Travel in South Korea

April brings a seasonal shift across the globe, making it the ideal time of year for exploring ancient wonders, embarking on epic adventures and savoring fresh local produce.

Travelers from around the world have long been fascinated by South Korea's outsized pop culture influence, paradisiacal islands, and stylish, high-tech metropolises. Now, in a K-fan dream come true, international remote workers can live and work in the East Asian hub for up to two years thanks to a new digital nomad visa.

South Korea has an incredible range of experiences for a country of its size – an eclectic nightlife in the capital that never sleeps, trekking through the mountains followed by forest bathing, and a delicious and varied cuisine that will keep you coming back for more.

Just last month, the Oneworld alliance launched the first-ever Oneworld-branded lounge in South Korea's Incheon International Airport (ICN). This was only the beginning.

Though it may be fun-size compared to its neighbors China and Russia, South Korea more than holds its own when it comes to incredible landscapes, cultural attractions and a dazzling food and nightlife scene.

South Korea's cost of living is on the rise, but it's definitely still possible to visit on a budget. Between its vast and affordable transit system, wide range of dining options and abundance of low-cost activities and attractions, South Korea can prove a relatively inexpensive travel destination.

Not many countries have the sights-to-size ratio of South Korea. You can get from one corner of the country to the other in just two and a half hours, and in between you’ll find mountain trails leading to Buddhist hermitages, super-spectacle K-Pop concerts, back-alley pubs serving craft rice wines, enchanting bamboo forests and much more.

No matter where your good times happen – raucous nightclubs, ancient mountain hermitages, packed baseball stadiums, boundary-pushing museums and galleries – the chances are you'll find something to love in South Korea. There's no such thing as a bad time to visit, but some planning can take your trip to another level and create lasting memories.

Has any place been on a run of late like South Korea?

South Korea might not leap out as the obvious place for a road trip. The country's superb public transportation means a private vehicle is rarely necessary, and the traffic in Seoul can make you question the point of the open road when you spend so much time at a standstill.

There aren't many destinations that make getting around as easy as South Korea does – it's a gift to travelers who love to explore on their own schedule.

Don't be alarmed by the tone of South Korean hits like Parasite and Squid Game: a visit to the capital city isn't synonymous with economic malaise.

Korean low-cost carrier T’way Air is set to make a dramatic debut in the European market. Earlier this week, the European Commission announced its approval of Korean Air’s merger with local rival Asiana Airlines – however, there are some strings attached. 

Radisson Hotel Group significantly expanded its presence in India last year with the signing of 21 hotels. During the year, the group signed the debut Radisson Collection hotels in the country, with three properties under the brand in the pipeline.

One potential issue with Airbnb’s growth plans has been whether it could boost its ranks of hosts and listings enough to meet the demand from guests around the world.

With a temperate continental climate, Seoul is known for its biting winters and blistering summers.

About 100 Russians flew to North Korea on Friday for a private tour, becoming the first foreign group to visit the reclusive state following the Covid-19 pandemic in a landmark trip summed up by the Russian embassy as “Pyongyang opens its door.”

After you’ve taken in the ultra-modern landmarks of central Seoul, make like a local and head to one of the city’s vibrant neighborhoods to unwind.

Seoul's public transport network is amongst the best in the world – clean, punctual and committed to accessibility – and getting around the capital of South Korea is now smoother than ever thanks to several smartphone apps that provide real-time information. 

A 24/7 city with something to do every hour of the day, Seoul isn't a cheap place to visit.

Japan is jumping on the digital nomad bandwagon with a new visa that allows visitors from 49 visa-exempt countries, including the United States, to stay in the country for up to six months—doubling the length of stay permitted with the current 90-day tourist visa. Foreign remote salaried workers with an annual income of more than 10 million yen ($68,200) will be eligible to apply. The new visa is slated to launch by the end of March.