Return to Seoul

Is Korea & Seoul Safe?
The people in Seoul and in fact throughout South Korea are very friendly and are always willing to help. Do however be cautious and well aware of your personal space at all times. Never let someone you do not know watch your luggage and never accept rides from anyone other than official taxi drivers.

Remember: you are in another country with a different set of social rules and regulations. What might be acceptable at home is not necessarily acceptable abroad. Ask questions and find out more about your city. Learn to adapt to different cultures and customs, part of your study abroad experience is to learn more about the world around you, be open and friendly.

What is the local currency?
The basic unit of currency is the won (W), which is divided into 100 chon. Notes are available in denominations of W1,000, 5,000 and 10,000, and coins are denominated as follows: W1, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 500.

Are a passport, visa, or vaccinations necessary?
Most visitors to South Korea must have a visa and a valid passport.

No vaccinations are necessary unless you've recently been exposed to cholera. However, it's always a good idea to discuss your travel plans with your doctor, who may recommend additional vaccinations for such diseases as hepatitis B, tetanus, diphtheria, typhoid, cholera, measles, polio, influenza, and tuberculosis. Malaria is not likely to be a problem.

How do you get there from here?
Entry by air into the Republic of Korea is generally through Seoul's Inchon International Airport (ICN), which replaced Kimpo as the leading national airport in March 2001.

How do I get around Korea & Seoul?
If you don't know where you're going, getting around Seoul can be interesting: Few addresses are posted and there are few street signs in the city. When traveling in Seoul, have your destinations written in Korean. Although many South Koreans speak some degree of English, very few can read the language.

Taxis: Available at many stands in the city, taxis are either "medium-sized" or "deluxe." Deluxe taxis are yellow and black and have a sign saying "deluxe" and they have additional amenities (such as car phones). You can find deluxe taxi stands near hotels, bus and subway stations and terminals, and on major streets. Taxi fares are based on both time and distance. If the taxi is traveling less than 15 kilometers per hour (9 miles per hour), an additional charge per 67 seconds is added to the basic fare. There is a night supplement of 20 percent from midnight to 4 AM. Taxis may also be summoned by phone for a surcharge. There is no special night rate for deluxe taxis.

Bus: Like other major cities, Seoul has an extensive bus system with both local and express buses, but note that signs are written only in Korean. Bus tokens can be purchased from kiosks Express buses are air-conditioned, are less crowded, and have fewer stops.

Rail: The Korean National Railroad offers generally reliable, reasonably priced, and efficient train service. There are four classes of service: the super-express Saemaul trains, express Mugunghwa trains, ordinary T'ong-il trains, and the Pidulgi trains, which stop at every station. Trains are usually full on weekends and holidays, so buy your tickets at least two weeks in advance.

What is the weather like?
Seoul is hot and humid in the summer and cold and dry in the winter. During the winter the temperature in Seoul is just a little cooler than in New York City. Many attractions in Seoul close early starting in November. Average low temperatures are about -10C (14F) during those months, and the average high is about 11C (52F).

Will my electrical gadgets work?
Current is either 110 or 220 volts AC, 60 Hz. You'll find plugs with two flat pins (110 volts) or with two round pins (220 volts). Visitors from abroad who wish to operate personal small electronic items, should bring a plug adapter and a transformer.

What is the best way to phone home?
To place an outgoing direct-dialed international call, dial 001 or 002 plus the country code and number. To reach an international operator, dial 0077, and for local directory assistance, dial 114. There are four types of public telephones, three of which are color-coded: orange for local calls, gray and blue for both local and long distance. Card telephones can be used for international phone calls. The phone cards can be purchased in many shops, banks, phone offices, and post offices.

It is also smart to obtain an overseas phone card (they are usually free-of-charge) from your long distance carrier, such as MCI, AT&T or Sprint. MCI's Worldphone Program, for example, lets you phone the US/Canada from South Korea at greatly reduced rates from what you would pay from the regular charge. The long distance carrier will give you a special number to call when placing your call.

What major holidays are there in Korea?
Banks and most businesses close on New Year' Day and the day after (1ö2 January), Lunar New Year (three days in January or February; dates vary), Independence Movement Day (1 March), Arbor Day (5 April), Children's Day (5 May), Buddha's Birthday (May; date of celebration varies), Memorial Day (6 June), Constitution Day (17 July), Liberation Day (15 August), Ch'usok, or the Harvest Moon Festival, also known as Korean Thanksgiving (celebrated for three days in September or October; dates vary), National Foundation Day (3 October), and Christmas Day (25 December).