Overland South Korea Travel

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Currency to display:

Visiting South Korea

South Korea is at the southern end of the Korean Peninsula, with North Korea to the north and Japan to the east. The two Korean countries are split because North Korea is Communist and South Korea is not.

Entering South Korea with a Car or Motorbike

Correct as of: (date last confirmed correct)

Required Paperwork

(To check if you need a travel Visa for South Korea, application instructions and fees see: South Korea Visa online application at VisaHQ.com)
List the paperwork required to enter with a vehicle, including number of copies

RO-RO

  • Here is a great blog post with all the details for shipping into South Korea Shipping To Korea

Container Shipping

Process at border

Briefly describe the process at the border to enter with a vehicle

Cost of entry

State the cost for a vehicle to enter

Permitted length of stay

State the permitted length of entry for the vehicle

Extension of stay

Describe the process to extend the permitted length of entry for the vehicle, if possible.

Storing a vehicle and temporarily leaving the country

Describe if/how a vehicle can be stored, and for how long.
Also mention if the owner / temporary importer can leave the country while the vehicle is in storage.

Exiting with a vehicle

Describe the paperwork requirements and process at the border to exit.

Driving in South Korea

Recommended books for Overlanding in South Korea

Lonely Planet Seoul (travel Guide)
Lonely Planet Seoul (travel Guide)
by Lonely Planet, Trent Holden, Simon Richmond
From $12.35 on Amazon
Work Less To Live Your Dreams: A Practical Guide To Sa...
Work Less To Live Your Dreams: A Practical Guide To Sa...
by Dan Grec
From $click on Amazon
Overlanders' Handbook: Worldwide Route And Planning Gu...
Overlanders' Handbook: Worldwide Route And Planning Gu...
by Chris Scott
From $22.49 on Amazon
Adventure Motorcycling Handbook: A Route & Planning Gu...
Adventure Motorcycling Handbook: A Route & Planning Gu...
by Chris Scott
From $click on Amazon
Dinosaurs, Birds, And Pterosaurs Of Korea: A Paradise ...
Dinosaurs, Birds, And Pterosaurs Of Korea: A Paradise ...
by Jeong Yul Kim, Min Huh
From $146.32 on Amazon

Travel insurance for South Korea

World Nomads offer the most flexible Travel Insurance at the best prices for multi-country / multi-year trips. You can buy, extend and claim online, even after you've left home.

Vehicle insurance requirements

Yes, mandatory.

Cost of vehicle insurance

2000 Toyota LandCruiser - ₩172,000.00 KRW for one month. Better terms are available for longer periods.

Where to purchase vehicle insurance

We emailed Brian Kim at Samsung Insurance for our needs: lasmid@hanmail.net

Driving license

Valid International Driving Permit is required.

Driving side of road

Right.
RHD vehicles can be driven in South Korea.

Mandatory items in vehicle

State any mandatory items that must be carried in the vehicle. (i.e. safety triangle, first aid kit, fire extinguisher, etc.)

Roads

General Road quality

Road quality is excellent. Even in rural areas, most public rights of way are paved and well-maintained.

Road signs

Road signs are excellent, and most signs are written in both Korean and English.

Toll roads

All expressways are toll roads, as are a number of privately owned highways. It is, however, almost always possible to take an alternate route that does not have a toll.

Bribery in South Korea

Bribery is neither expected nor helpful in South Korea.

Checkpoints

describe the frequency of checkpoints (police or military and what to expect.

Traveling with pets

List the entry requirements and anything else required to travel with a pet.

Gas and Diesel price in South Korea

Last updated: October 2012

Currency and unit to display:

Gasoline Grade Price
Unleaded €1.42 EUR per Liter[1]
Diesel €1.28 EUR per Liter[1]

Gas and Diesel Availability / Frequency

Briefly describe if gas shortages are known to occur.
Also state the approximate average distance between gas stations. This is a very rough estimate.

Gas and Diesel Quality

Discuss if gasoline / diesel considered "clean" or "dirty", and generally high or low quality.
State the sulfur content of diesel, if known.

Safety and Security Considerations

Driving at night

Discuss driving at night and if it should it be avoided. Mention why.

Vehicle parking

Discuss if vehicles can be parked on the street, if they are considered "safe" at night. If vehicles can not be parked on the street, list the other options that exist.

Special driving considerations

A List of special things to be careful of (i.e. Unsigned speed bumps, abnormal road rules, people or animals on the road, etc.).
List any roads that are not recommended to drive for safety or other security reasons.

Security advisories and information

Camping in South Korea

Describe if organized "pay" camping is common. List the facilities commonly found at these campsites.
List the approximate average price range of camping in organized campgrounds.
Also discuss the possibility of "wild" or "roadside" camping. How common is it? Is it considered safe, or a bad idea.

Camping guide books

List and link to books specifically for camping.

Drinking water

Describe if the regular tap water is safe to drink. If not, describe where safe water can be purchased and the approximate average price range.

Navigation

Paper maps

Reise Know-How are amoung the best paper maps. Purchase paper maps before arriving in South Korea

Korea, North And South
Korea, North And South
by Reise Know-How Verlag
From $5.98 on Amazon
North Korea, South Korea, The Forgotten War: 2 Sided [...
North Korea, South Korea, The Forgotten War: 2 Sided [...
by National Geographic Maps - Reference
From $19.99 on Amazon
Korea & Seoul Travel Map  (periplus Travel Maps)
Korea & Seoul Travel Map (periplus Travel Maps)
From $4.95 on Amazon
Lonely Planet Korea (travel Guide)
Lonely Planet Korea (travel Guide)
by Lonely Planet, Simon Richmond, Megan Eaves, Trent ...
From $14.67 on Amazon

GPS Maps of South Korea

Review different GPS companies, quality and coverage (Tomtom, Garmin, OSM, Tracks4Africa). (with links to each).

GPS co-ordinates for camping, propane, gas, repairs, etc. in South Korea

  • iOverlander is a website and iPhone application designed by Overlanders, for Overlanders. It contains GPS co-ordinates and reviews for camping, hotels, propane, water, mechanics, borders and much more.

Link to sites that have a list of GPS co-ordinates (or directions) for camping locations (including "wild" campsites), propane filling, gas stations, repair shops, places of interest, etc.

Special Overland Travel interests

List any special items / places that are popular with Overlanders

Vehicle Maintenance

Dealers

4x4s / Trucks

Motorbikes

Local Garages

Add known good mechanics here.

Buy or sell a car or motorbike in South Korea

Buy
Describe how a foreigner can buy a vehicle. List any difficulties or limitations on where the vehicle can be driven.

Sell
Describe how a foreigner can sell a foreign-plated vehicle, or list not possible.'

References

Links to the source of any information - blogs or discussion forums, etc.

  1. 1.0 1.1 World petrol prices, gas prices, diesel prices|MyTravelCost.com

Helpful External links

Add any helpful external links here.