The winter (October–March) gate times, what to do when summit slots sell out, and the buses to each trailhead
You need a booking only for the summit section of Seongpanak or Gwaneumsa, and you can make it with an email address. In winter you must pass the 11:30 gate, so start by about 8:00. If summit slots are gone, Yeongsil and Eorimok need no booking.
There is no train yet, Sokcho has two bus terminals, and the beach season lasts only seven weeks
The direct bus is the way to get from Seoul to Sokcho. Leave from Seoul Express Bus Terminal or Dong Seoul Terminal, and check which of Sokcho's two terminals your ticket ends at. Intercity counters and the Bustago app accept foreign cards, and the national tourism site lists Klook and Hanpass for booking.
Which station to leave from by neighborhood, what you can book with a foreign card, and what to do when trains sell out
For most visitors the answer is a KTX to Busan Station, leaving from Seoul Station or, if you stay in Gangnam, from Suseo. Fly only if you are near Gimpo and the fare is cheap. Take the bus to save money or when every train is sold out.
Which card fits your trip length, your route from the airport, and whether you carry cash, with the 2026 changes dated
Most visitors should start with a Tmoney card topped up with cash. A Climate Card pass pays off on Seoul stays of three to seven days at three or more paid rides a day, even counting the 3,000 won card. Foreign cards can buy passes at newer machines but can't be tapped at the gates yet.
Visiting Korea
Korea travel — entry, transport and booking basics for international visitors, plus itineraries, destinations and realistic budgets.
The winter (October–March) gate times, what to do when summit slots sell out, and the buses to each trailhead
Route status for late 2026, getting from the train to each ferry, Dokdo landing rules, and a two-night budget
Five ways to reach the Pyeongchang slopes compared on time, cost and foreign-card booking, plus a 2025/26 budget for beginners and for non-skiers
Korean Food
Korean food — how to choose and order, restaurant customs, local picks and Korean recipes to make at home.
Bungeoppang, hotteok, gyeranppang, roasted sweet potatoes, fish cake skewers and chestnuts, plus finding stalls that move and paying when there's no card reader
Whole, quarter, cut pack or mini melon by living situation, dated KAMIS prices, the regional season calendar, and food-waste rules
Price per 100g, Hanwoo labels and grades, cut names, and what to do when you're eating alone
Living in Korea
Living in Korea — practical guides for residents and long-term stayers: everyday systems, paperwork, local services and staying safe.
What the controller buttons do, how the bill is calculated, which settings save money, and what to do if you smell gas
The 15-minute free re-entry rule, which lines are left out, and where to go when the station is closed
What to do with an empty cup, a bottle or a snack wrapper on the street, and how to sort trash before you leave a rental
Tools
Useful tools for Korea — currency conversion, number draws, and other small free utilities ready when you need them.