~Changing money -

Change money at the airport if you need. In general a Visa or Mastercard is best to take around to withdraw money, pay for things in big cities.

Foreign Money & Travellers Cheques: Most Banks and Hotels can exchange these or exchange major foreign currencies

Credit Cards/ATMs/Bancomat: Foreign cards will only work if the ATM says 'GLOBAL ATM'

~Tipping - No tipping is expected. VAT tax is included in prices. What you see is what you pay!

~Trading hours -

Government: 9-6pm weekdays

Bank: 9-4pm weekdays

Shopping: 10,30am - 8pm all days. Frequently later

Internet Cafe / Karaoke: 24/7 - nearly always open!

 

~Telephones & Internet - There is an internet cafe on practically every corner - super cheap to use. Called a PC방.

Telephone: Prepaid Calling Cards can be purchased at many locations and used from any phone, including payphones.

Collect Calls from a Payphone: From a public phone, pickup the receiver and press the red button. After the dial tone, dial 1541 then the number you wish to call (with area code, if applicable). The recipient is charged 85won for 3 minutes (for a local call). Long Distance Calls calls are also charged the long-distance rate of 45won for 30 seconds. 

 
~Mobile/Cell Phones - Korean system is separate - you can't buy SIM cards to put in a foreign phone or put foreign SIM in Korean phone (it's inbuilt - no way to remove SIM) options of international roaming, hiring Korean phone at airport.

No need to prebook - there are four companies who rent cell/mobile phones for 3000KRW/day plus call charges.

 

~Electricity - Standard European powerpoint adapter. 220V.

 

~Time Zone - GMT+9. No daylight savings.

~Climate - Average 15oC during October. A little rain, but not much. Pack for autumn/fall weather.

 

~Customs at the airport - On the plane you will fill in a form like this. Please see the official Incheon website for arrival details.

You will also fill out an arrival card on the plane like this.

 

 

There are also Duty Free restrictions on tobacco and perfume.

See http://www.customs.go.kr if you have further questions.

~Medical - Check with your home country and travel doctors about any medical restrictions. No additional vaccinations are required outside of a normal program.

 

~Traveller's insurance - We recommend that everyone has it.

 

~Emergency -

Police: 112

Fire: 119

Medical: 1339 

Your travel insurance must be able to cover the cost if you become ill and need to attend the hospital (see below) or you must cover this yourself.

~Hospitals - Even if you have just a common cold you go to hospital rather than doctor's clinic - it's the same thing - all health checks and standard doctors appointments are at the hospital. Here is a list of Hospitals in Daejon, which hopefully you should never need!

 

~Departure Tax -

All non-Koreans leaving by air are subject to a W10,000 Departure Tax at the airport and W17,000 Passenger Service Charge. The fees are often included in the ticket price.