COUNTRY GUIDE
South Korea
Neighbourhoods to get lost in, coastlines to escape to, and people to plan it all with.
Studying in Seoul, working remotely in Busan or staying for a season: Unmapped helps you find your city, meet travelers, expats and locals, and join or start things together.
BASICS
Before you go.
- Language
- Korean
- English signs are common on public transport in the big cities. Away from them, a translation app helps a lot.
- Currency
- South Korean won (₩, KRW)
- Cards are accepted almost everywhere, even for small amounts. Keep a little cash for markets and street food.
- Time zone
- Korea Standard Time, UTC+9
- One time zone for the whole country, no daylight saving time.
- Power
- Type C and F plugs, 220 V
- The round two-pin plug used in much of Europe.
- Getting online
- eSIM, SIM or Wi-Fi
- Easy to set up at the airport or online. Mobile data and Wi-Fi are fast in most places.
- Emergency
- 112 police · 119 fire & ambulance
- 1330 is the Korea Travel Hotline, with help in several languages.
GETTING AROUND
Easy to move, once you know how.
High-speed trains
KTX and SRT trains link Seoul with Busan, Daegu, Daejeon, Gwangju and more. Booking ahead helps on weekends and holidays.
Express buses
Intercity and express buses reach almost every town, including places the fast trains don't.
Metro and city transit
Seoul, Busan and several other cities have metro systems. Rechargeable cards such as T-money work on most city transit.
Flights and ferries
Jeju is a short domestic flight from the mainland airports, and ferries serve Jeju and many smaller islands.
CITIES TO EXPLORE
Where to start.
A few very different places to begin. You can explore any city in South Korea through Unmapped. Search for it in the app.
Seoul
A huge capital of very different neighbourhoods, from palace quarters and markets to cafés, studios and riverside parks.
Good for · Food · Work · City life
Find Seoul in the app (opens in a new tab)Gangneung
An east coast city between the mountains and the sea, with long beaches, a strong café culture and a calmer pace.
Good for · Beaches · Cafés · Weekends away
Find Gangneung in the app (opens in a new tab)Jeonju
A food-focused city in the southwest with a quarter of traditional hanok houses and an unhurried rhythm.
Good for · Food · Culture · A slower pace
Find Jeonju in the app (opens in a new tab)Gyeongju
The former capital of the Silla kingdom, with royal tombs, temples and open green spaces to explore by bike.
Good for · History · Cycling · Day trips
Find Gyeongju in the app (opens in a new tab)Busan
A port city of beaches, hillside neighbourhoods and seafood markets, with a pace and a dialect of its own.
Good for · Beaches · Food · Longer stays
Find Busan in the app (opens in a new tab)Jeju City
The main city on Jeju Island and a base for volcanic landscapes, coastal walks and the island's milder climate.
Good for · Nature · Hiking · Island life
Find Jeju City in the app (opens in a new tab)
GOOD TO KNOW
Small things that help.
Neighbourhood by neighbourhood
Big cities change character from one district to the next, so where you stay shapes the whole visit.
Shoes off
In homes and in restaurants with floor seating, shoes come off at the entrance.
Seasons
Summers are generally hot and humid with a rainy spell, and winters are cold, especially away from the south coast.
Tipping
Tipping is generally not expected in restaurants or taxis.
UNMAPPED IN SOUTH KOREA
Arrive knowing someone.
Open your next city before you land, then use it every day you're there.
Meet people before you land
Open Seoul, Busan or Jeju City before you arrive and see who is here now, who is arriving and who lives there.
Ask the City Chat
Every city can have its own City Chat. Ask about neighbourhoods, language exchanges or where to find good late-night food.
Join or host something
Find meetups and day trips, or host your own, like a hike near Seoul, a market evening in Busan or a bike day in Gyeongju.
Travel together
Share your rail route from Seoul to Busan, or post a Buddy Plan for a day trip, a class or a night out.
FAQ
Questions about Unmapped in South Korea.
Can I use Unmapped outside Seoul?
Yes. You can explore any city in South Korea through Unmapped, and every city can become a City Hub. The cities on this page are just a few places to start.
Does it cover Jeju?
Yes. Jeju City has its own place in Unmapped's location directory. Search for it, or for the town closest to where you're staying on the island.
Can locals use Unmapped too?
Yes. Unmapped is for travelers, expats and locals, and many good plans start with someone who already lives there.
Can I explore a city before I arrive?
Yes. Open your next city, see who is arriving, join the City Chat and share your travel plan before you land.
Do I need to speak Korean?
No. Unmapped is in English, and City Chats are a good place to ask for help or to find a language exchange.
Looking for another country? Search any city in the world.
Sources & information
Information last reviewed: October 2026Location data: GeoNames (opens in a new tab) (CC BY 4.0 (opens in a new tab))Map: Natural Earth (opens in a new tab)Photo: Ping Onganankun (opens in a new tab) / Unsplash (opens in a new tab)
Travel information can change. Please verify important information with official sources. Country guides are provided for general information and do not constitute legal, medical, immigration or other professional advice. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Unmapped is not liable for losses resulting from reliance on the information provided. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.
SOUTH KOREA WITH UNMAPPED
Explore South Korea with Unmapped.
Find your city, meet people there and join or start something. Available on iPhone and Android.