Three numbers. The ones that decide the meeting.
When the world meets at work.
Read the day in both zones.
Crossing the border. Money, language, plugs.
Money changes hands at the border: Tarawa uses the AUD ($) and Busan uses the KRW (₩). Language shifts too — English in Tarawa, Korean in Busan. Be careful behind the wheel: Tarawa drives on the left, Busan on the right.
- Country
- Kiribati
- Capital
- South Tarawa
- Currency
- Australian dollar (AUD · $)
- Language
- English, Gilbertese
- Calling code
- +686
- Drives on
- Left
- Country
- South Korea
- Capital
- Seoul
- Currency
- South Korean won (KRW · ₩)
- Language
- Korean
- Calling code
- +82
- Drives on
- Right
Quick answers. Before you book the call.
What's the time difference between Tarawa and Busan?
Tarawa is 3 hours behind Busan. Tarawa runs on GMT+12 and Busan on GMT+9. The gap can shift by an hour when either side enters or leaves daylight saving — the live clocks above always reflect the current offset.
When's the best time to schedule a meeting?
There are 5 hours where both cities are inside a 09:00–17:00 workday. Aim for the middle of that window so neither side is starting or closing out.
Does daylight saving time change the difference?
Yes, if either city observes DST. When one side shifts and the other doesn't, the gap changes by one hour. The DST badges under each clock show whether each zone is currently shifted and when the next transition lands.
How far is Tarawa from Busan?
About 5,881 km as the crow flies (great-circle distance). A non-stop commercial flight cruises that in roughly 7h 25m, not counting airport time, winds, or routing around restricted airspace.
Can I send this meeting time as a calendar invite?
Yes. Pick a time on the slider above, open the meeting card, customize the title and duration, then download the .ics file. It imports cleanly into Google Calendar, Outlook, and Apple Calendar with the correct timezone attached.
What currency do Tarawa and Busan use?
Tarawa uses the Australian dollar (AUD, $); Busan uses the South Korean won (KRW, ₩). Check the live rate before transferring money or paying with a card abroad — most banks add a 1–3 % FX margin on top of the mid-market rate.
How do I call Tarawa from Busan?
Dial the international prefix used by your carrier (often 00), then +686, then the local number — drop any leading zero of the city or mobile code. For free calls, WhatsApp, Signal, and FaceTime work over Wi-Fi regardless of country code.
What language is spoken in Tarawa and Busan?
Tarawa primarily speaks English, Gilbertese; Busan speaks Korean. English is widely used in business contexts in major cities of both, but written contracts may need translation.
Do Tarawa and Busan drive on the same side of the road?
No. Kiribati drives on the left, South Korea on the right. If you're renting, expect a learning curve on the first day — especially at roundabouts and when judging the centre of the lane.