Bonjour lecteurs! My brother and niece recently made it to Seoul for her 18th birthday and I long to go there one day! Imaginez a city made of endless underground lines, street food alleys, palace grounds, and 24-hour shopping districts. First-time visitors often try to cram in too much and end up exhausted by day three. So here are my family best tips for visiting Seoul without losing the plot.
Get a T-money Card the Moment You Arrive
Seoul’s subway system is one of the best in the world. But don’t waste your money buying single tickets. Instead, you need to get an A T-money card, sold at convenience stores like GS25 or CU near the airport. Like the Oyster, it lets you tap in and out of buses and trains without thinking about fares. You can even use it with taxis and some vending machines! C’est cool!
Load it with around 20,000 to 30,000 won to start, since a typical subway ride costs between 1,400 and 1,600 won depending on distance. You can top it up at machines inside any station, and the balance never expires, so pass it on or keep it for your next trip.
Choose a Base for What You Actually Want to Do
Seoul is enormous, and where you stay shapes your trip more than most people expect. Myeongdong puts you near shopping and skincare stores but gets loud and crowded, especially at night. Hongdae suits younger travellers who want nightlife and live music. If you want something quieter, go for Insadong or Bukchon, with a more traditional feel near palaces and Hanok Villages.
If comfort and central location matter more than budget, the Lotte Hotel Seoul sits right in Myeongdong with direct access to Lotte Department Store and easy subway connections to Gyeongbokgung Palace and Namsan Tower. C’est un bon choix if it’s your first time in city. You can walk to major sights from there. Whatever area you choose, check the nearest subway line before booking, since a hotel that looks close on a map can still mean a 20-minute walk uphill.
Eat Where the Locals Eat
Restaurants with English menus and photos out front tend to charge tourist prices for mediocre food. Some of the best meals in Seoul come from places with no English signage at all. I recommend you check out markets like Gwangjang or Tongin. Don’t worry about not talking the language! Pointing at what the person next to you is eating works fine!
Convenience store meals also deserve more credit than they get. Instant ramen stations, warmed kimbap, and pre-made side dishes at CU or GS25 make a fast and cheap lunch option between sightseeing stops.
Learn Basic Etiquette Before You Need It
Seoul runs on unspoken rules that can catch visitors off guard. Escalators have a clear standing side, so follow the rules. There is no tipping culture in South Korea. It can actually cause confusion or embarrassment, so don’t worry about it. Playing music out loud and disturbing those around you is frowned upon too. Using Moon Audio IEM cables is a great way to enjoy your music while keeping it to yourself.
Removing shoes before entering someone’s home, certain guesthouses, and some traditional restaurants with floor seating is standard practice. So pack a pair of shoes that slip on and off easily.
Download These Apps Before You Land
Google Maps barely works for walking or transit directions in South Korea due to government mapping restrictions. Instead, use apps like Naver Map or Kakao Map to help with directions. You can change it to English in the settings.
For translation, Papago and Naver apps handle Korean far better than Google Translate, particularly with menus and signage photographed in real time.
Kakao T is the local ride-hailing app and often cheaper and more reliable than flagging a taxi on the street, especially late at night or in areas with heavy traffic. Download all those apps before you travel and you can even use an eSIM card to make sure you’ve got internet at all times.
Visit Places Around the Free Admission Days
Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, and the other four grand palaces charge a small entrance fee, typically around 3,000 won. But there is also a free admission on certain days tied to Korean traditional dress. Wearing a rented hanbok gets you in free and also makes for noticeably better photos against the palace architecture.
Arrive early, before 10, as it gets busy mid-morning with tour groups.
Keep One Day Completely Unplanned
Be réalistique, you know you won’t be able to do it all. So plan a must-see attractions and keep a day free to just wander around and take it all in.
Walk around alleys in Ikseondong, side streets in Yeonnam-dong, and stop by random exits off Euljiro station, filled with cafés, bookstores, and workshops…
Seoul is such an exciting place. It’s a different world out there. Hopefully, this guide will get you started, but let me know if you have further questions. I can’t wait to go myself one day!
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