(Last updated: 17 Mar 2011)

Visas

Australian business travellers require a visa for entry into Korea. A single entry business visa is valid for stays of up to three months and can be obtained from the Korean Embassy in Canberra or the Korean Consulate General in Sydney. If you hold an Australian passport and are a frequent business traveller to Korea, it may be worthwhile to consider a multiple business visa, which is valid for one year.

Australians visiting Korea for transit or tourism are not required to hold a visa for stays up to 90 days, but must have a valid passport for at least six months and an outgoing ticket.

Climate

The climate of Korea is characterised by four distinct seasons. Winter is bitterly cold and is influenced primarily by the Siberian air mass. January is the coldest month with the mean temperature ranging from -5^oC to 5^oC.

Summer is hot and humid. August is the hottest month with the mean temperature ranging from 20^oC to 26^oC.

More than a half of the total rainfall amount is concentrated in summer. The transitional seasons, spring and autumn are sunny and generally dry. The rainy season, (‘Jangma’), continues from late June until late July. On average 28 typhoons occur in the western Pacific, but only two or three among them approach the Korean Peninsula from June through September.

For weather details in Korea, please visit the World Meteorological Organization.

Airports

Incheon International Airport, 52km from the centre of Seoul, is the main international airport. Airport (departure) tax and passenger service charge is W27,000 and is included in the purchased airline ticket.

Some regional flights also operate from Gimpo Airport (Seoul) and Busan (Korea’s largest trading port). Destinations include Tokyo’s Haneda airport and Shanghai’s Hongqiao airport.

Most domestic flights leave Seoul from Gimpo Airport. Airport buses link the Incheon and Gimpo Airports (approximately 30 minutes travelling time). Many airport limousine buses and the subway service Gimpo Airport from Seoul.

Ground transport

Car - Travel time by car to and from the airport via the new Incheon expressway takes 60-75 minutes depending on the traffic. The toll for vehicles using the expressway is W7100 one way.

Limousine bus - If you are staying in one of the major four or five-star hotels, the most convenient way to get there from Incheon Airport is the limousine bus. The cost is approximately W11,000 one way.

Taxi - for a one-way journey, normal taxis will cost approximately W44,000 plus W7,100 expressway toll and the black deluxe taxi service will cost approximately W80,000.

Hotels

Average rates for a standard room range from A$250-A$320 per night. A 10 per cent service charge is payable at all hotels but no value added tax (VAT) is imposed on foreign visitors. The Korea National Tourism Organisation provides extensive and valuable information in English on accommodation. Austrade Seoul is able to obtain competitive diplomatic rates at many hotels for its clients.

Security and health

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) provides advice for business travellers and tourists going to the Republic of Korea. This is regularly updated, and should be checked before planning travel.

Health

Travellers do not need vaccinations for yellow fever, cholera, typhoid and polio and malaria.

Water is chlorinated and safe but sometimes may cause mild abdominal upsets. For short visits, bottled water is the best option and is widely available. You should also only eat well-cooked meat and fish (especially during the summer season), preferably served hot.

If you need assistance while travelling in Korea you should contact the Australian Embassy Seoul who can advise you in the case of emergency or distress. English speaking doctors are also available in the international clinics of major large hospitals including:

• Yonsei University Severance Hospital, Tel: +822 361 5114
• Asan Medical Centre, Tel: +822 2224 3114
• Samsung Hospital, Tel: +822 3410 2114

Time zones and time differences

Korea is one hour behind Australian Eastern Standard Time.

To find out the current time in Seoul, view the World Clock.

Dialling codes

Korea's country code is 82.

For calls to Korea from Australia dial: 0011 + 82 + area code + telephone number.

For calls from Korea to Australia dial: 001 + 61 + area code + telephone number.

For further information (eg. area codes) please visit the White Pages - international dialling codes.

Public holidays

January 1 – New Year’s Day
February (1st day, 1st month of Lunar calendar) – Korean New Year
March 1 – March 1st Movement
May 1 – Labour Day
May 5 – Children’s Day
May (8th day, 4th month of the Lunar calendar) – Buddha's Birthday
June 6 – Memorial Day
August 15 – Liberation Day
September (8th month, 15th day of the Lunar calendar) – Harvest Festival
October 3 – National Foundation Day
December 25 – Christmas Day

Currency

Oanda currency converter

The official currency is the Korean Won.

Electricity and water

Korea’s power supply is both 100 volts and 220 volts although many new buildings and electronic products are 220 volts (60 Hz). Most hotels in Seoul have 110 volts (two flat stick type) and 220 volts (two round pins) outlets.

Tourist attractions

Korea's National Tourism Organisation also provides extensive information in English on transport, events, places to eat, accommodation, airline contact details and Korea-wide travel maps.