Plan a Seoul business day with room between meetings
A calendar full of station names can look manageable until you add transfers, exits and building security. Plan door to door.
By Seemile · Sources checked
Get usable meeting details
- Ask for the road-name address in Korean, building name, floor and reception contact.
- Confirm the meeting time in Korea Standard Time with overseas colleagues.
- Ask about visitor registration or ID requirements before arriving at the building.
Build the travel plan
- Check the journey to the exact entrance rather than the neighbourhood alone.
- Allow a buffer for unfamiliar stations, traffic and finding reception.
- Keep one realistic alternative route for a connection you cannot afford to miss.
Keep the day flexible
- Save addresses and host contacts offline.
- Confirm a meeting point if the host plans to collect you from a station.
- For a changed arrival time, send a clear update with your expected arrival rather than a vague “soon”.
A little Korean goes a long way
- 방문객 등록은 어디서 하나요? — Where do I register as a visitor?
- 10분 정도 늦을 것 같습니다. — I expect to be about ten minutes late.
Official information
- Seoul · How to use taxis — Seoul Metropolitan Government
- Seoul · Modes of transport — Seoul Metropolitan Government
Keep going
A business trip: check what you will actually do
Calling a trip “business” is not enough to choose an entry route. Meetings, negotiations, hands-on work and paid services may be treated differently.
Stay connected without making the hotel Wi-Fi your plan
Sort out the phone connection you need before the first meeting. Your work device, company security rules and local services may need different arrangements.
A few Korean phrases for a business meeting
You do not need a long speech. A clear greeting, a polite request to repeat something and a confirmed next step will carry you through many short exchanges.
Receipts and expenses: keep the record while it is fresh
The easiest time to fix a receipt is before leaving the counter. Your employer’s reimbursement policy determines what you need, so check it before the trip.