Weather — Month by Month
South Korea has four distinct seasons. Pick a month to see what to expect and what to pack.
Currency & Money
The currency is the South Korean Won (₩ / KRW). Cards are accepted almost everywhere.
Quick Converter
Indicative rate: 1 INR ≈ 16 KRW. Rates change daily — check before you travel.
Notes & Coins
- Visa/Mastercard widely accepted; carry some cash for street food & markets.
- Withdraw KRW from “Global” ATMs (at 7-Eleven, GS25, banks).
- Best exchange rates are at Myeongdong money changers, not the airport.
- Naver Pay / Kakao Pay are popular but usually need a local account.
Time Zone
Korea runs on KST (UTC+9) — that's 3 hours 30 minutes ahead of India (IST). No daylight saving.
Food & Cuisine
Korean food is bold, social and varied. Vegetarian options are growing fast — here's what to try.
🍚
VEG
Bibimbap
Warm rice topped with seasoned vegetables, egg & gochujang — easily made fully vegetarian.
🥬
VEG
Kimchi
Korea's iconic fermented spicy cabbage, served as a side with almost every meal.
🌶️
VEG
Tteokbokki
Chewy rice cakes simmered in a sweet-and-spicy red sauce — the favourite street snack.
🍜
VEG
Japchae
Glass noodles stir-fried with vegetables & sesame oil — mild and crowd-pleasing.
🥩
NON-VEG
Korean BBQ
Grill-your-own pork belly (samgyeopsal) or beef (bulgogi) at the table with wraps & sides.
🍖
NON-VEG
Bulgogi
Thinly sliced beef marinated in soy, garlic & pear — sweet, savoury and mild.
🍲
NON-VEG
Samgyetang
Whole young chicken soup with ginseng, garlic & rice — a comforting health dish.
🍙
VEG
Kimbap
Seaweed rice rolls with veggies — a perfect grab-and-go snack (veg versions widely available).
🍵
VEG
Sundubu Jjigae
Bubbling soft-tofu stew in a spicy broth — order it vegetarian without seafood.
🥞
VEG
Hotteok
Sweet pancakes filled with brown sugar, cinnamon & nuts — a winter street treat.
🍗
NON-VEG
Fried Chicken
Korea's legendary double-fried crispy chicken, often glazed in sweet-spicy yangnyeom sauce.
🍧
VEG
Bingsu
Mountain of shaved milk-ice topped with red beans, fruit & condensed milk — summer dessert.
Tell restaurants “gogi an meogeoyo” (I don't eat meat) — many temple-style & Indian restaurants are also available in Seoul, Busan & Myeongdong.
Metro / Subway
The Seoul Metropolitan Subway is one of the world's best — clean, punctual, cheap and fully signposted in English.
How it works
- Tap in & out with a T-money card (buy at any station/convenience store, ₩2,500 + top-up).
- Base fare ~₩1,400; distance-based, English ticket machines available.
- Every station has a number + name in English & announcements in English.
- Use Naver Map or KakaoMetro apps (Google Maps transit is limited in Korea).
- Runs ~05:30 to midnight. Free Wi-Fi on most trains.
🚇Public Transport
Beyond the metro, Korea's buses, taxis and airport links are fast, affordable and easy.
🚌City Buses
Colour-coded: Blue (long trunk routes), Green (local), Red (express to suburbs), Yellow (city centre loop). Tap T-money on entry & exit to get free transfers.
🚕Taxis
Orange/silver are regular; black are premium. Hail via the Kakao T app. Base fare ~₩4,800. Tipping is not expected. Show your destination in Korean text.
✈️Airport (AREX)
From Incheon (ICN): the AREX Express reaches Seoul Station in ~43 min, or take the cheaper all-stop train / airport limousine buses to major hotels.
🚲Bikes & Walk
Seoul is very walkable. Ttareungi public bikes & rideshare scooters are everywhere for short hops along the Han River.
Railway Services — KTX
The KTX bullet train zips across the country at up to 305 km/h, linking every major city.
Popular Routes from Seoul
- Book on Korail / Let's Korail app or at the station. Reserve ahead on weekends & holidays.
- Visitors can buy a KORAIL PASS (2/3/4/5-day) for unlimited rides — great value for multi-city trips.
- Clean, spacious seats, power sockets, Wi-Fi & snack trolleys onboard.
🚄Hotels & Guesthouses
From luxury towers to cosy guesthouses and traditional hanok homes — stays for every budget.
🏨Luxury & Business Hotels
₩200,000+ / night5-star international & Korean chains in Myeongdong, Gangnam & by the Han River. Full English service.
🏩Mid-range Hotels
₩80,000–180,000Comfortable business hotels near subway stations — best balance of price, comfort & location.
🏡Guesthouses & Hostels
₩20,000–60,000Private & dorm rooms, communal kitchens — great for solo travellers & meeting people.
🏯Hanok Stays
₩60,000–150,000Sleep in a traditional wooden courtyard house (Bukchon, Jeonju) — a cultural experience.
🛏️Jjimjilbang
₩10,000–20,00024-hr bathhouse-spas where you can nap overnight — ultra-budget & uniquely Korean.
🏢Serviced Apartments
₩120,000+Kitchenette & laundry — ideal for families & longer stays.
Book through your Silkroad package for vetted, tourist-friendly hotels with Indian-meal options on request.
K-Pop
The global music phenomenon was born here. Live the K-Pop world right at its source.
🎤Where to experience it
- HYBE Insight / agency districts & official artist pop-up stores.
- Myeongdong & Hongdae — album shops, photocard cafés & street performances (busking).
- Seoul’s K-Star Road (Gangnam) — “GangnamDol” bear statues of your favourite groups.
- Catch a live music-show taping or concert — we can help arrange tickets.
- Try a K-Pop dance class or idol-style photoshoot studio.
K-Drama
Walk straight into the scenes from your favourite series at real filming locations.
🏝️Nami Island
The romantic tree-lined avenue from Winter Sonata — a must for drama fans.
🏰Gyeongbokgung
Rent a hanbok and stroll the royal palace seen in countless historical dramas.
🎡Lotte World & N Seoul Tower
Iconic date-spots featured in dozens of rom-coms; lock a love-padlock at the tower.
🌊Busan & Gamcheon
The pastel hillside village and beaches behind many seaside drama scenes.
Squid Game, Goblin, Crash Landing on You & Itaewon Class fans — ask us for a themed location tour!
Cosmetics & K-Beauty
Korea is the world capital of skincare. Shop, sample and learn the famous routine.
💄Where to shop & what to know
- Myeongdong is beauty heaven — Olive Young, Innisfree, Etude, Laneige, Nature Republic flagships.
- Look for Tax-Free signs — claim VAT back at the airport on purchases over ₩15,000.
- Staff give generous free samples; buy-1-get-1 deals are common.
- Try the famous 10-step routine staples: cleanser → toner → essence → serum → sheet mask → moisturiser → SPF.