What You Really Need To Pack For South Korea – From A Minimalist Traveler

As a backpack traveler and someone who’s pretty short, I have to be even more careful about what I pack, especially if I don’t want to feel like I’m carrying a whole house on my back. Not to mention that the crushing weight can destroy my back and shoulders…

Fortunately, I’m already a minimalist, but South Korea and its shopping options aren’t exactly ideal for lightening my burden and preventing the kilograms from adding up.

So, as someone who lived in South Korea for a year, experienced all four seasons there, and has returned twice for extended stays, let me help you decide what to pack for your trip to this country.

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Seasons & Weather in South Korea

First, let’s talk about the seasons! South Korea has four distinct seasons, with temperatures ranging from 30°C to below freezing, which means that the time of year you decide to visit will drastically change what you’ll need to pack and what you can leave behind.

I’d say the only seasons when you can basically have the same packing list are spring and fall, both of which offer mild temperatures without extreme weather conditions.

Which luggage?

It really depends on your travel style, but utimately you’ll have two choices: a backpack or a suitcase!

Both are suitable for South Korea, and both have their pros and cons!

Backpack

If you choose a backpack, I recommend a 30L or 40L model, no larger, as it can easily hold everything you need for a two-week vacation, or even a few months if you know how to pack and bring only the essentials.

Pros

• You can take it anywhere.
• No need to look for an elevator in the subway.
• No wheels, so no risk of breaking them.
• South Korea is steep, with lots of slopes: a backpack is easier to carry.
• Extra space if you choose one with external pockets.

Cons

• The more you bring, the heavier it will be; you’ll need strong back and shoulder muscles, or you’ll have to be careful on what you include in your packing list: less is more.
• Weight distribution is essential.
• You should avoid bringing or buying fragile things, as they’re more likely to break in a backpack.

Suitcase

A carry-on suitcase is the best option here: no extra fees for oversized luggage and it’s more than enough for a vacation of a few days or a few weeks. Remember: minimalist travel style here!

Pros

• No back or neck pain, since you just have to pull your suitcase.
• Roads are usually well-paved in South Korea, so the risk of wheels getting stuck in potholes or your suitcase getting damaged is low.
• Easier to organize.
• Fragile items will be better protected if your suitcase has a hard shell.

Cons

• You’ll need to find the elevators in the subway if you don’t want to carry your suitcase up the stairs.
• If your suitcase is too bulky, buses won’t let you board; you’ll have to take the subway or a taxi.
• Harder to carry when your accommodation is at the top of a slope or a flight of stairs.
• No external pockets.

Day Bag

A day bag is primordial and can be used for many purposes. I never go on a trip without mine. Opt for a 15L or 20L model that can serve as a hiking bag, for grocery shopping, or simply to contain everything you’ll need during your day of sightseeing (water bottle, snacks, extra layer…).

It’s also the bag I always keep with me on the plane, stowing it under the seat in front of me, and it holds all my essentials and important documents.

Small crossbody bag

Easily foldable and able to slip in my day bag, a small crossbody bag quickly become another small accessory I bring with me when I travel.

Going out? Or just don’t feel like carrying your day bag all day? Take your small crossbody bag with you! Mine can hold my money, passport, phone, a power bank, and a mini water bottle or any other small accessory. And that’s more than enough!

Essentials to pack every time

• Passport, travel insurance, visa, cash, credit/debit card: these are the items you absolutely can’t do without and must not forget to pack. Travel insurance is mandatory (at least if you don’t want to take any risks). Don’t forget your money, you’ll unfortunately need it at some point, and especially a little bit of cash to get your trip started as South Korea is one of those countries where cash is still used, be it for transportation, street food…

Note: click here to get a 5% discount on Heymondo (the travel insurance I use) using my affiliate link.

• SIM/eSIM and mobile apps: yes, Wi-Fi is widely available, but nothing will ever replace having your own coverage wherever you go. Choose KT or Airalo for good coverage.
  There are also a few essential apps you’ll need in South Korea: NAVER Maps and/or KakaoMap, Papago, Kakao T, T Locker Trazy, Klook and Catchtable.

Packing list for summer

Don’t forget that no matter what season you plan to visit, you’ll always find everything you need on the spot, so don’t overpack!

Summer, especially if you come during July and August, is monsoon season. The weather may be scattered with rain, but above all, it will be hot and humid. So your packing list will need a few accessories you won’t need during other seasons.

