How to Visit South Korea (by Air, Land, & Sea)

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If you are wondering how to visit South Korea, there are a few important things to know before planning your trip. From visa requirements to the different ways of entering the country, preparing in advance will make your travels much smoother.

Whether you are flying into one of the country’s major international airports, crossing overland from a neighboring country, or arriving by sea, there are several options to consider. Each entry route comes with its own logistics, so understanding them ahead of time will save you time and stress.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about how to visit South Korea, including entry requirements and the main ways to get there, so you can choose the option that works best for your travel plans.

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How to Visit South Korea: Location & Travel Requirements

Before diving into exactly how to visit South Korea, it’s important to talk about where it’s located in relation to other countries, and what the travel requirements for visiting are.

🛂 What Documents are Needed to Visit South Korea?

In order to visit South Korea, most travelers need a visa. Some travelers can get a simple K-ETA, which is a simplified electronic visa, while other nationalities require a traditional visa.

There are also a number of countries that are exempt from needing a visa until the end of 2026.

We outline all of the details for South Korean travel requirements in our designated via guide.

📍 Where is South Korea?

South Korea is located in East Asia, occupying the southern half of the Korean Peninsula. It is bordered by North Korea to the north, with the Yellow Sea to the west and the Sea of Japan to the east, and sits just across the water from China and Japan.

Because of its peninsula location, South Korea is most commonly reached by air or sea, although limited land entry is technically possible under very specific circumstances.

✈️ How Can I Travel to South Korea?

There are several options for how to visit South Korea, and the best choice depends on where you are traveling from and your preferred mode of transportation.

Here are the main ways to enter South Korea:

In the next section we’re going to dive into how to visit South Korea by comparing each of the options.

How to Visit South Korea: Transportation Options

Once you understand the visa requirements for South Korea, where it’s located, and the options for visiting, it’s time for the next step! Let’s find how to visit South Korea by comparing the different routes to do so.

✈️ How to Visit South Korea by Air

Flying is by far the easiest and most popular way to visit South Korea. Incheon International Airport, located near Seoul, is the country’s main international gateway and one of the busiest airports in Asia.

Incheon Airport offers direct flights from major cities across North America, Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Oceania. Gimpo International Airport also handles some regional international flights, mainly to and from Japan and China.

After Seoul, Busan and Jeju are the two most popular airports with direct flights to them, and connect with many Asian cities. They’re some of the top destinations in South Korea for tourists, and are great additions to any Korean travel itinerary.

We flew direct from Osaka to Jeju, traveled to Busan after, and then finished our trip in Seoul before flying back to the US. This is a fun way to include Japan and South Korea in the same trip, and also to potentially save money on your flights actually!

While round-trip tickets to South Korea costed $900, I was able to fly to Japan for $280 and back to the US from South Korea for $350. The flight from Osaka to Japan with very cheap, allowing me to see more and spend less! If this overwhelms you and you don’t to do the work, we can book your trip for you and find the most optimized route for your getaway!

🌃 Other Airport Options for South Korea

Other than Seoul, Jeju, and Busan, there are two other airports that receive some international flights, primarily from China and Japan, but also with a few from other Asian cities.

Cheongju International Airport mainly serves short and mid haul international routes across East and Southeast Asia, with Japan as its strongest market. Most international flights are operated by low cost and regional airlines like Aero K and T’way Air, making Cheongju a convenient alternative entry point to South Korea outside of Seoul.

Here are the cities that fly to Cheongju:

Daegu International Airport has a broader range of international routes than many regional airports in South Korea, with regular connections across Japan, China, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia. Flights are largely operated by airlines like T’way Air, Jeju Air, Jin Air, VietJet Air, and HK Express, positioning Daegu as a key international gateway in southern South Korea.

Here are the cities that fly to Daegu:

Other domestic airports that South Korea has which connect to the international airports are Gwanju, which flies mostly from Jeju but also from Seoul, and Jinju, Muan, and Yeosu, which all also connect to both Jeju and Seoul.

🛣 How to Visit South Korea by Land

Visiting South Korea by land is not an option for most travelers. The only land border South Korea has is with North Korea, and this border is heavily restricted and closed to independent tourist crossings.

There are no open land border crossings for tourists entering South Korea, so travelers coming from nearby countries such as China or Russia will have to enter by air or sea instead.

