Summer Vacation in South Korea

Summer vacation is coming up. Every summer, about 85% of Korean people off work gather in the same place. The nation is lost to the holidays during this time. 

Today, we'll talk a little about the Korean summer culture and what you need know when traveling to Korea during this period!

What is Summer Break？

Summer break is usually around late July to early August, when many companies give a week of paid time off to workers. 

Of course, this is when everybody heads over to beaches or go on a trip. This is a photo of Busan Haeundae during that summer vacation period. (Source: Busan City)

When is Summer Break？

The summer week off is concentrated between July 28 and August 5. According to a survey by the Korea Tourism Organization, 85.5% of Korean workers get their summer vacation between July 16 and August 12. Due to the high rates of people off work and wanting to take trips, the highways across the country are always very congested. 

Among the dates, July 28th and 29th have the biggest crowds.

Why does everybody take their summer vacation at the same time？

There's no one simple answer, but it general reason seems to be "because others are on vacation as well, might as well do the same." For example, if the photocopy shop goes on vacation when its customers are on vacation because they won't get any business during this period anyway. This really shows the collectivism that is deeply embedded in Korean culture. So even with summer vacation, people only take a break when everybody rests as well. Many companies initially chose this period to take a break because the Exchange was closed at this time, which started the chain reaction.

Only half of the workers are allowed holidays

Korea has one of the longest working hours in the world. According to OECD data, South Korea's working hours in 2012 (2163 hours a year) are the same as the working hours in the United States 60 years ago. Only 50% of Korean office workers have been able to take a summer vacation. Even if the company has a holiday, many are too busy to take that time to rest. Many companies will not have holidays at all. Sometimes, refusing to take a given holiday is a part of the work culture. 

Placed at the same time?

There is no actual reason for everybody's summer vacation to be at the same time. On average, people have about 15 vacation days. When everybody uses these days at the same time, everything all over the nation suddenly suffers from overcrowding, especially popular vacation destinations like Gangneung, Sokcho, Donghae, Busan, etc. on the East Coast. 

Hotel prices will skyrocket: a room that's normally 50,000 KRW a night will suddenly become 200,000 KRW a night in the first week of August. Although nowadays, it's a little less crowded at these cities because many choose to travel abroad during this week; instead, Incheon Airport becomes intensely crowded. The security check can take up to three hours. 

Incheon Airport, packed with summer vacationers (Source: Qingren Daily)

The recent free holiday trend

As the culture finally starts to respect individual workers, companies are increasingly allowing employees to actually spend 15 days of vacation as they wish (Creatrip is one of these companies!). Unfortunately, many from these companies still have to take their time off during the summer period if they want to spend time with their family; other family members' jobs might still have that summer vacation policy.  

The popularity of traveling abroad

More people are choosing to spend their vacation abroad, traveling to closer countries such as Japan, Taiwan, and China. As more budget airlines open up routes to popular cities in these countries, vacationing abroad has become much more inexpensive compared to the over-inflated prices of domestic destinations. 

"Hocance" as an emerging holiday trend

Another rising trend is the "Hocance" (Hotel + Vacance, French for vacation). Many prefer to just book a room at a luxury resort, spend time lounging and relaxing with their family, go swimming, and maybe go for brunch. Infinity pools are especially popular; luxury hotels with infinity pools are popping up all over Korea. 

An infinity pool seen at many luxury resorts.

For those of you planning a trip to Korean in the summer

Accommodation fees in most cities in Korea will increase a lot during the summer vacation period, and the prices at sightseeing destinations will become more expensive. If you plan on visiting Korea around the period of late July to early August, we recommend that you are careful to dine at restaurants where the prices are clearly indicated rather than at the roadside stalls around tourist zones. We also recommend that you book your accommodations in advance.

Seoul, however, is not so affected by the vacation period as most people who work in Seoul will leave the city. If you are planning on visiting other cities though, make sure you have booked your transportation tickets (train/bus).