Where to stay

When I’m looking for hotels, I usually hop between Booking.com and Agoda. They’ve got everything from tiny guesthouses in Jeju to sleek hotels in Gangnam. Hotels.com is also worth a peek if you’re chasing deals.

Hanok stays

If you want a real taste of tradition, book a hanok stay. Sleeping on heated floors in a creaky old wooden house? It’s amazing! The best places are in Bukchon Hanok Village (Seoul) and Jeonju Hanok Village. You’ll find them on Airbnb or local sites.

Airbnb

Speaking of Airbnb, it’s perfect for longer trips or if you want your own apartment. In Seoul, I usually look around Hongdae or Itaewon, while Jeju has many beachside homes.

Budget stays

On a budget? Hostelworld lists cheap hostels and guesthouses. The dorms often start around 15,000–20,000 KRW.

Travel insurance

I never travel without insurance. It’s just not worth the risk.

I usually go with SafetyWing because it’s affordable and easy to extend if my plans change. It gives me peace of mind, especially when I’m out hiking or exploring the countryside.

Tours and experiences

I love exploring on my own, but sometimes tours make life so much easier. I usually book through Klook, GetYourGuide, or Viator. All three are easy to use in English.

Some of my favorites:

• A DMZ day trip (fascinating and surreal)
• Palace tours in Seoul with hanbok rental
• A food tour in Jeonju (so much bibimbap!)
• Jeju lava tubes and waterfalls

For seasonal stuff like festivals and flower blooms, I also check the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) site.

Getting around

Korea’s transport system is amazing once you get the hang of it.

Subways and buses

The Seoul subway is clean, safe, and very easy once you get a T-money card. Pick one up at a GS25 or CU convenience store. Tap in, tap out, done. You can use it on buses too.

Trains

For longer trips, I love the KTX High speed train. You can get from Seoul to Busan in just 2.5 hours. I explain it all in my KTX and Korea train travel guides.

If you’re traveling around the country, get a Korail pass. It pays for itself fast.

Buses

Don’t ignore buses! Intercity and express buses are comfy (think reclining seats and air con) and way cheaper than trains. More tips in Korea on a budget.

Taxis and apps

Taxis in Korea are safe and affordable. Download Kakao Taxi before you go. It works like Uber and saves so much hassle.

Car rentals

If you’re heading to Jeju, I highly recommend renting a car. Public transport is fine but driving gives you so much more freedom. Just don’t forget your international driving permit.

Staying connected

I’m one of those people who can’t relax until I’ve got Wi-Fi sorted. You’ve got three options: SIM, eSIM, or pocket Wi-Fi. I break them all down in Korea SIM vs eSIM vs pocket Wi-Fi: which is best.

My rule of thumb: pocket Wi-Fi if I’m traveling with friends, SIM or eSIM if I’m solo.

For navigation, skip Google Maps (it’s useless here). Use Naver Map or KakaoMap instead. I list all the best apps in Korea travel apps.

And yes, download KakaoTalk, as it’s how everyone messages in Korea.

Money and payments

Korea runs mostly on cards, but you’ll still want some cash for markets and taxis. The currency is the Korean Won (KRW), and you can grab cash at almost any ATM. Look for them in 7-Eleven or GS25.

I use a Wise card to avoid those nasty foreign transaction fees and withdraw in KRW. Works like a charm.

Curious about costs? My Korea travel cost post shows how much you’ll actually spend in a day. And if you’re watching your budget, see Korea on a budget for hacks to save money.

Food and dining

Honestly, food is half the reason I keep going back to Korea.

Markets

Gwangjang Market in Seoul is my happy place, with mung bean pancakes, kimchi dumplings, mayak gimbap. In Busan, Jagalchi Market is seafood heaven.

Street food

Don’t skip the stalls! Grab tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), odeng (fish cakes on skewers), and hotteok (syrupy pancakes).

Delivery apps

Too tired to go out? Baemin (Baedal Minjok) and Yogiyo deliver basically anything, anytime. Fried chicken at midnight? Yes, please.

Fine dining

For a splurge night, Seoul has Michelin stars galore. Jungsik and Mingles are two of the big names.

Language and culture

You don’t need to speak Korean, but knowing a few basics makes everything smoother. My essential Korean phrases for travelers has the key ones.

A few cultural tips I’ve learned the hard way:

• Shoes off in homes, hanoks, and some restaurants.
• Don’t start eating until the eldest does.
• Expect to share.

I go deeper into the do’s and don’ts in my Korea travel etiquette guide.

Emergencies and safety

Korea is one of the safest countries I’ve ever traveled in, but it helps to know the basics:

• Police: 112
• Fire & ambulance: 119

Hospitals in big cities are modern and efficient, and many doctors speak English.

For weather, especially in summer typhoon season, check the Korea Meteorological Administration before day trips.

Travel requirements

Don’t forget the boring but important stuff: most travelers need a K-ETA before arriving. It’s quick, cheap, and valid for two years, but you’ll need to apply ahead of time, not at the airport.

Luggage and packing

Pack light in Korea because you’ll be on subways, trains, and buses. Hauling a giant suitcase up subway stairs is no fun.

Most major stations have coin lockers (Seoul Station, Busan Station, etc.), but they can fill up fast during peak hours. For extra space, I sometimes use convenience stores or luggage storage services you can book through apps.

For longer trips, some hotels and travel agencies can arrange luggage forwarding to your next stop. It’s not as common as Japan’s system, but it’s growing in Korea and really handy if you don’t want to drag bags around.

When it comes to what to bring, I’ve written a full korea packing list. But my quick advice? Pack comfy shoes, a power adapter (Korea uses Type C and F plugs, 220V), and layers because the weather can swing a lot between morning and night.