My Top 10 Travel Tips For A Trip To South Korea
No matter where you travel, there are always country-specific travel tips that will facilitate your trip.
The same goes for South Korea! Don’t worry, these travel hacks are easy to remember and will help you know what to expect even before you land.
Without further ado, here are my essential tips for traveling in South Korea.
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Know before you go: travel tips for your trip to South Korea
1. Download Naver Map or Kakao Map
Forget about Google Maps as even though it’s probably your go-to navigation app pretty much everywhere in the world, that won’t be the case in South Korea where the app doesn’t really work at its best (yet).
Your best bet is to download the local maps such as Naver or Kakao and save all your addresses in it. They’re both fast and reliable, offer bus and subway timetables in real time, and can be used in English. Although, in all honesty, the app functions better in Korean, so you may need to copy and paste some addresses in Korean to find them in the app.
So, if you don’t want to end up stranded in the middle of nowhere, don’t forget these two apps.
2. Prefer a backpack over a suitcase
I know lots of people want to bring an empty suitcase to Korea to fill it with all the skincare products they want to stock up on. So while an empty suitcase is fine, here’s one of my best travel tips for this country (and it might be a bit controversial): travel with a backpack instead of a suitcase.
The reason? Well, if you’ve never been to Korea, you should know that it’s a country with plenty of stairs, steep streets, and endless subway tunnels.
So, if you don’t mind having to carry or painfully drag your suitcase around everywhere, don’t mind me, but if you like to travel light and with less hindrance, opt for a backpack.
Plus, buses have restrictions on bulky suitcases, and dragging your suitcase through the subway isn’t always easy either; so your last resort will always be to take taxis.
3. An umbrella for every season
You’ve probably seen videos or heard people talk about it, but in many Asian countries, an umbrella isn’t just for rainy days. You can use it to keep from getting soak, sure, but also against the harmful UV rays and even when it snows.
And even though you’ll have no trouble finding an umbrella in Korea, you can always bring your own if you already have one that’s compact, sturdy, and cute.
Trust me, it’s an accessory you won’t regret bringing in a country where rain is common in the summer, but where the heat can also be quite intense and where you’ll be glad to have your own patch of shade.
4. Coffee & Food everywhere
This is actually more of something that you should know before you go than a travel hack, but as it’s a big part of Korean culture, I thought it was important to include it here.
Whether it’s coffee or food, Koreans have a strong gathering culture, so it’s no surprise that you’ll find cafés and restaurants every 300 meters. Alright, maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration (just maybe), but you’ll definitely find them on every street corner. In fact, there are even café streets where you can spend an entire afternoon.
At least, you can be sure you won’t go hungry or thirsty in Korea.
Of course, there’s something for every taste here. I just want to stress that I dind’t find the famous “Americano” very good (though, that’s coming from someone who’s not a big fan of coffee), but honestly they’ve much better coffee than that.
Anyway, try for yourself and find your favorite one or opt for a fruit or root herbal tea.
↪ See also: My 15 Favorite And Must-try Street Foods In South Korea!
5. South Korea is more affordable than you think
When you think of South Korea, you must think it’s one of those rich Asian countries, with high-end buildings, advanced technology…, and assume that a trip there might ruin you.
But this is, in fact, far from the truth! The most expensive thing in the country? Real estate! Which doesn’t really concern you. So, for a tourist? Perhaps KTX (high-speed train) tickets? But you can easily get around Korea by bus, so is that really a cause of concern?
No, but really, think markets for delicious but cheap food, think buses and subways to get around, and book your attractions early for discounted tickets!
Plus, you’ll often find 1+1 or 2+1 deals at convenience stores, supermarkets, or even health and beauty stores, so you actually get more for your money.
↪ See also: The Most Common Misconceptions About South Korea!
6. Always carry cash and a travel card
This is an important travel tip, I dare say the most important one.
