Seoul Packing List 2026

Four seasons (hot summers, cold winters) Best time: April–May (spring) or October–November

👕 Clothing

Layers for seasonal extremes Amazon

Seoul summers are 30°C+, winters can reach -10°C — pack for your actual season

Comfortable walking shoes

Seoul's neighbourhoods (Bukchon, Hongdae, Insadong) involve extensive walking

Compact umbrella Amazon

Summer monsoon season (June–August) brings heavy daily rain

Winter coat + thermal base layers

January/February are bitterly cold — pack seriously warm clothing

Smart-casual wear

Korean café culture and rooftop bars reward looking put-together

🧴 Toiletries

Sunscreen SPF 50+ Amazon

Korean beauty culture means high-quality sunscreen is widely available locally

Lip balm and moisturiser

Winter in Seoul is extremely dry — moisturise daily

Hand sanitiser Amazon

Subway handrails and markets — keep one handy

🔌 Electronics

Korean Type C/F adapter Amazon

Korea uses two-pin round plugs (same as European Schuko)

Power bank Amazon

For K-pop district walks, palace tours, and night markets

Travel eSIM (Korea)

Excellent 5G coverage — Airalo Korea plans from $5 for 7 days

💳 Money & Cards

T-money card (reloadable)

Buy at any convenience store (CU, GS25, 7-Eleven) for subway and buses

Some Korean Won cash

Traditional markets (Gwangjang, Namdaemun) are cash-preferred

Credit card with no FX fees

Cards widely accepted in Seoul — Shinhan, local ATMs work with foreign cards

📄 Documents

K-ETA approval (if required)

Many nationalities need K-ETA electronic travel authorisation — check at k-eta.go.kr

Travel insurance

Korean healthcare is excellent — but expensive for foreigners without coverage

Printed hotel address in Korean

Show to taxi drivers — apps are great but having the address helps

Essential tips for Seoul

  • Download Naver Maps and Kakao Maps — Google Maps is incomplete for Korea's transit system
  • T-money card works on all Seoul metro, buses, and even taxis — buy one at any convenience store
  • Korean skincare products (COSRX, Some By Mi) are much cheaper bought locally in Myeongdong
  • Most restaurants and cafes have free fast WiFi — look for "무료 와이파이" signs

Seoul Travel Guide

Hotels, things to do, visa info, and local tips

Explore Seoul

Best Time to Visit Seoul

Month-by-month weather, crowds & prices

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