Decided to travel to Korea? Looking for some South Korea travel tips or some solid South Korea travel advice? I lived in South Korea for five and a half years, speak the language, and worked in Korean society. Honestly, I would consider myself an expert on traveling South Korea. I know my way around like a local as compared to someone who spent three weeks as a tourist and doesn’t know a lick of culture or language.

My blog is definitely the best travel guide for South Korea and you’ll also find some pretty rad Seoul travel tips as well. These tips come from someone who has an in-depth knowledge of the country. You’re going to get practical advice and unique insight no else has. So buckle in, my chingu, because you’re going to get the best traveling in Korea tips.

Table of Contents

Blog Posts You Might Like

Before You Land in South Korea

Wondering how to travel to South Korea? Make these Korea trip tips your holy bible and really take my word to heart. I want you to have the best trip to Korea ever! Honestly, had someone held my hand throughout all of this, I wouldn’t have had half as many fuckups. But hey, I made them so you don’t have to. These are things to know before visiting South Korea.

1. Korea Is Affordable

You may be wondering, “Is South Korea expensive?” or “How to visit South Korea?” Traveling to the Land of the Morning Calm is a lot more affordable than you might initially think. These travel tips to South Korea are going to give you a glance into how much things cost.

  • $1 USD equals about 1,318 Korean Won. You can round down to 1,000 won for easier conversions. In Korea, the paper money runs in denominations of 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, and 50,000 won notes. The coins come in 100, 50, and 10 won increments.
  • The best place to exchange your money is in Myeongdong or Itaewon.
  • Korean meals can cost anywhere from 8,000 won to 20,000 won. Western food is more expensive.
  • Drinks at Korean clubs or bars start at 8,000 won and up. Most people drink outside of convenience stores to save money.
  • Cover charges for clubs start at 10,000 won.
  • A cheap hostel in Seoul in a shared room can go from 10,000 – 15,000 won a night.
  • Street food goes for 2,000 won – 6,000 won. (The best place to get the cheapest street food in Seoul is Gwangjang Market.)
  • A Seoul Subway ride starts at 1,250 won.

2. Know Your Korean Manners

As far as traveling to Korea tips, you should mind your manners. What is considered rude in Korea may not be considered rude in your home country. These are definitely things to know before going to Korea.

  1. Slurping noodles loudly and proudly shows you really liked the food.
  2. STFU on the train and put your phone on vibrate.
  3. Pointing out flaws and giving solutions is how Koreans show they care.
  4. Asking your age, weight, and height isn’t rude.
  5. Knock on the bathroom door to double check if someone is in there.
  6. Old people get away with everything. Expect to be shoved by evil little grannies and aunties.
  7. When handing something to someone use one hand and place your hand on your forearm.
  8. Take your shoes off when going in temples and traditional establishments.
  9. Do not hug people. Koreans find it awkward and uncomfortable.
  10. Turn your hand down to beckon. The opposite way is seen as aggressive.

3. Korea Is Safe… For The Most Part

Is it safe to travel to Korea? Accoring to Numbeo, a data aggregator of city and country statistics, Korea has the highest overall safety index in the world, with a score of 85.69, and it ranked number one among the 117 countries. There’s CCTV everywhere and you can leave your belongings on a table in a coffee shop and no one will take them. However, don’t use this to lull you into a false sense of security.

If you’re planning on traveling solo to South Korea especially as a woman please exercise caution. I can walk around late at night in Seoul and most people will not mess with me. The reason why I say most is because, yes, there have been times I felt unsafe as a woman in Seoul due to both Korean and foreign men.

4. Korea is Tourist Friendly

Despite what grumpy travelers may tell you, Korea is AMAZING when it comes to being tourist friendly. Most Koreans aren’t as friendly at first, but part of the culture is you don’t talk to people you don’t know. Once you understand that, you’ll be fine. Because Korean entertainment is such a worldwide phenomenon, it has really contributed to tourism. In tourist hotspots in Seoul, you’ll find people called the Red Angels who are dressed in red and have an i on their clothing. They are seriously the BEST.

