rest in South Korea will surely give you vivid impressions and emotions. A combination of modern cities with skyscrapers, traditional Korean culture and architecture, picturesque national parks, beautiful beaches, flavored with developed infrastructure, will make a trip to this country comfortable and memorable.

South Korea looks especially advantageous for residents Far East Russia, because it’s closer to fly here than to Moscow and the European part of the country.

I present to your attention a large useful material about traveling to South Korea, where you will learn how to get there cheaply, how to get around, where to live, what to see, and how much the trip will cost.

Koreans

Visa to South Korea: is it necessary?

Since 2014, Russians can enter the country without a visa if their stay does not exceed 60 days (but not more than 90 days a year).

Documents for visa-free entry to South Korea:

a passport that is valid for at least six months from the date of entry
a completed migration card, which will be given to you on the plane or other transport
completed customs declaration (if there is something to declare)

Instructions for filling out a migration card

I also saw on the Internet that you need return air tickets and proof of availability Money(hotel reservations, bank certificate, cash, etc.). But they didn’t ask us anything from this list; we arrived on a flight from Kuala Lumpur. However, I advise you to do it just in case.

Hotel reservations can be made at Booking (select the “free cancellation” option).

How to make an air ticket reservation without payment, I wrote in detail in. Although it would be ideal if you have real return tickets.

If you plan to stay in SC longer, you will need a visa. They can be workers, students, or researchers.

How to get to South Korea cheaply?

The most convenient way to get into the country is to fly, as most tourists do.

There are direct flights from Russia to South Korea from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Khabarovsk and Vladivostok.

There are direct flights to Daegu from Khabarovsk and Vladivostok by T’Way Air and Hanh Air at a price of approximately 13-15 thousand rubles in both directions.

There are direct flights to Seoul from Vladivostok (S7, Aeroflot, Jeju Air, Korean Air), from Moscow (Aeroflot, Korean Air), from St. Petersburg (Aeroflot), from Khabarovsk (S7, Aeroflot, Asiana Airlines).

There are direct flights to Busan from Vladivostok (Aeroflot).

Most cheap way get to South Korea - catch a sale on the Korean low-cost airline Jeju Air from Vladivostok to Seoul. Once they were selling tickets for 3,000 rubles one way and 6,000 round-trip. Unfortunately, sales don't happen that often.

Airfare from Moscow

Transport in South Korea

Aircraft

The most major airlines are Korean Air and Asiana Airlines, which have flights between the capital and other cities of the country, as well as between provincial cities.

Also, pay attention to Air Busan, Jeju Air, Eastar Jet, T'way Airlines, Hanh Air if you are planning to take a domestic flight.

Jeju Air counter at Jeju Airport

Prices are low, discounts are common at the beginning of the work week, but on weekends tickets are more expensive, and they sell out quickly. For example, we flew from Jeju to Busan for only 48,000 won for two (with 15 kg of luggage each).

Trains in Korea

The country also has a convenient railway system, although it does not cover all regions.

KTX High Speed Train

Trains come in three main classes:

KTX- high-speed, fly from Seoul to Busan in two and a half hours (costs 59,800 won in economy class, 83,700 won in first class)

Saemaul- stop only at major cities, the same way costs 42,600 won.

Mugunghwa- the slowest, but still comfortable. Seoul-Busan costs 28,600 won.

If you plan to travel a lot by train, buy an unlimited KR Pass, it will be more profitable. A one-day pass costs 81,000 won, and a three-day pass costs 113,000 won.

You can buy tickets at railway stations, travel agencies, as well as on the official website of Korean railways. You can also check the train schedule there in advance.

Buses

The bus system in the country is very developed, with thousands of buses plying the roads between all major and minor cities. There is no place you can't reach.

Buses are divided into express and intersity, which often arrive at different terminals in the same city. The first ones run between the main ones big cities, the second - between smaller provincial ones. In addition, there are also varieties by class: Ilban (regular) and Udeung (superior, with three seats in a row). Night buses are usually superior with an appropriate price.

Intercity bus

VIP bus with three seats in a row

In general, the bus ride is quite comfortable, the driver makes stops every 2-3 hours, and the roads have all the infrastructure with cafes, toilets and entire shopping complexes.

As a rule, there is no need to buy tickets in advance, except on holidays and weekends. This can be done at the bus station before departure. You can view the schedule in advance at (in the upper right corner, select English language).

