Preparation Makes the Difference
Korea is one of the easier countries to prepare for. Visa requirements are favourable for many nationalities, public transport is intuitive, and English signage is widespread at major tourist sites. That said, a few overlooked items can derail an otherwise smooth trip. Use this checklist from the planning stage through to departure day.
Before You Book
Passport and Visa Requirements
- Passport validity: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended entry date.
- Visa-free entry: Korea has visa-free or visa-on-arrival agreements with over 100 countries. Citizens of the US, Canada, UK, Australia, most EU countries, and many others can enter without a visa for 90 or 180 days depending on the bilateral agreement. Always verify current requirements at the official Korea Immigration Service website (immigration.go.kr) before travel.
- K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization): Some visa-exempt nationalities must obtain K-ETA approval before boarding. The fee is ₩10,000 and approval typically takes up to 72 hours. Apply at k-eta.go.kr. Note: K-ETA requirements have been waived for several countries at various times — check current status before applying.
Flights and Accommodation
- Book flights and note your confirmation numbers
- Print or save your accommodation booking (including the Korean-language address for Day 1)
- Consider travel insurance covering medical expenses, trip cancellation, baggage loss, and flight delays
Health Preparation
- Pack a basic medical kit: cold medicine, antacids, anti-diarrhoeal medication, pain relievers, blister plasters
- If you take prescription medication: carry a copy of the prescription and a doctor's letter in English. Some controlled substances have restrictions on import quantity — verify with Korean customs (customs.go.kr)
- Note any food allergies in Korean (see translation tips below)
Document Checklist
| Item | Status | |------|--------| | Passport (valid 6+ months) | ☐ | | K-ETA or visa (if required) | ☐ | | Flight confirmation (printed or saved offline) | ☐ | | Accommodation booking (with Korean address) | ☐ | | Travel insurance certificate | ☐ | | International driving permit (if renting a car) | ☐ | | Credit/debit cards (confirmed for international use) | ☐ | | Passport photocopy (stored separately from original) | ☐ |
Communication and Connectivity
SIM Card Options
Getting a Korean SIM card is strongly recommended over relying on roaming.
- Where to buy: Telecommunications booths at Incheon Airport arrivals hall (SK Telecom, KT, LG U+) — open 24 hours
- Cost: Approximately ₩20,000–₩30,000 for 7 days, ₩30,000–₩40,000 for 10 days
- What's included: Unlimited or high-volume data + local calls on some plans
- Pre-order online: Several services ship a SIM to your home address or allow pickup at the airport — often cheaper than buying on arrival
eSIM: If your phone supports eSIM, consider purchasing a Korean eSIM online before departure. No physical card swap required, and you can activate it immediately on arrival.
Pocket Wi-Fi
Suitable for groups sharing a device or those who prefer not to swap SIMs. Rental units are available at the airport with same-day return on departure. Cost: approximately ₩3,000–₩6,000 per day.
Currency and Payments
Exchanging Money
- Best rates: City bank branches (KB Kookmin, Shinhan, Woori), Myeongdong private exchange bureaux in Seoul
- Airport exchange: Rates at Incheon arrival hall are reasonable; departure lounge rates are worse — avoid exchanging large amounts there
- How much cash to carry: Approximately ₩20,000–₩30,000 per day for cash-only situations (street food, traditional markets, small eateries)
Card Payments
Korea is highly cashless. Visa and Mastercard are accepted at nearly all restaurants, cafés, convenience stores, and shops.
- Use a card with low or no foreign transaction fees
- Notify your bank before travel to avoid fraud blocks
- ATMs: Convenience store ATMs (especially Global ATM stickers) accept foreign cards. Withdrawal fee: approximately ₩2,000–₩3,000 per transaction
Packing Checklist
Clothing Essentials
| Item | Quantity | Status | |------|----------|--------| | T-shirts / tops | Number of travel days | ☐ | | Trousers / skirts | 3–4 | ☐ | | Underwear | Number of travel days | ☐ | | Socks | Number of travel days | ☐ | | Sleepwear | 1–2 | ☐ | | Comfortable walking shoes | 1 pair | ☐ | | Indoor slippers | 1 pair | ☐ |
Seasonal Additions
Spring (March–May)
- Light jacket or mid-layer — temperature swings of 10°C+ between morning and afternoon
- Compact umbrella (spring rain is common)
- Allergy medication if sensitive to pollen or yellow dust (hwangsa) from China
Summer (June–August)
- Lightweight, breathable clothing
- A thin long-sleeve layer for heavily air-conditioned indoor spaces (restaurants, cinemas, museums run cold)
- SPF 50+ sunscreen — essential; Korean sun in July–August is intense
- Hat and sunglasses
Autumn (September–November)
- Light to medium jacket
- Layers that can be added or removed easily
Winter (December–February)
- Heavy insulated coat (temperatures regularly below 0°C in Seoul)
- Thermal underlayer
- Scarf, gloves, and a hat
- Waterproof boots if visiting areas with snow
Toiletries and Health
Note: Korean convenience stores and pharmacies stock most toiletries, so you don't need to overpack.
