Planning a first trip to Korea comes down to a short list of decisions — entry paperwork, when to go, money, getting around, a little language, and a few customs — and once you’ve handled them, the country is genuinely one of the easiest places to travel. I’ve helped enough first-timers to know exactly where the confusion clusters, so this guide walks you through each piece in order. Read the whole series and you’ll arrive knowing how to get in, pay, navigate, say the essentials, and not accidentally offend anyone — basically, you’ll move through Korea like you’ve been before.
Do you need a visa or K-ETA?
For most short-stay tourists, the answer right now is reassuringly simple. Citizens of 67 visa-waiver countries — including the US, Canada, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, and EU nations — can enter Korea visa-free for short visits, and the K-ETA travel authorization is currently waived for these nationalities through December 31, 2026, per the official K-ETA service. That means no online application and no fee before you fly. From January 1, 2027, K-ETA is scheduled to be required again, so this is a genuinely good window to visit.
One catch that trips people up: since January 1, 2026, Korea has replaced paper arrival forms with a digital e-Arrival Card. If you’re not using a K-ETA, you’ll complete this online (you can do it up to a few days before arrival) instead of scribbling a form on the plane. Always confirm the current rule for your passport on the official site before you book — entry policies are exactly the kind of thing that changes.
When to go
Korea has four distinct seasons, and the two sweet spots are spring (April–May) and autumn (September–November). Spring brings cherry blossoms and mild weather; autumn brings crisp air and extraordinary foliage. Summer (late June–August) is hot, humid, and includes the monsoon (jangma); winter is cold and dry but magical if you want snow and quieter sights. If you can choose, aim for mid-spring or mid-autumn.
Money: cards, cash, and the airport
Korea is heavily cashless — credit and debit cards work almost everywhere, including taxis and convenience stores. Still, carry some cash for traditional markets, small eateries, and topping up a transit card. Withdraw won at “Global ATMs” (look for the label) or exchange at the airport for a small starter amount. You won’t need much physical cash day to day.
A note that saves money and stress: tipping isn’t customary in Korea, so the price you see is the price you pay. No mental math at restaurants or in cabs.
Getting around
This is where first-timers most often stumble, and it has a clean fix. Get a T-money transit card (sold at any convenience store and airport, a one-time card fee plus whatever cash you load) and you can tap onto subways, city buses, and many taxis nationwide. In Seoul, the Climate Card tourist pass offers unlimited subway and bus rides from around ₩5,000 a day.
Crucially, Google Maps can’t give walking or transit directions inside Korea due to local mapping rules — so download Naver Map or KakaoMap before you land, as the 2026 transport guides all stress. They’re accurate down to which subway car to board. I give the full breakdown — cards, apps, KTX, taxis — in Getting Around Korea.
A little language goes a long way
You can absolutely travel Korea on English in major cities, but a handful of Korean phrases transform how people respond to you. Annyeonghaseyo (hello) and gamsahamnida (thank you) are the baseline; a few more make ordering, shopping, and asking directions smooth. Keep the translation app Papago handy for everything else. I’ve put the practical, no-grammar phrase list in Survival Korean Phrases.
The customs worth knowing
Korea is forgiving of visitors, but a few small habits earn instant goodwill: give and receive things with two hands, take your shoes off where you see a step-up or shoe rack, and keep your voice low on public transit. Dining has its own gentle rules — who pours, how to use chopsticks, how sharing works. Those two areas each get their own guide: everyday etiquette and dining etiquette.
Staying connected and safe
Grab a tourist SIM or eSIM at the airport (or order an eSIM before you go) — data is cheap and you’ll want it for maps and translation. Korea is also one of the safest countries to travel in, with very low rates of street crime and a strong sense of public order, so solo and late-night travel feel comfortable in most areas. The emergency number is 112 for police and 119 for fire or ambulance.
Your first hour at the airport, in order
First-timers often stand in the arrivals hall unsure what to do first. Here’s the sequence that gets you into the city smoothly:
- Immigration + e-Arrival Card — have your accommodation address ready.
- Pick up your SIM/eSIM or pocket wifi (or activate the eSIM you pre-ordered) so maps work immediately.
- Get a little cash from an airport ATM that takes foreign cards (look for “Global” ATMs), even if you’ll mostly tap cards.
- Buy a T-money transit card at a convenience store (GS25, CU, 7-Eleven) and load ₩20,000–30,000 — it works on subways, buses, and even some taxis.
- Choose your ride into the city — the AREX train from Incheon is cheapest and fastest to Seoul Station; airport limousine buses drop closer to many hotels.
Do these five in order and you’re set before you even leave the terminal.
Put those pieces together and a first Korea trip stops feeling intimidating. Work through the rest of this series in order, and by the last guide you’ll have a ready-to-use plan rather than a pile of open tabs.
FAQ
Do I need a K-ETA to visit Korea right now? For 67 visa-waiver nationalities (including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, and EU countries), K-ETA is waived through December 31, 2026, so you can enter visa-free without applying. You will, however, complete a digital e-Arrival Card if you don’t hold a K-ETA. Always check the official K-ETA site for your passport before booking.
What’s the best time of year to visit Korea? Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–November) offer the most comfortable weather and the famous cherry blossoms and fall foliage. Summer is hot and humid with a rainy season; winter is cold but scenic.
Can I use Google Maps in Korea? Not for walking or transit directions — local rules limit it. Download Naver Map or KakaoMap instead; both are excellent and free.
Is Korea expensive, and do I tip? Costs are moderate and cards are accepted almost everywhere. Tipping is not customary, so listed prices are final.
Next in the series: Survival Korean Phrases for Travelers. Or jump to Getting Around Korea. More in the Travel section.
About the author — Jae is a Seoul-based writer at K-Culture Log, helping newcomers get into Korean culture without the overwhelm.