South Korea Travel Guide: What to Know for Your First Time in South Korea
Your first time in South Korea is bound to be exciting, though maybe a little overwhelming! This guide to South Korea will give you the essential info you need before you go, so you can ditch the stress and happily start your travels. A little preparation concerning how to get about and what the local way of doing things is, will really make a difference.
South Korea Travel Guide
Getting Around Is Simple
Getting around is a breeze. South Korea’s public transport – subways and buses – is amazingly quick, sparklingly clean, and easy to use, linking pretty much anywhere you’ll want to go, particularly in Seoul or Busan. A T-money card will make your journeys flow, as you just tap it instead of buying a ticket each time. And do use local navigation apps; they are much more reliable than international ones, and directions are generally in English. Having your route in mind saves precious time.
Understand Basic Etiquette
Basic politeness is extremely important. Good manners are shown by using both hands when giving or receiving something, and people tend to give a little bow as a greeting. On buses and the subway, quiet is the norm; avoid boisterous conversations and only take a priority seat if you truly need it. These little things will help you blend in during your first Korean experience. If you want to know more about dining etiquette read more on this blog post.
Convenience Stores Make Life Easy
Convenience stores are everywhere and are so much more than just places for snacks! They have entire meals, all sorts of drinks, and even hot food available at any hour. Many have little seating areas for enjoying your purchase. They’re one of the quickest and cheapest ways to eat, as any South Korea travel guide will tell you. Here are some suggestions what you could try on your trip to the convenience store!
Paying for Things
Cards are accepted in almost all places you’ll go, taxis, shops, restaurants included. Still, it's wise to have some cash with you for street food and those smaller vendors. Thankfully, ATMs are easy to find, especially in subway stations and convenience stores, so getting money isn't a worry. Luckily they launched a WOWPASS. With the card you can pay at any store and use it as a transportation card as well. More Information
Food Is a Big Highlight
Food is a massive highlight of any first trip to South Korea. When you get your meal, it’s often accompanied by lots of little side dishes – banchan – and sometimes they'll refill them! Many restaurants specialise in one particular dish, and that generally means it's excellent. Be brave and try new things, because food is a really central element of Korean culture. Here are 10 popular foods you should try!
Stay Connected
WiFi is available in most public spaces, cafes and hotels are good examples, but having your own internet access makes getting around and looking things up so much simpler. Get a SIM card or rent a pocket WiFi at the airport; this will keep you connected and free from trouble throughout your journey.
Plan Smart, Not Too Much
Do have a basic plan, but resist the temptation to cram everything in. Allow space for wandering. Some of the most wonderful moments come from simply walking around, stumbling upon tucked-away places, and popping into random restaurants. This South Korea travel guide is here to make you feel prepared, but your trip will be even better if you remain flexible.
With a little bit of sensible planning, your first time in South Korea will be easy and really fun. Focus on the essentials, be open to new things, and you'll have a trip you will remember for a long time.