Budget travel to South Korea. Holidays in South Korea Independent travel to Seoul

Korea is one of the safest countries in the world: neither large quantities thefts, no drug addicts, no robberies, and public morality is so developed and strong that it is almost impossible to hear rudeness addressed to you.

If you decide to go to South Korea, namely in, decide on specific dates in advance, because the cost of the flight will depend on them, and not on how far in advance you buy plane tickets. The cheapest tickets to South Korea are, and.

If we talk about transport in Seoul, then to rent a car you will need an international license book - Russian plastic is not suitable. All public transport and orange taxi (state) is paid for by the T-money system - a plastic card on which money is deposited through the terminal.

Everything is like in Russia - you put your card on the turnstile, it tells you the remaining balance, and you move on.

The subway is quiet and calm inside the cars, but no one waits for people to get off and gets on right away, so be prepared to jostle a lot and for a long time. If you live in Moscow and think that this will not surprise you, you are mistaken, in Korea everything is much tougher.

In the subway and on the streets there are corrugated yellow paths - landmarks for the blind. In Seoul, everything is quite well equipped for people with disabilities, so if you or your relatives were afraid to face the problem of the inability of Korean streets, then feel free to brush aside all fears.

Money. You shouldn't count on credit cards - they are accepted, but rarely and reluctantly: Koreans really love cash. Therefore, exchange part of the money immediately at the airport, and the rest in banks. When you go to stores, pay attention to the price tags. If they are not there, the price of the product is most likely greatly inflated, and you will not be able to negotiate.

If you smoke, take a supply of cigarettes with you because Koreans hardly smoke and it can be difficult to buy cigarettes.

Before the trip, you need to remember about the traditional greeting - you need to bow slightly. Koreans also prefer to bow rather than say “thank you” as a form of gratitude. Direct eye contact, by the way, can be regarded as a threat and disrespect. You can also shake hands, but there is a special ritual in this too: they give and shake both the right and left hand, although preference is given to the right - the left hand is placed under the right. If this rule is not followed, the impression will be that you are a very uncultured person and far from polite.

If it turns out that you will be drinking with one of the Koreans, you should never fill your glass - pour it for others, not for yourself.

Since we're talking about alcohol, it's worth mentioning food. The meal cannot begin until the oldest person in age sits down at the table. When choosing food, don't think that in Seoul they cook only dogs and insects, you can find completely normal European cuisine there, but the food is often spicier than we are used to. Also, not all cafes and restaurants offer tea, but they always bring water for free. But be prepared for the fact that in some restaurants and cafes they wash plates right on the road, and you watch all this.

Seoul is the capital of South Korea, a city of the future and a place where it is good for both local residents and tourists. Europeans, including Russians, are treated differently here. Any Korean will help a lost tourist to the best of his ability and will be smiling and friendly. Respect and maximum sympathy local residents pleasantly surprises the average domestic citizen, who is not accustomed to such a reaction. True, there are difficulties in communications: for full knowledge in English most of local population It's not worth calculating. Nevertheless, everything here contributes to a wonderful holiday.

Flight

If you decide to visit South Korea, namely, the city of the future - Seoul, then first you need to decide on the date of your trip and the nuances of the flight. Whether to buy a ticket six months before the expected date of travel or a month does not matter. The low cost of a flight depends on the specific dates of departure and return. The average cost of an economy class ticket per person there and back is 35,000 rubles ($1,100). But if, for example, you extend the duration of your trip to Korea by one day before the originally intended departure and, accordingly, fly a couple of days later, then the price of the flight will drop to 25,000 rubles ($760), thereby you can save up to 300 on the flight $.

In this case, you will not be able to save on the total cost of the trip, because you will have to spend money on additional accommodation, food, etc. However, it is always better to see and visit more than with a shorter trip and spend the same amount.

Convenient search for cheap air tickets offers Skyscanner service. And yes, there are apps for iOS, Android or Windows Phone.

In my case, a round-trip ticket cost about 26,000 rubles ($800) from Emirates Airlines. Before booking a ticket on the company’s website, you can independently choose your landing location, the desired menu from a variety of dishes, etc. The flight took place on an Airbus A380 aircraft with a 3-4-3 seat configuration. Each passenger had a comfortable folding seat and his own 9-inch display for watching modern films in a variety of languages, including Russian. In addition, you can simply listen to music or play games. The flight took 17 hours with one transfer in Dubai. You shouldn’t be upset about lost time due to a transfer, because, for example, Dubai has the largest Duty Free in the world, which operates around the clock. So, save your money.

Getting around the city

Upon arrival in Seoul, you can order a taxi directly at the airport. Passenger transportation services are provided by taxi drivers with special certificates and guaranteed knowledge of English. A taxi is relatively cheap: for an hour's ride across the city we only had to pay $40.

The Seoul metro is a different story. Understanding the metro map is not easy, so it’s better to plan your route in advance in a quiet and peaceful place, rather than on the go. Although the Seoul metro is radically different from the Moscow metro for the better: there are no queues, crowds of people or similar chaos. Everything is as clear as possible, if, of course, you know the destination in advance. To get from one destination to another you have to overcome a huge number of stations and repeatedly change from one line to another, so it is often much more convenient and faster to use by land transport or even on foot.

To travel by metro you need a travel card, which must contain a certain amount of money in advance. The fare varies depending on the distance of the trip. When entering the metro, the minimum cost of the trip is debited from the card, and if you only want to travel a short distance, no more money will be debited from the card when you exit. If you had to travel a lot, then when you exit the subway, the amount of the actual distance traveled will be additionally debited from the card in excess of the minimum travel fare, which, by the way, is 1050 won, which is equal to approximately 1 dollar (1100 won).

Accommodation

At any modern capital There is a huge choice of places to stay. Seoul is no exception. To focus on the city and your travel experience and not spend a lot of money on accommodation, I recommend choosing hostels, of which there are plenty in Seoul. On average, a night's stay in a hostel for one person will cost about $20. During our trip to Seoul, we stayed in two hostels. And in each of them there are many free places, so if for some reason you don’t like the room, you can move right on the spot to a completely empty 4-bed room next door. The environment in hostels is always more than comfortable: everywhere is clean and tidy, there is free Wi-Fi or even desktop computers for guests. There are no surprises in this regard.

In the next part I will talk about interesting places Seoul.

30.08.19 13 453 14

In April 2019, my husband and I went to South Korea for 17 days.

Valentina Alekseeva

went to South Korea

During this time we visited three regions: Seoul, Jeju and Sokcho. We looked at the cherry blossoms, visited national parks and conquered two volcanoes. IN South Korea there are tropical islands, like in the series “Lost,” and megacities, and luxurious spas with programs for only 500 RUR.

