The best time to visit South Korea on a budget is during the shoulder seasons—April to early June and September to early November. These months are just outside of peak tourist periods, offering cheaper flights and hotel rates.
January is the cheapest month for airfare to South Korea, and it's a prime time for avoiding the crowds and partaking in winter sports activities. But if below-freezing temperatures are not your thing, the next most affordable (non-winter) months to fly are November, October and March.
The summer months (July to August) in South Korea are the worst time to visit. High temperatures usually reach up 35°C (95°F) on the hottest days, and two-thirds of the annual rainfall occurs during this season, making heavy rainfall common.
When is Seoul's low season? Seoul's biggest low season is during the winter months between December and February. Tourism is typically lowest in January, when daytime temperatures average -2 °C.
Don't come to South Korea during these months | Best time and Bad time to to visit South Korea
Is Korea expensive to visit?
Compared to Europe and the US, South Korea is easier on the wallet. Food, transportation, and attractions here are noticeably more affordable. A subway ride in Seoul costs less than $1,50, and an excellent meal can go on average for under $10 per person.
The best time of year to visit South Korea is the spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). Clear skies, pleasant temperatures, and low levels of rainfall between March and May, and then again between September and November provide the perfect conditions for a holiday to South Korea.
British passport holders do not require a Visa for the entry purpose of a short term visit (e.g., tours, visiting relatives or friends, attending non-profitable meetings) up to 90 days. You can ONLY apply for A1(Diplomacy)·A2(Official) at the Embassy in London.
If you want to spend two weeks in South Korea, you can expect to spend around $2,000 per person, not including the cost of flights between your home country and Seoul. Note that this is an average: It's possible to travel in Korea on less than this, and fairly easy to overshoot such a figure.
Eating at local restaurants is inexpensive and a great way to experience authentic Korean cuisine. A typical meal at a casual eatery usually costs 7,000 to 10,000 KRW ($5 to $8 USD). Popular chain restaurants and small diners offer set menus for similar prices.
Ten days is the ideal time to immerse yourself in South Korea's culture and get to know its people. This ancient country is filled with sights and attractions that make it a must for any global adventurer. Our South Korea itinerary will give you some exciting ideas for your trip.
Summer. Beginning in June and ending in August, the Korean summer is hot and humid, with average mean temperatures peaking at 25.7 degrees Celsius in August. The Korean rainy season, or jangma, begins in mid-June and continues for about a month.
A visa is not required for stays 90 days or less for business or tourism. The Korean Electronic Travel Authorization(opens in a new tab) (K-ETA) exemption for U.S. passport holders was extended through December 31, 2025. Starting January 1, 2026, you will need a K-ETA before traveling to South Korea.
The best time to see cherry blossoms in Japan and Korea is during the spring months from the end of March to mid-April. However, some blossoms can start blooming in January and others reach full bloom in May. So planning trips to visit specific areas can be tricky.
Busan is 323 km away from Seoul. By train, Busan is about 3 hours away from Seoul. But if you're going by car, it'll take about 4 hours for you to get to Busan from Seoul. Both Seoul and Busan are worth visiting even with the distance.
Long-distance flights, such as those from North America or Europe to Asia Pacific, consume significantly more fuel than short-haul flights within the APAC region. As a result, rising fuel prices have a more pronounced effect on the cost of flights Western travelers take to Asia.
Do you tip in South Korea? It's not a local practise to tip in South Korea. Unlike in many Western countries where tipping waiters, taxi drivers, and hotel staff is so common it's almost automatic, in South Korea tipping can be considered rude. Tips may be turned down or cause embarrassment if they're offered.
Take the bus – While the trains are fun, the cheapest way to get around Korea is by bus. They take longer but are much cheaper, so if you have the time, opt for long-distance buses. Just show up at the bus station to reserve your tickets in advance, as most websites and apps are in Korean.
The best way to get from Seoul to Jeju City without a car is to train and car ferry via Jindo Public Bus Terminal which takes 6h 39m and costs ₩100,000 - ₩390,000. How long does it take to get from Seoul to Jeju City? It takes approximately 2h 45m to get from Seoul to Jeju City, including transfers.
Courses or boosters usually advised: none. Other vaccines to consider: Hepatitis A; Hepatitis B; Rabies; Tetanus; Tick-borne Encephalitis. Selectively advised vaccines - only for those individuals at highest risk: Japanese Encephalitis. No yellow fever vaccination certificate required for this country.
The K-ETA fee is 10,000KRW(additional fee excluded) and does not charge any extra fees. If you have any questions on the K-ETA application procedure, please visit the K-ETA official website (www.k-eta.go.kr) – Notice – Questions (available in English, Russian, and Thai).
January is the coldest month of the year in South Korea which makes sense with average low temperatures sitting at -6°C. Unfortunately, average high temperatures aren't much better at 2°C but you will have the larger cities and popular sites largely to yourself which is a silver lining.
The best time to visit South Korea on a budget is during the shoulder seasons—April to early June and September to early November. These months are just outside of peak tourist periods, offering cheaper flights and hotel rates.
If you're travelling there in October, you should do just fine with your normal clothes as your first layer. Pack a sweater or fleece as your second layer during the day time. When it starts getting colder during the nights, a lightweight down jacket will keep you warm and protected from the elements!
