Korea Basics for Visitors and New Residents

Just landed in Korea, or settling in for the long haul? This guide covers the essentials that make the first few days easier: who to call, how to pay, how to ride transit, and how to find your way. Rules and fees can change, so always check official sources for the latest details.

Emergency and help numbers

In Korea, dial 112 for the police and 119 for fire, rescue, and ambulance services. Both work from mobile phones and landlines without an area code.

For non-emergency help, two hotlines are especially useful. The 1330 Korea Travel Hotline, run by the Korea Tourism Organization, offers travel information and interpretation in multiple languages. The 1345 Immigration Contact Center answers questions about visas, stays, and other immigration matters in multiple languages.

• 112: Police (crimes, accidents)
• 119: Fire, rescue, and ambulance
• 1330: Korea Travel Hotline (multilingual; +82-2-1330 from abroad)
• 1345: Immigration Contact Center (visas and stays; multilingual)

Money: won, cards, tax refunds, and tipping

Korea's currency is the won (KRW, ₩). Credit and debit cards are widely accepted at convenience stores, restaurants, transit, and taxis, but some stalls at traditional markets and very small shops may prefer cash, so it helps to carry a little. ATMs that accept foreign cards can be found at banks and some convenience stores.

Tipping is not customary in Korea, so there's no need to tip at restaurants or in taxis. Foreign tourists can generally get a refund of VAT and certain other taxes on eligible purchases made at stores displaying a “Tax Free” sign. Eligibility and procedures can change, so check with the store or official tourism sources.

The T-money transit card

T-money is a rechargeable prepaid transit card accepted on subways and buses in Seoul and many other cities nationwide, as well as in many taxis. You can buy and top it up at convenience stores and subway stations, and some convenience stores also accept it for purchases.

Tap your card both when you board and when you get off so that transfer discounts are applied correctly. Other transit cards such as Cashbee, and Korean bank cards with a transit function, also work, but a T-money card is the easiest place to start.

Electricity, time zone, internet, and SIM cards

Korea uses 220V at 60Hz, with round two-pin outlets (plug types C and F). If your devices use a different plug or voltage, bring an adapter and check that they support 220V.

Korea runs on Korea Standard Time (KST, UTC+9) and does not observe daylight saving time. Wi-Fi is easy to find at airports, cafes, and on the subway, and visitors can pick up prepaid SIM cards, eSIMs, or portable Wi-Fi devices at the airport or online. A passport may be required to sign up.

Addresses and navigation apps

Korea uses a road-name address system based on street names and building numbers, though older lot-number addresses are still seen. When taking a taxi or asking for directions, showing the place name or the address in Korean is the most reliable approach.

Naver Map and KakaoMap are the apps most Koreans use, with detailed transit and walking directions. Google Maps offers only limited walking and driving directions in Korea, so travelers are often advised to install Naver Map or KakaoMap as well.

FAQ

Living in Korea

• Public Holidays in Korea (2026 Dates)
• Getting Around Korea: Subway, KTX, Taxis