Bus station in Busan

Ticket vending machine

Car rental in Korea

To rent a car in Korea, you will need an international license (issued more than a year ago), and you must be over 21 years old. The road infrastructure here is well developed: you will find equipped parking lots, campsites, cafes, gas stations... The roads are chic and wide with dividing fences and multi-level interchanges.

Road infrastructure is excellent

Ferries

Ferries operate to numerous islands. We did not sail on these (more precisely, only from Jeju Island to Udo Island), but all information about schedules and prices can be found in the ports.

Ferry from Jeju Island to Udo Island

Local city transport

The best way to save money on traveling around cities is to buy a special transport T-money card. It is sold in special machines in the subway (on arrival at the airport too), or in supermarkets GS25, CU, 7-11 and costs 2000-2500 won. You can also top up your balance there. When entering and exiting the subway or bus, simply lean it against the special machine.

What is the main advantage of this card? It gives you a 100 won discount on each trip, plus the ability to travel on another mode of transport for free if you transfer within 30 minutes. Thus, it pays for itself in a day. We spent the rest of the card at a supermarket at Seoul airport before our flight.

The metro is the most convenient urban transport; there are subways in 6 largest Korean cities. The fare usually starts from 1,100 won; for long distances it is a little more expensive. We have never paid more than 1800 won for a subway.

Subway in Seoul

When is the best time to go?

The best months to visit South Korea are April, May, September and October (if you plan to actively travel around the country) and from mid-June to September (if beach holidays are your priority).

In winter, you should come only if you plan to ski in the Olympic PyeongChang and the surrounding area; it is at this time that there is snow in the mountains and all the conditions for a ski holiday.

In spring the weather here is warmer than in Russia. April is famous for cherry blossoms, it looks really incredible, and May is like summer in central Russia. However, there may be a chilly wind in the evenings, so bring sweaters.

In summer, the beach season opens from late June to early September. It's hot and humid. Ideal time for beach holiday at any of the many resorts, the most famous are Jeju Island and Busan.

At the end of September-October, autumn takes over yours and the trees are painted yellow-red. Best time for trekking and visiting national parks, and it’s not so hot anymore.

When is the best time to go to Korea: spring and autumn

Housing

Finding a place to stay overnight in Korea is not a problem. In any more or less tourist city you will find a large selection of accommodation from hostels to decent hotels of global chains.

If you are traveling alone, hostels are the best option. But sometimes it’s more profitable for two people to rent a hotel room.

You can book hotels on the website, which collects in one place offers from different reservation systems, such as booking.

An interesting accommodation option could be a hanok - a traditional Korean house converted into a guesthouse. You will sleep on the floor on a mattress, but the floors are heated, so the house is warm. A list of such houses throughout the country can be found here (Korean only).

Feel yourself Buddhist monk and you can spend the night in the monastery thanks to the Templestay program. More than 100 temples across the country are accessible to travelers. More details on the official program.

Tents on the beach in Busan

National parks offer the opportunity to spend the night in campsites and shelters. It’s not expensive at all, besides, there is the necessary infrastructure and amenities, and you don’t have to drag a tent from home with you :) List of campsites with prices throughout the country. Select a national park and look for the “Fee” section in the left menu.

Renting apartments from the owners will be beneficial for families with children, large companies and simply those who like to feel at home. To do this, search at

The highest prices and demand for hotels are in July, August, September on the coast and in October, November in national parks and nearby. Therefore, if you are traveling during this period, it is better to book in advance.

Breakfast is rarely included in the price, but there are still such options, it is very convenient. The staff usually speaks reasonable English, unless you go completely off the beaten path.

Holidays in South Korea: resorts and attractions

Holidays in South Korea are quite varied. There are both beach and ski resorts, despite the small size of the country.

The peninsula is washed by three seas on three sides, so there is plenty to choose from among beach resorts. The most popular resort in South Korea, among both locals and tourists, is the volcanic Jeju Island. Magnificent volcanic sand beaches, stunning landscapes and clear seas make it a very popular place recreation.

On Jeju Island

Udo Island and the volcano in the distance

Cheap food and prices.

The currency of South Korea is the Korean out. At the time of our stay in the country, 1000 won = 1 $ or 35 rubles.

We exchanged currency at one of the bank branches; at the airport the rate was slightly worse than in the city.

