How many days do you need for Seoul?+
Three days cover the palaces, the traditional districts and the main viewpoints; add a fourth for a trip to the Demilitarized Zone. If you're here for shopping, cosmetics or Korean pop culture, you could easily fill a week. Combined with Busan, Gyeongju and Jeju Island, ten to fourteen days makes a well-rounded trip around Korea.
Why doesn't Google Maps work in Korea?+
Korean law restricts the export of precise mapping data, so Google Maps only shows public transport and won't navigate on foot or by car. Install Naver Map or KakaoMap instead — both have English interfaces and navigate accurately, right down to the correct subway exit. It's best to search for places by their Korean name or address.
How do you get to the Demilitarized Zone?+
Only with an organized tour — you cannot go on your own. Tours are booked a day or a few days in advance and pick you up at your hotel. Don't forget your passport; without it you'll be turned back at the checkpoint. Panmunjom, with the buildings sitting right on the demarcation line, is often closed for political reasons and isn't included in standard tours.
Is Seoul expensive?+
Food and transport are cheaper than in Europe relative to quality — a lunch set at a local diner costs around 10,000 won. Cafés, cosmetics and clothing are priced similarly to back home. Accommodation in the centre is pricier: a decent hotel for two runs 100,000–180,000 won a night. Palace entry is nominal, and free if you're wearing a hanbok.
Do I need to rent a hanbok?+
You don't have to, but it's more fun than it sounds: rental shops near the palaces will dress you for 15,000–20,000 won for two hours, hairstyle included, and wearing a hanbok gets you free entry to every royal palace. Koreans see it as a genuine interest in their culture, not a costume. Wear comfortable shoes — sneakers under a hanbok are completely normal.
Is Seoul safe?+
Yes, Seoul is one of the safest big cities in the world, and walking alone at night is entirely normal. Crime is low, lost items get returned, and people leave their phones on café tables without worry. Tension with North Korea doesn't intrude on everyday life. The main thing to watch for is delivery scooters, which often ride on the pavement.
When is the best time to visit Seoul?+
April, with cherry blossoms, and late September to early November, with colourful maples and stable weather, are the best times. Summer is hot, humid and rainy during the July monsoon, while winter is bitterly cold, around minus ten. If you travel in winter, pack thermal layers and a hat — in exchange you get the cheapest hotels and empty palaces.
How do you pay in Seoul?+
By card almost everywhere, including taxis and markets — cash is really only needed for street stalls. For transport, get a T-money card at any convenience store. Some Korean apps and machines won't accept foreign cards, so it's worth getting a WOWPASS card, which you top up at a kiosk at the airport or in the city and then use just like a local.
