Best Time to Visit Korea from New Zealand: What to do, weather, visas, and more
Korea is a fascinating country, whether you’re looking for stunning nature, great cuisine or a chance to get first hand experience of Korean pop culture. There’s no shortage of things to do in Korea, but you may be able to get more from your trip if you pick the best time to visit Korea for your specific planned activities.
This guide looks at the best time to travel to Korea based on the weather and climate, local festivals and popular things to do. We’ll also share more about the Wise card, a handy way to spend internationally.
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When is the best time to visit Korea from New Zealand
The best time to visit Korea from New Zealand is between March and May, in Spring, when the country comes alive with cherry blossoms and the weather is mild and pleasant.
That being said, the best month to visit Korea depends on your preferences - each of the changing seasons has its own appeal. However, some months and seasons have their own considerations, which can help you pick the best time to visit Korea for your specific plans.
Let’s look at an overview of what to do in Korea month by month to give you an inkling of what to expect.
Spring: March - May
Many people consider the Korean spring time to be one of the best times to visit the country. During this period, the Korean weather is starting to warm, hitting 10 - 14 degrees celsius in March, depending on where you go. Spring blossom starts to appear, and there are various interesting festivals to visit.
March: If you’re planning a trip to Korea in March, you’ll still need to wrap up, but might be able to spot some of the early cherry blossoms as they start to emerge.
April: Temperatures rise significantly, making April one of the best times to visit Korea for blossom. The popularity can mean cities are busy, though - and from time to time air pollution, known as ‘yellow dust’ can cause irritation.
May: There are many stunning Korean places to visit in May, with sunny days and warm temperatures allowing for a broad range of outdoor activities as well as city breaks.
Summer: June - August
Korean summer time is hot and muggy, but in coastal areas there can be a good breeze to alleviate the heat. If you’re looking for a break from the New Zealand winter, you’ll certainly get some sun in Korea - but plan for monsoon rainfall as well.
June: June is the best of the summer months in Korea, considered shoulder season and offering plenty of clear days mixed with the start of the monsoon rains. Tourist demand drops, lowering prices for hotels.
July: Summer is in full swing, making this a great place to escape the New Zealand winter and get some warmth. Take a look at Haeundae Beach in Busan, for a great destination offering beaches and culture in one location¹. Expect humidity and frequent rain.
August: August is the hottest month for many locations in Korea, and beach destinations can be busy thanks to school holidays. Rain is still common, which can mean that choosing a destination with a mix of in- and outdoor activities is a smart plan.
Autumn: September - November
As summer and the monsoon comes to a close, temperatures in Korea drop significantly, and the leaves start to turn. Autumn in Korea is considered to be one of the prettiest times in the country if you love to be outdoors.
September: The temperatures are dropping, and while there’s still occasional rain, September generally offers relief from the intense humidity.
October: The Autumn leaves are putting on their best show during October, and the falling temperatures make this a good month for hiking, or if you love travel photography. Check out Seoraksan National Park, or Bukhansan National Park if you're visiting Seoul, as good places for a hike.
November: If you’re looking to go somewhere cool to beat the rising temperatures in New Zealand, November visits to Korea can offer fresh, crisp weather and interesting activities like the Seoul lantern festival².
Winter: December - February
The winter in Korea is cold, with snow on higher ground - making it a good time to visit if you want to get involved in outdoor sports.
December: Temperatures drop significantly, allowing for the start of ski season - take a look at resorts in Gangwon Province if you’re heading to Korea to hit the slopes. Skiing is accessible even from the cities, making it possible to base yourself in Seoul and take day trips to resorts if you’d like to have the best of both worlds.
January: Ski season is in full swing now, with great conditions often available in many areas of the country. The weather is extremely cold, making this a good time to visit for winter sports - or take a look at the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival³ if you’d like to experience the novelty of ice fishing.
February: The Korean temperature is still pretty low in February, which can mean there are fewer tourists if you’d like a quiet visit. If the cold gets too much, consider taking a Korean cooking class in Seoul or one of the other popular cities.
