Best Time to Visit South Korea

The best time to visit South Korea is between April to August. Rich in centuries-old traditions, South Korea is one of East Asia's most friendly and charming countries.

Want to enjoy a perfect trip to South Korea? Read this article to the end to find out more about the best time for a visit to South Korea.

South Korea experiences four primary seasons around the year. They are spring, summer, autumn and winter. As a country of extremes, South Korea witnesses extreme temperatures in summers and winters.

Here is a list of the best seasons to visit South Korea.

Spring Season

• Period: April to June
• Temperature: 7.4 – 27.5 degrees Celsius
• Average Rainfall: 75 – 130 mm

Spring in South Korea is quite colourful. The months of April to June witness trees full of pink and rich cherry blossoms and a clear blue sky. Temperature is pleasant enough for a stroll in a park. The delightful and colourful season and festivities make spring the best time to visit South Korea.

Apart from cherry blossoms, magnolia, azalea, and forsythia are messengers of springs. Like the birds, tourists flock to South Korea to witness spring as nature colours the country pink.

Here are a few things to do in South Korea to enjoy the bliss of spring:

1. Cherish the child in you in Everland

2. Take a stroll in Yeouido Park

3. Visit the Icheon Sansuyu Village

4. Explore the Jeju Island

5. Travel to the ancient kingdom of Gyeongju

6. Witness the Jinhae Gunghaenje Festival in Jinhae

7. Explore the history of the beautiful Changgyeonggung Palace

Summer Season

• Period: July to August
• Temperature: 22 – 29.9 degrees Celsius
  
• Average Rainfall: 350 – 415 mm

Summer follows spring with warmer weather for a very short span. However, this period is also the wettest month with very high average rainfall compared to other South Korean seasons.

A humid climate prevails during summer, which may make travelling tough. However, you can have a great time on beaches and indulge in water activities during summer.

Here are a few activities you can add to your South Korean tour package for the summer.

1. Gaze at the beauty of nature on the Jeju Islands

2. Click Instagram-worthy pictures on the Sokcho beach

3. Have fun with waves on the beaches of Busan

4. Witness nature at its best in Seoraksan National park

5. Embrace the beautiful Hajodae Beach

6. Drive away fatigue with special summer Samgyetang

7. Take a trip to Pocheon

Autumn Season

• Period: September to November
• Temperature: 2.7 – 26.1 degrees Celsius
• Average Rainfall: 50 - 140 mm

As September sets in, leaves turn orange to announce the commencement of the autumn season. These months bring relief from the hot and humid summer as the temperature falls. Shades of orange and red paint the trees and paths of National parks and reserves, providing a splendid view.

You can witness autumn's aesthetics mostly in palaces, national parks and the South Korean countryside. Here are a few activities and places to visit in South Korea during autumn.

1. Witness autumn’s magic in Chandeokgung Palace

2. Take a closer look at South Korean traditions in Jeonju Hanok Village

3. Lock your love vows in Namsan Tower

4. Take a walk on Asan Ginko Tree Road

5. Raise your spirits high in Ganyeong’s fermented seafood festival

6. Attend the Andong Mask dance Festivals

7. Don’t miss the awesome Masan Gapoga Chrysanthemum Festival

Winter Season

• Period: December to March
  
• Temperature: -6.2 – 10.9 degrees Celsius
• Average Rainfall: 15 – 30 mm

In the winter, temperatures drop below the freezing point, making the country prone to snow showers. Temperature falls as low as -20°C in Gangwon-do province in the northern region of South Korea. This makes it extremely tough for tourists who cannot endure such low temperatures. The usual best places to visit in South Korea are either covered in snow or closed during winter.

Most hilly regions in South Korea host skiing and other snow sports, thus attracting skiing lovers worldwide. But, if you are not fond of winter, we recommend planning a trip during spring or autumn. Planning trips in spring or autumn will also allow you to experience nature, culture and other tourist activities at their best.

To avoid facing all forms of hustles and chaos that a peak season tour brings, you can visit South Korea in autumn. Autumn in South Korea is a better time than the short summer. During this time, there are fewer tourists in the country than in summer and spring. This makes it the best time to visit South Korea on a budget.

