Travel Tips

Currency Major foreign currencies that can be exchanged at banks, hotels, and the airport include the US Dollar, Japanese Yen, Euro, and UK Sterling. Most hotels, restaurants, and shops accept major international credit cards including Visa, American Express, Diners Club, Master Card, and JCB. Foreign-issued ATM cards may have limited use. more
ATM (Automated Teller Machines) Travelers who carry internationally recognized credit cards can get a cash advance in Korea Won from Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) installed at airports, major hotels, department stores, subway stations and tourist attractions. ATMs are in operation 24 hours a day. Most large stores, hotels and restaurants in Korea accept major international credit cards. However it is advisable to carry some cash, since many smaller establishments and stores are unlikely to accept credit cards
Time Time Difference Read the graph vertically to compare the time differences between cities from around the world.
Weather (Seoul) Korea Meteorological Administration
SIM Card Rental You can purchase a SIM card at Incheon International Airport or Gimhae International Airport.
International Call International dialing code in Busan, Korea is +82-51(Area code). Please omit (0) when dialing from overseas.
DUTY FREE & TAX REFUNDS

Tax Free System

Korea’s Tax Free System can largely be divided into “Duty Free” and “Tax Refund.” In Duty Free shops, no tax is applied to the price of the item, including Value Added Tax (VAT) and Individual Consumption Tax. These stores are generally operated by large department store chains, including Lotte, Shilla and Shinsegae among others, and are located within airports and downtown.

In comparison, Tax Refund is a system where shoppers buy items at full price, including tax, then apply for a refund on the paid tax before leaving the country. In general, tax refunds can be received by submitting the applicable receipts at the proper tax refund booth when leaving the country. However, from January 1, 2016, tourists can effortlessly receive an immediate tax refund up to a certain limit when shopping at certified Tax Free stores. Department stores and large supermarkets were the first to implement immediate tax refund system, which have now expanded to even smaller shops that mostly cater to tourists.

Source: https://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SHP/SH_ENG_1_1.jsp
Business Hours Government office hours are usually from 9:00 am to 06:00 pm on weekdays and closed on weekends. Banks are open from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm on weekdays and closed on Saturday and Sunday. Major department stores are open every day from 10:30 am to 08:00 pm including Sundays. (Sometimes Mondays are off.)