Planning a first trip to Korea
Entry rules, timing, where to sleep and what to do, in the order you'll actually decide them.
A first trip to Korea is easier than most people expect. Cards work at almost every counter, one T-money card covers subways and buses in Seoul and Busan, and Naver Map works in English. What trips people up is a short list of things that work differently here: entry paperwork, maps, phone numbers and a few payment gaps.
This page puts our guides in the order you’ll need them. Sort out entry and dates first, then pick a neighborhood, then set up your card and phone before you fly. The last group is what you’ll check on your phone once you land.
Before you book
Check entry rules first. Travelers from the 22 exempt countries and regions, including the US, UK, Canada and Australia, don't need a K-ETA for arrivals through December 31, 2026 (you fill in an e-Arrival card instead). Nothing has been announced for 2027 yet.
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K-ETA in 2026 and 2027: who needs it and how to apply
Twenty-two countries can skip it until the end of 2026. Nobody has said yet what happens on January 1, 2027, so here's how to plan around that.
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Best time to visit Korea: a season-by-season guide with real dates
Spring and autumn are the easy answer, but each has its own catch. Here's what the weather, the flowers and the holiday calendar actually look like month by month.
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Korea in winter: how cold it gets, what's on, and whether it's worth going
Seoul gets properly cold, but it's the driest season and off-peak outside the holidays. Here's what December to February looks like, what's on, and who'll enjoy it.
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Bringing medication into Korea: what's allowed and what needs paperwork
Most everyday medicine is simple. Anything Korea classes as a narcotic or psychotropic drug needs a government permit before you fly, and that's where travelers get into real trouble.
Pick a base and a plan
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Where to stay in Seoul: neighborhoods compared honestly (2026)
The subway is good enough that you can't pick badly. But your neighborhood decides how your evenings feel and how much of your trip happens underground.
- Where to stay in SeoulFive quick questions, then two neighborhoods with honest downsides.
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3 days in Seoul for first-timers: a realistic itinerary
Three days is enough for Seoul's highlights if you stop crossing the city twice a day. Group by neighborhood and the subway time mostly disappears.
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7 days in Seoul and Busan: an itinerary that doesn't waste time
Four days in Seoul, a two-hour train, three days by the sea. The trick is doing Busan by area and not dragging your suitcase across it.
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Day trips from Seoul, ranked honestly
Seven trips people take out of Seoul, ranked by how much you get for the hours you spend getting there and back.
Set up money and your phone
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Paying in Korea with a foreign card in 2026: what works and what doesn't
Your card will work at most counters. It's the apps, kiosks and booking sites that catch visitors out, and that's where you need a plan.
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eSIM, SIM or local number: staying connected in Korea (2026)
Data is easy. The Korean phone number is the part that trips people up, and you may need it less than you think.
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How to use Naver Map (and KakaoMap) in English
Google Maps will get you onto the right subway line. It won't walk you to the door. That's what Naver Map is for.
- Korea trip checklistA tick-box list that remembers your progress on this device.
Once you're there
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Incheon Airport to Seoul: every option, priced (2026)
Train, bus or taxi. The right answer depends less on price than on where your hotel is and what time you land.
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Korean etiquette for visitors: the rules that matter and the ones that don't
Nobody expects a tourist to know every custom. A handful of things do matter, though, and they're easy. Here's which is which.
- Show-on-your-phone Korean phrase cardsTap a phrase and it fills your screen, ready to show.
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Is Korea expensive? Real daily costs in 2026
Getting around and eating simply is cheap. Barbecue, cafes and taxis are where the money goes, and they add up faster than you'd think.