Thus, the cost of accommodation and tour packages is much lower than in spring. The last two autumn months prepare South Korea for the winter. As the trees change colour, the falls foliage and orange roads make a beautiful landscape for tourists to witness.

Therefore, the months of September to November are cool, crisp, and a less expensive time to visit South Korea.

Below are a few things you should know before visiting South Korea. These will help you plan efficiently and enjoy a wholesome trip to South Korea.

• Although North Korea is its neighbor, South Korea is a country with a very low crime rate. Therefore, you don't need to worry much about safety when you travel to South Korea.
• Like most Asian households, South Koreans expect you to remove your shoes outside before entering indoors. Remember to respect this practice to enjoy local hospitality.
• Google Maps do not work in South Korea. Instead, they use an alternative application, the Kakao app.
• Trash bins are mostly available at bus stops or train stations and not all over the city. Therefore, you may need to dispose of your day's rubbish in your hotel if you do not access buses or trains.
• You will find black taxis and yellow taxis driving past the street. Although both provide similar services, black taxis charge more than their yellow counterpart.
• While planning a trip to South Korea, ensure your outings do not collide with Chuseok and Lunar New year. People flood the streets on these two holidays, making booking transportation almost impossible.
• Unlike most western countries, shouting for service is quite an accepted norm.
• Public affection is frowned upon for both straight and LGBTQ+ couples.
• Get apps like Kakoa T, Naver Map, and Mango Plate on your phone to ease your way into South Korea.
• Do your research about Korean culture before planning your South Korean tour.
• Along with YouTube crash courses about South Korean culture, k-drama and k-pop music can help you understand this land.

You must consider the following tips for a successful and memorable trip to South Korea:

• There are very few vegan or vegetarian restaurants in South Korea. Therefore, you need to search deeper to find foods in these categories.
• Although communal restrooms provide you with shower shoes, it is better to carry your own.
• Explore South Korean countryside for beautiful nature sceneries.
• South Korea is overpopulated and always in a hurry. Therefore, you may have to deal with nudging or pushing in crowded places.
• Make the most use of trains and buses to travel to the popular tourist places in South Korea.
• South Koreans have a complicated relationship with Japan. Therefore, be careful talking about the latter.
• Keep a polite attitude on the street, especially with South Korean elders.
• Do venture into quirky restaurants and cafes like Poop café.
• Do not miss the freebies.
• Travelers need to know some Korean words and phrases when in South Korea.

South Koreans use different verbs in conjunction, which reflects politeness in their tone. Locals do not expect tourists to be fluent in Korean. However, it would work well for tourists to have an idea of basic Korean words and phrases.

Following is a list of Korean words and phrases that you can learn before visiting South Korea:

• Good morning: An-nyoeng ha-se-yo
• Excuse me: Jam-shi may-yo
• Sorry: Mi-an-hab-ni-da
• added to the end of a person’s name to be polite:Shi
• How much is this?: Eol-ma-ye-yo? 
• My name is: Je ileum-eun (name)ibnida
• I can’t speak Korean: Han-guk mal mot hae-yo
• Do you speak English: Yeong-eo ha-se-yo?
• I feel sick: Ah-pa-yo
• I have a question: Jil-mun-i is-seub-ni-da
• Bathroom: Hwa-jang-sil
• Bus stop: Beo-su jeong-lu-jang
• Train: Gi-cha
• Bus: Beo-su
• Ticket: Pyo
• Airport: Gong-hang
• Taxi: Taek-si
• Hostel: Ho-seu-tel
• Sauna: Sa-u-na
• Hotel: Ho-tel
• Do you have any vacancies: Bin-bang-iss-eo-yo?
• Do you have a vegetarian menu: Chae-sig men-yu iss-eo-yo?

Now that you know the best time to visit South Korea and other important things for your travel, it is time to organize your plans. Deeply rooted in its culture, you will surely have a splendid and colorful experience in South Korea. However, before planning your tour, do not forget to purchase a travel insurance policy to secure yourself and your luggage throughout your journey.