Practical Korea travel guides
Korea Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors
Korean apps, subway and bus, payments, restaurants — the practical stuff nobody explains before your first trip to Seoul.
Header artwork: AI-generated illustration inspired by Gyeongbokgung Palace.
Start Here
New to Korea? Follow these six guides to prepare for your first day.
01 · Install your travel apps
Choose the apps you need before your flight.
02 · Find your way with NAVER Map
Set up English directions and search for places.
03 · Get a T-money card
Learn where to buy, recharge and use your transport card.
04 · Ride the Seoul subway
Understand directions, transfers and station exits.
05 · Book a taxi
Compare Kakao T and k.ride for your phone and payment setup.
06 · Order food delivery
Follow the Baemin guide for English menus and guest checkout.
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What Hello Korea Covers
Four things that decide whether your first trip feels easy or stressful.
Korean apps
Maps, taxis, translation, payments, delivery — what to install before you fly.
Getting around
T-money, subway transfers, buses, and reading Korean station signs.
Food & reservations
Finding real local restaurants, booking a table, and ordering without Korean.
Timing your trip
Holidays, closures, and seasons that change what a week in Korea looks like.
Written from the ground in Korea
Every guide here is written and re-checked on location — the actual kiosk screens, the actual fare gates, the actual app menus. If something changed, we update the guide.