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Travel Notes

Korea Arrival Checklist

What to sort out before you fly, at the airport and during the trip. Answer four questions to see only what fits your trip.

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42 items. Each verified item lists its sources and when we last checked it.

Entry (K-ETA)4 itemsAll done

  • Before you fly Done

    Key fact22 countries are K-ETA exempt until Dec 31, 2026 (Korea time)

    Korea's temporary K-ETA exemption runs from 1 Jan to Dec 31, 2026 and covers 22 countries (listed below). If yours isn't on the list, you need a K-ETA if your country is visa-free for Korea, or a visa if it isn't.

    1. Find your country in the list below.
    2. Exempt: submit the e-Arrival card online in the 3 days before you land.
    3. Not exempt: apply for a K-ETA or a visa before you fly.
    • Asia: Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Macao.
    • Americas: United States (including Guam), Canada.
    • Europe: UK, Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Poland, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Belgium, Denmark, Austria.
    • Oceania: New Zealand, Australia.
    • Among K-ETA countries, you don't need to apply if you're 17 or under or 65 or over, a registered foreign resident, or a transit passenger, among others.
    • Exempt travelers fill in the e-Arrival card from 3 days before arrival (counting arrival day).

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  • Before you fly Done

    Key factK-ETA exemption runs until Dec 31, 2026 (Korea time)

    Korea has temporarily exempted US (including Guam), UK, Canadian, Australian and Singaporean passport holders from K-ETA. The exemption runs from 1 Jan to Dec 31, 2026, Korea time. Without a K-ETA, you fill in the e-Arrival card instead, from 3 days before you arrive (counting arrival day).

    1. Check that your trip falls on or before Dec 31, 2026.
    2. Submit the e-Arrival card online in the 3 days before you land.
    • You can still apply for a K-ETA during the exemption if you want to (the fee applies). With one, you don't need the e-Arrival card.

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  • Before you fly Done

    The K-ETA fee is 10,000 won per person, plus an online payment fee of about 3%. It isn't refundable. The official site takes Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Amex, Diners, Discover, UnionPay and Alipay+.

    • With a K-ETA, you don't need to submit the e-Arrival card.
    • Apply only at www.k-eta.go.kr or in the official K-ETA app.
    • Results usually come within 72 hours but can take longer. There's no express service.
    • A K-ETA is valid for 3 years for multiple trips, or until your passport expires if that's sooner. It doesn't set how long you can stay. A new passport needs a new K-ETA.

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  • Before you fly Being verified

    K-ETA rules from 2027

    We're checking what applies to your passport after Dec 31, 2026. We'll add it here once it's confirmed.

Payments8 itemsAll done

  • Before you fly Reported by travelers Done

    Travelers keep saying the same thing: paying in person in Korea mostly works, but paying online on Korean sites is much harder. Foreign cards get declined, and some sites don't even list Visa as an option.

    1. Make important online bookings early, so there's time to try another card if one fails.
    2. Bring more than one card if you can. One traveler found only one of their three cards worked on a Korean ticket site.

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  • Before you fly Third-party guide Done

    A third-party guide says NOL World takes the main card brands, as long as the card was issued outside Korea. UnionPay payments go through in won or US dollars. PayPal and Alipay aren't in its payment FAQ.

    Card brands

    • Visa Works
    • Mastercard Works
    • Amex Works
    • JCB Works
    • UnionPay Works

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  • Before you fly Third-party guide Done

    A third-party guide says Melon Ticket Global takes cards issued outside Korea. Visa and Mastercard must be credit cards, and Visa, Mastercard and JCB need 3D Secure. You sign up with email, no Korean number, and the name must match your passport. Passport checks depend on the show.

    Card brands

    • Visa Works
    • Mastercard Works
    • Amex Being verified
    • JCB Works
    • UnionPay Works

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  • Before you fly Third-party guide Done

    A third-party guide says Korail's foreign-language site (korail.com/global) lets you book without an account, using just an email and a number password. Its payment screen has an option for cards issued overseas. The Korean-language site and app need a Korean identity check for non-members.

    Card brands

    • Visa Works
    • Mastercard Works
    • Amex Being verified
    • JCB Works
    • UnionPay Being verified
    • Alipay and WeChat Pay don't work yet. A September 2026 report says they're in development.
    • New ticket machines at 148 stations take foreign credit cards (citing a Korail press release from Dec 29, 2025).

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  • Before you fly Secondary sources Done

    Sources disagree on whether kobus takes foreign cards. Plan for it not to work online, and have a backup.

