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Travel difficulty in East Asia 2026

71 cities in East Asia, from the easiest first trip to the hardest. The trickiest factor across the region is language (average 3.6/5).

Easiest first 71

1. 🇰🇷 BusanSouth KoreaVery easy1.4/5 · Rip-offs 1 · Language 3 · Transport 1 · Payments 1 · Safety 1
   Language 3 · Metro and buses announce in English; taxi drivers rarely speak it
2. 🇰🇷 DaeguSouth KoreaVery easy1.4/5 · Rip-offs 1 · Language 3 · Transport 1 · Payments 1 · Safety 1
   Language 3 · Metro announces in English; little English elsewhere
3. 🇰🇷 IncheonSouth KoreaVery easy1.4/5 · Rip-offs 1 · Language 3 · Transport 1 · Payments 1 · Safety 1
   Language 3 · The airport is fully English; in town expect little English
4. 🇰🇷 SeoulSouth KoreaVery easy1.4/5 · Rip-offs 1 · Language 3 · Transport 1 · Payments 1 · Safety 1
   Language 3 · Subway fully bilingual; use Papago in restaurants and taxis
5. 🇰🇷 DaejeonSouth KoreaEasy1.6/5 · Rip-offs 1 · Language 3 · Transport 2 · Payments 1 · Safety 1
   Language 3 · Few tourists, little English; the metro announces in English
6. 🇯🇵 FukuokaJapanEasy1.6/5 · Rip-offs 1 · Language 3 · Transport 1 · Payments 2 · Safety 1
   Language 3 · Subway signs in English and Korean; small eateries need a translator
7. 🇰🇷 GwangjuSouth KoreaEasy1.6/5 · Rip-offs 1 · Language 3 · Transport 2 · Payments 1 · Safety 1
   Language 3 · Limited English; tourist info centers help in English
8. 🇰🇷 GyeongjuSouth KoreaEasy1.6/5 · Rip-offs 1 · Language 3 · Transport 2 · Payments 1 · Safety 1
   Language 3 · Tourist offices speak good English; buses announce in English
9. 🇰🇷 JeonjuSouth KoreaEasy1.6/5 · Rip-offs 1 · Language 3 · Transport 2 · Payments 1 · Safety 1
   Language 3 · Limited English; some museum signs are Korean-only
10. 🇯🇵 KobeJapanEasy1.6/5 · Rip-offs 1 · Language 3 · Transport 1 · Payments 2 · Safety 1
    Language 3 · English at the Sannomiya tourist office; eateries need a translator
11. 🇯🇵 NagoyaJapanEasy1.6/5 · Rip-offs 1 · Language 3 · Transport 1 · Payments 2 · Safety 1
    Language 3 · Fewer tourists so less English; station signs are bilingual
12. 🇰🇷 SuwonSouth KoreaEasy1.6/5 · Rip-offs 1 · Language 3 · Transport 2 · Payments 1 · Safety 1
    Language 3 · English signs at main stations; limited English elsewhere
13. 🇯🇵 TokyoJapanEasy1.6/5 · Rip-offs 1 · Language 3 · Transport 1 · Payments 2 · Safety 1
    Language 3 · Stations fully bilingual; use a translator app in eateries and taxis
14. 🇯🇵 BeppuJapanEasy1.8/5 · Rip-offs 1 · Language 3 · Transport 2 · Payments 2 · Safety 1
    Language 3 · Many English signs, helpful tourist office; translator for eateries
15. 🇰🇷 GangneungSouth KoreaEasy1.8/5 · Rip-offs 1 · Language 4 · Transport 2 · Payments 1 · Safety 1
    Language 4 · Buses show English; otherwise little English spoken
16. 🇯🇵 HakoneJapanEasy1.8/5 · Rip-offs 1 · Language 3 · Transport 2 · Payments 2 · Safety 1
    Language 3 · Transport signs in English; translator handy at ryokan and eateries
17. 🇯🇵 HiroshimaJapanEasy1.8/5 · Rip-offs 1 · Language 3 · Transport 2 · Payments 2 · Safety 1
    Language 3 · English fairly common around Peace Park; sights well signed
18. 🇯🇵 KanazawaJapanEasy1.8/5 · Rip-offs 1 · Language 3 · Transport 2 · Payments 2 · Safety 1
