Seoul in South Korea is a city bustling with gorgeous tourist attractions, excellent restaurants and eateries.
If you’re planning to visit Seoul, South Korea for the first time, or relocating there soon, this blog is for you as I will be outlining all the essential information that you need to know before your trip.
This includes topics such as best time to visit Seoul, what to pack, how to get from the airport to the city and many more.
Part 1: Things You Need to Know Before Visiting Seoul, South Korea
Tip #1 : Best Time to Visit Seoul
- Summer (July to August) : If you’re up for adventures on the beach and along the coastal lines, summer is your time to be there. Join the beach crew at Haeundae Beach or visit the cooler coastal cities, such as Busan
- Autumn (September to November) : This is the second most popular season (after spring) among travellers visiting Seoul. Witness the city turn into a stunning palette of orange and yellow hues. This is also the time for many festivals across the country.
- Winter (December to March) : If you’re running a tight budget or want to keep it a wallet-friendly trip, winter is the ideal time to visit Seoul South Korea. Flight tickets are typically lower as the temperatures fall to negative double-digits in Celsius. Whilst you’d have to suit up extra during this time, you’ll be able to experience the extraordinary Christmas decorations around the city, Seoul really gets into the Christmas spirit!
- Spring (April to June) : This is widely considered to be the best season to visit South Korea, spring is when the winter chills dissipate as summer starts rolling in. This time is especially good to witness the beautiful cherry blossoms in person.
Tip #2 : Carry Comfortable Clothing
I cannot emphasise this enough: A good, comfortable pair of shoes should be the FIRST thing you need to pack for your trip to Seoul, South Korea. Whether you’re going to the nearby convenience store or travelling around the city, there’s going to be a LOT of walking!
You will also need to carry a lightweight, durable jacket if you’re going in winter.
As winter clothing can end up taking up a lot of luggage space I would recommend to just bring one reliable winter jacket, you can always buy more clothing once you’re in Seoul.
My (non sponsored!) recommendations as below from Uniqlo and Kathmandu as they are steady enough to withstand South Korea winter whilst still managing to be quite light.
Pair the jacket with the usual clothing layers (with the option of thermals especially if you plan to head out in the evenings) and you will be just fine!
Tip #3 : Keep Cash Handy
While South Korea is predominantly a cashless society, you might still come across places that accept cash as the only form of payment (e.g. food markets). That’s why it’s always safer to carry some cash with you.
I’d recommend for you to check the exchange rates of your local bank before you head off to determine if it is favourable for you to change some of your local currency into Korean WON.
That said if you don’t get a chance to, fret not. You can do so at the currency exchange counter located at the airport arrival halls or you may even consider getting a WOWPass that allows you to convert cash from your home currency to be loaded up and used wherever credit cards are accepted.
Tip #4: Carry Power Banks
This one isn’t specific to Seoul or South Korea but to just about anywhere when you’re travelling. Trips can mean long hours on the road, with your cameras, phones, and other electronic devices constantly in use.
And if you’re anything like me you’ll constantly be capturing content which is why it’s good to have a power bank or two when you’re on the go.
My personal favourite is the 4-in-1 charger from Snap Wireless that can charge multiple devices at once. You can get at least two to three charges on your phone when this power bank is fully charged.
I also recommend the Snap Wireless 5,000mAh Mini Power Bank as another option. it is a magnetic snap-on battery pack that you can conveniently stick to the back of your phone so you can charge it on the go.
Tip #5 : Carry Extra Luggage Space
Shopping is a must in South Korea, a place renowned for its sheer amount of beauty products and accessories which is why extra luggage space is always a good idea!
I always have a collapsible bag or two in my luggage bag for this very reason
Simply unzip and voila you now have extra luggage space to accommodate your shopping haul!
Tip #6 : Get a Mobile Data Connection
You will be using Naver Maps and Papago translator extensively as you’re navigating your way through Seoul both which will require you to have an active mobile data connection.
In this section we will be talking about the data options you have;
Roaming
The most straightforward option would be to turn on the roaming services on your phone. However, do get in touch with your network provider and go through their available plans beforehand to make sure this option doesn’t burn a hole through your pocket.
Local SIM
Another way to get a data connection is to purchase a local network SIM card once you arrive in South Korea. There will be counters located at the arrival hall where you can get this and you may even choose to pre-purchase one before your trip via sites such as klook.
You can get 10% OFF by using my Klook code PHATLIFEPROJECT (new members only)
e-SIM
My personal preference though is for an e-SIM. An e-SIM is a virtual SIM card slot that allows your phone to take on an extra data network whilst keeping your original physical SIM card in the phone to keep receiving SMS and calls.
