If you’re about to go to South Korea, 1) I’m jealous and 2) You’re going to have a great time! If you’re reading this, it means that you are trying to find helpful information for your trip. Let’s get to it.

Helpful Apps

Naver Maps or Kakao Maps
Google Maps doesn’t work well in South Korea and doesn’t have the walking option. South Korea have their own apps (for everything) so ditch your Google Maps and download one of these instead. The downside is that many places will be in Korean so you might need to go back and forth with Google Maps. Both Naver and Kakao are in English though and are great at letting you know which buses or metros to catch.

Papago
English is taught throughout school but there are still many places which might not have an English menu or you may find yourself with a language barrier trying to communicate. Papago has the best English-Korean translation with proper honorifics (Korean has many levels of speech depending on who you are speaking to and it’s probably better you use Papago to ensure your not using casual language with someone you just met). Papago can translate speech, pictures and text.

Seoul Subway
This new app was released by the Seoul local Government for foreigners and tourists in April 2023 which enables you to navigate around the metro lines in real time and also showing you where the exits are and attractions in the city.

Kakao Taxi
If you think you’ll be using taxi’s, this is the app the use to find and book one. You can select to pay the driver in the app so don’t need put any card information in.

Public Transport
The public transport system is amazing (less so in rural areas or small towns). You’ll need a T-money card which you can buy at any convenience store and you can add some money onto the card then and there. But, you can only add money to the T-money card via cash. This is the same for the recharge machines in the metro stations. This card can be used on the metro and buses in every city. You can see how much you have left on the card when you tap off the bus or out of the metro station. Or you can check on a recharge machine.

KTX train bookings
KTX train tickets are released one month in advance. If you’re travelling during any public holidays in South Korea, be sure to book your tickets early! I repeat. Be sure to book your tickets early! There are a few links that come up but the cheapest and most reliable site is to book with Korail who run the KTX. Be sure to print, download or screenshot the screen that shows your seat number otherwise you’ll need to log back in to see it.

Public Transport Etiquette
You’ll probably notice that it’s unusually quiet on the metro, trains and buses in South Korea. You can even be met by the ajumma or ajusshi’s telling you to be quiet. Speaking loudly and god forbid, taking loud phones calls or listening to music with no earphones are a big no no so keep your volume down.

Let people out of the metro and train before going in (it still surprises me when I travel and people barge in without letting people out first). Front door entry and back door exit on buses (tap on and off).

With the exception of the KTX, there is generally no eating and drinking on public transport. There are no signs to say that you can’t eat or drink but it seems to be an unsaid rule to not eat and drink.

Toilets
Toilets are located practically everywhere and are free. In most metro stations there are some, in underground malls, in big shopping malls and in commercial buildings (usually not the ground floor). I would say on the whole, toilets are very well maintained and cleaned.

Food and Drinks

Water
Water is free in restaurants and there is sometimes a water filter where you have to DIY. At most cafe’s there is also a small area where you can help yourself to a cup of water. In big shopping malls, there is usually a water filter and paper cups located near the bathrooms.

Banchan
Banchan or side dishes are usually served at traditional Korean restaurants and refills are free! If there is a station of side dishes, most of the time you can refill yourself. If not, you can ask the staff for more.

Cleaning up after yourself at cafe
It is customary to usually bring your empty cups and plates back to the serving counter once you have finished. There are usually signs to point it out but when it doubt, return everything. Cafe’s are usually so busy that the staff don’t have enough time to go around and wipe and clean after customers so be a good tourist and return your tray and rubbish when you’re done.

Are there any other tips you think can be helpful? Have you found any of these tips helpful?