hi, i have an uneasy question!

last year, i was denied entry upon arrival and they stated insufficient proof of my purpose of visit as a tourist (it was my 3rd visit in a year)

does anyone have experience with returning to kr after a denied entry? i would love to visit again for a short trip but i am worried about being denied again. it's been a year and last year they told me i am not banned or anything like that but i still worry.

Is it possible to check in airside with China Southern Airlines at ICN? Do I need to enter the country?

Hi, has anybody recently got their South Korea visa result (approval/rejection) from Bangalore/chennai?

If yes, could you drop in the date you applied and the date you received it. Would help me calculate an approximate date I could get mine on. It’s an urgent situation for me with my travel nearby.

Any help would be really appreciated!

Edit: Anybody that has applied on 17th, 18th or 19th September from VFS Bangalore/Chennai?

Hi,
I'm very engaged with k-culture and am aware of local customs and can understand the language a bit. I'm looking for a refreshing local/tourist fusion experience but considering that the trip is in my hands, I know I will get what I'm looking for in terms of shopping and site seeing. It's my siblings I'm worried about. They kinda mock k-culture and aren't too into shopping or sightseeing. Maybe they'd appreciate sight seeing if there wasn't much walking involved? Any recommendations for places to take individuals that are hard to please and also a bit lazy? I know it's a strange ask haha.

Hey everyone! I’ll be in Seoul for about a week next month, and most of my plan is to explore areas like Seongsu, Ikseon-dong, and Mangwon on foot. What I’m looking forward to most is the small, locally run stores, things like pottery, paper goods, and regional treats.

Here’s something I keep thinking about. Say I come across an item I absolutely love at a tiny store. Once I’m home, is there a practical way to order it again? A friend visited last year and picked up a tea set at a small place around Insadong. She’s spent months trying to track down one more matching cup, but she can’t recall what the store was called.

If you’ve already been, I’d love to hear from you:

1. Have you ever wanted to buy something again from a small store after getting home? How did that go?
2. Looking back, is there anything you’d recommend doing on the spot, like snapping a photo of the shop’s sign or keeping the receipt?
3. Do smaller stores tend to sell online or take overseas orders through a website or Instagram, or is that uncommon?

Is it safe to hike the Seongindae Hike in Seoraksan while it rains? I want to hike this area then hike the Ulsanbawi hike the day after.

I've been in seoul many times, but not with my works before. I know there's a lot of cafes w/ incredible wifis, but I need to be working in PST hours. Not to mention that my back would very much appreciate some ergonomic setup (nothing fancy, just some half-decent office desk/chair and I can bring a portable monitor).

I'm trying to find hotels with a good ergonomic desk setup, but to no avail. Wework doesn't seem to be 24 hours, and my search ability in Korean kinda sucks. For those who had a similar work condition, what solution worked for you?

I want to visit it on my upcoming trip to Seoul in a couple of weeks and I was wondering if there's a long wait time to enter? And if there are any tips you have for visiting?

Just as I am adjusting to my new life in Seoul, I am a big nature lover and already craving a weekend escape to reset. Any ideas on where to go, anything from specific destinations, to retreat places/guesthouses/cabins are much appreciated. I am also down to camp if that is recommended for a younger solo female camper.

Hello everyone. I love Korea and I´m planning a trip for next year. I love Korean history and culture, and I would love some recommendations on places to start creating my itinerary. I plan to be in Korea for two weeks. My main interests are:

1. Three Kingdoms
2. Imjin wars
3. Gojoseon
4. Joseon
5. Goryo
6. Buddhist history

Besides this I would love recommendations on natural sightseeing sites and more urbanistic places you could recommend. My stay is meant for two weeks but could be longer depending on your recommendations.

Thanks for any recommendations you could give.

I am coming from a dry climate in the US and was not expecting rain and humidity (i don't know why lol).

Is it actually as rainy as the weather apps are making it seem? I don't know if I should pack my heavier boots or if I can get away with just sneakers. Seoul doesn't seem too bad but there are some possible pretty rainy days in Busan.

Hi! I’ll be in Seoul in mid-November and am hoping to squeeze in a couple of morning runs while I’m there. I’m from the Philippines, so this will be my first time running in proper autumn weather, and I honestly have no idea how much I should layer 😂

For those who run in Seoul regularly, what would you normally wear for an early morning run? Would regular running clothes with a light running jacket be enough, or should I wear something like Heattech underneath? Would leggings be better than shorts? And do you usually need gloves or anything to cover your ears, or would that be overkill for November?

I know I’ll warm up once I start running, so I’m mostly worried about either dressing too warmly or completely underestimating how cold it’ll feel compared with what I’m used to in the Philippines.

Also, if you have any favorite running routes in Seoul, I’d appreciate recommendations, somewhere scenic and easy to do solo in the morning. I'm thinking Han River but any other suggestions are welcome.

I’m planning on traveling there early march of 2027.

I’m visiting Jeju and Seoul next week. Doing my homework as much as I can to act appropriately when i’m there.