5. Book Your Trip With Asiana

How to go to South Korea? One of the best travel tips to Korea for the first time is to book a budget airline like Asiana. They are a South Korean Airline headquartered in Seoul. I’ve found flights for $1400 round trip using their low fare calendar. They allow you two checked suitcases at 50 pounds each, a carry-on, and personal item.

6. Book Your Accommodation

The most common myth about Korea is it is an expensive place to travel. Maybe compared to Southeast Asia your mind might be blown. But compared to a more expensive country like Japan, I find South Korea to be reasonably priced when spending the US Dollar or Euro.

A lot of hotels or hostels will give you discounts (especially on Booking.com) if you book and pay in advance. If you’re wondering where to Stay in Seoul, I have an entire guide on it. If you’re in a hurry, these are my top picks!

  1. Banyan Tree Seoul – This luxury and wellness hotel is situated on Namsan Mountain. You’ll get your own indoor pool plus incredible views of Seoul City and Namsan Tower.
  2. Park Hyatt Seoul – They have an incredible indoor pool and views of Gangnam. In addition, their afternoon tea is one of the best in the city!
  3. Moxy Insadong – If you’re looking to stay in a more traditional neighborhood with proximity to Insadong and Ikseondong (one of my favorite Seoul neighborhoods), I recommend this eclectic and modern hotel.
  4. JW Marriott Seoul Dongdaemun – I’m a huge fan of Marriott because their hospitality is next level and they NEVER give me issues about my dog Honey. Every year they have the Barbie Salon de Ddalki and they’re location is right smack dab in the middle of the city!
  5. Ryse Autograph Collection – Located in Hongdae, this is an excellent spot for first time travelers to Seoul. If you love nightlife, food, and shopping, this is your neighborhood.

7. Bank Cards Are Accepted Everywhere

Pro travel tips to Korea include these: you get discounts if you use cash, but bank cards (even from your own home country) can be widely used throughout the country. You can travel with peace of mind knowing you can use your card if you do run out of cash.

8. Purchase a T-Money Card

One of the top Korea travel tips is to purchase a T-Money Card because it saves a lot of time and money. This card can be used for taxis, trains, buses, and convenience store purchases. The base subway travel fee is 1,250 won. Whenever you need to transfer to the bus or another line, you will only pay 100 won extra. You can buy them at any convenience store and at Incheon Airport. If you purchase a T-Money card through Klook, they will give you a 5,000 won T-Money top off coupon! So pretty much your first four rides on public transport are on them. Get your T-Money card and coupon here.

Pro Korea Travel Tips

If you don’t want to order a T-money card beforehand (or you forget) never fear! Go to any convenience store at Incheon Airport and you can purchase it. It costs 5,000 won for the physical card and you can load it right then and there.

9. Get a Sim Card

One of the best travel tips for South Korea is to make sure you order your sim card before you land. While Korea is mostly connected with tons of free wifi everywhere, having a sim card in Korea is convenient. You can pick up your physical sim card at Incheon Airport. They offer a sim card for 1/5/10/30 day increments along with calling if you choose. The cost of a sim card in Korea will be anywhere from 6,000 won to 76,000 won depending on if you’d like data, calls, calls and data, as well as the length of time. They have an actual physical sim available and an e-sim.

Pro Korea Travel Tip

You can totally get away with having three to four gigs of data on your sim card. I recommend going the KT route since that internet is available on all the subways. Since you’re going to be spending time on the train, you can connect at any time and save your data.

10. Get the Discover Seoul Pass

One of my absolute favorite travel tips that saved me a lot of money was the Discover Seoul Pass. You will gain access to Korea’s main attractions for free. Perks like renting a hanbok, free admission to Lotte World Adventure, and the Han River Cruise are also included. They have the pass available in 24/48/72 hour increments and you honestly cannot beat the value. This pass also functions as a T-money card. You can also pick up your pass at Incheon International Airport.

