Planning your next trip to South Korea?
Here are a few essentials you must take note of before landing in the Land of the Morning Calm.
1. T-money card:
It is an utmost necessity while you stay in South Korea. You will need it for using public transportation services such as buses and subways. You can buy and recharge it at any convenience store and the latter is supported even in subway stations.
2. Basic Korean Words:
If you are planning on visiting Korea, you must be aware of the basic Korean (Hangul) words and phrases to be used while using public transportation, in convenience stores, restaurants or if lost.
3. Daily Needs:
While travelling to South Korea, make sure to pack certain goods without fail. This list is not exhaustive and can be different as per individual needs:
- Sunscreen
- Umbrella (It can actually rain anytime there)
- Reusable Water Bottle
- Universal Plug Adaptor & Power Bank
- Medicines (if any, medical history)
- Earplugs/Headphones (people won’t appreciate noise while using electric devices in public places)
- Petty Cash (Korean Won) for small shop vendors and hawkers.
- list goes on…
4. Comfortable footwear:
Believe me when I say that you will have to walk a lot. Hence, prefer wearing the most comfortable footwear for the day and not just anything for the sake of fashion.
5. Vegetarian restaurants:
Although South Korea is considered the heaven for non vegetarian food lovers, it still provides good options for its visitors with dietary restrictions. You must research about the restaurants offering options suitable for you and book a stay nearby or as per your convenience. Some recommendations for restaurants offering vegetarian options are Amma Restaurant, Otsal Restaurant, and Agra Restaurant.
6. Life-saving Apps:
Make sure to download some apps before landing in South Korea such as Naver Map and Naver Papago. While the former one is to facilitate easy navigation in the country and the latter is a translation app. Some other apps are KakaoTalk for messaging and Kakao T for booking rides.
7. Telecom Services:
You must activate an international plan with your telecom service provider for an easy stay in South Korea as you might face situations where you need to use Naver Map or Translator in places with no public wi-fi. Or else, you can opt to buy a prepaid SIM card. A local prepaid card is a reliable and cost-effective way to stay connected throughout your Korean journey.
8. Public Transportation:
The Korean public transportation system is efficient and affordable. Don’t hesitate to ask for help from locals if needed. They will try to help for sure until the language stands out as a problem. You will find it super convenient once you are familiarised with the subway and bus networks.
9. Convenience Stores:
At last, convenience stores are an exciting way to enjoy Korean culture. You can find them at almost every street and corner of the country. From buying grocery items to make your own meals, you can find it all there. Some peculiar differences which make these stores different than the rest of the world are sufficient seating arrangements, cooking stations for instant meals and making your own drinks in the cup filled with ice cubes in the freezer.
Have a nice stay in South Korea!
