Busan, South Korea

• Busan is South Korea's second-largest city, spread along the southeast coast between beaches, steep hills and a working port. Violent crime is rare, and the streets, subway, cafes and convenience stores stay busy and open late, so it is an easy city to get around alone. The things to watch for are pickpockets in crowded spots and drunk crowds on the nightlife streets after midnight.
• Districts here are quite different from each other, so where you stay matters. Haeundae and Gwangalli are the beach areas, with promenades that stay busy after dark. Seomyeon is the downtown hub for shopping, eating and nightlife, with the Jeonpo cafe street next door. Nampo is the old harbour centre, with fish markets, street food and steep hillside villages nearby. Centum City is the mall-and-spa district next to Haeundae.
• Eating alone is common and nobody finds it odd. Many casual restaurants have counter seats, and cafes are full of people on their own with a laptop or a book. A few traditional grill and stew places want a minimum of two orders, but plenty of others serve single portions.
• English is spoken at hotels, hostels and tourist sites, and subway signs are in English. Elsewhere a translation app helps. The free 1330 Korea Travel Helpline offers interpretation and tourist help in English, and Kakao T is the taxi app most locals use.

Korean is the main language. English is spoken at hotels, hostels, major attractions and tourist information offices, and subway signs and announcements are in English. The 1330 Korea Travel Helpline offers English, Japanese and Chinese help, and the Danuri Call Centre (1577-1366) offers multilingual support. A translation app such as Papago helps elsewhere.

• Dress is relaxed and varied. Shorts, tank tops and swimwear at the beach are fine, though women tend to dress a bit more covered in the city centre. Cover shoulders and knees at temples.
• A few phrases help: annyeonghaseyo (hello), gamsahamnida (thank you) and juseyo (please give me). When giving or receiving something from an older person, use both hands, or support your right forearm with your left hand.
• Drinking is a big part of social life. Keep your glass in sight, don't leave a drink unattended and don't accept open drinks from strangers. Spiking is a known risk around nightclubs, so go out with a group or people you already know from your hostel.
• Shoes come off in homes, guesthouse rooms, some restaurants with floor seating and jjimjilbangs (bathhouses). Jjimjilbang bathing areas are separated by gender, and nudity is required in them, so they suit people who are comfortable with that.
• Hidden cameras are a known problem in Korea, though public toilets are checked regularly. Look for small holes in cubicle walls and lockers, and choose accommodation with solid reviews.

The first hour after landing is when you're tired, carrying everything, and easiest to take advantage of. Three things to sort before you fly:

• Your ride from the airport. A driver who meets you in arrivals, at a price fixed before you fly — no haggling at the taxi rank.

  Book an airport pickup

• Data the moment you land. Maps, ride apps and a way to call for help as soon as you switch your phone on. An eSIM installs at home.

  Get a good eSIM

• The emergency number. Police: 112. Save it in your phone, not just on this page.

  All emergency contacts

• The Busan Metro has four main lines and is clean, frequent and safe, with English announcements and signs. Buy a rechargeable transit card at any convenience store, or tap a compatible contactless card. The last trains run around midnight, so plan another way back after that.
• Kakao T is the standard taxi app, and it shows the driver and plate before you get in, which helps after dark. Regular street taxis are metered and easy to find. Have your destination written in Korean on your phone, since few drivers speak English.
• Buses reach places the subway does not, such as Gamcheon Culture Village, and Google Maps or Naver Map show live arrival times. The beach districts are easy to walk, and the coastal route from Haeundae to Gwangalli is flat and lit. Watch for scooters and delivery riders on pavements.
• If you're planning day trips outside the city, consider renting a car.

Explore Busan with local guides and curated experiences.