Busan

Probably not. South Korea has extended its K-ETA exemption for 67 visa-waiver countries (including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, most of the EU, Japan, Singapore) through December 31, 2026 — meaning passport-only entry for cruise passengers from those countries. The mandatory replacement is the e-Arrival Card, a free digital declaration filed within 72 hours before arrival; cruise lines often handle this for you, but check. If you're not on the exempt list, you need a K-ETA before sailing (10,000 KRW, ~$8, valid 3 years).

Yes, but go early. The pastel hillside neighborhood opens at 9am (last entry around 5pm November–February, 6pm March–October) and is free to enter — pay 2,000 KRW for the village map at the visitor center, which doubles as a self-guided tour with stamps. Taxi from the main cruise terminal is 15–20 minutes and roughly 12,000–15,000 KRW. By 11am the lanes are wall-to-wall tour groups and Instagram tripods. Wear real shoes; the village is steep, the staircases are real, and the views earn the climb.

If you like seafood, yes — and go for the experience, not the bargain. Jagalchi is Korea's largest fish market, a 5-minute walk from Jagalchi metro station (Line 1) and 10 minutes by taxi from the main cruise terminal. Hours are 5am to 10pm but it's effectively closed on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month. The play is: pick something live downstairs, take it upstairs to a restaurant who'll cook it for a small fee. Lunch for two with sashimi, soup, and side dishes lands around 60,000–90,000 KRW (~$45–65). Cash and cards both work but small bills smooth things along.

Yes, on a long port day, but tightly. Gyeongju is the old Silla-dynasty capital, 82 km north — KTX from Busan Station to Singyeongju runs 25–35 minutes and costs roughly 11,000–17,000 KRW one-way, with about 20 daily departures. From Singyeongju station you still need a taxi or local bus 15–20 minutes into the historic core (Bulguksa Temple, the royal tumuli, Anapji Pond). Realistic for ships in until 6pm or later; tight if you're back by 4pm. Cruise-line shore excursions to Gyeongju are pricier but spare you the train-plus-taxi choreography.

Mostly no, unless your ship is in Busan in summer or you've been here before. Haeundae is a real urban beach with high-rises and a boardwalk — pleasant, clean, and 15 km from the main cruise terminal (35–45 minutes by taxi, ~25,000–35,000 KRW; or metro Line 1 to Seomyeon then transfer to Line 2 to Haeundae, about 50 minutes for ~1,800 KRW). Worth it if you want a coffee with a view and a walk along the Dongbaek headland. Skip it for first-timers — Gamcheon plus Jagalchi plus a temple is a more honest Busan day.

Cards win almost everywhere — contactless and chip-and-PIN are universal at department stores, cafes, restaurants, taxis, and metro ticket machines. Carry 30,000–50,000 KRW in small notes for Jagalchi market stalls, neighborhood eateries, and small temple donations. ATMs at convenience stores (CU, GS25, 7-Eleven) take foreign cards but charge 3,500–5,000 KRW per withdrawal; bank ATMs (KB, Shinhan, Woori) inside branches are cheaper but only open business hours. T-money or Cashbee transit cards reload at any convenience store and work on metro, bus, and most taxis.