Things We Learned on Our First Trip to South Korea
"Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I may earn a commission if you click and make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. Thank you."Planning our first trip to South Korea came with a lot of research and figuring things out along the way—especially traveling during the summer with our 5-year-old daughter.
After spending a week in Seoul and taking a day trip to Suwon, we learned a few things that made our trip so much easier. From getting around to staying connected and traveling with a young child, here are the things we're glad we knew before our first trip to South Korea.
I hope these tips make planning your first visit a little easier, too!
Check the Entry Requirements Before Your Trip
Entry requirements will depend on your nationality, so always check the latest information before traveling. For U.S. passport holders, the K-ETA temporary exemption has been extended through December 31, 2026. Instead, we completed Korea's free e-Arrival Card online before our trip, which can be submitted within three days before arrival.
Since entry requirements can change, I highly recommend checking the official K-ETA and e-Arrival Card websites before your trip rather than relying on older travel posts.
Download Naver Maps
Naver Maps was one of the most useful apps we downloaded for our trip. We used it for walking directions, finding subway routes, and getting around Seoul in general. Honestly, I found it a little confusing at first, probably because I wasn't used to it. I recommend downloading it before your trip and familiarizing yourself with the app—it gets much easier once you get the hang of it.
Set Up T-money & Uber
Getting around Seoul was much easier than we expected. We used T-money for public transportation, and being able to add it to our iPhone Wallet made it even more convenient.
We also used Uber quite a bit, and just like we had heard, rides were surprisingly affordable. We actually ended up taking Uber more often than the train, especially since we were traveling with our 5-year-old, a stroller, and dealing with the summer heat. It was simply more convenient for us on certain days.
For our day trip to Suwon, we also used Kakao Taxi, which our hotel concierge helped us arrange.
Consider Renting a Stroller
Traveling with a 5-year-old meant I went back and forth about whether we should bring a stroller. I'm so glad I looked into renting one instead.
We rented ours through Travel Mihee, which made things so much easier. Seoul involves a lot of walking, and even if your child doesn't normally use a stroller anymore, those long sightseeing days can be exhausting—especially during the summer.
Have a Plan for Internet Access
If your phone supports an eSIM, that's probably one of the easiest options for staying connected. But if you can't use an eSIM or you're traveling with multiple devices, pocket Wi-Fi is another option.
You can rent one through Klook or pick one up at the airport. We decided to buy our own GlocalMe portable Wi-Fi device and choose the data plan we needed for Korea. It was convenient for our family, and since we can use it again whenever we travel internationally, it made more sense for us than continually renting one.
You Don't Need to Carry a Lot of Cash
We brought some Korean won with us, but we found ourselves using our credit cards most of the time. Credit cards are widely accepted at hotels, department stores, restaurants, and many shops throughout Korea.
I'd still recommend carrying a small amount of cash for places that may not accept cards or for situations like reloading a physical T-money card.
Pay Attention to Trash & Recycling
One thing you'll quickly notice in Korea is that trash is carefully separated. There are different bins for general waste, recyclables, and sometimes food waste, so take a second to check the labels before throwing something away.
We also noticed that public trash cans weren't always easy to find while walking around, so there were plenty of times we simply kept our trash with us until we found the proper bin.
Follow the Signs in Public Restrooms
Public restrooms were generally easy for us to find throughout Seoul, especially in malls, subway stations, and larger attractions.
When it comes to toilet paper, pay attention to the instructions posted inside the restroom. Some facilities may ask you to dispose of paper differently, while many modern toilets allow you to flush it normally. Following the posted signs is the easiest rule when you're unsure.
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