Expenses for 17 days per person - 78,551 RUR

Air tickets Moscow - Seoul

RUB 23,243

RUB 20,480

RUB 20,930

Transport

RUB 11,686

Attractions

2212 R

Route

We planned the route without hesitation. First to the metropolis - Seoul. From there to Seoraksan National Park near the city of Sokcho. This park is popular among lovers of hiking - short hikes in the mountains along specially equipped trails. After that we went to Jeju Island to look at the volcanoes.

We also wanted to see the cherry blossoms. In South Korea, major sakura festivals are held in Seoul and Jeju Island. The time of cherry blossoms depends on the location: in Jeju the trees bloom at the end of March, in Seoul - from the second week of April. We only had time to look at sakura in Seoul.

Flights

We bought tickets to Seoul in December 2018 at an Aeroflot sale. A direct round-trip flight cost RUB 23,243 per person. The same flight in September 2019 already costs about 40 thousand. The price of the air ticket included a seat for hand luggage, luggage up to 23 kg, dinner and breakfast on the plane - flight 9 hours.

We flew to Jeju Island from Seoul on a local airline T-Way.

Two round-trip tickets with luggage up to 15 kg cost 108,800 ₩ (2950 RUR). The flight was an hour long, and only water was given out for free on board.

RUB 46,486

we paid for tickets to Seoul and back We flew from two airports in Seoul - Incheon and Gimpo. international Airport

Incheon is similar in size to a city, so I advise you to arrive there at least 2.5 hours before departure. And Gimpo is a small airport with mostly domestic flights.

Korea has an unusual procedure for checking checked luggage: first you check it in at the check-in counter, and then wait 10-15 minutes for it to be scanned. If something suspicious is found during the contactless check, you will have to be present during the search of the suitcases. Without your presence, the suitcase cannot be opened or passed on. Only when they say that everything is in order can you go to passport control. Width="2000" height="1670" class="outline-bordered" style="max-width: 1000.0px; height: auto" data-bordered="true"> 23,340 RUR are tickets for March 2020 from the airline "ES-7" on the route Moscow - Seoul with a transfer in Irkutsk width="2000" height="1479" class=" outline-bordered" style="max-width: 1000.0px; height: auto" data-bordered=" true"> Korean airlines are more expensive: flights from Korean Air

from Moscow to Seoul and back in April 2020 will cost 43,616 RUR

Visa For tourist trip

At passport control we were asked for the date of our return flight and were given a form to enter the country. South Korea no longer puts stamps on passports. There is no fear of losing the form, because upon departure, border guards check the date of entry in a special system using the passport number. It is not clear, however, why this form is needed at all.

Housing

In Seoul, the price of accommodation depends not so much on the area, but on the type of housing. A bed in an eight-bed room in a hostel with breakfast will cost 600 RUR. Small apartment on Air BBC or room in guest house with a private bathroom costs from 2000 RUR per day, a room in a three-star hotel - from 4000 RUR. Lovers of comfort and five-star hotels will have to fork out: minimum price, which I found - 10,400 R per night.

Inexpensive options sell out quickly, so it’s best to book your accommodation several months in advance. We decided to stay in guest houses. These are small private hotels in which all rooms are rented separately. Unlike hostels, guests in such houses live in conditions close to home - as if they had come to stay with relatives.

Find out how to relax for pennies

In Seoul, we stayed at the Oh My Guest House in the very center. It is 10 minutes from Gyeongbokgung Palace, the city's main attraction. We spent 4 nights there, it cost us 128,000 ₩ (7180 RUR). For this money we got Double Room with private bathroom and breakfast.

We booked another night directly from the hosts for 32,000 ₩ (1800 RUR), although at that time the price from aggregators had increased to 40,000 ₩ (2270 RUR). We saved 470 RUR - I advise you to extend your stay not through Booking, but directly to save money.

₩

Won, the national currency of South Korea

We spent our last night in Seoul, on the eve of our flight to Russia, at the Holiday Inn Express Seoul Euljiro hotel. For 92,565 ₩ (5515 R) we got a spacious room and a buffet breakfast. Two minutes from the hotel there was a bus stop that goes to the airport.

On Jeju Island we stopped in three different places to see as many natural attractions as possible. We traveled around the island by car so as not to have to adjust to the public transport schedule.

In the south we wanted to see waterfalls and the huge 7 Nymphs Bridge, green cliffs near Songaksan Mountain, O'Sullok tea plantations and Sanbangsan Mountain in the background yellow flowers. To do this, we stayed at The Areumdaun House: three nights cost 115,678 ₩ (6350 R). This price includes a separate apartment with a kitchen and a private bathroom.

It was convenient to get to Hallasan from the Thai Story Pension - largest volcano on the island, as well as to the small extinct volcano Ilchubong. There we spent 2 nights in a hotel, which cost us 125,530 ₩ (6890 RUR). We booked a standard room, but upon arrival the hotel owners gave us a free upgrade to a deluxe room - so we got a house with an area of ​​48 m2 with a kitchen and a bathroom.

RUB 40,960

the two of us spent 17 days on housing in South Korea

We spent our last night in the main city of the island - Jeju. Jeju Hotel B&B has easy access to the airport, with a bus stop a five-minute walk away. The car was returned the day before departure, because an additional day of rental was more expensive than 2 bus tickets from the airport and back. A night at the hotel cost 39,109 ₩ (2146 RUR).

In the city of Sokcho, located on the seashore, we chose the guest house With You, a two-minute walk from the bus station. For 4 nights we paid 206,270 ₩ (11,079 RUR) and got a double room with a bathroom, washing machine and breakfast.

Cherry blossom festivals

Cherry blossom festivals in Seoul were held in three parks: Yuido, Namsan and near the Lotte World amusement park.

We only managed to visit the first two. Entry is free everywhere.

Sakura blooms for only 7-10 days in the first half of April. Flowering dates depend on the weather: if the spring is cold, flowering will be late, and vice versa.

Some companies are adapting to the cherry blossoms: for example, Starbucks and Coffee Bean produce coffee glasses with pink cherry blossoms on them. And beer producers make cherry-flavored drinks in special packaging.

What else to see in South Korea In Seoul. Tourists come to the South Korean capital for three reasons: to test Hi-tech , look at the palaces and eat delicious food. At Seoul airport, tourists are greeted by robots that tell them how to get to the desired sector or boarding gate. In the subway and shopping centers there are huge panels with touchscreens, and in tourist centers

robots recognize speech and respond in different languages. South Korea also has the fastest wireless Internet in the world - 5G.