Some examples of other prices:

attractions - purely symbolically, no more than 5,000 won ($5).
clothes - on sale you can buy for the same money as here in Russia from 5,000 won. For example, I bought pure Korean sweatpants good quality for 40,000 won (though I had to bargain hard).
bus fare - on average from 800 to 4000 won (depending on the distance).
food in a cafe - average price 4000 or 5000 won, you can find it both cheaper and more expensive.

Registration and housing.

Since we are talking about one of the most expensive Asian countries, and we are frugal travelers, hotels are out of the question. Although one day we managed to spend the night in a motel thanks to the compassion of a hospitable Korean. If I correctly looked at the price tags on the stand, then the number cost him up to 60,000 won.

Only once we pitched a tent somewhere in the bush, after getting off the highway late in the evening. The rest of the time we managed to live in guests or churches. South Korean churches are the most best option for the hitchhiker, because most often, even if the “padre” is not there, other people try to help us instead.

Only once were we denied an overnight stay in a church, but even then there were guys who helped us find a roof over our heads for as many as 3 days.

In the capital, and in other big cities (if you're lucky), you can use - om. For example, in Seoul we were lucky, but in the rest populated areas I had to think about housing on my own. If you like to think through everything in advance, I advise you to use the search for cheap hotels around the world.

Koreans.

If you carefully read everything that is written above and were not too lazy to read the articles, then you are probably convinced that Koreans are one of the nicest Asian peoples.

Very well-mannered, cultured, hospitable and trouble-free. They are ready to sacrifice their personal time and even work to help or “save” a tourist. For all their curiosity, they do not stare and try not to interfere.

It is not difficult for them to treat food or even arrange a whole dinner for a guest of the country. And driving an extra 50 km in the opposite direction is not a problem at all. In this way they are very similar to the Omanis, and have earned our love for themselves as a nation for a long time!

Personal review.

Despite the fact that Korea is not cheap country, it is very comfortable to move around thanks to the sincerity and hospitality of the local residents.

In the first couple of days, you may have to deny yourself something, but after a couple of days you already find cheap food options and how to see the sights for free. In addition, Koreans are not too keen on controlling foreigners, as, for example, in Sri Lanka.

If we consider the country from the point of view of an ordinary tourist, then perhaps the most interesting places in Seoul, Gyeongju, and Jeju Island. For a sophisticated traveler, the country will be a one-time destination. We may not have visited everything, but we have already seen a lot in other countries.

Today I am more brief than ever :). If you have any questions, we can talk in the comments to the article, and we say goodbye to you, dear friends, to the next country. As I promised, we will begin to publish articles on the topic of traveling around Central Asia. Thank you for your attention!

Before setting off, we talked with Russian expats who now live in Korea and read a couple of blogs, but did not receive significant help, so we decided that we would study the country on our own and find answers to our questions in a practical way.

Visa, currency and language

Citizens of Russia and the CIS do not need a visa to South Korea if the period of stay does not exceed 60 days. The country's currency is the South Korean won, €1 – ₩1275.

In South Korea they don’t speak English at all, people don’t know it and don’t even try to learn it. And this applies not only to ordinary stores, but also to establishments that work directly with foreigners, for example, international Airport. Having gone through it inside and out, we found only one employee who tried to advise us with his fingers and with the help of basic words. The further you go to Busan, the less likely you are to meet at least such people.

How to get there?

The most profitable countries to get to South Korea are: South-East Asia. The cheapest flights are from China and the Philippines. You can grab tickets from ₩ 16958 to ₩ 84790 (€ 13.3 – € 66.5). We traveled by low-cost airline Air Asia from the Philippines. We bought tickets immediately when we heard about the discounts from the airline, and the ticket cost ₩ 59,353 (€ 46.5) per person. The flight lasts 3 hours 20 minutes.

In addition to Air Asia, there are 4 other airlines that most often have sales on their flights in Southeast Asia: Air Qatar, Airways Emirates, Korean Air, Cebu Pacific. Tickets from Russia (Moscow, St. Petersburg) cost from ₩ 678,322 (€ 532) one way, from Siberia (Novosibirsk) from ₩ 339,161 (€ 266). It is most profitable to fly from Vladivostok: tickets can be found from ₩135,664 (€ 106) to ₩ 203,497 (€ 160). Most often, we track tickets on the Skyscanner and Aviasales websites, but during our travels we subscribed to all the mailings of Asian airlines: this gives us the opportunity to be the first to know about ticket sales for different destinations and buy them at a good price.

