Last updated: January 2026
I packed terribly for my first Korea trip.
- Two giant suitcases. Enough clothes for three months. Books. A hair dryer. Snacks from home.
Half of it was useless. The other half I could’ve bought cheaper in Korea.
35 years of Korea trips later — visiting home, returning, hosting visitors — I’ve learned exactly what to pack and what to skip.
The short version: pack light. Korea has everything you need, usually better and cheaper than what you’d bring.
Packing for Korea isn’t complicated.
But there are things you’ll need
that you might not expect.
And things you think you need
but definitely don’t.
Here’s my practical packing list
based on 35 years of Korean life.
The Essentials
Documents
| Item | Notes |
|---|---|
| Passport | Valid 6+ months beyond trip |
| K-ETA | Pre-register online (some countries) |
| Flight tickets | Printed or digital |
| Hotel confirmations | First night at minimum |
| Travel insurance docs | Recommended |
| Copies of important docs | Backup photos on phone |
Money
| Item | Notes |
|---|---|
| Credit/debit card | Visa/Mastercard widely accepted |
| Cash ($100-200 USD) | For airport exchange |
| Backup card | In case one doesn’t work |
Note: Don’t bring lots of cash.
ATMs are everywhere.
Cards work almost everywhere.
Tech
| Item | Notes |
|---|---|
| Phone | Unlocked preferred |
| Charger | Korea uses Type C/F outlets (220V) |
| Power adapter | US/UK plugs need adapter |
| Portable charger | For long days out |
| Earbuds/headphones | For transportation |
Power info:
- Voltage: 220V (US is 110V)
- Plug type: Round 2-pin (Type C/F)
- Most phone/laptop chargers work (check label)
- Hair dryers/curlers may NOT work
Don’t forget to arrange mobile data before you arrive. Our Korea SIM Card Guide compares all your options.
Clothing by Season
Spring (March – May)
Weather: 5-20°C (41-68°F)
Unpredictable. Can be warm or cold.
Pack:
- Light jacket
- Layers (t-shirts + sweaters)
- Light pants/jeans
- One warm layer for cool nights
- Rain jacket (April = rainy)
Summer (June – August)
Weather: 25-35°C (77-95°F)
Hot, humid, monsoon season (July).
Pack:
- Light, breathable clothes
- Shorts and t-shirts
- Sandals
- Umbrella (essential)
- Hat and sunscreen
- Light rain jacket
Summer tips:
- Humidity is intense
- You’ll sweat a lot
- Pack extra underwear
- Quick-dry fabrics help
Fall (September – November)
Weather: 10-25°C (50-77°F)
Best weather. Beautiful foliage.
Pack:
- Layers (crucial)
- Light jacket
- Sweaters/cardigans
- Pants/jeans
- Comfortable walking shoes
Fall is the best time to visit.
Pack for both warm and cool days.
Winter (December – February)
Weather: -10 to 5°C (14-41°F)
Cold. Very cold.
Pack:
- Heavy winter coat
- Thermal underwear
- Sweaters
- Warm pants
- Winter boots
- Gloves, scarf, hat
- Hand warmers (can buy there too)
Winter tips:
- Indoor heating is strong
- Layer so you can remove inside
- Don’t underestimate the cold
The overpacking lesson:
My first suitcase: 15 shirts, 8 pants, 4 jackets, formal wear “just in case.”
Reality: Wore the same 5 comfortable items on rotation. Never touched the rest.
What I pack now (2-week trip):
| Item | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| T-shirts | 4-5 | Laundry is cheap/easy in Korea |
| Pants | 2-3 | One jeans, one comfortable |
| Light jacket | 1 | Layering is key |
| Comfortable shoes | 1 | Walking shoes, worn on plane |
| Slip-on shoes | 1 | For restaurants/homes (shoes off!) |
| Socks/underwear | 5-6 | Enough for a week |
The slip-on shoe revelation:
I used to wear hiking boots everywhere. Practical, right?
Wrong. Korean restaurants, temples, homes — shoes come off constantly.