We started our exploration of Seoul with a visit to the palaces. A combined ticket to all palaces of the Joseon Dynasty costs 10,000 ₩ (560 RUR). It is sold only at the box office and is valid for a month. The ticket includes visits to Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Deoksugung, Changgyeonggung palaces and Jongmyo Shrine.

The palaces have large territories, and the buildings themselves have been perfectly preserved since the 14th century. The buildings are similar to each other in architecture and interior decoration, but the surrounding space of each palace is decorated in a special way.

In the first half of April, sakura blossomed everywhere, and visitors had photo sessions in traditional costumes.

Width="1000" height="459" class="outline-bordered" style="max-width: 1000px; height: auto" data-bordered="true"> Combined ticket, which saved us time in queues at the ticket office , and another 4000 ₩ (about 200 R) To Jeju the main thing is nature. This is an island of volcanic origin, on which there are several national parks

and other natural attractions. Everywhere there is an entrance fee, tickets cost us 34,000 ₩ (2000 RUR). Seongsan Ilchulbong Park - the island's visiting card and object world heritage UNESCO. Dormant volcano

there it rises straight out of the sea and is connected to the mainland by a small isthmus. The crater is surrounded by a crown of sharp rocks, and in the center it is overgrown with grass and resembles a huge football field. We bought a ticket there on the spot for 2000 ₩ (112 R).

O'Sulloc is a tea plantation that stretches to the horizon. The O’Sulloc Tea House museum is also located here. It tells visitors about the tea culture of Korea: the history and traditions, as well as the processes of growing and preparing tea. We tried different types of tea with desserts. Visiting the plantations and museum is free. Cheonjeyeon is a place in Seogwipo Province where a river flows out of a cave and forms first a crystal clear pool and then a cascade of three waterfalls. People move between waterfalls along special wooden paths. Admission ticket

costs 2500 ₩ (140 R).

Jeongbang Falls is the only waterfall in Asia that falls directly into the sea. Its height is 23 meters and its width reaches 8 meters during the rainy season. The ticket costs 2000 ₩ (112 R).

4424 R

Hallasan Volcano is located in the center of Jeju Island. It is popular among hiking fans. In fact, in Hallasan National Park there is not one volcano, but as many as 368 so-called oreums - side cones of one big volcano. Hiking routes open all year round, their length is from 6 to 10 km depending on the slope.

Due to the sharp difference in altitude in some areas, the climb takes up to 5 hours. Therefore, you need to be at the top no later than 14:00, otherwise you will not have time to descend before dark. This is strictly monitored by local rangers. Entrance to the park is free. I advise you to arrive by 9 a.m. to secure a parking space, otherwise you will have to leave your car far from the park entrance.

Sokcho- city on east coast Korean Peninsula. We found the local beach completely deserted. The swimming season there lasts from June to September, and in April the water temperature is only about +14 °C. There is a pine forest around the beach.

Seoraksan National Park and hot springs are the main attractions of this region. Entrance to the national park costs 7,000 ₩ (392 R). There are several hiking trails in the park, but only two were open in April: to the top of Mount Ulsanbawi and to the waterfalls. Both routes, with a total length of 12 km, can easily be completed in one day. Bring a windproof jacket as it can be windy at the top.

After hiking and climbing the mountain, we went to Cheoksan Hot Springs. Entrance costs 7,000 ₩ (412 R) per person. Men and women bathe separately. We counted 10 pools with water of different temperatures.

Cafes and restaurants

Korean restaurants are a godsend for budget-conscious tourists. When you order any dish, you will receive 3 to 7 additional appetizers and a bottle of water for free. Also, in South Korea it is not customary to leave a tip.

Local residents said that it is cheaper to eat in a cafe than to cook at home. Therefore, in the evenings the establishments are crowded and noisy: after a hard day at work, locals go out to dinner and drink “soju” - a traditional Korean alcoholic drink infused with sweet potatoes. We didn’t like the soju; in my opinion, it’s even worse than Russian moonshine.

“Is it true that all Koreans eat dogs?” - the first question that my friends asked me when I returned from Korea. This is the same myth as the fact that bears walk the streets in Russia. If anyone eats dogs there, it’s only older Koreans in special restaurants. They can serve “posinthan,” or “longevity soup,” which is very expensive even by the standards of people with an average monthly salary of $4,000.

Korean street food is cheap and tasty. Here's what we were recommended to try, everything costs up to 2000 ₩ (112 R):

1. Dak-kochi - skewers of chicken and vegetables, hearty and especially tasty with your choice of sauce.
2. Pondegi (Beondegi or Pupa) are steamed silkworm pupae, which we didn’t dare try because of the smell, but Koreans swallow them like seeds.
3. Tteokbokki is a broth with savory dumplings made from mashed rice in the shape of a sausage.
4. Twigim - seafood, vegetables or deep-fried potatoes.
5. Gyeran-ppang - egg in bread.

RUB 41,860

spent on food

To save money, we had breakfast at the hotel, ate ready-made food from the supermarket in the afternoon, and had dinner in a cafe. Food prices are approximately the same throughout the country:

• dumplings with pork or beef in a cafe with a Michelin star - 15,000 ₩ (55 R);
• sashimi at the fish market - from 15,000 ₩ (855 R);
• a dish in a diner for locals without a menu in English - 9000 ₩ (514 R);
• chicken kebab, fried shrimp, small flatbreads, kimbap roll, egg in a bun from a street stall and other street food - about 2000 ₩ (115 RUR).

In Seoul, the eateries at the Tongin market don’t speak English at all, but they serve three of the most popular soups in Korea, starting at 7,000 ₩ (380 RUR):

• samgyetang - spicy chicken soup with ginseng, which, according to legend, helps against all diseases;
• gamjatang - rich soup made from pork, potatoes and vegetables;
• yukgaejang - thick spicy soup in beef broth with fern and mushrooms.

width="1000" height="667" class="outline-bordered" style="max-width: 1000px; height: auto" data-bordered="true"> We have dinner at a cafe in Jeju. A large portion of soup and rice cost 7000 ₩ (about 400 R), they were served with snacks

Street food in Seoul. The portions are small, and to get enough food you still need to spend the same amount as in a cafe

Supermarkets

Sometimes we bought ready-made food in supermarkets. Prices for dishes from the culinary department in supermarkets are about 30% lower than in any cafe. At 7-Eleven and CU we took onigiri triangles - this is rice with filling, wrapped in nori seaweed leaves, they cost 700-1000 ₩ (40 -60 R) per piece. When scanning at the checkout, the system warned if the onigiri expired on the same day.

