EACH WORLD
City travel difficulty checks for families & seniors — official sources only, evidence quoted on every page.

Home / East Asia / South Korea / Seoul

Seoul 首爾

South Korea · East Asia

Last verified: 2026-11-08

At a glance — five-dimension ratings

SafetyFair
TransportationGood
Emergency medicalFair
Daily convenienceNot yet checked
CommunicationsFair

Scale: Good = traveller-friendly · Fair = manageable with some effort · Hard = demanding. Climate is described separately and is never rated.

Who it suits

General travellersFair
Families with childrenFair
SeniorsFair
Wheelchair usersFair

Climate profile

Complete — monthly climate normals are on record. Climate is described only; it is never given a rating.

The full climate notes and their sources are in the evidence section below.

Everyday numbers

Counts of places mapped in OpenStreetMap (nodes and ways) inside the counting boundary recorded below. These are map counts, not official statistics.

Convenience stores6,694
Supermarkets1,170
Pharmacies819
ATMs136

Counting boundary (as recorded in our dataset): OpenStreetMap relation 2297418「首爾特別市」行政邊界

Counted: 2026-11-11.

Evidence & sources — original wording

The notes and quotations below are reproduced verbatim from the underlying assessment records (original languages kept). Only official sources were used.

Safety

現在、スポット情報は出ておりません。」（日本外務省海外安全網站・韓國危険・スポット・広域情報頁「スポット情報

https://www.anzen.mofa.go.jp/info/pcinfectionspothazardinfo_003.html

Exercise normal precautions in the Republic of Korea (ROK or South Korea).

Source: 美國國務院 South Korea Travel Advisory — https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel/travel-advisories/south-korea.html

For most visitors, South Korea is a very safe country. Violent crime or crimes against property are rare. You should take the same security precautions as in the United States or any big city.」（美國國務院，同上「Crime

https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel/travel-advisories/south-korea.html

Large-scale demonstrations may occur with little notice, potentially disrupting transportation and other essential services.」（美國國務院，同上「Advisory summary

https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel/travel-advisories/south-korea.html

Demonstrations are common.」（美國國務院，同上「Demonstrations

https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel/travel-advisories/south-korea.html

Past demonstrations have turned violent.」（美國國務院，同上「Demonstrations

https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel/travel-advisories/south-korea.html

The Embassy receives reports of sexual assault from U.S. citizens.」（美國國務院，同上「Sexual assault and domestic violence

https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel/travel-advisories/south-korea.html

Alcohol is often involved, and South Korea's low overall crime rate can create a false sense of security.

Source: 美國國務院，同上 — https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel/travel-advisories/south-korea.html

57 South Korea 1.839 DOWN-LONG 6

Source: Institute for Economics & Peace, Global Peace Index 2026 海報 — https://www.visionofhumanity.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Global-Peace-Index-2026-A3-map-poster.pdf

Dial 112 for police.」「Dial 119 for ambulance.

Source: 美國國務院 South Korea Travel Advisory・Emergency phone numbers — https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel/travel-advisories/south-korea.html

시민께 사랑받는 당당한 서울경찰

Source: 首爾警察廳官網首頁標語；僅佐證頁面存在，不支撐實質犯罪數字 — https://www.smpa.go.kr/

Crime Report 112」「Fire/Accidents/Rescue 119」「Foreign Tourist Information 1330

Source: 韓國警察廳英文官網 Contacts For Help；抓取副本 crawl 日期 2025-03-04，較舊 — https://www.police.go.kr/eng/main.do

日期口徑註明：美方頁面標示之「Date issued: August 11, 2025」為旅遊指引發布日期；本次重開現行頁（2026-11-08）文本與第 1 階段所載一致。

Transportation

[basic fare] Within 10km: 1,550KRW

Source: 首爾交通公社地鐵票價頁，交通卡成人 — http://www.seoulmetro.co.kr/en/page.do?menuIdx=348

Basic Fare: 1,550 won up to 10km

Source: 首爾交通公社，同頁 Subway Fare 表 — http://www.seoulmetro.co.kr/en/page.do?menuIdx=348

