Insiders’ Guide to Seoul

Not knowing can be disconcerting, especially in a foreign country. Even a small tip can have a significant impact. Here are some helpful hints for making the most of your trip to Seoul.

For safety reasons, electronic cigarettes, portable batteries, and lighters (disposable/reusable), which have a potential risk for fire or explosion, must be carried onboard and cannot be checked in. Starting March 1, 2025, electronic cigarettes and portable batteries can no longer be stored in overhead compartments. Passengers must keep them on their person or store them in the seat pocket.

Clear plastic bags will be provided at the check-in counter and onboard for storing portable batteries. If you wish to carry more than 5 batteries under 100Wh, airline approval must be obtained at the check-in counter. For batteries over 100Wh but under 160Wh, airline approval is required regardless of the number of items.

Starting February 24, 2025, you can complete your e-arrival card online. You can start writing the arrival card for 3 days before your arrival in Korea, and the website supports 7 languages. This will help reduce entry inspection time and make the process more convenient.

With this new service, you can pay the tax excluded price when shopping in Korea. There is no need to go through a separate tax refund procedure when leaving the country. ﹒Eligibility: Foreigners staying in Korea for less than 6 months ﹒Amount: Purchases of ₩15,000 or more ﹒Refund: Up to ₩1,000,000 per transaction, total of ₩5,000,000 ﹒Locations: Over 200 major GS25, CU convenience stores, Olive Young branches, some department stores, and shopping mall stores

✓ Regular holidays for large supermarkets (2nd and 4th Sundays of each month) ✓ They do not provide plastic bags upon purchase.

✓ There are no restrooms inside convenience stores. ✓ One-time smartphone chargers, simple toiletries, and disposable underwear are sold. ✓ Some convenience stores have ATM machines that allow cash withdrawals.

✓ The operating hours vary by store. Here are the business hours of major stores: ﹒APM PLACE: 8:00 PM - 5:00 AM (closed from Friday 5:00 AM to Sunday 8:00 PM) ﹒THE OT (Women's clothing): 12:00 AM - 12:00 PM (closed from Friday 12:00 PM to Sunday 12:00 AM) ﹒NYU NYU (Accessories) : 11:00 AM - 05:00 AM Everyday ✓ There will be no retail sales. ✓ Negotiating prices is common.

・Free admission is available when wearing Hanbok (traditional Korean clothing). ・Free admission is available on the last Wednesday of every month.

Except for the observatory, all areas of N Seoul Tower are free of charge. If you don't want to go up to the observatory, you can still enjoy the panoramic view of Seoul or try hanging a love lock.

You can visit various exhibitions for free, and on weekends and holidays, you can also explore the free market.

All indoor restaurants in Korea are non-smoking. Because it is customary in Korea to share meals, most restaurants have a minimum serving size of two people.

According to the policies of the Korean Ministry of Environment, the use of disposable items inside cafes is prohibited. Additionally, most cafes prefer to accept card payments through self-service kiosks.

Ever since smart phone came into our lives, people tend to look at smartphones all day even when they're walking. To address this issue, the Korean government has introduced ground traffic lights. When the light changes from green to red, a red light appears on the pavement, making it safer for pedestrians.

✓ Use subway train car numbers for quick transfers. ✓ Storage lockers are available for luggage (at a fee). ✓ Press the bell near the wheelchair access gate if you got on the wrong side or if you are in need of urgent access to a restroom.

✓ Not allowed to board with a drink that's not in a bottle. ✓ Each passenger is allowed to bring a suitcase weighing less than 20kg, with dimensions not exceeding 50×40×20cm. ✓ Additional fees will be charged if you do not tag your transportation card when getting off

✓ Passengers must open and close the taxi door themselves when getting on/off. ✓ For safety reasons, the left side door is not accessible from inside the taxi.

✓ You can exchange money at a favorable rate in Myeongdong. ✓ Using a check card like Wow Pass makes it easier to pay in Korean won.

✓ The first-floor restrooms in large buildings may be open to the public. ✓ Restrooms in fast-food restaurants or cafés may be locked with a passcode, so check your receipt or ask the staff. ✓ Convenience store restrooms are often not open to the public. ✓ If you use Naver Maps and need to find a public restroom nearby, just type "public restroom" into the search bar, and you'll be taken there. ✓ Some restrooms have separate bins for disposing used toilet paper.