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.
