🇰🇷 South Korea Seoul Free Travel Guide 1️⃣

1️⃣ Before Departure: Apply for a visa. Ask multiple agencies—we were told by several that our conditions didn’t qualify, but a Henan travel agency said they could help. We submitted documents and got the visa 2 days before departure! Exchange KRW. The four of us exchanged 960,000 KRW, and only 10,000 KRW was left by the end. Fill out the online entry application in advance and print it—speeds up customs clearance! Buy a power adapter and data SIM card online in China. Note: Tell the seller your arrival date! Two people in our group couldn’t use their SIM cards and had to buy one at a convenience store—it was pricey, over 200 RMB for 5 days of data 😫 Pack light on clothes, shoes, cosmetics! You’ll shop like crazy there—extra stuff is a burden. Bring slippers (hotels often lack shower slippers), toothbrush, toothpaste, a comb, and even a bar of soap for laundry. ⚠️ Critical: Download and log in to duty-free shop apps before departure! Once you book your return flight, you can order online for airport pickup. I downloaded Lotte’s app only after arriving in Korea and couldn’t log in with the verification code—missed out on lots of purchases 😭 Navigation: I downloaded Naver Map in China but found it confusing. Gaode Map worked surprisingly well, accurate everywhere! I used Gaode + Google Maps the whole time. Han Chao Korea Subway app is a lifesaver for metro rides—never took a wrong train! Translation: Any app works, but Papago’s voice translation isn’t accurate. 2️⃣ After Arriving at Incheon Airport: Swap your data SIM, then jog (yes, jog!) to immigration to get ahead of the crowd. Queue, hand over documents, scan fingerprints 🫆, take a photo, then find your flight on the screen ✈️ to locate the baggage carousel. For getting to your hotel: If there are many of you with lots of luggage, opt for an airport bus or private car. Buses announce stops in Chinese, English, Japanese, and Korean—around 78 RMB per person. A private car quoted us 450 RMB. We took the bus, super convenient! If staying in Myeong-dong, buy a ticket and wait at the 6015 bus stop. Staff load your luggage, and you press the button above your seat to get off—they’ll unload it for you 👍 3️⃣ Random Tips: I got a WOWPASS card at a hotel kiosk—so useful! Works for metro, buses, convenience stores, restaurants… You can exchange cash for KRW or top up via phone. We also bought T-money cards at a convenience store. Get the 2-day metro pass (8,000 KRW/person) for unlimited rides—it’s a steal! P.S. Things in Korea aren’t cheap. I spent 10,000 RMB even while restraining myself—5,000 on a facial (after tax) and the rest on shopping. Olive Young is pricey too! #MustVisitPlaces #KoreaTravel