Most first trips to Korea go smoothly — the hiccups usually come from small things nobody mentioned: an entry form left until the airport, a map app that doesn’t know the shop you’re looking for, or a transit card you can only top up with cash. This page collects those basics in one place.
Before you fly
- K-ETA: Travelers from 22 countries and regions — including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and most of Western Europe — are temporarily exempt from the Korea Electronic Travel Authorization until December 31, 2026. Other visa-free nationals still need a K-ETA before boarding. Check the official K-ETA site for your passport.
- e-Arrival Card: If you are exempt from K-ETA, fill in Korea’s electronic arrival card online before you land.
- Power: Korea uses 220V with round two-pin plugs (Type C/F). Most phone and laptop chargers handle 220V, but you may need a plug adapter.
Apps that make Korea easier
- Naver Map or KakaoMap — Google Maps has long had limited walking and driving directions in Korea. Korea approved Google’s map-data request in February 2026, but locals still rely on Naver Map and KakaoMap for transit routes, walking directions and up-to-date shop information.
- Kakao T — the most common taxi-hailing app.
- Papago — a translation app that handles Korean menus and signs well with the camera mode.
Money and transport
- T-money card — a rechargeable transit card for subways and buses, sold and topped up at convenience stores and subway stations. Top-ups are often cash only.
- Cards and cash — cards are accepted almost everywhere, but traditional markets and some small stalls prefer cash.
- Tipping — not expected in restaurants, cafés or taxis.
- Tax refund — look for “Tax Free” signs in shops and keep your passport with you; refund rules and minimum amounts are shown at participating stores.
Emergency and help numbers
| Number | What it is for |
|---|---|
| 112 | Police |
| 119 | Fire and ambulance |
| 1330 | Korea Travel Hotline — 24-hour tourist help and interpretation in several languages |
Budget next: our Korea trip budget calculator estimates daily costs, and the K-Travel guide covers Seoul and the rest of the country by destination.
Entry rules checked in October 2026 (Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs notice on the K-ETA exemption). Rules can change — confirm on official government sites before you travel.