    Language 3 · Less English than big cities; station tourist desk speaks English
19. 🇯🇵 KyotoJapanEasy1.8/5 · Rip-offs 1 · Language 3 · Transport 2 · Payments 2 · Safety 1
    Language 3 · English at hotels and major sights; rarely spoken elsewhere
20. 🇯🇵 NagasakiJapanEasy1.8/5 · Rip-offs 1 · Language 3 · Transport 2 · Payments 2 · Safety 1
    Language 3 · Sights have English signs; eateries need a translator app
21. 🇯🇵 NaraJapanEasy1.8/5 · Rip-offs 1 · Language 3 · Transport 2 · Payments 2 · Safety 1
    Language 3 · English signs at the sights; local eateries need a translator
22. 🇰🇷 PohangSouth KoreaEasy1.8/5 · Rip-offs 1 · Language 4 · Transport 2 · Payments 1 · Safety 1
    Language 4 · Little English; call the 1330 tourist hotline for help
23. 🇯🇵 SendaiJapanEasy1.8/5 · Rip-offs 1 · Language 3 · Transport 2 · Payments 2 · Safety 1
    Language 3 · Bilingual stations; shops and eateries need a translator app
24. 🇰🇷 SokchoSouth KoreaEasy1.8/5 · Rip-offs 1 · Language 4 · Transport 2 · Payments 1 · Safety 1
    Language 4 · Little English; lean on the tourist info center and Papago
25. 🇯🇵 TakayamaJapanEasy1.8/5 · Rip-offs 1 · Language 3 · Transport 2 · Payments 2 · Safety 1
    Language 3 · Many foreign visitors, so English menus are common; else translator
26. 🇰🇷 TongyeongSouth KoreaEasy1.8/5 · Rip-offs 1 · Language 4 · Transport 2 · Payments 1 · Safety 1
    Language 4 · Very little English; a translator app is essential
27. 🇰🇷 UlsanSouth KoreaEasy1.8/5 · Rip-offs 1 · Language 4 · Transport 2 · Payments 1 · Safety 1
    Language 4 · English uncommon, especially among older people
28. 🇰🇷 YeosuSouth KoreaEasy1.8/5 · Rip-offs 1 · Language 4 · Transport 2 · Payments 1 · Safety 1
    Language 4 · Little English; bus info is mostly Korean
29. 🇯🇵 YufuinJapanEasy1.8/5 · Rip-offs 1 · Language 3 · Transport 2 · Payments 2 · Safety 1
    Language 3 · Station tourist info speaks English; use a translator in small shops
30. 🇯🇵 OsakaJapanEasy1.8/5 · Rip-offs 2 · Language 3 · Transport 1 · Payments 2 · Safety 1
    Language 3 · English OK at sights; neighborhood eateries need a translator app
31. 🇹🇼 TaipeiTaiwanEasy1.8/5 · Rip-offs 2 · Language 3 · Transport 1 · Payments 2 · Safety 1
    Language 3 · MRT announces in English; most under-40s speak basic English
32. 🇭🇰 Hong KongHong KongEasy1.8/5 · Rip-offs 2 · Language 2 · Transport 1 · Payments 2 · Safety 2
    Add Octopus to Apple Wallet before landing; in taxis make sure the meter is running
33. 🇯🇵 KagoshimaJapanEasy2.0/5 · Rip-offs 1 · Language 4 · Transport 2 · Payments 2 · Safety 1
    Language 4 · Tourist info desks speak English; little English elsewhere
34. 🇯🇵 KitakyushuJapanEasy2.0/5 · Rip-offs 1 · Language 4 · Transport 2 · Payments 2 · Safety 1
    Language 4 · JR stations have English signs; eateries need a translator app
35. 🇯🇵 KumamotoJapanEasy2.0/5 · Rip-offs 1 · Language 4 · Transport 2 · Payments 2 · Safety 1
    Language 4 · Little English beyond tourist info desks; use a translator app
36. 🇯🇵 MatsuyamaJapanEasy2.0/5 · Rip-offs 1 · Language 4 · Transport 2 · Payments 2 · Safety 1
    Language 4 · Little English beyond the castle and Dogo Onsen; use a translator
37. 🇯🇵 OkinawaJapanEasy2.0/5 · Rip-offs 1 · Language 3 · Transport 3 · Payments 2 · Safety 1
