'Learnt this the hard way': 13 things first-timers need to know for visiting South Korea

You've got your Jetstar flights to Seoul and you're breathing a huge sigh of relief that South Korea's visa waiver program (the K-ETA) has been extended until the end of the year.

It's a solid start, but there are plenty of tips you'll need to make your first visit to South Korea a successful one.

Here are the things you need to know.

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Take the all-stops train from the airport

Short on time? Your best bet might be the AREX (Airport Railroad Express) which takes 43 minutes to travel from Terminal 1 at Incheon International Airport to Seoul Station. The All-Stops train, however, might add an extra 10 minutes to your journey but costs less than half the price of the Express service. 

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Buy a Tmoney Card

Do away with the hassle of paying for each subway and bus journey by picking up a Tmoney card at a convenience store, or from a vending machine in any subway station.

WOWPASS is an exclusive prepaid card where you can use Australian dollars to load the card in Won right away. Register any kids under 18 when purchasing a card (you'll need their passports handy) and they'll be able to travel on discounted fares. 

Buy an Airalo eSIM

This is a country where you'll need your phone for everything from ordering a meal to finding your way around its labyrinth subway system, so it's best to get yourself an eSIM with unlimited data. Sure, free Wi-Fi can be found everywhere, whether it's public transport or in restaurants, but it's helpful to have while you're pounding the pavements. 

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Buses are great… sometimes 

Get to peak hour, however, and you can expect to sit in bumper-to-bumper traffic. Use the buses in non-peak hours, and keep to the subway when locals are heading to and from work. 

Get in early for the KTX

You probably already know to book your high-speed KTX trains well in advance but it's just as important to get to the station well before departure time so you can nab a place to store your luggage (they fill up quickly and space is at a premium). Aim to be there at least 30 minutes before departure time and stand right at the front of your carriage number, which will be printed on your ticket. 

Cheap Korean barbeque is bad Korean barbeque

I learnt this lesson the hard way after I walked past restaurants specialising in glorious wagyu cuts and slid into a spot where the price on the all-you-can-eat menu was a fraction of those recommended to me.

The meat was fatty, the tteokbokki (rice cake) was ice-cold and the fried chicken never replenished. By the time I began choking on the smoke, thanks to poor ventilation, I was almost glad the meal would end, one way or another. Aim for the likes of the Maple Tree House chain and save yourself. 

Medium is a relative term

Any time you're given the option to choose between spicy, medium, and mild, go with mild unless you enjoy the sensation of being burnt alive from the inside. It turns out that 'medium' means something else entirely in South Korea and it's a huge departure from the level of spice Australians are generally used to. 

Download Naver Map

Fun fact: Google Maps does not work in South Korea, so you'll need to download Naver Map for help getting around efficiently. While you're at it, you may also like to download Subway Korea for navigating subway systems and, if you're likely to be catching a cab (or Uber, which works fine), Kakao T as well. 

Prepare to be barged (and outraged)

First you'll get angry that no one holds the door open for you, and then you'll become furious the first time someone barges into you without so much as a glance back, much less an apology. Life moves at a hectic pace - particularly in large cities - so you can expect to be bumped and nudged all over the place. It isn't considered rude here like it is back home so acceptance is key. 

Bring your own breakfast items

Breakfast is not a big thing in South Korea and when it is offered, it tends to be pretty much the same sorts of dishes they enjoy for lunch and dinner. If you're the kind of person who starts the day with a bowl of cereal or muesli, bring your own and buy a bottle of milk at a convenience store to avoid that hangry search. 

Take food on your DMZ tour

Got a Demilitarized Zone tour booked to see the area between North and South Korea?

Although you can buy a few different types of fried food, you'll be far happier if you hit up a 7-Eleven before the tour to load up on bento boxes, sushi rolls, and red bean buns. The tours run for up to eight hours so you'll definitely need the energy spikes. 

Plan around local opening hours

Outside of Seoul, little is open by 10am. Nope, not even cafes. You can hit up Mega Coffee, which is located on what feels like every second block. That should tide you over until everything starts opening up. 

Book in for Nanta 

Every so often, someone will tell you about Nanta, a non-verbal comedy show held in a theatre in Myeongdong. It may sound a little cringey, but do yourself a favour and book a seat. It's an absolute hoot. 

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