Arriving in Seoul

The first days in a new city are full of small decisions: which train, which card, which SIM. This section takes them one at a time, answers first, and then tells you why Seoul has set things up this way. Every fact is sourced, and every guide shows the date we last checked it.

In this section

Photo: Jason Oh / Unsplash (Unsplash License) · Source
Why doesn't Google Maps work in Korea?According to an August 2026 report, Google Maps in Korea showed places and transit routes but not turn-by-turn walking or driving navigation. Google says its directions feature needs map data that Korean law keeps in the country unless the government permits its export, so install Naver Map or Kakao Map before you fly.
Photo: Wvdp (CC0 1.0) · Source · License
Han River in autumn: which park for an evening ride or walk?Pick one park for an evening by the river: Banpo for the bridge fountain (March 15 to October only), Yeouido or Ttukseom for the shortest subway walk, Gwangnaru for autumn reed fields. To ride, use Seoul Bike on a riverside route.
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Seoul autumn leaves: where to go, and why they differBukhansan showed first color on October 14, and the Korea Forest Service forecast the national peak for October 30–31. Namsan and the palaces downtown may turn later, so check KMA's page first.
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Seoul bus payment: why do you tap your card on and off?Tap your card at the front door as you board, and again at the back door before you get off. Skip the second tap and your next bus or train is charged as a new trip, not a discounted transfer.
Photo: Ethan Doyle White (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Source · License
Gyeongbokgung on a half day: free English tour or a paid bundle?Free English tours at 11:00, 13:30 and 15:30 (not Tuesdays) cover the palace. Pay to bundle only to fit Bukchon and Gwangjang Market into one morning.
Photo: Ken Eckert (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Source · License
Gyeongbokgung hanbok free entry: what counts as hanbok?Free entry needs a jacket (jeogori) plus a hanbok skirt or trousers, traditional or modern. Half a set, like a hanbok top with jeans, doesn't count.
DMZ tours from Seoul: a guided half-day tour or Paju's own tour?Public transport gets you only as far as Imjingak. For the Third Tunnel and Dora Observatory, book Paju City's shuttle tour or a guided tour from Seoul.
Photo: "SKTelecom의 마이크로 사이즈와 미니 사이즈 UICC" by Movienever (CC BY 3.0), cropped · Source · License
Which eSIM for Korea: a Korean carrier or an eSIM app?If your phone supports eSIM and Korea is your only stop, we recommend SK Telecom's eSIM: data works without a counter visit, and an online passport check adds free incoming calls and texts.
Photo: LERK (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Source · License
Seoul transit cards: which one to buy and how much to loadBuy a Tmoney card and load about KRW 20,000 (about US$15) to start. A Climate Card pass saves money only if you ride often and stay within Seoul.
Photo: "AREX 2000, Gyeyang (20240407)" by Takeshi Aida (CC BY-SA 2.0), cropped · Source · License
Incheon Airport to Seoul by AREX: express or all-stop train?Take the all-stop train to save money or if you're staying near its stops. Take the KRW 13,000 (about US$9.60) express if Seoul Station is your stop.