[FREE] 8 ESSENTIAL Tips in South Korea 🇰🇷

1. Visa Application 🛂

*Note: South Korea visa application requirements may change over time, so it's a good idea to consult the official website of South Korean embassy and see if you need a visa to enter the country*

- You will need a Korean Electronic Travel Authorisation (K-ETA) - remember to apply as early as possible since it takes time to process. Apply here: https://www.k-eta.go.kr/portal/apply/index.do?locale=EN --> Application fee: 10,000 KRW/person (~9-10 USD)--> Processing takes ~72hours and the results will be sent directly to your email

- [GOOD NEWS] Passport holders from 22 countries/regions will be exempted from K-ETA from 1 April 2023 to 31 December 2024 (KST), they are listed here: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Macao, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, UK, US (including Guam). https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/sg-en/brd/m_2435/view.do?seq=761438 

2. Staying connected 🌐

- While in some areas you can access public WiFi, it is not the most reliable, hence it is best to have access to online data for navigation purposes- I recommend getting a local sim card > pocket wifi since there is no need to carry an extra device, and you can make calls too as you will be given a local Korean phone number, so it's very useful to make reservations at cafes!

Pro tip: Order a SIM card in advance

If you order a SIM card online, you can have it delivered to 1) your home address OR 2) pick it up at the South Korea airport you'll be arriving in. You have the option to choose where you want to deliver to, sim card validity, and the data package.

Home Delivery

- Global Delivery (please note the delivery days for each country): https://www.trazy.com/experience/detail/korea-sim-card-international-shipping-service 

- HK/Macau/TW/Mainland China Delivery: https://www.klook.com/en-HK/activity/25482-4g-sim-south-korea/

- SG/MY Delivery: https://www.klook.com/en-HK/activity/74058-4g-sim-card-for-south-korea/ 

Airport pick-up

- Unlimited Data (with FREE T-Money transport card) - pick up in Seoul / Busan Airport: https://www.klook.com/en-HK/activity/72100-south-korea-4g-unlimited-data-sim-lguplus/

- Unlimited Data - pick up at Incheon, Gimpo, Jeju or Daegu: https://www.klook.com/en-HK/activity/62133-4g-sim-card-south-korea/

3. Navigating around 🗺️

- Do NOT use Google Maps in South Korea - as it is not fully supported in Korea, not up to date and and provides inaccurate directions 

- Instead, download one of these apps: 

1) Naver Map: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/naver-map-navigation/id311867728 

2) KaKaoMap: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/kakaomap-korea-no-1-map/id304608425

- I would suggest downloading both of these apps, as some locations are stored in Naver, and some are in KaKao. They are both available in English. That said, I think Naver Map is more english-friendly and it's easier to pick up.

4. Transport around South Korea 🚆🚌

- The most convenient and cost effective way to get around Korea is bus or the railway, operated by major railway provider KORAIL

Pro tip 1: Get a T-money card

- T-money card: prepaid cards to use for public transport (bus & trains) without paying with cash or card- You get DISCOUNTS and FREE TRANSFERS if you switch from bus to subways (within a certain time period)- You can also pay in certain stores with a T-money card, so it becomes quite handy- Where should I buy a T-money card?

There are 2 ways: 

1) Order online in advance: via platforms like Klook where you get can get combo offers for SIM card & T-money (search "Korea Unlimited Data SIM + T Money)- You can choose where to pick up, either in Seoul or Busan Airport2) Buy it at a convenience store (i.e. GS25, 7-Elevem CU) or subway stations:- Each card is 2,500 KRW, but remember to load it with money so you can use it for transport- You can top up your T-money card in a convenience store as well

Pro tip 2: Get a Korean Rail Pass

- If you're planning to stay in Seoul for at least 2 days and will be traveling mainly by railway, I would highly recommend getting a Korea Rail Pass / KR Pass, which provides you unlimited rides on 80 routes and 600+ stations

- How to reserve my seat? Go to KORAIL website> Enter KORAIL Pass number (provided by Klook on your voucher) & Click Inquiry > Click Details > Add your date of travel and click Set > Click LIST > Click Seat Reservation > Check availability & choose the desired schedule of the train > Choose your seat number > Click next > PRINT OUT the tickets for boarding 

- What do I need to show when someone checks my tickets on the train?1) Korail Pass 2) printed seat reservation ticket 3) passport. A screenshot of the ticket will not be valid.