    Language 3 · English OK at Naha's tourist spots; elsewhere use a translator
38. 🇯🇵 TakamatsuJapanEasy2.0/5 · Rip-offs 1 · Language 4 · Transport 2 · Payments 2 · Safety 1
    Language 4 · Little English beyond tourist info; use a translator in udon shops
39. 🇰🇷 JejuSouth KoreaEasy2.0/5 · Rip-offs 2 · Language 3 · Transport 3 · Payments 1 · Safety 1
    Language 3 · English at the airport and sights; buses and eateries mostly Korean
40. 🇯🇵 SapporoJapanEasy2.0/5 · Rip-offs 2 · Language 3 · Transport 2 · Payments 2 · Safety 1
    Language 3 · Stations bilingual; restaurants usually need a translator app
41. 🇯🇵 MiyazakiJapanModerate2.2/5 · Rip-offs 1 · Language 4 · Transport 3 · Payments 2 · Safety 1
    Language 4 · English mainly at the airport and tourist desks; use a translator
42. 🇯🇵 HakodateJapanModerate2.2/5 · Rip-offs 2 · Language 4 · Transport 2 · Payments 2 · Safety 1
    Language 4 · Little English outside tourist spots; keep a translator app handy
43. 🇹🇼 KaohsiungTaiwanModerate2.2/5 · Rip-offs 2 · Language 3 · Transport 2 · Payments 2 · Safety 2
    Language 3 · MRT is bilingual; show taxi drivers your address in Chinese
44. 🇹🇼 TaichungTaiwanModerate2.2/5 · Rip-offs 2 · Language 3 · Transport 2 · Payments 2 · Safety 2
    Language 3 · English speakers are scarce; point at menus or use a translator
45. 🇨🇳 ChengduChinaModerate2.4/5 · Rip-offs 2 · Language 4 · Transport 1 · Payments 3 · Safety 2
    Language 4 · Little English; taxis need the address in Chinese characters
46. 🇨🇳 GuangzhouChinaModerate2.4/5 · Rip-offs 2 · Language 4 · Transport 1 · Payments 3 · Safety 2
    Language 4 · Cantonese city; English mainly in hotels and Canton Fair areas
47. 🇨🇳 NanjingChinaModerate2.4/5 · Rip-offs 2 · Language 4 · Transport 1 · Payments 3 · Safety 2
    Language 4 · Little English outside hotels; translator app essential
48. 🇨🇳 ShanghaiChinaModerate2.4/5 · Rip-offs 2 · Language 4 · Transport 1 · Payments 3 · Safety 2
    Language 4 · Little English outside hotels; metro signs and announcements bilingual
49. 🇨🇳 ShenzhenChinaModerate2.4/5 · Rip-offs 2 · Language 4 · Transport 1 · Payments 3 · Safety 2
    Language 4 · Limited English; metro signs and announcements fully bilingual
50. 🇨🇳 ChongqingChinaModerate2.6/5 · Rip-offs 2 · Language 4 · Transport 2 · Payments 3 · Safety 2
    Language 4 · Very little English; strong local dialect, translator app needed
51. 🇨🇳 DalianChinaModerate2.6/5 · Rip-offs 2 · Language 4 · Transport 2 · Payments 3 · Safety 2
    Language 4 · English rare outside luxury hotels; translator app essential
52. 🇨🇳 HangzhouChinaModerate2.6/5 · Rip-offs 2 · Language 4 · Transport 2 · Payments 3 · Safety 2
    Language 4 · Little English beyond hotels; use Amap in English and a translator
53. 🇨🇳 KunmingChinaModerate2.6/5 · Rip-offs 2 · Language 4 · Transport 2 · Payments 3 · Safety 2
    Language 4 · Little English; backpacker hostels are the exception
54. 🇨🇳 QingdaoChinaModerate2.6/5 · Rip-offs 2 · Language 4 · Transport 2 · Payments 3 · Safety 2
    Language 4 · Very little English; carry a translator app and Chinese addresses
55. 🇨🇳 SuzhouChinaModerate2.6/5 · Rip-offs 2 · Language 4 · Transport 2 · Payments 3 · Safety 2