You can find out whether your phone is e-SIM-compatible or not by checking for the EID option in your phone settings.
I use Airalo for all my trips as it provides e-SIM data services for over 200 regions around the world.
How to Get an e-SIM on Airalo?
- Sign up and log into the app.
- Select your destination country (South Korea in this case).
- Data plans available in your selected region will be shown. Select between 10-day and 30-day plans based on your trip duration.
- Pay for the plan you selected.
- After the payment is complete, click the ‘Install e-SIM/Access Data’ button on the exit page. Once installed, your e-SIM is ready to go on your phone.
- Highly recommend you activate it just before you board your flight so that you can hit the ground running.
But wait, there’s more. What if I told you I can get you $3 off on your first Airalo e-SIM purchase? Simply click on the link below and use the code STEVE5974 while checking out. You can thank me later!
Part 2: Things You Need to Know When You Are in Seoul, South Korea
Tip #7: Airport-to-City Transport Options
The first thing you need to know about the airport to city transport options is that there are two international airports in Seoul, Incheon and Gimpo.
Airport | Distance to Seoul City | Approximate Travel Time |
Incheon International Airport (ICN) | 48km (30 miles) | 75 – 90 minutes |
Gimpo International Airport (GMP) | 16km (10 miles) | 40 – 60 minutes |
Incheon to Seoul City Transport Options
Do note though that although Gimpo is closer to Seoul city, Incheon is the more renowned airport of the two and you will find more flight options (and prices) if you choose to land in Incheon.
Once you’ve landed at the Incheon or Gimpo International Airport, there are a number of ways you can reach the city. Let’s first talk about the options at Incheon.
- AREX Express Train : This is the cheapest way to reach Seoul city from the airport, costing you around 4,150 to 4,750 KRW (~3.40 USD) each way. However, this cost is covered if you have a Discover Seoul Pass or a WOW Pass Package (more on this below). It takes 50 minutes to travel from Incheon Airport Terminal 1 to Seoul Station.
- Limousine Buses : Another option is to get limousine buses that are available at the airport. It will take you around 60 to 80 minutes if you choose to go by bus, costing around 18,000 KRW (~13 USD). You can book a ticket at the designated booths available at the airports. City Airport, Logis, & Travel, Airport Limousine, Seoul Air Bus, and Korea Airport Limousine are the four limousine bus service providers in South Korea. You can visit their websites and check the timetables to ensure the bus services are available when you arrive.
- Cabs : If you have a good amount of luggage or are travelling with family and friends, you may find this a better option. Travelling from Incheon to Seoul can cost you anywhere between 50-55,000 KRW (~40 USD), whereas that from Gimpo to Seoul will cost you around 35,000 KRW (~27 USD). This price range may vary depending on the type of cab you wish to avail. Jumbo and deluxe taxis may cost higher than this range.
Gimpo to Seoul City Transport Options
- Limousine Buses :Here is a map laying out the bus stops. The buses are operated by Downtown Airport Limousine and KAL Limousine, you can go to their website to check out the route stops and bus schedule to see if there are buses that suit your arrival (and departure) times. Either option will cost you 7,500 WON (5.50 USD).
- Subway : There are a few subway options but the preferable one would be the Gimpo to Seoul Station direct which will take just 22 minutes, this option will cost just 1,450 Korean WON (1 USD!), they do only run from 5:30am to midnight so if you do arrive outside of these hours cabs is your best option.
- Cabs : This map shows you the taxi stop locations at Gimpo, as you can see there are standard, deluxe and jumbo, which one you take just depends on how many people you’re travelling with and/or how much luggage you have.
Tip #8: Essential Apps You Need in Seoul, South Korea
Once you’ve arrived at your accommodation and are all checked in it is now time to explore Seoul! Here are some apps I’d recommend you download for you to make the most out of your trip.
Kakao Taxi/Uber Taxi
Application : Transport
Available on : iOS, Android
If you’re planning to book a cab to navigate around Seoul, Kakao Taxi and Uber Taxi are your best picks. Both apps offer seamless cab booking services round the clock. I’d recommend you download both to avoid hassles while booking a cab during peak hours. You can also compare prices on both apps and avail the cheapest option available.
Do note that both cab services accept foreign credit cards.
Kakao Maps/Naver Maps
Application : Navigation
Available on : iOS, Android
Naver Maps NOT Google Maps is what you need to successfully navigate your way in Seoul, this comes from my own personal experience where many a time I would draw a blank while searching for a spot in Google
In particular, Naver Maps is way accurate and intuitive than Google Maps in South Korea. It picks up the name of my destination in Korean even though I entered it in English.
HOT TIP – When this doesn’t work simply copy the name of the venue in Korean language and and paste that text into Naver.
