Counter locations and hours by terminal, what Korea's 2026 identity check means for a passport holder, and the four cases where each product wins
Data-only and an unlocked eSIM phone? Buy the eSIM before you fly. Get a physical SIM at the arrival hall only if something in Korea actually has to text or call you.
There is no train yet, Sokcho has two bus terminals, and the beach season lasts only seven weeks
The direct bus is the way to get from Seoul to Sokcho. Leave from Seoul Express Bus Terminal or Dong Seoul Terminal, and check which of Sokcho's two terminals your ticket ends at. Intercity counters and the Bustago app accept foreign cards, and the national tourism site lists Klook and Hanpass for booking.
Which station to leave from by neighborhood, what you can book with a foreign card, and what to do when trains sell out
For most visitors the answer is a KTX to Busan Station, leaving from Seoul Station or, if you stay in Gangnam, from Suseo. Fly only if you are near Gimpo and the fare is cheap. Take the bus to save money or when every train is sold out.
Your first 30 minutes after landing: what to buy to ride the subway (2026 edition)
One table compares T-money, the Climate Card, WOWPASS, and contactless overseas cards by price, where to get them, and coverage — then matches each travel style to a pick. Updated for 2026.
Visiting Korea
Korea travel — entry, transport and booking basics for international visitors, plus itineraries, destinations and realistic budgets.
Counter locations and hours by terminal, what Korea's 2026 identity check means for a passport holder, and the four cases where each product wins
Six bookable programs compared, plus the hanbok rule that decides whether you pay for a palace ticket twice
From hangover soup to Yeon-don, your wait time gets shorter with just one phone
Korean Food
Korean food — how to choose and order, restaurant customs, local picks and Korean recipes to make at home.
How to Choose Apple, Black Mango, and Mudeungsan, and the Recipe That’s Taken Social Media by Storm
A one-page map to give to a foreign friend who is opening their first barbecue restaurant
Which cabbage, salt, chili flakes and fish sauce to pick at a Korean supermarket, and when a ready-made kit makes more sense
Living in Korea
Living in Korea — practical guides for residents and long-term stayers: everyday systems, paperwork, local services and staying safe.
What to do with an empty cup, a bottle or a snack wrapper on the street, and how to sort trash before you leave a rental
Tools
Useful tools for Korea — currency conversion, number draws, and other small free utilities ready when you need them.