Essentials
- Internet Speed
- World-leading averages of 200+ Mbps; ubiquitous 5G and public Wi-Fi (Public WiFi Seoul)
- Currency & Banking
- South Korean Won (KRW). 1 USD ≈ 1,350 KRW, 1 EUR ≈ 1,460 KRW
- Tap Water
- Safe to drink (Arisu brand), though most locals use purifiers or boiled water
- Power
- 220V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets (Schuko)
- SIM Card
- SK Telecom, KT, and LG U+. Prepaid SIMs available at Incheon Airport for approx. 35,000 KRW/month
- Banking for Expats
- Hana Bank (Expat friendly), Shinhan Bank, and Toss Bank (Digital-first)
- Accommodation
- Goshiwon (budget), Officetels (mid-range), and Luxury Apartments in Gangnam
- Cashless Friendly
- Extremely high; cards and mobile pay (Samsung Pay, Kakao Pay) accepted everywhere except some traditional stalls
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, WeLive, and local platforms like Zigbang
- Budget Accommodation
- Step Inn Myeongdong (approx. 25,000 KRW/night); Goshiwons in Sinchon (400,000 KRW/month)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Myeongdong (shopping/food) or Insadong (culture/history)
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Mapo-gu (Hongdae/Yeonnam-dong) for creative vibes; Seongsu-dong for trendy cafes and startups
- City
- Seoul, Special City, South Korea
- Population
- 9,700,000 (Metropolitan area: 25,000,000)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- WeWork Samseong Station or Fastfive Seoul Forest (approx. 350,000 KRW/month for hot desk)
- Best Cafe for Work
- Terarosa Coffee (POSCO Center) or Holly's Coffee (24-hour locations with designated study zones)
- Networking Events
- Seoul Startups (Slack community/meetups) and Global Seoul Village Center events
- Social Events for Expats
- Language exchange meetups at 'GSM Terrace' in Gangnam or Hongdae
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- KakaoT (Essential for booking taxis); Uber (rebranded as UT in Korea)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Ttareungyi (Seoul City Bike) – 1,000 KRW for 1 hour; Beam or Swing for e-scooters
- Best Beach Nearby
- Eurwangni Beach (Incheon), approx. 1.5 hours via airport express
- Top Regional Airline
- Jeju Air, T'way Air, Jin Air
- Top International Airline
- Korean Air, Asiana Airlines
- Highway Access
- Gyeongbu Expressway (Route 1) connecting Seoul to Busan
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Seoul Station (KTX high-speed rail) and Yongsan Station
- Public Transport Passes
- T-Money Card (rechargeable); Climate Card (62,000 KRW/month for unlimited Seoul transit)
- Regional Travel
- KTX Train (Seoul to Busan in 2.5 hours, ~60,000 KRW); Express Bus Terminal (Gyeongbu line)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Severance Hospital (Sinchon) or Samsung Medical Center; both have International Healthcare Centers
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Yoga Kula (Hongdae) and Jai Yoga (Hannam-dong)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- SpoAny (ubiquitous 24/7 gym chain) – approx. 40,000-60,000 KRW/month
- Laundry Services
- WashEnjoy (self-service laundromats ubiquitous in residential areas); Laundrygo (app-based pickup)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Baedal Minjok (Baemin) or Coupang Eats (Fastest delivery)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Korean BBQ (Samgyeopsal) in Majang-dong or Bibimbap at Gwangjang Market
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Plant Cafe Seoul (Itaewon/Yeonnam) and Maru Jaeyeon Gimbap (Insadong)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Sulbing (Bingsu/shaved ice) and Cafe Onion (Anguk branch for traditional architecture)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Daiso (household goods) and No Brand (grocery/essentials)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Coupang (Rocket Delivery for next-day service) and G-Market Global
- Grocery Delivery
- Market Kurly (premium morning delivery) and SSG.com
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Itaewon (international), Hongdae (university/clubs), and Apgujeong (upscale lounges)
- Local Brewery
- Magpie Brewing Co. (Itaewon) or Seoul Brewery (Seongsu)
- Wine Bars
- The Chamber (Hannam-dong) or various 'Natural Wine' spots in Euljiro
- Street Food Stalls