In general, products in South Korea are much more expensive than in Russia:

• 1 kg of strawberries - 9900 ₩ (565 R);
• 16 packs of Activia yogurt - 6000 ₩ (342 R);
• 1 kg of bananas - 5980 ₩ (341 R);
• 15 eggs - 4890 ₩ (280 R);
• 1 kg of apples - 1480 ₩ (85 R);
• instant noodles - 800 ₩ (45 R).

141 R

costs a liter of milk in a supermarket - because Koreans practically don’t drink milk

Locals often eat instant noodles. In Seoul, we came across a special ramen soup machine right next to a mini market.

	A pack of dry ramen is sold in a special package, where you put the noodles and all other ingredients, and then fill it with water from the machine. Without noodles, the machine will not work.
width="495" height="667" class="" style="max-width: 495px; height: auto"> At the eMart supermarket you can eat in the food court. The price of one dish is 7000 ₩ (about 400 RUR)	width="495" height="667" class="" style="max-width: 495px; height: auto"> Onigiri is a triangle of rice with filling. Healthy snack for 40 RUR

width="495" height="667" class="" style="max-width: 495px; height: auto"> Sushi from the supermarket. The price of such a package is 19,000 ₩ (about 1080 RUR). If the set is not purchased within 3-4 hours, it will be given a 30% discount.

width="495" height="667" class="" style="max-width: 495px; height: auto"> At the eMart supermarket you can eat in the food court. The price of one dish is 7000 ₩ (about 400 R) width="495" height="667" class="" style="max-width: 495px; height: auto"> Onigiri is a triangle of rice with filling. Healthy snack for 40 R width="495" height="667" class="" style="max-width: 495px; height: auto"> Sushi from the supermarket. The price of such a package is 19,000 ₩ (about 1080 R). If the set is not purchased within 3-4 hours, it will be given a 30% discount.

Public transport

In Seoul and Sokcho, we used public transport and paid for the trip with a T-Money card.

The T-Money card must be applied to the turnstiles at the entrance, exit and at transfers, so the final price of the trip is clear only at the exit of the transport. For subway travel with two transfers from Incheon Airport to the station where our guest house was, we paid about 8,000 ₩ (450 R). We saved about 500 ₩ (27 R) on this trip using the card.

Bus fares depend on their type. In Seoul, yellow buses run around the city center, green buses run within city districts, blue buses run between districts, and red buses go to the suburbs. Travel can be paid in cash or by T-Money card - travel on yellow buses costs 1,200 ₩ (68 R).

On the day of our flight to Moscow, a taxi driver approached us on the street and offered to take us to the airport for 30,000 ₩ (1690 RUR) for two. We agreed because it would have cost us the same amount to take a shuttle bus to Incheon Airport, which is located 35 km from Seoul. In the taxi we paid with the same T-Money card.

It took us two hours to get from Seoul to Sokcho. intercity bus. The price of a ticket depends on the type of bus: on a regular intercity bus it costs 13,800 ₩ (805 RUR) per person, and on a luxury bus with leather seats, like in business class on an airplane, and increased legroom - 17,900 ₩ (1052 RUR ).

RUB 23,372

we spent on transport

The transport system in South Korea is well developed: there are many buses, all routes are described in detail, there are information boards at stops, however, all the information is only in Korean. So, without outside help, it’s impossible to figure out how to get to the right place: Google Maps doesn’t work in South Korea, and standalone maps.me doesn’t show public transport routes.

One day we were walking around the city when suddenly it started to rain. At the nearest bus stop there were 20 routes, which one is ours is a mystery. We asked advice from local residents who were also waiting for the bus, showing them our address on the map. guest house. Five people immediately got involved in a heated discussion and eventually gave us the route number - and we successfully got home. We were impressed that all the people at the stop volunteered to help.

Width="1000" height="667" class="outline-bordered" style="max-width: 1000px; height: auto" data-bordered="true"> Every subway station in Seoul has automatic lockers. We handed over our things for 6 hours and paid 8,000 ₩ (about 450 RUR) for it. Storage of things was paid for with the same T-Money card

Car rent

On Jeju Island, we rented a car from the Sixt rental company. The reservation was made online through the Skyscanner website a month before the trip.

Five days of renting a Kia Morning with an automatic transmission cost us 102,600 ₩ (5572 R). The price also included unlimited mileage, insurance against accidents and theft, and a built-in navigator. Russian and international rights were required from the documents. They didn’t take a deposit from us, but they recorded our data credit card.

An International Driving Permit is not valid without a National Driving Permit in any country that is a signatory to the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic

The rental company was located outside of Jeju Airport, but they sent a free bus to pick us up. On the spot, we signed the rental agreement, inspected the car, recorded all damage and fuel level.

It took us 5 days to calmly explore all the sights of the island. We drove 300 km. We spent 52,470 ₩ (3102 R) on gasoline. The roads are good everywhere, we didn’t meet any reckless drivers. We saw several police checkpoints, so it’s better to follow the traffic rules.

Jeju has both paid and free parking. The cost of parking in a multi-level parking lot is 5000 ₩ (90 RUR) per day, we paid for it at a machine or at a kiosk on the ground floor of the parking lot.

To save money in South Korea

1. To travel on public transport, buy a T-Money pass.
2. When booking hotels, compare prices on different aggregators.
3. Go to local eateries - they taste better and are cheaper.
4. Buy ready-made food at 7-Eleven, GS25, eMart and CU supermarkets - they are very tasty.
5. It is more profitable to buy combined tickets to visit several attractions at once.

13453 August 30, 2019 Map Icon - Neutral Kim Jong-Un by Benjamin Bours from the Noun Project Tags

A holiday in South Korea will certainly give you vivid impressions and emotions. The combination of modern cities with skyscrapers, traditional Korean culture and architecture, picturesque national parks, beautiful beaches, flavored with developed infrastructure, will make a trip to this country comfortable and memorable.

South Korea looks especially advantageous for residents Far East Russia, because it’s closer to fly here than to Moscow and the European part of the country.

I present to your attention a large useful material about traveling to South Korea, where you will learn how to get there cheaply, how to get around, where to live, what to see, and how much the trip will cost.

Koreans

Visa to South Korea: is it necessary?

Since 2014, Russians can enter the country without a visa if their stay does not exceed 60 days (but not more than 90 days a year).

Documents for visa-free entry to South Korea:

• a passport that is valid for at least six months from the date of entry
• a completed migration card, which will be given to you on the plane or other transport
• completed customs declaration (if there is something to declare)

Instructions for filling out a migration card

I also saw on the Internet that you need return air tickets and proof of availability Money(hotel reservations, bank certificate, cash, etc.). But they didn’t ask us anything from this list; we arrived on a flight from Kuala Lumpur. However, I advise you to do it just in case.

