25 Traveling Hacks: A cheat sheet for foreigners in Korea
The thought of going to a foreign country can be discouraging and it’s more disturbing when you do not speak the language of the citizens. Finding your way around the city can be difficult and this can put a strain on your fun plans. Korea is too beautiful a country, with exciting places to visit, food to try out, and an incredible cultural heritage. You wouldn’t want to spend the entire time trying to figure out how to get to a popular restaurant or amusement park.
We understand how relieving it is to have a “travel cheat sheet” in your hand and that is want to achieve with this article. There are about 25 travel hacks contained in this article that will allow you to have a seamless visit. It includes how to ask for directions, find the best places to eat, how to go about taking public transport, getting accommodation, etc. Let’s get right into it! These hacks are in no particular order.
Hack 1 – Get a T-Money Card to save you money on transportation
Photo Credits: Living Nomads
This will help you save money on transportation fares. The transportation system of Korea is highly convenient and finding your way around the city has been made easy. The card saves you money on using the bus and train.
This card is available at any convenience store in the country or you can buy it at the airport. It will be beneficial to download transportation maps of the city you are visiting. This includes buses, trains, subways, etc.
Hack 2 – Take screenshots of the places you’ll like to visit before your arrival
Before heading to any place in Korea, take screenshots of all the places that you wish to visit. This will come in handy when you might not be able to find your way around.
Locals majorly speak Korean. Surprised? Don’t be. A few understand and speak English so it’s best to come prepared. When you get lost and you’re in the midst of those who can’t understand you, the screenshots that you’ve taken will come to the rescue. You can show it to any local and you will get the direction that you need. Even if they do not know the place, they can help you ask their neighbors. Interacting with the locals is fun and adds to the whole excitement of being in a different country.
If getting directions becomes difficult, here is something else that you can do. Contact the Korea Tourism Organisation at 1330 (you can dial this number from any phone). They will help you out right away. This should be your last resort.
Find awesome places to visit in Korea here
Hack 3 – Use the Discover Seoul Pass
Photo Credits: The Soul of Seoul
This grants you free entrance into major attractions in the country. The pass comes in 24-72 hours increments. Getting this is worth your money because it comes with amazing benefits like free entrance to the Han River Cruise, Lotte World, renting traditional Korean attire, etc. It serves the same purpose as a T-money card and can be gotten at Incheon International Airport.
Hack 4 – Get to your proposed destination on time
Remember that you are not the only one interested in exploring the beautiful country so this means that a lot of tourist sites will have visitors. It will be nice to set out early so that you can enjoy these attractions. This means that you can take countless pictures without worrying about people getting into them.
You wouldn’t want to deal with a crowd right?
Hack 5 – Equip yourself with basic Korean phrases
Yes, this is necessary. You’re going to a country where English isn’t their mother tongue so it will do you a lot of good to learn simple travel phrases.
Basic phrases that will come in handy during your tour include:
Excuse me – sill-ye-ham-ni-da
Hello – an-nyeong-ha-se-yo
Thank you – go-map-seum-ni-da
I’m lost – gireul ireobeoryeos seoyo
How far is it from here? – yeogieseo eolmana geollineunji aseyo?
Can you show me the map? – jidoro boyeo jusigesseoyo
Hack 6 – Go hiking or walking because it’s free!
Photo Credits: Jetstar
Korea is blessed with a lot of mountains and so it’s only natural for them to love climbing mountains. Every mountain has trails to suit different hiking levels. This makes it easy to follow a trail that makes you comfortable.
The view from on top of the mountains is incredible. Hiking is a great way to spend your day. To get the best experience, go hiking in autumn or spring. Use the map to locate the mountains closest to you.
If hiking isn’t your thing then you can walk along the countless beautiful beaches. You can take a walk along the shores of the ocean while observing the sunset or watching birds fly over the waters.
Hack 7 – Book a tour
This can be a great way to avoid getting lost because you tour the city with other tourists and you’ll have a tour guide with you. Remember that the locals do not speak English so it’ll be best to have someone to act as a middleman.
There are a lot of tour groups that you can join. Simply surf the web to find available ones.
Hack 8 – Learn about Korean etiquette
Koreans just like other nations have customs and traditions peculiar to them. If you are not familiar with how to act around them you have to make your research. Study social etiquette, eating etiquette, greeting etiquette, etc.
Koreans will treat you more as a friend if they notice that you’ve made an effort to learn about their culture. Learning about them will also prevent you from making some avoidable mistakes.
Hack 9 – Go for cheaper accommodation options
Most people think that getting accommodation in Korea is on the high side but that’s not true. Instead of going for costly hotel rooms, you can try the following places:
Temples
Yes, you read that right. Temples are incredible places to stay. They have stay programs for visitors and activities include meditation, tea rituals, etc.
You have the opportunity to speak to the monks and learn from them as well. The environment around the temples is usually very serene, making them ideal locations for a quiet time away from the rest of the world.
Jjimjilbang
This is a public bathhouse and it has a sauna for visitors to relax in. Mattresses and floor mats are given to those staying. Meals here are also cheap.
There are other expensive options where you get to experience spa treatments.
Love motels
They are also cheap. They rent rooms for hours during the day or for a night.
Save some money by touring on a budget
Hack 10 – Go to local events
This is a great way to have a feel of native festivals. You will get to experience the true beauty of Korea – its people, art, food, attire, etc. Trust us, it is better experienced than narrated.
