10 Things To Take Note Of For First-Timers Travelling To South Korea

South Korea is one of the top travel destinations for many Singaporeans and I'm pretty sure we all know why!

But if it's your first time travelling to South Korea, we have compiled a list of things for you to take note of. Read on to find out more! 

#1 Transportation card

Photo from Visit Seoul

When using the public transport in Korea, you will need a T-money card (works exactly the same as our EZ-link cards).

You can purchase the T-money card at the airport or at any convenience store. It can be used to pay for certain purchases, for the subway, bus and taxi too!

Just like how our EZ-link cards work, you can top up the T-money card at all subway stations and convenience stores in Korea when it is running low.

The Card Reload Device can be found in all subway stations and you can select English as well so you won't have to worry about language barrier when it comes to this.

#2 You can eat in the subway stations and trains

In Singapore, it is strictly no consumption of food and drinks in the MRT stations and trains. However in Korea, you can do so in the subway stations and trains!

Photo from myangelmariel.com

In fact, food and drinks are sold in the subway stations and you will see locals standing around the stores enjoying their food before heading to work.

So if you're really hungry while commuting to your destination, go ahead and grab that sandwich or kimbap (Korean rice rolls) and pop them in your mouth. Do take note that this rule of course, only applies to food that can be easily consumed and not an entire meal! Please make sure you leave no trash behind as well.

#3 Download the subway map on your phone

Photo from Korea Tourism Organization

One look at the subway map for Seoul is enough to make us want to close it and just tuck it away. At first glance, it looks much more complicated compared to Singapore's MRT map. That is however, understandable because Singapore is way smaller compared to Seoul.

To make your life easier and to save time, make sure you download the subway map of Seoul on your phone so that you can access it even without an internet connection.

With the map ready in your phone, you can easily look at it when travelling within Seoul. This is honestly a life saviour for tourists so make sure you download it before heading to Korea!

#4 Use Naver Maps/Kakao Maps instead

Photo from Google Play

Photo from Google Play

Many Singaporeans' preferred choice of map is Google Maps but it will not be as efficient if you use it in Korea.

Naver Maps and Kakao Maps are the ones to download for easy navigation when in Korea. Both apps are available in English so you will be able to use it with ease.

#5 Prepare the addresses of destinations in Korean

When planning your itinerary, make sure to include the Korean version of the destinations' addresses.

Photo from Pinterest

This is so that you can show it to your taxi driver when in Korea because they usually speak little to no English. You will be doing yourself a favour because you'll get to avoid any major language barriers.

#6 Learn basic Korean phrases

Photo from Pinterest

No one expects you to be a pro at Korean before you can travel there but it's basic manners and courtesy to learn some easy everyday phrases to show your respect to the people and culture when you are visiting a foreign country!

The younger generation in Korea tend to be more open and would not mind speaking to you in English if they are capable of it but when it comes to the older generation, you will want to know these basic Korean phrases so study up before your trip!

#7 Shared soap bar in public toilets

Photo from Reddit

See that blue protruding thing? Don't be shocked when you see this in the public toilets in Korea.

It's a shared soap bar and if you find it unsanitary, it is best you bring hand sanitisers or your own small bottle of hand soap out with you.

#8 All the must-try food

The best part about visiting a country you have never been to before is... eating all the new food you have never tried before!

Some of the must-try food when you are in Korea are:

Chimaek (Korean fried chicken and beer)

Photo from Pinterest

Korean barbecue with hanwoo (Korean beef) or samgyeopsal (pork belly)

Photo from Pinterest

Samgyetang (Korean ginseng chicken soup)

Photo from Pinterest

Street food

Photo from Pinterest

Photo from Pinterest

There is so much more delicious food to try in Korea so do loads of research before your trip! ?

#9 Chopsticks for almost everything

Photo from Pinterest

In most restaurants, chopsticks and spoons are used and you will hardly find any forks. They are also much heavier than the ones we use in Singapore so it might be challenging for those who seldom use chopsticks.

If you suck at using chopsticks, it's time for you to practise before heading to Korea.

#10 Don’t buy everything from the first store you walk in to

South Korea is a shopping paradise! Places like Hongdae, Myeongdong and Dongdaemun are popular places for tourists to shop at.

Photo from TripAdvisor

When at these shopping streets, take note not to purchase everything from the first store you walk in to! Chances are you'll walk pass the same brand farther down the street. Sometimes, same brands but different shops offer different types of sales.

Pro tip: collect all the samples they give you to entice you to step into their stores ? It is also normal to ask for samples when you purchase something from a store, the beauty consultants are usually really generous when it comes to giving out samples.

We hope these tips will be able to help you and share the love by sharing this post with a friend who will be travelling to South Korea for the first time too! 

Text by: GirlStyle SG