The family trip we all need
South Korea
Where & What? South Korea is a must-go for families wanting to visit amazing attractions, dine in a unique cuisine, and to experience a new and interesting culture. The country is filled with places for people of both young and old ages, and brimming with pleasant encounters that you will never forget.
The extravagant country of South Korea is located in East Asia, portrayed and highlighted in yellow on the map.
Places To Go Seoul The capital of South Korea, and also the largest city in the country. With its beautiful sceneries and countless attractions, Seoul is definitely a place to visit.
Busan The second largest city in South Korea, with an abundance of restaurants and historical interests. Busan is a city that the whole family will enjoy.
Daegu The fourth largest city in South Korea. Bountiful parks, special markets, and an incredible tower, cement Daegu into a tourist destination that cannot be missed.
Climate South Korea’s yearly climate includes four distinct seasons, just like Australia. However, the summers in South Korea are from June to August, and the winters include December, January and February. Furthermore, autumn is from September to November, and spring is from March to May.
Winters are usually cold and dry, whereas summers are hot and humid. The best times to go are in spring and autumn, where the weather is comfortable and pleasant.
Weather in Seoul The winters in Seoul are quite cool or mild, while summer usually contains high amounts of rainfall. On average, the warmest month is August and the coolest month is January. July is the wettest month, whereas December is the driest. There is a period of time in Seoul when hurricanes may strike. The hurricane season lasts from June to December.
Weather in Busan The weather in Busan is very similar to Seoul’s. The rainy seasons include the months April, May, June, July, August, and September. The warmer months revolve around August, whereas the cooler months are around January. December is the driest month of the year in Busan.
Weather in Daegu The climate in Daegu is relatively the same as Busan. The average temperatures and rainfall are not far apart in difference to Busan, and the warmest months are also July and August. July is the wettest month of the year in Daegu, meaning summer would be a less desirable time to visit, compared to other times.
Demographics The following information describes the demographics of South Korea, taken from the CIA World Factbook. On the 23rd of June 2012, the population of South Korea reached 50 million.
46.5% of South Korea’s population are non-religious. 22.8% are Buddhists, 18.3% are Protestants, and 10.9% are Catholics. Other religions influence 1.4% of the country.
Currency The prime currency of South Korea is the South Korean Won. The Won is equal to 100 jeons, and its symbol is â‚Š. Currently, 1 Australian Dollar is equivalent to 864.74 South Korean Won (or KRW). The exchange of AUD and KRW are provided at exchange centres in banks, hotels, and airports.
Visa Information Australian visitors need a valid passport to enter South Korea. A visa is not required if you are on a holiday trip and the duration is less than 90 days. Therefore, there is no need to worry about costs or processes involved in visas.
Transportation South Korea is filled with various ways of transport from one place to another. The country is filled with railway systems, roads, highways, bus routes, flight services, subways, and ferries. To get from one city to another, trains can be taken, as well as a domestic airline service. Unfortunately, Busan and Daegu do not have airports within them, unlike Seoul. When moving within cities, buses and subways are recommended. Renting a car may also be a valid way of transportation when travelling around South Korea.
Accommodation There are many types of accommodation available in South Korea. Seoul is home to 453 hotels, 837 Inns, and 525 other types of housing. Busan has 122 hotels and 405 inns, while Daegu has 37 hotels and 154 Inns. The accommodations can range from 1 star ratings to 5 star ratings, which vary the costs of staying the night.
Seoul’s most commended hotel is the Four Seasons Hotel Seoul, with a 5 star rating and a 4.5 rating from customers. A typical night here for a family of four costs approximately $505
Park Hyatt Busan is the name of Busan’s most popular 5 star hotel, with great customer reivews and also winning The Travellers’ Choice 2016 Award. Costs $584 for a day (and night) for four people.
Novotel Ambassador in Daegu is a modern sleek hotel, and rated the best in the city by previous dwellers. Around $450 per night when booking for a four-membered family.
Health and Safety Issues Vaccinations should be taken approximately 6 weeks prior to the trip, for an ideal protection against unwanted infections. The main vaccines that should be taken before visiting South Korea include Hepatitis A and Typhoid. Both of these diseases can be contracted through contaminated food or water. South Korea is also home to diseases such as Hepatitis B, Japanses Encephalitis, Malaria, and Rabies. Even though these illness are not as common on such a trip, it is better to be safe than sorry. The food and drinks in South Korea have the same standards as Australia, so it is unnecessary to bring special food or taking unneeded precautions. Insect repellent is a good strategy to stop yourself from developing diseases passed on by bug bites. When travelling in and between cities, it is relatively safe. The laws in South Korea are mildly stricter than the ones in Australia, resulting in less crime. The country’s crime rate is similar to Australia’s, so visitors must maintain the same personal security that they would have when walkiing the streets in their home city. When feeling threatened or harrassed, you can go to an Australian embassy or consulate. Additionally, wearing expensive clothing or jewellery is not a good idea, as you may attract unwanted attention. If you decide to rent a car, make sure to not get confused while driving and to drive on the correct lane. Australian Embassy in Seoul Address: 19th floor, Kyobo Building, 1 Jongro 1-ga, Jongro-gu, Seoul 03154 Telephone: (02) 2003-0100 Email: consular.seoul@dfat.gov.au Travel Insurance Travel insurance covers the activities you do, the equipment you bring, and the accidents that happen, in South Korea. There is an approximate cost of $20 AUD per day of the trip, with children (under 21) being able to go free.
Shopping and Souvenirs The shops in South Korea are similar to the ones in Australia, and are not so much of a tourist attraction. However, there are a few items that turn into great souvenirs to bring back home. The electronic products in Korea are significantly cheaper than Australian ones, which make them a good thing to purchase. Also, Korean snacks, such as Korea’s iconic dried seaweed, can be taken back home as souvenirs. Exclusive Korean beverages, including Soju and many types of Korean tea, are great things to buy. Korean Pop fans may also purchase K-Pop merchandise, which are very common in stores around the country. A majority of South Korean stores are open until very late in the night, meaning that tourists may be able to experience the feeling of shopping late at night – something they just couldn’t do back at home.
Food The Korean food culture will provide tourists with a new and unique experience. These are iconic and popular South Korean food: - Kimchi (spicy, fermented vegetables) - Bibimbap (rice mixed with a variety of ingredients) - Bulgogi (a delicious meal of griffled marinated beef) - Japchae (stir fried sweet potato, with vegetables and beef) - Ddukbokkie (a spicy rice cake) - Seolleongtang (ox bone soup) - Soondubu Jiggae (spicy tofu soup) - Samgyeopsal (seasoned pork strips) - Haemul Paheon (seafood and vegetable egg pancake Food can be found in stores scattered throughout the cities, with a budget meal ranging in price from $4 AUD to $15 AUD.
Common Language Phrases
Places of Interest Gyeongbokgung Palace This historic building was the royal palace of the Joseon dynasty. With fantastic reviews online, the Gyeongbokgung Palace is a must-go attraction. The palace is free to enter and is located in Seoul.
Haeundae Beach A popular beach where you are able to lie down and relax after a day of travelling and exploring. There is no cost to enter, and the beach is located in the city of Busan.
Seomun Market A huge food market in Daegu, filled with a variety of different cuisines. Here you will be able to taste and cherish the delicious Koean culture, with moderately cheap prices and late closing times.