said, visa rules change, so always double-check the latest guidance from your government's official travel advice page before booking. Better safe than sorry!

Tipping is not a thing in South Korea! In fact, it can occasionally be considered rude or awkward in traditional settings. Hospitality is simply part of the culture, and service staff take genuine pride in their work without expecting a tip. At higher-end Western-style restaurants or hotels, leaving a small amount won't cause offence, but it's not expected anywhere. Your Tru Leader can give you more etiquette tips on the ground!

ATMs are everywhere in South Korea, from convenience stores (GS25 and CU stores have them on almost every block) to banks and shopping malls. Most accept international Visa and Mastercard, and many are available 24/7. South Korea is also one of the most cashless-friendly countries in the world; card payments are widely accepted almost everywhere, even at markets. That said, carrying a small amount of Korean Won (₩) for street food stalls and traditional markets is always a good idea. Your Tru Leader will help you find the best spots to withdraw with low fees. Korea Exchange Bank (KEB Hana) ATMs are typically the most foreigner-friendly.

Korean (한국어) is the primary language in China. We always recommend learning a few key phrases before you go, this will impress the locals for sure!

South Korea actually has some of the cleanest tap water in Asia, it meets international standards and is safe to drink. However, many locals prefer filtered or bottled water due to the age of older pipe infrastructure in some buildings, and the taste can vary.

South Korea consistently ranks as one of the safest countries in the world for travellers. Crime rates are low, cities are clean and well-organised, public transport is outstanding, and locals are genuinely welcoming. Solo travellers, families, and first-time Asia explorers all feel at home here incredibly quickly. As with anywhere, keeping your wits about you and looking after your belongings is sensible, but you're far more likely to be overwhelmed by kindness than anything else. Travelling with a Tru Leader means you'll always have someone in your corner, unlocking local knowledge and hidden gems along the way. South Korea is a top pick for solo travellers and first-time Asia visitors.