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Before you book

Check your passport's expiry date. Airlines may refuse boarding if it's close to expiring, so check your airline's rule.
Check whether you need a K-ETA. Citizens of 22 countries are exempt until December 31, 2026. Apply only on the official site; look-alike sites charge extra.
Pick where to stay. Our neighborhood picker matches you in a minute.
Get travel insurance. Hospitals here are good and fast, but foreigners usually pay the full bill up front.

Before you fly

Sort out mobile data. An eSIM or SIM works for maps. Some booking and delivery apps also want a Korean phone number, which most data-only eSIMs don't give you.
Install Naver Map or KakaoMap. Google Maps still can't give turn-by-turn walking or driving directions in Korea.
Install Papago. Naver's translator handles Korean menus and signs better than most, including from photos.
Decide on a transit card. T-money, a Climate Card pass or WOWPASS. The picker works it out for you.
iPhone users: set up T-money in Apple Wallet. The Tmoney app has a foreigner sign-up and accepts Mastercard, Amex and UnionPay.
Tell your bank you're traveling, and bring two cards. Foreign cards work in most shops, but some apps and kiosks reject them.
Check your medication. Carry prescriptions in original packaging with a doctor's note, and check Korea's rules for your specific medicine with the Korean embassy before you fly.
Pack the right adapter. Korea uses 220V with type C and F plugs, the round two-pin kind used in much of Europe.

Get some won in cash. T-money top-ups are cash only, and some market stalls only take cash.
Buy or load your transit card at the airport. The Climate Card pass can't be used to board the Airport Railroad at Incheon.
Save our phrase cards. Show them to taxi drivers and restaurant staff. Open phrase cards.

Refund your T-money balance. 500 won fee. Under 20,000 won at GS25 or 7-Eleven, under 30,000 won at CU or Emart24.
Claim your tax refund. Keep your passport and receipts for purchases marked "tax free", and allow time at the airport.

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