Fumbling with laces while everyone waits is embarrassing. I learned this after watching impatient Korean grandmas glare at me too many times.
Now: slip-on shoes for everything except hiking.
Leave room for shopping:
I pack my suitcase 70% full.
The other 30%? That’s for Korean skincare, snacks, clothes, and random stuff I’ll definitely buy.
Every visitor I’ve hosted has regretted packing too much. “I wish I had room for more stuff!”
Pack light. Buy in Korea.
Shoes
Must Bring
| Type | Why |
|---|---|
| Comfortable walking shoes | You’ll walk 15,000+ steps/day |
| Slip-on shoes | For temples, restaurants |
Why Slip-ons?
Korea has many “shoes off” situations:
- Traditional restaurants
- Temples
- Some homes/guesthouses
- Jjimjilbangs
Lace-up shoes = annoying.
Slip-ons = life-changing.
What I Recommend
- Sneakers (comfortable, broken-in)
- Slip-on sneakers or loafers
- Sandals (summer only)
Leave the heels at home.
Seoul has hills and stairs.
You’ll buy a T-money card when you arrive — no need to pack one. Read our T-money Card Guide to learn where to get it.
Toiletries
Bring
| Item | Notes |
|---|---|
| Prescription medicine | Bring enough for trip |
| Basic toiletries | Travel sizes for flight |
| Contacts/glasses | Backup pair |
| Sunscreen | Summer |
| Feminine products | If preferred brand |
Buy There (Don’t Pack)
| Item | Why Buy in Korea |
|---|---|
| Skincare | Korea is skincare heaven |
| Sheet masks | 1,000원 each! |
| Shampoo/conditioner | Hotels provide, stores everywhere |
| Toothpaste | Convenience stores have it |
| Deodorant | Harder to find, but available |
| Razors | Easy to find |
Pro tip: Pack light toiletries.
Buy K-beauty products there.
Cheaper than home + fun souvenir.
Electronics
Voltage Warning
Korea: 220V, 50Hz
USA: 110V, 60Hz
Safe to use (dual voltage):
- Phone chargers
- Laptop chargers
- Camera chargers
- Most modern electronics
Check before using:
- Hair dryers
- Curling irons
- Electric shavers (some)
Look for “100-240V” on the charger.
If it says that, you’re fine.
If only 110V, you need converter.
Power Adapter
Korea uses Type C and Type F plugs:
- Round, two-pin
- Same as most of Europe
Bring a universal adapter.
Or buy one at airport/Daiso.
The adapter mistake everyone makes:
Korea uses Type C/F plugs. 220V.
| Your Country | Adapter Needed? |
|---|---|
| USA | Yes (different plug AND voltage) |
| UK | Yes (different plug) |
| Europe | Usually no |
| Australia | Yes |
My blown hair dryer:
First trip. Plugged my American hair dryer into a Korean outlet.
Sparks. Smoke. Dead hair dryer.
220V will destroy 110V electronics. Your phone and laptop are fine (they’re dual voltage). Your hair dryer, electric razor, or curling iron might not be.
What I do now:
I don’t bring hair dryers or anything with a motor. Every Korean hotel has one. Why risk it?
Just pack:
- Universal adapter (one is enough)
- Phone charger
- Laptop charger if needed
- Portable battery
That’s it. Buy anything else in Korea.
What NOT to Pack
Leave These at Home
| Item | Why |
|---|---|
| Too many clothes | You’ll shop there |
| Expensive jewelry | Risk of loss |
| Too much cash | ATMs everywhere |
| Laptop (maybe) | Unless you need it |
| Travel pillow | Take up space, not worth it |
| Guidebooks | Use phone instead |
| Formal clothes | Korea is casual |
| Hair dryer | Hotels have them |
You Can Buy Cheap in Korea
If you forget something:
- Daiso (everything 1,000-5,000원)
- Convenience stores (basics)
- Olive Young (toiletries)
- UNIQLO (clothes)
Don’t stress about forgetting things.
Korea has everything.
