Currently exempt
Travelers from 22 regions are exempt — including the US, Canada, UK, Japan, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, and most of Western Europe. Confirm exemption status on the K-ETA portal before you fly.
Asia Travel Guide · South Korea
Welcome to 한국.
Four sharp seasons, palace gates and skyline glass, K-pop storefronts and street-food tents. Korea rewards a curious traveler — start with the entry rules below, and the rest unfolds.
Section 01e-Arrival Card + K-ETA, simplified
Section 02Climate, packing, electrical adapters
Section 03Hospitals, emergency numbers, Stage-by-stage arrival
Section 04Money, connectivity, what to expect
Orientation
The basics of a Korea trip, before you fly.
Korea has a temperate continental climate, four very distinct seasons, and a quiet, modern travel infrastructure. Spring (late March–April) and autumn (October–November) are short and pleasant. Summer (June–September) is hot, humid, and includes monsoon rains. Winter (December–March) is dry and freezing with icy winds.
Your trip dates determine half of what you pack. The other half is universal — and that's what this guide covers next.
Stage 1 · Pre-departure
Three documents, in order.
Passport first, then K-ETA (if it applies), then the e-Arrival Card. The third one is the most important — and the newest.
Passport
Must be valid for at least six months beyond your planned return date. Photograph the data page; store the copy somewhere separate from the original.
Visa
US passport holders generally don't need a visa for short-term tourist visits. Verify with the nearest Korean consulate or embassy before departure for current rules.
New for 2026
The e-Arrival Card.
From 2026, every foreign national entering the Republic of Korea is required to submit the e-Arrival Card before arrival. The form is free and takes about five minutes.
Required · Free · Digital
Korea e-Arrival Card
Submit on the official government portal up to 3 days (72 hours) before your arrival in KST. You'll need your passport, flight number, accommodation address, and travel dates. Save the confirmation to your phone — you don't need to print it.
If applicable
K-ETA — the electronic arrival authorization.
Korea operates an electronic travel authorization called K-ETA. For most groups Passports brings to Korea, you won't need one — but you should confirm before you fly.
Age-based exemption
Visa-free travelers 17 and younger or 65 and older are exempt from K-ETA. Most of the students Passports brings to Korea fall in the first category.
If you do need it
K-ETA costs roughly 10,000 KRW (~$9–10) and is filed on the official portal. Apply before you fly. The Tour Advisor will flag this if it applies to your group.
Latest details on the official K-ETA portal.
Climate
Four very distinct seasons.
Korea's continental climate means hot, humid summers and dry, freezing winters. Pack to the season.
Spring · Late Mar–Apr
Short and pleasant. Mild temperatures. March still runs cold — pack a warm layer.
Summer · Jun–Sep
Hot and humid with a monsoon rainfall season. A waterproof rain jacket is essential.
Autumn · Oct–Nov
Pleasant, generally short. The best photography season — pack layers for cool mornings.
Winter · Dec–Mar
Dry and freezing with icy winds. A proper winter coat, gloves, hat. Hand-warmer packs are sold at every convenience store.
Pack smart
One suitcase + one backpack.
Students should be able to lift their own luggage to overhead storage and carry it up at least one flight of stairs without help. Multiple suitcases per person are not supported.
- 01
Comfortable, season-appropriate clothing
Layers are your friend. Korean weather can shift fast — especially in spring and autumn.
- 02
Sensible walking shoes
You'll walk a lot. Break them in before the trip.
- 03
Waterproof raincoat (essential)
Especially important in summer — monsoon-season rain comes hard and fast.
- 04
Refillable water bottle
Stay hydrated; refill where it's safe to do so.
- 05
Sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen
Korean summer sun is no joke. Same goes for ski-bright winter glare.
- 06
Wash bag, hand sanitizer, masks
Toothbrush, toothpaste, basic toiletries. Masks are still common in crowded spaces.
- 07
Day pack
A small backpack for daytime — water bottle, camera, raincoat, snack. Big bag stays at the hotel.
- 08
Power adapter
Korea uses Type C / F plugs (round 2-pin) at 220V, 60Hz. US devices need an adapter.
- 09
Notebook + pen
For journaling, sketching, jotting down vocabulary. Old-school but underrated.
Arrival, in three stages
What happens between landing and your hotel.
From the moment your wheels touch the runway, here's what the next 90 minutes look like.