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What to do in Korea
There’s lots to do in Korea, making this an enduringly popular destination for families, individual travel and romantic breaks. To plan your itinerary you’ll need to invest a bit of time in researching the activities available based on the time you’re planning to travel - here are a few places to start:
Get outdoors to experience the best of nature
You can easily experience Korea’s nature, even if your visit is primarily centered around one of the cities. Head out to a park to view the blossom or the changing leaves - or take on a single day or multi-day hike if you’re visiting in milder weather. For visits in the Korean winter, skiing is also an option - from Seoul you can get to Vivaldi Park resort in just 1.5 hours drive time, making this a popular choice.
Shop, eat and get immersed in city life
Get some first hand experience of Korean city life, and shop your way through Seoul with perfect locations like Myeongdong Shopping Street. Korea’s cities have a vibrant atmosphere, with great food to try when you need to refresh yourself after a long day of walking. Head to Gwangjang Market for excellent food in Seoul when you’ve had your fill of the shops.
Check out Korea’s cultural sites
If you’re in Seoul, cultural and historic sites like Gyeongbokgung Palace will definitely be part of your itinerary. Korea has a unique culture worthy of exploration, with UNESCO listed heritage locations through to small neighbourhood shrines and temples. There are also more adventurous day trips you might consider, such as taking a tour of the DMZ⁴ - the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea.
Take a K-pop tour
If you’re travelling to Korea because you’re interested in K-pop - or other aspects of popular culture - there’s plenty of opportunity to explore. The Seoul tourist authorities⁵ suggest itineraries and activities for people looking to learn K-pop dance, K-beauty make up and more. Take a look online for walking routes, organised classes and guides to make sure you can experience the aspect of modern Korean culture which grabs your attention most.
Planning a trip to Korea from New Zealand
Once you’ve decided where and when you’d like to visit, it’s time to get the details organised for your trip to Korea. Depending on when you want to travel, and how long you’re staying for, you might need to get a visa or visa waiver - and of course, booking up your flight early can mean snagging a better deal on costs.
Korea visa requirements for New Zealanders
If you hold a New Zealand passport, you can visit Korea for up to 90 days without a visa. However, you must obtain a Korea Electronic Travel Authorisation (K-ETA) online before you travel. You should apply for your K-ETA at least 72 hours before your departure to ensure it is processed in time. Applications are made through the official K-ETA website or mobile app.
As travel rules and regulations can change, it's always a good idea to check the latest advice on the official K-ETA website before your trip to avoid any issues.
Flights to Korea from New Zealand
There are direct flights available from Auckland (AKL) to Seoul (ICN), making the journey straightforward. Carriers like Korean Air and Air New Zealand operate this route. The direct flight time is approximately 12 hours.
Flight prices can vary pretty dramatically depending on the demand at the time you plan to travel. Online data suggests that the best bargains on flight prices can often be found in the shoulder seasons, so booking for months like May or September could save you money.
Get the most out of your NZD to KRW conversions on your holiday with Wise
The Wise card is a simple way to save up to 8x when you're spending internationally. You can spend in 150+ countries at mid-market rate — basically the rate you see on Google. With no foreign transaction fees and low, transparent pricing, Wise usually gives you the best value for your money.
Simply create a Wise account for free, order a card and top-up NZD to get started. Having a physical Wise card allows you to make chip and pin payments, as well as make some free ATM withdrawals each month for when you're abroad. You can get digital cards and add to your Google or Apple Pay wallet for instant use. Spend directly with the Wise account in NZD and let auto-conversion do the trick or convert in advance to your desired currency. You can hold and exchange 40+ currencies in your Wise account and spend the currencies you hold for free.
Wherever your travel takes you, the Wise card makes spending money abroad cheaper and easier.
This general advice does not take into account your objectives, financial circumstances or needs and you should consider if it is appropriate for you. Savings claim based on our rates vs. selected New Zealand banks and other similar providers in Jan 2025. To learn more please visit https://income-climb.live/nz/compare%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
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Sources:
- Visit Korea - best summer beach destinations
- Seoul lantern festival
- Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival
- DMZ tours
- K-pop tour
- SafeTravel NZ
- K-ETA Official Website
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