Things I’ve stopped packing:
| Item | Why I Stopped |
|---|---|
| Toiletries (full-size) | Korea has better, cheaper |
| Hair dryer | Every hotel has one |
| Umbrella | Buy for 5,000원 if needed |
| Too many books | Heavy, rarely finish them |
| Laptop (usually) | Phone is enough for most trips |
| Snacks from home | Korean snacks are amazing |
| Formal wear | Never needed it |
The toiletries realization:
I used to pack full bottles of shampoo, conditioner, skincare.
Then I discovered Korean convenience stores. K-beauty for a fraction of what I’d pay at home.
Now I pack travel-size basics for day one, then buy Korean products. Better quality, fun to try new things.
The “just in case” trap:
“I might need a suit.” — Never did.
“I might need hiking boots.” — Walked in sneakers.
“I might need this book.” — Didn’t read it.
If you’re not 90% sure you’ll use it, leave it home.
Special Items
If Visiting Temples
- Modest clothing (shoulders/knees covered)
- Easy-off shoes
- Socks without holes
If Going to Jjimjilbang
- Nothing special needed
- They provide everything
- Bring open mind!
If Hiking
- Proper hiking shoes
- Weather layers
- Small backpack
Koreans take hiking seriously.
Good gear matters.
Luggage Tips
Size Recommendation
| Trip Length | Luggage |
|---|---|
| 3-5 days | Carry-on only |
| 1 week | Carry-on + small checked |
| 2+ weeks | Medium checked bag |
Leave Room for Shopping
Korea has amazing shopping:
- K-beauty products
- Snacks
- Souvenirs
- Clothes
Pack 70% full.
Return with 100% full.
Weight Limits
Most airlines to Korea:
- Carry-on: 7-10kg
- Checked: 23kg
Korean Air and Asiana are generous.
Budget airlines less so.
Check before you pack.
Day Bag Essentials
What to carry daily:
| Item | Why |
|---|---|
| Phone + charger | Navigation, translation |
| T-money card | Transportation |
| Cash (20,000-50,000원) | Small purchases |
| Credit card | Larger purchases |
| Passport copy | ID if needed |
| Tissues | Public bathrooms (sometimes no paper) |
| Hand sanitizer | Good habit |
| Water bottle | Refill at water fountains |
| Umbrella (summer) | Sudden rain |
Note on tissues:
Many Korean bathrooms have toilet paper.
But not all.
Carry small tissue pack just in case.
Packing Checklist
Documents ✓
- [ ] Passport
- [ ] K-ETA (if required)
- [ ] Flight confirmation
- [ ] Hotel booking
- [ ] Travel insurance
- [ ] Copies/photos of documents
Money ✓
- [ ] Credit/debit card
- [ ] Backup card
- [ ] Some USD cash
Tech ✓
- [ ] Phone
- [ ] Charger
- [ ] Power adapter
- [ ] Portable battery
- [ ] Earbuds
Clothing ✓
- [ ] Tops (3-5)
- [ ] Bottoms (2-3)
- [ ] Underwear (5-7)
- [ ] Socks (5-7)
- [ ] Jacket/coat (seasonal)
- [ ] Sleepwear
Shoes ✓
- [ ] Walking shoes
- [ ] Slip-ons
Toiletries ✓
- [ ] Prescription medicine
- [ ] Basics (travel sizes)
- [ ] Glasses/contacts
Day Bag ✓
- [ ] Small backpack or crossbody
Final Thoughts
My first Korea trip: two massive suitcases, couldn’t lift them myself, half the stuff unused.
Now: one carry-on, sometimes just a backpack.
Korea isn’t a developing country. You’re not going somewhere remote. Anything you forget, you can buy — often better and cheaper than home.
The real packing essentials:
- Passport
- Phone + charger
- Adapter
- Comfortable shoes
- Light clothing
- 30% empty suitcase space
That’s it. Everything else is optional.
Pack light. Come home heavy.
— Ted K
Also brush up on cultural norms before you go. Our Korean Etiquette Guide covers the important rules.
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