11. Learn Useful Korean Travel Phrases

The more Korean you know the easier your trip will be. In my experience when you’re in Korea and trying to speak the language so many more people are nicer to you. Heck, you might even get extra side dishes for being nice to an auntie at the restaurant. The bottom line is you can’t expect everyone to speak English. Besides, Hangul is so freaking easy to learn and its super phonetic. You can totally spend an afternoon learning hangul with this FREE 90 Minute Hangul Reading Cheat Sheet.

Essential Korean Travel Phrases

  • Hello. 안녕하세요.
  • Thank you. 감사합니다.
  • Over here. 여기요.
  • I have an allergy. 저 알러지 있어요.
  • Can you speak English? 영어 할 수 있어요?
  • I don’t understand. 잘 모르겠네요.
  • I don’t speak Korean well. 한국말 잘 못해요.
  • Do you have _________? _____ 있어요?
  • It’s okay. 괜찮아요.
  • It’s fun. 재미있어요.
  • How much is it? 얼마에요?
  • Please give. 주세요.
  • Really? 진짜요?
  • One beer, please. 맥주 하나주세요.
  • Where is the toilet? 화장실이 어디예요?

12. Watch Kdramas & Listen to Kpop

After you learn essential Korean, you can test it out on the pop culture. Now before we dive any further, I want you to remember that the entertainment industry in Korea is a very well-oiled machine. It’s designed to lure you in and get you addicted. While the entertainment industry can be a good representation of Korean culture, Kdramas are an exaggeration.

I recommend watching my favorite Kdramas, like Secret Garden, My Love From the Star, Goblin, Crash Landing on You, and My Demon. For Kpop, listen to BTS, BlackPink, and Big Bang. If you’re interested, you can also check out my ultimate Kpop Lovers Itinerary for Seoul here.

While Staying in South Korea Travel Tips

This South Korea travel guide is going to give you my inside scoop. You’re going to know what apps will work to help make your life easy and socialize. In addition, you’re going to get a cool peak into Korean culture. This Seoul South Korea travel guide will cover the majority of your bases. travel guide to Korea

13. The Air Pollution Is The Worst

Despite many Koreans telling you that most of the air pollution comes from China… I can guarantee this is only part of the problem. According to this article done by Bright Shiny Robot, the air pollution comes from Korea’s coal plants as well as other internal factors.

In 2019, the air quality was so bad, I was having the worst trouble of my life breathing. Clean air should be a human right and not just a passing concern. And yes, dirty air does cause health problems. If you don’t wear a mask, you will definitely taste the disgusting air in your mouth. I recommend using these masks here.

14. Take a Bus

They say all roads in Korea lead to and from Seoul. You best believe the transport system in Korea is one of the best I’ve experienced. There are several big bus terminals in Seoul, but the two biggest ones are the Seoul Express Bus Terminal and the Nambu Bus Terminal. Attendants will help you book tickets and many buses run very frequently around the country. Bus tickets range anywhere from 8,000 won and up. The buses also have super comfy seats and even ports for charging your electronics. They’re efficient and always run on time.

15. Rest Stops in Korea Are A Destination

Traffic going anywhere in the country is a bitch. And this counts double during holidays and season changes. However, experiencing a Korean rest stop is like nothing you’ve ever seen. The restrooms are always squeaky clean. You can purchase food and snacks. There’s even shopping and some offer arcade games.

16. Use The KTX or SRT

Wondering how to get around Korea? If you’re all for doing things yourself I recommend booking a train ticket on the KTX. The KTX has many trains that run throughout the country and go really fast as compared to the buses. I do recommend you book in advance because tickets to popular destinations like Busan sell out really quickly. The KTX is situated mostly in Seoul Station.

If you’re on the eastern side of the city (like I was) staying in Gangnam or the Jamsil area, booking a ticket on the SRT is a better option for you. This is also a high speed train that is going to take you to and from Seoul.

17. Korean Apps You NEED

Every country has apps that will make your life 10x easier. Of those apps, I highly recommend downloading these before you get into the country so you can start off on the right foot. Your Korea travel trip will be so much easier with these nifty applications on your phone.

