Travel to South Korea

South Korea: Various travel information

Formalities, visas

German, Austrian and Swiss citizens need a valid passport to enter Korea. In the case of children, it is sufficient if they are entered as an accompanying person in one of the parents’ passports. German, Austrian and Swiss citizens can enter the country as tourists for stays of up to 90 days without a visa.

Local currency, import and export of foreign currency

The national currency of South Korea is the

Won (KRW) = 100 Chon.

Foreign currency such as local currency may be imported up to an amount of the equivalent of 10,000 US dollars. Any additional amounts must be declared. Travelers carrying foreign or Korean currency worth more than US $ 10,000 require approval from the Central Bank of Korea or customs.

Souvenirs, customs regulations

In South Korea you can buy made-to-measure clothing and fabrics such as silk. Gemstones and jewelry are also great souvenirs. Traditional Korean goods include pottery, lacquerware, wood carving and wickerwork.

Any valuables must be declared upon entry into South Korea. There is an import ban for narcotics, weapons, explosives, plants, pornographic images of all kinds, films, audio or video recordings and products from communist countries. Antiques and valuable works of art may only be exported from South Korea with permission.

Goods are duty free

  • Goods purchased outside of Korea with a total value not exceeding US $ 400
  • A bottle of alcohol (not over 1 liter)
  • 200 cigarettes
  • 50 cigars or 250 g tobacco
  • Two ounces of perfume

How do you get to South Korea?

The quickest way to get to South Korea is by plane. The South Korean airlines are called Korean Air (www.koreanair.com) and Asiana Airlines (us.flyasiana.com).

Travel in the country

Air connections The national airline Korean Air operates between Seoul and all major cities and Cheju-do Island.

Railway

All major cities can be reached by railway. Information from the state railway company “Korean National Railroad” is available at www.korail.go.kr.

Bus

The bus network is well developed. Intercity buses connect the larger cities with each other.

Roads

South Korea’s road network is well developed and has highways and country roads.

Car, rental

car Rental cars are available in the larger cities.

Ferry connections

There are ferry connections from Pusan and the cities of Geoje, Tongyeon, Donghae, Incheon, Boryeong, Gunsan, Gyeokpo, Yeoso, Mokpo and Wando as well as connections from Jeju Island.

Taxis

Taxis are a good form of transportation in South Korea because they are cheap and easy to get to.

Traffic rules

To avoid trouble with the police or even the courts, drivers should strictly adhere to the traffic regulations in force in the country. Regardless of the information given here, it is advisable to obtain more detailed information from the ADAC, the AvD or the South Korean traffic clubs.

Top speeds

  • Urban: In built-up areas there is a speed limit of 60 km/h.
  • Country roads: There is a speed limit of 80 km/h on country roads.
  • Motorways: There is a speed limit of 100 km/h on motorways.

In addition, it is of course necessary to pay attention to the current local speed limits, which are indicated by traffic signs.

Blood alcohol limit

The official alcohol limit for drivers of motor vehicles is 0.5.

International license plate

According to Abbreviationfinder, the international license plate of South Korea is:

ROK

Tourist office

Representation of the Korea Tourism Organization in Germany

Baseler Str. 35 – 37

60329 Frankfurt am Main

Tel: 0049 – (0) 69 – 23 32 26

0049 – (0) 69 – 23 49 73

Email: kntoff@euko.de

Web: http: //german.visitkorea.or.kr/ger/index.kto

Infectious Diseases

In South Korea, the following infectious diseases, which do not or rarely occur in Central Europe, are to be expected:

  • Malaria, there is only a rather low risk of infection with malaria on the border with North Korea, namely in the provinces of Kyonggi Do and Kangwon Do. Only tertian malaria occurs.
  • AIDS, HIV
  • Lyme disease
  • Cholera, an infection risk only exists for travelers who can come into contact with polluted water or contaminated food.
  • Intestinal infections from contaminated food or water, including amoeba, lamblia, salmonella, shigella and worm infestation, as well as all kinds of viruses and bacteria.
  • Typhus,
  • Hepatitis A and B, an infection with hepatitis B, is only possible in people who can come into contact with blood or those who are looking for sexual contact.
  • Japanese encephalitis
  • Polio, polio
  • tetanus
  • rabies
  • Typhoid fever, an infection risk only exists for travelers who come into contact with polluted water or contaminated food

