Korea Trip Notes

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you book through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Taxis in Korea are plentiful, cheaper than in many big cities abroad and running when the subway has stopped. The hard part for visitors is calling one and telling the driver where to go. I am Jin, I live in Korea, and this guide compares Kakao T, Uber and simply waving down a taxi, plus taxi types, fares, payment and Korean phrases to copy. If you are still building your plan, start with my Korea trip planner for first-timers . Apps, rules and prices can change, so always check the current screen before you book. A typical wide Korean city street: a good spot to wait for a taxi. Photo: Jin from Korea Kakao T vs Uber vs Street Taxi at a Glance Option Sign-up Best for Kakao T Kakao account plus text-message verification Everyday rides if sign-up works for you Uber (Uber Taxi) Your existing Uber account The easiest start for most tourists Street tax...

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you book through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Bukchon Hanok Village (북촌한옥마을) is the place where Seoul still looks like old Korea: rows of curved tiled roofs, narrow stone alleys and the city skyline peeking between them. It sits between Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung palaces, and the classic way to visit is to rent a hanbok near Gyeongbokgung, walk the palace for free, then wander up into the hanok alleys. I am Jin, I live in Korea, and this guide covers the new visiting hours in Bukchon, how hanbok rental works, typical prices, a walking route and the manners locals really care about. Rules and prices can change, so treat the numbers here as a guide and check before you go. Visitors in hanbok at Gyeongbokgung Palace, a short walk from Bukchon. Photo: Luiz M / Pexels (Pexels License). Bukchon and Hanbok at a Glance Entry fee Free. Bukchon is a residenti...

If you want to see how Koreans actually unwind, skip the clubs for one night and go to a noraebang (노래방), a private karaoke room you rent with your friends. I am Jin, I live in Korea, and a noraebang is where many of my nights out end. You do not need to sing well or speak Korean. This guide covers the types of noraebang, prices, the remote, the karaoke bars where Koreans drink and snack while they sing, and how to find one. Prices vary by shop, so treat every number here as a range. A karaoke bar room on a night out: beer, anju plates and a tablet for ordering. The TV screen is blurred. Photo: Jin from Korea Noraebang at a Glance What it is A private, soundproof karaoke room rented by the song or by the hour Coin noraebang Usually ₩1,000 for about 2–3 songs (anything from 1 to 4 depending on the shop) Regular noraebang Roughly ₩15,000–30,000 per hour for a small room; evenings, weekends and big rooms cost more Alcohol Not sold in ...

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you book through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. If you only have time for one palace in Seoul, make it Gyeongbokgung (경복궁). I am Jin, I live in Korea, and this is the palace I take friends to on their first day in the city. It was built in 1395 as the main royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty, and it sits right in the middle of Seoul with Bugaksan mountain behind it. This guide covers everything a first-timer needs: tickets, free entry in hanbok, opening hours, the closing day, the royal guard ceremony, what to see in what order and how to get there. Hours and fees can change, so check the official site before you go. Looking back at Gwanghwamun from the courtyard inside the palace. Photo: Jin from Korea Gyeongbokgung Quick Facts Admission (foreigners 19–64) ₩3,000 (₩2,400 each for groups of 10 or more) Free entry Foreigners 18 and under, visitors 65 and over, ...

Planning a first trip to Korea can feel like juggling ten browser tabs at once: trains, maps, hotels, SIM cards, food. I am Jin, I live in Korea, and this page ties together the guides I have written for first-time visitors. Think of it as your starting point. Read each short section, then open the matching guide when you want the full details. Prices, hours and routes can change with the season, so confirm anything important close to your trip. Sunset over Busan’s apartment towers and mountains. Photo: Jin from Korea Quick checklist Get a T-money card (or a Climate Card for busy Seoul days) and carry some Korean won in cash. Book the KTX on Korail's English site or app with an overseas card. Install Naver Map before you fly, and keep Google Maps for searching places. Sort out mobile data (an eSIM is the easiest choice if your phone supports it). Pick a Seoul area that fits your style and a Busan base near Haeundae Beach. Save Korean place names so you can paste them ...

If you land in Korea and open Google Maps out of habit, you will probably be fine for about ten minutes. Then you will try to walk to a restaurant and discover that the blue line you expect is missing. I get this question from visitors all the time, so here is the plain version: which map app should you use in Korea, and why? Short answer: install Naver Map as your main app, keep Google Maps for finding places, and use a taxi app for rides. Korean shop signs on a Busan sidewalk. Photo: Jin from Korea Quick Answer: Which Map App Is Best in Korea? Naver Map – best all-rounder for tourists: English interface, walking, transit and real-time bus and subway info. Google Maps – great for reviews and searching in English, but limited for walking and driving directions in Korea. KakaoMap – what many locals use; it has an English mode, but coverage is less complete than Naver's. Kakao T or k.ride – for calling taxis. Sign-up requirements are covered below. Download L...