Hi besties 💕 if you're flying to Korea for the first time, this is the chat we'd have over iced americanos at a 24-hour cafe. We've collected the tips locals actually give friends — not the recycled lists travel sites copy from each other. Skim by section, save the ones you need.
Before You Go
- K-ETA: Most visa-waiver passport holders need a K-ETA approval before boarding. Apply at least 72 hours ahead at k-eta.go.kr. Don't pay the random sites Google surfaces — only the official one is real.
- Download these apps NOW: Naver Map (or KakaoMap), KakaoTalk, Papago (translation), Subway Korea. Google Maps is half-broken here for walking directions.
- Cash matters less than you think. Korea is more cashless than your country probably. Bring just ₩100,000–200,000 for traditional markets and tiny street food stalls.
- Power plugs: Type C / F (the round two-pin), 220V/60Hz. Same as Europe — US travelers grab a dual-plug adapter.
Getting Around (Subway, Bus, Taxi)
Honestly, Seoul subway is the cheat code. Get a transit card the moment you land.
- T-money card is sold at every convenience store and subway station for ₩4,000. Top it up with cash or card. There's also the new Climate Card (₩65,000/30 days) for unlimited rides if you stay 5+ days.
- Tap T-money both entering and exiting — buses too. Forgetting to tap out costs you a flat penalty fare.
- Taxi tip: Use Kakao T app (English version exists). Hailing on the street works but drivers may not speak English. Show the destination in Korean from your map app — drivers respect that effort.
- Subway last train is around 12:00 a.m. After midnight, taxis charge a 20% night surcharge. KTX (high-speed rail) needs to be booked through the Korail app — don't trust resellers.
Eating Like a Local
- Banchan (small side dishes) are free and refillable. Just point and ask "더 주세요" (deo juseyo, "more please").
- Don't tip. Seriously, don't. It's not insulting — they just won't know what to do.
- Look for the call button on the table. That little buzzer summons the server. Yelling "저기요!" (jeogiyo, "excuse me") is the polite alternative.
- If you can't read Hangul, search restaurants on Naver Map and use Papago's camera mode to translate menus in real time.
- Don't pour your own drink at a table with locals. Pour for the others, let them pour for you. Two hands holding the bottle = extra respect.
Money & Payments
- Cards work everywhere — including 7-Eleven, taxis, even some pojangmacha (street tents). Visa/Master/Amex are fine. Discover and JCB hit-or-miss.
- ATMs labeled "Global ATM" at convenience stores accept foreign cards. Citi, KB, Woori main branches are reliable for larger withdrawals.
- Tax-free shopping: spend ₩30,000+ at a participating store, ask for the tax-free receipt, claim refund at the airport (or instant in-store at bigger department stores).
- Beware of dynamic currency conversion. When the terminal asks "KRW or USD?", always pick KRW. The USD option costs you 3–5% in hidden markup.
Etiquette & Manners
- Take your shoes off. Always at someone's home, hanok stays, and most traditional restaurants where you sit on the floor. Look for the shoe rack at the entrance.
- Don't blow your nose at the dinner table. Excuse yourself to the bathroom. Truly.
- Hand things — money, business cards, drinks — with two hands when meeting someone older.
- The number 4 is unlucky (sounds like "death" in Sino-Korean). Some elevators skip floor 4. Not a problem, just expect it.
- Don't write someone's name in red ink. It's associated with funerals.
Shopping & Markets
- Myeongdong = touristy beauty street. Fun for one evening, expensive for actual shopping.
- Olive Young is the K-beauty mecca every Korean uses. Dupes for premium brands at half the price. Tax-free in stores over ₩30,000.
- Gwangjang Market for street food + vintage hanbok. Dongdaemun for fashion (open till 5 a.m.). Namdaemun for accessories + souvenirs.
- Bargaining is expected at traditional markets, never at department stores. Smile and ask "좀 깎아주세요" (jom kkakka juseyo, "a small discount please").
Connectivity, SIM & WiFi
- Get an eSIM from KT or SK Telecom — activates the moment you land. Brands: Airalo, KKday, Klook all sell prepaid Korea eSIMs.
- Free WiFi is everywhere. Almost every cafe, subway station, and convenience store. Connect to Public WiFi Free if you see it.
- KakaoTalk is the WhatsApp of Korea. Restaurants, taxi drivers, even hospitals use it. Add new friends by phone number.
Health & Safety
- Korea is one of the safest countries on the planet. Solo travel — including at night — is normal. Use common sense in nightlife districts.
- Pharmacies (약국, yakguk) are everywhere. Most have an English-speaking staff member. Cold meds, painkillers, motion sickness pills all over the counter.
- Emergency: 112 (police), 119 (ambulance/fire), 1339 (medical info in English).
- Public restrooms are free, clean, and frequent. Subway stations always have one. Carry tissues just in case.
Common Faux Pas Foreigners Make
- Don't tip. (Worth saying twice.)
- Don't sit in priority seats on the subway, even if empty. Locals will notice.
- Don't compare Korea to Japan. We love them as neighbors but we are not the same.
- Don't say "Anyo" — that's the casual form. Use "Annyeonghaseyo" with strangers, especially older folks.
- Smile, say thank you ("Gamsahamnida"), make eye contact briefly. The bare minimum goes a long way.
Hidden Gems Most Tourists Miss
- Ihwa Mural Village — quiet hilltop neighborhood east of Hyehwa. Less crowded than Bukchon.
- Seonyudo Park — a tiny island in the Han River that feels like a secret garden.
- Yongmasan Recycling Plant Park — sounds weird, looks like a sci-fi cathedral. Free.
- Anguk-dong cafes — Bukchon adjacent but ten times calmer. Try Onion Anguk for the architecture.
- Late-night noodles at Gwangjang — the market doesn't truly sleep. 2 a.m. kalguksu hits different.
Three Tips We Tell Every Friend
- Stay 7 days minimum. Three days = airport, Myeongdong, jet lag. Seven days = real Korea.
- Get out of Seoul. Busan (KTX 2.5 hours), Jeonju (1.5 hours), Gangneung (1.7 hours via KTX). Each one is its own world.
- Book a guesthouse with a local owner at least one night. Their corner of Korea is the best Korea.
Bookmark this guide (🔖 button at the top), and feel free to drop a comment with what we missed. Safe travels — see you in Korea 🇰🇷✨