Korea Local Bestie

First trip to Korea?

8 things to sort out before you land. Takes 10 minutes.

The stuff a local friend would text you the night before your flight. Tick them off, it saves on your phone.

0 / 8 done
  1. Incheon Airport arrivals hall1before you flyPhoto: Theodore Nguyen / Pexels

    Fill in the e-Arrival Card

    Free, online, within 72 hours before you land. Replaces the paper form. Skip it and you'll be stuck at a kiosk in the arrivals hall.

    K-ETA: 67 countries (US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, Japan…) are exempt until 31 Dec 2026. Check your passport on the official site, not a lookalike that charges you.

    e-Arrival Card (official) K-ETA check
  2. Klook eSIM South Korea2before you fly

    Get an eSIM, install it at home

    Buy it now, scan the QR tonight, switch it on when the wheels touch down. No airport counter queue, and you'll have data for the next step.

    Airport SIM counters are fine too, but after a 12-hour flight you don't want to be in that line. Korean carriers (SKT, KT, LG U+) all work great. Pick unlimited data.

    SKT 5G eSIM on Klook

    partner link, same price for you

  3. AREX airport train3day 1

    Airport → Seoul: don't take a taxi

    Taxi is ₩60–80K and up to 40% more late at night. The AREX all-stop train is under ₩5,000 (tap T-money, stops at Hongdae). The Express is 43 min nonstop to Seoul Station: ₩13,000 at the counter, usually cheaper online.

    Big luggage or a hotel in Myeongdong? Limousine bus 6015 (₩17,000) drops you at the door. Hotel in Hongdae? All-stop train, done.

    AREX Express ticket Watch the 40s ranking

    partner link, same price for you

  4. Seoul Metro ticket machines4day 1Photo: Theodore Nguyen / Pexels

    Get a T-money card

    One card for subway, bus, taxi and convenience stores. Buy it at any GS25 / CU / 7-Eleven (a few thousand won for the card), top up with cash at the machine, tap in, tap out.

    Yes, you tap out too, or the next ride charges you extra. The eSIM combo button here comes with a free T-money card if you'd rather have it waiting at the airport.

    eSIM + free T-money combo

    partner link, same price for you

  5. Phone with a map app5before you flyPhoto: Stanislav Kondratiev / Pexels

    Download the 3 apps that actually work here

    Google Maps can't do walking or driving directions in Korea. Locals use these three. Install them before you land and set them to English.

    NNaver Mapdirections, subway times 文Papagotranslate menus & signs TKakao Ttaxis, no Korean needed

    Kakao T lets you type the destination, so you never have to explain an address to a driver. Pay in-app with a foreign card or in cash.

  6. Contactless card payment6good to knowPhoto: Towfiqu barbhuiya / Pexels

    Card almost everywhere. Carry a little cash.

    Visa and Mastercard work in nearly every shop, cafe and restaurant. Keep ₩20,000–30,000 in cash for street food, traditional markets and topping up T-money.

    Skip the airport exchange counter. Pull cash from a bank ATM in the city, or ask Papago to say "card okay?" Most places just nod.

  7. Travel plug adapters7pack itPhoto: Castorly Stock / Pexels

    220V, round two-pin plugs

    Korea uses Type C / F sockets (the European round pins), 220V. From the US, UK, Japan or Australia you need an adapter. Phones and laptops handle the voltage fine.

    Forgot one? Any convenience store or Daiso sells adapters for a couple thousand won. Hotels usually have a spare at the front desk.

  8. Police officers on a Seoul street8save thesePhoto: Theodore Nguyen / Pexels

    Save three numbers

    1330travel helpline, English, 24h 112police 119ambulance / fire

    1330 is the one people forget. Lost something, need a pharmacy at midnight, taxi dispute? They interpret for you on the spot, free.

That's it. You're more prepared than most.

Send this to whoever's flying with you. Then come see what's on in Seoul this week.

What's on in Seoul this week