South Korea , properly.

Most first-time Korea trips work best at 7 to 14 days. A week covers Seoul plus one KTX side trip; 10 days lets you add Busan or Jeju; two weeks is when the country opens up to a real two-region trip.

Yes — Korea requires a pre-arrival K-ETA for most visa-free nationalities (US, UK, EU, Australia, etc.). Apply at least three days before travel through the official K-ETA portal. The fee is low and approval is usually within 24 hours, but don't leave it to the last minute.

Trying to add too many cities. Seoul rewards the time you give it more than almost any Asian capital; trading one Seoul day for a Daegu or Suwon stop usually weakens the trip. Pick one extension (Busan + Gyeongju, or Jeju) rather than three.

Late April through early June (cherry blossoms, then the spring weather window) and October through early November (autumn foliage at Bukhansan, Seoraksan, and the temples) are the two strongest windows. Both run warm but dry.

Workable but unpleasant — July and August are hot, humid, and rainy (the monsoon, called jangma, runs from late June through July). Air-conditioned anchors work but outdoor and palace days get heavy. If your dates can flex, target April–May or September–October.

Seoul's metro is one of the world's largest and easiest to use — every station and line announces in English, signage is consistent, and the T-money card (buy at any convenience store) works on all metro, bus, and taxi systems. Plan to use the metro as the trip's spine.

Yes for any inter-city travel on the Seoul–Daegu–Busan corridor. The KTX is genuinely fast (2.5 hours Seoul to Busan), reliable, and cheaper than flying once airport transfers are counted. Book on the Korail website; tickets release 30 days ahead and saver fares are 20–30% cheaper.

Almost never on the mainland — public transit handles every major route. Jeju is the exception: the island is built for road trips and the buses can't carry an inland-and-coast itinerary. Cars rent easily at the airport; an International Driving Permit is required.

Yes if you have at least two nights to add. Busan is genuinely different from Seoul — coastal, looser, with seafood markets and beach districts. The KTX makes it a clean two-night extension or even a packed day trip if you're tight on time.

If you want pacing slowdown: Jeju (5 nights minimum). If you want historical depth: Gyeongju (2 nights). They aren't substitutes — Jeju is a resort island, Gyeongju is the Silla dynasty capital with serious archaeology. Most travellers add one, not both.

Yes for first-time visitors interested in the post-war geopolitical context. Tours are mandatory (you cannot self-drive) and run as half-day from Seoul. Book through reputable operators; the JSA portion requires more advance booking than the basic DMZ tour.

Less than you might expect. Major Seoul tourist areas, most cafés, and chain restaurants function in English. The metro signage is universally English-translated. Outside cities, English coverage drops sharply — learning to read Hangul (the script is genuinely learnable in a few hours) helps for menus.

Korea is mid-tier Asian pricing — cheaper than Japan or Singapore, more expensive than Vietnam or Thailand. Seoul accommodation is moderate; transit and meals are inexpensive. Korean BBQ at standard places is genuinely cheap; premium dining can match Tokyo prices.

No. Korea has no tipping culture — restaurants don't expect or want tips. The bill is the bill. The only exception is high-end hotels (where service charges are usually already included). Don't tip in cabs.