Recommended vaccinations

when traveling to South Korea, the following vaccinations recommended:

  • Cholera, but only among travelers who may come into contact with polluted water or contaminated food.
  • Diphtheria, a vaccination against diphtheria should always exist, also in the home country.
  • Hepatitis A and B, vaccination against hepatitis B, is only required for people who may come into contact with blood or who are looking for sexual contact.
  • Japanese encephalitis
  • Polio, polio, vaccination against polio should always exist, also in the home country.
  • Tetanus, a vaccination against tetanus should always exist, also in the home country.
  • Typhoid, but only in travelers who may come into contact with polluted water or contaminated food.

Vaccination requirements There are no vaccination regulations when entering or staying in South Korea.

Malaria prophylaxis

When traveling in the country, it is advisable to undergo malaria prophylaxis. If the side effects seem questionable to you, you should at least have a “stand-by preparation” with you.

South Korea: Diplomatic missions

Visit Countryaah for a full list of South Korea embassies and consulates in each country around the world.

Representations of South Korea in Germany

Embassy in Berlin

Stülerstraße 8-10

10787 Berlin

Tel.: 0049 – (0) 30 – 260650

http://overseas.mofa.go.kr/de-de/index.do

German representations in South Korea

Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Seoul

308-5, Dongbinggo-dong, Yongsan-gu

Seoul 140-816

Tel: 0082 – (0) 2 – 748 41 14

Email: info@seoul.diplo.de

Web: www.seoul.diplo. de

Honorary Consulate of the Federal Republic of Germany in Pusan

24-2 bonzi, Daechangdong-1-ga, Jung-gu

Pusan City 600-101

Tel: 0082 – 51 – 441 41 12

Austrian representations in South Korea

Austrian Embassy in Seoul

Kyobo B/D., 1, Jongno-1-Ga, Jongno-Gu

Seoul 110-714

Tel: 0082 – 2 – 73 29 071

Email: seoul-ob@bmeia.gv.at

Web: www.aussenministerium.at/seoul

Representations of South Korea in Austria

Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Vienna

Gregor-Mendel-Straße 25

1180 Vienna

Tel: 0043 – (0) 1 – 478 19 91 – 0

Email: mail@koreaemb.at

Web: aut.mofat.go.kr/eng/eu/aut /main/index.jsp

Honorary Consulate in Graz

Hans-List-Platz 1

8020 Graz

Tel: 0043 – (0) 316 – 71 54 55

Email: helmut.list@avl.com

Honorary Consulate in Klagenfurt

illacher Strasse 1a, 14th floor

9010 Klagenfurt

Tel: 0043 – (0) 463 – 550 56

E-Mail: office@burger-scheidlin.at

Honorary Consulate in Salzburg

Alpenstr. 61

5020 Salzburg

Tel: 0043 – (0) 662 – 63 86 600

Email: rudolf.aichinger@aon.at

Honorary Consulate in Linz

Ottensheimerstraße 30A

4040 Linz/Urfahr

Tel: 0043 – (0) 50 – 620 20 40

E-Mail: peter.neumann@engel.at

Swiss representations in South Korea

Swiss Embassy in Seoul

32-10, Songwol-dong, Jongno-gu

Seoul 110-101

Tel: 0082 – 2 – 739 95 11/-12/-13/-14

Email: seo.vertretung@eda.admin.ch

Web: www.eda.admin.ch/seoul

Consulate in Busan

5, Daegam-Ri, Sangdong-Myon

Gimhae-City Gyoungnam

Tel: 0082 – 55 325 10 01

Representations of South Korea in Switzerland

Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Bern

Kalcheggweg 38

3000 Bern 15

Tel: 0041 – (0) 31 – 356 24 44

Email: swiss@mofat.go.kr

Consulate in Zurich

Alfred-Escherstrasse 50

8022 Zurich

Tel: 0041 – (0) 44 – 625 30 50

Email: martin.senn@zurich.com

Travel to South Korea