Living in Korea

Check your arrival terminal and the Korean address of your accommodation first. Compare AREX for a rail connection, an airport bus for a useful stop near your hotel, or a designated taxi for door-to-door travel. Choose by your final destination, luggage and arrival time, not the train name alone.

Sources checked · 2026-10-02

Check whether you arrive at the domestic or international terminal. Follow the signs to public transport and compare the airport train, subway, bus or taxi for your destination. Use Gimpo Airport’s official transport guide to check your route; Incheon’s T1/T2 directions are for a different airport.

Sources checked · 2026-09-30

Choose rechargeable Tmoney for flexible trips beyond Seoul; consider a short-term Climate Card only when your stations and buses are covered and the pass dates fit. Seoul says 30-day prepaid recharges ended on August 31, 2026; existing cards still accept 1-, 2-, 3-, 5- and 7-day passes.

Sources checked · 2026-10-02

Buy a rechargeable transit card at a convenience store or station. Tap when you enter and exit the subway, and when boarding and leaving a bus. Bring cash for top-ups; payment options vary by card and machine.

Seoul fares change at 22:00, 23:00, 02:00 and 04:00. Use the calculator with the road distance, then show the driver your destination in Korean. Other cities use different rates.

Find the locker bank and exit before heading to the station. Locker size, price and payment instructions are on each station page. Availability is checked at the locker.

Korean train and event sites usually ask for a Korean phone number. Use the English sites instead. Korail’s global site books as a non-member with a passport. Trip.com and Klook sell the same seats for a small fee. For concerts, use Interpark Global, Yes24 Global or TicketLink Global — email only.

Sources checked · 2026-10-03

Use the Korean road-name address from your host or booking. Separate the province, city/district, road/building number and apartment/room detail. Keep the room number when copying.

Choose by the task you need: internet maps and messaging, outgoing calls/texts, or identity verification. These are separate capabilities. LG U+ says its data-only service has no SMS verification; voice/SMS can support reservation-app SMS, but banking and government identity verification are not supported. Check your exact provider and plan.

Sources checked · 2026-10-02

In Seoul, general waste goes in designated pay-as-you-throw bags. Recycling and food waste are separate. Ask your landlord for your district’s bags, collection place and schedule; rules vary by building and district.

For participating restaurants, use CATCHTABLE Global rather than the domestic service. The Korea Tourism Organization describes Google or Apple sign-in without a Korean number, foreign-issued card payments and email waitlist notifications. A reservation, remote waitlist and on-site queue are different options; the restaurant page determines which you can use.

Sources checked · 2026-10-02

You do not need a Korean phone number or an ARC to order delivery in Korea. Baemin takes guest orders with a foreign card, Coupang Eats accepts foreign cards on iPhone, and Shuttle Delivery is English-first. If an app still rejects you, the hotel front desk can order with the Korean line below.

Sources checked · 2026-10-03

Show your allergy or dietary requirement in Korean and ask staff to check ingredients. “Less spicy” does not confirm a dish is allergy-safe. Use the Korean phrase tool; if staff cannot confirm, choose another dish.

Ask “카드로 결제할 수 있어요?” (Can I pay by card?) before ordering. If your card is declined, ask about another payment method. Use “영수증 주세요” to request a receipt.

Start with where you lost the item. Incheon terminal items go to the terminal office; items on a plane, airport bus or airport railway go to that operator. For Seoul Metro, contact the center for the line. Search registered items through the official police portal.

Sources checked · 2026-10-02

In Korea, call 112 for police or 119 for fire, rescue and an ambulance. Use the buttons below for urgent help. 1330 is tourism help, not emergency dispatch; 1339 is infectious-disease advice.

Sources checked · 2026-10-02

For an emergency in Korea, call 119. For other care, contact the hospital directly to confirm language support, appointments, fees and insurance. MedicalKorea lists registered foreign-patient providers; registration does not guarantee treatment quality or language support. Do not post symptoms or medical records in the public community.

Sources checked · 2026-09-30

The Korea Tourism Organization’s 1330 helpline helps with travel questions and interpretation. For danger or urgent medical help, use 112 or 119 instead.

Ask the Immigration Contact Center about immigration procedures and life in Korea. Weekdays 09:00–22:00; after 18:00, Korean, English and Chinese. Call charges may apply.