Clothing

• 5 or 6 tops: opt for breathable fabrics but also tops that cover shoulders because you’re very likely to get sunburned (even more so if you forget to apply sunscreen)
• 1 pair of pants: skip the jeans, they’ll just stick to your skin and can be uncomfortable in sweltering heat; opt for linen pants instead
• 1 long skirt: lightweight, and easy to pair with many tops
• 1 summer dress: consider a practical dress you can wear on many occasions, whether going out, or sightseeing
• 2 pairs of shorts or skirts: even better if you have skorts: much more comfortable, and you don’t have to worry about windy days or everyone seeing your underwear
• 1 lightweight cardigan: to cover your shoulders or for cool evenings
• 1 swimsuit
• 1 pair of pajamas
• 2 pairs of socks
• 2 bras
• Underwear for one week
• 2 pairs of shoes: such as sandals and sneakers, or hiking shoes if you plan to go hiking (remember to prioritize comfort over cute shoes, since you’ll be doing a lot of walking)

Toiletries & Accessories

• Toiletry bag, sunscreen, deodorant (not a lot of options in South Korea): makeup is optional; you can replace it with tinted sunscreen or just don’t bring any, you’ll find plenty of options in South Korea, don’t worry.
  Another tip: don’t bring all your full-size skincare bottles, use travel-sizes bottles instead!
• First aid kit: with scissors, a few essential medications, and band aids
• Tote bag: can be used as a laundry bag too
• Hat & Sunglasses
• Reusable water bottle: many accommodations have a free water fountain where you can refill your water bottle
• Power bank: up to 100 watt-hours (Wh)
• Headphones
• Adapter
• Wet wipes: indispensable for washing your hands whether you’re on the plane, hiking, or before eating
• Earplugs: my personal essential for a good night’s sleep
• Compact foldable umbrella: one of my favorites in summer and during the rainy season, not to mention you can also use it to protect yourself against UV rays (pretty common in South Korea)
• Portable mini handheld fan: it’ll quickly become your best ally
• Packing cubes: they make packing and organizing your luggage much easier
• Padlock: for your valuables or luggage
• Pen: you never know when you might need one, but it’s a practical and small item that can prove very useful, trust me, (immigration forms, journaling, self-defense item…)
• Safety whistle

Packing list for spring and fall

Spring and fall offer pleasant temperatures, and ideal conditions for outdoor activities. You can leave some accessories behind and lighten the weight of your luggage a little.

Clothing

• 5 t-shirts: opt for some tops you can easily pair with anything
• 1 long-sleeved shirt: for cooler days
• 1 sweater: useful if you come during the beginning of spring or late fall, or if you’re sensitive to the cold like me
• 1 lightweight jacket
• 2 pairs of pants: pack your jeans, and another pair of long pants of your choice
• 1 pair of sweatpants or leggings: especially if you plan to go hiking or exercise
• 2 pairs of skirts: for warmer days, and/or going out
• 1 pair of tights: to wear with skirts
• 1 pair of pajamas
• 5 pairs of socks
• 2 bras
• Underwear for one week
• 2 pairs of shoes: like sneakers and hiking shoes

Toiletries & Accessories

• Toiletry bag, sunscreen, deodorant: sunscreen is a must, no matter the season, as for makeup it’s up to you. Don’t forget that South Korea is a skincare paradise, so be sure to leave room for some shopping.
  Another tip: don’t bring all your full-size skincare bottles, use travel-sizes bottles instead!
• First aid kit: with scissors, a few essential medications, allergy medication (if you’re sensitive to pollen, as South Korea can be very polluted during spring) and band aids
• Tote bag: for its many uses
• Hat/Beanie & Sunglasses
• Reusable water bottle: many accommodations have a free water fountain where you can refill your water bottle
• Power bank: up to 100 watt-hours (Wh)
• Headphones
• Adapter
• Wet wipes: indispensable for washing your hands whether you’re on the plane, hiking, or before eating
• Earplugs: my personal essential for a good night’s sleep
• Packing cubes: practical, they make packing simple
• Padlock: for your valuables or luggage
• Pen: a small but powerful item that’s very useful in many situations (immigration forms, journaling, self-defense item…)
• Safety whistle

Packing list for winter

Winter may be a festive season but it’s also a time of sub-zero temperatures in many regions of the country. So even if you’re a minimalist, you’ll need a few important items to survive the season without getting frostbite.

Clothing

• 5 long-sleeved shirts: choose fabrics like fleece, flannel, or even thermal clothing featuring the Heattech technology to keep your upper body warm and toasty
• 2 sweaters: winter is all about layering so pack these sweaters
• 1 down jacket or parka
• 2 pairs of pants: a pair of jeans and a pair of dress pants
• 1 pair of thermal pants: to wear under your jeans or any other type of pants
• 1 pair of fleece-lined tights or leggings: to alternate with your thermal pants
• 1 long-sleeved winter dress
• 1 pair of pajamas
• 5 pairs of socks: merino wool socks are ideal for winter
• 2 bras
• Underwear for one week
• 2 pairs of shoes: such as winter boots and waterproof hiking shoes

