Travellers: Life in Korea

Start here

1. Before you fly: check your entry purpose
2. A Korean SIM: data access is not identity verification
3. Choosing and using a transport card
4. Your first Seoul subway journey
5. Save these details before you need urgent help

Browse by topic

• Arrival & visas — Documents, appointments and the changes you need to report.
• Finding a home — Understand the costs and ask better questions before signing.
• Work & business — Job searches, contracts and where to ask for help.
• Health & help — Find care, explain what you need and prepare for the unexpected.
• Study & Korean — Classes, campus life and support for school-age learners.
• Family life — Practical starting points for couples, parents and children.
• Getting around — Public transport, taxis and driving in Seoul.
• Everyday essentials — Phones, money, recycling and a place to feel at home.
• Business trips — Plan a workable schedule, stay connected and keep clear records.

Practical guides

• Before you fly: check your entry purpose

  A holiday, a degree course and a paid job need different checks. Start with what you will actually do in Korea, rather than the name of a visa you have heard about.

• Your first visit to a Korean clinic

  For routine, non-emergency care, a nearby clinic can be a practical starting point. Call first if you need a particular language or are unsure which department to visit.

• At the pharmacy: explain, check, then take it home

  Bring the prescription if a clinician has given you one. At the counter, explain your situation rather than choosing medicine by package colour or a familiar-looking name.

• Arrange language help before a medical appointment

  A hospital’s international desk and a community interpretation service are different arrangements. Ask what is available for your appointment before the day of the visit.

• Save these details before you need urgent help

  In an emergency, your location is often the first useful piece of information. Keep your accommodation address in Korean where you can find it without searching.

• Find a Korean class that fits your week

  The best class is one you can attend consistently. Compare the level, timetable and teaching focus before deciding that a course is right for you.

• Your first Seoul subway journey

  The line colour helps, but the direction and exit number do most of the work. Check both before following the crowd.

• Taking a bus and keeping the transfer record

  In a busy street, buses with the same number can be travelling in opposite directions. Check the stop and direction before boarding.

• Choosing and using a transport card

  A transport card simplifies daily travel. Check how your chosen card is funded and which services it covers before treating it as a pass for everything.

• A taxi trip with less guesswork

  Have the exact destination ready in Korean. A building entrance or road-name address is more useful than an English business name that may have several branches.

• Before you drive in Korea

  Check the licence route before booking a rental car or buying one. A foreign licence, an international permit and a Korean licence are not interchangeable documents.

• A Korean SIM: data access is not identity verification

  A plan that gets you online may not support every Korean sign-up or identity check. Decide what you need before comparing the cheapest data offer.

• Find a library you can actually use each week

  A nearby library can be a useful place to read, study and find local programmes. Borrowing, seat booking and digital access may each have different rules.

• Find something local to do beyond sightseeing

  A small neighbourhood programme can be easier to join than a major festival. Look for an activity you can attend comfortably and understand well enough to enjoy.