This is a plain-English summary, not legal or medical advice. Entry and visa rules change — always confirm on the official sources linked below before you book or fly. Last reviewed: July 21, 2026.
Quick answer: Most Western passport holders can currently enter South Korea visa-free for up to 90 days without a K-ETA (this exemption runs through December 31, 2026), but you’ll need to file a free online e-Arrival Card, use a T-money transit card to get around, and pay mostly in Korean won (₩) — so confirm the latest rules on the official portals before you fly.
Visa & entry
South Korea’s entry rules have been in flux, so treat this as a starting point, not the final word — always check the official portals listed below within days of booking. As of mid-2026, nationals from 67 countries and territories remain exempt from the K-ETA requirement, including most of the EU, the UK, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and several Gulf and Pacific nations. This exemption was extended by the Ministry of Justice and allows visa-free entry into Korea without a K-ETA through December 31, 2026. The waiver typically covers visa-free entry for tourism or business stays up to 90 days without pre-authorization.
Even if you don’t need a K-ETA, you are not off the hook for paperwork: since January 1, 2026, South Korea has replaced all paper arrival forms with a digital system called the e-Arrival Card. This is a trip-specific digital form that must be completed within 3 days before every arrival, and it is mandatory for all travelers who do not have a K-ETA, including children and seniors. It’s free, takes about five minutes, and you’ll need your passport bio-page photo, flight details, and Korean accommodation address on hand.
If you’d rather skip the arrival card altogether, you can voluntarily apply for a K-ETA (₩10,000 fee) — travelers from exempt countries may still choose to apply for a K-ETA, in which case they will be exempt from the requirement to complete an arrival card at the time of entry. Note that this exemption arrangement is temporary: several trackers indicate the K-ETA exemption is set to expire December 31, 2026, and starting January 1, 2027, K-ETA will likely be required again for visa-free travelers. Also make sure your passport has enough validity left, since your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the date of arrival, and if it has expired or is close to expiration, immigration authorities will refuse entry.
Bottom line: confirm your specific nationality’s status on the official K-ETA and e-Arrival Card sites before departure — exemptions, fees, and validity periods can change with little notice.
Getting around
Seoul and most Korean cities run on excellent, cheap public transport, and the single most useful item you can buy is a T-money card. It’s Korea’s most popular rechargeable transportation card — you tap it when boarding public transport and the fare is automatically deducted from your balance, and it works in Busan, Jeju, and many other cities, and is widely accepted nationwide. Cards cost a few thousand won and can be bought at convenience stores (CU, GS25, 7-Eleven) or subway station machines. A standard Seoul subway ride costs 1,550 won using a T-Money card, and you get free or discounted transfers when switching between subway and bus within 30 minutes — but you must remember to tap out, since if you don’t tap out, you won’t get the transfer discount, and you might be charged extra.
Frequent riders staying in Seoul may prefer the Climate Card, an unlimited transit pass: launched in January 2024, it’s a rechargeable monthly pass offering unlimited rides on Seoul’s subway and city buses for 30 days, with the standard pass costing 62,000 won. Short-term tourist versions covering just a few days are also available.
Cash is no longer strictly required for transit: as of 2026, 440 new kiosks across Lines 1–8 stations now accept Visa, Mastercard, JCB, UnionPay, and American Express, so you no longer need Korean won to buy or recharge a T-money card. iPhone users have it even easier — on March 18, 2026, T-money officially opened its Mobile T-money app to foreigners with iPhones, and the app connects to Apple Wallet.
For intercity travel, the KTX high-speed train is fast and comfortable — the KTX bullet train connects Seoul to Busan in roughly two and a half hours — though KTX tickets must be purchased separately at counters, machines, or through the Korail Talk app rather than with T-money. For taxis,
AI-assisted and web-researched, reviewed against official sources on July 21, 2026. Rules and prices change — verify on the official links above. See our editorial policy.