Your first trip to South Korea: the complete checklist

1. Entry documents

Start here, because everything else depends on it.

• Passport. It must be valid for your whole stay; several governments recommend more margin, so check your own country’s travel advice.
• K-ETA or visa. If your passport is visa-exempt for Korea, you need an approved K-ETA before boarding — unless you are exempt (22 countries until 31 December 2026, travellers aged 17 or under or 65 or over, visa holders). If your nationality needs a visa, apply at a Korean embassy or consulate well in advance.
• Arrival card. Travellers without a K-ETA fill in the arrival card, online up to three days before arrival or on paper at the airport.
• Health declaration. If you have recently been in an area on Korea’s quarantine watch list, you must complete a Q-CODE health declaration.
• Travel insurance covering medical care is strongly recommended.

Need a K-ETA? Apply at least 72 hours before departure — our guided form takes about ten minutes.

2. Flights and accommodation

Most international flights land at Incheon (ICN), an hour from central Seoul. Gimpo (GMP) handles domestic and some regional flights, Gimhae (PUS) serves Busan and Jeju (CJU) has its own international airport.

Book accommodation before you apply for your K-ETA or fill in the arrival card: both ask for the address where you will stay. Options range from international hotels to guesthouses and traditional hanok stays. Around the Lunar New Year (Seollal) and Chuseok holidays, trains and rooms fill up quickly — see the best time to visit.

3. Money and payments

Korea is one of the most card-friendly countries in the world, but a few habits help: Visa and Mastercard work in chains, hotels and department stores, while some small restaurants with self-order kiosks only accept Korean cards. Carry some cash for traditional markets and street food, and consider a prepaid travel card such as WOWPASS. Tourists can get VAT refunded on the spot in shops displaying the tax-free sign. Our guide to money, SIM cards and apps has the details.

4. Phone, internet and apps

Buy an eSIM before you leave or a SIM card at the airport — roaming centres in the arrivals hall sell both. Free Wi-Fi is everywhere, from subway stations to cafés. Install these before departure:

• Naver Map or KakaoMap for directions (Google Maps is still limited in Korea);
• Papago for translation, including signs and menus via the camera;
• k.ride or Kakao T for taxis;
• KakaoTalk, the messaging app everyone in Korea uses.

5. Getting around

Pick up a T-money card at the airport or any convenience store: it works on subways, buses and many taxis nationwide. In Seoul, the Climate Card tourist pass gives unlimited subway and bus rides for one to several days. For longer journeys, the KTX high-speed train links Seoul and Busan in under three hours. More in getting around Korea.

6. What to pack

• A plug adapter for type C/F sockets (220 V).
• Comfortable, easy-to-remove shoes — you take them off in temples, homes and some restaurants.
• Clothes for the season: Korean summers are hot and humid, winters are cold and dry.
• An umbrella from late June to late July, during the rainy season.
• Prescription medicines in their original packaging, with a copy of the prescription.

7. Health and safety

Korea is a very safe country to travel in. Save these numbers: 112 for the police and 119 for ambulance and fire — both can connect you to an interpreter. The 1330 Korea Travel Hotline, run by the Korea Tourism Organization, answers travellers’ questions in several languages, by phone or chat. Pharmacies are easy to find, and big-city hospitals often have international clinics.

8. A few words of etiquette

A slight bow, giving and receiving things with two hands, and keeping your voice down on public transport go a long way. No tipping is expected. Read our 15 etiquette tips before you go.