What I’d Do Differently: South Korea Edition
Updated April 2026 | 3 min read
- Get a T-Money Card Before You Leave the Airport
- Download Naver Maps, Not Google Maps
- Skip Summer Entirely
- Exchange Currency in the City, Not the Airport
- Eat Where the Locals Eat
- Learn the Etiquette Before You Arrive
- Look Beyond Seoul
- What I Would Prioritize
- Travel Tools We Actually Use
- Book Tours and Activities
- Gear We Recommend
- Find Flights to South Korea
- Plan Your Trip to South Korea
South Korea has been at the top of the list since a friend came back raving about the food and the efficiency of the transit system. After months of research and planning, here is everything I would do differently if I could start from scratch.
Get a T-Money Card Before You Leave the Airport
The T-money card works on subways, buses, taxis, the AREX airport train, and even vending machines. Pick one up at any convenience store in Incheon for 2,500 won. Without it, you pay full fare on every ride and lose the automatic transfer discount that kicks in when switching between buses and subway within 30 minutes.
Download Naver Maps, Not Google Maps
Google Maps does not work properly in South Korea. The government restricts map data exports, so directions and transit times are unreliable. Naver Maps and KakaoMap show real-time subway arrivals, bus routes, and walking directions in English. Download one of these before you land.
Skip Summer Entirely
June through August means temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius and heavy monsoon rains. The best months are April for cherry blossoms, October for fall foliage, or March and November for smaller crowds and mild weather. Spring and fall also mean cheaper flights and hotels.
Exchange Currency in the City, Not the Airport
Airport exchange counters in Incheon take a significant cut. Money changers in Myeongdong and Hongdae offer rates that are 3 to 5 percent better. Bring US dollars or euros and exchange in the city. Keep small bills in 1,000 and 5,000 won denominations for street food.
Eat Where the Locals Eat
A bowl of bibimbap costs 6,000 to 8,000 won at a local spot. The same dish at a tourist restaurant near Gyeongbokgung costs three times more. Hongdae has the cheapest and most diverse street food. Ikseondong has hip cafes in traditional hanok buildings. The best food is always down side streets, never on the main drag.
Learn the Etiquette Before You Arrive
Use both hands when giving or receiving anything, especially to elders. Do not sit in priority subway seats. Do not tip at restaurants or taxis. Wait for the eldest person at the table to eat first. These small gestures matter more than speaking Korean. Locals notice and appreciate the effort.
Look Beyond Seoul
The KTX high-speed train connects Seoul to Busan in under three hours. Busan has beaches, seafood markets, and temple stays without the crowds. Gyeongju is the ancient capital with royal tombs and pagodas. Jeju Island is a volcanic landscape with hiking trails and waterfalls. Seoul deserves four days but the rest of the country deserves at least three more.
What I Would Prioritize
Four nights in Seoul spread across Hongdae and Insadong, two nights in Busan, and a day trip to the DMZ. The KTX makes intercity travel painless. Start with Seoul to adjust, end with Busan for the coast.
Travel Tools We Actually Use
- eSIM Data: Airalo eSIM for South Korea — Buy before you land. Instant data the moment you arrive for maps and translation.
Book Tours and Activities
Gear We Recommend
- Packing Cubes (6-Pack) — Essential for keeping luggage organized across multiple cities.
- Universal Travel Adapter — One adapter for every country.
- Portable Charger 20000mAh — Naver Maps drains battery fast. Keep a backup.
- Quick-Dry Travel Towel — Useful for jjimjilbangs and temple stays.
Book on Klook:
Find Flights to South Korea
Cheapest Flights to South Korea
| Departure at | Return at | Stops | Airline | Find tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 April 2026 | 9 May 2026 | Direct |  |
Tickets from 711 |
Plan Your Trip to South Korea
Ready to book? Search flights to South Korea to compare prices across airlines. And compare hotel rates in South Korea to find the best deals for your dates.
Affiliate disclosure: This post contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you. SafetyWing, Skyscanner, Airalo, Booking.com, Viator, Klook.
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Written by Jenna Fattah
I have visited 25+ countries across 6 continents, attended 7 Formula 1 races, and spent 4 years writing about what actually works and what I would do differently. Every recommendation on this site comes from trips I planned and paid for myself. Read more about me