Incheon Airport is not located in Seoul, but nearby, on neighboring island. You can get to the city by bus for ₩ 15,262 (€ 12) or a taxi for ₩ 110,227 (€ 86), but the best option is by metro: travel from the airport to the city center will cost ₩ 8,479 (€ 6.5).

Public transport in the country is quite expensive. Bus travel costs ₩ 1250 (€ 0.9) one way per person, according to travel cost It will be a little less, but on a monthly scale it will be quite insignificant. On the metro you can use a travel card or buy a card with 1 trip, the price of which includes a deposit for its safety (there are no tokens in Korea). After the trip, you can return the card to a special machine and your money will be returned to you. The cost of the trip depends on the number of stations and starts from ₩ 1250 (€ 0.9).

It is better to order a taxi in Korea through the Uber app or from a specialized company; the cost starts from 2 km - ₩ 1600 (€ 1.25), for each additional kilometer - ₩ 650 (€ 0.5). For example, a trip within 15 minutes will cost no more than ₩ 8,000 (€ 6), and a half-hour trip will cost about ₩ 15,000 (€ 12). Be prepared that if you catch a taxi on the street, the drivers will charge prices 5 or even 10 times higher. There are also frequent cases when taxi drivers, even in specialized companies, tried to inflate the price, since you are a tourist.

Traffic in the country is not very intense. Busan is calm and there are practically no traffic jams. There are traffic jams in Seoul, but they are not at all comparable to Moscow, and even less so to the big cities of other Southeast Asian countries, such as Bangkok or Ho Chi Minh City.

When to go?

South Korea has distinct seasons. In spring everything blooms and you can enjoy walks under the sakura. In summer, the weather is sunny and it is a good time to visit Jeju Island and the city of Busan (the second city in Korea after Seoul). Incredibly beautiful autumn with leaf fall against the backdrop of mountains and walks along national parks. Snowy winter and Seoul decorated for Christmas.

We managed to catch the real Busan autumn and Christmas Seoul. The weather in Busan is warmer than in Seoul, there is much more sun and therefore the onset of winter is not so felt. When we arrived in Seoul, the first snow fell the next morning. It was very muddy and a strong wind was blowing. It was only -2 outside, but it felt like -20. St. Petersburg residents know firsthand what it’s like. The climate is very similar.

Also, smog often comes to Korea from China. It is better not to appear on the street at this time. In 2019, there was smog for the first few weeks in January. Here is the answer to the question why Koreans constantly wear masks.

Busan

Usually we mark in advance on the map the places we want to visit and plan the route in such a way that in a day we can explore several places that are located next to each other.

If you are going to Busan for a week, then there is every chance to get to know it from all sides. And the first thing to do when exploring the city is to start with Gamcheon Culture Village(Gamnae 2-ro, Saha-gu, 203). Gamcheon Cultural Village is the most Instagrammable place in Busan. This is a concentration of colorful houses and narrow streets, painted walls and amazing installations. Here you can find the location with The Little Prince, look into the Grand Budapest Hotel, take a photo with Van Gogh - and this is just the beginning. If you get hungry or want to keep a souvenir from the village, there are many street cafes and cozy restaurants on the territory, as well as cute shops where you can buy souvenirs and notebooks with your favorite Korean bands. IN cultural village It’s better to go for the whole day to have time to see all the locations. The place is open from 9 am to 5 pm every day. Entrance to the village is free; a fee is charged separately for entry to some sites.

In every big city There is a TV tower that is considered one of the main attractions, Busan is no exception. Busan Tower, 120 meters high, is located in a small park. Yongdusan Park(Yongdusan-gil, Jung-gu, 37-30). When you climb the tower, you will have a view of the entire city. The spectacle will be more impressive if you climb the tower in the evening, when lights are lit throughout the city. Busan Tower is a favorite place for Korean lovers. According to legend, near the entrance to the building there is a secret place where you need to hang a lock in order to spend your entire life with your loved one. Entry to Busan Tower costs ₩10,000 (€8) per person and includes popcorn and a drink. The tower is open from 10 am to 11 pm daily.

After the tower, be sure to check out the most big market seafood in Asia Jagalchi Fish Market(Nampo-dong, Jung-gu). There is everything here: huge crabs the size of a 6-year-old child, meter-long squid and sea cucumbers the size of your little finger, moray eels, fish whose names you don’t know. You can not only buy seafood for yourself, but also ask them to cook it for you on the spot.

