Thinking of traveling to the Land of the Morning Calm and wondering what to pack for South Korea? This South Korea packing list has all the essential items you must bring.
South Korea is a great place to visit as a solo female traveler. I can 1000% guarantee that the Land of the Morning Calm is amazing in all seasons.
You’ll encounter festivals, special events, and much more. In this ultimate Korea packing list, you’ll know what to pack for Korea, what to wear in Korea, and how to dress in South Korea.
What To Pack For South Korea
These are my travel essentials for Korea. Your complete Korea packing list absolutely needs to include these items.
- Korea travel adapter—Korea uses 220V plugs. You can easily find some at Daiso for 5,000 won if you forget.
- Unlocked phone—Before landing, I recommend booking an e-SIM card or picking up a physical SIM card at Incheon Airport. (Nowadays, most mobile phones have e-SIM capability as long as the phone is unlocked.)
- USB power strip—This is great for charging multiple electronics at once.
- Air Filter Mask—I recommend you bring masks to filter out air impurities such as yellow dust.
- Toothpaste – Korean toothpaste sucks PERIODT. Bring your own from home.
- Important travel documents – Bring copies of important paperwork, including medical and visas.
- International Driver’s License (IDP)—If you rent a car in Korea, you will need an IDP. You should get yours from AAA.
- Passport—Make a copy of your passport and hide it in your suitcase. Leave one on your fridge at home.
- Credit/Debit Card—ATMs are available all over Korea, and most places accept credit cards.
- Prescription Medication—Bring your important medicine. You don’t want to waste your vacation time in the hospital.
- First Aid Kit—While pharmacies are available anywhere in Korea, it’s good to have a mini first aid kit on you just in case.
- Reusable Water Bottle—Korea has free water almost everywhere, which will help cut back on waste.
Worried About The Korean Language Barrier?
- Google Translate—This is a free translation app for text and photos.
Google Translate for iPhone | Google Translate for Android - Naver Dictionary—Naver Dictionary is more precise than Google Translate because it was created as a language-learning tool for English.
Naver Dictionary for iPhone | Naver Dictionary for Android - Papago – A free app developed for Koreans. I often used it to help translate difficult sentences and phrases.
Papago for iPhone | Papago for Android - 90-Day Korean – Their course is set up for you to have a 3-minute conversation with a native speaker of Korean after 90 days of studying with them.
Essential Korean Phone Apps
- Naver Maps – This is your one and only warning. GOOGLE MAPS DOESN’T WORK IN SOUTH KOREA. You need to use Naver Maps, which is available in English.
Naver Maps for iPhone | Naver Maps for Android - Kakaotalk—If you want to connect with cool people you’ve met in your travels, Kakaotalk is the best way to do so.
Kakaotalk for iPhone | Kakaotalk for Android - Kakaotaxi—This app makes it easy to call taxi drivers. The starting fee for a taxi is about 3,500 won.
Kakaotaxi for iPhone | Kakaotaxi for Android - KakaoMaps – This is very similar to Naver Maps. I recommend downloading both because sometimes you’ll get address links for this app.
KakaoMaps for iPhone | Kakaomaps for Android - Kakaometro – Similar to Subway Korea, you’ll get train times, arrival information, and train transfer data.
Kakaometro for iPhone | Kakaometro for Android - Subway Korea – This app will give you when the train will arrive, when you’ll arrive at your destination, and which car to sit in for easy transfers.
Subway Korea for iPhone | Subway Korea for Android
Get Travel Insurance
A lot of people ask me, “What do I need to travel to South Korea?” One of my best tips is to purchase is travel insurance.
Life throws curveballs. Flights get canceled. You get sick. I highly recommend using World Nomads Travel Insurance.
Dress Code in Korea
I hate I even have to write this, but women still need to wear the right clothing so they don’t get preyed upon by shitty men. These cultural differences need to be observed, so pay close attention.
In Western countries like the United States, the cultural norms dictate we can show cleavage and shoulders. In Korea, these are seen as very sexualized body parts and should be covered. However, Korean style allows you to wear your bottoms as short as you like.
Be aware that disregarding conservative norms will give certain men a license to do whatever they want to you. I was grabbed through a window in a cafe because I was wearing a cute spaghetti-strap dress.
After that unfortunate incident, I started wearing jean jackets over my dresses, no matter how hot it was.
What To Bring To Korea From Your Home Country
If you wear pants above a US size 6 and shoes above a US shoe size 8, I suggest bringing the majority of your clothes. In South Korea, anything above a size 6 is considered “plus size.”
