Tips for Travel in Korea

If you’re looking for a unique travel destination packed with culture and history, Korea might just be the experience you’ve been waiting for.

In the last few decades, Korea’s thriving economy and the fact that it has shuffled out from under the iron cloak of North Korea to become its own unique destination has made it an increasingly popular tourist hub. The mix of Western sensibilities and traditional Korean culture makes it an exciting and unique experience, and whether you’re looking for history, tradition, scenery or contemporary culture, a trip to Korea will not disappoint. Grab a good travel insurance plan, book those flights and get ready for a travel experience like no other.

Climate

Unlike a lot of its Asian neighbours, Korea has four distinct seasons, following the seasonal pattern of the northern hemisphere. It’s important to note that in the hottest months of July and August Korea experiences monsoonal rains, and therefore the best times to visit are during autumn and spring, when the weather is milder and more conducive to sightseeing In summer the temperatures can reach 30 degrees Celsius with an incredibly high humidity reading, while in the depths of winter the mercury can fall as low as -6 degrees.

Getting Around

One of the best ways to get around Korea is on its incredibly efficient and clean rail network, Korail. The network boasts several travel classes to choose from, including a luxury class and several high-speed services. Generally considered one of the best rail networks in Asia and even the world, it’s a must for travel within the country.

Accommodation

You might be a fairly experienced traveller—hostels in Sydney, apartments in New York, Penziones in Venice—but you haven’t experienced truly traditional accommodation until you’ve stayed in a Yogwan in Korea. The Yogwan is a traditional type of inn, which is extremely inexpensive and involves visitors being given a pillow and mattress and invited to sleep on a type of heated floor system unique to Korea, called an Ondol. While there are several modern and western accommodation options on offer in Korea, we’d highly recommend trying out this traditional style as well—if only for a few nights!

Food

If you consider yourself a bit of a travelling gourmet, Korea will provide a culinary playground. A tantalising mix of old and new peppers the plates of Korea’s food scene. An absolute must-try while you’re there is Kimchi, a kind of Korean pickle mix where cabbage and other vegetables are soaked in chili, vinegar and a stock made of prawn’s heads. Delicious. Also, Korean hot pot is a great way to enjoy a communal meal, with everyone sitting around and dunking noodles, meats and seafood into a fragrant, silky broth.

Whether you’re the kind of traveller who likes to make friends in Sydney hostels, rough it in remote South African campsites or live the high life in New York City hotels, one thing is for sure; you’ll never experience anything quite like a visit to Korea. This friendly, vibrant and active country has so much to offer the inquisitive tourist, and it’s just waiting to make your acquaintance!