Why visit
Seoul is palaces (Gyeongbokgung), markets (Gwangjang), street food, Hongdae nightlife, and a city that never really sleeps. Bukhansan mountain rises inside city limits.
How to use this result
Use it as a capital-city prompt
Seoul is useful when you want a city-level starting point in South Korea. Check whether the capital is the best arrival city, a practical transfer point, or mainly a geography and planning reference.
Check practical trip fit
Before planning around Seoul, compare airport access, local transport, time zone, neighborhood choices, weather, safety guidance, and whether another city in South Korea better matches the trip style.
Seoul at a glance
City population
9.7 million
Metro: 25.7 million
Elevation
38 m
125 ft
Time zone
UTC+9
Asia/Seoul
Airport
ICN
Incheon International
Founded
1394 (Hanseong)
Getting around
Seoul Metro (23 lines, 700+ stations), buses, T-money card
Signature dish
Korean BBQ (samgyeopsal, bulgogi), bibimbap, kimchi, street food
Neighborhoods for travelers
GangnamHongdaeItaewonBukchon Hanok VillageMyeongdong
South Korea at a glance
Country center
37.0°, 127.5°
Coast
Has coastline
Country area
100,210 km²
38,691 mi²
Country population
51.6 million
515/km²
Subregion
Eastern Asia
Currency
South Korean won (₩)
KRW
Dial
+82
Language
Korean
Demonym
South Korean
Internet
.kr
UN
Member state
ISO code
KR / KOR
Where in the world
37.0° - 127.5°
South Korea
Open in Google Maps
Click the map to open in Google Maps. Outline via svg-maps/world - CC BY 4.0
Did you know
- Seoul has the fastest internet speeds in the world.
- The city's metro is one of the most extensive globally: 23 lines and 700+ stations.
- Five of the world's 20 busiest airports serve Seoul, even though most travelers use just Incheon.
- South Korea has the fastest average internet speeds on earth.
- Seoul has 11,000+ convenience stores: one for every ~900 people.
Bordering South Korea
Traveler notes
- T-money card works on all transit + convenience stores
- Try Korean BBQ, tteokbokki, and sullungtang
- DMZ day-tour is the most unusual add-on
Plan checks
- Choose a neighborhood first: many capitals have tourist centers that are not the best places to stay.
- Public transport passes usually beat taxis and rideshares for multi-day visits.
- Reserve top restaurants 2–4 weeks out and plan two standout meals per city.
Explore more
Facts last reviewed June 2026 against GeoNames and national statistics sources. See the editorial policy for how destination data is maintained.
Frequently asked about Seoul
What currency is used in Seoul?
Seoul uses the South Korean won (₩), ISO code KRW.
What languages are spoken in South Korea?
The primary language is Korean.
What is the international calling code for South Korea?
The calling code is +82.
What airport serves Seoul?
Incheon International (IATA: ICN).
Other Asia destinations
Hoi An
Hoi An is a UNESCO-listed old port town. Lanterns at night, tailor shops by the hundred, An Bang beach 5 km away, and the Mỳ Sơn Cham ruins nearby.
Ho Chi Minh City
Saigon is the country's economic engine. War Remnants Museum, Notre-Dame Basilica, Ben Thanh Market, the Cu Chi Tunnels day-trip, and a relentless food culture.
Bali
Bali is Ubud's rice terraces and yoga, Canggu's surf and expat cafés, Uluwatu's cliff-top temples, and Nusa Penida's dramatic coast. Crowds large; beauty larger.
Yogyakarta
Yogyakarta is Java's cultural heart. Borobudur's 9th-century Buddhist temple, Prambanan's Hindu complex, Kraton sultan's palace, and batik workshops.
Penang
Penang is George Town's UNESCO heritage quarter. Street art, clan houses, colonial facades, and a food scene regularly ranked Asia's best.
Siem Reap
Siem Reap is the base for Angkor. The largest religious monument on earth. Sunrise at Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm overgrown ruins, and the floating villages on Tonlé Sap.