Gyeongju경주

The questions people ask first about Gyeongju, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

• Cash or card?Cards work almost everywhere, including taxis, convenience stores and many market stalls; carry ₩30,000–50,000 (≈ US$25–40) in cash for street food…South Korea-wide
• SIM or eSIMSK Telecom, KT and LG U+ sell tourist SIMs and eSIMs at airport arrivals; a passport is required, and data-only plans are cheapest.South Korea-wide
• Tap waterOfficially safe from the tap; most people drink filtered water, and restaurants serve it free.South Korea-wide
• TippingRestaurants and cafés: No tip; a service charge appears only in top hotels.South Korea-wide
• Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.South Korea-wide
• SafetyVery safe for tourists, including solo walkers after dark in the lit downtown core.

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

• Coffeecheck₩3,000–6,000 (≈ US$3–5)
• Street or quick mealNoodle or rice bowlcheck₩8,000–14,000 (≈ US$6–11)
• Beerdraught / convenience-store cancheck₩4,000–7,000 (≈ US$3–6)₩2,000–3,500 (≈ US$2–3)
• Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 km (3.1 mi) taxi3.1 mi (5 km) taxicheck₩6,000–9,000 (≈ US$5–7)
• Museum or sight ticketMuseum or site entryFree–₩3,000 (≈ US$3); K-Pop Museum ₩15,000 (≈ US$11) adult
• Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per person₩25,000 (≈ US$18)
• Mid-range bedMotel or hotel double room, a night, per room₩110,000 (≈ US$80)
• High-end bedMotel or hotel double room, a night, per room₩220,000 (≈ US$160)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₩60,000 (≈ US$45) · Mid ₩110,000 (≈ US$80) · High ₩200,000 (≈ US$150)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Airports

ICN Incheon International (KTX to Singyeongju in about 2 h; direct coaches to Gyeongju take about 4 h) · PUS Gimhae International (Busan) (Express bus to Gyeongju, about 1 h; roughly 12 departures a day) · USN Ulsan (Express bus, about 1 h; about 4 departures a day)

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Budget

₩60,000–90,000 (≈ US$45–65) excl. bed

Mid

₩90,000–160,000 (≈ US$65–120) excl. bed

High

₩160,000 (≈ US$120)+ excl. bed

• Singyeongju (KTX) station is outside town: buses 50, 60, 61, 70, 203 and 700 run to the centre in about 15 min.
• The old central Gyeongju station is closed — rail arrivals all use Singyeongju.
• Buses take T-money and Busan Mybi cards but not all regional cards; carry a little cash.
• Seokguram is a small grotto: no photography inside, and the last bus down leaves well before closing.
• Summer brings heavy rain and 30°C (86°F)+ days; a bike day in July or August is a sweat test.Summer brings heavy rain and 86°F (30°C)+ days; a bike day in July or August is a sweat test.