  • Naver Map – Don’t bother using Google Maps in Korea. It won’t work and you’ll be very far from your destination. This map is my personal preference.
  • Seoul Subway – One of the most useful apps in Korea, you can set alarms to wake you up, see what car to sit in for an easy transfer, and the time schedule.
  • Kakako Map – An alternative to Naver, this will also help you find some cafes not easily found on Naver Map. Some people love Kakao Map better.
  • KakaoTalk – WhatsApp who? We don’t know her. Everyone in Korea uses this chatting platform.
  • Kakao T – This is dead useful in calling a taxi to your exact location.
  • Yogiyo – Hungry and don’t feel like going out? Choose from Korean, Japanese, and pizza.

18. There’s Wifi Everywhere

This is one of the things I truly appreciate about South Korea. Vacationing in Korea means you’re gonna get hella fast internet all the time. The country has since upgraded to 5g making their already fast internet lightning speed. Cafes, restaurants, and everywhere in between will let you hook up to their internet.

19. Tipping Isn’t Necessary

When you travel Korea tips aren’t necessary. Tipping is not a part of their culture. The price you see on the menu at a restaurant is what you get. Seriously, after returning back to America… This is one thing I absolutely miss. Not only that, you don’t have to tip for services at the nail salon, hair salon, or any other service you can think of. Tips in Korea are very rare and they will think they owe you something after which makes them very uncomfortable.

20. Chopsticks Are Inside the Table

One of the best traveling to South Korea tips is to remember chopsticks, spoons, and occasionally napkins are in a drawer on the side of the table. Since there is no tipping culture in Korea, a lot of things are self service. Koreans typically use metal chopsticks and spoons.

21. Korean Food Is Cheap and Damn Delicious

Who doesn’t love tasty, delicious, and cheap food? If you want to get the cheapest food, eat in a university cafeteria or university area, a convenience store, and eat street food. One of my favorite Korean restaurants to eat at is Insadong Geujip. Many Korean dishes come with a main dish and an assortment of side dishes known as banchan.

22. Koreans Don’t Eat Alone

There are certain Korean dishes that can be eaten alone like a lot of the stews, bulgogi, and bibimbap. If you’re looking to eat Korean barbecue, dakgabli (chicken stir fry), or anything else that requires a two person quota, you will be very disappointed. In recent years in Seoul, it’s becoming more common to eat alone. However, most Koreans eat with others because it is a communal style atmosphere.

23. Being Vegan/Vegetarian Is Difficult

Everything in Korea has meat in it (especially in restaurants). Many soups are prepared with fish, chicken, or vegetable stock. Korean side dishes are also seasoned with it. It depends on how strict you are about your diet. If you refuse to eat any animal products, then you will most likely never eat out in South Korea. Click here for tips on How To Be Vegetarian in Korea.

24. Fresh Fruit & Vegetables Are Easy To Find

Word of caution… Fresh fruit is very expensive. However, fresh vegetables are cheap and easy to find. You can get them at local open air markets. You can always haggle with the ajhumma there if you got mad Korean skills. If not, you can go to the supermarket. You can find any of these easily in Seoul and they’re often located in shopping malls or giant super centers.

  • E-Mart
  • Home Plus
  • GS Supermarket

25. Free Water Everywhere

This is one of my favorite traveling South Korea tips. Many restaurants have filtered water machines. If you go in, you can fill up the table jug and your own water bottle for free. I often do this when I’m out creating content for the day. Just bring yourself a reusable water bottle.

26. Drink Your Soju Or Tall Boy In Public

While in America drinking in public is very much frowned upon, that’s not the case in Korea. Whereas in America we have designated public drinking places (like the strip in Vegas or the Riverwalk in San Antonio) it’s popular to have a Han River picnic and drink. Or drink on the street in Hongdae. The point is… No one gives a shit if you’re drinking in public.

27. The Nightlife In Korea Is Hardcore

Koreans drink the most in the world. When going out they have what is known as five parties. If you go out with your friends, you will be partying until 6am. The first party is usually going out to eat to coat your stomach, then to a bar with snacks, then to the club, probably another bar, and then finishing up the night at Norebang (aka karaoke). I don’t recommend drinking alone if you’re a woman, but if you do meet an awesome group of chicks in Seoul try this Hongdae Bar Crawl.

