South Korea Travel Guide: K-ETA, T-money, and What to Know Before You Go

South Korea's K-ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) requirement is currently waived for a list of around 22 nationalities including the US, UK, most EU countries, Australia and Canada, allowing visa-free stays up to 90 days for tourism or business. This waiver has an end date attached rather than being a permanent policy — check the current status directly before you travel, since K-ETA is set to return for these nationalities at some point and the exact date is exactly the kind of thing worth confirming close to your trip rather than trusting an older article.

Not every nationality is covered by the waiver — if yours isn't on the list, you'll need to apply for K-ETA or a visa in the ordinary way.

T-money is the standard rechargeable transit card, usable on Seoul's subway, buses, and taxis nationwide, plus transit in Busan, Daegu, Incheon and other cities. It's sold at convenience stores near stations (GS25, CU, 7-Eleven) and station kiosks, with cash top-up standard — some stations now also have kiosks accepting international cards for both buying and loading the card, useful if you're arriving without won in hand.

At meals, wait for the eldest person at the table to start eating before you do, and receive a poured drink or dish with both hands, or support your pouring arm with your other hand as a sign of respect — pour for others rather than yourself.

If you're handed a business card, receive and present your own with both hands, and don't pocket one you've just received immediately — a cardholder or simply holding it for a moment is the expected gesture.

Spring (around April) draws visitors for cherry blossoms, with the bloom typically starting in southern cities before reaching Seoul in early April — exact dates shift every year and are only forecastable a few weeks out, so check a current-year forecast rather than planning around a fixed date. Autumn (late September through early November, with peak foliage typically mid-October to early November) is the other widely recommended window, both for mild temperatures and clear skies. Summer, especially July, is monsoon season with heavy rain.