South Korea

South Korea’s public transport system is a marvel of efficiency and cleanliness. In Seoul, the subway is your primary lifeline, featuring heated seats in winter and clear English signage. Upon arrival, purchase a T-money card at any convenience store for approximately ₩4,000 (around $3) and load it with cash; this card works on buses and subways nationwide. For intercity travel, the KTX high-speed rail can whisk you from Seoul to Busan in just 2.5 hours.

One vital tip: Google Maps has limited functionality for walking directions in Korea due to local security regulations. Instead, download Naver Maps or KakaoMaps. To ensure these apps work the moment you step off the plane, activate a Hello eSIM before you depart. Having a reliable data connection ensures you can navigate the sprawling Incheon International Airport and find your specific airport limousine bus or AREX train platform without needing to hunt for public Wi-Fi.

Dining in South Korea is a deeply social affair designed for sharing. A must-try experience is Korean BBQ (Gogi-gu-i), where you grill meats like samgyeopsal (pork belly) or galbi (marinated ribs) right at your table. Expect to pay between ₩15,000 and ₩28,000 ($11–$20) per serving. Every meal comes with an array of banchan (side dishes), including the ubiquitous kimchi, which are complimentary and usually refillable.

For a more casual bite, head to Gwangjang Market in Seoul for bindae-tteok (mung bean pancakes) or mayak kimbap. Because many Korean meals are served family-style, calculating who owes what can get complicated. You can use the Hello app’s expense splitting feature to quickly divide the cost of a large barbecue feast or a round of chimaek (fried chicken and beer) with your travel companions. This keeps the focus on the flavors rather than the math.

While South Korea is highly digitized and credit cards are accepted almost everywhere, carrying some cash is essential for traditional markets, street food stalls, and topping up your transport cards. A typical budget traveler might spend ₩60,000 to ₩90,000 ($43–$65) per day, while luxury seekers can easily double that. Tipping is not part of the culture here; in fact, leaving extra money might lead to a server chasing you down to return it.

To stay on top of your finances, use the Hello budget tracking tool to log your daily expenses in Korean Won (KRW). This allows you to see your spending patterns in real-time, whether you are splurging on skincare in Myeongdong or grabbing a quick ₩1,500 ($1.10) coffee from a convenience store. Tracking your local currency spend helps prevent 'vacation sticker shock' when you check your bank statement later.

South Korea offers a stunning blend of the ancient and the ultra-modern. You can spend your morning wandering through the 14th-century Gyeongbokgung Palace (pro tip: wear a rented hanbok for free admission) and your evening exploring the neon-lit skyscrapers of Gangnam. For those seeking tranquility, the coastal Haedong Yonggungsa Temple in Busan offers breathtaking sunrise views over the ocean.

With so much to see, organizing your days is key. Use the Hello trip planning feature to map out your must-visit spots, from the artistic cafes of Ikseon-dong to the colorful houses of Gamcheon Culture Village. Organizing your itinerary geographically within the app helps minimize travel time between districts, ensuring you have more time to soak in the local atmosphere rather than sitting in transit.