Korea Travel Tips for Foreigners: Transportation, Food, and Shopping

Essential Tips for Traveling in Korea for Foreigners! Real Know-How from a Local

1. How Can I Make My Trip to Korea More Rewarding?

Korea is full of diverse cultures and attractive travel destinations, but simply visiting tourist spots alone makes it difficult to truly experience Korea.
Many foreign tourists visit Korea, but they often experience inconvenience or miss out on opportunities because they don't know the travel tips that only local Koreans know. That's why we've prepared this! In this article, we will share insider tips that only locals know to help foreign tourists enjoy Korea more easily and rewarding.

2. Essential Information You Need to Know When Traveling in Korea

1) Transportation - Making Full Use of Public Transportation
✔ T-money card is essential!

✔ Utilize the subway transfer discount system

✔ Taxis can be easily called using the ‘KakaoT’ app

Public transportation in Korea is inexpensive and convenient, but it can feel a little complicated for beginners.
✅ Using a T-money card allows you to pay for buses, subways, and even convenience stores. It's easy to purchase at Incheon Airport or convenience stores, and recharging is also convenient.
✅ Utilizing the subway transfer discount allows you to transfer within 30 minutes without paying an additional fee.
✅ To take a taxi, use the ‘KakaoT’ app to easily call one without having to wait on the street.

💡 Local Tip
"The Seoul subway system has many lines, so using a public transportation app like ‘Kakao Metro’ will help you easily find your way!"

2) Food - How to Find Real Hidden Gems in Korea
✔ Use ‘Naver Map’ instead of Google Maps

✔ Find restaurants frequented by locals

✔ Precautions when ordering spicy food

There are countless restaurants in Korea, but restaurants that cater to tourists and those that locals truly frequent can be different.
✅ For restaurant searches, ‘Naver Map’ or ‘KakaoMap’ are more accurate than Google Maps. Google Maps often doesn't work properly in Korea, so use a local map app.
✅ Using the ‘MangoPlate’ app, you can find restaurants recommended by locals. It has many blog reviews, making it highly reliable.
✅ When ordering spicy food, saying ‘덜 맵게 해주세요’ (less spicy please) will allow you to enjoy it without worry.

💡 Local Tip
"Restaurants with lines are often the real hidden gems rather than tourist-oriented ones! Look for popular spots among locals."

3) Shopping - Making Full Use of Exclusive Benefits for Foreigners
✔ Applying for a Tax Refund

✔ Passport is essential for duty-free shopping!

✔ Haggling is possible in traditional markets!

✔ Shopping tips for K-beauty & K-fashion products only available in Korea

✔ Information on hot spots for 24-hour shopping

Korea offers tax refunds (Tax Refund) for foreign tourists. Taking advantage of this can save you money on shopping.
✅ When shopping at duty-free stores, be sure to bring your passport. Final processing is required at the airport upon departure to receive duty-free benefits.
✅ Stores with a ‘tax refund sticker’ offer tax refunds at the airport when purchases exceed a certain amount.
✅ Haggling is possible in traditional markets, but fixed prices are applied at department stores and branded stores, so haggling is difficult.
✅ To purchase K-beauty and K-fashion products, visit local brand stores such as ‘Olive Young’, ‘Lohs’, and ‘Musinsa’. You can easily find popular items sold exclusively in Korea.
✅ Korea has many shopping malls and boutiques open 24 hours a day. Dongdaemun Fashion Town, Gangnam COEX Mall, and some cosmetics stores in Myeongdong are open late at night, allowing you to enjoy shopping freely.

💡 Local Tip
"There are many duty-free shops near Hongdae, Myeongdong, and Gangnam Station for foreigners! It's a chance to buy Korean cosmetics or K-fashion at affordable prices." "Dongdaemun Night Market is open even in the early morning, so if you're looking for uniquely styled clothing, be sure to check it out!"

4. Special Experiences Locals Recommend You Must Try in Korea

✔ Jjimjilbang Experience - Relax in a Korean sauna

✔ Traditional Hanok Stay - Spend a night in a Hanok

✔ Night Market & Street Food Tour - Eat like a local

✔ Fortune Telling Cafe Experience - Get your fortune read in Korean style

✔ Enjoy K-pop at a Karaoke & Coin Karaoke

✔ Bike ride & night view at the Han River

✅ **Jjimjilbang (sauna)** is a popular relaxation space for Koreans. Be sure to try wearing a jjimjilbok (sauna uniform), sweating in a hot room, and eating boiled eggs and sikhye (sweet rice drink)!
✅ Staying in a Hanok offers a special experience of staying in a traditional Korean house. You can make reservations in Bukchon Hanok Village or Jeonju Hanok Village.
✅ Enjoying street food at night markets (Dongdaemun, Gwangjang Market) is another highlight of a trip to Korea. Be sure to try foods such as hotteok (sweet pancakes), tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), sundae (blood sausage), and hot dogs.
✅ Getting your fortune read at a fortune-telling cafe is also a popular experience. Fortune-telling cafes in Hongdae and Insadong are especially popular among foreigners.
✅ Karaoke culture is well-developed in Korea. Go to a karaoke bar with friends or sing K-pop at a 1-person coin karaoke to enjoy Korean-style entertainment!
✅ Riding a bike or enjoying the night view at the Han River is a romantic experience that can only be enjoyed in Korea.

💡 Local Tip
"At a jjimjilbang, many people lie down on the floor or take naps! Enjoy it comfortably like a Korean." "Using a ramen vending machine at the Han River to eat cup ramen can also be a special experience!"

5. Conclusion - To Truly Enjoy Korea?

Korea is a travel destination rich in sights, food, and fun, but experiencing the local lifestyle directly is more likely to leave a deeper impression than simply touring tourist spots.
✅ Make smart use of public transportation, find the best restaurants, and take full advantage of shopping benefits.

✅ Try "Korean experiences" such as jjimjilbang, traditional markets, and Hanok stays.

✅ Traveling like a Korean, rather than just sightseeing, is the way to truly enjoy Korea!

And, the best tip for making your trip to Korea even more rewarding?
"Leave 20% of your travel schedule for "spontaneous exploration"! It's good to stick to the plan, but you might create more special memories at unexpected hidden gems."

👉 Shall we set off to experience the real Korea now?