Korea is an easy country to arrive in, but a few things are much simpler if you sort them out before you board. Here is what to do, in order.
Before you fly
- Check your entry requirements. Many nationalities can visit without a visa but need a K-ETA (electronic travel authorization) before departure. As of 2026, travellers from 22 countries are temporarily exempt from K-ETA until the end of December 2026. Check your own nationality on the official site, k-eta.go.kr, well before you travel.
- Fill in the e-Arrival Card. Since January 2026 the paper arrival card is gone, and visitors without a valid K-ETA submit the free e-Arrival Card online at e-arrivalcard.go.kr, within the 72 hours before arrival. K-ETA holders do not need it. Avoid look-alike sites that charge a fee.
- Sort out mobile data. Buy and install an eSIM at home, or reserve a SIM card or pocket Wi-Fi for airport pick-up. See Wi-Fi, SIM or eSIM.
- Download the apps you will use. Naver Map or KakaoMap for directions (Google Maps is limited in Korea), a translation app, and a taxi app. See Naver Map vs Google Maps.
- Save your accommodation address in Korean. Copy it from your booking or the hotel website. Taxi drivers and map apps work best with the Korean address.
- Tell your bank you are travelling and check its fees for foreign card payments and ATM withdrawals.
At the airport
- Immigration and customs: have your passport, accommodation address and return or onward ticket ready.
- Get online: switch on your eSIM, or collect your SIM card or Wi-Fi router at the telecom counters in the arrivals hall.
- Get some cash: withdraw a small amount from an airport ATM, or change a little at an exchange counter. Around ₩50,000–100,000 covers transit card top-ups and small purchases for the first few days. See Do you need cash in Korea?
- Buy a transit card: convenience stores in the arrivals area sell T-money cards. Top it up with cash at the counter. One card per person. See How T-money works.
From Incheon Airport into Seoul
- AREX train: the express train runs non-stop to Seoul Station in about 45 minutes; the cheaper all-stop train takes about an hour and connects with several subway lines, including Hongdae.
- Airport limousine bus: slower in traffic but drops you close to many hotels, with space for luggage.
- Taxi: the most direct option with heavy bags or late at night. Use the official taxi rank, or book with an app.
Your first evening
- Find your nearest subway station and convenience store; both make the next days easier.
- Check last-train times before going out. Seoul subway lines generally stop running around midnight.
- Keep the emergency numbers handy: 112 for police, 119 for fire and ambulance, and the 1330 travel hotline for help in English and other languages.
- Not sure what to do? See How to spend your first evening in Seoul.
Tip: Rules for entry change from time to time. Treat this page as a checklist, and confirm the details for your passport on the official K-ETA and e-Arrival Card sites before you fly.
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