If you’ve been scrolling through social media dreaming about visiting South Korea, you’ve probably seen the same advice over and over: visit Seoul, eat Korean BBQ, go to a K-pop store, repeat.
This guide is different.
It’s written from the perspective of foreigners who already traveled to Korea and are now passing their real-life lessons on to you — the things you only understand after you’ve actually been here. From what kind of card really works, to why you should never wait for the bill at your table, this is the kind of practical detail that makes your first trip smoother and a lot more fun.
Before You Pack: The Empty Suitcase Strategy & Money Basics
Let’s start with something simple but powerful: bring an extra suitcase.
Many experienced visitors recommend traveling to Korea with two pieces of luggage: one with your clothes and essentials, and one that’s almost empty. It sounds dramatic until you walk into a Korean beauty store or a clothing district in Hongdae or Gangnam. Skincare, sheet masks, makeup, hair products, stationery, snacks, cute home items — it all adds up fast.
Even tall travelers who assumed nothing would fit them are often surprised at how many sizes and styles they can actually wear. So instead of panicking at the end of your trip and buying a cheap emergency suitcase, plan ahead and arrive with space to spare.
On the money side, Korea is extremely card-friendly. Most places accept international credit cards, and you won’t usually need to carry a lot of cash. Exchanging a small amount when you arrive, then using local ATMs or city exchange counters tends to give you better rates than changing everything at home. Glasp
One important detail many Europeans discover the hard way:
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Some foreign debit or check cards simply don’t work in Korean terminals.
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A Visa or MasterCard credit card is your safest bet for smooth payments.
Carry a bit of cash for machines, small shops, or topping up transport cards, but let your credit card do most of the heavy lifting.
Getting Around: T-money, Naver Map & Taxi Apps
Korea’s public transportation is one of the highlights of traveling here. Subways are clean, buses are frequent, and signs are often in English as well as Korean. Once you understand the basics, you may not need taxis much at all.
The real hero of getting around is the T-money card.
You can buy one at the airport or convenience stores, then load it with cash and tap in and out of subways and buses all over the country. It saves you from buying one-time tickets every ride, and transfers between buses and subways become much easier. Just keep a bit of Korean won on hand for top-ups.
For navigation, don’t rely only on Google Maps. In Korea, Naver Map (and also Kakao Map) is far more accurate for walking, buses, and subways. Google Maps is okay for orientation, but when you need to know exactly which exit to use or which bus stop to stand at, Naver Map will save you a lot of confusion.
When you do need a car, download Kakao T, Korea’s standard taxi app. Uber also works in some areas, but locals and long-term visitors depend mostly on Kakao T because drivers are used to it and addresses integrate well with Korean map data.
The best part: for most travelers, public transport is enough. It’s fast, frequent, and relatively inexpensive, so you can explore Seoul and other cities without worrying about driving or parking.
How to Pay and Move Like a Local at Restaurants and Crosswalks
Korean etiquette isn’t complicated, but a few small habits will make you blend in more smoothly.
One rule that surprises many visitors is very simple: don’t cross the street on a red pedestrian signal, even if the road looks completely empty. Locals usually wait for the green man, and jaywalking can feel out of place or disrespectful. When in doubt, follow what the people around you do — in Korea, that almost always means waiting.
Inside restaurants, another cultural difference shows up at the end of your meal.
In many Western countries, the server brings the bill to your table and you pay while sitting down. In Korea, the norm is the opposite:
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When you’re done eating, you stand up and go to the counter to pay.
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Sitting at your table waiting for someone to bring the check can feel awkward for the staff and sometimes even a little rude.
So after you finish, just grab your things, walk to the register, and say a simple “gyesan halgeyo” (I’d like to pay) or even just hand over your card.
As for eating itself, some foreigners pick up one very fun “tip” from locals and Korean food influencers: make one perfect spoonful. Put rice on your spoon, stack a bit of side dish (banchan), maybe some meat or kimchi, and eat it all in a single bite. It’s not a rule, but many people swear that this is the most satisfying way to enjoy a Korean meal.
Swimming Pools & Small Rules You Won’t See Coming
If you plan to use a pool in Korea — whether it’s in a gym, a water park, or sometimes even a hotel — there’s one detail that catches many people by surprise:
You often must wear a swim cap, no matter how much or how little hair you have.
In some European countries, people with shaved heads or very short hair skip swim caps without any problem. In Korea (and also Japan), pool rules are stricter about hygiene, and everyone is usually expected to wear one.
