Do all visitors get 90 days visa-free in Korea?

No. Check nationality, passport type, purpose and duration against official entry rules. K-ETA and the arrival declaration are separate checks. The Canadian tourist example in this guide is not a rule for every passport.

How much does a Tmoney card cost?

VISITKOREA lists general cards at 3,000–5,000 won. Travel credit is extra, and prices can vary by card and seller. Confirm acceptance and top-up methods for the service you plan to use.

Can I rely on a foreign credit card for everything?

No. Check your chosen transit card, app and machine, and keep a cash backup for places or top-ups that do not accept your card. Foreign-card payment for a particular ticket or pass does not establish support everywhere.

Does a plug adapter convert Korean voltage?

No. Korea uses 220V at 60Hz. Check the input rating on each appliance and use a compatible plug; an adapter changes the connection, not the supply voltage.

Does TripPack forecast every travel date?

No. The generator uses a short-range forecast when available and seasonal guidance otherwise. Check the displayed weather label and local warnings before each stop.

Korea Packing List: Entry, Payments & Seasonal Clothes

For a first trip to South Korea, pack your checked entry documents, a charger compatible with Korean power, comfortable shoes, layers for each stop and a way to pay for your first journey. Decide what must work before you leave the airport; buy a transit card or extra toiletries locally only when that fits your arrival plan.

Check three separate entry requirements

Passport and visa: Check the Korean embassy or Korea Visa Portal for your nationality, passport type, purpose and length of stay. Ask your airline about its document rules. A universal six-month passport rule or a universal 90-day visa-free stay is not a reliable checklist. For example, Canada's current advice for regular Canadian passports requires validity beyond expected departure and allows tourist stays up to 180 days without a visa. This example does not apply to other passports or work/study trips.
K-ETA: The official temporary exemption notice extends the exemption for eligible countries and regions through December 31, 2026, Korea time. Check your own eligibility; visa exemption and K-ETA exemption are different questions.
Arrival declaration: Check the official declaration eligibility guide. Temporarily K-ETA-exempt travelers are among those who need a declaration. K-ETA holders are generally excluded, but holders entering with a visa must declare. If required, use the free e-Arrival Card within three days before arrival. It is separate from permission to enter or stay.

Keep your first accommodation's Korean address and contact number, onward journey details, document copies and insurance contact available without mobile data. Check these steps again shortly before departure, especially for travel after an exemption expires.

Prepare payments and directions for the first day

Tmoney card price is separate from travel credit. VISITKOREA's transport-card guide lists general Tmoney cards at ₩3,000–5,000; designs and sellers can differ. Cards are sold at participating convenience stores and Seoul subway information centers on Lines 1–8. Look for the Tmoney logo on the transport service or shop. Check your airport service and any reserved train separately; a card is not a reserved ticket or a promise that every service accepts it.

Keep a Korean-won backup. Check how your chosen physical card, app or machine accepts top-ups before relying on a foreign bank card. Payment support differs by product: Seoul's March 2026 announcement covers international cards at designated new machines for short-term Climate Cards and single-journey tickets. That does not establish foreign-card reloading for every Tmoney card. Confirm the displayed fees and service area before buying a pass.

Budget cash from actual planned purchases: card purchase, initial transit credit, cash-only meals or stalls, and a fallback journey. There is no single cash amount that suits all trips. Ask about payment before ordering; do not assume street stalls accept your card.

Save the route from your arrival terminal to the accommodation, the last service time for your arrival day, and a backup route. Try the Korean address in your chosen map app before leaving. Naver Map and KakaoMap are options to check; test the language setting, walking route and transit information you need instead of relying on an app ranking. Save essential address screenshots and translation phrases for loss of signal.

Pack compatible electronics

Charger and plug adapter: Korea's tourism authority specifies 220V, 60Hz and outlets with two round holes. Check each appliance's input label and plug fit. A plug adapter does not convert voltage; a 100–240V charger has different requirements from a 120V-only hair appliance.
Connection plan: Check roaming, SIM/eSIM compatibility and phone unlocking before purchase. Save activation instructions; a data-only plan may not supply the local phone number a particular service requires.
Power bank, if needed: Choose capacity for your devices and check the current rules of every operating airline, including where it must be carried and whether use on board is allowed. A 10,000mAh bank is not a universal minimum or an airline approval. Use our carry-on packing guide to organize flight essentials.