    Sources disagree. A Korea Herald report said non-members would be able to pay with foreign cards from August 2026. A travel blog quoting kobus notice no. 55 says that since Feb 24, 2026, non-members can only pay with Toss Pay or Naver Pay (checked in Sep 2026). We haven't confirmed which is true now.

    Card brands

    • Visa Being verified
    • Mastercard Being verified
    • Amex Being verified
    • JCB Being verified
    • UnionPay Being verified

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  • Before you fly Done

    Catchtable says you can pay deposits with a card issued outside Korea. We're still checking which brands go through, and whether PayPal or Alipay work.

    Card brands

    • Visa Being verified
    • Mastercard Being verified
    • Amex Being verified
    • JCB Being verified
    • UnionPay Being verified

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  • Before you fly Done

    k.ride says you can add credit and debit cards issued outside Korea, but it doesn't list which brands. It also takes Alipay+ wallets (such as Alipay, AlipayHK and Touch 'n Go), WeChat Pay, GrabPay and PayPal. PayPal was added in version 1.9.0 (Jun 25, 2026).

    Card brands

    • Visa Being verified
    • Mastercard Being verified
    • Amex Being verified
    • JCB Being verified
    • UnionPay Being verified

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  • Before you fly Done

    Kakao Mobility says you can add Visa, Mastercard, Amex and JCB cards in Kakao T. UnionPay isn't on that list. You need a Kakao account, which asks for an SMS code when you sign up, and foreign SIMs sometimes don't receive it.

    Card brands

    • Visa Works
    • Mastercard Works
    • Amex Works
    • JCB Works
    • UnionPay Not on the official list
    • Alipay users can call a Kakao T taxi from inside the Alipay app (since Oct 2023).
    • Whether Kakao T accepts passport verification is still being verified.

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Phone number and sign-ups7 itemsAll done

No Korean phone number? See what works app by app

  • Before you fly Reported by travelers Done

    Lots of Korean sites and apps want to verify a Korean (+82) phone number before you can sign up or book. Travelers have run into this with restaurant apps, café kiosks and bus booking. The good news: map apps work without logging in.

    1. Where you can, pick services that let you sign up with Google, Apple or email. This checklist points out the ones we've confirmed.

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  • Before you fly Done

    This eSIM comes with a Korean 010 number and unlimited 5G/LTE data. Plans with calls and texts can get SMS codes for restaurant and taxi apps, but not bank or government identity checks. Data-only plans can't get SMS codes.

    1. If you need SMS codes, pick a plan with calls and texts.
    2. Bring your passport: plans with calls are activated at an airport counter.
    • eSIM: 6,500 won (1 day), 12,000 (2), 18,000 (3), 23,000 (4), 27,500 (5 days).
    • Call time add-on: 5,500 won for 20 min, up to 22,000 won for 80 min.
    • Plans with calls: passport check at a counter at Incheon T1/T2, Gimpo or Gimhae airport. Up to 3 per passport.
    • Includes a prepaid payment and transit card: 5,000 won to issue, app top-ups by Mastercard, JCB or Visa with a 2–3% fee, 1,000 won per cash withdrawal.

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  • Before you fly Done

    KT sells a data-only eSIM (no phone number) and a data + calls eSIM with a Korean 010 number. KT's manual says it can't be used for Korean identity checks.

    • Data only: 6,500 won (1 day) up to 143,000 won (90 days). Examples: 27,500 (5 days), 38,500 (10 days).
    • Data + calls: 23,500 won (3 days), 33,000 (5), 40,500 (7), 44,000 (10), 77,000 (30 days). Includes 16,500 won of call credit (about 60 min).
    • After 11GB a day, speed drops to 5Mbps.
    • To make calls, your identity and arrival are checked first, and you top up at least 5,500 won. One line with calls per passport, up to 90 days.

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  • Before you fly Third-party guide Done

    SK Telecom also sells an eSIM with data, calls and texts, on its website and at the airport. After passport verification you can receive calls and texts; outgoing calls need a separate top-up. We haven't confirmed its prices or whether it works for identity checks.

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  • Before you fly Done

    You can get a prepaid SIM with a Korean 010 number using your passport. LG U+ sells one with unlimited data: you upload your passport, and data + calls plans are picked up at Incheon (T1, T2), Gimpo or Gimhae airport. KT prepaid lines can also be opened with a regular passport and last 90 days from activation.

