South Korea travel guide for Australians

Australians do not need a visa for South Korea for tourism stays up to 90 days. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry. You also need a return or onward ticket and proof of accommodation. This applies to most Australian passport holders; check the latest rules before you book.

Australian citizens can enter South Korea visa-free for tourism for up to 90 days. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry. You may be asked to show a return or onward ticket and proof of accommodation. For stays longer than 90 days, or for work, study, or other purposes, you need a visa from the Korean embassy.

South Korea uses the Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) for visa-free entry from some countries. As of 2026, Australian citizens are not required to obtain a K-ETA, but this can change. Always check the official K-ETA website or the Korean embassy before travel.

The Australian Embassy in Seoul is at 19F, Kyobo Building, 1 Jongno-gu, Seoul. It provides consular services for Australians in South Korea. For emergencies, call the embassy's 24-hour consular emergency line. You can also contact the Australian government's 24-hour consular hotline from anywhere in the world.

A comfortable trip to South Korea costs roughly AUD 150–250 per day per person, including accommodation, meals, local transport and some activities. Budget travellers can do it on AUD 80–120 per day with hostels, street food and public transport. Mid-range hotels cost AUD 100–200 per night, and a meal at a local restaurant is about AUD 10–20.

Flights from Australia to Seoul (Incheon) cost around AUD 800–1,500 return, depending on season and airline. Internal travel is cheap: the KTX high-speed train from Seoul to Busan is about AUD 50 one way. See the full cost guide for more details.

Direct flights from Sydney and Brisbane to Seoul Incheon (ICN) take about 10 hours. Qantas, Korean Air, and Asiana operate direct routes. From Melbourne, you may need a stopover, adding 2–4 hours. From Perth, expect a longer journey with a connection. Use a flight-time planner to check exact durations from your city.

South Korea uses types C and F plugs, standard 220 V, 60 Hz. Australian plugs (type I) do not fit, so bring a travel adapter. Most modern devices (phones, laptops) are dual-voltage, but check before plugging in. If your device is not dual-voltage, you will need a voltage converter.

Tipping is not expected in South Korea. In restaurants, cafés, and taxis, the bill is the total. Some upscale hotels and restaurants may add a 10% service charge, but this is rare. Do not tip; it can cause confusion. Rounding up a taxi fare is fine but not required.

In an emergency, call 112 for police, 119 for fire and ambulance. For travel help, call the 1330 Korea Travel Helpline, which offers English-speaking assistance. The Australian Embassy in Seoul can also help with consular issues. Save these numbers before you travel.