What to Pack for South Korea

What you pack for South Korea depends heavily on when you are going — the country has four distinct seasons with significant temperature ranges. This guide covers the essentials for each season plus items useful year-round.

Year-Round Essentials

Comfortable walking shoes — South Korean cities involve a lot of walking. Metro stations often require long walks between platforms. Markets, heritage sites, and hiking trails all demand footwear that can handle hours of use. Bring well-worn, broken-in shoes rather than new ones.

T-money card — technically purchased on arrival, but worth planning for. Your transport card for the metro, bus, and taxis.

Power adapter — Type C/F (European two-pin) at 220V. Most devices are dual-voltage, so only an adapter is usually needed.

Download Naver Maps — before you leave. Google Maps has significant gaps in South Korea’s transit data. Naver Maps and Kakao Maps are far more reliable for Korean routes.

Portable power bank — phone navigation uses battery quickly. A 10,000 mAh power bank covers a full day of heavy use.

Photocopy or photo of passport — useful if your original is stored in a hotel safe.

Spring (March–May) Packing

• Mid-weight jacket (breathable, packable)
• Light layers that can be added as temperatures drop in the evening
• Light scarf (useful for cool April evenings)
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Small umbrella or compact rain layer — April showers are common
• Sunscreen — UV levels rise significantly in spring
• KF94 mask for Yellow Dust days (available locally, but easier to have on arrival)

Summer (June–August) Packing

• Lightweight, quick-dry clothing in breathable fabrics
• Comfortable sandals for cities; walking shoes for mixed terrain
• Rain jacket or compact umbrella — monsoon season (July–August) involves heavy downpours
• Sunscreen (high SPF — summer UV in Korea is intense)
• Insect repellent for evening outdoor activities and mountain trails
• Swimwear for beach visits or hotel/public pools
• Light cardigan or layer — air conditioning in Korean buildings (shopping centres, restaurants, transport) is set very cold and can be uncomfortable in summer clothes

Autumn (September–November) Packing

• Mid-weight jacket
• Layers that can be added as October evenings cool (particularly for mountain areas)
• Warm hat and gloves for October mountain hiking
• Comfortable, waterproof hiking shoes for national park trails
• Small daypack for hiking

Winter (December–February) Packing

• Heavy winter coat (down jacket recommended for central and northern Korea)
• Thermal base layers (top and bottom)
• Warm hat, gloves, and scarf
• Waterproof boots with good grip and insulation (pavements can be icy)
• Hand warmers (available cheaply at Korean convenience stores)
• Ski gear if heading to resorts (or rent on arrival — equipment hire is straightforward at all major Korean ski resorts)

What Not to Bother Packing

• Large quantities of toiletries — Korean pharmacies and beauty shops (Olive Young, Daiso) carry everything at competitive prices
• Multiple pairs of heavy jeans — they are heavy, slow to dry, and not suited to Korea’s varied terrain. Lighter trousers work better for most activities
• Formal dining outfits — smart casual covers the vast majority of restaurants, including upscale ones
• Large cash reserves — cards are accepted nearly everywhere; carry a modest emergency cash amount

Notes on Clothing Sizes

South Korean clothing retail runs smaller than North American or European standard sizing in many stores. Off-the-shelf clothing purchases may be harder to find for travellers above Korean average sizes (roughly EU men’s L = Korean XL; adjustments vary by brand). If clothing shopping is part of your plan, being aware of this sizing difference saves frustration.