Seoul Travel Guides

The currency in South Korea is called won (KRW). Banknotes come in denominations of 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, and 50,000 KRW. Coins are available in 10, 50, 100, and 500 won.

South Korea is one of the few countries in the world where we can get good exchange rates from banks. You can rely on bank’s service while being in Seoul.

The advantage of exchanging money in banks is that there are staff speaking English and Japanese to serve us at the counter. You will surely enjoy this specialized service at banks like KEB Hana Bank, Shinhan Bank, and Woori Bank, which is particularly designed to cater for visitors.

The only downside to bank service is their limited business hours (standard bank hours are 09:00 – 16:00 from Monday to Friday).

Besides banks, there are also good individual money changers for us to stock Korean wons for our fashion and cuisine adventures. You can find them at Myeong-dong, Dongdaemun, and Itaewon. Apart from these famous tourist areas, you seldom find a service provider with advantageous rates in other parts of the city.

Although most of the money changers in Seoul are authorized, visitors are advised to avoid the quirky currency exchange stalls with huge umbrellas on the sidewalks.

Traveler’s cheques can be exchanged in banks and at some service booths. Just remember to only sign the bottom section (of the cheque) in the presence of the teller. Otherwise, your cheque will not be accepted.

Also, make sure to bring a valid ID because some banks will ask for one when making transactions.

Below is the list of the best places and banks to exchange money in Seoul, which will help you get more wons for your trip.

You surely don’t want to find yourself sitting on the floor of Seoul’s Incheon International Airport not knowing what to do next.

That’s why it’s best to learn what modes of transportation are available in Seoul before you actually land at the airport.

Incheon International Airport is the largest airport in South Korea and the 22th busiest airport in the world. It sits 47 km away from the Seoul Station, which is considered to be the center of Seoul.

This central station serves as a major transportation hub, which allows you to reach any area of Seoul via various modes of transportation.

Now, let look at different ways to get to city and choose the most suitable option for yourself.

Seoul, the new fashion capital of Asia, is a sweet dream of every lady. All women want to be gorgeous in an elegant way. And Korean fashion is there to fulfill that need.

If you think those Korean-style beautiful dresses will cost you a lot of money, you may be wrong. Just like any shopping paradise in the world, Seoul has both the expensive and cheap parts within itself.

The economical side of Seoul is fortunately huge. There are plenty of markets, fashion shopping streets, fashion districts, flea markets and underground shopping arcades across the city that offer great bargains on clothes, shoes, bags, accessories, cosmetics and souvenirs.

You can have great shopping experiences without burning your budget. All you need to do is visit the wallet-friendly shopping venues recommended below.

The streets of Seoul are a sight to behold – a menagerie of dazzling lights, quirky fashion, and good-looking, porcelain-skinned locals. Completing this tableau is the rich selection of mouthwatering street food, and who doesn’t enjoy street food? Not you, hopefully!

As is the case in other cities around the world, street food is the fastest, easiest, and cheapest way to take a peek into the culinary culture of Seoul.

What’s interesting about Seoul’s street food culture is that, while Korean cuisine is generally regarded as tilting on the “healthier side”, it is common to see nooks filled with carts of deep-fried goodies. Yup, Koreans have a fondness for coating their snacks in light, crispy batter and dunking them in hot, heavenly lard.

Foodies with a sweet tooth will find heaven on earth in the streets of Seoul as sweets and desserts are a common sight. Sweet rice cakes? Check! Red bean snacks? Check! Ice cream? Uhh, Seoul has different kinds, so that’s a bigger check!

Enjoy this guide to the best street food in Seoul and where to get them at the best prices.

There are a lot of wonderful souvenirs that you can bring home from your trip to Seoul.

To many, Korean cosmetics are the first choice, which can be the gift for themselves and/or the ladies on their gift list. It seems like every lady wants to look like the Korean superstars seen on TV!

Want something more about traditional culture? Beautiful Hanji paper products have a lot to say about the craftsmanship and wisdom the old Koreans.

Read on for more recommendations as well as prices and where to buy them.

Seoul has a super vibrant nightlife scene with parties that last till 06:00 or 07:00 in the morning of the next day. At some clubs like Mass, revelers can stay till 10:00. It is just an example of great dedication that Seoul clubs give to the clubbing scene and party lovers.

So if you want to take a piece of that fun at Seoul nightclubs, head yourself to one of the three hottest nightlife areas of the city – Gangnam, Hongdea and Iteawon. Among the three, Gangnam is where parties live their lives with a touch of luxury and people who join the crowd there often have with them fame, beauty or a thick wallet. Or all in one.

Gangnam dance clubs are just perfect for when you have money to spend or want to rub shoulders with some of the most sensational K-Pop stars. In this article, we reserve space to feature the top 5 party destinations in Gangnam that you should definitely not miss.

Remember you must be at least 19 years or older to be eligible to enter these clubs. And don’t forget to bring along an ID card with a photo, unless you want to spend the rest of the night on the side of the road!

Sampling Korean food in Seoul for the first time is a lot like falling in love.

First, you fix your gaze on a dish that catches your fancy. Then, you slowly test the water – give it a closer look, catch a whiff, and take a little bite. After which, you go all the way in and savor all the flavors, the sensational highlights, the interesting textures, and all the elements that make you yearn for more.

You never forget your first taste of Korean food – the same way you’ll always remember falling in love for the first time.

Korean food is a breed above other cuisines. It is characterized by the unabashed use of spices, juxtaposed alongside ingenious methods of food preservation and skillful consumption of all parts of an animal. Korean fare is one of those cuisines that you can heartily partake without feeling much guilt as it is among the more healthful foods across the globe.

The best time to enjoy Korean food in Seoul is March-May and September-November because the beautiful colors of spring and summer, respectively, make for the most lavish backdrop.

If it’s your first time in The Land of the Morning Calm, here’s your guide to the best foods in Seoul.

Year after year, Seoul has grown in popularity among travelers thanks to the spreading of K-pop and K-drama. The invasion of Gangnam Style on our radios hurries us up to make a trip to the Land of the Morning Calm.

The most rewarding journeys often require us to immerse ourselves deep in the destination’s culture. If you are planning a trip to Seoul, make sure that you fill your bucket list with activities that touch all the quintessential aspects of the city.

Read on our article to get more ideas for your dream list.

Seoul is a mega city with one of the best public transport systems in the world. Its extensive subway and bus networks cover the entire city, so you can reach any destination in Seoul just with the help of public transport means.

Using subway and bus is a wise way to save cost for your Seoul trip. Very soon after hitting Insadong and Myeongdong shopping district, you will realize that you need more money to shop more and eat more. If you can’t increase your budget, then ride public vehicles instead of taxis to have some more Wons for enjoying Seoul fashion and cuisine.

In this list, you will find reviews on both public and private transport means, with pros and cons included for your consideration.