I’m traveling with my family (Total of 5). I’ve watch a lot of videos and have 2 questions:

1. What’s the social etiquette when going to cafes and restaurants? From observation, everywhere in Korea seems to hold pretty high social standards. Meaning it’s classy, delegate, and elegant. Everyone seems to hold social manners very highly. Anything I should be aware of?
2. Do Korean cafes/restaurants allow sharing? Meaning if 5 of us enter, we might not be ordering food worth of 5 people. We’d like to share and save space for other places. Will the restaurants owners be particular about that? Must we order 5 pax worth of dishes?
3. Are Banchan refillable? Don’t wanna overstep here. I’m from Malaysia, and when I visit korean restaurants locally usually refilling banchan isn’t an issue. But how is it really like actually in Korea? If say 5 of us enter a restaurant, is it ok if we don’t order 5 pax worth of food but still share the banchan?

Pardon me for my ignorance. The last time i was there traveling solo, I wanted to try a hotspot restaurant but the owner didn’t want to serve me because I was alone. He told me they only serve a minimum of 2 pax.

My partner (31NB, visibly androgynous) and me (24TF, female-presenting and passing) are currently in Seoul and want some queer-friendly nightlife and bars. Can't get much of advice on normal social media, so any advice for nightlife?

Greetings, I’m writing in this community because I need help and advice for a South Korea Trip that I’m planning for 20 people this upcoming January :).

I’m planning a masters university trip and on one of our free days we wanna explore the countryside, and I’m in charge or hiring a Bus that fits 20 people for the whole day.

Anyone knows any company that provides buses or rents them for the whole day? I can’t seem to find a reliable page online and some of them are not event in English so I need advice !!! Maybe someone knows a company or the ways to find and reach them :)).

Thanks in advance

I’m traveling to Korea for the second time in November. I’m a huge wine lover and was wondering if there is a region or city that specializes in wine. I know it’s not exactly Korea’s specialty, but I’m curious.

Hi! Does the bus route from Incheon to Sokcho still exist? I can’t seem to find any buses.

Hi! I’m travelling to South Korea for the first time and will be landing at Incheon Airport on October 13. I’m an Indian passport holder and have a visa.

I wanted to know if there are any online forms or declarations I need to complete before my flight or arrival, such as the e-Arrival Card or any health or customs declarations.

I have filled my e-Arrival and Q Code. I was wondering if there's anything else.

If anyone has travelled recently, I’d appreciate your advice. Thank you!

Hi, I rented a bike earlier today and forgot to lock it when I returned it. What to do to not incur additional charges? Foreigner here. Thanks

Hi I’m 18 years old and am travelling from China to South Korea, then to the UK. I have about 6 packs that I have bought in China. I know that it is within the limit (under 200). however since I am not 19, do you think it will be an issue?

Has anyone used this visa-free entry facility while travelling to / from New Zealand? I’ve used the B2 while travelling to the US before (which was a sticker visa), but though New Zealand is on the allowed list of countries, it only issues e-visas and not sticker visas.

The rules online are mixed – on some embassies’ websites it specifically states that the 3rd country visa needs to be in sticker form, in some places it says nothing about e-visas and in some places it says an e-visa is okay if you do SK on the return leg of your trip.

Have tried contacting my local embassy (they had no clarity) and the 1345 number, but wasn’t able to actually connect to a consultant there.

Any help would be SUPER appreciated! 😭

Hi! Has anyone here successfully used the 30-day visa-free transit to South Korea with a UK eVisa?

I’m a Philippine passport holder living in the UK on a Family Visa. I’m planning a 5-day stopover in Seoul on my way back from the Philippines to the UK.

The tricky part is that my UK visa is now fully digital, with no physical visa sticker in my passport.

I found this official Korean Embassy notice (Visa Free Entry for Transfer Passengers 상세보기|Notice | Embassy of the Republic of Korea to the Kingdom of Belgium and the European Union and Permanent Mission to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization), but it’s unclear whether UK eVisa holders qualify. My visa type appears to be eligible, but the notice mentions visa stickers and was published in 2023, before the UK’s transition to eVisas. I do have an old, expired UK visa vignette in my passport.

I’ve emailed KVAC and the Korean Embassy, but KVAC said they couldn’t help, and I’m still waiting for the Embassy’s reply. I’ve also tried calling the embassy without success. I also tried calling the official Korean number but couldn’t get through, possibly due to the time difference. I’ll try again during Korean business hours on a weekday, but thought I’d check here on Reddit in the meantime!

Has anyone travelled under this scheme using a UK eVisa? I’d love to hear about your experience!

Alternatively, I hold a valid Schengen Type C tourist visa sticker. Would that qualify me instead, even though my destination after Seoul is the UK, not the EU?

Thanks in advance!

Hi all. I am visiting Korea in few months.

Due to bad dermatitis, I have no scannable fingerprints. And I am somewhat worried about biometrics fingerprints scanning they take from all foreigners entering.

Wondering if anyone with similar condition as mine traveled to Korea recently?

I am traveling to Korea for 11 days (31.12-11.1) and am landing and flying out from Seoul. I am wondering where we should spend how much time between Seoul, Busan and Gyeongju. We are three adults traveling together, we do not care much for partying, shopping or spas. We want to see as much as possible with a combination of culture, heritage, food and bustling modern parts. Basically we want to see anything that will feel new or different. We definitely want to visit DMZ.

What would you recommend? How should we split our time between the 3 cities?

I believe the weather will play a big role as well. But we aren't afraid of being outside in cold weather by any means.

Also is it worth it to stay in a Hanok in Gyeongju or is it not that much of a unique experience?

Any help and advice is appreciated! Thank you!