Planning a group trip to Korea takes more coordination than a solo visit, but the rewards are worth it. From navigating immigration together at Incheon International Airport to booking group-rate tickets at major attractions, a little preparation goes a long way. Here is what every group leader should know before landing in Seoul.
Arriving Together: Immigration and Customs for Groups
Korea uses the Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) system for visa-free nationalities. Check the latest K-ETA requirements for 2026 before your trip, since every traveler in your group must apply individually at the official K-ETA website at least 72 hours before departure. The fee is 10,000 KRW per person. There is no group application — each passport holder completes a separate form. Keep screenshots of all approvals on a shared cloud folder so no one is scrambling at the gate.
At Incheon International Airport, immigration lines can stretch long during peak arrivals, especially on summer weekends and Chuseok holidays. Groups of 10 or more should plan for 45 to 90 minutes to clear immigration and customs. Designate one point person who carries a printed group list with full names and passport numbers — Korean immigration officers occasionally ask for this. First-time visitors to Korea are fingerprinted and photographed, so budgets extra time for members who have never entered before.
Incheon has two passenger terminals. Terminal 1 handles most carriers including Asiana, while Terminal 2 serves Korean Air and its SkyTeam partners. If your group is split across airlines, confirm in advance which terminal everyone arrives at — the inter-terminal shuttle runs every 5 to 7 minutes but adds 20 minutes of transit time.
Getting Into Seoul: Group Transport Options and Costs
For a full breakdown of options, see our guide on getting from Incheon Airport to Seoul. The AREX Airport Railroad Express connects Incheon to Seoul Station in 43 minutes (express) or about 66 minutes (all-stop). A standard adult express ticket costs 9,500 KRW one way. For groups of 10 or more, private charter buses are often more economical and keep everyone together. A 25-seat charter from Incheon to central Seoul (Myeongdong or Hongdae) typically runs 200,000 to 280,000 KRW total, which works out to under 12,000 KRW per person for a full coach.
If your group is 8 people or fewer, two Kakao Taxi Black calls or a single 9-seat van taxi (모범밴 택시) are practical. Van taxis queue at the designated taxi area on Level 1 of both terminals. Fares to central Seoul run roughly 65,000 to 80,000 KRW per vehicle, metered.
For getting around Seoul itself, T-Money transit cards are the most efficient option. Each person needs their own card (sold at convenience stores like GS25 and CU for 4,000 KRW, reloadable with cash). Bus and subway fares start at 1,400 KRW per ride. Groups larger than 15 may find it easier to negotiate a private tour bus with a driver for multi-day itineraries — expect 400,000 to 600,000 KRW per day depending on the vehicle size.
Booking Attractions and Meals for Large Groups
Most major Korean attractions require advance booking for groups of 10 or more, and many offer discounts. Gyeongbokgung Palace (경복궁) charges 3,000 KRW per adult but offers free entry for visitors wearing traditional hanbok rented from the many stalls lining Gyeongbokgung-ro — a popular and practical option for group photos. Lotte World Adventure in Seoul costs 62,000 KRW per adult at the gate; groups of 30 or more qualify for negotiated corporate rates around 45,000 to 50,000 KRW by contacting their group sales desk directly at least two weeks ahead.
For meals, Korean BBQ restaurants are naturally group-friendly since tables with built-in grills can be arranged side by side, but reservations are essential. Popular spots like Maple Tree House in Itaewon or Palsaik Samgyeopsal in Hongdae can accommodate parties of 20 to 40 with advance notice. Budget around 20,000 to 35,000 KRW per person for a full samgyeopsal or galbi set including banchan and drinks. Traditional Korean set-meal restaurants (한정식 식당) in Insadong and near Gyeongbokgung also offer fixed-price group menus starting at 25,000 KRW per person and can seat large parties in private rooms.
If your group includes people with dietary restrictions, communicate these in Korean if possible — many Korean dishes contain fish sauce, shrimp paste, or pork broth as base ingredients even when not listed prominently on the menu. A simple printed card in Korean stating your restrictions will be understood at most restaurants.
Money, SIM Cards, and Group Logistics on the Ground
Currency exchange is better inside Korea than at home airports. Myeongdong in central Seoul has a concentration of private currency exchange booths offering rates 2 to 4 percent better than Incheon airport banks. Shinhan and KEB Hana bank branches throughout Seoul accept foreign cards at ATMs with no special setup required. For a group, it helps to designate one person as the group cashier who handles bulk purchases and settles accounts at the end of each day — this avoids multiple small transactions at every stop.
Our full guide to airport SIM, eSIM, WiFi, and roaming options covers every provider in detail. SIM cards and portable WiFi routers are available at Incheon arrival halls from providers including KT, SK Telecom, and LG U+. A 10-day unlimited data SIM runs 25,000 to 40,000 KRW. For groups, a single pocket WiFi router (about 8,500 KRW per day) connecting up to 10 devices simultaneously is often more cost-effective than individual SIMs, though signal quality varies on subways.
Finally, create a group KakaoTalk chat before you arrive. KakaoTalk is Korea’s dominant messaging platform and is used by locals for everything from restaurant reservations to hotel check-ins. Having your group already on KakaoTalk makes in-country communication seamless and allows you to share location pins when splitting off to explore independently.