What currency is used in Seoul?

Seoul uses the South Korean won (KRW).

What is the emergency number in Seoul?

In Seoul, call 112 for police, 119 for fire and ambulance.

How much does a day in Seoul cost?

Roughly $45-70 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $110-180 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.

Is Waypacker free to use in Seoul?

Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.

Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?

Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.

Can I meet locals in Seoul without staying with anyone?

Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.

Will anyone see my exact location?

No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.

Seoul travel guide

South Korea

Royal palaces, granite mountains and a food culture that runs late into the night. Seoul pairs fast, modern neighbourhoods with hanok lanes and hiking trails inside the city limits.

Essentials

Language: Korean; English signage is good on transport, and younger people often speak some English
Currency: South Korean won (KRW)
Plugs: Type C and F, 220 V
Emergency number: 112 for police, 119 for fire and ambulance
Tipping: Tipping is not expected in restaurants, taxis or cafés.

Rough daily budget

Approximate spend per person per day, in US dollars:

Backpacker: $45-70, with a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport.
Mid-range: $110-180, with a private room and restaurant meals.

Last reviewed: October 2026

Where to stay in Seoul

Bukchon: traditional hanok houses between two palaces; people live here, so keep voices down, and the busiest lanes are closed to visitors from 5pm to 10am.
Hongdae: a university area of street performers, live music and cheap eats.
Seongsu-dong: former workshops and factories turned into cafés, studios and small shops.

Getting around Seoul

The subway is clean, punctual and signed in English; a T-money card works on it, on buses and in many taxis. Download a local map app, as international map apps give limited directions in Korea.

Best time to visit Seoul

April to May and September to November, between the humid summer and the cold winter.

Top things to do in Seoul

Watch the changing of the guard at Gyeongbokgung Palace
Hike a granite ridge in Bukhansan National Park on the city's northern edge
Eat mung bean pancakes at the food stalls of Gwangjang Market
Walk the Cheonggyecheon, a restored stream running through the centre
Ride the cable car or walk up Namsan to N Seoul Tower for views over the city

What to eat in Seoul

Bibimbap: rice topped with vegetables, egg and chilli paste, mixed at the table
Samgyeopsal: thick pork belly grilled at your table and wrapped in lettuce
Kimchi jjigae: a spicy stew of fermented cabbage, tofu and pork
Tteokbokki: chewy rice cakes in a sweet, fiery chilli sauce

Day trips from Seoul

The DMZ: the border zone with North Korea, visited only on guided tours, about an hour north
Suwon: the walls and gates of Hwaseong Fortress, about an hour by subway

Local etiquette

Pass and receive things with both hands, especially with older people, and let others pour your drink while you pour theirs. Leave the priority seats on the subway free.

Staying connected

Prepaid SIMs and eSIMs are sold at Incheon Airport and online, and fast free Wi-Fi is widely available, including on the subway.

Staying safe

Seoul has low street crime. Take care with delivery motorbikes, which sometimes ride on pavements, and pace yourself on late nights out.

A local tip

Walk the old city wall through Naksan Park at sunset for views across the city.

Visas:rules depend on your nationality and change often – check your own government's official travel advice before you go.

Meet people in Seoul on Waypacker

Waypacker is a free travel community: stay with ID-verified local hosts, join meetups and city groups, and ask people who live in Seoul for advice. We are new here, so if you live in Seoul, you could be one of the first hosts.

Join free

Questions about Seoul

What currency is used in Seoul?: Seoul uses the South Korean won (KRW).
What is the emergency number in Seoul?: In Seoul, call 112 for police, 119 for fire and ambulance.
When is the best time to visit Seoul?: April to May and September to November, between the humid summer and the cold winter.
How much does a day in Seoul cost?: Roughly $45-70 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $110-180 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.
Is Waypacker free to use in Seoul?: Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.
Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?: Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.
Can I meet locals in Seoul without staying with anyone?: Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.
Will anyone see my exact location?: No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.

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