Annyeong, travelers! 
Winter is officially here. If your social media feed is anything like ours, it’s probably flooded with friends planning snowy getaways to Europe. London, Switzerland, Paris, the “West” seems to be the default setting for a winter holiday.
But what if you flipped the map? What if you traded the Eiffel Tower for the Seoul Tower, and fish and chips for a steaming hot Hotteok? Skip the usual European tour and dive into the land of K-Dramas and Kimchi!
1. South Korea Tourist Visa for Indians
Indians need a C-3-9 Tourist Visa to enter South Korea. As of late 2025, there is no e-visa for Indian tourists; the process is offline through VFS Global.
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Visa Fee (Updated): ₹3,400 (Embassy fee) + approx ₹1,380 (VFS Service charge).
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Total: Approx ₹4,780.
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Processing Time: 10–15 working days.
Pro Tip (The Jeju Hack): Want to visit without a visa? Jeju Island allows Visa-Free entry for Indians for up to 30 days, BUT only if you fly directly to Jeju (e.g., via Singapore or Bangkok) without touching mainland Korea (Seoul/Busan). If you transit through Seoul, you need a visa.
2. Flights: India to South Korea
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Direct Flight: Air India (AI 312) flies directly from Delhi (DEL) to Seoul (ICN).
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Duration: ~6 hours 45 mins.
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Cost: approx. ₹35,000 – ₹55,000 (Roundtrip).
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Connecting Options: Vietnam Airlines, Singapore Airlines, and Cathay Pacific offer competitive deals from Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai. Layover flights via Vietnam are often the cheapest option!
3. Smart Travel Hacks
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Currency: 1 KRW ≈ 0.06 INR (South Korean Won).
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WOWPASS Card: Get a WOWPASS at Incheon Airport. It works as a T-Money transit card. You can top it up with INR or USD directly at kiosks.
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App Essentials: Google Maps does not work well in Korea. Download Naver Map or KakaoMap for navigation, and Papago for translation.
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SIM Card: Buy an eSIM (like Airalo or SK Telecom) online before you fly to save time at the airport.
4. Perfect 7-Day South Korea Itinerary for Indians
Day 1: Arrival & Myeongdong Street Food
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Land at Incheon Int’l Airport. Take the AREX Train to Seoul Station (45 mins).
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Check into your hotel in Myeongdong (best area for first-timers).
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Evening: Explore Myeongdong Night Market.
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Must Eat: Hotteok (Sweet Pancake), Egg Bread, and Grilled Cheese Lobster. (Vegetarian friendly options available!)
Day 2: Royal Palaces & Traditional Villages
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Morning: Rent a Hanbok near Gyeongbokgung Palace.
- Budget Tip: Entry is FREE if you wear a Hanbok! (Regular fee: approx ₹185).
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Lunch: Visit Insadong for traditional tea and Sanchon (Temple food).
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Afternoon: Walk through Bukchon Hanok Village for those iconic photo spots.
Day 3: Nami Island (K-Drama Vibes)
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Take a shuttle bus or train (ITX) to Nami Island.
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Walk the famous Metasequoia Lane (seen in Winter Sonata).
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Entry Fee: Approx ₹973 (includes ferry).
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Return to Seoul and visit the Starfield Library in Gangnam for that Instagram shot.
Day 4: Travel to Busan (The Coastal City)
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Take the KTX Bullet Train to Busan (2.5 hours).
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Visit Gamcheon Culture Village (The Machu Picchu of Busan).
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Evening: Walk on Haeundae Beach or see the drone show at Gwangalli Beach (Saturdays only).
Day 5: Sky Capsules & Spiritual Busan
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Morning: Visit Haedong Yonggungsa, a stunning temple built right on the seaside cliffs.
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Afternoon: Ride the famous Blue Line Park Sky Capsule at Haeundae.
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*Cost:* **₹2,100 - ₹2,700** for a 2-person capsule.
Note: Book this online 2 weeks in advance!
- Take the KTX back to Seoul in the evening.
Day 6: Shopping & Modern Seoul
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Morning: Visit Lotte World Tower (Seoul Sky) for a view from the 118th floor.
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Shopping: Buy skincare at Olive Young in Hongdae.
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Evening: Enjoy the busking (street music) culture in Hongdae.
Day 7: Last Minute Buys & Departure
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Buy snacks (Seaweed, Honey Butter Almonds) at Lotte Mart near Seoul Station (they offer instant tax refunds!).
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Head to the airport via AREX.
5. Budget Manual (Per Person)
| Expense | Cost (INR) |
|---|---|
| Flights (Booked 2-3 months prior) | ₹40,000 |
| Visa Fees (Official + VFS) | ₹4,780 |
| Hotels (7 Nights - Mid range) | ₹35,000 |
| Food & Transport (Metro/KTX) | ₹25,000 |
| Total | ₹1,04,780 |
NOTE: Prices may vary based on seasons and style of travel.
Don’t Simply Watch the Drama, Live It.
You’ve watched the shows, you’ve listened to the music, and you’ve dreamed of the food. Now, it’s time to step through the screen. The Land of the Morning Calm is waiting for you, and trust us, the reality is even better than the script.
Looking for the best food and shopping spots? Check out our guide on Must-Do Things in South Korea.