#KoreaVibes
"My 10 essentials while in Korea"
There are countless of things one requires when travelling especially to a foreign country. Depending also on your personal needs and what satisfies your individual comfort.
Korea is quite a convenient place to travel to, however I've come to realize that there are some things that I was quite dependent on while living in Korea during the summer time.
The following are the top 10 list of things I found really helpful during my time in Korea:
1. Subway Korea App
I would say I've relied on this app for most of my journey throughout Seoul and other districts during my time in Korea. It also supports other major cities i.e. Busan, Dajeon and few others.
It provides real-time transit information, easy planning from fastest routes to least changes for your journey as well as subway maps.
Languages included are English, Korean and Japanese.
I would say I've relied on this app for most of my journey throughout Seoul and other districts during my time in Korea. It also supports other major cities i.e. Busan, Dajeon and few others.
It provides real-time transit information, easy planning from fastest routes to least changes for your journey as well as subway maps.
Languages included are English, Korean and Japanese.
Link: Here
2. Naver Map App 네이버 지도
Speaking from experience navigating on your mobile is quite an impossible task through google maps. It is not as current and precise compared to this Naver map. Downside is that you'll need to be able to read & type Hangul to search for places and directions.
A very convenient and helpful navigating system especially when I was looking for places to eat, locating subway stations and finding my way when I wandered off the beaten path.
Another feature is pin pointing your location to a destination and it provides you with the easiest route, mode of transport and travel duration which is a plus point. I've grew quite fond of this app and highly recommend it.
Speaking from experience navigating on your mobile is quite an impossible task through google maps. It is not as current and precise compared to this Naver map. Downside is that you'll need to be able to read & type Hangul to search for places and directions.
A very convenient and helpful navigating system especially when I was looking for places to eat, locating subway stations and finding my way when I wandered off the beaten path.
Another feature is pin pointing your location to a destination and it provides you with the easiest route, mode of transport and travel duration which is a plus point. I've grew quite fond of this app and highly recommend it.
Link: Here
3. Seoul Bus 3 AppThis app provides local bus information where you can enter your bus number, bus stops and routes for easy navigation. It also shows real time information of where your bus is, the number of seats on board available as well as the real time bus route location.
It's easy to use and is English supported.
I've found this app really useful especially at places where subway transportation is inaccessible.
Link: Here
4. Umbrella/ Rain coat
This is a no brainer really, especially during summer time June- August where it rains quite often due to hot and humid high pressures from the surroundings.
I've personally been caught in an episode of heavy downpour that left me stuck at the subway station until I couldn't wait any longer and decided to just dash across the streets to my hostel which left me soaking wet. Bad luck on my part especially since that was the day I had my hair cut, treated and styled before the heavens decided to open its floodgates.
This is a no brainer really, especially during summer time June- August where it rains quite often due to hot and humid high pressures from the surroundings.
I've personally been caught in an episode of heavy downpour that left me stuck at the subway station until I couldn't wait any longer and decided to just dash across the streets to my hostel which left me soaking wet. Bad luck on my part especially since that was the day I had my hair cut, treated and styled before the heavens decided to open its floodgates.
5. Cap/ Sun protection
As mentioned before, during the summer time it gets really hot and the sun can be quite relentless. If you're one that burns easily I would recommend purchasing sun blocks. Korea and it's beauty brands such as Nature republic, Face Shop, Etude house and many others offer great cheap deals for sun sprays and hydrating mists during the summer time. So there's an array of choices to satisfy your personal needs.
Head to the Myeong-dong one of the busiest shopping districts where the streets are literally filled with Korean beauty stores, restaurants and boutiques.
One of my favourite brand is Nature Republic. They offer great deals and products for reasonable prices.
Bottom left: Sun spray with aloe and SPF 50
Bottom right: A very famous application soothing gel for hydration or sun burnt treatment.
6. Socket adapter
The standard voltage in Korea is 220 volts. The socket outlet has two round holes and is the same type used in France, Germany, Austria among others.
It'll be quite handy to have a travel adapter especially when you decide to bring along your laptop to get on with some work/ update your social life on-line.
