Korea first-trip checklist

Facts checked 1 Oct 2026 – 2 Oct 2026 · built from the guides linked under each item

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Before you fly

Check your entry rules. Whether you need a K-ETA (electronic travel authorisation) or a visa depends on your passport and changes from time to time. Check the official site, k-eta.go.kr, for your nationality before you book. We don't cover this in a guide yet.
Pick your month and pack for it. May and October are the most comfortable (Seoul highs 23.6°C / 20.2°C). July is the wettest month (414 mm in Seoul), August the hottest (30.0°C average high), January the coldest (−5.5°C average low). Weather by month
Check your phone can take an eSIM. Dial *#06#: if an EID is listed, it can. The phone must be carrier-unlocked for any foreign SIM or eSIM.
Choose your data. eSIM for most visitors: 7 days unlimited is ₩35,000 from KT or SK Telecom, or about US$25–29 from app eSIMs (data only). Carrier SIM/eSIM if you need a Korean 010 number. Pocket Wi-Fi (₩3,300–4,400 a day) only if several people share it. eSIM vs SIM vs pocket Wi-Fi
Book long-distance trains early. KTX tickets go on sale at 07:00 Korea time two months before departure, on korail.com/global/eng or the KORAIL+ app, paid with an overseas Visa, Mastercard or JCB card. Seoul–Busan economy is ₩54,400. How to book KTX tickets
Decide on travel insurance. Check what your card or home insurer already covers abroad, then compare medical cover, cancellation and exclusions. What to check
Bring some Korean won in cash. Many convenience stores and older station machines top up transit cards with cash only. Transit cards compared

Arrival day

No data yet? KT, SKT and LG U+ have 24-hour counters near Arrival Hall F in Terminal 1 (1F).
Buy a T-money card (about ₩3,000) at a convenience store and load it with cash. No ID or sign-up needed; it works on subways and buses nationwide.
Get into Seoul. AREX all-stop train ₩4,750 from Terminal 1 (₩5,350 from T2) by card, 59–66 min to Seoul Station · AREX Express ₩13,000, 43 min from T1 · limousine bus ₩17,000 · international taxi ₩70,000–95,000 zone fare incl. tolls. Incheon Airport to Seoul
Landing late? The last AREX Express leaves T1 at 22:48 (T2 22:40); late-night buses start from about 23:40.
On the bus: 2 bags per ticket (under 28 in / 20 kg); ₩8,000 per extra bag.

First 24 hours in Seoul

Tap your card on the way in and out: subway ₩1,550 per ride (₩1,650 with a single-journey ticket), city bus ₩1,500.
Transfer within 30 minutes of tapping off (60 minutes from 21:00 to 07:00) to get the transfer discount. Card only.
Riding a lot? A Climate Card short-term pass costs ₩5,000 for 1 day up to ₩20,000 for 7 days, plus ₩3,000 for the card. Worth it only if you ride several times a day in Seoul.
Plan the trip back now. AREX Express passengers can check in and drop bags at Seoul Station (B2) from 05:20 to 19:00; check-in closes 3 hours before Terminal 1 flights (3 h 20 min for T2), and not every airline takes part.
Leaving Korea: convenience stores refund a T-money balance minus a ₩500 fee (free under ₩1,550). The card price isn't refunded.

Prices and rules change. Each linked guide lists its official sources and the date they were checked. Printed from peeezza.xyz/checklist/.