    1. Bring your passport: you need it to activate.
    • LG U+ prices shown: 6,500 won (1 day), 12,000 (2), 18,000 (3), 23,000 (4), 27,500 (5 days). The page doesn't say whether data + calls costs more.
    • LG U+: calls in Korea 264 won/min, texts 55 won, incoming free. Up to 3 bookings per passport.
    • LG U+ SMS codes work for restaurant and taxi apps, but not for bank or government identity checks.
    • KT: one prepaid line per person, topped up at KT stores or official dealers. Prices not confirmed.
    • A phone dealer says budget-carrier SIMs (5,000–8,800 won at convenience stores) can be self-activated with your passport and a phone camera (ID photo and face check), for about 90 days. Plan prices not confirmed.
    • A travel blog says passport activation is checked against your entry record, so you can only finish it after you land.

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  • Before you fly Done

    Naver Map has an English version, and you can use the map and directions without an account. Since June 4, 2026, Naver also lets you verify with your passport to make reservations, order and pay. You'll need your passport and a face check, and more services are being added. Some travelers have reported their Naver accounts getting blocked.

    1. Install Naver Map before you fly.
    2. Use maps and directions without logging in.
    3. If you want to book through Naver, have your passport ready for the face check.

    Official links

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  • Before you fly Done

    Naver doesn't publish a list of eligible countries. Instead, your passport has to meet a few conditions, and Naver matches your face to the passport photo.

    1. Use the same name and date of birth as in your passport when you sign up.
    • Passport issued outside Korea.
    • Still valid.
    • Not already used on another Naver ID.
    • Name and date of birth match your account.

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Tickets2 itemsAll done

Restaurants3 itemsAll done

  • Before you fly Done

    Catchtable Global lets you sign up with Google, LINE, Apple or email, no Korean number needed. You can pay booking deposits with a card issued outside Korea and join waitlists remotely. It only has restaurants that have signed up, though. One traveler couldn't find about half the places they wanted.

    1. Install Catchtable Global and sign up with Google, LINE, Apple or email.
    2. Search for your must-try restaurants before you fly, so you know which ones you can book there.

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  • Before you fly Reported by travelers Done

    Some restaurants aren't on global apps and only take bookings by phone, in Korean. Travelers suggest asking your hotel concierge, or using a paid booking service such as Creatrip.

    1. Make a list of restaurants you couldn't find on Catchtable Global.
    2. Ask your hotel if they can call for you.

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  • During the trip News report Done

    A news report says Baemin, Korea's big delivery app, lets visitors order without an account, using an SMS code sent to a foreign number. It says the app supports several languages and overseas payment methods. Which payment methods work is being verified.

    • A news report says Coupang Eats has English menus and has taken foreign cards such as Visa and Mastercard since late July 2025. Whether you need a Korean number to sign up is being verified.

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Transit cards12 itemsAll done

  • At the airport Done

    T-money cards are sold at convenience stores and subway stations, and you can only buy and top them up with cash, not a foreign card. Bus card readers don't take foreign cards either, and travelers say buses don't take cash. So get a loaded card before your first ride. Taxi card readers do take foreign credit cards.

    1. Get some Korean won in cash when you land.
    2. Top up your T-money card before your first bus or subway ride.
    • T-money's own travel cards: TMONEY TRAVEL CARD (4,000 won) and TMONEY TRAVEL CARD+ (6,000 won, at convenience stores), which adds WOWPASS card payments at card-accepting shops across Korea.

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  • At the airport Done

    WOWPASS is a prepaid card you can pay with, with T-money built in. You top it up with cash in 16 currencies or with a card. It only works in person: you can't use it for online shopping or delivery apps. The T-money part has its own balance.

    1. Top up the T-money part with won in cash at a subway ticket machine or convenience store.
    2. Or move money from your WOWPASS balance to T-money in the app (one way only).
    • The card and its balance are valid for 6 years.
    • Street stalls that only take cash won't accept it.
    • On KTX trains, purchases over 50,000 won need your PIN.

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  • At the airport Done

    Currency exchange, payments and cash top-ups are free, and there's no annual fee. You pay to get the card, to replace it and to take cash out.

    Sources disagree. WOWPASS's own FAQ gives two different replacement fees (4,000 won in one answer, 3,000 won in another), so we show the range. Its card fee is listed as 6,000 won, but an older notice says 5,000 won.

    • Card fee: 6,000 won, non-refundable.
    • Replacement card: 3,000–4,000 won.
    • Cash withdrawal: 1,000 won each time, up to 100,000 won per withdrawal.
    • Limits: balance up to 1,000,000 won; cash top-ups up to 2,000,000 won a day and 10,000,000 won a week.
    • Exchange-rate margin: being verified.

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  • At the airport Done

    Card top-ups in the WOWPASS app are capped at 200,000 won each and 1,000,000 won (10 top-ups) a month. PayPal top-ups are capped at 500,000 won a month, and that money can't be withdrawn or transferred. Refunds are at a machine or the head office, and money you've spent can't be refunded.