“There’s everything here: huge crabs the size of a 6-year-old child, metre-long squid and sea cucumbers the size of your little finger.”

After being impressed by the huge amount of seafood, treat yourself to some Korean street food and visit the most popular pedestrian street in Busan BIFF Square(Nampo-dong, Jung-gu). This is definitely the best place for shopping. Biff Square has many cafes, shops and small restaurants. Many of them starred Korean celebrities, so each establishment already hangs photographs from popular TV shows or series at the entrance as its business card. Let me remind you that in Korea they don’t speak English at all, so if you want to try street food, you will have to act blindly, trusting your intuition - no one will explain to you what this or that dish is made of. If you look at the asphalt, at the very beginning of the street you will see the Korean Avenue of Stars with the imprints of famous Korean actors and filmmakers.

The nature of Korea is beautiful at almost any time of the year (except winter), but it is especially beautiful in October or April. Mountains and fallen leaves, green trees or pink sakura. Nature, in my opinion, is the main attraction of South Korea. To enjoy it in Busan, you should definitely check out the city parks: Park Taejongdae(Dongsam-dong, Yeongdo-gu) and Igidae Park(Yongho-dong, Nam-gu). It’s impossible to single out just one, but it’s worth going there for the whole day. From here it opens beautiful view on the sea and ships, fishermen catch fish below the rocks, at the very edge of the parks there are lighthouses that you can climb into. The territory of city parks is very large, so there is even a bus running through them. In the park you can see how persimmons grow and even pick a handful wild berries. Admission is free 24 hours a day.

In addition to admiring nature and learning about Korean culture, be sure to visit the Shinsegae business district. Take a photo at Busan's famous skyscrapers and stroll around Shinsegae Centum City(U-dong, Haeundae-gu, 1495). This shopping center was included in the Guinness Book of Records in 2009 as the largest shopping center in the world. To be honest, we got a little lost in it and instead of exiting we ended up on a glass bridge, from which we once again appreciated Busan at night. In the shopping center you will find stores of world brands (Gucci, Shanel, Louis Vuitton), several food court areas, saunas, spas and separate entertainment floors.

Close to shopping center is one of the most beautiful bridges in all of South Korea Busan Harbor Bridge(Nam-gu). During the day it looks like the Brooklyn Bridge in New York, and in the evening it begins to shine with all the colors of the rainbow. It’s definitely worth a look, especially since next to it there is a cinema embankment, walking along which you can take photos with Spider-Man or Superman, appreciate modern installations and go to the most beautiful beach Busan Haeundae Beach(Haeundae-gu). He is “alive” at any time of the year. It's nice to walk along the beach and take great photos. Koreans here play sports, play backgammon and simply enjoy the views. There are many places to eat nearby, an artists' alley and a secret lovers' alley.

Seoul

The main modern attraction of Seoul, in my opinion, is Dongdaemun Design Plaza(Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, 281). This is a futuristic art center. Its design was developed by the famous architect Zaha Hadid. From the outside it looks like a huge spaceship, but inside it is completely snow-white. This place is a paradise for perfectionists and all lovers of minimalism. The art center hosts exhibitions, shops and cafes. And next to it is an installation of 25,500 LED roses. At night it looks very large, incredibly beautiful and romantic. The center is open every day from 10 to 19. Admission is free. Some exhibitions require a separate ticket purchase.

You should start exploring Seoul from the most popular shopping district Myeongdong Shopping Street(Jung-gu). This favorite place youth and the best place to experience modern Korean culture. Here you can try street food, go shopping, even catch a mini-concert of street musicians.

After shopping in Myeongdong, take a walk to Seoul Tower YTN Seoul Tower(Namsangongwon-gil, Yongsan-gu, 105). She is considered the symbol of the city and is depicted on most postcards of Seoul. The height of the tower is 236 meters, and the views from it simply cannot be described in words. In the evening, Seoul is especially beautiful from above. You can visit the tower daily from 10 to 23, entrance ₩ 10,000 (€ 8).

Continuing your evening route around the city, include in your list of places Banpodaegyo Bridge. This is the longest fountain bridge in the world (1140 meters). In the evening the show begins and it glows with all the colors of the rainbow.

