Korea Compass

For short-term visitors and foreigners living in Korea

Your practical compass for Korea

Clear, up-to-date basics for getting around, paying, staying legal, and eating well in Korea. Written for travellers and mid-term residents, checked against official Korean government and tourism sources.

Emergency: 112 police / 119 fire & ambulance / 1330 travel help

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Before you go

What Things Cost

Real 2026 prices - franchise coffee, meals and street food, transport fares, palaces and hanbok - with a built-in won converter.

Holidays & Opening Hours

Which days the country shuts, how substitute holidays work, and what stays open anyway - palaces, supermarkets, banks, pharmacies and the last train.

Where to Stay

Best areas in Seoul and Busan for tourists, plus accommodation types from hostels to hanok stays.

Best Time to Visit

Cherry blossoms last about a week, the jangma sits between late June and late July, and December to February is the cheapest stretch of the year.

Trip Budget & Costs

Three daily budgets, from 40,000 won to 250,000, plus the two lines that quietly eat them: taxis after the subway stops, and drinking.

Money & Tax Refund

Not every ATM takes a foreign card - the ones marked "Global" do, in English. And nobody here expects a tip.

Travel Essentials

K-ETA and visas, arrival steps, emergency numbers, healthcare, and everyday etiquette so nothing catches you off guard.

Book KTX Tickets

Use the official Korail booking route from abroad, pay with an overseas card, and check the station before your train leaves.

Getting around

Transport & Payment

The Tmoney card, subway and bus, the map apps that actually work in Korea, taxis, and how to pay with foreign cards or cash.

Essential Apps

The six apps locals actually use - maps, translation, taxi, and messaging - with direct store links and QR codes.

SIM, eSIM & WiFi

Install the eSIM at home on WiFi and switch it on after you land. For app SMS verification, check that the SIM or eSIM plan explicitly supports it; a Korean number alone is not enough.

Driving & Car Rental

Your home licence alone is not enough, the permit runs from the day you land, and the speed camera fine from a rental car is addressed to you.

Everyday life

Food & Cafés

What to order, dining etiquette, spice levels, vegetarian and halal options, and Korea's huge café and dessert scene.

Ordering & Kiosks

Order at self-serve kiosks, read menus with translation apps, call the server, and the few phrases that get you through a meal without Korean.

Restaurant Reservations & Queues

Book a table or join a waitlist without a Korean phone number, check deposits, and know where to look for your turn.

Living in Korea

Settling in as a resident - the Residence Card (ARC), a bank account, phone and SIM, and renting a home.

Healthcare & Support

Which number to call, and when: 1345 handles visas on weekdays, 1330 takes travel questions 07:00 to 24:00 every day, and 1577-1366 is there for multicultural families.

Quick answers

Do I need a visa to visit Korea?
It depends on your nationality and how long you stay. Many nationalities can enter visa-free for short tourism, usually after getting a K-ETA travel authorization online before departure, though some nationalities are temporarily exempt from K-ETA. Longer stays for work, study, or family need a specific visa. Check the official visa portal for your exact situation before you travel.
What is the fastest way to get around?
In Seoul and most cities, the subway is fast, cheap, and signposted in English. Buy a rechargeable Tmoney card, tap in and out, and use Naver Map or Kakao Map for directions - they are what locals use, and Google Maps falls short on car navigation here.
Can I pay with my foreign credit card?
Usually yes at hotels, chain stores, and larger restaurants. Keep some cash or a topped-up Tmoney card for traditional markets, small eateries, and street food. Contactless and mobile payments are common but Korean wallet apps often need a local bank account.
How do I get online - SIM, eSIM, or pocket Wi-Fi?
Three options. If your phone supports eSIM, buy one online before you fly and turn it on when you land, no queue needed. Prefer a physical card or a portable router? Both are on sale in the airport arrivals hall. Public Wi-Fi is everywhere in cafes and subway stations, but your own data is what keeps maps and translation working between them.
Do I need to tip, and any etiquette basics?
Tipping isn't expected here - most restaurants, taxis, and hotels don't add it, and the price you see usually includes tax and service. The main exception is upmarket hotels and fine dining, which may add about 10% service charge plus VAT, so glance at the bill there. A few small habits help: slip your shoes off where there's a shoe rack or a raised floor, pour drinks for the people you're with rather than yourself, and keep phone calls quiet on the subway. No one expects perfection, but the effort gets noticed.