Trip to South Korea

The list adapts to you

When you add it, the checklist asks a couple of questions and keeps only the items that fit your situation.

• Traveling with kids? NoYes

What's inside

1. Check if you need a K-ETA or visa

   Many visa-free nationalities need the K-ETA electronic authorization, and exemptions come and go. Rules shift — verify current requirements for your passport before booking.

2. Buy travel medical insurance

   Korean healthcare is excellent but paid for tourists. A policy with $30–50k coverage is a sensible minimum.

3. Carry some cash won

   Cards work almost everywhere, but markets, street food and tiny cafés prefer cash. A modest stash of won covers the gaps.

4. Get a T-money transit card

   Sold at any convenience store, it works on metro, buses and taxis nationwide and discounts transfers. Top up with cash at machines and stores.

5. Install Naver Map or Kakao Map

   Google Maps can't route walking or driving in Korea — it's mapping law, not a bug. Locals live in Naver Map and Kakao Map; both have English interfaces.

6. Download the Papago translator

   For Korean, Papago beats Google Translate noticeably, especially on photo menu translation. Grab the offline pack.

7. Arrange an eSIM

   A Korean data eSIM takes five minutes to set up at home. Wi-fi is everywhere, but navigation and taxis need data on the street.

8. Check chargers: type C/F sockets, 220V

   European-style sockets — EU plugs fit without an adapter. UK and US plugs need one.

9. Pack broken-in walking shoes

   Seoul sits on hills: climbs to palaces, hanok villages and viewpoints mean real elevation plus 20k steps a day.

10. Check the season before packing

    Summers are hot and humid with monsoon rains (July–August), winters are Siberian-cold and dry, spring brings yellow dust days. April and October–November are the sweet spots.

11. Pack a first aid kit

    The basics: fever reducer, stomach remedies, plasters, your regular meds. Pharmacies are good, but much is prescription-only and pharmacists may not speak English.

12. Brace for spicy food

    Korean food is spicy by default. The phrase 'an maepge juseyo' (not spicy, please) and a bowl of white rice are your insurance.

13. Learn the basic etiquette

    Money, gifts and glasses are passed and received with both hands; priority seats stay empty even in an empty car; keep your voice down on transit.

14. Book accommodation early

    Cherry blossom season, autumn foliage and big holidays (Chuseok, Seollal) sell out far ahead. During holidays half of Korea is on the move.

15. Want the DMZ? Book a tour ahead

    The DMZ is accessible only on organized passport-checked tours, and popular dates fill up. Bring your original passport on tour day — no exceptions.

16. Leave suitcase space for skincare

    Olive Young is on every corner and nobody leaves empty-handed. Tax-free kicks in from ₩15,000 with your passport.

17. Make copies of your documents

    Photos of passport, K-ETA/visa and insurance to the cloud; paper copies separate from originals.

18. Buy Lotte World or Everland tickets online Yes

    Online tickets run noticeably cheaper than the gate, and weekend entry queues eat an hour. Everland is farther out but bigger; Lotte World is central and half indoors.

19. Kids' first aid kit Yes

    Child-dose fever reducer, tummy remedies, thermometer, plasters. Familiar kids' medicines are hard to match in Korean pharmacies.

20. Plan non-spicy food for your kid Yes

    Kids do well with gimbap, bulgogi, unsauced fried chicken and mandu. Convenience stores with onigiri, fruit and yogurt are the backup plan on every corner.

21. Kids' T-money and metro elevators Yes

    Kids get their own discounted T-money (age registered at purchase). Stations have elevators, but often just one at a far exit — check the station map.