Although Seoul is well-connected with public transportation, there’s a lot of walking. Leave your cute shoes at home and bring comfortable walking shoes instead.
Not only that, the pavement is uneven, and the bustling streets of Seoul will screw up your shoes. Legit, I have destroyed so many pairs of shoes in Korea.
There are very few stores in South Korea that cater to sizes above that. Large-sized female shoes can be found if they’re unisex. If you forget something and need to go shopping in Seoul, check out my video below on where I go shopping.
Personal Items To Bring
Some products not easily available in Korea are good deodorants (Asians generally don’t have the gene that makes them stink when they sweat, so they don’t need it), curly hair products, and super light or dark foundation shades.
Luckily, Seoul is the beauty capital of the world. There are a lot of fun, inexpensive beauty brands, and beauty products. If you forget anything, Olive Young is your best friend, and you can sometimes find deodorant there.
Basic Clothing Packing List
These specific items should be in your suitcase. Korea doesn’t have large-size towels, so if this bothers you, be sure to pack them.
- T-shirts
- Skirts
- Dresses
- Underwear
- Toiletries
- Socks
- Comfortable sneakers
What To Pack For Korea in Winter
South Korea has four distinct seasons, which means cold winters. I wore a lot of fleece-lined tights, warm sweaters, oversized jackets, and short skirts.
I have an in-depth guide on what to wear in Korea in winter if you’re looking for inspiration.
Weather in Korea in Winter
Winter weather in Korea varies month by month. If your travel plans take you to Korea in winter, it can be very mild or cold. The weather conditions vary depending on the month. The Korean winter months are usually from December to February.
December Weather in Korea
South Korea’s winter temperatures can get quite cold. In December, the average high temperature is 37°F (3°C), and the average low temperature is 19°F (-7°C). It’s the second coldest month behind January.
January Weather in Korea
Korea’s winters typically get very cold during the first month of the year. In January, the average high temperature is 34°F (1°C). In the evenings, temperatures reach an average low of 16°F (-8°C).
February Weather in Korea
Winter weather in South Korea typically starts warming up near the end of the month. In February, temperatures range from 39°F (4°C) to 19°F (-7°C). This is a very cloudy month, but it eventually starts to warm up at the end.
Korea Winter Packing List
- A warm jacket or padded jacket
- Sweaters
- Lip balm
- Turtle Neck Sweater
- Shirts with long sleeves
- Pants and skirts
- Fleece lined tights
- Sweater Dresses
- Thick socks
- Sneakers and boots
- Hats, gloves, scarves
- Hot packs (I highly recommend getting reusable ones you can microwave.)
What To Pack For Korea in Spring
Spring in Korea is a great time. This is when East Asia gears up for cherry blossom season and has some of the best spring festivals.
During this time, I’m wearing everything pink, including cute dresses and skirts. I have an in-depth guide on Korean spring fashion inspiration so you know what to wear month by month.
I also have a complete spring travel guide with all the best things to do!
Weather in Korea in Spring
Lower average temperatures occur in early March, and temperatures warm up at the end of the month. If you’re equipped with a good spring jacket, you’ll be fine.
It is a gradual change, but the temperature difference can make you sick. The Korean spring months are usually from March to May.
March Weather in Korea
Early spring sees average daytime temperatures of 10°C (50°F) and low temperatures of 0°C (32°F). Early March can still be pretty chilly!
Toward the end of March in Korea, many of the cherry blossoms will bloom. The trees are also pretty bare until the end of the month.
April Weather in Korea
The pleasant weather in April makes it the best month to visit because you can participate in various outdoor activities. It’s not too hot or too cold.
Average temperatures range from 17°C (63°F) during the day. In the evenings, temperatures reach an average low of 6°C (43°F).
May Weather in Korea
Spring weather in South Korea typically means May is the hottest month of the season. Korea in May brings average daily temperatures ranging from 23°C (73°F) to 12°C (54°F).
Korea Spring Packing List
- Dresses
- Skirts
- Jean Jacket
- Heavy jacket and a light jacket (the temperature fluctuates a lot during this time of year)
- Light sweaters and sweatshirts
- Jeans
What To Pack For Korea in Summer
Summer in Korea is the one time of year when the air pollution clears, and blue skies are visible. The rainy season begins in July, which helps clean the air. During this time, I’ll wear cute summer dresses, two-piece outfits, and oversized jean jackets.