28. Dress To Impress

One of the things to know before going to South Korea is Koreans are vain. I was already vain before I came to Korea and they made me more vain… I’m not mad about it. I truly do appreciate they put effort into their appearance, hair, makeup, and skin. It’s a 180 from America where my male counterparts look like a rag muffin drug store cowboy on a good day. Since I’ve always been a city gal, there’s nothing I love more than styling my hair and makeup and putting on cute OOTD. I have several blog posts with outfit inspiration on every season.

29. Wear Comfortable Shoes

Korea has destroyed many pairs of my shoes in a short period of time. If you take anything from my travel to Korea tips, make sure you have sturdy and good quality shoes. The pavement in Korea is very uneven, so it will be very easy to get scuff marks and wear down your shoes. You’ll also be doing a lot of walking, so I highly suggest getting comfortable. There’s a reason why sneakers are number one sellers in Korea. I recommend my favorite pair of Reebok walking shoes. Those things have survived Chicago, New York, Las Vegas, and Seoul streets.

30. The Weather May Shock You

I’m from the MidWest and I find the weather in Korea is very similar to what I was used to in Chicago… Minus all the wind and the God doesn’t love you subzero temperatures in winter. Although in my opinion, the summer is a bit more humid compared to Chicago. I hear a lot of people complaining about how cold/humid/rainy/hot Korea is. Be prepared before you go so you know what to expect. I have ultimate guides here on my blog for every season.

31. Get My Korea Travel Guide

Living in South Korea taught me how to be a local and really did give me the inside scoop you won’t find anywhere else. I spent a lot of time learning the language, the culture, and making friends. I dated Korean men and got a rare look into their society. Everything I know about each season, what to do, and where to go is in these e-books. If you’re vacationing in South Korea you’re not gonna want to miss out. I promise this is the ultimate tourist guide to South Korea that will help you travel like a local.

Autumn E-Book

Winter E-Book

Spring E-Book

Summer E-Book

32. Experience Traditional Korean Culture

One of my top South Korea travel tips is to go out and experience the local food, culture, and art. There are many classes that offer this. Below are my top picks.

33. Experience A Korean Facial

  • Whoo Spa – Ever wondered how Koreans have beautiful glowing skin? Unlock those secrets with a facial at the Whoo Spa where actual celebrities go!
  • Sulwhasoo Spa – Experience a premium Korean herbal medicinal anti-aging care at Sulwhasoo Spa located at the Sulwhasoo Flagship Store in Gangnam!
  • 1899 Daechi Spa – I recommend trying their Slow-Aging treatments and experience the power of Korean red ginseng.
  • Korean Traditional Medicine Spa – Here you can enjoy a customized spa package using natural medicinal plants to provide you with the best experience.

34. Go On A Date

Another way to really experience Korean culture is to go on a date. I will admit there is some truth to Korean Dramas because Korean men like to romance their ladies by holding their bags, tying their shoes, and wearing couple clothes. It’s fun to date and meet people. That being said, as a woman you should always exercise caution. I do also have plenty of guide on how to date safely in Korea.

35. Early Bird Gets the Worm

How to travel in Korea like a pro? Here’s one for ya. Koreans are not early risers. (Except when they have to go to work.) On weekends, they’re not out and about until after noon. If you’re a night owl, then this will definitely be your vibe. However, if you’re a morning person like me, then going early to all the major attractions will be much more enjoyable for you. There are less people and more opportunities to get photos with no one in it.

Pro Tips For Traveling In South Korea

If you’re a content creator, this will be to your advantage. Try to get all your content done by noon before everyone gets out on their lunch break during the week. On the weekend, try and get done by eleven.