Hack 11 – Buy a Sim Card
Photo Credits: Korea Travel Post
Getting a sim card will do you a lot of good too. You will be able to use it for calls and data. You can get one for yourself at Incheon Airport or anywhere in the country. Their price range is between 6000 KRW to 76,000 KRW.
Hack 12 – Eat cheap food at university canteens
Korean universities offer delicious meals and they are cheap too. You will find a lot of street food stalls around the university areas. Many of these universities welcome visitors so you can blend in.
After having a meal you can take pictures around the vicinity. What a great way to unwind!
Ensure that your visiting time isn’t the same as the students, to avoid the rush.
Hack 13 – Download helpful Korean apps
Certain apps will make your life easier throughout your stay in the country. They include:
Seoul subway (this app will help you set an alarm, book a ride, and schedule the timing).
KakaoTalk (this is equivalent to Whatsapp and is used for chatting)
Yogiyo (this app allows you to order food from the comfort of your home)
Naver Map (Google maps don’t work in Korea. This is the app that will give you directions to anywhere in Korea).
Kakako map (you can use this app to discover areas not covered by Naver map such as cafes)
Kakao T (this is useful when you need to call a taxi to take you to a particular place)
Hack 14 – Pack comfortable clothes and shoes
You wouldn’t want to be struggling or feeling uncomfortable in your clothes, so it’s best to pack clothes suitable for the weather.
Also, come with comfortable shoes preferably sneakers. Korean roads and pavement are known to destroy shoes so come prepared (according to some foreigners).
Hack 15 – Go to popular festivals
Koreans are lively people and they also have so many festivals that are beautiful to watch. These celebrations are not expensive to attend. You will also find interesting street food stands here.
Hack 16 – Utilise the free luggage delivery service from Incheon Airport
Yes, you heard that correctly. There is indeed such a service. You don’t need to worry about moving your heavy bags. They will ensure that your items are waiting for you wherever you choose to send them.
Hack 17 – Get a travel insurance
You cannot predict what will happen to you when you travel so that is why you need to be ready ahead of time. Buying travel insurance will help you if a situation comes up. You cannot simply ignore the benefits of travel insurance.
Hack 18 – Get ready for the weather
Korea has striking weather. Summer is usually moist and humid all through the day. Spring and fall have a combination of both chilly mornings and warm afternoons. It is advisable to have a jacket with you at these times.
Winter in Korea is very cold. Ensure you pack very thick clothes, mufflers, hand gloves, and suitable footwear.
Places to visit in Jeju during winter
Places to visit in Busan during winter
Hack 18 – Use the ATM
You can use the ATM at any convenience store or subway station in the country. Notify your banks before traveling so that they are informed about your activities overseas. Try to have some cash handy for certain street experiences and shopping that may not accept cards.
Hack 19 – Make use of free WiFi
Photo Credits: Have Hala
Yes, most places in Korea have free WiFi connections. You can have access to it on the subway, road, amusement parks, etc. Using it comes in handy when trying to locate cafes, restaurants, stores, or anywhere on the map. You will need a sim card to access this too.
Hack 20 – Enjoy delicious street foods
Koreans have an impressive food culture. They have so many local meals and snacks peculiar to them. One way to experience Korea is through its food.
Street food is very common here and they are easy to locate. Interestingly, they are cheap and not forgetting, very tasty. Try out any of the following foods: tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), gimbap (rice rolls), twigim (Korean-style tempura), myeon (noodles), mandu (dumplings), hotteok (Korean doughnuts), eomuk (fish cake), dak gangjeong (seasoned fried chicken), soondae (Korean sausage), etc.
Hack 21 – Go to the Seoul Global Cultural Center
Photo Credits: Apinoy in Korea
You will get an experience of a lifetime at the Seoul Global Cultural Center. There are different activities for you to engage in here like wearing a handbook for free, Korean calligraphy classes, learning K-pop dance moves, etc.
Hack 22 – Hang out in any of the bars
Koreans love to drink and it’s their way of socializing. It isn’t strange to come across different bars and pubs during your visit.
Popular drinks served in these bars include soju and makgeolli. They are native to Korea. Soju looks like water because it is colorless but makgeolli on the other hand has a milky appearance and is sweeter. They can be taken with any snack at the bar.
Hack 23 – Go to places that are not usually talked about in blogs or tour guides
Certain places have been tagged as top places to visit in every city and they tend to overshadow other places. Set time aside to discover these places on your own. It is a whole new level of fun on its own. You will be amazed at all the incredible places that you will discover. This is a do-it-yourself hack so we will leave you to uncover such places for yourself!
Hack 24 – Don’t forget to download Subway Korea
Photo Credits: Korea Tech Today
It is a known fact that Korea has an incredible subway system and all lines are interconnected. They cover most of the major cities. Downloading the app will save you from a lot of stress. It will make navigation seamless.
An interesting feature of the app is that it functions offline as well. It is easy to understand and loaded with necessary information.
Hack 25 – Don’t be surprised by the group culture in Korea
You will see most Koreans doing things as a group, couples putting on matching attires, or friends wearing similar colors of clothes. It’s rare to see people walking or eating alone.
This explains why there are a lot of K-pop music groups. It’s the Korean way! Even restaurants here rarely have provisions for single dining. They usually have group settings. If you are traveling with a loved one, you might enjoy this culture too.
We want to believe that these travel hacks will give you a headstart on your trip to Korea. Let us know how your trip turned out. Have fun!