    • Secondary sources say the app takes Mastercard, JCB, Diners and Discover, not Visa, with a 4% fee for foreign cards. We haven't seen official figures.
    • An older WOWPASS page says machines that take credit cards accept Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay, JCB, Amex, Diners and Discover.

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  • At the airport Done

    A quick comparison of the three cards, using official sources.

    • T-money: transit card. Buy and top up with cash only.
    • WOWPASS: prepaid payment card with T-money built in. Top up with cash in 16 currencies or a card. In-person payments only. Also works in Busan and Jeju.
    • Climate Card: short-term passes for Seoul subway and Seoul buses, 5,000 won for 1 day up to 20,000 won for 7 days. The card itself is 3,000 won. You can't buy it outside Korea.

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  • At the airport Done

    Busan's transfer discounts work with Hanaro, Mybi, Ebi, T-money, Cashbee and postpaid transit cards. WOWPASS also works for card payments in Busan.

    • Busan's prepaid Dongbaek Pass needs a Korean residence card, so it isn't for short-stay visitors.
    • A 2024 news report says Busan launched Busan Pay, a local payment app just for foreign visitors. We haven't confirmed how top-ups or taxis work with it.
    • A 2025 news report says Busan's buses and subway don't take Visa or Mastercard tap payments yet. The city plans card readers for them by the end of 2027.

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  • At the airport Done

    Visit Busan Pass is an attractions pass. The physical card also works as a rechargeable transit card (Ezl/Cashbee) across Korea; the mobile pass doesn't work for transit. Top it up at convenience stores and subway stations.

    • 24-hour pass 55,000 won, 48-hour pass 85,000 won (official guidebook).
    • The 24- and 48-hour passes start when you enter your first attraction.
    • BIG3 covers one A and two B attractions; BIG5 covers two A and three B attractions.
    • A 2025 news report gives BIG3 at 45,000 won and BIG5 at 65,000 won, valid for 6 months after purchase.

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  • At the airport Done

    A Jeju tourism guidebook says every Jeju bus takes T-money, and fares are 1,200 won (1,150 won by card). WOWPASS works for card payments on Jeju, and there's a WOWPASS machine at Jeju Airport, but it doesn't exchange currency.

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  • During the trip Done

    The Climate Card's short-term pass covers Seoul's subway (including getting off at Incheon Airport) and Seoul-licensed buses. It starts the day you top it up, so you can't load it in advance. You can't buy it outside Korea.

    1. Buy the card at a new-style ticket machine on Lines 1–8, or at a convenience store near Line 9, Ui-Sinseol or Sillim Line stations.
    2. Top up on the day you want the pass to start.
    • Pass prices: 5,000 won (1 day), 8,000 (2), 10,000 (3), 15,000 (5), 20,000 (7 days). Youth 7-day pass: 13,000 won (from Sep 1, 2026).
    • The physical card costs 3,000 won. The mobile version works on Android 12 or later only.
    • Not covered: Shinbundang Line, GTX, intercity and airport buses, Ttareungyi bikes, Hangang Bus.
    • You can top up at subway ticket machines, or in the Mobile T-money app (NFC, from Nov 25, 2025).
    • The short-term pass works on the mobile Climate Card or the prepaid physical Climate Card. They're separate cards: they can't be linked, and you top up each one.
    • The 30-day Climate Card ended on Oct 1, 2026. Only the 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7-day short-term passes are sold now.

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  • During the trip Done

    New-style ticket machines on Lines 1–8 (440 machines at 273 stations) sell short-term passes and single tickets to foreign Visa and Mastercard credit and debit cards, and to mobile payment apps. The average fee is 3.7%.

    Foreign-issued cards work at the new ticket machines on Lines 1–8 since Mar 17, 2026 (short-term passes only; ~3.7% fee).

    Card brands

    • Visa Works
    • Mastercard Works
    • Amex Being verified
    • JCB Being verified
    • UnionPay Being verified

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  • During the trip Done

    You get back what you loaded, minus what you used and a 500 won fee. Ask during the pass period. If you don't have a Korean bank account, you can get a cash refund at T-money's head office.

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  • During the trip Third-party guide Done

    A WOWPASS guide says T-money refunds cost 500 won. Where you go depends on how much is left.

    • Under 20,000 won: GS25 or 7-Eleven.
    • Under 50,000 won: Seoul subway customer service centers.
    • More than that: T-money Town.

