Seoul Travel Guide
First Time in Seoul
Arrival from Incheon, transport cards and maps that actually work, money and tax refunds, the closing days and curfews that catch visitors out, and what is off the itinerary in 2026 — everything a first-timer needs before landing.
Seoul is one of the easiest big cities in Asia to visit: fast, safe, clean, wired and remarkably good value. But it has its own quirks — from map apps to closing days — and a little preparation makes the first day smooth. Here is what to know before you land, including what has changed recently.
Entry. Check entry requirements for your passport well before you travel. Korea operates the K-ETA electronic travel authorization for visa-free visitors, but many nationalities have been temporarily exempted in recent years and the exemptions have been extended more than once, so confirm the current rule on the official K-ETA site. Arrival cards may also be required for some travelers.
Arriving at Incheon. Most international flights land at Incheon International Airport, on an island west of the city. The AREX airport railroad is the easiest way in: the express train runs non-stop to Seoul Station in under an hour, and the cheaper all-stop train calls at Hongik University (Hongdae) and Gongdeok, connecting to the subway. Airport limousine buses serve most big hotels and districts and are ideal with heavy luggage, and taxis are metered and reasonably priced for the distance. Gimpo Airport, closer to the city, handles mainly domestic flights and some regional routes.
Getting around. Buy a rechargeable transport card such as T-money at the airport or any convenience store and top it up with cash; it works on the subway, buses and many taxis, with transfer discounts between them. Some international bank cards can also be used directly at the gates. The subway is superb, signposted in English and color-coded by line. Download Naver Map or KakaoMap before you arrive: Google Maps gives limited walking and driving directions in Korea, while the Korean apps are excellent for transit and walking. Taxis are cheap by world standards; ride-hailing through the Kakao T app is widely used.
Money and shopping. Cards are accepted almost everywhere, including most market stalls, but carry some cash for small vendors and transport-card top-ups. Money changers in Myeongdong usually beat bank and airport rates. Tax refunds are generous and easy: many stores deduct the tax at the till when you show your passport, above a minimum spend, and the rest can be reclaimed at the airport. There is no tipping culture, in restaurants, taxis or hotels.
Closing days and rules that catch visitors out. Gyeongbokgung closes on Tuesdays and Changdeokgung on Mondays, so plan palace days accordingly. Bukchon Hanok Village restricts visitors from its residential core between 5pm and 10am, with fines for people who ignore warnings. Many DMZ sites close on Mondays. Major holidays — Seollal, the Lunar New Year, and Chuseok, the harvest festival — close museums and some shops for a day or more, empty the city as people travel home, and fill trains and roads. Check your dates against them.
What is off the itinerary. Cheong Wa Dae, the former presidential residence known as the Blue House, opened to the public in 2022 but closed again to visitors in August 2025, and the presidential office moved back in at the end of that year, so it is no longer a tourist sight; the small Sarangchae exhibition hall nearby may still be visited. Tours of the Joint Security Area at Panmunjom, once the highlight of DMZ trips, are limited to VIP and official visits, though ordinary DMZ tours run. And the HYBE Insight K-pop museum has closed, its exhibitions now appearing as pop-ups elsewhere.
What is changing. Palace admission fees, unchanged for two decades at a few thousand won, are under review, and the free entry for hanbok wearers is being reconsidered at the same time; a planned 2027 increase has been put on hold, but check before you go. The National Museum of Korea, free since 2008, is expected to introduce admission charges from 2027. The Hangang Bus river ferries, launched in 2025, have run their full route since March 2026 and offer a cheap way to see the city from the water.
Etiquette. Koreans are warm but value courtesy. Bow slightly when greeting, use two hands to hand over or receive cards and money, and keep your voice down on public transport, where eating is frowned upon. Take your shoes off where you see a step up or a rack of shoes, including in some restaurants with floor seating. At meals, let elders start first, pour drinks for others rather than yourself, and do not stick chopsticks upright in rice. In residential areas such as Bukchon, be quiet and never photograph into homes.
Staying connected and safe. Seoul has fast, free Wi-Fi in subways and many public spaces, but an eSIM or local SIM makes maps and translation easier. Papago is the best translation app for Korean. The city is very safe, including late at night, though normal care with belongings and drinks applies in nightlife districts. Air quality varies: spring can bring fine dust and yellow dust from the west, so check the forecast and carry a mask on bad days.
One last tip. Convenience stores are a Seoul institution, open around the clock and selling everything from triangle gimbap and instant ramyeon to transport cards, umbrellas and phone chargers. They are where you will eat your first Korean breakfast, and probably your last.