I’m still reeling from my trip to Japan and Korea, and I’ve been getting lots of questions about Korea in particular. So I’m sharing my favorite practical tips to help you feel prepared, confident, and excited for your own South Korea adventure!
1. Use Local Map Apps (Skip Google Maps)
Before you go, download a Korean-friendly map app like KakaoMap. Google Maps doesn’t work very well in South Korea, especially for navigation, public transit, and walking routes. KakaoMap gives you detailed directions for buses, trains, walking, and driving so you can get around like a local.
2. Embrace Public Transportation
South Korea’s public transportation system is clean, efficient, and easy to use. We relied on buses and trains to get almost everywhere. To make your life easier, pick up a reloadable transit card at a convenience store once you arrive. Just keep in mind: you’ll need Korean currency to load money onto it.
3. Have Korean Cash on Hand
While cards are widely accepted, cash is still important. You’ll want Korean won for loading your transit card, grabbing snacks from street food carts, and shopping in local markets. I recommend withdrawing some cash at the airport or using ATMs in the city early in your trip so you’re not scrambling later. There are specific international ATMs that can be used for foreign bank cards, so look out for those as we needed to go to a bank to find one ourselves!
4. Learn a Few Key Korean Phrases
You absolutely do not need to be fluent in Korean to enjoy your trip, but learning a few basic phrases goes a long way. I found that locals really appreciated it when I tried to speak their language—often with big smiles and extra kindness!
Here are some useful phrases to look up and practice:
- Nice to meet you – 만나서 반갑습니다 (man-na-seo ban-gap-seum-ni-da)
- Hello – 안녕하세요 (an-nyeong-ha-se-yo)
- Thank you – 감사합니다 (gam-sa-ham-ni-da)
- How much is this? – 이거 얼마예요? (i-geo eol-ma-ye-yo?)
- Excuse me – 실례합니다 (sil-lye-ham-ni-da) or 저기요 (jeo-gi-yo, to get someone’s attention)
- This is delicious – 맛있어요 (ma-si-sseo-yo)
- You are number one / great – 최고예요 (chae-go-ye-yo)
Even if your pronunciation isn’t perfect, the effort is what counts!
5. Book K-Beauty Appointments in Advance
If you’re dreaming of indulging in K-beauty experiences (because I definitely am)—like scalp treatments, skincare facials, color analysis, etc.—make those appointments before you arrive! Many studios and clinics take bookings through Instagram DMs or WhatsApp, and they’re happy to answer questions that way too. These spots can book up quickly, especially in popular neighborhoods, so planning ahead is key. Also, if you plan on doing a color analysis, book that before your skincare appointment because your skin will still be recovering if you do it in the reverse.
6. Eat Your Way Through the Markets
Do not leave Korea without eating at the local markets. Some places we went to during our most recent trip were: Gwangjang Market (Seoul), and Jagalchi Market and Gukje International Market (Busan). Street food is incredible—think Korean fried chicken and hotdogs, tteokbokki, desserts, dumplings, stews, soups, kimbaps, and snacks. Go hungry and be open to trying new things; this is where some of the best food memories happen!
7. Go Beyond Seoul
Seoul is amazing, but there is so much more to see. I highly recommend taking the high-speed KTX train to explore other cities. Busan is an easy and rewarding trip, with beautiful coastal scenery and its own food culture. My personal dream has always been to “take the train to Busan,” but funny enough, my last two trips started in Busan and then went to Seoul so I could end with my skincare shopping. Jeju Island is also high on my list for a future trip—flying there is straightforward and the nature looks incredible.
8. Bring Your Passport When You Shop
If you plan to shop, especially for skincare, don’t forget to carry your passport. Many stores, like Olive Young, offer tax-free shopping for tourists when you show your passport at checkout. I stock up on enough skincare in Korea to last me the whole year—and I always bring extras home for friends and family. We also have purchased blue light glasses and sunglasses from stores like Gentle Monster and Blue Elephant!
If you’re thinking about planning a trip to South Korea and want help turning these tips into a full itinerary, I’d love to help you map it out! Just reach out when you are ready!
