🇰🇷 South Korea
Visa-free, with the K-ETA currently waived for Australians.
South Korea is visa-free for Australians for 90 days, and Australians are currently on the temporary exemption list for the K-ETA travel authorisation. That exemption is renewed year to year, so it's the one thing to re-check close to departure — everything else about a Korea trip is straightforward.
Your South Korea trip setup
21 things Australians need to sort. Tick them off as you go.
Entry requirements
Visa-free (K-ETA currently waived)Up to 90 days View detailsConnectivity
Compare 8 plansFrom $5.50 Compare eSIMsTravel insurance
Compare 5 policysFrom $19 Compare insuranceMoney & payments
Compare 5 cards0.43% – 0.65% conversion fee Compare cardsAirport transfer
ICN → SeoulFrom $5 Compare optionsDriving
IDP requiredDrives on the right Compare car hireTravel essentials
Adapter type C/FTap water: safe to drink View guideThings to do
Compare 5 experiencesFrom $25 Explore activitiesSouth Korea at a glance for Australians
Best time to visit
April – June and September – November
Cherry blossom in early April, autumn colour in late October. Summer is hot, humid and wet; winter is genuinely cold.
10h 15m from Sydney (direct)
Health & safety
Smartraveller: Exercise normal safety precautions
No reciprocal agreement. Korean hospitals are excellent and comparatively affordable, but you pay upfront.
Emergency: 112 police / 119 fire and ambulance
Money
Extremely high — Korea is close to cashless. Cards work almost everywhere including taxis and convenience stores.
Look for 'Global ATM' signs; not all Korean ATMs accept foreign cards. Airport and convenience store ATMs are the most reliable.
Tipping: Not customary and can be refused. Service is included in the price.
Language & culture
Korean
English: Limited in conversation, but signage and transport are well translated
Capital: Seoul
Australian dollar to South Korean won
â‚©989 KRW per AUD
Last recorded rate
These are mid-market rates — the rate banks trade at, published by the European Central Bank. It is not what you will be offered. Expect a card or exchange service to take 0.5% to 5% off it, which is exactly what our travel money comparison is for. Past movement doesn't predict future rates, and none of this is financial advice.
View the numbers as a table
Where Australians go in South Korea
Seoul
Busan
Jeju
Gyeongju
Incheon
South Korea FAQs for Australian travellers
Do Australians need a K-ETA for South Korea?
Not currently. Australia is on South Korea's temporary K-ETA exemption list, so you can enter visa-free for 90 days with no travel authorisation. The exemption is renewed annually, so confirm it's still in place at k-eta.go.kr before you fly.
Do Australians need a visa for South Korea?
No. Australian passport holders can visit visa-free for up to 90 days for tourism.
Do I need an International Driving Permit in South Korea?
Yes, if you plan to drive. Korea accepts the 1949 Geneva Convention IDP issued in Australia, carried with your Australian licence and passport.
Can I use my Australian card on Seoul's subway?
Generally no. Korean transit readers usually don't accept foreign contactless cards. Buy a T-money card at any convenience store for a few dollars and top it up with cash.
Is the Japan power adapter the same as Korea?
No. Japan uses flat Type A pins at 100V, Korea uses round Type C and F pins at 220V. If you're visiting both, bring a universal adapter.
Watching South Korea?
We'll email you if the visa, arrival card or entry fee rules change for Australian passport holders travelling to South Korea.