Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
extra if you plan on doing a lot of shopping or drinking, both of which can up your spending
considerably.
visa and Korean currency
What form you bring your money over in is also a matter of personal preference. Trav-
eler's checks offer some protection against theft but are not readily accepted anywhere oth-
er than banks or major hotels. Cash of course has the broadest appeal, but unlike in other
countries in Asia, it isn't really king—credit cards are widely used throughout South Korea,
and these days even the smallest shops and restaurants are wired to accept them. If you have
an ATM card with a Plus or Cirrus logo, you can also withdraw funds (in won) from your
home account at international bank machines here; however, these machines can be harder
to find outside of Seoul and Busan. Major currencies such as U.S. dollars, U.K. pounds, and
Japanese yen can be exchanged for won at the airport, banks, large hotels, or private money
changers in areas like Seoul's Namdaemun Market. Banks and hotels tend to be the most
dependable, but private money changers sometimes offer slightly more favorable rates.
When to Go
If you have a choice, there's absolutely no contest—fall (roughly late September to Novem-
ber) is when South Korea is at its best, with day after day of clear blue skies, stunning fo-