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Taxis4 itemsAll done

  • Before you fly Done

    k.ride is a taxi app from Kakao Mobility for visitors. You sign up with Google, Apple or email, no Korean number needed. It lets you search for places and chat in 100 languages, and you can book a taxi ahead of time, including airport pickups at Incheon (T1 and T2), Gimpo and Jeju. It doesn't offer regular taxis. The cheapest class is Standard (Kakao T Blue).

    1. Install k.ride and sign up before you fly.
    2. Add your payment method at home, not at the taxi stand.
    • Classes: Standard (Kakao T Blue), Deluxe (deluxe 'mobeom' taxi), Comfort (Venti, larger car) and Luxury (Black).
    • Standard and Deluxe: meter fare plus a 10% service fee. Deluxe can add a surge charge of 0–5,000 won; for Standard it depends on the taxi company. The fee can change with demand, traffic and area.
    • Cancelling more than 1 minute after a car is assigned, or not boarding after it arrives: 2,000 won (Deluxe), 4,000 won (Venti), 5,000 won (Black), plus 10%. For Blue it depends on the taxi company.
    • At launch in 2024, Kakao Mobility said it left out regular taxis to keep the service stable and might add more car types later (news report).
    • A third-party guide reports that Venti and Black don't show up yet in some areas. For comparison, it lists Seoul's regular taxi base fare as 4,800 won (1.6 km) and deluxe taxis as 7,000 won (3 km).

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  • During the trip Done

    Kakao T calls taxis all over Korea. Even though it lists foreign card brands, travelers often report that adding a foreign card fails. If that happens, call the taxi in the app and pay the driver in the car: cash, card or T-money all work.

    1. Call your taxi in Kakao T as normal.
    2. When you arrive, pay the driver in the car.

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  • During the trip Done

    Kakao T works on Jeju, and k.ride takes airport pickup bookings at Jeju Airport. Jeju also has a Global Taxi service, booked at jeju.go.kr/globaltaxi or by phone on 1899-4314.

    • Global Taxi fares and payment options are still being verified.

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  • During the trip Done

    Busan taxis take cash, credit cards and transit cards. Busan's site doesn't say whether foreign cards work, but VisitKorea says taxi card readers across Korea take foreign credit cards. Busan suggests the Kakao T, Uber and Dongbaek Taxi apps.

    1. Tip: Carry some cash or a loaded transit card as a backup.
    • Regular taxi: 4,800 won for the first 2 km, then 100 won per 132 m or per 33 seconds (since Jun 1, 2023).
    • Deluxe and large taxis: 7,500 won for the first 3 km, then 200 won per 140 m or per 33 seconds.
    • Late-night surcharge (23:00–04:00): 30% from midnight to 2:00, 20% at other times.
    • VisitKorea says Kakao T works anywhere in Korea.
    • k.ride airport pickups can be booked at Incheon, Gimpo and Jeju, not Gimhae (Busan).
    • k.ride's official page only says it works in Korea; a Busan event guide recommends it in Busan.
    • Whether the Dongbaek Taxi app takes foreign cards is being verified.

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Apps and language1 itemsAll done

Sightseeing1 itemsAll done

  • During the trip Done

    Key factGyeongbokgung is closed on Tuesdays

    Seoul's royal palaces each close one day a week. Gyeongbokgung and Jongmyo close on Tuesdays. Changdeokgung, Deoksugung and Changgyeonggung close on Mondays.

    1. Check the closing day before you plan a palace visit.
    • Closed Tuesdays: Gyeongbokgung, Jongmyo, Chilgung. Closed Mondays: Changdeokgung, Deoksugung, Changgyeonggung, the Joseon royal tombs, Sungnyemun.
    • If the closing day is a public holiday (or substitute holiday), it opens, and closes on the next non-holiday instead.
    • Gyeongbokgung hours: 9:00–17:00 (Jan, Feb, Nov, Dec), 9:00–18:00 (Mar–May, Sep, Oct), 9:00–18:30 (Jun–Aug). Last entry 1 hour before closing.
    • Deoksugung and Changgyeonggung: 9:00–21:00 all year, last entry 20:00.
    • Jongmyo: free entry on Wednesdays, weekends and public holidays. On Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays it's guided tours only; English tours at 10:00, 12:00, 14:00 and 16:00.
    • Changdeokgung's Secret Garden (Huwon) English tours: 10:30, 11:30, 14:30, 15:30 (Mar–Nov); 10:30, 11:30, 14:30 (Dec–Feb). 100 people per tour (50 online, 50 on site).

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Items marked Being verified are things we're still confirming. We'd rather leave a gap than guess. Rules change, so check the linked sources before you go.