Korea Travel Checklist: What to Sort Out Before You Fly

Checked Oct 2026 2 min read 6 sources

On this page6 sections

12–4 weeks before
2The week before
3Within 3 days of flying
4Packing
5On arrival
6Good to know

2–4 weeks before

Entry: check whether you need a K-ETA or an e-Arrival card. The temporary K-ETA exemption for 22 countries ends on 31 December 2026. → Entry to Korea
Book ahead:
- KTX tickets, especially around Seollal, Chuseok and weekends → Seoul to Busan by train
- Changdeokgung’s Secret Garden tour, which sells out in spring and autumn
- Hotels during festivals → best time to visit
Plan your days → Seoul in 3 days or the trip planner
Travel insurance: not required for entry, but worth having for medical costs

The week before

Mobile data: eSIM, SIM card or pocket Wi-Fi. Check your phone is unlocked. → eSIM vs SIM vs pocket Wi-Fi
Apps (install them on home Wi-Fi): Naver Map or KakaoMap, k.ride or Uber, Papago → apps you need in Korea
Money:
- Tell your bank you’re traveling.
- Bring a Visa or Mastercard.
- Plan to get some won for transit cards and market stalls.
- → money in Korea
Budget → trip budget calculator

Within 3 days of flying

e-Arrival card submitted, if you don’t have a K-ETA (e-arrivalcard.go.kr, free)
Hotel address in Korean saved on your phone, ready for the taxi card

Packing

Plug adapter: Korea uses 220V, 60Hz sockets with two round pins.
Comfortable walking shoes: Bukchon, Namsan and Busan are hilly. Slip-ons help where you take shoes off.
For the season:
- Winter: a warm coat
- Summer: an umbrella and light clothes
- Spring: a mask for dusty days
Passport valid for your whole stay

On arrival

Get a transit card: T-money from a convenience store or station. Top it up with cash. → transit cards compared
Get into the city: AREX train, airport bus or taxi. → Incheon Airport to Seoul
Landing late? → late-night arrival options

Good to know


Time zone	Korea Standard Time, UTC+9, no daylight saving
Emergency	112 police, 119 fire and ambulance
Travel help	1330 (or +82-2-1330), with interpretation in several languages
Lost property	LOST 112 (lost112.go.kr)
Tipping	Not expected → tipping and etiquette

Questions people ask

What plugs does Korea use?

Korea uses 220 volts at 60 Hz, with sockets that take a plug with two round pins (the European type). Bring an adapter if your plugs are different, and check that your devices accept 220V; most phone and laptop chargers do.

What are the emergency numbers in Korea?

112 for police, 119 for fire and ambulance. For travel help and interpretation, call 1330 (or +82-2-1330 from a foreign phone).

Does Korea use daylight saving time?

No. Korea stays on Korea Standard Time (UTC+9) all year.