When transferring between subway and bus: integrated distance proportional system (integrated fare)

Source: 首爾交通公社，同頁 — http://www.seoulmetro.co.kr/en/page.do?menuIdx=348

Those separately designated including senior citizens (65 years of age or older), handicapped persons (including 1 guardian for severely handicapped persons with disability level between 1 and 3)

Source: 首爾交通公社，同頁 preferential 免費乘車欄 — http://www.seoulmetro.co.kr/en/page.do?menuIdx=348

The Airport Railroad (AREX) is the fastest way to travel between Incheon International Airport and Seoul Station, a major hub in the city.

Source: VisitKorea 機場交通指南 — https://english.visitkorea.or.kr/svc/contents/contentsView.do?vcontsId=140654

Incheon Int'l Airport Terminal 1 → Seoul Station (Approx. 43 min)」「Incheon Int'l Airport Terminal 2 → Seoul Station (Approx. 51 min)

Source: VisitKorea，同上，Express Train — https://english.visitkorea.or.kr/svc/contents/contentsView.do?vcontsId=140654

Incheon Int'l Airport Terminal 1 → Seoul Station (Approx. 59 min)」「Incheon Int'l Airport Terminal 2 → Seoul Station (Approx. 66 min)

Source: VisitKorea，同上，All-Stop Train — https://english.visitkorea.or.kr/svc/contents/contentsView.do?vcontsId=140654

Most public transportation that travel from the airport to the center of Seoul finish their operation at around 23:30.

Source: VisitKorea，同上，Night Bus — https://english.visitkorea.or.kr/svc/contents/contentsView.do?vcontsId=140654

From Gimpo International Airport, you can reach central Seoul via AREX or the subway. The AREX All-Stop Train takes approximately 23 minutes to Seoul Station.

Source: VisitKorea，同上 — https://english.visitkorea.or.kr/svc/contents/contentsView.do?vcontsId=140654

The Seoul Metropolitan Subway system, including Lines 5 and 9, the Gimpo Goldline, and the Seohae Line, offers convenient access to central Seoul and surrounding areas within about an hour.

Source: VisitKorea，同上 — https://english.visitkorea.or.kr/svc/contents/contentsView.do?vcontsId=140654

Gimpo International Airport is a friendly airport that you would want to visit again

Source: 金浦機場官網英文首頁；僅佐證頁面存在，不支撐聯外細節 — https://www.airport.co.kr/gimpoeng/index.do

Emergency medical

Dial 112 for police.」「Dial 119 for ambulance.

Source: 美國國務院 South Korea Travel Advisory・Emergency phone numbers — https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel/travel-advisories/south-korea.html

Crime Report 112」「Fire/Accidents/Rescue 119

Source: 韓國警察廳英文官網 Contacts For Help；抓取副本 crawl 日期 2025-03-04，較舊 — https://www.police.go.kr/eng/main.do

世界銀行 API 回傳（2026-11-08 查詢）：Korea, Rep., SH.MED.BEDS.ZS, 2022 年值 12.81（2023、2024 年值 null）；查詢端點

https://api.worldbank.org/v2/country/KOR/indicator/SH.MED.BEDS.ZS?format=json&date=2020:2024

Daily convenience

In 2024, the daily average volume and value of payment card transactions climbed by 3.4% and 3.9%, respectively, compared to the previous year.

Source: 韓國銀行《Payment and Settlement Systems Report 2024》 — https://www.bok.or.kr/cdnFileSrc/eng/9612c008869d4254ac9c2a1be21ad187/1/filedown.pdf

I-1. Trends in the Use of Non-Cash Payment Instruments

Source: 韓國銀行，同上，目錄 — https://www.bok.or.kr/cdnFileSrc/eng/9612c008869d4254ac9c2a1be21ad187/1/filedown.pdf

OSM 計數出處：OpenStreetMap relation 2297418

Source: 首爾特別市 — https://www.openstreetmap.org/relation/2297418

Communications

Coverage

Source: KT 覆蓋查詢頁；僅佐證查詢頁面存在，不支撐覆蓋率數值 — https://nqi.kt.com/KTCVRG/coverage

Mobile phones can be rented from major telecom companies such as LG, SK, and KT in the arrivals lobby at Incheon and Gimpo International Airports.