In terms of phone charging I bought a power bank before going to Korea. However, there are several charging pods available in some subway stations. It is also possible to get your phone charged in the convenience store usually found in the subway stations such as 7-Eleven and GS25.
7. Shorts & Tank tops
Seoul is quite a fashionable city, beauty and fashion is seen to be quite an important factor in day to day life. It's quite obvious to notice when walking around the streets or taking the subway as everyone is dressed well with make up on.
As for me I love comfort wear especially when it gets really hot while you're walking about roaming the streets. Also I took the chance to just soak up the sun because I was deprived of such blessings living in gloomy cold England.
I've resorted to sleeveless tops and shorts as well as my flip flops as my go to comfort wear. It's all about trying to stand out! *Not*
Wear whatever floats your boat is what I'll say.
8. Cash
Seoul is a very wireless city, it's possible to pay for everything with a card. However, I've found it really useful to have cash around to pay for small items, street food or drinks etc. Also as I rely on the Subway most of the time, my T-card money gets used up very quickly and the only way to top up the card is through cash payment.
ATM locations are spread out around the city and districts and are conveniently located at shopping streets as well as the subway station. However, there are only a few ATMs with English option that provides foreign card services I've came across namely Citibank, Korea Exchange Bank (KEB) and Shinhan bank.
Seoul is a very wireless city, it's possible to pay for everything with a card. However, I've found it really useful to have cash around to pay for small items, street food or drinks etc. Also as I rely on the Subway most of the time, my T-card money gets used up very quickly and the only way to top up the card is through cash payment.
ATM locations are spread out around the city and districts and are conveniently located at shopping streets as well as the subway station. However, there are only a few ATMs with English option that provides foreign card services I've came across namely Citibank, Korea Exchange Bank (KEB) and Shinhan bank.
9. Local SIM card
During my time in Korea I used the EG sim card by the provider Olleh. This sim can be purchased online and picked up in the airport or bought at the local convenience store such as 7-eleven, GS 25 and Ministop.
This is a traveller sim card that provides Call, Text and Data services.
In addition, it connects you to the Olleh wifi that is available at all subway stations, in the subway car, restaurants, cafes and most shopping alleys.
Once purchased it comes with a little booklet that provides step by step guide to register and setting up your wifi connectivity.
I bought my sim at the GS25 store costing about 29,900KRW for a nano sim (Iphone 5) (16 GBP)
More information can be found on their website here
There were some connectivity issues with the wifi that had to be resolved by email. However, their response was quick and I had no troubles connecting to the Olleh wifi soon after.
I relied quite heavily on the DATA especially for navigation and contacting friends.
During my time in Korea I used the EG sim card by the provider Olleh. This sim can be purchased online and picked up in the airport or bought at the local convenience store such as 7-eleven, GS 25 and Ministop.
This is a traveller sim card that provides Call, Text and Data services.
In addition, it connects you to the Olleh wifi that is available at all subway stations, in the subway car, restaurants, cafes and most shopping alleys.
Once purchased it comes with a little booklet that provides step by step guide to register and setting up your wifi connectivity.
I bought my sim at the GS25 store costing about 29,900KRW for a nano sim (Iphone 5) (16 GBP)
More information can be found on their website here
There were some connectivity issues with the wifi that had to be resolved by email. However, their response was quick and I had no troubles connecting to the Olleh wifi soon after.
I relied quite heavily on the DATA especially for navigation and contacting friends.
10. Travel Card
T money card is a travel card that is easily purchased from any subway station and convenience store. It can be used for the subway, bus rides and even some cabs.
Cost: 2500 KRW
There are numerous locations where you can use the T money card such as Seoul, Daejeon, Busan, Ulsan etc.
Top up can be only done by cash at most convenience store and top up machines in the Subway station. English guide option is provided.
For more information check here
T money card is a travel card that is easily purchased from any subway station and convenience store. It can be used for the subway, bus rides and even some cabs.
Cost: 2500 KRW
There are numerous locations where you can use the T money card such as Seoul, Daejeon, Busan, Ulsan etc.
Top up can be only done by cash at most convenience store and top up machines in the Subway station. English guide option is provided.
For more information check here
Here's the end of my top 10 essentials that I found really useful while I was in Korea. Hope you found this post really helpful!
Alexis XX
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the above photographs