If you want to get to know the culture and traditions of South Korea better, go to traditional village Bukchon Hanok Village(Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, 37). Korean national houses are called hanok. Walking along the alleys and looking inside the houses, you will get acquainted with the 600-year history of the country and even be able to try on hanbok - the Korean national costume.

Hidden among the modern streets of Seoul is a cafe 943 King's Cross Harry Potter cafe(Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, 417), which will immerse you in the world of magic and magic. Here you can try on the mantle of a Hogwarts student, drink a glass of butterbeer and ask the sorting hat which house you will study in. Three floors of photo locations, a souvenir shop and food all in one place. Open from 11.30 to 22.00.

Food

In Korea, a lot of attention is paid to food - Koreans have a kind of cult of food. If you watch them, you will notice that they look at photographs of food when they travel in public transport; film themselves on the phone while they eat; During the conversation they talk about food. Even their greeting “siksa haschessoe?” translated into Russian as “have you eaten yet?”

There is a lot of food in South Korea and it is varied, but they are more popular National dishes. Here is a list of the most popular.

In first place is something without which it is impossible to imagine a Korean table - this kimchi. A favorite dish of all generations. This is sauerkraut in hot red pepper, most often it is used as a side dish for the main dish or as an appetizer. The secret of kimchi is passed down from generation to generation.

The second most popular dish is bibimbap, a large bowl of rice mixed with vegetables, eggs and sauces added to them. For a spicy taste, nori seaweed, kuzhut, soybean sprouts and kimchi are added to the dish.

“Koreans look at photographs of food when traveling on public transport; film themselves on the phone while they eat; during conversation they talk about food"

For fans meat dishes definitely worth a try kalbi, bulgogi And samgyepsal. Kalbi prepared from marinated beef: pieces of meat are fried in sauce and eaten with seasonings. Bulgogi- This is sweet meat fried in sauce and served with various seasonings. Samgyepsal are cuts of pork that are fried and served along with vegetables and traditional Korean snacks. The older generation consumes all these dishes exclusively with soju (rice vodka).

Kimbap These are traditional Korean rolls. Rice and fresh vegetables wrapped in nori sheets are drizzled with sesame sauce and served as a side dish to the main course. Koreans love meat very much, so you can often find rolls filled with beef or pork instead of the usual fish.

And for dessert, the favorite sweet delicacy of Koreans. Ttok is a pastry made from glutinous rice with a nut or fruit filling. Its taste is very specific, but it’s definitely worth trying once.

One dish in any establishment, from ordinary cafes to restaurants, costs no less than ₩ 8,500 (€ 6-7). But when ordering food, do not forget that in South Korea they serve large portions. One serving can feed two, proven!

Housing

It is better to book accommodation in Korea in advance, at least several months in advance, and preferably six months in advance. For a bed in the simplest hostel in a room for 10 people you will pay ₩ 34,000 (€ 27). Airbnb rooms and double rooms in hotels cost from ₩59,500 (€47) per night.

During the trip, we decided to live in housing from different price categories to compare the pros and cons. In Busan we lived in good hotel and were able to evaluate the level of Korean service. But as I said above, English is difficult in Korea, so we assessed the level, but we had to negotiate everything through a translator. Although, towards the very end of our stay, the receptionist learned one phrase in English – “clean room”.

Service in Korea at high level. In the morning, when your room is cleaned, you will be given a new robe and a refreshing face mask along with a bottle of water. Almost every hotel includes breakfast and there is a free coffee and popcorn machine next to the reception. Everything in the rooms is very technologically advanced and clean.

In Seoul we were less fortunate. We lived in a hostel, the standard of living there is much worse. But what saved us was that the Koreans were good-natured and, even without understanding English, tried to answer our questions and help.

Before checking into the hostel, we spent the first few days in Korean saunas. What are Korean saunas (“chimchilbang”)? Most often, these are large centers where Koreans come to relax with family or friends. The so-called “sanatorium in the city.” These centers have everything: spa, steam rooms, entertainment rooms, food, etc. You can relax there and spend the night. Fixed price: ₩ 17,000 (€ 13) for 12 hours. In small areas, this is a place where people come to wash and spend the night. They give you clothes to sleep, soap supplies and a key to your closet. You sleep on a yoga mat with a round pillow under your head. This pleasure costs ₩12,000 (€ 9) for 12 hours. Frequent visitors to such places are drunk Koreans and young people who did not have time to go home.

