Step 1. Just Landed in Korea? ✈️ Do These 3 Things First to Travel Like a Pro!
Welcome to Korea! You’ve finally made it. Before you rush out of the airport to grab some Tteokbokki, let your "local bestie" give you three quick tips that will save you so much hassle later.
Get a SIM with a Korean Phone Number (010) Trust me on this! Many trendy cafes and restaurants in Korea use digital waiting lists that require a local number. When picking up your SIM or eSIM, try to get one that includes a number starting with '010.' It makes booking tables and using delivery apps 10x easier.
Cash is King... but ONLY for Transport! Korea is a credit card paradise, but there’s one catch: You can only top up your T-money (transportation card) with CASH. ATMs are your friend here. Withdraw a few 10,000 KRW bills early on so you aren't stuck at the subway turnstile with a zero balance.
Ditch Google Maps (Seriously) Google Maps doesn't work well for walking directions in Korea. Download 'Naver Map' or 'KakaoMap' instead. They are incredibly accurate, show real-time bus arrivals, and even tell you which subway car is closest to your exit. You can switch the app language to English in the settings!