Know Before You Go: What to Expect in South Korea

Planning your first trip to an unfamiliar country can be a little nerve-wracking, especially when you don’t quite know what to expect. This guide aims to tell you everything you need to know so that you can feel confident about your upcoming trip to South Korea.

South Korean Customs and Etiquette

Despite being one of the most modern and high-tech countries in the world, South Korea maintains many of its traditional Confucian values. These emphasise respect and politeness, especially for those of a higher status, such as older family members.

• Greetings – it is customary to give a slight bow or nod of the head when greeting someone and again when saying goodbye.
• Shoes – as in many Asian countries, it is customary to take off your shoes when entering temples, homes and some other establishments.
• Giving and receiving – it is polite to give and receive just about anything with both hands or to hold the elbow of your right arm. If you are given a gift, politely decline in the first instance before accepting it graciously. Do not open it straight away – wait until the gift bearer has left. Try to reciprocate by giving something of a similar value. Avoid giving expensive gifts, as the receiver will feel indebted to give back something of a similar value. Also, do not give anything in multiples of 4, as this may be seen as a bad omen.
• Dining – if you will be dining with locals, it is customary to wait for the oldest person to start eating before you do. Also, avoid pointing with your chopsticks or standing them upright in a bowl of rice.
• Tipping – leaving a tip can actually cause offence in South Korea. It is seen as you taking pity on the business – as if you think they don’t have enough money. South Koreans also pride themselves on giving great service without the incentive of a tip. However, taxi drivers may appreciate a tip, especially for long journeys. High-end restaurants may also prompt you to tip, which is obviously at your discretion.

What are South Korean People Like?

The Stereotypes

You may have heard that South Korean people care deeply about their personal appearance and that there is a strong couple culture. Although it is not the norm to smile at strangers here, you will find that the locals are generally very friendly and helpful once you get chatting.

The Stares

One thing that did make me feel uncomfortable whilst in South Korea was the stares that I received, especially from some older men. And when I say stares, I mean STARES – they had absolutely no shame about it. Don’t take it personally, though. Only a few spoke to me after staring, but those that did said they thought I was beautiful. From then on, I took the stares as a compliment – an unwanted compliment, but a compliment all the same. 

The Queuing

The rules around personal space may be a little different here than where you’re from. Don’t take it personally if someone pushes past you in a shop without excusing themselves – that’s just how things are done here. Similarly, when queuing, you may find that the person behind you is right up behind you. They’re not trying to invade your personal space – they’re just trying to avoid someone from jumping in front of them. If you leave a space between you and the person in front of you, you may find that someone quickly comes to fill it. This can be a little annoying but try not to take it personally. If you want to be super polite, invite elders to go ahead of you in the queue.

How Prevalent is the English Language?

I had a preconception that South Korea would have limited English signage and that very few people would speak English. As with many of my preconceptions, this turned out to be completely incorrect.

I also found that a lot of younger South Koreans speak English. However, this may not be true of the older generation. Instead, download the Papago translation app so that they can understand you.

How Safe is South Korea For Solo Female Travellers?

South Korea has a low crime rate. Crime against tourists is particularly rare. Despite regularly being stared at by some older men, I never felt that I was in any danger.

As in any city, you should take care in busy areas and nightlife hotspots. However, I wouldn’t have any concerns about recommending South Korea as an excellent travel destination for solo female travellers.

Do check your government’s official travel advisories when deciding whether to visit South Korea. For UK travellers, these can be found on the FDCO’s website. You can also sign up for emails from the FDCO in case their travel advice for South Korea changes.

What is the Weather Like in South Korea? 

South Korea has 4 distinct seasons, with hot summers and extremely cold winters. If you want to see the cherry tree blossom, visit between March and May. If you want to see the country in its autumn colours, visit between September and November. The summer months can be hot and humid, with regular downpours (especially in July and August). The country can also experience typhoons between July and November, which you can monitor using an app called ‘Windy’. You can also visit the Korean Meteorological Administration‘s website for more details.

What is the Food Like in South Korea?

South Korea is famous for one of the healthiest side dishes in the world – kimchi. The cold but slightly spicy cabbage dish is fermented, meaning that it is good for your gut bacteria.

Sushi lovers, listen up – you will find lots of Japanese sushi options in South Korea, but the local version is called gimbap. Gimbap is a seaweed-covered rice roll filled with veggies and fish or meat – there’s a whole selection to choose from! 

South Korea is also famous for its crispy fried chicken. Two dishes you may not have heard about are Hotteok (Korean pancake – spicy or sweet) and Tteokbokki (cylindrical rice cakes with a smooth texture). One guy told me that they cannot get a Korean girlfriend unless they like Tteokbokki! 

Managing Your Money in South Korea

Using Cash or Card in South Korea

Although cards are widely accepted, a lot of places don’t accept Mastercards. Even when signage suggests that Mastercards are accepted, you may find that they just don’t work. If possible, take a Visa card with you and always carry some cash for markets etc. 