Stage 1 — Pre-departure
Confirm passport, file e-Arrival Card 72 hrs out, check K-ETA exemption, pack to the season. Make sure your roaming-enabled phone is in your carry-on. (Hotel phone numbers won't be accepted as a contact.)
Stage 2 — Arrival
No COVID test required. No quarantine. Some travelers may go through a temperature check. If you're coming from a quarantine-inspection-required area, registering Q-Code in advance still applies.
Stage 3 — Immigration
Follow officer instructions and the appropriate clearance lane signage. Your e-Arrival Card confirmation should be accessible on your phone — not buried in email.
Just in case
Hospitals in Seoul.
Your Tour Director knows the local hospital nearest your program location. These two large international-friendly hospitals in Seoul are widely recommended.
Seoul St. Mary's Hospital
- City
- Seoul
- Address
- 222 Banpo-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul (서초구 반포대로 222)
- Phone
- +82 1588 1511
- Web
- cmcseoul.or.kr
Seoul National University Hospital
- City
- Seoul
- Address
- 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- Phone
- +82 2 2072 0505
- Web
- snuh.org
Money matters
Korean Won, cards, and exchange.
Currency
South Korean Won (₩ / KRW). Korea is generally more card-friendly than Japan, but cash is still useful for street food, market stalls, and small shops.
Where to exchange
It's often more economical to withdraw or exchange Won in Korea than at a US bank or US airport. ATMs are widely available; international currency cards are a good backup.
Tipping
Not customary in Korea. Don't leave money on the table.
Stay connected
Get a phone plan that works overseas.
Korea has some of the fastest mobile internet in the world, but you have to be on a plan that works there. Three options in rough order of cost:
- eSIM (cheapest, easiest). HolaFly, Airalo, and Saily all sell short-trip Korea eSIMs that activate digitally. HolaFly partners with TLA on Korea trips and offers travelers 5% off.
- International roaming on your US plan. Easiest — call your carrier before leaving. Often $10/day.
- Pocket WiFi rental. A small wireless hotspot you rent at the airport. One device, several students share. Practical for tight-knit groups.
Emergency contacts
Three numbers to know.
Korea is one of the safer destinations in the world. The numbers below are for the rare moments when something does go wrong.
Local emergency
112 · Police
119 · Ambulance / Fire
Tour Director on the ground
Your Tour Director's direct number is provided in your pre-trip materials. Save it to your phone before you fly.
Passports 24/7 line
For any travel emergency, call Passports at 1-800-332-7277 and press 1.
For info inside Korea: dial 1339 for English-language health information from inside the country. There's no quarantine requirement on entry; ensure your phone's roaming is enabled and that you have a contactable phone number on file (a hotel number won't be accepted as a contact).
FAQ
Common questions, plain answers.
Do I need a visa to enter South Korea?
US passport holders generally don't need a visa for short-term tourist visits — but you do need either K-ETA approval or an exemption. Travelers 17 and under, 65 and older, and citizens of 22 designated regions (including the US) are currently exempt. Always verify with the K-ETA portal before flying.
What is the e-Arrival Card?
Starting in 2026, every foreign national entering Korea must submit the e-Arrival Card — a free digital form on the official government portal — up to 3 days before arrival in Korea Standard Time. Save the confirmation to your phone.
Is the tap water safe?
Tap water in Korea is generally treated and safe by national standards, but most locals drink filtered or bottled water. Bottled water is inexpensive and widely available — your Tour Director will guide you.
What's the currency, and should I bring cash?
South Korean Won (KRW). Korea is more card-friendly than Japan, and contactless cards work in major cities. Still, bring some won for street food, smaller shops, and transit top-ups. ATMs are widely available.
Can I use my US phone?
Yes, with international roaming. An eSIM (HolaFly partners with TLA on Korea trips and offers 5% off through their referral link) is the cleanest option for keeping students reachable without a roaming bill.
Adventures await.
Korea blends old palace stones and new skyline glass, quiet mountain temples and loud convenience-store snacks. Embrace every moment with respect, curiosity, and enthusiasm.
좋은 여행 되세요Joheun yeohaeng doeseyo· have a good trip
Talk to a human
Pre-trip questions?
Our Tour Advisors in Worcester answer the phone in person. Call between 9–5 ET on weekdays, or shoot us a message any time.