Basics in Korea
Entry, money, SIM cards, apps and safety.
Most of what makes a first trip to Korea feel difficult is sorted out before you leave home. Entry rules have changed several times in the last few years, with the K-ETA, its temporary exemption and the new online arrival card, so it pays to check your own nationality rather than rely on a friend's experience.
Once you land, three things decide how smooth your days feel: a working phone with mobile data, the right apps (Korean map apps rather than Google Maps for directions) and a way to pay. Cards are accepted almost everywhere, but transit cards and market stalls still lean on cash.
These guides cover the practical groundwork in the order you will need it: entry, connectivity, money, etiquette, insurance and power. Each one shows when we last checked it and links to the official sources, so you can confirm anything that matters for your trip.
8 guides
Apps You Need in Korea (and Why Google Maps Isn't Enough Yet)
The handful of apps that make Korea easy for visitors: maps that actually give directions, taxi apps that take foreign cards, and translation, set up before you land.
Entry to Korea: K-ETA, Arrival Card and Customs (2026–2027)
What to sort out before entering Korea: visa-free stays, the K-ETA and its temporary exemption ending 31 December 2026, the e-Arrival card, customs allowances.
eSIM vs SIM Card vs Pocket Wi-Fi in Korea (2026)
How to get mobile data in Korea: tourist SIMs and eSIMs with a Korean number, international eSIM apps, pocket Wi-Fi rental at the airport, and free public Wi-Fi.
Korea Travel Checklist: What to Sort Out Before You Fly
Everything to sort out before a trip to Korea: K-ETA or arrival card, mobile data, apps, money, transit card, plugs, emergency numbers and what to book ahead.
Money in Korea: Cards, Cash, ATMs and Tax Refunds (2026)
How to pay in Korea as a visitor: where foreign cards work, when you still need cash, finding ATMs that take your card, exchanging money, tax refunds and tipping.
Power Plugs, Voltage and Charging in Korea (Plus Power Bank Flight Rules)
Korea uses 220V, 60Hz sockets with two round pins. Which adapter to bring, where to buy one, which devices need a converter, and 2026 power bank flight rules.
Tipping and Etiquette in Korea: What Visitors Should Know
Do you tip in Korea? Plus the etiquette that matters for visitors: restaurants, drinking, shoes, bowing, temples, smoking rules and trash, in plain terms.
Travel Insurance for Korea: Do You Need It?
Is travel insurance required for Korea? Why it's still worth having, what Korea's health system means for visitors, and what to check in a policy before you buy.