South Korea became the seventh country in our big trip across Asia. I must say that initially we didn’t really plan the trip to Korea, but shortly before packing for the trip, news appeared about the cancellation tourist visas for citizens of the Russian Federation. After this good news, we began to consider South Korea on the list of possible countries to visit. The trip itself was organized quite spontaneously; while we were in Malaysia, without clear plans for our further journey, we decided that why not add another Asia to Southeast Asia, and bought tickets to Seoul.

First impression of Seoul

We arrived in Korea completely unprepared. We didn’t have any plans or routes; to be honest, we didn’t even know very much about the country. Sometimes it’s nice and useful to mix up carefully planned trips with spontaneous ones.

Seoul

Seoul greeted us with a gloomy sky and a slight coolness (about 20 degrees Celsius), which we had already gotten used to in the hot Southeast Asia. In my mind, Korea was supposed to be like Hong Kong, but it turned out to be more like Japan.

Night Seoul

Seoul has quite a lot of faceless, utilitarian concrete buildings and monotonous residential areas, but in some places they are diluted with colorful neighborhoods with low houses and shining skyscrapers of business districts.

Housing in Seoul

Seoul is not the cheapest city for a budget traveler. The cheapest accommodation we were able to find was Hostel Korea Original. A night in a private room cost more than $30. For the first few nights we were able to get a room with a private bathroom at a special rate, but then had to upgrade to a room with a shared bathroom as the price for ours increased.

Room at Hostel Korea Original

Although we don't like hostels, we really liked Hostel Korea Original. The inside of the hostel was clean, quiet and cozy. For a tourist there is everything you need: a kitchen, a washing machine and even free coffee. The rooms are quite small and austere, but clean. In the morning, if you got up early, you could have time for a symbolic breakfast in the form of toast and jam, but they were eaten quite quickly, since they were simply placed on the table in the kitchen.

One of the streets in the area where the hostel is located

The hostel was located in a nice area with narrow streets and low brick houses; you can get to the center by metro or walk a few kilometers.

Search hotels in Seoul:

Food

We arrived at the hostel before check-in time, so we decided to go eat. Usually we rely on our own strength, but then we decided to ask the administrator where it would be better for us to eat, so that the food would be vegetarian. The administrator guy turned out to be very responsive and decided to take us to the cafe himself. We already thought that we were now going to be taken to yet another tourist spot with huge prices, but the guy took us to a reasonably priced eatery with Korean food, and also explained to the employees in Korean that we needed food without meat. No one spoke English in the cafe; the entire menu was in Korean.

Bibimbap and kimchi

They brought us two hot pots of rice and vegetables, accompanied by broth and kimchi - Korean pickles that are served with almost every meal. Strictly speaking, kimchi is spicy pickled Chinese cabbage, but kimchi snacks are not limited to it. Pots of rice are called bibimbap, and it is one of the most famous traditional Korean dishes. We really enjoyed the food and returned to this place several times.

Kimbap

In Korea, rolls similar to Japanese ones are popular, but they use rice without vinegar and do not add raw fish. The rolls are wrapped in nori sheets and filled with vegetables, omelette, ham and seafood. These rolls are called kimbap, they appeared during the Japanese occupation of Korea (from 1910 to 1945).

Korean cuisine is quite spicy, but in my personal experience it is much less spicy than Thai or Indian.

In Korea, as throughout Asia, street food is popular. Tents with food are clustered in certain walk-through areas, and they look very decent in terms of hygiene.

Street food in Seoul

Korea couldn't do without food that looked a little crazy to a European eye, for example:

Toast with whipped cream and caramel sauce

Ice cream that is poured into edible long spiral tubes

Canned silkworm pupae

Food prices in Korea far from Southeast Asia, and here a budget tourist cannot roam. In the most affordable places without waiters, you can hardly find dishes for $5-8; in most cafes, a meal will cost at least $10-15 per person. For at least a couple of weeks, we haven’t been able to come up with anything cheaper than buying food at the supermarket.

It has long become a popular tourist area. This country is characterized by an interesting historical heritage and amazing natural beauty. Tours to South Korea have also become very popular among Russians. Valid for tourists from Russia visa-free regime in 2020.

Beautiful night panorama of the capital of South Korea - Seoul

Holidays in South Korea are popular among both young people, families with children, and the elderly.

Russian citizens do not need a visa to South Korea. The corresponding resolution was adopted on January 1, 2014, after which Russians were able to visit the Republic of Korea without a visa. This applies to travel or visits to relatives for up to 2 months; you can read about this on the official website of the Russian Foreign Ministry.

