First Time in Korea? 10 Things That Might Surprise You

 

If you're visiting Korea for the first time, you've probably already watched videos, read travel guides, and saved a long list of places to visit.

But there are some things you usually don't find out until you actually arrive.

I live in Korea, so here are 10 simple things that might surprise you — and make your first trip a little easier.

1. Google Maps isn't always enough

Google Maps works in Korea, but it may not be the best option for finding routes, restaurants, or small local businesses.

Most people in Korea use Naver Map or KakaoMap.

For travelers, Naver Map is usually a good app to have. It supports English, although searching for some Korean places in English can still be tricky.

Tip: If you can't find a place, try copying its Korean name and searching again.

2. Korea is very card-friendly, but you may still need cash

You can pay by card almost everywhere in Korea, including restaurants, cafés and convenience stores.

So you don't need to carry a lot of cash.

But don't arrive with zero cash either.

Cash can still be useful for transportation card top-ups in some situations, as well as at some smaller businesses.

A small amount of Korean won in your wallet is enough for most situations.

3. T-money makes public transportation much easier

If you're planning to use buses and subways, a T-money card is one of the first things worth getting.

You can usually buy one at a convenience store and use it on buses and subways.

Just remember to tap when entering and exiting.

And yes, this is one of those situations where having some cash available can be useful for recharging the card.

4. English is common in tourist areas, but not everywhere

In places like central Seoul, major hotels and tourist attractions, getting around with English usually isn't too difficult.

But step into a small local restaurant or travel outside the main tourist areas and things can change quickly.

That's where Papago becomes useful.

Don't worry about speaking perfect Korean. A few Korean words, a translation app and a little patience will get you surprisingly far.

5. Restaurants may work differently from what you're used to

Some restaurants have table ordering tablets. Others use kiosks. Some still expect you to call a staff member.

Water and side dishes may be self-service.

And at certain restaurants, ordering for only one person can be difficult because some dishes are designed for two or more people.

If something isn't obvious, just look around for a moment. You'll often see what other customers are doing.

6. Convenience stores are more useful than you might expect

CU, GS25, 7-Eleven and Emart24 are everywhere.

They're useful for much more than snacks.

You can grab a quick meal, buy drinks and basic necessities, use an ATM at many locations, and often find things you suddenly realize you need during your trip.

If you're visiting Korea for the first time, you'll probably visit convenience stores more often than you expected.

7. Don't assume every card or contactless payment will work

Korea has an excellent electronic payment system, but that doesn't mean every foreign payment method works everywhere.

A physical Visa or Mastercard is still a good idea.

If you're relying entirely on your phone or smartwatch for payment, having a physical card as backup can save you trouble.

8. You'll probably walk more than you expect

Seoul has excellent public transportation, but that doesn't mean you won't walk much.

Large subway stations can involve long transfers. Some exits are surprisingly far apart, and choosing the wrong exit can add quite a bit of walking.

Korea also has plenty of hills and stairs.

Comfortable shoes are much more important than they might seem when you're planning your trip at home.

9. Don't spend your entire trip chasing famous places

Gyeongbokgung Palace, Myeongdong and other famous destinations are popular for a reason.

But Korea becomes much more interesting when you leave the tourist checklist for a while.

Walk through a local neighborhood. Visit a traditional market. Try a restaurant simply because it's busy with locals.

Sometimes the ordinary parts of Korea become the most memorable parts of the trip.

10. Real Korea isn't exactly like social media

Korea can be exciting, convenient and incredibly fun to visit.

But it's also a normal place where people live, work, commute, eat and go about their everyday lives.

Not every street looks like a K-drama.

Not every café looks like Instagram.

And that's actually one of the best things about visiting Korea.

Once you stop looking for the Korea you've seen online, you start discovering the Korea that's actually here.

Welcome to the real Korea.