Cards with the Plus and Cirrus logos are the easiest to use and most widely accepted in Korea. Some places even accept international cards like China UnionPay, Maestro, Electron, and JCB cards.
Banks as well as other sites have ATMs (automatic teller machines), where customers can make withdrawals, deposits, and fund transfers. However, as all ATM transactions require an account with a Korean bank, ATMs are not particularly convenient for international travelers except for getting cash advances on a credit card. If you have an account with Citibank, however, you can enjoy a more extensive range of banking services. Just visit a Citibank location nearby for ATM or counter services. Some ATM/CD machines operate 24 hours a day, while others are opened from 8am to 12am.
Public phone
There are three types of public telephones in Korea: coin-operated telephones, card phones, and credit card phones. A local call costs 70 won (US$0.06) for three minutes. Intercity calls cost considerably more. Coin phones return coins that are not charged, but do not return change for partially used 100 won coins. Card telephones can be used to make international calls as well as local and intercity calls. Telephone cards come in 2,000, 3,000, 5,000, and 10,000 denominations and are on sale in shops close to telephone boxes and in banks. There are also credit card phones, which you can use with major credit cards.
· How to call Korea from overseas!
When you make a phone call to Korea from abroad, first dial 82 (Country Code for Korea), then Area Code (except for the first number 0) , finally, dial the Phone Number you desire to call.
For example: Calling Seoul (Area Code 02) with 777-7777 as the phone number, dial +82-2-777-7777.
· How to call overseas from Korea!
▶ First dial any of the following international call company numbers and then the country code, area code and finally the number you are calling.
▶ Regular International Phone Call Carriers: 001, 002, 008 *Mobile Phone Carriers: 00345, 00365, 00388, 00700, 00727, 00766, 00770 and so on.
▶ Pre-paid Phone Cards: Generally, since it is almost impossible to find budget mobile phone rentals, pre-paid phone cards are available at any convenient stores or news stands.
· Regular International Phone Call Carriers
Carrier`s Number
001
002
008
Charge per minute (USA/Jpn/Chn)
288/840/1278 won
714/828/1278 won
696/810/1248 won
· Mobile Phone International Carriers
Carrier`s Number
Charge per minute (USA/Jpn/Chn)
00345
252/336/714 won
00365
174/297/699 won
00388
188/288/588 won
00700
288/390/780 won
00727*
276/378/798 won
00766
246/324/702 won
00770*
186/318/390 won
* Updated on January, 2004
* these numbers may be used on a regular phone as well.
Cell-phone Rental Service
Cell-phone Rental Services are available at Incheon International Airport.
Internet
Internet service is offered in public places such as airports, train stations and bus terminals in Korea. PC bangs and internet cafes are also handy places to get internet service and easy to fine throughout the country. Many PC bangs are open 24-hours and some have snack bars with beverages, noodles, other snacks available.
Postal Service
▶ Domestic First Class Mail: Up to 5g: 160 won/ From 5g to 25g: 190 won
▶ Domestic Express Mail: Up to 5g: 240 won/ From 5g to 25g: 280 won
▶ Packages for the local area: Up to 2kg: 1,500 won
▶ Post Cards: 160 won per card
Business Hours
Business
Weekdays
Saturdays
Sundays and National Holidays
Banks
9 am ~ 5 pm
Closed
Closed
Government Offices and Organizations
9 am ~ 6 pm
Closed
Closed
Post Offices
9 am ~ 6 pm (Gwanghwamun Post Office: 9 am ~ 8 pm)
9 am ~ 1 pm
(From July 2005 the post office is expected to stop Saturday hours.)(Gwanghwamun Post Office: 9 am ~ 6 pm)
Closed (Gwanghwamun Post Office: 9 am ~ 6 pm)
Foreign Diplomatic Missions
Hours vary, please see the following link for more information: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade(English)
Closed
Closed
Department Stores
10:30 am ~ 8 pm
10:30 am ~ 8 pm
10:30 am ~ 8 pm
*Typically one day a month (usually a Monday) department stores are closed to the public. However, closings will vary according to each store.
Time Difference : Korea Time
When Indicating Korea Time: Present Time (GMT+9) / No daylight savings time.
City
Time
Rio de Janeiro, S`ao Paulo
*13
*16
*19
*22
1
4
7
11
New York, Montreal, Bogota, Toronto
*11
*14
*17
*20
*23
2
5
8
Chicago, Houston
*10
*13
*16
*19
*22
1
4
7
Vancouver, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles
*8
*11
*14
*17
*20
*23
2
5
Sydney, Melbourne
2
5
8
11
14
17
20
23
Seoul, Tokyo (Korea Time)
1
4
7
10
13
16
19
22
Taipei, Manila, Hong Kong, Kulala Lumpur, Singapore
