Top 10 Survival Tips for Your Perfect Trip to South Korea

Haeundae beach (Busan)

Below are some great tips for your enjoyable and safe trip to South Korea.

From my experience in South Korea, this is one of the world's safest destinations for travellers. The crimes are relatively rare. Also, as the transport system here is very convenient and fast, it is simple to get around the country. Not to mention, there's bound to be something in South Korea for you to enjoy, from breathtaking landscapes, delicious food, ancient temples, K-pop phenomenon, amusing festivals, and much more.

For your best South Korea travel experience, I have listed below tips that would help your time to fullfill in Korea.

1. Make sure you pack essentials for your trip; these are comfy walking shoes, slippers, toothbrush and travel toothpaste, comb, chargers, an umbrella, a couple of clothes. You may need an adapter in case Korean power sockets are different from your country's. Otherwise, most hotels will lend or rent you one, so just ask at the front desk.

This type of umbrella is commonly used in South Korea. 

2. Chargers are available in some subway stations. You can use it for free, just in case. 

3. It is neccessary to install the app of Google Translate, or Naver Dictionary, and/or bring with you a booklet of useful vocabulary and phrases in Korean. For navigation, Naver Map or Kakao Map, Kakao Bus apps are of help.

4. When you want to ask someone for help, you should find the young first. Because many of them can speak English. English language is not common among the older. In case that one doesn't know English, you can show them the Korean name of place you ask for direction, use body language, Google Translate, etc. to communicate with them. You can also visit the information centre in case you need assistance. 

5. It's best to get Wifi connection whenever you want by either renting Wifi egg when you arrive at the international airport or reserving one before you fly. Wifi would be a huge help when it comes to navigation. Still, if you have good navigation skills, just find free Wifi at some public places (though it is not always stable), rely on paper maps, offline subway maps, a free copy of subway maps that you can obtain at the tourism information centre, offline maps like MAPS.ME.

6. There are many accommodation options for your trip in South Korea. With heavy luggage, you should choose a guesthouse. Otherwise, living in a Jimjilbang is a good experience. The fee is just about the same.

Eggs and a sweet rice beverage are something you can order when relaxing at Jimjilbang.

7. If you are on a one-day trip and just need a place to keep your luggage, the lockers at subway stations will be the best choice. Normally, for a small locker, you are charged 2,000 won every 4 hours, 3,000 won for a medium locker, and 4,000 won for a large locker. In case the lockers are all occupied, you can rely on the baggage storage service. Though it may be more expensive, you can make a bargain.

Luggage lockers at Hongik station

Locker charge at Hongik station

If the lockers are all occupied, you can choose to use the luggage storage services around at the subway station.

8. CU, GS 25, 7-Eleven and emart24 are established convenience brands in Korea with a variety of ready-to-eat foods. You can find them almost everywhere in the country.

9. Some reasonably-priced shopping places are Lotte Mart, Daiso, No Brand, Olive Young, LOHB, university shopping streets, express bus terminal stations, underground subway stations. For cosmetics and personal care items, you are advised to buy Korean products. That's because they are generally at a cheaper price than those sold in your country. For Western and other countries' health and beauty products sold in Korea, the price is often higher. Don't forget to bring along your passport when you shop! You'll find immediate tax refund provided by some stores.

Lotte Mart (Seoul)

10. In case your tolerance of spicy food is below average, you can avoid spicy food on your trip to South Korea by telling the waiter, "저는 매운거 못 먹어요" [jeoneun maeungeo mos meog-eoyo] (means "I cannot eat spicy things") before you order something.