Hotel reservations can be made at Booking (select the “free cancellation” option).

How to make an air ticket reservation without payment, I wrote in detail in. Although it would be ideal if you have real return tickets.

If you plan to stay in SC longer, you will need a visa. They can be workers, students, or researchers.

How to get to South Korea cheaply?

Most convenient way to get to the country - to fly by plane, as most tourists do.

There are direct flights from Russia to South Korea from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Khabarovsk and Vladivostok.

There are direct flights to Daegu from Khabarovsk and Vladivostok by T’Way Air and Hanh Air at a price of approximately 13-15 thousand rubles in both directions.

There are direct flights to Seoul from Vladivostok (S7, Aeroflot, Jeju Air, Korean Air), from Moscow (Aeroflot, Korean Air), from St. Petersburg (Aeroflot), from Khabarovsk (S7, Aeroflot, Asiana Airlines).

There are direct flights to Busan from Vladivostok (Aeroflot).

The cheapest way to get to South Korea is to catch a sale on the Korean low-cost airline Jeju Air from Vladivostok to Seoul. Once they sold tickets for 3,000 rubles one way and 6,000 round-trip. Unfortunately, sales don't happen that often.

Airfare from Moscow

Read also:

Ferries

Ferry service between Vladivostok and Donghae on the Eastern Dreams liner is operated by DBS Ferry. The ferry departs Vladivostok at 14:00 (local time) and arrives in South Korea at 10:00 the next day. IN reverse direction— departure at 14:00, arrival at 15:00 the next day. During the winter season the schedule changes.

Transport in South Korea

Aircraft

The largest airlines are Korean Air and Asiana Airlines, which have flights between the capital and other cities of the country, as well as between provincial cities.

Also, pay attention to Air Busan, Jeju Air, Eastar Jet, T'way Airlines, Hanh Air if you are planning to take a domestic flight.

Jeju Air counter at Jeju Airport

Prices are low, discounts are common at the beginning of the work week, but on weekends tickets are more expensive, and they sell out quickly. For example, we flew from Jeju to Busan for only 48,000 won for two (with 15 kg of luggage each).

Trains in Korea

The country also has a convenient railway system, although it does not cover all regions.

KTX High Speed ​​Train

Trains come in three main classes:

KTX- high-speed, fly from Seoul to Busan in two and a half hours (costs 59,800 won in economy class, 83,700 won in first class)

Saemaul- stop only at major cities, the same way costs 42,600 won.

Mugunghwa- the slowest, but still comfortable. Seoul-Busan costs 28,600 won.

If you plan to travel a lot by train, buy an unlimited KR Pass, it will be more profitable. A one-day pass costs 81,000 won, and a three-day pass costs 113,000 won.

You can buy tickets at railway stations, travel agencies, as well as on the official website of Korean Railways. You can also check the train schedule there in advance.

Buses

The bus system in the country is very developed, with thousands of buses plying the roads between all major and minor cities. There is no place you can't reach.

Buses are divided into express and intersity, which often arrive at different terminals in the same city. The first ones run between the main ones big cities, the second - between smaller provincial ones. In addition, there are also varieties by class: Ilban (regular) and Udeung (superior, with three seats in a row). Night buses are usually superior with an appropriate price.

Intercity bus

VIP bus with three seats in a row

In general, the bus ride is quite comfortable, the driver makes stops every 2-3 hours, and the roads have all the infrastructure with cafes, toilets and entire shopping complexes.

As a rule, there is no need to buy tickets in advance, except on holidays and weekends. This can be done at the bus station before departure. You can view the schedule in advance at (select English in the upper right corner).

Bus station in Busan

Ticket vending machine

Car rental in Korea

To rent a car in Korea, you will need an international license (issued more than a year ago), and you must be over 21 years old. The road infrastructure here is well developed: you will find equipped parking lots, campsites, cafes, gas stations... The roads are chic and wide with dividing fences and multi-level interchanges.

Road infrastructure is excellent

Ferries

Ferries operate to numerous islands. We did not sail on these (more precisely, only from Jeju Island to Udo Island), but all information about schedules and prices can be found in the ports.

Ferry from Jeju Island to Udo Island

Local city transport

The best way to save money on traveling around cities is to buy a special transport T-money card. It is sold in special machines in the subway (on arrival at the airport too), or in supermarkets GS25, CU, 7-11 and costs 2000-2500 won. You can also top up your balance there. When entering and exiting the metro or bus, simply lean it against the special machine.

What is the main advantage of this card? It gives you a 100 won discount on each trip, plus the ability to travel on another mode of transport for free if you transfer within 30 minutes. Thus, it pays for itself in a day. We spent the rest of the card at a supermarket at Seoul airport before our flight.

The metro is the most convenient urban transport; there are subways in the 6 largest Korean cities. The fare usually starts from 1,100 won; for long distances it is a little more expensive. We have never paid more than 1800 won for a subway.

Subway in Seoul

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Buses are also a good option for getting around; they usually cover the entire city from the center to the outskirts and nearest suburbs. The fare is also about 1000-1200 won and also depends on the distance.

Bus at Jeju Airport

In large cities it is possible to rent a bicycle (in Seoul it is generally free, but you need a passport). List of points with free bicycle rental.

For paid ones, the price starts from 3000-4000 won per hour, sometimes you can rent for 15,000 for the whole day.

When is the best time to go?

The best months to visit South Korea are April, May, September and October (if you plan to actively travel around the country) and from mid-June to September (if beach holidays are your priority).

In winter, you should come only if you plan to ski in the Olympic PyeongChang and the surrounding area; it is at this time that there is snow in the mountains and all the conditions for a ski holiday.

In spring the weather here is warmer than in Russia. April is famous for cherry blossoms, it looks really incredible, and May is like summer in central Russia. However, there may be a chilly wind in the evenings, so bring sweaters.

In summer, the beach season opens from late June to early September. It's hot and humid. Ideal time for beach holiday at any of the many resorts, the most famous are Jeju Island and Busan.

At the end of September-October, autumn takes its toll and the trees turn yellow-red. Best time for trekking and visiting national parks, and it’s not so hot anymore.

When is the best time to go to Korea: spring and autumn

Housing

Finding a place to stay overnight in Korea is not a problem. In any more or less tourist city you will find a large selection of accommodation from hostels to decent hotels of global chains.

If you are traveling alone, hostels are the best option. But sometimes it’s more profitable for two people to rent a hotel room.

