10 Things to Know Before Travelling to Seoul (Don’t Make These Mistakes)
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Planning your first trip to Seoul and wondering what you actually need to know before you go? These are the most important things to know before travelling to Seoul so you don’t make the same mistakes most first-time travellers do.
Seoul is an incredible city, but it’s not as straightforward as it looks. There are a lot of small things that can catch you off guard, from how transport works to restaurant etiquette and even simple cultural norms.
I’ve been to Seoul over 15 times, both as a solo traveller and as a flight attendant, and I can tell you this: the difference between a smooth trip and a frustrating one comes down to knowing a few key things in advance.
These are the things I wish I knew before travelling to Seoul for the first time, including a few mistakes that are easy to make if you don’t know what to expect.
If you’re planning a full trip, start with my South Korea travel hub where I’ve organised all my Seoul guides, itineraries, and travel tips in one place.
1. Download the right apps before you arrive
One of the biggest mistakes you can make when travelling to Seoul for the first time is assuming your usual apps will work the same way they do at home.
They don’t.
I made this mistake on my first trip. I thought I could just rely on Google Maps and figure things out as I went, but that’s where things started to get frustrating.
In South Korea, local apps are everything.
The two you actually need are:
- Naver Maps
- Kakao Taxi
Naver Maps is essential for getting around. While Google Maps has improved slightly, it still doesn’t properly support walking or driving directions in Seoul, which makes it unreliable when you’re trying to navigate the city.
Naver Maps, on the other hand, gives you detailed public transport routes, tells you which exit to take (which matters a lot in Seoul), and even shows which subway carriage is best for transfers.
Kakao Taxi is just as important. It works faster and more reliably than Uber in Seoul, and you don’t even need a Korean phone number. You can simply select the option “to pay the driver” directly.
2. You need a T-money card to get around
One of the first things you should do when you arrive in Seoul is get a T-money card. Don’t wait, because you’ll need it almost immediately.
This card is what you’ll use for public transport, including the subway and buses, and even for small purchases at convenience stores or taxis.
You can buy a T-money card at convenience stores like 7-Eleven or GS25, which are everywhere in Seoul. It’s cheap, easy to get, and honestly, it makes getting around the city so much smoother.
Even though you can pay for the card with a credit card, you need cash to top it up. The machines at subway stations don’t accept cards, which is something I didn’t realise at first.
During one of my trips, I arrived at Seoul Station without any cash and couldn’t even take the subway. It’s a small thing, but it can slow you down straight away.
As a rough guide, I usually top up around 20,000 WON for a week of getting around, and that’s more than enough for daily use.
Get the card, load it with cash, and you’ll avoid unnecessary stress from day one.
3. You’ll need cash more than you think (don’t rely on cards only)
It’s easy to assume that Seoul is completely card-friendly, and for the most part, it is. But one of the most important things to know before travelling to Seoul is that you still need cash for certain things, like street food and public transport.
You’ll need cash to top up your T-money card at subway stations, and you’ll also need it if you ever want to buy a single subway ticket. The machines simply don’t accept cards.
I learned this the hard way when I arrived without any cash and couldn’t even get on the subway.
I always recommend exchanging a small amount at the airport, around $50 is usually enough to get you started. After that, you can withdraw more or exchange money in places like Myeongdong, where rates are generally better.
Cards are widely accepted in Seoul, but having some cash on you will save you time, stress, and a lot of unnecessary hassle.
4. Getting from the airport is easy with AREX
One of the easiest parts of travelling to Seoul is actually getting from the airport to the city, but it’s also something people tend to overthink.
You don’t need a private transfer or anything complicated.
The best option is the Airport Express Train (AREX), which takes you directly from Incheon Airport to Seoul Station in about 50 minutes. It’s straightforward, affordable, and honestly the most stress-free way to start your trip.
There are two options:
- the express train (direct, fewer stops)
- the all-stop train (slower, but useful depending on where you’re staying)
When you arrive at the airport, just follow the signs for the airport railroad. You can buy your ticket at the machines, and they accept credit cards, so no stress there.
The express train is slightly more expensive, but it’s comfortable, has space for luggage, and gets you into the city quickly.
5. Restaurant culture in Seoul is different
One of the biggest things to know before travelling to Seoul is that restaurant culture works very differently from what you might be used to.
And if you don’t know this, it can feel confusing fast.
First of all, reservations aren’t always a thing. In many places, you simply walk in, write your name on a list, and wait. No host, no system you might recognise, just organised chaos.
Then there are the small details that catch you off guard.
Cutlery isn’t always on the table. It’s often hidden in a drawer, and once you know that, it makes sense, but the first time, you’re just sitting there wondering where everything is.
You’ll also notice things like:
- scissors on the table to cut your food
- a small bin at your table
- complimentary water you pour yourself
And here’s a big one.
In Seoul, you don’t wait for the waiter to come to you. You call them over. Sometimes there’s even a button at the table. If you sit there waiting like you would in Europe, nothing will happen.
Culturally, there are also small etiquette details that stood out to me.
Things like handing items with two hands or pouring drinks for others when you’re with company. These aren’t things you must master as a tourist, but being aware of them gives you a better understanding of how things work locally.
And finally, when you’re done eating, you don’t wait for the bill. You go up to the counter and pay there.
6. Seoul isn’t as solo-friendly as you might expect
Seoul is often mentioned as a great destination for solo travel, and it is, but there’s something important you should know before travelling to Seoul on your own.
It’s not as solo-friendly as other Asian countries.
This surprised me, especially after travelling to places like Japan or Thailand, where solo dining and doing things alone feels completely normal and built into the culture.