Source: Visit Seoul 電話與網路頁 — https://english.visitseoul.net/Phone-Internet

Prepaid SIM cards can be purchased online and picked up at Incheon International Airport. It is also possible to purchase prepaid SIM cards at the airport.

Source: Visit Seoul，同上 — https://english.visitseoul.net/Phone-Internet

Prepaid SIM cards are also available for purchase at most convenience stores around Seoul, such as CU, 7-11, and GS25.

Source: Visit Seoul，同上 — https://english.visitseoul.net/Phone-Internet

Prepaid eSIM can be easily purchased and received online. Since eSIM works in a digital way, you can install a prepaid data plan by scanning the QR code.

Source: Visit Seoul，同上，Prepaid eSIM — https://english.visitseoul.net/Phone-Internet

Internet access is widely available throughout Seoul.

Source: Visit Seoul，同上，Internet Access — https://english.visitseoul.net/Phone-Internet

Wireless Internet is widely available in Seoul, which boasts nearly 10,000 free Wi-Fi hot spots.

Source: Visit Seoul，同上，Wi-Fi — https://english.visitseoul.net/Phone-Internet

Dial 112 for police.」「Dial 119 for ambulance.

Source: 美國國務院 South Korea Travel Advisory・Emergency phone numbers — https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel/travel-advisories/south-korea.html

Foreign Tourist Information 1330

Source: 韓國警察廳英文官網 Contacts For Help；抓取副本 crawl 日期 2025-03-04，較舊 — https://www.police.go.kr/eng/main.do

Climate profile

資料來源：WMO 世界天氣資訊服務（World Weather Information Service）首爾城市氣候資料（城市編號 231，氣候值基期 1991–2020，由會員國氣象機關韓國氣象廳 KMA 提供、WMO 彙編；KMA 開放氣象資料入口

https://data.kma.go.kr/

來源網址：WMO 城市清單

Source: 「"Republic of Korea";"Seoul";"231"」 — https://worldweather.wmo.int/en/json/full_city_list.txt

"cityId":231,"isCapital":true,"stationName":"Seoul"

Source: WMO 首爾城市資料檔 — https://worldweather.wmo.int/en/json/231_en.json

"orgName":"Korea Meteorological Administration"

Source: WMO 首爾城市資料檔・資料提供機關 — https://worldweather.wmo.int/en/json/231_en.json

"climate":{"raintype":"","raindef":"","rainunit":"","datab":1991,"datae":2020

Source: WMO 首爾城市資料檔・氣候值基期 — https://worldweather.wmo.int/en/json/231_en.json

{"month":7,"maxTemp":"29.0","minTemp":"22.3","meanTemp":null,"maxTempF":"84.2","minTempF":"72.1","meanTempF":null,"raindays":"16.3","rainfall":"414.4","climateFromMemDate":"2001-12-27"}

Source: WMO 首爾城市資料檔・7 月氣候值 — https://worldweather.wmo.int/en/json/231_en.json

{"month":8,"maxTemp":"30.0","minTemp":"22.9","meanTemp":null,"maxTempF":"86.0","minTempF":"73.2","meanTempF":null,"raindays":"14.7","rainfall":"348.2","climateFromMemDate":"2001-12-27"}

Source: WMO 首爾城市資料檔・8 月氣候值 — https://worldweather.wmo.int/en/json/231_en.json

{"month":1,"maxTemp":"2.1","minTemp":"-5.5","meanTemp":null,"maxTempF":"35.8","minTempF":"22.1","meanTempF":null,"raindays":"6.1","rainfall":"16.8","climateFromMemDate":"2001-12-27"}

Source: WMO 首爾城市資料檔・1 月氣候值 — https://worldweather.wmo.int/en/json/231_en.json

All sources consulted for this city (16)