First time in Korea? A basic guide for foreign travelers — from arrival to transport, payment and essential apps.
Incheon International Airport (ICN) is the main gateway; Gimpo, Gimhae (Busan) and Jeju airports also run international flights. Ferries connect Japan to Busan Port (Fukuoka, Osaka) and China to Incheon Port.
KTX high-speed rail is fastest between cities — Seoul to Busan in about 2.5 hours. From airports use the Airport Railroad or limousine buses; in cities use subway, buses and taxis. Hail taxis with the Kakao T or Uber app.
One T-money transit card covers subway, bus and taxi — buy and recharge it at convenience stores. Credit cards are widely accepted. Buy a USIM or eSIM at the airport for instant mobile data.
Google Maps is limited in Korea, so use Naver Map. Papago for translation, Kakao T or Uber for taxis, and K.Ride is handy for foreign travelers.
When choosing a travel destination, actual visit dates and travel routes are as important as visually appealing videos. Nadli connects regional attractions and travel videos in Korea, helping you find places you want to visit and explore nearby courses. This homepage introduction is not a real-time guide announcing specific month's blooms or event progress. For seasonal information, please check the target period of each guide along with official announcements.
In September, it's best to first decide on the region you'll visit, and then separately check schedules that vary by date, such as fall foliage, silver grass, and festivals. Last year's photos or past travel videos do not show this year's current scenery. Choose candidates from Best Places by Season and then check the year and recommended visit period in that article. The inspection date for this guide is 2026-09-14, and it is not a date that guarantees the peak bloom or fall foliage, or the holding of specific events.
Seoul is a good starting point for city walks and palace/hanok schedules, while Busan is great for exploring beaches and cityscapes together. For Jeju and Geoje, first compare the locations of accommodations and visit points on the map. If there are multiple places, it's convenient to group nearby ones, check transportation and the last return trip, and then decide the range of travel for the day. The travel time shown in videos may not apply directly to your starting point.
Hydrangea Spots, Damyang, and Boseong guides can be used to compare locations. Do not assume that flowers are currently in full bloom or that viewing conditions are the same just because you see flower photos or green landscapes. Confirm your schedule after checking the operating days, admission methods, and on-site guidance for the current year of the facility you plan to visit. Guides from past seasons can be read as reference material for your next visit.
For courses with a lot of walking, such as Bukchon and Gyeongbokgung, first check the weather and closure/viewing announcements. If you decide in advance on places to rest indoors, alternatives to reduce travel distance, and reservation change conditions, it will be easy to change your schedule on site. Before departing, check the forecast and special weather reports for your destination on the Korea Meteorological Administration Weather Nuri.
First, check app, payment, communication, and regional transportation information in the Travel Preparation Guide. Enter your origin and destination into a map app to compare public transportation routes, and it's safer to check the usage conditions of transportation cards or payment methods with the transportation agency and stores you will use. On the day you arrive at your accommodation, start with a short course, considering the time to drop off luggage and check-in time.
Cross-reference the year and creation/modification time of the guide, official operating announcements of the facility, and the date, number of people, and cancellation conditions on the reservation page. When broadly searching for tourist information, you can also refer to Korea Tourism Organization's Korea Tour. Use Nadli's regional pages and videos to find candidates, and for final confirmation of operating hours, fees, and event schedules, refer to the guidance of the respective facility or organizer.