The maximum period of stay on the territory of the Republic for Russians is 90 days in one half-year (180 days). However, during this time you can continuously stay in the country for no more than 60 days.

If you are planning a long stay in the country for the purpose of acquiring education or employment, you will need to obtain a long-term visa of the appropriate category.

Look detailed analysis how to go through the customs declaration and fill out the Arrival Card upon arrival in the country.

What do you need to cross the border?

In order to travel to South Korea or visit relatives in 2020, you will need the following papers and documents:

A foreign passport, the validity of the passport to enter Korea must be at least 6 months.
Tickets back or to a third country.
Confirmation of solvency for the period of visiting the country. That is, you need to have with you either a printout confirming your hotel reservation or a voucher from a tour operator. The Migration Service of the Republic of Korea is not too picky with tourists, and therefore does not require certificates from their place of work or bank statements.
Migration card.
Completed customs declaration.

Customs declaration to fill out when entering South Korea

These documents are quite enough to vacation in South Korea or go in transit through it to a third country, since there is a visa-free regime between Russia and South Korea. If the visitor has other goals that take more time to implement, then obtaining a visa is a mandatory procedure.

Long-term visa to South Korea

A long-term visa can be of several types. They are mainly divided into two broad categories:

Long-term visa (D, E, H).

Let's look at each of these types of visas in more detail. We will also determine what papers are needed to obtain them, the procedure for registration, how long it will be valid, the duration and cost of the procedure.

Long-term visa (D, E, H)

Such visas are issued for a period of 3 months to 2 years with the possibility of extension (does not apply to E visas). In order to extend the validity of a visa, it is enough to contact the Immigration Service of the Republic of Korea.

Who is issued these visas:

Students wishing to receive education at one of the educational institutions of the Republic of Korea.
Master's and graduate students wishing to obtain the necessary scientific degree under the program of one of the universities in Korea or undergo a professional internship in the country.
Those on a long business trip.
Officially employed. This includes both the search for work by unqualified personnel and highly qualified specialists, executives, senior managers, and scientists.

Obtaining such a visa is mandatory for everyone who wants to stay in the country legally and get an official job. In order to do so, you must contact the embassy with a corresponding request, providing a certain package of documents. This will be discussed a little later.

Foreign National Entry Visa (F-4)

The F-4 visa is not available to all ethnic Koreans. Only the following foreign compatriots can apply for it:

Qualified specialists who have carried out their professional activities in the Republic of Korea for 6 months or more.
Masters, graduate students (and above) who received their academic degree (not lower than a master's) at one of the educational universities in South Korea.
Highly qualified workers who have previously stayed for some time in the territory of the Republic of Korea, without violating the laws and visa regime of the country.

Consulate of South Korea in Moscow at Krasnopresnenskaya embankment, 12

In order to obtain any type of visa, you must contact the South Korean Embassy and submit an application and other documents for consideration.

Step-by-step instructions for obtaining a visa by invitation

For a period of more than 60 days, simply. The first thing that is necessary for this is that the party from Korea, who will act as your guarantor while you are on the territory of the state, submits a petition to the Immigration Service of the Republic of Korea.

The guarantor can be entity, for example, an employer or an individual - a relative or friend who is a citizen of the Republic of Korea or has permanent resident status.

After the guarantor submits the application, the applicant must submit to the visa department of the embassy a package consisting of the following documents:

It is worth noting that in some cases it is possible to obtain an electronic visa without specifically contacting the embassy for this. This applies to issuing visas E-1, E-3, E-5. Visas of these categories are issued online via the Internet.

The visa fee is paid in the same way. You must print your e-visa at the time of travel. This will ensure unhindered entry into the Republic of Korea and hassle-free stay in the country.

Independent trip to South Korea. Advice for Russian tourists coming to South Korea

Visa to South Korea: is it necessary?

How to get to South Korea cheaply?

Transport in South Korea

When is the best time to go?

Housing

Holidays in South Korea: resorts and attractions

Cheap food and prices.

Registration and housing.

Koreans.

Personal review.

First impression of Seoul

Housing in Seoul

Food

What do you need to cross the border?

Long-term visa to South Korea

Long-term visa (D, E, H)

Foreign National Entry Visa (F-4)

Step-by-step instructions for obtaining a visa by invitation

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