Tips for First Time Travelers to Korea

People have been asking me to give tips for first time travelers to Korea. Instead of just writing my own tips, I also asked some people who already visited Korea. Here’s the compilation of the tips I gathered.

Wear the right clothes!

Tips for First Time Travelers to Korea (1)

Korea has four seasons. Make sure that the clothes you’ll bring is suitable for the weather. Aside from that, avoid wearing revealing clothes. (Things you should NOT to do in Korea)

Tip: Check out the latest Instagram posts about #seoulsearching to have ideas of the current #ootd in Korea.

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Tip from Lucky Llanes

You’ll spend most of the day walking. Wearing heels is fashionable but it will really be uncomfortable after few hours.

Be ready to commute!

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Tip from Sharleen Gayle O. Tagab

The Seoul Subway apps contain detailed information about the time of arrival and departure of the trains. It will also give you suggestions about the fewest transfers or the fastest route.

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Tip from Julia Hartmann

T-Money card is essential while traveling around Seoul. You can use it to pay for the bus, subway, taxi, and even convenience stores. The fare is cheaper when you use T-Money in the bus or in the subway.

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Tip from Analou Dedal

Make an itinerary. List the places you want to visit so that it will serve as your guide, but make room for surprises. Making an itinerary will help you save time, money, and effort. (7 days itinerary in Seoul)

Learn their language

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Tip from Shayne Palalay

Learning basic Korean phrases will help you in building rapport with the locals. What do you feel whenever a foreigner tries to speak your language?

Tip: Say Jom kaka juseyo to ask for a discount.

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Tip from Christine Hermann

If you get lost, translation apps will save you. It will also teach you how to say the words like kamsahamnida, annyeong haseyo, and saranghaeyo oppa!

Do not forget:

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Tip from Abigael Tria

In South Korea the power sockets are of type C and F. The plug has two round pins with two earth clips on the side. South Korea operates on a 220V supply voltage and 60Hz. Trust me, you’ll remember this once your phone battery dies.

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In Korea, sales taxes are included in the purchase price of each product. Before paying, ask for a tax refund. The store will either not charge you the sales tax or will give you a tax refund receipt in an envelope along with the regular receipt. Visitors who have paid the sales tax on their purchase can get a refund of that tax at designated airports and ports or at tax refund booth in other locations.

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Tip from Charina Chan Santiago

Don’t ignore the tourist information centers. It has a lot of useful maps and coupons that you can get for free! Most of the time, their staff know how to speak different languages.

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Tip from Kim Pinda

Seoul Global Cultural Center in Myeongdong and Itaewon Global Village Center are good resources for foreigners. They offer cultural programs (handicraft making, Korean language classes, cooking classes, etc)  for a very affordable price and sometimes for free. If you have time in your itinerary, you should definitely check these places out.

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Museums like National Museum of Korea, National Hangeul Museum, and War Memorial or Korea don’t have any admission fees. Sometimes, they even have a free guide who can tour you around the museum.

Eat good food!

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Enjoy the authentic Korean Cuisine! You can be frugal in buying an air fare ticket and in booking an accommodation, but I discourage you to refrain from spending money for food. Experiencing the food is part of the adventure. You don’t always have the chance to taste Korean food cooked by Koreans. (Things to eat in Korea)

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Tip from Orlinda Fernandes

If you don’t eat meat, there are restaurants that can accommodate you. Before the trip, search for the location of these restaurants and plot them in your itinerary. By the way, you can eat Bibimbap if you’re a vegetarian.

Tip by Paul Manzano

Get information from reliable sources: Visit Korea| Visit Seoul | How To Seoul
And of course, from people who experienced it first hand like Travel with Karla.

travel-with-karla-accommodation-review-3

I would like to thank the people who shared some tips from How to Seoul group.

Did I miss anything? Feel free to write more tips in the comments below.

34 comments

  1. I always recommend that people bring a full-sized towel when they visit Korea – they can be so hard to find here and I like to be able to fully cover myself!

  2. just want to add.. in korea there are so many self service area.
    first, they don’t have a lot of service crew on their fast food chain. you order and you get your order when its ready they will just give you an electronic number alarm.that when you’re food is ready they will notify you tru that. then after eating dont just leave your mess at the table. its also a self service.you need to clean your table.they have an appropriate area where you need to segregate your trash. don’t worry there’s an english translation. that’s one of the good things that korea has SELF DISCIPLINE.

  3. Great tips! I live in Florida and we don’t have a subway so I never think of downloading the subway apps before i go somewhere! I’ve always wanted to visit Korea for the delicious food.

  4. these are great tips for those who are about to travel to Korea. It’s best to study up on places that practice other cultures/religion/etc… so you don’t offend the locals. ; )

  5. This is a great list! I especially advocate the free cultural activities. So many things happen, especially in Seoul, that are free to take advantage of but so many people don’t. Also traditional Korean Buddhist meals can’t be beat!

  6. I definitely think it is important to brush up on your Korean before your travels. After all it is not only a necessity but also polite to observe their customs and I believe that learning their language is a sign of respect.

  7. YES! Best part of this post? Vegetarian details! I love that you spared a thought or two for us vegetarians. The Far East is quite a challenge for us pure vegetarians and I definitely did not know Bibimbap was vegetarian. I have to try it in Kuala Lumpur then.
    “In Korea, sales taxes are included in the purchase price of each product. Before paying, ask for a tax refund. The store will either not charge you the sales tax or will give you a tax refund receipt in an envelope along with the regular receipt.”
    This is another part of South Korea that is new to me!
    Thanks for the excellent info!

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