First Time in Korea (2026): 25 Things to Know Before You Go
Short version: Korea is one of the easiest countries in the world to travel in — safe, fast, spotlessly organised — but it runs on a few local systems that nobody explains to you. Sort out entry paperwork, a transit card, data and a maps app and everything else falls into place.
🛂 Before you fly (1–5)
1. Check whether you need a K-ETA. Korea's electronic travel authorisation normally applies to visa-free visitors — but through 31 December 2026 nationals of 22 countries and regions (including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong and much of Western Europe) are temporarily exempt. Rules change, so confirm your own nationality on the official K-ETA site or read our K-ETA guide.
2. Fill in the e-Arrival Card online. Korea replaced the paper arrival card with a digital one you can submit before departure. Doing it in advance saves a scramble with a tiny pen on the plane.
3. Buy your eSIM before you leave home. Installing needs internet — which you will not have at Incheon until it works. Install at home, activate on landing. Full walkthrough in our Korea eSIM setup guide.
4. Download the right apps. Google Maps cannot give driving or walking directions properly in Korea. You need Naver Map or KakaoMap, Papago for translation, Kakao T for taxis and KakaoTalk for messaging. See the full list in our Korea travel apps guide.
5. Get travel insurance. Korean hospitals are excellent and comparatively affordable, but foreigners pay out of pocket up front. One clinic visit costs less than a policy; one broken bone does not.
🎒 The three things every first-timer books before flying:
📶 Korea eSIM — Online the Moment You Land →🛡️ Travel Insurance for Korea →🚕 Private Incheon Airport Pickup →🛬 Landing and getting into the city (6–9)
6. Change only a little money at the airport. Airport rates are poor. Korea is close to cashless — cards work almost everywhere — so take ₩50,000–100,000 for markets and street food and use cards for the rest. Downtown exchange booths in Myeongdong give much better rates.
7. Buy a T-money card immediately. Available at every airport and station convenience store for roughly ₩3,000–5,000, then topped up with cash. It works on subways, buses and taxis nationwide. See where to buy a T-money card.
8. AREX train vs limousine bus. The airport train is fastest and immune to traffic; the limousine bus is easier with big suitcases and stops near many hotels. Late arrival with luggage and a group? A pre-booked private transfer wins.
9. Use the luggage delivery service. Airport-to-hotel and hotel-to-hotel delivery is cheap, reliable and means you never drag a suitcase up subway stairs.
💳 Money and payments (10–13)
10. Cards are accepted almost everywhere, including taxis, convenience stores and most street-food carts. Bring a Visa or Mastercard; Amex acceptance is patchy.
11. Carry a little cash anyway for traditional markets, small food stalls and the occasional old-school restaurant.
12. There is no tipping culture. Not in restaurants, not in taxis, not in hotels. The price on the menu is the price you pay, tax included.
13. Claim your tax refund. Spend over ₩30,000 in one participating shop, show your passport, and you get an instant refund at the register or at an airport kiosk. This matters most for cosmetics and fashion — see our Olive Young shopping guide.
🚇 Getting around (14–17)
14. The subway is the best in the world and you should use it. English signage everywhere, base fare around ₩1,550, trains every few minutes. Our Seoul subway guide covers routes and exit numbers.
15. Learn to use exit numbers. Koreans navigate by them: "Meet me at Hongdae Exit 9." Big stations have 10+ exits and picking the wrong one means a 10-minute walk.
16. Taxis are cheap and honest, but drivers rarely speak English — call one through Kakao T or show the destination in Korean on your phone.
17. Intercity travel is easy. KTX gets you Seoul–Busan in under three hours. Book ahead on weekends and holidays — see our KTX booking guide.
🥢 Food and daily life (18–21)
18. Side dishes (banchan) are free and refillable. So is water, and so is the tea in many restaurants. Ask politely and they will bring more.
19. Solo dining is normal-ish but not universal. Convenience stores, noodle shops and chains are easy alone; Korean BBQ and stew places often have two-portion minimums. Our Korean BBQ guide flags the foreigner-friendly ones.
20. Convenience stores are a food group. GS25, CU and 7-Eleven do genuinely good hot food, hangover drinks and ₩2,000 breakfasts, and there is one every 200 metres.
21. Cafés are everywhere and they are the social default. Sitting for two hours with one americano is completely acceptable.
🙏 Manners and small habits (22–25)
22. Use two hands when giving or receiving anything from someone older — money, a card, a drink. It is the single easiest way to look considerate.
23. Take your shoes off in homes, guesthouses, temple halls and any restaurant with a raised floor. Wear socks you are happy for strangers to see.
24. Keep it quiet on public transport. No phone calls, no speakerphone, no loud music. Priority seats are genuinely left empty for elderly passengers even in a packed carriage.
25. Save 1330. Korea's tourist hotline is free, runs 24/7 and answers in English, Chinese, Japanese and more. Lost, confused, need a restaurant translated over the phone? Call 1330. Emergencies are 112 (police) and 119 (fire and ambulance).
📊 First-timer cheat sheet
| Thing | What to know | Rough cost |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | K-ETA exemption for 22 countries through Dec 2026 + e-Arrival Card | Free / ₩10,000 |
| Data | eSIM installed at home, activated on arrival | $5–25 |
| Transit card | T-money from any convenience store | ₩3,000–5,000 |
| Subway ride | Base fare, tap in and out | ~₩1,550 |
| Meal | Casual Korean restaurant | ₩9,000–15,000 |
| Tipping | Not a thing | ₩0 |
❓ First-time Korea FAQ
Is Korea safe for solo travellers?
Exceptionally, including at night in major cities. Normal city common sense applies, and our solo travel safety guide goes deeper.
Do I need to speak Korean?
No. Signage is bilingual, young Koreans often read English well, and Papago handles the rest. Learning "annyeonghaseyo" (hello) and "kamsahamnida" (thank you) goes a long way.
How many days do I need?
Five days for Seoul alone, seven to ten to add Busan or Jeju. See our 7-day itinerary.
What is the best time of year?
Late April–May and October are the sweet spots: mild, dry and beautiful. July is hot, wet monsoon season; January is cold and dry.
🇰🇷 Ready to plan the trip properly?
🏨 Compare Seoul Hotels & Flights →💆 Book Beauty, Clinics & Experiences in English →Entry rules, fares and prices here were checked in July 2026 and can change without notice. Always confirm visa and K-ETA requirements for your nationality on the official government site before booking.