You can book hotels on the website, which collects in one place offers from different reservation systems, such as booking.

An interesting accommodation option could be a hanok - a traditional Korean house converted into a guesthouse. You will sleep on the floor on a mattress, but the floors are heated, so the house is warm. A list of such houses throughout the country can be found here (Korean only).

You can feel like a Buddhist monk and spend the night in a monastery thanks to the Templestay program. More than 100 temples across the country are accessible to travelers. More details on the official program.

Tents on the beach in Busan

National parks offer the opportunity to spend the night in campsites and shelters. It’s not expensive at all, besides, there is the necessary infrastructure and amenities, and you don’t have to drag a tent from home with you :) List of campsites with prices throughout the country. Select a national park and look for the “Fee” section in the left menu.

Renting apartments from the owners will be beneficial for families with children, large companies and simply those who like to feel at home. To do this, search at

The most high prices and demand for hotels in July, August, September on the coast and in October, November in national parks and nearby. Therefore, if you are traveling during this period, it is better to book in advance.

Breakfast is rarely included in the price, but there are still such options, it is very convenient. The staff usually speaks reasonable English, unless you go completely off the beaten track.

Holidays in South Korea: resorts and attractions

Holidays in South Korea are quite varied. There are both beach and ski resorts here, despite the small size of the country.

The peninsula is washed by three seas on three sides, so there is a lot to choose from among beach resorts. The most popular resort in South Korea, among both locals and tourists, is the volcanic Jeju Island. Magnificent volcanic sand beaches, stunning landscapes and clear seas make it a very popular holiday destination.

On Jeju Island

Udo Island and the volcano in the distance

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pay attention to Busan- the second largest city in the country and at the same time beach resort with several cool beaches and developed infrastructure.

Holidays in Korea - Bridge in Busan

Colorful neighborhood in Busan

Huengdae Beach in Busan

On west coast located Daecheon, known primarily for its healing mud.

Be sure to visit at least one of the national parks: Seoraksan, Bukhansan, Woraksan, Kayasan and others.

In Seoraksan Park

Travel to South Korea

Of course, you cannot ignore the South Korean capital - Seoul with its contrasts. It has everything you can imagine: giant skyscrapers, amusement parks, royal palaces, shopping centers, markets...

Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul

Changdeokgung Palace

Since January 1 of this year, it has become much easier for Russian tourists to get to South Korea. However, the same can be said about Koreans who want to visit Russia. A visa-free regime began to operate in bilateral relations. Korea - interesting country, there is something to see, where to relax and how to spend your time interestingly. RG previously wrote about the sights of Korea, and the Koreans themselves, for the most part, leave a favorable impression.

According to the latest data, the introduction of a visa-free regime has led to an increase in the number of Russian tourists in Korea by 36%, and 61% more Koreans came to Russia than a year earlier, when visas for tourist trips were still required. Recently, the South Korean government announced that it would rely on attracting Russians to the country. Thus, according to the plans of the Korean government, by 2017 the number of Russians visiting Korea should double, reaching 350 thousand people.

In general, we can confidently say that Russia and South Korea have a chance to become even closer to each other and get to know each other better. “The more often we go to visit each other, the better we will be able to understand: Russians are Koreans, and Koreans are Russians. The importance of public diplomacy has been growing more and more in recent years, and therefore a visa-free regime will serve to form a more objective image of Russia in the South Korea,” said Andrei Osmakov, Consul General of the Russian Federation in Busan, in an interview with Rossiyskaya Gazeta.

With this publication we continue the series of RG articles devoted to the introduction of a visa-free regime between Russia and South Korea.

"Russian newspaper": Let's follow the entire chain that a Russian faces when visiting South Korea under a visa-free regime. Where should I start?

Consul: To begin with, let's say that the official name of the document, which came into force on January 1, 2014, is as follows: Agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Republic of Korea on the mutual abolition of visa requirements. Entered new mode does not mean the abolition of visas altogether, and therefore, on the eve of departure, you need to decide whether you need a visa. Let us emphasize right away: regardless of the duration of your visit - even if you are going for one week - you need a visa if you are going to study or work in Korea. You will have to receive it, and this is explicitly stated in the agreement. Visas are not required only for those traveling to Korea for tourism purposes or on a business trip.

"RG": Judging by the responses, many are interested in the question of the length of possible stay without a visa. It's kind of a confusing system...

"TO": It's not that complicated, everything is quite simple. The principle is this: within 180 days, that is, in six months, you can visit Korea for a total of no more than 90 days without a visa. But at the same time, each visit cannot be more than 60 days. That is, you have a limit of 90 days in six months, and you “choose” it: you can have 60+30, you can have 30+30+30, you can have nine times ten, etc., but in any case you can’t be more each time 60 days in a row. That is, 65 + 25 will not work. The 180-day period within which your 90 days is determined is counted from the date you entered Korea. Once it has expired, a new one begins, where you are again allowed to be without a visa for a total of up to 90 days, but no more than 60 days in one visit.

"RG": That's sorted out. I’m traveling as a tourist, and therefore I don’t need a visa, I don’t plan to stay more than 60 days. I started going through passport control and...

"TO": And here again there is one “BUT”, which applies in any country, including South Korea. Even if you do not need a visa, the country's authorities may deny you entry without giving a reason. As they often write on the visas themselves: “Having a visa does not guarantee your entry into the country. The final decision is made on the spot by a migration control officer.” And there is no use in being indignant, “demanding a consul” - it is the right of the host country not to let anyone in. And the authorities are not obliged to explain the reason. At the same time, it is useless to contact or call the Russian Federation missions in Korea - the migration service will not explain anything to diplomats, and any attempts to put pressure on it will be interpreted as “interference in internal affairs.”

"RG": Did this happen often in reality? Based on your experience...

"TO": Let's put it this way: when the Korean authorities refused entry, they usually had good reasons for this. They didn’t always voice the reasons, but it was just like, “I’m in a bad mood - fly back to Russia” - I don’t remember that. As a rule, they “deployed” those who had previously had some kind of “sins” in Korea: perhaps they had been given a suspended sentence, or were put on the “black list” for one reason or another. In general, all this does not come out of the blue and, as a rule, the “offended” themselves understood “where the legs grow from” such an attitude, but did not always admit it.

"RG": It may well be that someone previously had some problems with the law in Korea, he returned to Russia and now wants to visit Korea again. What do you recommend to those so that he is not immediately sent home on the next plane?

