Arrival Routine

Everything works a little differently here. Here’s how to actually use it.

A verified, practical sequence for the first hours and first days of a Korea trip — without the stale price shortcuts and unsupported ATM hacks.

checked against current official sources · Aug 22, 2026

SIM & data

Buy against your trip length, not a generic “tourist SIM” price.

eSIM

Best when your phone supports eSIM and you want to land already connected. Official SK Telecom and KT tourist plans currently list a 5-day data eSIM at about ₩27,500.

Carrier prices can change; confirm at checkout.

SK Telecom KT

Physical SIM

Useful when your device is not eSIM-capable or you prefer airport pickup. Prices vary by carrier, data/voice package and duration, so we no longer publish one fixed 5-day price.

Keep your passport ready for registration.

Cash & foreign-card ATMs

Use a machine marked for global/foreign cards and follow the network logo on your card.

Look for Global ATM

Major banks operate ATMs that support foreign cards. If one machine rejects your card, try another bank or a clearly marked global ATM.

Check the network

Match the card-network mark shown on your card. We removed unsupported advice about choosing a specific account type or shortening a PIN.

Read fees first

ATM and issuer fees vary. Review the fee and exchange-rate screen before confirming a withdrawal.

T-money & transit cards

The routine that matters: buy, load, tap in, tap out.

Buy & top up

T-money is widely sold at convenience stores and subway stations. For international visitors, cash is the safest way to top up; foreign-issued cards are not universally accepted for loading.

Card purchase price can vary by design/type, so check the label at the point of sale.

KTO 2026 transport guide

Tap off for transfers

In Seoul, tap when getting off. Transfer discounts generally require the next boarding within 30 minutes, extended to 60 minutes overnight. Up to four transfers are recognized under the integrated fare rules.

Seoul Metropolitan Government

Maps that work locally

Google Maps is useful for place discovery, but local navigation still works differently.

NAVER Map

KTO’s 2026 travel guide recommends NAVER Map for route planning in Korea. It supports walking, driving and public-transport directions, with multilingual support including English, Chinese and Japanese.

Google Maps

We corrected the old “no routing” claim. Google Maps navigation in Korea is still described by KTO as under development; NAVER Map may be more reliable for local routing today.

KTO 2026 travel guide

Subway, bus & taxi

A few fare rules prevent the most common surprises.

Transfers are discounted, not always free

The integrated fare can add distance-based charges. Always tap out, and make the next transfer within the allowed window.

Seoul transit rules

Seoul taxi late-night surcharge

Standard sedan taxis currently add 20% from 22:00–23:00, 40% from 23:00–02:00, and 20% from 02:00–04:00. The old flat “about 20% after midnight” wording was incorrect.

Official Seoul taxi fares

When you need a human

1330 is Korea Tourism Organization’s multilingual travel helpline.

1330 Travel Helpline

Travel assistance is available 24/7 by phone and chat. In Korea, dial 1330; from overseas, use +82-2-1330. Language availability can differ by channel, so use the live helpline page for the current options.

VISITKOREA 1330