South Korea is without doubt one of the fastest-growing vacationer locations on the planet – and for good motive. 

Its capital metropolis, Seoul, is a gastronomic paradise with a vibrant leisure district, wealthy tradition, fascinating historical past, and seemingly limitless locations to buy and discover. 

Ok-pop, or Korean pop music, has taken the world by storm, with larger-than-life fandoms for teams like BTS. Lots of the nation’s movies have garnered international acclaim, most notably the 2019 black comedy thriller Parasite, which gained “Greatest Image” on the Academy Awards.

South Korea’s worldwide airport, Incheon Worldwide Airport (ICN), was ranked the very best airport on the planet for 12 consecutive years, so it is worthwhile to discover its amenities, too. Travellers who solely plan on transiting by Korea however have a protracted or average stopover can benefit from free excursions provided by the airport that take you outdoors of the amenities to style the native delicacies and go sightseeing. 

Discover out the whole lot it’s essential to find out about planning your journey to South Korea from Vancouver.

What airways ought to I fly with to South Korea?

From Vancouver Worldwide Airport (YVR), travellers can fly direct or through one other metropolis to ICN, which is positioned about 40 minutes from Seoul. Direct service is obtainable by Air Canada and Korean Air however a number of different carriers provide routes involving one or two stops which will save cash.

Airways that fly to or partially to Seoul through one in every of their airline companions embrace:

• Aeromexico
• Air Canada
• Air China
• Air India
• Air Premia
• Alaska Airways
• American Airways
• All Nippon Airways (ANA) 
• Asiana
• Austrian
• Cathay Pacific
• China Airways
• China Southern
• Delta
• EVA Air
• Aptitude Airways
• Hawaiian Airways
• Hong Kong Airways
• Japan Airways (JAL)
• Jeju Air
• KLM
• Korean Air
• Lufthansa
• Lynx Air
• Philippine Airways
• Saudia Airways
• Sichuan Airways
• Singapore Airways
• Spirit Airways
• Thai
• United Airways
• WestJet
• XiamenAir
• Zipair

When ought to I e book my ticket to South Korea?

Tickets from YVR are pretty secure to ICN all year long, which means you needn’t fear about reserving your ticket a selected period of time prematurely. Nonetheless, there’s a dip in costs throughout September when booked prematurely, with a number of tickets beneath the $1,300 mark. These costs aren’t proven for another time of the 12 months.

One technique to get a less expensive ticket could possibly be to take an inexpensive flight from Tokyo to Incheon. Airfare from Vancouver to Tokyo is considerably cheaper than it has been in years, because of the arrival of Zipair, Japan’s Airways’ funds choice. 

When is the very best time of 12 months to go to South Korea? 

The wet season lasts from late June till August in South Korea, which means you can get caught in a torrential downpour throughout this time; flooding and landslides are additionally doable.

Typhoons are doable towards the top of August and into September. These excessive climate occasions could harm infrastructure, trigger vital fatalities, and forestall emergency companies from reaching individuals in want. 

When you determine to journey to South Korea through the wet or hurricane seasons, the Canadian authorities advises that you simply:

• know that you simply expose your self to severe security dangers
• be ready to alter your journey plans on quick discover, together with reducing quick or cancelling your journey
• keep knowledgeable of the newest regional climate forecasts
• carry emergency contact data to your airline or tour operator
• comply with the recommendation and directions of native authorities 

What’s “yellow mud” in South Korea?

Korea has vital air pollution and a phenomenon often called “Yellow Mud” blows in from the Gobi desert that borders China and Mongolia. Referred to as “Hwang Sa” in Korean, the mud is “whisked into the environment by robust winds and carried to the Korean Peninsula through the jet stream” and accommodates “industrial pollution (like pesticides), viruses, fungi, micro organism, and even heavy metals, none of that are good for respiratory well being,” based on the Asia Society. 

Just like Atmosphere Canada, the Korean authorities will difficulty an air high quality advisory when concentrations of an air pollutant attain unsafe ranges. If the concentrations exceed 800 micrograms/cubic meter, faculties shall be closed, occasions could also be cancelled, and the general public shall be warned to remain indoors. 

Travellers with respiratory situations could wish to rethink journey throughout instances when air pollution is especially dangerous, together with in March, April, and Could.

You may monitor South Korea’s air high quality with the Worldwide Air High quality Index to get real-time information about present situations.

Is it secure to go to South Korea? 

Canada provides travellers the inexperienced gentle to go to South Korea. There is not an elevated threat to vacationers when visiting the nation and they need to comply with regular safety precautions.