    Language 4 · English signs at major gardens only; elsewhere a translator app
56. 🇨🇳 XiamenChinaModerate2.6/5 · Rip-offs 2 · Language 4 · Transport 2 · Payments 3 · Safety 2
    Language 4 · Little English; even Gulangyu ferry signs are Chinese-only
57. 🇨🇳 BeijingChinaModerate2.6/5 · Rip-offs 3 · Language 4 · Transport 1 · Payments 3 · Safety 2
    Language 4 · Little English beyond hotels and big sights; translator app essential
58. 🇲🇴 MacauMacauModerate2.6/5 · Rip-offs 3 · Language 3 · Transport 2 · Payments 2 · Safety 3
    Rip-offs & haggling 3 · Taxis often overcharge or refuse; ignore touts at the ferry terminal
59. 🇹🇼 HualienTaiwanModerate2.8/5 · Rip-offs 2 · Language 4 · Transport 3 · Payments 3 · Safety 2
    Language 4 · Little English; book an English-guided tour for Taroko
60. 🇹🇼 TainanTaiwanModerate2.8/5 · Rip-offs 2 · Language 4 · Transport 3 · Payments 3 · Safety 2
    Language 4 · Little English, even from taxi drivers; carry addresses in Chinese
61. 🇨🇳 YanjiChinaModerate2.8/5 · Rip-offs 2 · Language 5 · Transport 2 · Payments 3 · Safety 2
    Language 5 · Almost no English, but Korean is widely spoken and on every sign
62. 🇨🇳 HarbinChinaModerate2.8/5 · Rip-offs 3 · Language 4 · Transport 2 · Payments 3 · Safety 2
    Language 4 · Hardly any English; you'll need a translator app everywhere
63. 🇨🇳 SanyaChinaModerate2.8/5 · Rip-offs 3 · Language 4 · Transport 2 · Payments 3 · Safety 2
    Language 4 · Little English outside resorts; Russian is more common than English
64. 🇨🇳 Xi'anChinaModerate2.8/5 · Rip-offs 3 · Language 4 · Transport 2 · Payments 3 · Safety 2
    Language 4 · Little English; some English signs at major sights only
65. 🇹🇼 KentingTaiwanHard3.0/5 · Rip-offs 2 · Language 4 · Transport 4 · Payments 3 · Safety 2
    Language 4 · Little English; menus and signs are mostly Chinese only
66. 🇨🇳 DaliChinaHard3.0/5 · Rip-offs 3 · Language 4 · Transport 3 · Payments 3 · Safety 2
    Language 4 · Little English; only guesthouses and backpacker cafés cope
67. 🇨🇳 GuilinChinaHard3.0/5 · Rip-offs 3 · Language 4 · Transport 3 · Payments 3 · Safety 2
    Language 4 · Little English, though Yangshuo's traveler strip copes in English
68. 🇨🇳 HuangshanChinaHard3.0/5 · Rip-offs 3 · Language 4 · Transport 3 · Payments 3 · Safety 2
    Language 4 · Drivers and vendors rarely speak English; show places in Chinese
69. 🇨🇳 LijiangChinaHard3.0/5 · Rip-offs 3 · Language 4 · Transport 3 · Payments 3 · Safety 2
    Language 4 · Little English; only guesthouses and backpacker cafés cope
70. 🇨🇳 ZhangjiajieChinaHard3.0/5 · Rip-offs 3 · Language 4 · Transport 3 · Payments 3 · Safety 2
    Language 4 · Little English, but Korean signs and Korean-speaking guides are common
71. 🇲🇳 UlaanbaatarMongoliaHard3.4/5 · Rip-offs 3 · Language 5 · Transport 3 · Payments 3 · Safety 3
    Language 5 · Very little English even in UB; carry addresses in Cyrillic

By country

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FAQ

Scores run from 1 (easy) to 5 (hard) for rip-offs, language, getting around, payments and safety, based on government travel advisories, Wikivoyage, the EF English index and official transport pages (as of 2026-10-05). Advisories change often — check your government's latest advice before you go. All 502 cities ranked ›