Weather in Korea in Summer
South Korea has really hot summers. You will be as one with the swass as Yoda is with the Force. Let me prepare you now if you’re not used to humid Korean summers.
Summer in Korea lasts from June to August. In July, it rains a lot, which makes it feel hotter and sweltering with high humidity. Two-thirds of Korea’s annual rainfall occurs in summer.
Summer break in Korea starts around mid-July and lasts until the end of August, so if you’re traveling during that time, there will be an influx of students and families everywhere.
June Weather in Korea
June is the best time to visit South Korea because of all the good weather. In early June, the weather transitions out of spring with higher temperatures.
The average high will range from 21°C to 27°C (70°F to 80°F) during the day. It cools down a little bit at night, so be sure to wear a light jacket. The average low is about 16°C (61°F).
July Weather in Korea
Honest to goodness, July is my least favorite month to travel to Korea. Monsoon rains make the humidity go from zero to swimming in the air. The humid summers are why I NEVER recommend anyone visit during this month.
The average daytime temperature is a sweltering 29°C to 30°C (84°F to 86°F). Recent years have seen a lot of flooding on the Han River. If you find yourself visiting during this time, this is my list of the best things to do during the rainy season in Korea.
August Weather in Korea
August is usually the worst month for summer heat. The maximum temperatures are usually 28°C to 31°C (82°F to 88°F). Hot summer days feel more intense because of the humidity brought on from July. Even in August, it still rains a lot.
Typhoons in Korea
If you live in Seoul, you’ll be fine. I’ve experienced “typhoons” in the big city, and they’re honestly nothing but hot air being blown around. However, if you live in a coastal town like Busan or Jeju Island, they are no joke. Make sure you stock up on appropriate items and watch the news religiously for updates.
Korea Summer Packing List
- Sandals
- Shorts
- Tank Tops
- Jean Jacket
- Swimsuits
- Sunglasses
- Hats
- Sunscreen
- Mosquito Repellant
- Handheld Fan
- Mini Umbrella
What To Pack for Korea in Autumn
Autumn is my favorite season in Korea. The temperatures are just right, and it’s the perfect time to show off my fall fashion.
Check out my blog post on what to wear in the fall in Korea for outfit inspiration.
Weather in Korea in Autumn
Fall in Korea occurs during the months of September, October, and November. September is still very hot and humid while October is the perfect time to visit Seoul.
September Weather in Korea
Monsoon season brings humid summers, and September reflects this. However, you can enjoy fewer rainy days and more time outside.
During the day, temperatures range from 25°C to 26°C (77°F to 80°F). September is a great month to visit Korea if you don’t like cold weather because the crowds get smaller, and most people return to school and work.
October Weather in Korea
October is the best time to visit Korea in autumn. The weather cools down significantly, making it a great time to see fall foliage in Seoul.
The temperature ranges from 18°C (64°F) during the day to chilly at night, with October temperatures in Korea as low as 7°C (45°F). You’ll also see a lot of autumn fashion in Korea, consisting of dark and nude colors.
You’ll finally see the landscape become a myriad of warm colors. The fall leaves in Korea slowly start going from green to red, yellow, purple, and brown.
November Weather in Korea
The temperature usually averages about 10°C (50°F) during the day. Bring your warm jacket at night because it gets down to -1°C (30°F). November is a great time to visit Korea because you’ll be able to catch the last of the fall foliage.
Korea Autumn Packing List
- Light Cardigans
- Sweaters
- Turtle Neck Sweater
- Scarves
- Hats
- Motorcycle Jacket
- Skinny jeans | 90s Jeans | Flare Jeans
- Light tights
- Long Sleeved Dresses
Now, you’re an expert on what to pack for Korea and exactly what to bring to South Korea. I hope this Korea packing list will guide you in the best way possible.
Visiting the Land of the Morning Calm is a great experience for all K-pop, Kdrama, and Korean culture lovers. I wish you the best time on your trip there, and you better rock it out like a boss!
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1 Comment on The Ultimate Guide On What To Pack For South Korea
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Hey Gina I appreciate your fantastic and helpful post about what to bring to Korea. I’ve always wanted to travel to this amazing nation, and your piece has given me all the tips and direction I need to prepare quickly and shrewdly. I love how you covered all the seasons and occasions, as well as the cultural and fashion aspects of Korea. Your photos are beautiful and make me feel the vibe of Korea. I especially appreciated your tips on what to wear for hiking, temples, and nightlife, as well as what to bring for skincare, electronics, and gifts.