First Time in South Korea: What to Know

South Korea rewards first-time visitors who arrive with some preparation. The country is easy to navigate, largely safe, and richly interesting — but it has its own logic that takes a little time to read. This guide covers the practical realities of arriving and moving around as a newcomer.

Arriving at Incheon Airport

Incheon International Airport (ICN) is one of the best airports in the world for processing speed and facilities. The two terminals (T1 and T2) are connected by a free train. Most long-haul international flights use T1; some Korean Air and Delta flights use T2.

On arrival, collect your luggage and pass through immigration (which now processes most passport holders via automated e-gates for eligible nationalities). The arrivals hall has a tourist information desk, currency exchange counters, SIM card vendors, and T-money card purchase points near the exits.

For getting to Seoul: the AREX direct train to Seoul Station takes 43 minutes (around KRW 9,500 in 2026). All-stop AREX trains take 66 minutes and cost less. Limousine buses to specific hotel zones are comfortable and cost around KRW 14,000–18,000.

The T-money Card

A T-money card is the single most useful item for getting around South Korea. It is a reloadable transport card accepted on:

• All Seoul metro lines
• Most buses in Seoul and other cities
• Some taxis
• Convenience stores (as a payment method)

Buy a T-money card at the airport arrivals hall, at any metro station ticket machine, or at convenience stores (CU, GS25, 7-Eleven). Top up at station machines or convenience store counters. The discount for using T-money on public transport compared to single tickets is small but consistent.

Getting Around Cities

Metro: Seoul has 23 metro lines; Busan has 4; Daegu, Daejeon, Gwangju, and Incheon all have smaller networks. All are clean, efficient, and bilingual in signage. Seoul’s metro has English announcements. The system is bewildering on first encounter — use Naver Maps or Kakao Maps (both work well in Korea and are more accurate than Google Maps for local routes) to navigate.

Bus: Intercity express buses connect all major cities. The system is comprehensive and comfortable. Terminals in each city are well-signed.

KTX: The high-speed rail network covers Seoul to Busan in around 2 hours 15 minutes, Seoul to Gwangju in 1 hour 40 minutes, and most other major cities within 3 hours. Book via the Korail website or app. Seats fill on weekends and public holidays.

Taxi: Inexpensive by European standards. Standard taxis are metered and reliable; Kakao T (the taxi app) works for booking and is more convenient than hailing on the street, especially late at night. Uber operates in South Korea under a restricted model; Kakao T is the dominant platform.

Connectivity

Getting a Korean SIM card or eSIM on arrival is highly recommended — mobile data is essential for navigation. Options at Incheon Airport include:

• Korean carrier SIM cards (KT, SK Telecom, LG U+) available at dedicated counters in arrivals
• Portable Wi-Fi routers for rental
• eSIMs purchased before departure via providers like Airalo

See our South Korea eSIM guide for a full comparison.

Money and Payments

Cards are accepted almost everywhere in cities. The small percentage of places that prefer cash tend to be older market stalls and some traditional restaurants. Carrying KRW 50,000–100,000 in cash as a backup is sufficient.

Currency exchange at Incheon Airport is convenient but rates are slightly worse than at city banks or authorised exchange shops (환전소). Myeongdong in Seoul has a high concentration of exchange shops with competitive rates.

ATMs at GS25 and 7-Eleven convenience stores reliably accept international Visa and Mastercard debit/credit cards.

Etiquette Basics

• Remove shoes when entering traditional guesthouses, some restaurants, and temple buildings. Look for a step up and a collection of shoes at the entrance as a cue.
• Pouring drinks for others at the table and waiting for the eldest person to eat first are standard practices in group settings. Visitors are generally given latitude on these points.
• Speak softly on the metro — phone calls and loud conversation are considered inconsiderate.
• Bowing slightly when greeting, particularly older people, is appreciated. A small nod works fine for casual interactions.
• Tipping is not customary in South Korea and can occasionally cause awkwardness.

Useful Apps

• Naver Maps — the most accurate navigation app in Korea (Google Maps has gaps in Korea)
• Kakao T — taxi booking
• Papago — Korean-English translation including camera-based text translation (useful for menus)
• KakaoTalk — messaging app used by almost everyone in Korea; useful for communicating with accommodation

If you are planning a solo trip, our South Korea solo travel guide covers the best solo bases, safety considerations, and language exchange meetups worth knowing about before you arrive.

For a guided introduction to South Korea’s cities and culture, see tours and experiences.