Mastercards and such don’t really count in South Korea. They usually work, but, for example, in one out of every ten restaurants, your card might suddenly be declined. The same goes for ATM withdrawals. More than once, one of my cards didn’t work and I couldn’t withdraw cash, that’s why it’s important to always bring an extra card (like a travel card) and to withdraw some cash in advance.
I use both N26 and Revolut, and I also recommend Wise for your trip to Korea. I’ve only had one issue with my N26 at a restaurant, which is why I always travel with two cards.
7. Papago aka your trusted ally
Needless to say, Korea isn’t exactly a country where English is widely spoken. Some things are translated (even if the translations are often approximate), but people aren’t always bilingual or may be too shy to speak English. Your best ally: Papago.
This translation app is the tool you need if you want to travel stress-free and understand what you’re ordering when there’s no English menu.
Just like Google Translate, you can use it to have conversations, take pictures of what you want to translate, and even learn basic phrases and words you’ll need in specific situations.
A complete and free tool, and an absolute essential for any trip to South Korea.
8. Check your medications
This is a travel hack that is often forgotten by travelers, but it can cost you dearly (like being denied entry in the country, or even worse) if you’re not careful.
Even if certain medications are completely legal in your country, don’t assume the same is true elsewhere. Do yourself a favor and always check official websites beforehand, and don’t leave home without the prescriptions attached that accompany your important medication.
9. There will be a lot of walking
Even the simple fact of getting out of the often endless subway tunnels can easily add several hundred steps to your daily count, so when I say you’ll walk a lot, it’s not an understatement.
Whether you’re traveling to South Korea for its history, attractions, culinary delights, or hiking trails, you’re bound to end your days massaging your feet. So if I had to give you one piece of travel advice: bring comfortable, sturdy shoes.
Save the high heels for your nights out and opt for cute sneakers or sandals for your sightseeing.
10. Don’t forget your trash bag
The downside of generally very clean streets? There are no trash can around, so the only way to avoid carrying your empty coffee cup for two hours is to have a trash bag on hand.
And if you don’t want to add to the weight of your luggage, you don’t need to pack 100 trash bags: just use a tote bag instead.
FAQ
How easy is it to travel to South Korea despite the language barrier?
It’s surprisingly pretty easy! Koreans are often very welcoming once you get past their seemingly cold and reserved demeanor. With the use of a few apps and some simple gestures, you can easily make yourself understood and smoothly get around.
Plus, tourist areas and nearby shops generally have English-speaking staff, so you shouldn’t run into any major issues.
What’s the best way to get around in Korea?
The public transportation network is quite extensive, making travel by bus or subway cheap and effortless. The trickiest part is making sure you’re going in the right direction, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll become a pro at navigating the country.
Should I avoid traveling during rush hour?
I strongly recommend avoiding morning rush hour (8 a.m.- 9 a.m.) or evening rush hour (6 p.m.- 7 p.m.), unless you really have to, because you’ll find yourself crammed like sardines with no personal space.
Do I really need to book my attraction tickets in advance?
Typically, for palaces and museums, it’s not necessary, but for particular attractions such as sky capsules, river cruises, seasonal activities or those tied to a specific time (sunset…), I suggest doing so.
I usually use Klook for guided tours or specific attractions!
What if I don’t feel comfortable ordering at a restaurant?
Coffee shop chains usually have a self-ordering kiosk where you can select English and take your time placing your order. More and more restaurants have also adopted this system, so if you don’t feel confident ordering in English or Korean, this is also an option.
You can also order food through apps like Baemin or Shuttle Delivery.
Know before you go: wrap up of travel tips for South Korea
Traveling to any country isn’t particularly difficult, as long as you research your destination beforehand and follow some simple but helpful travel tips.
I hope this post has eased any concerns you may have had before planning your trip and that you’re ready to immerse yourself in Korean culture!
Not sure what to pack? Check out: What You Really Need To Pack For South Korea – From A Minimalist Traveler!
And as always, don’t leave home without insurance! If you don’t know which one to choose, here’s my personal, and trusted recommendation: Heymondo (with a 5% discount for you)!
