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VISITOR GUIDE
Korea travel questions, answered
Short, direct answers to the questions visitors ask most, checked against official sources.
Korea travel checklist
Prep before you fly and the apps to install
Do I need a Korean phone number to book tickets in Korea?
Not always. Many Korean booking sites verify you with a Korean mobile number, but global versions such as NOL World and Melon Ticket Global let you book with a regular account and verify with your passport. Some attractions also sell tickets on site.
What to do in Seoul this weekend?
Check the NowHitz radar for this weekend's concerts, pop-ups and festivals, then fill the gaps with Seoul's reliable weekend classics: a royal palace, a late-opening museum on Saturday, a traditional market, and an evening by the Han River or Cheonggyecheon.
What are the best free things to do in Seoul?
Plenty. Royal palaces are free if you wear hanbok, and most are free on Wednesdays. The National Museum of Korea's permanent galleries, the National Folk Museum, the War Memorial and the Seoul Museum of History are free, as are Cheonggyecheon and the Hangang parks.
What is Seoul like in November?
November in Seoul is cool and crisp. Official KMA normals (1991–2020) give an average of 7.5°C, with highs near 11.9°C and lows near 3.5°C. Early November often still has autumn colour downtown; by late month it feels like early winter.
What is Seoul like in December?
December in Seoul is cold and dry. KMA normals (1991–2020) give an average of 0.2°C, highs near 4.2°C and lows near -3.4°C. The city fills with winter lights from mid-month, and on 31 December crowds gather at Bosingak for the midnight bell.
Can I use my foreign credit card in Korea?
Yes, in most places. Visa, Mastercard, American Express and other cards work at hotels, department stores and most shops. Some Korean apps and online shops need Korean verification, and some transit top-ups are cash only, so carry some won too.
How do I get and top up a T-money card?
Buy a T-money card at convenience stores like GS25, CU or 7-Eleven, or at Seoul subway information centers. Top it up at the store counter or a subway ticket machine. Bring Korean won, since cash is the most reliable way to top up.
How late does the Seoul subway run?
Visit Seoul says the subway runs from about 5:30 a.m. until around midnight, but the last train depends on the line, station and direction, and Seoul has moved some times earlier. Check the last train from your station in a subway app.
Which Seoul palaces are closed on Mondays or Tuesdays?
Gyeongbokgung and Jongmyo Shrine close on Tuesdays. Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung and Gyeonghuigung close on Mondays. So on any day of the week at least one palace is open. When a closing day is a public holiday, it usually shifts.
Are museums in Korea closed on Mondays?
Some are, some aren't. Many Seoul museums and palaces close on Mondays, but the National Museum of Korea and MMCA Seoul have no weekly closing day, and Gyeongbokgung and Jongmyo close on Tuesdays instead. Always check holiday closures before you go.
Can foreigners use Kakao T to call a taxi?
Yes, but setup can be fiddly. Kakao T needs a Kakao account and SMS phone verification, and accepts overseas Visa, Mastercard, Amex and JCB cards. Many visitors find Kakao's k.ride app easier: you sign up with Google, Apple or email and pay with a foreign card.
Does Google Maps work in Korea?
Partly. Google Maps in Korea has long offered transit directions and place info, but not turn-by-turn walking or driving directions. Korea approved Google's map data export in February 2026, so check the app for what works now. Naver Map is the safer choice.
Do I need a K-ETA to visit Korea?
It depends on your passport. Visa-free travellers normally need a K-ETA, but nationals of 22 countries and regions, including the US, are temporarily exempt from 1 January to 31 December 2026 (KST). Check k-eta.go.kr for your nationality and for rules after 2026.
How do foreigners buy KTX tickets?
Book on KORAIL's English website or the KORAIL+ app, buy at a station ticket office or kiosk, or get a KORAIL Pass if you will ride a lot. Tickets usually open one month ahead at 07:00, and popular dates sell out, so book early.
How do tourists get a tax refund in Korea?
Shop at stores showing a Tax Free or Tax Refund sign and show your passport. Spend at least 15,000 won per purchase. You can get the tax taken off right at the register, or get a refund voucher and claim it downtown or at the airport when you leave.
Do you tip in Korea?
No, tipping is not a Korean custom and staff don't expect it. Taxi drivers don't expect tips either, though they appreciate it if you let them keep the change. Some major hotels and upscale restaurants add a 10% service charge to the bill.
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