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South Korea is quickly rising to the top of everyone’s travel bucket list and with good reason. The global obsession with K-pop, K-beauty, and K-dramas is driving fascination with Korea. After spending nine days exploring South Korea, I can confirm that this country lives up to the hype. From Seoul’s vibrant nightlife to Busan’s sandy beaches and Jeonju’s cultural village, South Korea is a dazzling mix of the ultra-modern and the deeply traditional.
There is so much to do in South Korea! Whether you’re taking a K-pop dance class, trying your hand at traditional papermaking, perfecting your taekwondo kick, hiking to a mountain temple, or unwinding at a jjimjilbang (Korean spa), you’ll never run out of things to do. Plus, with food markets everywhere, you can eat and drink your way across the country.
So if South Korea is on your radar (and it should be!), here’s my ultimate, no-stress guide to packing for your trip.
What To Bring To South Korea
- Bags & Luggage
- Carry-On Essentials
- Shoes
- Accessories
- Technology
- Clothes
- Seasonal Items
- Toiletries
- Money
- Korean Etiquette & Customs
- Empty Space for Souvenirs
- Bonus: Packing Checklist
Bags & Luggage
Step one: picking the right bags. The more I travel, the more I opt for carry-on-sized luggage. Whether solo traveling or joining a small group tour, you’ll be responsible for carrying your bags across subway platforms, up stairs, down cobblestone roads, and into overhead train storage. South Korea is easy to navigate, but the smaller the bag, the better. I brought a carry-on suitcase and a backpack, and still think I could have packed lighter.
- Carry-On Suitcase or Travel Backpack
- A Small Daypack or Crossbody Bag
Note: You’ll have access to laundry facilities throughout your trip to South Korea.
Carry-On Essentials
The flight to South Korea is long, but so worth it. Here are some carry-on essentials that can make the flight bearable, getting through customs easier, and starting your journey with success. If this is your first long-haul flight, check out this guide to reducing jet lag.
- Passport - Carry your passport with you throughout your trip to get instant tax refunds on purchases.
- Proof of Travel Insurance
- Credit Cards & $200-300 USD - It’s always a good practice to have some USD on you when you travel in case you run into issues using your cards abroad.
- Copy of Booking Reservations - Immigration may ask for your accommodation addresses.
- Visa - Most nationalities can enter Korea for tourism purposes without a visa, but always double-check before your trip.
- Snacks - Essential for vegetarians. Get inspiration for healthy, filling plane snacks here.
- Optional Book/Kindle - Read The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See for a gripping story set in South Korea.
- Optional Compression Socks
- Sweatshirt - Planes get cold, so it’s important to have easily accessible layers.
Shoes
Did you even go on vacation if you didn’t walk 20,000+ steps a day? Always opt for comfortable walking shoes when choosing a travel shoe. You’ll be asked to remove your shoes to enter homes, temples, and palaces, so plan accordingly. For this reason, zippered sneakers are very trendy in Korea.
- Sneakers
- Dressy Shoe Option
- Seasonal Shoes - Boots for winter or sandals for summer.
- Optional Hiking Boots - Good if you’re planning a serious trek through the mountains.
Accessories
Seoul, Jeonju, and Busan are very developed, modern cities. You don’t need a ton of special accessories to enjoy your trip.
- Umbrella - We got hit with a surprise monsoon in April, and I was shocked at how many locals used umbrellas. Your hotel should have umbrellas you can borrow, or pick one up at any convenience store.
- Sunglasses - Korean culture is very polite, so remember to remove your sunglasses when meeting people.
- Hat - Koreans prioritize protecting their faces from sun damage, so you’ll see locals in big floppy sunhats.
- Jewelry - South Korea is very safe. You can feel comfortable bringing a few pieces of travel-appropriate jewelry.
Technology
You’ll need a fully charged phone for photos, directions, and translations. Some other pieces of technology that will make your trip to South Korea easier are:
- Converter & Adapter - Korea uses Type C & F plugs (the same outlets as most of Europe) that are 220 volts. Skip packing U.S hair tools as they will not work. A European hair tool will work in the outlets without a converter.
- Portable Charger - Remember, your phone battery may not last all day, so keep your portable charger handy.
- Headphones - It’s customary to be quiet on public transportation in South Korea. Avoid chatting with your travel companions and instead listen to some music on longer train rides.
- Travel Apps:
- Naver Maps or Kakao Maps for directions. Google Maps doesn’t work well in South Korea.
