Korea is easy to travel in, but requires specific preparation. Here is everything to arrange before departure:e apps, cards, insurance, communication, and the cultural basics.
The difference between a smooth trip to Korea and a frustrating one is almost entirely down to your preparation. Korea’s infrastructure is excellent, but several of its systems differ from those in Japan and Western countries in ways that catch first-time visitors off guard. These are the things to sort before you land.
Transport – Set Up Before Landing
T-money Card
The single most important practical step. Get a T-money card at the Incheon arrivals hall immediately after customs. It covers every subway, bus, and most taxis in Korea. Tap in, tap out. The fare deducts automatically. Load 30,000 to 50,000 won initially. See the T-money guide for full setup.
Naver Map
Download before flying. Google Maps does not give walking or driving directions in Korea. Naver Map is the essential navigation tool for the entire trip. Also, download offline map tiles for Seoul, Busan, and Jeju. The getting around Korea guide covers the full transport picture, including KTX booking and intercity options.
Kakao T
Korea’s ride-hailing app. More reliable than street-hailing a taxi, particularly late at night. Link your credit card before arriving. The best apps for Korea guide has the full setup list.
Communication
Papago
Download before flying. More accurate than Google Translate for Korean, particularly for food menus. The camera translation function reads Korean text in real time. The Korean language tips guide covers the full communication picture, including basic Hangul reading, useful phrases, and navigating restaurants without English menus.
Learn Basic Hangul
2 to 3 hours of practice before departure. Hangul is phonetically consistent and easy to learn quickly. Once you can sound out the letters, menus, subway signs, and shop names become partially readable even without vocabulary knowledge.
Insurance
Travel insurance is essential for Korea, particularly for medical coverage. Korean hospitals require upfront payment before treatment, and costs can be high without insurance. The Korea travel insurance guide covers what policies should include, recommended providers, and what Korea’s medical system looks like for foreign visitors.
Before You Land – Checklist
Work through the Korea travel checklist before departure. It covers visa status, entry card registration, what not to pack, and the pre-trip steps that are easy to miss.
- Entry: Check visa status and K-ETA requirement for your nationality at immigration.go.kr
- Medication: Some common medications are restricted. See the Korea what not to bring guide.
- Currency: Korean won. Most city ATMs accept foreign Visa and Mastercard. Withdraw at Incheon arrivals before leaving the terminal.
- SIM or eSIM: Pocket WiFi or eSIM available at Incheon arrivals or pre-ordered online. Essential for Naver Map and translation apps.
Cultural Basics
Shoes off: At traditional restaurants with floor seating, at some guesthouses, and at cultural spaces. Wear slip-on shoes.
Tipping: Not done in Korea. Pay the bill amount exactly.
Escalator rule: Stand right, walk left in Seoul—Opposite of Tokyo.
Jjimjilbang: Korea’s 24-hour public bathhouse and sauna culture is one of the most distinctive experiences available. A jjimjilbang costs around 10,000 to 15,000 won and is excellent for long layovers, budget overnight stays, or simply understanding how Koreans relax.
