Travel tips for your trip to Korea from Malaysia
Korea is a fascinating trip whether you’re into food, music, culture or history. Experience a unique destination only a few hours flight from home with this guide on how to plan your visit, including visas, costs, transport and translation.
So - does a Malaysian need a visa to Korea, what’s the K-ETA, how do I get one and what’s the K-ETA Malaysia price? This guide walks through all you need to know, plus some handy tips to make your trip from Malaysia to Korea a success.
Do Malaysians need a Visa to South Korea?
If you’re a Malaysian citizen going to Korea from Malaysia as a tourist for a short trip, you do not need a visa. However, you’ll need to get a K-ETA - a Korean Electronic Travel Authority document, which acts like a visa and should allow you hassle-free entry.
What are the entry requirements for Malaysians to travel to South Korea?
If you have a Malaysian passport the requirement to enter Korea may depend on your age:
If you’re aged 17 or under a valid passport is required, but no K-ETA is needed
If you’re aged 18 to 64 you need a valid passport and K-ETA
If you’re aged 65 or over a valid passport is required, but no K-ETA is needed
Passports must have at least 6 months of validity left to be used to travel overseas.
It used to be the case that some passport holders could enter Jeju Island on direct flights with no need for a visa. It’s important to note that if you’ve got a Malaysian passport, you must get a K-ETA even if travelling to Jeju. Make sure to get your application in with plenty of time, so you don’t experience any problems at the border.
How can I apply for K-ETA in Malaysia
You can apply for your K-ETA online with just your passport and your personal information. There’s a fee to pay, but your K-ETA can be used for multiple trips over the course of its validity. Usually these travel documents are issued for 3 years, but do check the dates on yours once you get it.
What documents should I prepare?
You can apply online for your K-ETA, with the following documents and information:
A recent passport photograph - you may wear a hijab in the photo, but your face must be visible
Your email address and phone number
Personal information like name, date of birth, job and nationality
Your passport information including passport number and expiry - a photo of your passport is optional but can be uploaded if you have it
The purpose of your visit and where you will stay
Information about any previous visits you’ve made to Korea
Details of any infectious diseases you have, and if you have a criminal record
You’re guided through the application step by step, using online prompts. The process should be relatively easy to follow - plus there’s more help available in this K-ETA application guide.
K-ETA application price in Malaysia
When you apply you will need to pay a K-ETA application price of 10,000 KRW. At the time of writing, that’s about 32 MYR.
K-ETA application Approval Time
Many K-ETAs are quickly processed, but you’ll still need to apply with plenty of time to make sure you don’t have any hassle. The Korean Embassy in Malaysia recommends getting your K-ETA before you pay for other travel costs.
As your K-ETA lasts for 3 years, you can apply in good time - a month or so before you plan to leave should be ample. In all cases you must apply at least 72 hours before you travel.
How do you pay in South Korea?
Cash isn’t very commonly used in Korea, which means you’ll find it’s easiest to pay with a card when you’re there. If you use a Malaysian issued debit card you might find there are extra costs to buy things abroad, known as a foreign transaction fee. Fees could be around 3%, added on to every purchase or withdrawal you make during your trip. This quickly adds up.
Getting a specific travel card which is optimised for overseas spending can help you pay with lower currency exchange fees. One good choice is the Wise card. You can get a Wise card for a one time fee of 13.7 MYR, with no ongoing costs. Just top-up your card in MYR from your bank, and the card can convert for you when you spend in Korea, with the mid-market exchange rate and low fees from 0.33%. There's no foreign transaction fee which can make this a cheaper option compared to using your bank card.
Transportation in South Korea
Korea has excellent transport infrastructure, including very good public transport. Plan your trips using the Kakao map which shows options, routes and the fastest way to navigate from A to B.
You might also want to check out the T-money card which can be bought in convenience stores, and topped up to pay for public transport conveniently. It also offers discounts on shopping, food, entertainment and tours.
How much money do I need per day in South Korea?
Ultimately the costs of a trip to Korea from Malaysia depend on what you plan to do. Different destinations will have their own costs, and activity fees can vary quite a lot. This allows you to plan your trip according to your available budget. Here’s a quick summary of some of the typical costs for your trip to Korea:
| Cost in South Korea | |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | 4 star hotels cost around 300 MYR in Seoul - cheaper options are available, and costs will vary a lot depending on destination |
| Meals | Around 35 MYR for a cheap lunch, or 210 MYR for a 3 course meal for 2 at a mid-range restaurant |
Transport | 1 way ticket on Seoul public transport should cost under 5 MYR |
Translation apps
While many younger Koreans speak good English, it’s reassuring to have a good translation app on your phone. You can use this to communicate directly with people, or to translate menus and signs without needing to ask for help. Here are a couple which may be particularly useful for your trip to Korea from Malaysia:
Papago - popular translation tool online and in their app
iTranslate - good for voice and text translation
Best eSIMs for travelling to Korea
If you’re off to Korea you definitely don’t want to be without your phone. Avoid high charges by buying a roaming plan from your Malaysian telco. There’s also the option of buying an eSIM or a local Korean SIM on arrival - but getting a roaming package before you leave can give you some peace of mind, allowing you to keep your normal phone number and use data as you need to.
Maxis roaming plans can be a good pick for a longer trip to Korea, with packages of 15 or 30 days available. 15 days costs 89 MYR, while 30 days will set you back 119 MYR. Single day, single country passes are also offered, which could allow you to build your own roaming solution based on your needs.
Another handy Malaysian roaming option is Unifi. Unlimited 5G roaming packages for Korea are offered from 39 MYR a day, with week long solutions also available.
Conclusion/summary
Your trip to Korea from Malaysia will be a fantastic experience - and with our guide you can get started planning everything with no worries. Get your K-ETA application in early, pick up a Wise card for low cost spending, and use our tips for travel and translation, so you can do more when you’re there.