How to Korea: 10 Korea Travel Tips I Collected from A Repeat Visit

These Korea travel tips are the ones I learnt the hard way (cold toes, wrong subway exits, one very confused taxi driver), so you don’t have to. Korea is easy once you know the tricks. Until then, it can feel like everyone got the memo except you.

10 Korea Travel Tips for Your First or Repeat Trip

1. Get a T-money card

Your new best friend. Grab one at any GS25, CU or 7-Eleven and tap it on subways, buses, taxis and even at convenience store tills. Bonus: you get transfer discounts between bus and subway, as long as you remember to tap out.

2. Bring cash anyway

Korea is very card-friendly, except when it isn’t. T-money top-ups are mostly cash only, and market stalls (the best food, obviously) often prefer won. Keep some smaller notes on you.

3. Backpack over handbag, always

You will walk. You will climb subway stairs. You will want both hands free for hotteok. A backpack beats a cute handbag every single time.

4. Airbnb it (or hanok it)

Hotels are fine, but staying in a neighbourhood gives you the real Korea: the local bakery, the corner GS25, the ajumma who judges your outfit. Just double-check the listing is properly registered before you book.

5. Seoul is not the whole of Korea

Seoul is great, but it is not Korea. Jump on the KTX to Busan, Jeonju or Gyeongju. Different food, different pace, different Korea.

6. Google Maps won’t save you here

Google Maps is weak in Korea, so download Naver Map or KakaoMap for directions. For menus and signs, Google Translate (or Papago, the local favourite) is a lifesaver, especially the camera function.

7. Taxi 101 (it’s not as expensive as it looks)

Regular taxis (orange, silver or white) are cheap. Black ones are deluxe and priced like it. Most drivers don’t speak English, so have your address ready in Korean. You can pay with T-money or card, and the Kakao T app now works with foreign cards. Expect a surcharge late at night.

8. Sensible shoes

Hills, stairs, cobblestones, palace grounds. Leave the heels at home (I said what I said).

9. Uniqlo and hot packs, your winter survival kit

Korean winter is not Melbourne winter. Layer Heattech under everything, and buy hot packs from any convenience store. Stick one in each pocket. Your fingers will forgive you.

10. Take pics of everything, yes, everything

Your accommodation address in Korean, the subway exit number, the door code, the restaurant sign. Future you, lost and cold at 11 pm, will be grateful.

That’s my how-to Korea, in ten slightly bossy tips. None of them is glamorous, but all of them will save you from standing outside a subway exit in the cold, wondering why your map app just gave up on you.

The good news? Korea rewards the prepared. Sort your T-money, stuff some cash in your pocket, wear the ugly comfy shoes, and the rest is just eating your way through the country (which, let’s be honest, is the real itinerary).

I’m heading back this winter, Jeonju included, so expect more Korea travel tips once I’ve thawed out. Got one I missed? Tell me in the comments.

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