- Myeongdong Night Market or Gwangjang Market (Mayak Gimbap, Bindaetteok)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Linus' Bama BBQ (Itaewon) or Braai Republic (South African food)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Gyeongbokgung Palace, N Seoul Tower, Lotte World Tower
- Museums & Art Venues
- National Museum of Korea, Leeum Museum of Art, DDP (Dongdaemun Design Plaza)
- Historical Sites
- Bukchon Hanok Village, Deoksugung Palace Stone-wall Path, Seodaemun Prison
- Religious Sites
- Jogyesa Temple (Buddhism), Bongeunsa Temple (Gangnam), Myeongdong Cathedral
- Annual Events
- Seoul Lantern Festival (November), Cherry Blossom Festival (April), Seoul Fashion Week
- Cultural Districts
- Insadong (traditional crafts) and Samcheong-dong (galleries)
- Theater Venues
- Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, National Theater of Korea
- Local Markets
- Namdaemun Market (largest traditional), Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market
- Music Scene
- K-Pop at SMTOWN; Indie live music at Club Evans (Jazz) or Rolling Hall (Hongdae)
- Street Art
- Ihwa Mural Village and the 'Hipjiro' (Euljiro) alleyways
- Cooking Classes
- O'ngo Food Communications (near Anguk Station)
- Art Galleries
- Kukje Gallery, Gallery Hyundai, and Arario Gallery
- Historic Buildings
- Blue House (Cheong Wa Dae) - recently opened to public; Seoul City Hall
- Local Heritage
- Intangible cultural heritage performances at Korea House
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Bukhansan National Park (accessible via subway Line 3)
- National Parks Nearby
- Bukhansan National Park, Namhansanseong Provincial Park
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Han River Park (Hangang) trails spanning the entire city; Cheonggyecheon Stream
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Inwangsan Mountain Peak at sunset; Haneul Park (Sky Park)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Bamseom Islet on the Han River; World Cup Park
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Nanji Campground (booking required, designated fire pits only)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- CU or GS25 Convenience Store delivery; Korea Post (EMS for international)
- Tech Repair Services
- Samsung/LG Service Centers (ubiquitous); Yongsan Electronics Market
- Table Tennis Spots
- Local 'Ping Pong' clubs found in basements of residential areas (look for 탁구장 signs)
- Language Classes
- Sogang University KLEC or Ganada Korean Language Institute
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Starfield Library (COEX), Seoul Metropolitan Library (City Hall)
- Community Centers
- Seoul Global Center (SGC) providing support for foreigners
- Gaming Lounges
- PC Bangs (T1 Base Camp in Hongdae) – approx. 1,500 KRW/hour
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Seven Luck Casino (Gangnam - for foreigners only); Paradise City (Incheon)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 18,000,000 KRW per m² (e.g., 33 m² = 600,000,000 KRW)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 10,000,000 KRW per m² (e.g., 33 m² = 330,000,000 KRW)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 22,000,000 KRW per m² (e.g., 50 m² = 1,100,000,000 KRW)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 12,000,000 KRW per m² (e.g., 50 m² = 600,000,000 KRW)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 25,000,000 KRW per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 2,000,000,000 KRW)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 14,000,000 KRW per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 1,120,000,000 KRW)
- Corporate Tax
- Progressive rate: 9% to 24% depending on income
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- Standard rate 22% (includes 2% local income tax), often reduced by treaties
- Tax System
- Worldwide income for residents (>183 days in Korea)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 45% (for income over 1 billion KRW)
- VAT
- 10%
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, applied if a resident owns a company in a low-tax jurisdiction
- Property Tax
- Annual property tax 0.1% to 0.4%; Comprehensive Real Estate Tax for high-value holdings
- Property Transaction Tax
- Acquisition tax between 1% and 12% depending on number of homes and price
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Digital Nomad Visa (F-1-D) allows 0% tax on foreign-sourced income if stay is under 183 days