Seoul FAQ: 15 questions every first-timer asks

The questions every first trip to Seoul starts with — answered briefly and honestly. For the long versions, the full guides are linked throughout the site.

Before you go

• Do I need a visa? Many nationalities visit visa-free for short stays, some need a K-ETA, others a visa. Rules change — check your country's current rule before booking, not after.
• How many days are enough? Three full days for Seoul's essentials (see our 3-day itinerary), five if you add a day trip.
• When is it cheapest? Mid-summer monsoon weeks and deep winter, outside holidays.

Money and phones

• Card or cash? Cards almost everywhere; cash for markets and street stalls. Carry a modest amount of won.
• Do I tip? No. Anywhere. It's not part of the culture.
• Will my phone work? Yes — grab a SIM/eSIM at the airport or use roaming, and install Naver Map and Papago (see our apps guide).
• Can I drink the tap water? Yes.

Getting around and getting by

• Is English spoken? Enough in hotels, big attractions and among younger Seoulites — thin elsewhere. Translation apps and a smile close the gap.
• Is Seoul safe? Very — among the world's safest big cities, including at night. Normal big-city awareness applies.
• Is the subway hard? No — it's color-coded, announced in English, and air-conditioned. With T-money it's close to foolproof.

Daily life

• Where are the toilets? Every subway station has clean public ones — a genuine gift to travelers.
• What if I get sick? Pharmacies are everywhere; hospitals in Seoul are world-class. Travel insurance is still a yes.
• What's the emergency number? 112 police, 119 ambulance/fire, 1330 for the English-friendly tourist hotline.
• Can I wear shorts / show tattoos? Shorts are fine. Tattoos are increasingly normal among young Koreans; some older bathhouses still restrict them.
• One phrase to learn? Gamsahamnida (thank you, 감사합니다) — it opens every door a little wider. Our Essential Korean video series on Facebook teaches the rest.