36. Hiking Is Actually Korea’s National Sport

After taekwondo, the national sport of Korea is mountain climbing. Every mountain is marked with beginner, intermediate, and advanced trails so you can pick one that best fits your level. A lot of the famous mountains are great for a day trip from Seoul. Do as the Koreans do and bring a kimbap and makgeolli to celebrate the incredible views after a long and hard climb. The best hiking in Korea is done in spring or autumn. Here are some of my favorite recommendations:

37.Check Out A Seasonal Festival

I can guarantee you there’s almost always something going on no matter what time of year you visit South Korea. A Korean festival is a great way to experience Korean culture and food. It’s a great way to hang out with friends or meet new ones. These lists are a great seasonal travel guide in South Korea.

38. Go on a DMZ + JSA Tour

Even if you have no interest in military affairs, this is by far one of the coolest trips I have ever been on. It gives you a great introduction to the ongoing war between North and South Korea. On this tour you’ll get to pass Unification Bridge and arrive at Camp Bonifas where you will see a fake town with no people in it. You’ll also get to visit the third tunnel where North Koreans tried to invade Seoul. And get a taste of what the real DMZ is like outside of the popular drama, Crash Landing Into You.

But the cherry on top of the trip? That is the Joint Security Area Panmunjom. This is where President Moon Jae In and Dictator Kim Jong Eun shook hands. It’s also the only place you can go into the small meeting rooms and stand in North Korea. Just note, depending on the tensions that day, this part of the tour may be canceled.

Book your DMZ and Joint Security Area Panmunjom tour here.

39. Book A Day Trip From Seoul

One of the best ways to see other places in Korea besides Seoul is to book a tour—especially if you want to go to Nami Island, Petite France, or Garden of the Morning Calm. I’ve been on tours to each of these places myself and honestly, it takes a lot of the guess work out of everything. Outside of Seoul, it gets harder to navigate and communicate because a lot of people in the countryside don’t speak English.

Klook.com

40. Experience Korean Cafes

Koreans love their coffee. And honestly some of the Americanos I’ve had in Seoul were strong enough to keep me up all day long. I guarantee you will find a coffee shop or three on almost every block. Koreans don’t have a culture of hanging out at each other’s homes so most go meet at cafes. To keep up with the competition a lot of them have delicious snacks and drinks. I recommend this list of the Most Instagrammable Cafes in Seoul when traveling in Korea.

41. Namdaemun Community Lounge

This is a lounge specifically for foreign tourists. You can try on hanbok for free, store your luggage, watch traditional performances, make crafts, try Korean drinks and snacks, as well as use the computers and get free travel information. This is a great travel South Korea guide resource. The Namdaemun Community Lounge is perfect if you’re trying to budget hack and understand Korean culture for free.

42. Korea Is A Shopping Haven

If you love to shop, you’ll find all sorts of cute clothes in South Korea. However, if you’re a curvier girl like me, then you’re going to have a harder time finding clothes. For a guide on where I would shop as a plus size girl in Korea, click here. I will say Korea is great for finding unique accessories like purses, jewelry, and hair pieces.

Leaving Korea Tips

 This travel guide Korea cannot be complete until you know all the great tips for leaving the country smoothly.

43. FREE Luggage Delivery Service

Seoul Metro has introduced its latest and greatest service called T-Luggage. Foreign travelers can leave their baggage at a nearby subway after checking out of their hotel and retrieve their belongings at the airport, allowing them to use their time more effectively before their flight.

To benefit from the delivery service, travelers must sign up at the Hanjin courier service at Incheon International Airport’s Terminals 1 and 2, or at the T-Luggage counter at Seoul Station.

To make an online reservation for T-Luggage click here.

I hope these tips for traveling South Korea will give you an insight into the culture. Knowing how to travel KoreaI is going to make a world of difference. I promise if you take these tips to heart, your visit South Korea will be absolutely epic!

This post contains affiliate links which means at no additional cost to you, I make a small commission to help keep Gina Bear’s Blog running. Thanks for your support!

Free Seoul E-Book

Do you love South Korea?

Enter your name and email address and click the button below to receive your Easy Seoul Travel Guide so you can travel like a local!

Related Posts

| 1 Comment

1 Comment on 40 South Korea Travel Tips

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.