In Seoul, it’s different.
South Korea is quite a couple-focused society. You’ll notice it everywhere, from people wearing matching outfits to restaurant dishes that are designed for two or more people.
This becomes most obvious when it comes to food.
Some dishes, like Korean BBQ or dak galbi, are made for at least two people. There are even restaurants that won’t accept solo diners unless you order for two, which can feel a bit awkward at first.
It’s not a dealbreaker at all, but it’s something most blogs don’t talk about.
There are still plenty of places where you can eat alone, especially in more modern or casual spots, but it’s not as seamlessly solo-friendly as you might expect.
Once you know this, you can plan around it and avoid that initial frustration.
If you’re worried about eating alone, I’ve written a full guide on solo dining in Seoul, including what to expect, how to handle it confidently, and where it’s actually easier to eat alone without feeling awkward.
7. Rush hour in Seoul is intense (avoid it if you can)
One thing I didn’t fully expect before travelling to Seoul is just how intense rush hour can be.
Yes, every big city has rush hour, but Seoul feels different.
The subway gets extremely crowded, especially during commuting hours, and it can go from calm to packed very quickly. If you’re travelling with luggage or just not in the mood to be squeezed into a carriage, it’s something you’ll want to avoid.
It’s not just transport either.
Restaurants get noticeably busier during lunch and dinner rush, especially around office areas. You’ll find longer queues, limited seating, and a much higher chance of waiting for a table.
If you can, try to plan around it:
- avoid the subway during peak commuting times
- go for early or late meals instead of peak hours
8. Seoul’s weather can ruin your trip if you don’t plan for it
One thing to know before travelling to Seoul is that the weather can be extreme, depending on when you visit.
And I mean extreme.
Winters in Seoul are brutally cold. I’ve been there when temperatures dropped to around -20°C, and it’s the kind of cold that makes being outside genuinely uncomfortable if you’re not prepared.
On the other hand, summers, especially in August, are hot and very humid. It’s not just warm, it’s the kind of heat that makes walking around the city feel exhausting.
Then there’s the rain, mostly in July,
When it rains in Seoul, it really rains. And the moment it starts, everyone tries to get a taxi at the same time, which makes it almost impossible to get one.
If you don’t plan for the weather properly, it can completely affect how much you enjoy your trip.
So:
- pack properly for the season
- carry a small umbrella for the sun or the rain
- and plan your days with the weather in mind
It sounds simple, but it makes a huge difference once you’re there.
9. You need an eSIM or data plan (don’t rely on public WiFi)
One thing to know before travelling to Seoul is that while there is WiFi almost everywhere, it’s not something you should rely on completely.
Yes, you’ll find free WiFi in cafés, restaurants, public transport, and even around the city. But in reality, it’s not always reliable when you actually need it.
And when you’re navigating, checking routes, or trying to book a taxi, that’s exactly when you need internet the most.
I’ve tried relying on public WiFi before, and it quickly becomes frustrating when connections drop or don’t work properly.
That’s why having your own data is essential.
I always use an eSIM when I travel to Seoul. It’s easy to set up before you arrive, and it means you have internet the moment you land, no stress, no searching for WiFi.
You can still use public WiFi as a backup, but don’t depend on it.
Having reliable data makes everything smoother, from using maps to ordering taxis and finding your way around.
10. Seoul is safe, but not always solo-friendly
One of the most important things to know before travelling to Seoul is that while it’s incredibly safe, it’s not always as solo-friendly as you might expect.
If you’re wondering whether it’s the right destination for you, I’ve broken it down in detail in my guide on is Seoul good for solo travel.
From a safety perspective, Seoul is one of the easiest cities I’ve travelled to. I’ve never felt uncomfortable walking alone, even at night, and overall it’s a very secure destination for solo female travellers.
But safety and solo-friendliness are not the same thing.
As I mentioned earlier, Seoul isn’t as naturally set up for solo travellers when it comes to things like dining or certain social settings. You’ll notice more couple-focused environments, and not everything is designed with solo travellers in mind.
That said, it doesn’t take away from the experience.
What surprised me most about Seoul
One thing that genuinely surprised me when I first travelled to Seoul was how strong the cultural etiquette is in everyday life.
Not in an overwhelming way, but in small, subtle details that you start to notice the more time you spend there.
Simple things like handing items with two hands, pouring drinks for others when you’re in company, or the general level of politeness in interactions. It’s not something you need to stress about as a tourist, but it does give you a better understanding of how people interact and what’s considered respectful.
I found it really interesting, especially because it’s so different from what I was used to in Europe.
It’s one of those things that you don’t necessarily read about before your trip, but once you experience it, it adds a whole extra layer to how you see the city.
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What I’d do differently if I went to Seoul again
If I could go back to my first trip to Seoul, I’d do a few things differently, and it would have made the whole experience so much smoother.
Download the right apps, have some cash ready, and understand how things work so you don’t waste time figuring it out on the spot.
I’d also plan my days a bit more strategically. Not in an over-planned way, but just enough to avoid rush hour, choose the right neighbourhoods, and make the most of my time in the city.
Ready to dive deeper?
- Start with my 5-day itinerary for Seoul to map out your trip day by day
- Read my guide on 10 days in South Korea itinerary
Seoul is an incredible city, but once you understand how it works, everything becomes easier, more enjoyable, and far less overwhelming.
If you’re still in the planning phase, I’ve organised everything in my South Korea travel hub, where you’ll find all my Seoul guides, itineraries, and tips to help you plan your trip from start to finish.
Ps. Check out information about Korean etiquette from the Seoul Tourism Organization