"TO": On the eve of the trip, you need to go to the Korean embassy or consulate, explain the situation and ask the Korean authorities to find out if there are any complaints against him. But only the Korean authorities themselves can do this. Russian diplomats cannot find out this for every Russian, and the Koreans are not obliged to provide us with such information. And if you do this personally, then they should tell you: you can go or there are still some claims against you. And one more thing: you should not hope that you will be able to deceive the system and “slip” through a roundabout route to Korea. Everything is entered into common base data that the Koreans, with their technology, have in excellent condition. And therefore, at every point of entry - be it at the airport of Seoul, even in Busan, even in the port of Sokcho, in general, anywhere, everyone will know about you. There is a single database here.

"TO": Even if you do not need a visa, the officer has every right to ask you where you are going to live. You need to know the exact address of residence. It will be great if you print out the booking sheet from the hotel. This should be enough. There may be other clarifying questions of a general nature, but, as a rule, this does not happen - no one wants to create a queue. Usually, questions begin when your entry document (a small tear-off coupon that is filled out at the entrance) is filled out so that questions inevitably arise.
And again I would like to draw the attention of potential students. If you are going to Korea on a tourist visa, but have written that you will live at the university, then you will have questions and you may not be allowed in. We repeat: if you are going to study, get a study visa, even if you will only study for a month. If it becomes clear that you have decided to use visa-free regime(and this is directly prohibited by the agreement), then you will most likely be returned back.

"RG": Okay, we passed passport control and here it is - the long-awaited Korea. What is your general impression of the Korean police? Have you ever heard of law enforcement officers trying to somehow find fault with foreigners, as they say, “out of the blue”?

"TO": The Korean police simply, without explanation, according to the law, have the right to detain any person for 48 hours, that is, for two days. They must then file charges, extending the detention to 10 days, after which they must transfer the case to the prosecutor's office. But in practice, no one in this country will detain you “just like that.” If you have been detained, believe me, there is most likely a reason.

Korean police are very friendly. If you are lost or don’t know something, feel free to come up and ask, this is perceived as normal. Most likely, a “standard” Korean police officer will be able to say at least a couple of words in English. Many of the police are young guys who serve in the police instead of the army. So there is no need to be afraid of them, and they are friendly. I haven’t heard about any “harassment of foreigners out of the blue.” If you do not violate Korean laws, then no one will even think of approaching you, the police have a lot of their own things to do, and a foreigner is always a difficult situation in legal terms, various formalities and so on. In general, the likelihood that a police officer will start looking for a reason to “extort” something from you is very, very small, almost zero. Here, even a passport is extremely rarely just asked for.

"RG": Do I need to carry my passport with me?

"TO": It is better to store it in a hotel safe so as not to lose it yourself through negligence. And just in case, you can make a copy of the first page of your passport and carry it with you. In the vast majority of cases this will be enough.

"RG": It is clear that Korea is a very safe and civilized country. But maybe there are laws and rules that we may not know about, and therefore we may find ourselves in conflict with local laws simply out of ignorance?

"TO": This situation is possible. It's difficult to cover all possible issues, but one feature of South Korea immediately comes to mind. Consider the peculiarities of inter-Korean relations. The country has a National Security Law that prohibits the import and distribution of materials from the DPRK. And this is no joke. This can result in serious punishment, including prison terms. In practical terms, this means that there is no need to bring North Korean newspapers, books, badges to South Korea, or offer to listen to North Korean songs, etc. You should also not agitate for the “Land of Juche” - this also falls under the National Security Law. By the way, the South Korean authorities are blocking Internet access to North Korean websites. And we do not advise you to try to get to North Korean sites from the territory of the South. Overall, don't take any chances with this one. Local authorities will also most likely warn you first, and only then “punish you to the fullest extent,” but they can deport you if you give a reason in this direction.

"RG": Well, can we talk about politics or is everything too strict?

"TO": It's already quite liberal here. The opposition is influential in South Korea; many Koreans themselves will be the first to tell you what, in their opinion, their leadership is doing wrong. You can calmly talk, ask, discuss here, including about policy towards the DPRK. Many South Koreans may ask you about this themselves, knowing that Russia is actively cooperating with both Seoul and Pyongyang. This is as much as you want, but, we repeat, there is no need to bring and distribute packs of newspapers from the DPRK. This will be punished quickly and severely.

"RG": Is there anything else that Korea is strict with?

"TO": Very strict with weapons, drugs, violence in any form. Any hint of involvement in this means you immediately come under the close attention of the police and intelligence services. The very weak distribution of drugs and weapons in Korea is primarily the merit of the authorities. They are fighting this very hard. Even a starting pistol will be considered as a weapon; in general, no “traumatic guns,” “pneumatic guns,” “weed guns,” or anything else.

Korean police officers look very friendly, and they are. But if you have given reason to suspect yourself of something illegal, then this whole system will immediately show its rigidity, thoroughness, and uncompromisingness. This is the case that “everyone is good as long as you are good.” Do not try to offer bribes - this will only complicate the situation and worsen your chances of receiving the most lenient punishment.

"RG": Let's say I wanted to stay in Korea, work or study, then...

"TO": Then you must personally appear at the Immigration Service and find out all the rules and procedures. It is possible that you will still have to leave the country to do this. But only employees of the Immigration Service can answer these questions; the embassy and consulate of the Russian Federation does not have the right to interfere in these issues. Only the applicant himself and only personally...

"RG": It is clear that no one will look for problems of their own free will, but in life anything can happen. What are your tips?

"TO": Standard and well-known: try not to find yourself in such situations, do not visit questionable establishments, if you drink alcohol, do it in moderation. Many “stories” occur precisely after excessive drinking. And you don’t have to give up. Fighting, even if you just push a Korean, is perceived very badly and is punished severely.

There is one peculiarity of Korean legislation. Let's say you got into a fight with someone, and then came to an agreement with him, even paid him money as compensation. But then this person can still go to the police and write a statement against you with all the legal consequences. It is enough for him to bring two witnesses who will confirm his words and the police will begin an investigation. And “we agreed or we didn’t agree” - that’s your problem.

By the way, it’s the same thing if you went to the police, they interrogated you, but then you - the offender and the victim - decided to come to an agreement. If there was any damage and a case was initiated, then the investigation and trial will take place regardless of the fact of reconciliation between the parties. This may be taken into account, but the fact that “the one whose nose you broke no longer has any complaints” is not an argument for the Korean Themis. Once a case has been opened, it must be completed and the culprit punished.

"RG": Let's say that for one reason or another a Russian found himself in some unpleasant situation, he was brought to the police station and began to be interrogated. What do you advise?