🌊 How to Visit South Korea by Sea

If you are planning how to visit South Korea and are already traveling in East Asia, arriving by sea is a scenic alternative to flying. It’s slower, but can be a more ideal option for travelers who like to slow travel and want a more unique way of getting around.

South Korea has several international ferry routes and cruise ports connecting it with Japan, China, and parts of Russia, making sea travel a fun option for certain itineraries.

Most international sea arrivals connect through Busan or Incheon, with Jeju Island appearing mainly on cruise routes.

🚢 How to Visit South Korea by Ferry

Ferries are the main way to visit South Korea by sea independently. These routes are especially popular with travelers coming from Japan and China and are best suited for slow travel or overland style trips.

🇯🇵 Ferries from Japan to South Korea

Japan is by far the most common country for ferry travel to South Korea, with frequent and reliable services operating year round.

All ferries from Japan arrive at Busan International Passenger Terminal, which is located near Busan Station and is well connected by metro and taxis.

Here are the different routes for visiting South Korea from Japan:

🇨🇳 Ferries from China to South Korea

China also has ferry connections to South Korea, mainly arriving at Busan and Incheon.

Common routes include ferries from cities such as Qingdao and Tianjin to Incheon, with travel times typically ranging from 14 to 24 hours. These routes are less frequent than Japanese ferries and may be seasonal, but they are a good option for travelers moving slowly through East Asia.

🇷🇺 Ferries from Russia to South Korea

There have historically been ferry routes between Vladivostok and Busan, but at the moment the most reliable sea connection is via Donghae. Donghae is easily reached from Busan by train in just a few hours, making this a possible indirect route for travelers coming from Russia.

🛳 How to Visit South Korea on a Cruise

Cruises are another popular way to visit South Korea by sea, especially on itineraries that include Japan and China. Major cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Norwegian, and Princess Cruises regularly dock in South Korea.

Busan is the country’s main cruise port, with ships arriving at Busan Port International Cruise Terminal. The terminal is about 15 to 20 minutes from central areas like Nampo-dong and Busan Station by taxi.

Incheon also welcomes cruise ships, offering easy access to Seoul within one to two hours by public transportation. Jeju Island is a frequent port of call on East Asia cruises, especially on routes from Japan and China.

🤔 Is Visiting South Korea by Sea a Good Option?

Arriving by sea is not the fastest way when planning a visit to South Korea, but it can be a memorable experience. Ferries from Japan are the most practical and popular option, while ferries from China and indirect routes from Russia suit travelers with flexible schedules.

For travelers already in nearby countries, visiting South Korea by sea can be both practical and enjoyable, especially if you prefer a relaxed pace and a more adventurous entry into the country.

How to Visit South Korea: Final Tips & What’s Next

Planning how to visit South Korea is easier than it might seem once you understand the main transportation options available. Whether you arrive by air through major hubs or regional airports, cross by sea from neighboring countries, or combine different routes, South Korea is well connected and easy to access.

For most travelers, flying will be the fastest and most convenient option, but ferries and cruises can be a great alternative if you are already traveling through East Asia. Knowing which airports, ports, and entry points make sense for your itinerary can save time and make your trip feel far more relaxed from the start.

No matter how you choose to arrive, South Korea’s efficient transport network makes it easy to continue exploring once you land. With a bit of planning ahead, you can focus less on logistics and more on enjoying the food, culture, and unforgettable experiences that await. As soon as you find out how you’re getting to South Korea, don’t forget to check if you need a visa!

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👀 What’s Next?

Now you know how to visit South Korea, you probably want to know all about exploring this incredible country!

Here are other South Korea guides we have:

So are you ready to start planning your perfect trip? Now that you know how to visit South Korea, it’s time for you to start planning your transportation there.

Want to learn more about traveling to South Korea? We have plenty of other Korean travel guides for you to enjoy. Make sure to join our newsletter for all of our weekly guide updates, and to receive exclusive discounts on our Scratch Your Mapa shop.

Excited about visiting South Korea but don’t want the stress of booking and planning the entire thing yourself? Well, we’re here to help! Scratch Your Mapa offers customized travel planning services, helping you find the best flights, unique accommodation options, and specially curated itineraries. Want to learn more? Grab your consultation today.

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