Choose clothes for the route and laundry plan

Use the following as packing choices, not a forecast. Check the forecast and warnings for each stop shortly before travel; Seoul, Busan, Jeju and mountain routes need not have the same conditions. Blossom and foliage dates change by location and year.

Trip conditions	Pack first	Decide from your itinerary
Spring or autumn city trip	Removable layers, light outer layer, comfortable shoes	Add warmer clothing for early starts or mountain visits; check bloom or foliage updates separately.
Warm, wet-weather trip	Light clothes, rain protection, spare socks	Allow drying time and a dry change; check heavy-rain or storm warnings before outdoor plans.
Winter trip	Warm coat, insulating layers, gloves and suitable footwear	Snow, ice, wind and ski activities change the gear needed; confirm any rental equipment.
Temples, hills or hiking	Clothes meeting venue rules, shoes already comfortable for the route	Check access, trail conditions and dress rules for the exact destination; city shoes are not automatically hiking equipment.

Example for seven days with laundry after day four: start with four daily sets of underwear and socks plus one spare, four tops and two reusable bottoms. Adjust for sweat, activity, washing and drying time. Wear one set in transit; those are included in the total. If laundry is uncertain, extend the count through the next reliable wash. This is an editable example, not a tested minimum.

Bring toiletries you already tolerate and enough essentials to reach a shop comfortably. Buying skincare locally is an option, not a guarantee of lower prices or better suitability. If souvenirs matter, leave capacity and compare the weight using the packing-cube weight comparison.

Keep a workable return route and help contacts

Plan your evening journey from the actual timetable, not an assumed midnight closing time. Save your accommodation details and keep payment and phone access available. Canada's safety advice describes generally low crime against foreigners but also theft and harassment; no packing guide can guarantee personal safety. Police: 112. Fire or ambulance: 119.

Check before leaving

Use this page as a final check. Marks are temporary and are not saved.

I checked passport validity, visa and permitted stay for my own passport and purpose. I checked K-ETA eligibility and whether I need the separate arrival declaration. I saved my accommodation address, arrival route and last-service or backup journey. I planned card purchase, top-ups and a cash backup without assuming universal acceptance. I checked appliance voltage, plug fit, phone connection and airline battery rules. I chose layers and shoes for each stop and checked current forecasts and warnings. I counted clothes through washing and drying, including my travel outfit. I saved insurance and emergency contacts and weighed the finished bag.

Frequently asked questions

Do all visitors get 90 days visa-free in Korea?: No. Check nationality, passport type, purpose and duration against official entry rules. K-ETA and the arrival declaration are separate checks. The Canadian tourist example in this guide is not a rule for every passport.
How much does a Tmoney card cost?: VISITKOREA lists general cards at 3,000–5,000 won. Travel credit is extra, and prices can vary by card and seller. Confirm acceptance and top-up methods for the service you plan to use.
Can I rely on a foreign credit card for everything?: No. Check your chosen transit card, app and machine, and keep a cash backup for places or top-ups that do not accept your card. Foreign-card payment for a particular ticket or pass does not establish support everywhere.
Does a plug adapter convert Korean voltage?: No. Korea uses 220V at 60Hz. Check the input rating on each appliance and use a compatible plug; an adapter changes the connection, not the supply voltage.
Does TripPack forecast every travel date?: No. The generator uses a short-range forecast when available and seasonal guidance otherwise. Check the displayed weather label and local warnings before each stop.

Make the list fit your dates and activities.

The generator uses a short-range forecast when available and seasonal guidance otherwise. Check its weather label and edit the result; it does not verify immigration eligibility or guarantee future weather.

Build my Korea packing list

Continue planning: Korea month-by-month weather guide · Japan packing list · All packing guides.

Prepared by TripPack using the official sources linked above. Clothing quantities are editorial examples; they are not a measured packing trial.