Question 1

What should I know about t-money card when traveling in Korea?

Accepted Answer

Buy at any convenience store (GS25, CU, 7-Eleven) for 3,000 KRW (character designs 4,000–5,000 KRW) Works on all subways, buses, and even some taxis Tap on and off — transfers within 30 minutes are discounted (60 min after 9 PM) Reload at convenience stores or subway ticket machines (1,000–90,000 KRW per top-up) Remaining balance refundable (minus 500 KRW fee) at convenience stores — card cost is non-refundable

Question 2

What should I know about subway & transit when traveling in Korea?

Accepted Answer

Seoul Metro runs ~5:30 AM to midnight (last trains vary by line) Basic fare: 1,550 KRW (ages 19+), 900 KRW (ages 13–18) with T-money Early bird discount before 6:30 AM — 1,240 KRW for adults Naver Map or KakaoMap apps give accurate real-time transit directions in English Color-coded lines and bilingual signs make navigation easy Transfer between lines is free within the same station During rush hours (8–9 AM, 6–7 PM), trains run every 2–3 minutes

Question 3

What should I know about wi-fi & connectivity when traveling in Korea?

Accepted Answer

Free Wi-Fi available in all subway stations and many cafes Pocket Wi-Fi rental at Incheon Airport (unlimited data, ~5,000 KRW/day) Korean SIM cards available at airport (KT, SK, LG U+) eSIM options: Airalo, Ubigi, or carrier eSIM from airport kiosks Most restaurants, cafes, and tourist spots have free Wi-Fi

Question 4

What should I know about language & etiquette when traveling in Korea?

Accepted Answer

Most subway stations and tourist areas have English signage Restaurant menus often have photos — pointing works fine Remove shoes when entering traditional restaurants (ondol seating) or temples Bow slightly when greeting — a small nod is sufficient Tipping is not expected anywhere in Korea Koreans use both hands when giving or receiving items (sign of respect)

Question 5

What should I know about safety & practicalities when traveling in Korea?

Accepted Answer

Korea is one of the safest countries for travelers — low crime rate Tap water is safe to drink in Seoul (most locals prefer filtered) Convenience stores are open 24/7 and have ATMs, snacks, and essentials Emergency number: 112 (police), 119 (fire/ambulance), 1330 (tourism hotline) Most places accept credit cards — cash is rarely needed except in traditional markets Voltage is 220V with round two-pin plugs (Type C/F) — bring an adapter

Question 6

What should I know about traveler etiquette when traveling in Korea?

Accepted Answer

Keep your voice down on public transport — locals treat it as quiet space, even in rush hour Give up priority seats on subways/buses to elderly, pregnant, or disabled passengers — it's strictly observed Stand on the right side of escalators so people can walk on the left Don't eat or drink on the subway or bus (bottled water is usually tolerated) In temples and palaces, speak softly and don't touch altars, statues, or offerings Take shoes off when entering traditional homes, hanok guesthouses, temple stay rooms, and floor-seated restaurants Don't stick chopsticks upright in rice — it resembles a funeral offering Queue lines are taken seriously — don't cut, even when it's crowded at markets or ticket gates

Korea, de-mystified.

Essential apps

Kakao T

Naver Map

KakaoMap

Papago

KakaoTalk

What you actually need to know

T-money Card

Subway & Transit

Wi-Fi & Connectivity

Language & Etiquette

Safety & Practicalities

Traveler Etiquette

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