South Korea

South Korea is wonderfully easy to explore once you understand its transport rhythm. In Seoul, Busan, Daegu and other cities, pick up a T-money card at a convenience store or station and load it with won. Tap in and out on the subway, and remember to tap when boarding and leaving buses. The card works across much of the country’s urban transport network, including many taxis and convenience stores. A Seoul subway ride typically starts around ₩1,400–₩1,550, depending on the current fare and payment method, while transfers between buses and subway can reduce the total cost when made within the transfer window. For longer journeys, reserve KTX high-speed trains between Seoul, Daejeon, Daegu and Busan; book ahead on busy weekends and holidays. Navigation apps are useful, but keep destination names in Korean for taxis. Before landing, activate Hello eSIM so you can check routes, translate signs and book tickets without roaming charges.

South Korean food is best approached with curiosity and an appetite. Start with sizzling samgyeopsal in Seoul, spicy tteokbokki at a market stall, and a steaming bowl of seolleongtang or naengmyeon. In Busan, try fresh seafood at Jagalchi Market; on Jeju, look for black pork and seafood noodles. Korean meals often arrive with banchan—small shared side dishes—and restaurants may expect diners to grill meat themselves or use a table call button. Pointing, photos and translation tools make ordering easy, especially in local neighbourhoods. Convenience stores are excellent for quick breakfasts: combine kimbap, boiled eggs and coffee for a budget meal. Street-food prices vary, but ₩3,000–₩8,000 is common for a simple snack, while a casual restaurant meal may cost ₩10,000–₩20,000. When travelling with friends, use Hello’s expense splitting feature after shared barbecues or café stops, and track spending in won with its budget tools.

South Korea rewards travellers who slow down between busy city sights. In Seoul, pair palace visits at Gyeongbokgung with a walk through Bukchon Hanok Village, then explore the evening energy of Hongdae or Ikseon-dong. Rent a hanbok near the palace district for memorable photographs, but keep voices low in residential lanes. Remove shoes when entering traditional accommodation, temples and some restaurants, and use both hands when giving or receiving something from an older person. Public transport etiquette is straightforward: queue neatly, avoid loud calls and leave priority seats available. A jjimjilbang, or Korean bathhouse, is a distinctive experience; bathing areas are separated by gender and require complete nudity, while shared lounge areas are clothed. For a calmer day, visit a tea house in Insadong or hike a section of Seoul’s city walls. Add reservations, opening times and neighbourhood clusters to Hello’s trip planning tools so the itinerary stays realistic rather than becoming a checklist.

Carry some Korean won even if you mainly use an international card. Cards are widely accepted in hotels, department stores and modern cafés, but small markets, street vendors and transport-card top-ups may require cash. Keep smaller notes for buses, snacks and lockers, and check whether a restaurant adds service charges before ordering. ATMs at major banks and airports are usually the most convenient place to withdraw cash; choose to be charged in Korean won when offered a currency conversion option. Wi-Fi is common, but reliable data makes navigation, translation, emergency calls and last-minute reservations much easier. Buy and activate Hello eSIM before departure so your phone connects as soon as you arrive, without roaming charges. Use Hello’s budget tracking to monitor accommodation, rail tickets and daily food costs in KRW, and leave a small buffer for cafés, shopping and spontaneous experiences. Pack comfortable shoes: even with excellent transport, Seoul’s palaces, markets and hillside neighbourhoods involve plenty of walking.