"TO": If you don’t speak Korean confidently, ask for a Russian translator. This is your right, which they are obliged to fulfill and will fulfill. Demand clearly and adamantly - this is not the first time that the Korean police have encountered Russians, they have lists of people who help them as translators, so demand. If you think that the translator does not speak Russian well and does not provide the proper level of mutual understanding with the police representative, demand that the translator be replaced. This is again your right. And demand that the consulate or embassy be notified. The police should also do this at your request.

"RG": Maybe something else when communicating with the police?

"TO": General rule: if you don’t understand something, never sign, ask for clarification and translation. If you were released after being handed “some pieces of paper”, do not throw them away, but figure out what they are. There are frequent cases when a person was released, obliging him to appear upon request. And if you don’t show up, it will be interpreted not in your favor and the maximum possible punishment will be imposed. There were cases when compatriots were released from the police, they left, and then at the border when they returned to Korea again, immigration would no longer let them in. It turned out that the case was not closed, the Russian was summoned for repeated interrogations, although he had already gone abroad, then a trial, a verdict in absentia and a “black list”. So make sure that there are no more claims against you, and do not throw away any documents or certificates you have received. Koreans have an open judicial system and on the relevant websites you can find out everything using your case number - what the result is, sanctions, etc.

"RG": What line of behavior do you recommend choosing?

"TO": From experience in dealing with various conflicts, I will say that there are two tactics of behavior. Some categorically deny everything completely and say: “Just try and prove it!” The latter admit everything and ask for leniency. Therefore, if there really was an incident and you were taken “into the case,” then you must confess and repent. Most likely (if the conversation is not about serious crimes) you will simply be deported and given a suspended sentence. And then you can enter again, you just need to make sure that your “non-entry period” has expired. And there is no need to show off, saying, “where are my fingerprints and other objective evidence,” knowing that in fact “something happened.” Based on circumstantial evidence, they can assign a serious sentence, and this is most likely what will happen. The Korean court does not like such self-confident suspects.

“RG”: The “beach holiday” season will begin soon, what should we keep in mind?

"TO": Please note that in Korea swimming season only from mid-July to the end of August. Many beaches close at night. This is especially true for small towns and villages. At night on closed beaches It’s better not to interfere, and even during the non-swimming season. Even during the swimming season, no one will let you swim far. Usually an area is fenced off where you can reach the bottom with your feet - and splash around there. And if you decide to swim further away, then the rescuers will immediately return you back. So the situation here is somewhat different than on the beaches familiar to Russians.

We also strongly advise against photographing local girls in swimsuits - at least without their explicit and clear consent to do so. On all major beaches, announcements are constantly made asking people to report such “photographers” to the police. We know of a case where Indonesians were detained for photographing Korean women on the beach and then deported.

"RG": Many perceive eastern countries as an analogue of Thailand in terms of the prevalence of the sex industry.

"TO": Wrong country. It is prohibited in Korea, although it is present in one form or another. And everyone will answer - the “priestess of love” herself, the pimp and the client. In general, this exists, but it is punishable, and therefore we do not recommend it.

"RG": And finally, a few words about transport, traffic on the roads.

"TO": Yes, public transport is convenient here. Bus service is very well developed, excellent high-speed KTX trains, and affordable taxi prices. A convenient and clean metro, which is available not only in Seoul, but also in other large cities - Busan, Daegu, Incheon. In general, public transport is very good, but there are a lot of cars on the roads, and therefore you need to be careful. Cars sometimes drive through a red traffic light, they may try not to let pedestrians pass, etc., although, as they say, this does not amount to “lawlessness on the roads,” there is generally order here.

"RG": Recently, many Russians have been actively using car rental, and here the number of potential conflict situations is increasing. Your advice, comments?

"TO": Yes, when Russians get behind the wheel, they often begin to look at Koreans differently. On the other hand, the roads here are simply wonderful, convenient system road numbering. As for advice... Firstly, don’t delude yourself that you rarely see the transport police. Everything here is in cells, and therefore when needed, they will appear very quickly. The “Korean style” of driving should also be taken into account: some may not use turn signals when changing lanes. The driving style of taxi drivers and buses is often similar to our minibuses: sudden lane changes, fairly aggressive driving, can cut you off, and therefore you need to be careful with them. I wouldn’t say about ordinary Koreans that they are better or worse drivers than Russians.

"RG": Nobody wants to get into an accident, but it is better to know how to behave. What are your tips?

"TO": Of course, it is better to let a reckless driver pass, even if he is wrong, than to get into an accident with him. Litigations usually take place between commissioners of insurance companies, and therefore it is important to take out insurance when renting a car. There is one Korean peculiarity: even if you are innocent by Russian standards, but committed a movement, then some part of the insured amount will be “hung” on you. It may be 10-20%, but it is rarely accepted that only one side is entirely to blame. This is a general approach and not an attempt to deceive foreigners. Perhaps you have to stand in a parking lot or in front of a traffic light for 0% to be written down. Otherwise, even if it is entirely the other party’s fault, they will also write you at least 5%.

In the case of pedestrians, it is better to let them pass everywhere and always, even if they cross in the wrong places. If you hit someone while driving, even if the pedestrian violated the rules, then 99.9% of the time the driver of the car will be found guilty. The situation is similar with motorcycles and mopeds. They drive very dangerously, but if there is a collision, then, from the police point of view, the car will most likely be at fault. The principle here is this: whoever is weaker and more vulnerable is right, according to the police. This is what we were told at one time in the Transport Police Review Group. Therefore, be very careful with pedestrians, mopeds, and motorcycles.

"RG": Well, maybe you want to say something to those who are planning to come to Korea?

"TO": We've done a lot of work to answer most common questions up front. Therefore, we strongly advise you to visit the website of our embassy in Seoul and consulate general in Busan (listed below in the “help” - RG note) - there are tips, recommendations and other useful information, including the full text of the Agreement on the mutual abolition of visa requirements. We advise you to write off your emergency phone number from the website just in case.

If you still have questions, please contact us on our “pages” on Facebook, Twitter or by email. We are always in touch. We respond very quickly on social networks, and we also respond quickly by email - about three to five days.

We also advise you to register with the consulate. This can also be done by personal visit representative offices, but you can also through our websites - there are links there. This will take no more than 5-10 minutes. From time to time it happened that we needed to urgently contact one of the Russians in Korea, but there was no contact information. The question may arise: “Why all this?” The answer is: "Anything can happen." Who knows what could happen at home, with your family or again with you. It may be necessary to tell you something urgently, but they contact us - the consulate or embassy. It's in your best interests.

But overall, we wish you a pleasant stay. South Korea is an interesting country with rich culture and traditions, we hope that when you come here you will only get good impressions.