Whereas crime charges are low, petty crime, reminiscent of pickpocketing, can happen in busy markets and vacationer areas. Keep conscious of your environment, notably in crowded areas. 

Sexual harassment and assault can happen in bars and eating places. Vacationers ought to keep away from strolling alone after darkish. Notably, travellers ought to “be cautious when coping with strangers or current acquaintances.”

Report crimes, together with a sexual assault, to the Korean Nationwide Police Company by dialling 112. It is a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week service. For non-Korean audio system, the police will hyperlink an interpreter to the decision.

Peaceable demonstrations could flip violent and travellers ought to keep away from areas the place they’re happening. 

South Korea’s “charge of deadly street accidents could be very excessive” and vacationers ought to be cautious when crossing the street. Drivers have interaction in dangerous behaviors and bikes are sometimes pushed on sidewalks. “Automobiles could not cease at pedestrian crossings. Use underground or above-ground pedestrian crossings, the place out there,” notes Canada’s journey advisory.

South Korea doesn’t prohibit sexual acts between people of the identical intercourse however “homosexuality just isn’t socially tolerated” and marriages are usually not authorized. Canada advises 2SLGBTQI+ travellers to contemplate the dangers concerned earlier than visiting the nation.

Vital issues in South Korea for vacationers to know

Tensions alongside the Korean peninsula might escalate quickly, “throughout and after North Korean nuclear and missile assessments” and army workouts and actions. If this occurs, it’s best to keep knowledgeable by native authorities on the evolving state of affairs and comply with their directions, “together with the Cupboard Secretariat’s steerage on civil safety.”

Do I have to get any particular journey vaccines forward of visiting South Korea?

Go to a journey medical clinic earlier than you e book a ticket. The healthcare professionals will inform you about what vaccinations you require and what you possibly can count on in your journey. 

There’s a threat of a number of mosquito-borne sicknesses when visiting South Korea.

Japanese encephalitis is a viral an infection that may trigger swelling of the mind. Travellers ought to contemplate getting vaccinated for longer stays within the nation, visits to rural areas, and journeys to locations with outbreaks.

What sort of actions can I get pleasure from in South Korea?

Korea gives a spread of actions for individuals of all ages to get pleasure from. 

Situated in a sea of skyscrapers and sprawling markets, 5 ornate palaces are positioned within the capital metropolis. Situated in Northern Seoul, the Gyeongbokgung Palace is taken into account one of the crucial stunning and is the “official palace of the Joseon dynasty by Yi Seong-gye, who turned King Taejo and the founding father of the brand new regime,” based on Go to Korea.

Vacationers may find out about Korea’s liquor and meals tradition by taking native excursions. Certainly one of them uncovers the historical past behind the county’s unrefined rice wine, referred to as makgeolli.

From Could to June, purple and pink roses bloom in a “tunnel of roses” within the Cheonho-dong Rose Village, making a really perfect place to shoot a romantic {photograph} or a enjoyable shot with mates or household. The historic space has roses adorning each wall and “small outdated homes convey the nostalgia of 30 to 40 years in the past” with eye-catching murals together with a scene from The Little Prince. Korea’s tourism board describes easy methods to discover this distinctive spot and cautions that guests ought to be respectful as it’s a residential village. 

Discover extra distinctive alternatives for locating South Korea with deliberate excursions and attraction guides.

Do I want a visa to go to South Korea?

Canadians don’t require a visa to go to South Korea and are exempt from the Korea Digital Journey Authority (Ok-ETA) requirement till Dec. 31, 2024. They’re required to have a passport that’s legitimate throughout their keep. 

It is best to all the time journey on a passport that will not expire for six months after the date that you’re due again residence in case of an emergency.

How a lot cash will I spend on lodging?

Costs in South Korea’s capital metropolis range dramatically, providing the whole lot from bare-bones lodging to luxurious stays in posh resorts.

The Ok-Pop Resort Seoul Tower gives rooms beginning at $27 an evening, whereas the Badaga Boineun Saipan in Incheon gives rooms with gorgeous waterfront views for under $29; lodging in different elements of the nation, reminiscent of Busan, begin for under $13. 

On the opposite finish of the spectrum, discerning travellers can get pleasure from stays in lavish accommodations, together with the five-star 4 Seasons Resort Seoul for $493 an evening. For a mean of $423 an evening, the Signiel Seoul gives gorgeous views from the tallest constructing within the metropolis, the Lotte World Tower, with rooms positioned on the 76th to one hundred and first flooring.

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