My Essential Korea Travel Resources :
There are plenty of travel companies out there, but these are my favorite websites and resources for planning an unforgettable trip to South Korea. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. For flights, I recommend using Hopper to compare the cheapest travel dates to South Korea. Car rentals, although not common in Korea, are best through Discover Cars - just make sure to have a copy of your international driver's permit with you! I always use AGODA's easy-to-use platform for hotels in Asia. To keep cell phone service, I use Airalo’s easy to purchase eSIM’s (no installation required) - make sure to have NordVPN ready too while you surf random wifi connections. For fun things to do, Klook specializes on tours in Asia, otherwise Viator also does the trick. Just in case, Safetywing is the insurance I always use when visiting a new country. Lastly, my essential packing list when traveling.
2 Steps to Driving in Korea
The most important thing to have before you drive through Korea is your IDP - your international drivers permit. These are pretty easy to get if you have a license in the US, you'll simply need to stop by a AAA Office, pay the $20 fee, and you'll be given your IDP right there. My husband Tyler has done this the last few times we visited Korea, and the entire process is super simple, easy and quick.
The second most important thing to know about driving in Korea, is how strict they are with traffic enforcement. If you've visited Korea in the past, then you might know just how many cameras are around in public - the same goes for public roads. With cameras everywhere, I highly encourage you to follow the speed limit and do your best to not break any traffic laws. If you do, chances are more than likely that you'll be sent a fine in the mail - or if you're renting a car, you'll be billed afterwards through the car rental agency.
It's also worth noting that South Korea has toll booths on their road systems. Typically, you'll need to grab a ticket when you enter the highway and pay when you exit, with the price dependent on how far you've driven. Some rental cars will have a "Hi-Pass", allowing you to simply drive through without the need to pay, but you'll need to ask the company or person you're renting through. If you don't have a "Hi-Pass" you'll need to slowly drive to the right side of the available toll booths and pay in cash.
​My Favorite Activities in Seoul :
- Full Day DMZ Tour from Seoul - Lotte World Tower at Seoul Sky ​- Afternoon Tea on the Han River
South Korean Driving Laws (what you need to know)
Like I said earlier, driving in South Korea is pretty similar to driving in the United States - with a few key differences. In addition to there being cameras everywhere, space in Korea is also extremely limited - meaning small cars, small driving lanes, and extra tight parking spaces. Unless you're confident in your parking skills, and driving in close spaces, I would avoid driving in and around Seoul. Plus, traffic is so bad in Seoul anyways, you'll save a lot of time by taking public transportation. However, if you're going on a little road trip outside of Seoul, spaces become a little more forgiving - and having access to a car is the easiest way to get around.
Road signs in Korea are similar to those we've seen in other countries, including the United States. Most signs have the destination written in Korean and then English, however, because names can be so long it can be difficult to read on the go. The easiest way to navigate is simply by using a GPS, or using maps on your phone. The best map apps to get in Korea are NAVER maps, or Kakao Map. One of my favorite things about navigating in Korea, is that they'll often have painted lines on the road for you to follow around turns or exits. Sometimes your GPS will say to follow the blue line or the pink line - this means you simply need to look down at the road and stay in the lane that has blue paint or pink paint. You can also see painted lines on road signs as well making it super simple to follow.
Another key difference that stands out when driving in Korea, is the country's overall concern about falling asleep when driving. Even though the entire width and length of the country is just a few hours each way, you'll see that there are multiple programs put in place to ward off sleepy drivers. The first is all the famous rest stops along the highway. Some are better than others, but if you see one, I recommend stopping. Typically, you can expect clean bathrooms, a large food court, a café, and of course, some shopping. Some rest stops even have short hikes, observation decks, and parks so you can stretch your legs.
The other programs are a bit more entertaining. As you drive throughout Korea, you'll notice that there are often fake construction workers or fake police lights along the roads and highways. These are there to make sure you're alert and paying attention while you drive. If you find yourself in a long tunnel or bridge, you'll also often hear music or loud, fake conversation, along with lights to help keep you awake. This might all sound a bit silly, but with Koreans being some of the most sleep-deprived people in the world, it makes sense.
Watch my Korea Road Trip here!
Other Blog Posts you Might be Interested in :
-> 25 Best Street Foods to Try in South Korea -> Bojeong Dong Cafe Street Guide -> Lotte World Guide (Best Rides & Eats)
Pin this Korea Driving Guide for Later!
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