Visas are not required for US passport holders. 

Just ensure that your passport is valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry into South Korea. Most travelers do not need visas to stay in South Korea for up to 30 days. You must also have an onward or return ticket.

South Korea’s currency is the Korean won (WON). It’s a good idea to check with your bank about ordering some currency before your trip so that you have money with you upon arrival.

We recommend using a travel backpack for your convenience or a medium-sized suitcase if you prefer. A daypack is also essential for carrying everyday items. Since space is limited on transportation, there is a maximum of one main piece of luggage per person. You will be responsible for carrying your own luggage, so pack smart.

South Korea has a unique fashion scene that's all about mixing traditional elements with modern trends. Here are some tips on being fashion-forward without breaking cultural norms.

• Don’t wear all black because black is primarily associated with funerals and mourning. So be sure to add some color to your outfit.
• Cover up when visiting religious sites and temples. This means avoiding clothing that's too revealing or tight.
• Dress for the weather with layers. South Korea experiences all four seasons, so your fashion should fit the weather. 
• Opt for comfortable shoes. White sneakers and simple flats are popular for both men and women here. However, it's important to note that many Koreans avoid wearing sandals, as they believe exposing your toes can make you more susceptible to catching a cold. If you really want to keep your feet in the open air, ensure your sandals are stylish and avoid wearing flip-flops.
• Emulate those K-pop stars! K-pop fashion in Seoul is all the rage and draws inspiration from the Korean pop music industry. It often features oversized clothes, bright colors, and statement accessories such as hats and sunglasses.

Go for modest attire to show respect. A good rule of thumb is to wear loose-fitting clothing that doesn’t expose much. Your shoulders should be covered. Wearing shorts is okay, but they should be knee-length.

Remember to remove your shoes and hats before entering a temple. It is respectful to wear socks when visiting a temple—never go barefoot. 

In traditional settings, tipping is considered impolite, and sometimes you might even notice a 'no tipping' sign! However, tips are generally welcomed in Western-style or tourist-orientated places.

Yes, you will need a power adapter. The standard voltage in South Korea is 220 volts and 60Hz. 

South Korea has two types of plugs, the Plug Type C (Europlug) and the Plug Type F (German Schuko), which have two round pins placed 19mm apart from each other.

Korean cuisine is largely based on rice, vegetables, seafood, and meats. Dairy is mainly absent from the traditional diet. On this trip, you’ll enjoy a mixture of street foods, Korean barbecues, and traditional dishes prepared in local restaurants.

And yes, there's much more to Korean food food than kimchi!

Sample Breakfast Menu:

• Western options: cereal, eggs, assorted fruit
• Korean options: rice, soup, vegetable side dishes, kimchi

Sample Dinner Menu:‍

• Grilled meats with rice and soup, served with vegetable side dishes, kimchi
• Noodle soup with kimchi
• Assorted side dishes with rice and soup

Some of our most favorite dishes include:

• Bulgogi: Bulgogi, meaning ‘fire meat,’ is made from thin slices of pork or beef marinated in a mixture of garlic, pepper, sugar, soy sauce, and sesame oil. These slices are grilled on a charcoal barbecue and served in a stir fry with sesame seeds and green onions.
• Bibimbab: Traditionally, you'll find bibimbap made with sautéed and seasoned vegetables, a raw egg yolk, and thin slices of beef. Common veggies include cucumber, courgette, radish, mushrooms, soybeans, spinach, and cabbage.
• Tteokbokki: Spicy rice cakes, tteokbokki is one of South Korea’s most famous street food snacks. Rather than rice grains, tteokbokki is made up of many long, cylindrical rice cakes, which sit in a sweet chili sauce.
• Pajeon: A pancake-style snack that uses green onions as its main ingredient. Locals whip up a batter of eggs, wheat, and flour before pouring it over green onions in a hot pan.

Tap water is considered safe to drink in South Korea unless otherwise marked. You can always ask your Trip Leader for guidance if you are unsure whether to drink tap water in the specific area you are traveling in.

In South Korea, you’ll see both squat toilets and Western-style flushable toilets. It's a good idea to carry your own toilet paper and hand sanitizers or soap while on the trip since these are rarely provided in public toilets.

Seoul has a very well-organized public metro system. Local buses, trains, and subways reach almost every part of the city, especially the main attractions. You can download the Korea Subway App before your trip.

You will also receive a T-Money transportation card at the welcome meeting. This is basically a debit card that you scan to get in and out of the subway stations. You can also use the T-Money card at certain minimarts and 7-11. It comes pre-loaded with funds, so there will be money on the card to use when the group travels to destinations together. You can then “top-up” the card with your own money for optional activities and explorations.

You can also download Kakao, which is the ride-share app most popular in South Korea since Uber does not work as effectively.

Google Maps does not work well in South Korea. Koreans use Naver App. Google Maps will work, but it does not provide walking or driving directions; it only provides public transit options.

We generally recommend 300 USD. Below is a basic breakdown:

• 8 breakfasts, 1 lunch, and 5 dinners are included
• A basic Korean dish for lunch can be 6-10 USD, and dinners can range from 15-25 USD. Alcohol is excluded from these price ranges.
• Optional activities range from 10 USD to 30 USD, depending on the activity. Please note that most museums in Seoul are free to visit.
• We suggest tipping Trip Leaders 3-6 USD per day.

Yes. Hotels may not have the service available on-site, but there are laundromats available near the accommodations. Your Trip Leader can assist you with finding their location.

Big places like hotels and major stores will usually take your card. However, smaller shops and restaurants may be cash only, so always carry enough money to cover purchases, as paying with a credit card may not always be an option in South Korea.

The official language spoken in South Korea is Korean. Many Koreans speak English, especially the younger generation, due to English being taught in schools; however, it's less common among the older generation. You will find that staff at most tourism-related venues (hotels, restaurants) speak English. Picking up a few basic Korean phrases might be a plus. You can get a good English-Korean guidebook and familiarize yourself with common phrases such as hello, goodbye, thank you, excuse me, and the numbers 1 - 10.

Of course! This trip is your trip, and you don’t have to participate in anything you don’t want to. Just be aware that opting out of included activities will not change the trip's price.

Yes, we do! When travelers take advantage of our “Switch Your Trip” program, last-minute slots open up on sold-out trips. Visit our Trips On Sale page for the latest last-minute deals. Sign up to the list to be notified.

Feel free to reach out to our all-star customer service team at info@under30experiences.com.

Planning a trip to South Korea is definitely exciting, but you may have many questions. That's why we've created this comprehensive guide to South Korea Travel FAQs. You don’t have to wonder about visa requirements or the best time to visit; our detailed answers will help you prepare for an unforgettable adventure. We've put together everything you need to know right in these Frequently Asked Questions so you can enjoy your smooth and stress-free trip to South Korea.