A little more
South Korea.
A lot less roaming.

Travelling to South Korea: what to know before you go

South Korea moves between royal palaces and Buddhist temples, glass towers and late-night food streets, mountains laced with hiking trails and a volcanic island in the south. It is fast, efficient and easy to navigate, and suits food lovers, city-breakers and anyone drawn by Korean film, music and design.

Where to go

• Seoul. Gyeongbokgung Palace and the hanok houses of Bukchon sit minutes from the shopping streets of Myeongdong and the nightlife of Hongdae.
• Busan. Korea's second city is a port with beaches at Haeundae and Gwangalli, the hillside lanes of Gamcheon Culture Village, the seafront Haedong Yonggungsa temple and Jagalchi, a large fish market where you can eat what you pick.
• Gyeongju. The capital of the ancient Silla kingdom, sometimes called a museum without walls.
• Jeju Island. A volcanic island with Hallasan, South Korea's highest mountain, the Seongsan Ilchulbong tuff cone, lava tubes and coastal walking trails.

Best time to visit

Spring (April to early June) brings cherry blossom in early April and mild weather, and autumn (late September to early November) has clear skies and spectacular foliage in the mountains; these are the best times to visit. Summer is hot and humid, with a monsoon season, jangma, from roughly late June to July.

Staying online in South Korea

South Korea has some of the fastest and most widespread mobile networks in the world, with 4G and 5G across cities, on trains and in subway tunnels. Coverage is also strong in most rural areas, though it can weaken on high mountain trails and remote coastal islands. Free Wi-Fi is available in subway stations, cafés and many public places, often without sign-up. Many Korean apps work best with a phone number for verification, which a data-only connection may not provide. Install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land.