Naver’s picked up something but you’re still not sure if it is where you’re headed to? Here’s two ways you can double check
- Check for the street and building numbers in the English and Korean addresses. If they match, it is most likely correct.
- For example, if the English address reads: Seoul, Jung-gu, 퇴계로 411 6 Zoosindang and Korean address reads: Ju Sindang (주시당바), 서울 중구 퇴계로 411 6층, by comparing the street and building numbers, we can confirm that the Korean address is correct.
- Second, if you are going to a famous place (possibly with lots of pictures on the Internet), you can simply click on the location in Naver, look for the images on the app, and compare them with those on the Internet. This will tell you if you’re going to the right place.
Papago
Application : Language and Communication
Available on : iOS, Android
Like me, if you don’t speak Korean, overcoming the language barrier can be an uphill struggle on your trip to Seoul. Papago makes it a lot easier.
And yes it is definitely better than Google Maps at translating Korean words.
And so whether you’re travelling to the bustling food markets around the city, speaking to new people, or just asking for directions on the road, Papago can translate your text into Korean from your language of choice in real time. How cool is that?!
It also has a camera translating feature, which means you can point your phone camera towards signs written in Korean and it can translate them to English in real time. Use it for restaurant menus, train stations, street signs, and more!
Hwahae
Application : Beauty and Personal Care
Available on : iOS, Android
If you are interested in K-beauty product shopping but are finding the sheer number of products available overwhelming you NEED to check out Hwahae.
This app shows you the top-rated beauty and skincare products that Koreans actually use. One downside of this app is its language—it’s all in Korean.
Which is a primary reason why this used to be a little secret that mostly only locals knew about
They recently rebranded and thankfully making the database available also on their official website was one of the key moves in their rebrand.
Why is this so cool? Well, it’s because you can now use your browser’s translate option for translating the entire webpage so that you can now use Hwahae in English!
Head over to my YouTube video, where I explain in detail how you can find the top-rated beauty products easily on this app.
Website – https://www.hwahae.co.kr
Tip #9: Get a WOW Pass
If you’re looking to do a lot of shopping and also want to avoid those pesky overseas transaction charges you’re going to need a WOWPass.
This all-in-one prepaid card serves not one but three purposes:
- Exchange your money from 16 different countries to Korean WON (they claim to have better rates than banks, you can check this for yourself on their app).
- Use it as a debit card for cashless payments wherever credit cards are accepted.
- Seamlessly pay for public transport with the TMoney component of the card.
The WOW Pass serves a dual function. One, as a Cash Card, which you can use for paying for food, shopping, and other convenience store items. Two, as a Travel Pass, which can be used for making all payments related to public transport. For this reason, there are two distinct balances in the WOW Pass; the WOW Pass Balance (for the Cash Card), and the T-Money Balance (for only transport expenses).
You can get a WOW pass easily. All you need to do is scan your passport before making the purchase. The pass has a deposit fee of 5,000 KRW (~$4), but you can get this back at the end of your trip if you return it. Alternatively, if you plan to revisit Seoul soon, you can keep the card for your next trip.
I’ve covered this in more detail in my WOW Pass Guide blog as well as my YouTube video . You can check them out to better understand how the pass works.
Tip #10: Common Public Etiquette to Follow in Seoul, South Korea
When travelling, it’s crucial to respect the traditions and culture of your destination. Lack of etiquette has already raised several issues with locals in various parts of the world. Therefore, it’s important to follow certain social norms while you’re in Seoul, South Korea.
- Basic Etiquette: While you do not need to be fluent in Korean to travel to Seoul, it’s always good to have a few phrases handy. For example,
- Annyeonghaseyo = hello
- Gamsahabnida = thank you
- Bow a little when you greet another person. Also, be respectful to elders, as seniority is revered in the country.
- Public Transport Etiquette: Avoid eating, taking phone calls, or speaking loudly on public transport, as it’s considered disrespectful. Additionally, eating while walking on the street is also frowned upon.
- Subway Etiquette: There are two important subway etiquettes that you should be aware of:
- Always stand aside to allow exiting passengers to get off.
- Avoid sitting in the red priority seats, which are reserved for people with disabilities, pregnant women, and senior citizens. While no one will physically stop you from sitting in these seats, you will receive many disapproving looks.
Endnote
That’s it! Now you know everything there is to travel like a seasoned visitor of Seoul, South Korea. Make a checklist, plan your itineraries, and feel free to come back to this blog or to my YouTube video for anything that you feel you might have missed out.
If you have more questions, do check out the FAQs below and also look up my YouTube video on the 2024 Travel Updates.
Lastly, watch this space for more PHAT updates on Korea!
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