Entering South Korea: K-ETA & ferries 2026
You reach South Korea by plane or, from Japan, by sea. Before you go, check two online formalities: the K-ETA travel authorisation and the e-Arrival card. Official rules, links and routes — checked on 7 October 2026.
Compare flights to Jeju and Japan on 12Go →Entry rules at a glance (October 2026)
Figures from the UK Foreign Office for British passport holders. Other nationalities: check the rules for your passport.
| Item | Official information |
|---|---|
| Stay without a visa | Up to 90 days for short-term business or tourism, with an onward or return ticket |
| K-ETA | British nationals are temporarily exempt until 31 December 2026; if you need one, apply only on k-eta.go.kr |
| Arrival card | Fill in the entry declaration on arrival, or the free e-Arrival card online within 72 hours (3 days) before arrival on e-arrivalcard.go.kr |
| Passport (short stay) | Its expiry date must be after the date you leave South Korea |
Source: UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, gov.uk travel advice for South Korea (entry requirements), checked on 7 October 2026. The FCDO warns that other sites offering K-ETA application services are generally scams.
K-ETA: check before you book
The K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) is an online authorisation required from many visa-exempt travellers. According to the UK Foreign Office, British nationals are temporarily exempt until 31 December 2026. Exemptions depend on your nationality and can change, so check your own situation before you travel.
If you do need a K-ETA, apply only on the official portal k-eta.go.kr: the FCDO states that other sites offering K-ETA application services are generally scams.
Japan and Jeju: what was bookable
Offers listed on 12Go for a departure on 24 October 2026.
| Route | What 12Go offered | From | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Busan → Fukuoka (Japan) | 47 flights; no ferry bookable that day | €106.14 | about 1 h |
| Busan → Shimonoseki (Japan) | Ferry route page, but no departure bookable that day | — | — |
| Seoul → Jeju | 63 flights from Gimpo or Incheon | €32.13 | about 1 h 15 |
| Mokpo → Jeju | Ferry route page, but no departure bookable that day | — | — |
Ferries between Korea and Japan and to Jeju do not show up every day on booking platforms: if you want to travel by sea, check the dates directly with the ferry operator before planning your trip.
Arriving by plane: from Incheon to Seoul
On 12Go, the Airport Railroad Express had 56 departures at €7.73 on 24 October 2026, for about 43 minutes from Terminal 1 or Terminal 2 to Seoul. Official site: airportrailroad.com.
Airport Bus 6103 ran to City Airport Terminal COEX at €11.07, for about 1 h 30.
For the rest of the country, book Korail trains on korail.com. See our booking guide and our operators and stations guide.
Entry and ferries: your questions
Do I need a K-ETA for South Korea?
What is the e-Arrival card?
How long can I stay without a visa?
Is there a ferry from Busan to Japan?
Plan your arrival in South Korea
On 12Go: flights to Jeju, Busan and Fukuoka, and the AREX train from Incheon Airport to Seoul.
Compare flights to Jeju and Japan on 12Go →