The solution is easy: pack a basic swim cap, or buy one in Korea at a sports shop or even some large supermarkets. It’s inexpensive, and it saves you from being turned away from a pool you were excited to use.
Beating the Language Barrier Without Stress
You don’t need to be fluent in Korean to enjoy your trip, but a little effort goes a long way. Learning just a few phrases makes interactions more enjoyable and often opens people up. Simple expressions like “annyeonghaseyo” (hello), “kamsahamnida” (thank you), and “juseyo” (please / I’d like…) can transform the mood of a conversation.
Language skills don’t just make things easier; they also help you connect more deeply with local culture and daily life. Glasp Even knowing a few words can change you from “just another tourist” into someone people remember warmly.
On top of that, translation apps are your best backup. Many visitors give their translation app permission to access location and screen, so they can:
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Show the driver the exact address in Korean,
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Translate menus or signs,
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Prepare a short sentence and just let the phone speak for them.
For taxis especially, it’s often enough to open your app and show: “This is where I want to go.” Most drivers won’t speak much English, but they do know how to follow a clear address.
Hidden Travel Perks: Stamp Passports, Passes & Advance Booking
Korea is full of little systems that make travel more fun if you know about them in advance.
One of the most charming is the tourist “stamp passport” that some visitors pick up at the tourist information center in the airport’s transportation area. It’s a cute booklet where you can collect stamps at different attractions. As you collect more stamps, you can earn small rewards like a passport cover, stickers, or even a towel — a fun side quest for anyone who loves gamified travel.
For popular activities and attractions, it’s smart to book tickets ahead of time through platforms like Klook or similar services. You can secure entry to observation decks, themed tours, cultural experiences, and even hanbok (traditional clothing) rentals before you land. That way, you avoid language stress at ticket counters and reduce the risk of sold-out time slots.
If you’re planning to ride public transport heavily while exploring a city, look into unlimited or climate-related passes that cap your daily spending. Different cities and periods offer different deals, but the idea is the same: if you like wandering all day by subway and bus, these passes can save money and mental energy.
Planning Your Days by Neighborhood, Not Just by Attraction
Seoul is big, but it doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. The trick many experienced travelers use is to plan by area, not by individual landmark.
Instead of visiting one place in Gangnam, then crossing the city to see one café in Hongdae, group your days by neighborhoods. For example, you might spend a whole day around:
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Hongdae and Yeonnam for youth culture, cafés, and street performances,
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Gangnam and COEX for shopping, modern city vibes, and night views,
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Myeongdong and Namsan for beauty shopping and a classic Seoul skyline.
Most areas pack food, shopping, photo spots, and small surprises into a walkable zone, so focusing on one cluster per day keeps your schedule relaxed and your energy up.
Food Culture: Spice Levels, Prices & What to Try
One of the best parts of any Korea trip is the food. You can eat incredibly well here at almost any budget. Local eateries offer full meals for the price of a coffee in some Western cities, while high-end restaurants can rival the best in the world.
The one thing to watch out for is spice level.
Korean food can be genuinely spicy by international standards. Even dishes locals describe as “only a little spicy” might make your eyes water if you aren’t used to chili heat. If you’re sensitive, don’t hesitate to say you want something “not spicy” or choose milder options at first.
At the same time, don’t be scared of kimchi just because it’s red. Many visitors are surprised to find that kimchi is flavorful rather than painfully hot, and it quickly becomes one of their favorite side dishes.
Try to mix well-known dishes like bibimbap and Korean BBQ with things you discover in small local spots. With the right attitude and a bit of curiosity, eating is where Korea really starts to feel like more than just a place you saw in dramas.
The Mindset That Makes a Korean Trip Truly Great
You don’t need to understand every rule or memorize every phrase before you land at Incheon. What matters more is your mindset.
If you come to Korea expecting everything to work exactly like your home country, you’ll probably feel frustrated. But if you treat differences as part of the adventure—waiting at the crosswalk, paying at the counter, putting on a swim cap, testing your tolerance for spice—then the country opens up very quickly.
Bring:
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Space in your suitcase for discoveries,
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A reliable credit card,
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A T-money card,
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A map app that actually works here,
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And a few simple Korean phrases plus a translation app.
The rest you can learn as you go, with a bit of help from friendly strangers and the lessons of travelers who walked these streets before you.
South Korea is safe, efficient, and full of small surprises. Arrive prepared but curious, and let those surprises become your favorite memories.
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