Toiletries & Accessories

• Toiletry bag, sunscreen, deodorant: don’t forget your lip balm and moisturizer, chapped lips are a strong foe in winter
  Another tip: don’t bring all your full-size skincare bottles, use travel-sizes bottles instead!
• First aid kit: with scissors, a few essential medications (especially cold medicine for winter) and band aids
• Tote bag: for its many uses
• Beanie, Scarf & Sunglasses: sunglasses can be pretty useful, especially when the sun reflects off the snow
• Gloves: to keep your fingers from getting numbed in the freezing cold
• Reusable water bottle: many accommodations have a free water fountain where you can refill your water bottle
• Power bank: up to 100 watt-hours (Wh)
• Headphones
• Adapter
• Wet wipes: indispensable for washing your hands whether you’re on the plane, hiking, or before eating
• Earplugs: my personal essential for a good night’s sleep
• Packing cubes: to keep everything neatly organized in your luggage
• Padlock: for your valuables or luggage
• Pen: a small but powerful item that’s very useful in many situations (immigration forms, journaling, self-defense item…)
• Safety whistle

Remember that you can always use the laundry facilities at your accommodation, a nearby laundromat, or even just some soap and a sink to quickly wash whatever you need. And you can also buy anything you need or forgot to pack directly in the country!

What you don’t need to pack

This usually happens to all travelers, especially in the beginning, when you just overpack and end up never using certain things that actually takes up space and that you could easily do without.

Here’s a short list of items you can leave at home without regretting it:

• Hair straightener: you’ll survive without it, believe me. Plus, many accommodations in South Korea provide a space where you can do your makeup and where there are hair straighteners and other accessories.
• Valuables: don’t bring all your jewelry, just what you’re currently wearing, so you won’t regret losing, breaking, or having something stolen.
• Laptop: my golden rule is that for a two weeks vacation or less, I can do without it!
• Cute clothes: think practical and comfortable.
• High heels: or how to quickly get blisters and sore feet. Choose quality and comfort over fashion show vibes. You’ll walk a LOT!
• Full-size toiletries: liquid restrictions are still in effect, and you won’t use up all your skincare products in a few days, so save some space.

What I pack in my carry-on (when I fly)

Remember that day bag I always keep within reach? Well, here’s everything I put in it!

• Important documents: that is, my passport, money, and any documents I might need to get through immigration.
• Pen, headphones & earplugs
• Reusable water bottle: which I can refill at the airport, because dehydration is bad, especially on a plane.
• Wet wipes: to always feel clean.
• A change of clothes: long days of travel can make you feel dirty, but it’s also important in case you have to check your luggage and the airline loses it (fingers crossed that doesn’t happen though).
• Travel-size cleanser, moisturizer, toothpaste, toothbrush, and lip balm
• Charger & power bank
• Pain relievers

Packing tips

Getting ready for a trip is exciting, but it can also be stressful. So to alleviate your burden, here are a few packing tips I’ve picked up over the years.

• Don’t pack at the last minute: you might be thinking, “that’s fine, it’ll only take me 20 minutes, so I’ll do it the night before my flight” but that’s the best way to forget things and end up even more stressed once you’ve already left home and don’t have time to turn back.
  Pack everything two days in advance for peace of mind, or the day before if you’re a seasoned traveler who can handle anything.
• Make a list: nothing works better than having a list of everything you absolutely need, which you can check off as you pack your bags. I probably check the list three times, because I’m that kind of girl!
• Invest in packing cubes: they make things so much easier!
• Opt for casual clothes or easy mix-and-match clothes that don’t wrinkle easily: you can also plan out all the outfits you intend to wear to reduce your stress.
• Keep the important stuff with you: whether in your day bag or your small crossbody bag, for example, make sure to keep your passport, cash, and other essential documents close at hand and safe, especially in crowded areas.
• Don’t pack clothes you’ve never worn: but rather those that fit you well and that you like to wear.
• All liquids must be in leak-proof travel-size containers and store in a toiletry case or a ziplock bag: you can also cut up party balloons and attach them to the bottle lids for extra safety.
• Choose a day bag with exterior pockets and a place to attach keychains: so you can easily carry your water bottle, umbrella, hat, charger…
• Roll your clothes: it really helps!
• Wear your sweater, jacket, jeans, or any of your bulkiest clothes: you’ll save a lot of space, and besides, it’s always cold on planes.
• Don’t pack valuables or items you really love in your checked luggage, in case it gets lost.
• ALWAYS leave some room in your luggage: for souvenirs, clothes, and impulsive buys.

And that’s everything you need to know to pack for your trip to South Korea! I hope this helps plan the trip of your dreams and reduce the stress of all the preparations.

If you need help or information, feel free to send me a message at contact@afreesoulabroad.com, and I’ll be happy to assist you!

Or you can also check out my travel planning services below!

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Already thinking about what souvenirs to bring back from South Korea? Here’s a list of less touristy or unique souvenirs you might want to consider!