Fairmont Ambassador Seoul — Pet Package
SeoulLuxury hotel with a dedicated pet program — bed, bowls, treats included.
Up to 7 kg, ₩200k surcharge per stay.
small pets
Pets in Korea
Living in Korea
Korea with your pet
Import rules, pet-friendly hotels, cafes, beaches, public transit limits, and the one 24-hour vet to remember in Seoul.
Bringing a pet in — what Korea requires
Korea allows dogs and cats with rabies vaccination + microchip + APQA-approved health certificate. No quarantine if all documents are correct.
Documents (in order)
- 1Microchip (ISO 11784/11785). Inserted ≥ 21 days BEFORE rabies vaccination.
- 2Rabies vaccination current — within 30 days–1 year of arrival.
- 3Rabies antibody titer test (FAVN/RFFIT) ≥ 0.5 IU/ml — done ≥ 30 days before arrival, valid 24 months. NOT required for pets from "rabies-free" countries (Japan, Singapore, UK, etc.).
- 4Health certificate from USDA/CFIA/your national veterinary authority, issued within 10 days of departure.
- 5Notify Korea APQA (Animal & Plant Quarantine Agency) at least 1 day before arrival — fill out the inbound form online.
Designated ports of entry
- • Incheon Airport T1 + T2
- • Gimpo Airport (international cargo only)
- • Busan port
Inspection fee
Inspection ₩30,000–60,000 on arrival.
Restricted
- • Ferrets — strict import permit required
- • Reptiles / exotic animals — additional CITES paperwork
- • Pit Bull Terrier, Tosa, Rottweiler — additional muzzle / leash regulations in public
Playbook
Plan the documentation 60 days out
The rabies titer test alone takes ~3 weeks to come back. Start at least 60 days before flying.
Book pet-friendly hotels FIRST, then pick the city
Pet-friendly room counts are tiny; sometimes 2 per hotel. Lock those in before tickets.
Buy or bring a hard carrier
Many Korean subways and trains refuse mesh carriers. A hard carrier ~₩50–80k at Coupang / E-Mart.
Summer is brutal for dogs
Jul–Aug humidity + asphalt heat is rough on paws. Walk before 09:00 / after 19:00.
Pet emergency? Try Haemaru (24h) first
Most regular clinics are 09:00–18:00 on weekdays. After hours, head to Haemaru in Gangnam.
Hotels
L7 Hongdae — Pet Friendly Rooms
SeoulHip mid-range hotel with reserved pet-friendly floors.
Up to 10 kg. Welcome kit (mat, snack). Limited rooms — book early.
medium pets
Kensington Jeju Hotel
JejuCoastal resort welcoming dogs of all sizes.
No size cap. ₩50k cleaning fee per night.
all pets
Paradise Hotel Busan — Pet Suites
BusanBeachfront luxury with separate pet check-in lobby.
Up to 8 kg.
small pets
Cafes
Bauhaus Dog Cafe (Hongdae)
SeoulDrink coffee while ~25 resident dogs roam the floor.
₩9,000 entry includes a drink. Bring your own pup — separated room.
all pets
Thanks Nature Cat Cafe
SeoulLong-running cat cafe near Hongdae.
₩9,000 entry + 1 drink. Cats sleep most afternoons.
Gangaji-ya Pet Cafe Busan
BusanBeach-area cafe — open-air patio welcomes dogs of any size.
Own pet welcome; no entry fee, just order.
all pets
Parks
Yangjae Citizens Forest
SeoulMassive forested park with dog-friendly trails and a fenced run.
On-leash. Off-leash dog run on the east side near Gate 4.
Olympic Park (Mongchontoseong section)
SeoulWide lawns, paved loops, popular with local dog owners on weekends.
Strict on-leash policy.
Hangang Park — Yeouido
SeoulRiverside paths for evening walks; dog-friendly cafes along the bank.
Watch for cyclists in the bike lanes.
Jeju Olle Trail Course #6
JejuMost pet-tolerant of the Olle trails — coastal cliffs, few stairs.
Bring 1L of water per dog per hour in summer.
Beaches
Gwangalli Beach
BusanDogs allowed off-season (Oct–May).
In peak summer (Jun–Sep), pets are restricted to the boardwalk only.
Transit
Seoul subway — pet rule
SeoulPets up to 10 kg allowed inside a carrier; head and tail must stay enclosed.
Hard-sided carriers preferred; cloth carriers sometimes refused at the gate.
KTX & SRT — pet rule
SeoulPet up to 10 kg in a carrier counts as carry-on luggage; no extra ticket.
Service animals: no size limit, no carrier required, with ID.
Kakao T "Pet" call option
SeoulPet-friendly taxis bookable via the Kakao T app (Korean).
Carrier still required unless small. Use SeoulTrip concierge to call one if you can't open the Korean app.
Vets / emergencies
Haemaru Animal Hospital (24h referral, Bundang)
Gyeonggi24h emergency vet hospital — handles dogs, cats, exotics.
+82-2-572-7585. English-speaking staff during day shifts.
Itaewon Animal Hospital
SeoulLong-running expat-friendly vet near Itaewon Station.
+82-2-790-6363. English appointments by phone.