Seven essentials

Each one is a guide of its own. Open before your trip, save for offline.

• Visa & K-ETA

  Most short stays are visa-free. 67 countries are also K-ETA exempt through Dec 2026.
• SIM & WiFi

  eSIM before you board, prepaid SIM at Incheon, or pocket WiFi. Pick by trip length.
• Subway & T-money

  Buy a T-money card at the airport. Tap on, tap off, same card for buses and taxis.
• Tax refund

  ~5 to 8% back on shopping ≥ ₩15,000 with passport. Immediate at register or at the airport.
• Foreigner desk

  5 to 7% off at Lotte / Shinsegae / Hyundai. Stack with tax refund. Locals can't use it.
• Holidays & closures

  Seollal + Chuseok shut down half the city. Single-day holidays barely register. Time it right.
• Bags aren't free

  No free plastic bags at convenience stores or supermarkets. Bring a foldable tote.

Pre-flight checklist

Tap each one as you handle it. Saved on this device, so you can come back any time and pick up where you left off.

• Passport valid 6+ months

  Korean immigration won't let you board with under 6 months left.
• K-ETA or visa sorted

  Apply at k-eta.go.kr at least 72 h before flight if your country isn't exempt.
• e-Arrival Card filed

  Submit at e-arrivalcard.go.kr within 3 days of arrival to skip the paper line.
• Naver Map or Kakao Map installed

  Google Maps doesn't do walking directions in Korea. The Korean apps know subway exits.
• Kakao T installed (taxi)

  Korea's Uber. English UI, card-on-file, much safer than flagging an unmarked taxi.
• T-money plan ready

  Buy at any GS25 / CU at the airport. Climate Card if you ride 4+ times a day.
• SIM or eSIM picked

  5-day eSIM is ~₩20,000 with unlimited data. Install before boarding.
• Hotel address saved

  Korean immigration asks. Naver Map link or screenshot is fine.

Your first day

Hour by hour, airport to Han River sunset.

1. 08:00
   Land at Incheon

   AREX direct train to Seoul Station: 50 min, ₩9,500.
2. 09:30
   Drop bags at hotel

   Most hotels hold luggage from morning even if check-in is 3pm.
3. 10:00
   Buy T-money + SIM

   CU / GS25 sells both. SIM 5-day ~₩20,000 with data.
4. 11:00
   First Korean meal

   Kimbap + a hot soup. Open-from-breakfast spots: Kim Bap Cheon Guk, Han Sol.
5. 13:00
   Pick a district

   Jongno (palace day), Hongdae (youth), or Gangnam (modern).
6. 18:00
   Han River sunset

   Yeouido or Banpo Bridge. Convenience-store dinner is the local move.
7. 21:00
   Pace yourself

   Subway runs until ~midnight. After that, taxis are abundant and metered.

Words you'll actually say

Eight phrases that handle 90% of first-trip interactions.

• Hello 안녕하세요 Annyeonghaseyo
• Thank you 감사합니다 Gamsahamnida
• Excuse me / Sorry 저기요 / 죄송합니다 Jeogiyo / Joesonghamnida
• How much is it? 얼마예요? Eolma-yeyo?
• One of these, please 이거 하나 주세요 Igeo hana juseyo
• Please, the bill 계산해 주세요 Gyesanhae juseyo
• Where is the bathroom? 화장실 어디예요? Hwajangsil eodi-yeyo?
• I don't speak Korean 한국어 못해요 Hangugeo mothaeyo

Mistakes to avoid

• Tipping Don't tip. No tipping anywhere. Service charge is built in.
• Taxis Don't take unmarked taxis at the airport. Use Kakao T or the official taxi line. Same metered price.
• Maps Don't expect Google Maps for walking. Use Naver Map or Kakao Map. The Korean apps know subway exits and back alleys.
• Passport Don't carry your passport everywhere. Hotel safe is fine. Stores + tax-refund counters need it; nightlife doesn't.

Pick your vibe

Four neighborhoods, four moods. Tap to start there.

Last updated May 2026. Bookmark and send to anyone joining you in Seoul.