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.
How to get free admission to major tourist attractions
Seoul's Five Grand Palaces
・Free admission is available when wearing Hanbok (traditional Korean clothing).
・Free admission is available on the last Wednesday of every month.
Seoul's Five Grand Palaces
Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changgyeonggung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, Deoksugung Palace, Gyeonghuigung Palace
N Seoul Tower
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.
Lotte World Tower
If you want to enjoy a stunning panoramic view of Seoul without climbing all the way to the top of Lotte World Tower, you should stop by the food court on the 31st floor, which is free to enter. It's a great alternative to the top floor and a great spot to take in the city's breathtaking views.
Restaurant & Cafe Etiquette
Restaurant Etiquette
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.
Useful tips!
✓ Cold water is provided (warm water available upon request).
✓ Cutlery is often stored in a drawer under the table.
✓ Identification is required when ordering alcoholic beverages.
Cafe etiquette
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.
Pre-shopping checklist
Supermarket
✓ Regular holidays for large supermarkets (2nd and 4th Sundays of each month)
✓ They do not provide plastic bags upon purchase.
Convenience stores
✓ There are no restrooms inside convenience stores.
✓ One-time smartphone chargers are sold.
Dongdaemun Fashion Market
✓ There will be no retail sales.
Utilizing public transportation to the fullest
Subway
✓ 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.
Bus
✓ Not allowed to board with a takeaway cup
✓ Additional fees will be charged if you do not tag your transportation card when getting off
Taxi
✓ 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 use Cash or T-money card for your transportation. “Cash” means you’ll need to purchase single-journey tickets for every train ride(cash fare for bus) that you take. If you only intend to use the subway less than 3-4 times, this would be a better option. Otherwise, we highly recommend purchasing a T-Money Card for your journey. In addition to the convenience(no need to carry cash or buy tickets everytime), each ride is actually cheaper with the T-Money Card.
Other things to keep in mind
Money exchange tips
✓ You can exchange money at a favorable rate in Myeongdong.
✓ With LINE Pay, you can withdraw Korean won at Shinhan Bank ATMs.
✓ Credit card payments are available at almost every stores in Korea.
Tips for using restrooms
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. Furthermore, some restrooms have separate bins for disposing of used toilet paper, so check ahead of time and dispose of it properly.