Using ATMs to Withdraw Cash

Some ATMs won’t accept foreign cards, whilst others work perfectly fine. I didn’t have any issues withdrawing money from KB Bank cash machines, even when using Mastercard. 

Budgeting in South Korea

Whilst accommodation may not be the cheapest in the world (especially on weekends in big cities such as Seoul), day-to-day expenses such as food are generally quite affordable. You can expect a coffee in a nice cafe to cost around 5,000 – 6,000 won. 

Google Maps Doesn’t Work in South Korea

Google Maps is unable to give walking or driving directions in South Korea and has limited knowledge of public transport options. It may also struggle to find locations unless you’re able to search for them in Korean. Instead, download Naver map or Kakao map apps.

Using Public Transport in South Korea

South Korea has affordable and efficient public transport systems. Some buses and trains even have free wifi!

Should You Buy a Travel Card in South Korea?

Although it is possible to use cash when using public transport in South Korea, you can save some money by using a travel card if you plan to use public transport a lot.

• T Money Card – a top-up transit card that you can use on airport shuttles, buses, the subway, taxis and some convenience stores. The card gives you a small discount on each journey, as well as a further discount on transfers (just make sure to tap the card when you get on and off to make the most of your discounts). You can buy a card at convenience stores and subway stations in Seoul. The card itself cost 2,500 won, so make sure you will save enough with discounts to make it worthwhile. 

Alternatively, you can pay in cash. Bus journeys cost 1,200 – 1,400 won, depending on which bus you take, no matter how far you go. Simply put the cash in the box next to the driver, but don’t expect any change if you don’t have the exact amount on you! 

Using Taxis in South Korea

Uber works in South Korea but you may find that there are a limited number of drivers available, especially in more remote areas, such as on Jeju Island. 

Taxis are relatively affordable but some drivers will not pick you up if they know that it will be a short journey. Most locals get into the taxi before telling the driver where they want to go! 

If you want to avoid any potential language barriers, make sure to have the name of your destination in Korean for your driver to read.

How to Stay Connected in South Korea

Although it may be spotty in some areas, most cities in South Korea provide free wifi. You can also buy a tourist sim card from convenience stores such as GS25 and 7-Eleven. 

Alternatively, buy an e-sim for peace of mind that you’ll have data as soon as you land in the country, without having to deal with any physical sim cards. 

South Korea Plug Type

The South Korean plug type is generally C or F – the same used across most of continental Europe. So, if you have an adaptor from your European travels, it should be compatible with the South Korea plug type. If not, consider buying a worldwide adaptor that lets you charge multiple devices simultaneously.

Where to Buy Mosquito Repellent in South Korea

If there is one thing that you absolutely can expect in South Korea, it is mosquitos! The number of mosquitos in South Korea is insane.

If you have been travelling through SE Asia before arriving in South Korea, you will have become accustomed to buying just about everything you need from 7-eleven or Family Mart. Whilst you will find both chains in South Korea, they don’t always have as big a selection of items as they have in other countries.

I did manage to find (roll-on) mosquito repellent in one 7-eleven store but save yourself the hunt and just use your maps app to search for drug store / chemist / pharmacy.

Tourist Scams in South Korea

As with any city or travel destination, there are a few tourist scams to be on the lookout for whilst you are visiting South Korea. Don’t let these put you off visiting, though – I didn’t encounter any of them during my time there.

Knowledge is key when it comes to avoiding scams, so here’s a list of the more common ones:   

• Picture scam – use your discretion if someone asks you to take a picture of them using their phone or camera. As you hand it back, they may drop it and blame you for breaking it.
• ATM helper – whilst it is normal for staff members to help you use the ticket machine at some train stations, you should not accept help when trying to use an ATM. The true intention is to skim your card and catch a glimpse of your pin number.  
• Bar friends – beware of new (local) friends who suggest going to a bar as you may end up being overcharged with your new ‘friends’ only offering to chip in a little bit of money towards the extortionate cost. Instead, suggest going to a bar of your choosing or find fellow travellers to drink with. 
• Bird poop scam – if someone offers to help clean ‘bird poop’ off your clothes, refuse help and keep walking. Their true intention is to pick your pockets. 
• Guessing game – this is a common scam across many cities so you may have already heard about it. Don’t join crowds partaking in a game of guessing which cup or box a ball is in – some of the crowd members are busy picking pockets while the rest of the crowd is being entertained.
• Ceremony scam – if you are asked whether you have recently lost a loved one, always say no. If you do happen to say yes (sorry for your loss), you may be told that your loved one’s soul is not in peace and a ceremony should be performed. A ‘donation’ will then be demanded of you.  

If you found this list helpful, also check out my article about common tourist scams around the world.

Useful Telephone Numbers for South Korean Tourists

• Police – 112 
• Emergency medical services – 119 
• Emergency services when you have no or poor phone signal: 112 
• Tourist interpretation guide (24/7) – 82-2-1330 (option 2 for English interpretation)
• Tourist complaint centre – 1800-9008