Korea Travel Quick Start Guide

Photo by Seungmin Yoon on Unsplash KTX takes 2h15–2h40 and is the most popular option. Flights are faster but cost more door-to-door. Buses are cheapest. Here's how to choose. Seoul and Busan are the two cities most international visitors want to see in Korea. The distance between them is about 400km, and there are four realistic ways to cover it: the KTX high-speed train, the SRT high-speed train, a budget flight, or an express bus. Each has a different cost, travel time, and level of convenience. This guide covers all four with enough detail to make the decision straightforward. Quick Answer The KTX from Seoul Station to Busan Station is the best option for most travelers — roughly 2 hours 15 minutes to 2 hours 40 minutes, trains run frequently throughout the day, and the station-to-station journey puts you directly in central Busan. Budget airlines (Gimpo to Gimhae) can be cheaper when booked well in advance, but total door-to-door time often matches the KTX once airp...

Choosing where to stay in Busan? This guide compares Haeundae, Gwangalli, Seomyeon, and Nampo by travel style, budget, and transport access. Busan is South Korea's second city and a legitimate travel destination in its own right — not just a day trip from Seoul. With a coastline, mountains, markets, and some of the country's best seafood, it has enough variety to warrant two to four nights. But the city is spread out, and where you sleep will shape what you spend most of your time doing. Here is a practical breakdown of the four main areas where first-time visitors should consider staying. Quick Answer The best area to stay in Busan depends on your travel style. Haeundae suits beach-focused travelers who want a resort atmosphere. Gwangalli is better for those who want the same coastal feel with more local character and nightlife. Seomyeon is the most central option — best transport connections, widest price range, and easy access to the whole city. Nampo is the righ...

Korean food isn't all spicy — bulgogi, samgyetang, kalguksu, and dozens of other dishes have no heat at all. Here's what to order and how to ask for less spice. Korean cuisine has a reputation for being fiery, and some of it is. But a significant portion of the most beloved Korean dishes contain no chili at all — and even in spicy dishes, you can often ask for less heat. If you've been nervous about visiting Korea because of the food, this guide is for you. Quick Answer No, Korean food is not always spicy. While dishes like kimchi jjigae, tteokbokki, and buldak are genuinely hot for most first-time visitors, a wide range of popular Korean foods — including bulgogi, samgyetang, kalguksu, japchae, and kimbap — contain no chili at all. Most Korean BBQ restaurants grill meat plain and let you add spice separately. The phrase "덜 맵게 해주세요" ( deol maepge haejuseyo ) — "please make it less spicy" — is understood at most sit-down restaurants. The Full A...

Public drinking is part of Korean culture — Han River picnics, convenience store seating, pojangmacha stalls. But rules have changed in some areas since 2024. Here's what to know. One of the things that genuinely surprises first-time visitors to Korea is seeing people drinking beer and soju openly in parks, on riverside benches, and at folding tables outside convenience stores — completely casually, in full public view. If you're wondering whether this is actually legal, the answer is more nuanced than a simple yes or no, and it changed somewhat in 2024. Quick Answer Public drinking has long been a normal part of Korean outdoor culture, and there are no national open container laws prohibiting it. However, since 2024, some local governments in Seoul and other cities have introduced restrictions in specific public spaces — parks, plazas, and playgrounds — with fines of up to ₩100,000 for violations. In practice, drinking at Han River parks, convenience store outdoor seat...