| Item | Status | |------|--------| | Toothbrush and toothpaste | ☐ | | Sunscreen SPF 50+ | ☐ | | Personal skincare products | ☐ | | Feminine hygiene products (if needed) | ☐ | | Face masks (for yellow dust season, March–May) | ☐ | | Hand sanitiser | ☐ | | Prescription medication (with documentation) | ☐ |
Electronics
| Item | Status | |------|--------| | Smartphone | ☐ | | Charger and cables | ☐ | | Portable battery pack (check airline carry-on rules) | ☐ | | Power adapter (Korea: 220V, Type C or F plug) | ☐ | | Earphones | ☐ | | Camera (optional) | ☐ |
Voltage note: Korea uses 220V at 60Hz. Most modern smartphones, laptops, and camera chargers are dual voltage (100–240V) — check the label. If your device is 110V only, you will need a voltage converter in addition to an adapter plug.
Essential Apps to Install Before You Go
Install these before you leave — some require a non-Korean app store account, which is easier to set up at home.
Maps and Transport
- Kakao Maps — Best for Seoul subway routing and real-time bus arrivals
- Naver Maps — Excellent for walking navigation and restaurant search
- Google Maps — English interface, reliable for transit
- Korail app — Book KTX tickets
- Kakao T — Taxi hailing in English
- Ttareungi — Seoul public bike share
Food and Discovery
- Naver — Korean restaurant search and reviews (better local data than Google)
- Coupang Eats / Baemin — Food delivery (English available)
Translation
- Papago — Best accuracy for Korean↔English translation; camera translation for menus
- Google Translate — Camera and conversation modes, offline Korean pack available
Korean Cultural Etiquette
A few customs to be aware of:
- Two hands: Use both hands (or support with your free hand at the elbow) when giving or receiving items, especially from older people. This applies to business cards, money, food, and drinks.
- Remove shoes: In traditional restaurants (with floor seating), guesthouses, and some accommodations, remove your shoes at the entrance.
- Quiet on transport: Speak quietly on buses and the subway. Phone calls are frowned upon. Use headphones when listening to music.
- Temples and palaces: Dress modestly — cover shoulders and knees. Some temples offer wraps to borrow.
- Pouring drinks: In Korea, you pour drinks for others, not yourself. It is polite to refill someone else's glass when it's low.
Emergency Contacts
| Service | Number | |---------|--------| | Police | 112 | | Fire / Ambulance | 119 | | Korea Tourism Hotline (24hr, English) | 1330 | | Medical Emergency Interpretation | 1339 | | Lost & Found (Seoul Metro) | 02-6110-1122 |
1330 Tourism Hotline: Operated by the Korea Tourism Organization. Available 24 hours a day in English, Japanese, and Chinese. Useful for tourist information, emergency assistance, and translation help in non-emergency situations.
FAQ
Q. What do I need to declare at Korean customs? Declare cash or monetary instruments exceeding USD 10,000 (or equivalent). Prescription controlled substances must be declared. Bringing in meat products, fresh produce, or soil is restricted. Electronic cigarette liquids have import quantity limits.
Q. Do I need an international driving permit to rent a car in Korea? An IDP (International Driving Permit) is required along with your home country licence. Citizens of some countries (including the US and Canada) may have specific bilateral exceptions — verify with the rental company before arrival.
Q. Is free Wi-Fi widely available? Yes. Airports, subway stations, cafés, convenience stores, and most tourist attractions offer free Wi-Fi. Seoul's public Wi-Fi (KT Olleh Wi-Fi or Seoul Free WiFi) is available throughout the city. Still, a data SIM makes navigation much smoother.
Q. Can I buy medicine in Korea without a prescription? Basic medications — pain relievers, antacids, cold medicine, antihistamines — are available at pharmacies (약국, yakguk) without a prescription. Pharmacies are identified by a green cross sign. Some convenience stores also carry limited OTC medicines.
Q. What if my luggage is heavy on arrival? Luggage forwarding services operate from Incheon Airport to your Seoul hotel — typically ₩10,000–₩15,000 per bag, delivered the following day. Services include Smart Airport, Smart Beefly, and others with booths in the arrivals hall. A worthwhile investment if you want to travel light on the airport rail.