Travel Tips

Useful Information
Currency and Banks

The Country’s currency is the won (KRW). Foreign currencies can be exchanged at airports and government-designated banks. Most of the stores in Korea only accept Korean currency, or KRW, so it is advised that visitors exchange to Korean currency at the airport. Major credit cards are widely accepted, and traveler’s checks may be accepted by tourist-oriented shops and at most international tourist hotels and banks. Banks open from 09:00 to 16:00 on weekdays(Mon-Fri) and are closed on weekends and public holidays.
ATM (Automated Teller Machines)

Travelers who carry internationally recognized credit cards can get a cash advance in Korea Won from Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) installed at airports, major hotels, department stores, subway stations and tourist attractions. ATMs are in operation 24 hours a day. Most large stores, hotels and restaurants in Korea accept major international credit cards
Time Zone & Business Hours

Time zone The Korean local time is 9 hours ahead of GMT with no daylight savings time.
Business Hours Government office hours are usually from 9:00 am to 06:00 pm on weekdays and closed on weekends. Banks are open from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm on weekdays and closed on Saturday and Sunday. Major stores are open every day from 10:30 am to 08:00 pm including Sundays.
Climate

Korea has four distinct seasons, though spring and autumn tend to be short. Spring comes in early April and lasts throughout May. The hot and humid summer begins in June and lasts about four months. The summer rainy season lasts from the end of June to mid of July. Summer ends in late September, giving way to crisp, clear autumn days that last until the end of October. It becomes colder in November, and a very cold, bleak winter sets in during December and lasts until the end of February.
Korea Meteorological Administration

International Call

International dialing code in Gangneung-Si, Korea is +82-033(Area code). Please omit (0) when dialing from overseas.
Tip & Tax

Tip Tipping is not a regular practice in Korea. Service charges are included in your bill for rooms, meals and other services at hotels and upscale restaurants. Koreans occasionally do tip when they are especially pleased with the service they receive.
Tax Visitors can receive a refund on a receipt for a minimum purchase of KRW 50,000 (around US$52). To receive this refund, present refund receipts with the purchased goods at the customs desk at the Incheon International Airport when departing. These receipts can be cashed in at the Cash Refund Office in front of the Airport Duty Free Shop.
Electricity

The standard electricity supply is 220 volts AC/60 cycles. Most hotels may provide outlet converters for 110 and 220 volts. Participants are recommended to check with the hotel beforehand.
Emergency Phone number

– Fire, Rescue & Hospital Services: 119
– Police Services: 112
– First Aid Services: 129
– Medical Emergency: 1339
– Korea Travel Phone: 1330
Useful Links
Venue
Lakai SANDPINE http://www.lakaisandpine.com/
Tour
Pine City Gangneung https://www.gn.go.kr/entour/index.do
Gangwon-do https://www.gangwon.to/en
Korea Tourism Organization Kto.visitkorea.or.kr/eng.kto
Visit Korea English.visitkorea.or.kr
Travel Information http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/TRV/TV_ENG_1_1.jsp
VISA / Passport
Korea Immigration Service Immigration.go.kr/immigration_eng/index.do
Ministry of Foreign Affairs mofa.go.kr/eng/index.do
Train
Korail https://www.letskorail.com/ebizbf/EbizbfForeign_pr16100.do?gubun=1
Airport
Incheon International Airport www.airport.kr/ap/en/index.do
Gimpo International Airport www.airport.co.kr/gimpoeng/main.do
Transportation
AREX (Airport Express) www.arex.or.kr/main.do
Kobus (Bus Reservation) https://www.kobus.co.kr/main.do
Mobile Roaming Service
SK Telecom Inbound Roaming Service skroaming.com/main.asp
KT olleh Roaming Service Roaming.kt.com/rental/eng/main.asp