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Your trip plan
A step-by-step plan for Seoul — built backwards from the goal: arrive prepared, do the expo well, get back. Event dates: May 12, 2026 – May 15, 2026.
Now
Visa & entry
If you need a visa, start the process well before May 12, 2026 — processing can take several weeks.
Entry rules depend on nationality. South Korea has extended its K-ETA exemption for citizens of 67 visa-waiver countries (including the US, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan and most EU states) through 31 December 2026 — those travellers may enter without applying for a K-ETA. If you enter without a K-ETA you must instead complete the mandatory digital e-Arrival Card before arrival (it replaced the old paper arrival card for most arrivals from 1 January 2026); holding a valid K-ETA exempts you from the e-Arrival Card. Travellers not covered by the visa-waiver exemption should apply for a K-ETA online before flying, or obtain a visa. Confirm your status on the official K-ETA portal before you travel.
General guidance only — always confirm requirements with the official embassy/consulate for your nationality.
Flights
Incheon International Airport (ICN) — ~48km to centre
Gimpo International Airport (GMP) — ~15km to centre
1–2 weeks out
Connectivity & money
KT, SKT and LG U+ tourist SIMs and rentable pocket-WiFi at Incheon and Gimpo arrivals; Korea has some of the world's fastest mobile and public Wi-Fi
eSIM: Airalo and similar eSIMs cover South Korea
Travel info sources: https://www.k-eta.go.kr/portal/apply/index.do · https://english.visitkorea.or.kr · https://www.airport.kr/ap/en/index.do · https://english.seoul.go.kr
Plug: Type C / F (two round pins, European-style) · 220V / 60Hz
South Korean Won (KRW)
Korea is highly cashless — cards and contactless (including mobile pay) are accepted almost everywhere, including taxis and convenience stores. Carry a little cash for traditional markets and small stalls.
Pack for the weather — May
High ~23°C · Low ~13°C
Mild, mostly dry and pleasant late spring — one of the best months to visit.
Light clothing for the day and a light layer for cooler evenings.
Save before you go
📿 A prayer-times app, or use the venue timetable in Phase 3 below.
🆘 Emergency: 112 (police) / 119 (fire & ambulance); 1330 = 24h multilingual tourist hotline · Police 112
During the expo
Airport → venue & getting around
Seoul's subway is one of the best in the world — vast, frequent, punctual, cheap and fully signed in English (with numbered lines and exits). It reaches almost everywhere a visitor needs, including COEX (line 2, Samseong) and Itaewon (line 6) for halal food and the mosque. Buses fill the gaps and taxis are reasonably priced; the AREX railroad links Incheon airport into the same network.
Buy a rechargeable T-money card (from convenience stores and station machines) and tap on for the subway, buses and even taxis — it is the simplest way to pay and gives small transfer discounts. Single-journey tickets are also available from machines.
Taxis are plentiful, metered and reasonably priced; the Kakao T app is the standard way to hail one and removes any language barrier. Orange/silver taxis are regular; black taxis are premium. Few drivers speak English, so show your destination in Korean (the app or a screenshot) or use the 1330 hotline's interpretation help.
Eat — halal near the venue
Prayer at the venue
| Day | Fajr | Dhuhr | Asr | Maghrib | Isha |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue 12 May | 03:43 | 12:28 | 16:18 | 19:31 | 21:07 |
| Wed 13 May | 03:42 | 12:28 | 16:18 | 19:32 | 21:09 |
| Thu 14 May | 03:40 | 12:28 | 16:18 | 19:33 | 21:10 |
| Fri 15 May | 03:39 | 12:28 | 16:19 | 19:34 | 21:11 |
Approximate (Muslim World League method) — confirm locally on the day.
A spare evening
Gyeongbokgung Palace & Bukchon Hanok Village
Jongno-gu (city centre)
The grandest of Seoul's royal palaces (watch the changing-of-the-guard) beside Bukchon's lanes of traditional hanok houses — the historic heart of the city.
N Seoul Tower & Namsan
Namsan (central)
The hilltop tower and park give the classic panorama over the whole city; reachable on foot, by cable car or bus, and a short walk from Itaewon.
Myeongdong & Insadong
Jung-gu / Jongno-gu
Myeongdong for street food and shopping, Insadong for tea houses, galleries and crafts — both compact, walkable and on the subway.
Seoul Central Mosque & Itaewon
Yongsan-gu
Worth a visit in its own right — the mosque on the hill, the halal food street below, and Itaewon's international restaurants and shops.
The reason you came
Plan your day
Check the programme on the official event page and map out the zones you want to walk.
Event details →Is this for you?
This event is aimed at: Halal certification bodies, Importers, distributors & wholesalers, Retail & procurement buyers, Halal trade buyers across East Asia.