- HappyCow for vegetarian dining recommendations
- Uber for calling taxis in South Korea
- Optional Camera
Clothes
Have fun with your outfits in South Korea. Embrace your inner K-pop star and go to a karaoke bar or channel a chic city explorer and wander the night markets of Seoul. Locals lean toward polished looks with looser silhouettes and neutral colors. Think pulled together but highly functional.
- Tops
- Bottoms
- Optional Hiking Pants
- Optional Dresses & Skirts (weather permitting)
- Bathing Suit
- Socks & Underwear
- Pajamas
- Outerwear
- Rain Jacket
- Sweater or Sweatshirt
- Seasonal jacket
- Workout Fit - You’ll need it for your taekwondo and K-pop dance classes.
Seasonal Items
The weather in South Korea can change dramatically based on the time of year, so always check before you pack.
Spring: Average Temperatures of 55-70°F (13-21°C)
Spring is regarded as one of the best times to visit South Korea. The weather is mild, and the cherry blossoms are in full bloom.
- Bring a Light Jacket for cool evenings.
Summer: Average Temperatures of 75-95°F (24-35°C)
Seaside destinations like Busan and Jeju Island are summer hotspots in South Korea. Sign up for a SUP class or go for a dip in the ocean to cool down. Summer can be very hot and humid. It is also monsoon season, so bring breathable rain gear.
- Bathing Suit
- Rain Jacket
Fall: Average Temperatures of 50-65°F (10-19°C)
Another great time to visit South Korea is in Autumn. The fall foliage covers the country in hues of red, orange, and yellow that are simply spectacular.
- Jacket
- Layers for cool mornings
Winter: Average Temperatures of 14-32°F (-10-0°C)
Winter in South Korea can be very cold and snowy. Even in the colder, darker months, people still love traveling to Korea for skiing.
- Thermal Layers
- Down Jacket
- Hat, Scarf & Mittens
- Boots
- Wool Socks
Toiletries
Don’t go overboard on personal care items like skincare, haircare, or makeup. South Korea is known for its highly effective beauty products, and you’ll want to stock up.
- Medications
- Small First Aid Kit
- Hand Sanitizer
- Tissues - Bidets are very common in South Korea, so you may not find toilet paper in public restrooms
- Sunscreen
- Toothpaste
- Deodorant - Personal space does not exist in Korea. It’s normal for people to stand very close to you on public transportation.
- Optional Motion Sickness Pills - You’ll be on buses, boats, and trains.
Note: The Korean beauty standard is to have very pale skin. If you have a darker complexion, you may struggle to find a wide selection of makeup products. Also, some products contain bleaching elements to lighten the skin, so if you’re ever unsure, ask your guide for help.
Money
You can carry cash, credit cards, and your passport without the fear of being pickpocketed. Crime levels in South Korea are relatively low, but Seoul, Busan, and Jeonju are still major cities, so use common sense. Read this guide to safety in South Korea!
- Credit Card - Apple Pay is not widely accepted in South Korea. Always have your physical card handy.
- $200-300 USD - You can exchange USD for Won.
- Tipping - It is not customary to tip in Korea. The exception is to tip your guides at the end of your trip. I recommend budgeting $10 USD/day for every day of your trip.
Korean Etiquette & Customs
South Korea is an extremely clean, organized, and respectful country. Here’s how to fit in:
- Carry Your Trash - There are limited public trash cans in South Korea. Locals know to return their rubbish to the place they bought it from or carry it throughout the day.
- Bring a Reusable Water Bottle - Tap water is safe to drink. It's always a good idea to bring a reusable water bottle when traveling.
- Dress Modestly for Temples - While younger Koreans are fashion-forward and have normalized crop tops and spaghetti straps, it’s still respectful to cover up at cultural sites.
Empty Space
Trust me, you’re going to want to shop in South Korea. From Olive Young skincare hauls to trendy outfits bought in underground shopping malls, Korean snacks, and spa goodies, your suitcase will quickly fill up. Do your future self a favor and leave space in your suitcase when packing.
Check out my complete list of Olive Young product recommendations!
Note: Koreans are petite, so if you are taller or have a curvier body type, your clothing shopping may be limited. Just means there’s even more room for skincare!
Ultimate South Korea Packing Checklist
Here’s the complete South Korea packing list before your trip to make sure you have everything you need:
Seoul Much To See, Seoul Little Time!
South Korea is an incredible blend of culture, cuisine, and cool. With this guide, you’ll be ready for any adventure the country throws your way, whether that’s dancing to BTS or eating your way through Gwangjang Market.
Book your trip to South Korea with Under30Experiences and experience a nine-day journey covering the best of South Korea. U30X’s itinerary guides you around the country while still leaving you plenty of free time to book spa treatments, shop for souvenirs, or eat more bibimbap!