- [Budget Tip] If you have a group of 2-5 with the same itinerary, check out the klook package for Saver options: https://www.klook.com/en-US/activity/2847-korea-rail-pass-seoul/?spm=SearchResult.SearchResult_LIST&clickId=a15fcf27b9

5. Cash or card? 💵 💳

- South Korea's currency is Korea Won (￦ or KRW)

- More and more places in South Korea accept cards, BUT it is always safe to have some cash in hand, just because 1) you want to avoid unnecessary international card fees 2) some places don't take cards, such as (i) rural areas (ii) small businesses (which do not accept cards for purchases <￦10,000) such as food vendors (iii) local shops

Pro tip: Where to exchange Korea Won in Seoul?

- Do NOT exchange it at the airport - they have the worst exchange rate- Instead, exchange it at the Embassy in Myeong Dong (they typically have the best rate!) There are multiple exchange options in the same street, so be on the lookout for the best rate nearby.

--> Address: 26 Myeongdong 2-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul--> Opening hours (as of mid Feb): Monday - Sunday 9am - 7pm (please check the latest opening hours!)

- You can get to Myeong Dong in different ways, but the cheapest way is either by train or bus, which you'll need to pay by cash. Hence, I suggest you exchange some Won first before arriving South Korea. Then exchange the rest in this Embassy! - If you do NOT want to pay the transport by cash, you can buy a ticket for AREX Incheon Airport Express from Klook in advance (https://www.klook.com/en-US/activity/1163-airport-to-seoul-city-center-arex-train-incheon/?spm=Activity.). Simply redeem your tickets at the airport and pay the deposit fee. Trains run every 25-40 minutes, there is free Wifi and you can charge your mobile devices on the USB sockets. After you arrive, you can claim your deposit.

- [Food tip] In case you want some breakfast or coffee after exchanging money, there's a cafe called "The Spot Fabulous" literally next to the embassy. It was great fuel to start the morning after a red-eye flight for me!

6. Power Adaptors 🔌

- Korea uses Type C and F plug sockets, with a standard voltage of 200- I would suggest to buy a universal travel adaptors, so you don't have to buy individual adaptors for every single country you visit

7. Luggage storage 🧳

Where can I store my luggage is one of the most commonly asked questions, so here you go!

- There are many luggage storage options in cities, but for you to get around quickly, the best is to store it in subway lockers- You can reserve for 1) a couple of hours 2) a day 3) multiple-day

- [Important] Most of the luggage storage options only take cash, so make sure you have some cash in hand (read point 5 again) before storing your luggage

8. Basic Korean to survive 🇰🇷

While it is NOT a must to learn Korean, South Koreans do appreciate it when visitors make an effort to learn a few basic phrases in their language. I watch quite a lot of Korean drama and felt like it was easier to connect with the locals (something I love to do whenever I travel), so SAVE these travel essential phrases and travel at ease in South Korea!

1. Hello

[An-nyeong-ha-se-yo] (formal)[An-nyeong] (informal)

2. Goodbye

[An-nyeong-hi-gye-se-yo] (formal)

[An-nyeong] (informal) - yes, its the same as hello!3. Thank you[Gam-sa-ham-ni-da]

4. I'm Sorry[joe-song-ham-ni-da]

5. Do you speak English?

[dang-sin-e-un yeong-eo-leul-hasib-nikka?]

6. Yes

[Ne]

7. No

[Aniyo]

8. Excuse Me

[Sill-ye-ham-nida]

9. How much does it cost?

[I-ge e-ol-ma-ye-yo]

Of course, Google Translate is always your best travel buddy, so download Korean as a language before you travel!

That's a wrap! 🥳

I hope these 8 tips are useful for you as you plan your trip and navigate your way to South Korea. If you have any questions about my experience or want me to elaborate on anything, feel free to message me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/exploratiff_/!

I would LOVE to get connected and see how I can help! I'll also have more guides coming up soon, so stay tuned! 🌟