What to sort out for a trip to Korea — only what official sources (the Korean government, the Korea Tourism Organization, the Seoul city government) and the T-money operator say. Rules change, so open the source links before you go.
Checked on Oct 27, 2026
Entering Korea
No K-ETA needed until Dec 31, 2026
Citizens of these countries and regions can enter Korea without a K-ETA until December 31, 2026:
Asia: Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Macao
Americas: United States, Guam, Canada
Europe: United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Poland, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Belgium, Denmark, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein
If your nationality can apply for K-ETA, you enter visa-free and you aren't covered by the temporary waiver, you need an approved K-ETA before you board your flight or ship.
Aged 17 or under, or 65 or over: no K-ETA needed.
Fee: 10,000 won per person plus an online payment fee (usually about 3%). Not refunded if refused.
Review usually takes 72 hours or less, but can take longer.
Valid for 3 years, for multiple trips.
It is not a visa. An approved K-ETA does not guarantee entry — the immigration officer decides.
Sold at convenience stores nationwide (GS25, CU, 7-Eleven and others) and at information centers in Seoul subway stations (Lines 1–8). The card costs 3,000–5,000 won.
Works on almost all public transport across Korea — subway, buses, taxis — and in shops showing the T-money logo.
Top up with cash at subway station machines or convenience stores with a T-money sticker: 1,000–90,000 won at a time, up to 500,000 won on the card.
Leftover balance: up to 50,000 won is refunded at convenience stores; over 50,000 won, only at Tmoney Town near Seoul Station Exit 10.
A pass for unlimited rides on Seoul subways and buses for the days you buy. Not valid on the Sinbundang Line or GTX.
Since Oct 1, 2026 it covers the Seoul subway, Seoul-licensed city and village buses (including late-night and circular buses), and getting off at Incheon Airport Terminals 1 and 2. Sections in Gimpo, Goyang, Gwacheon, Guri, Seongnam, Hanam, Namyangju and other areas are no longer included.
Not valid on Ddareungi bikes, Han River buses or taxis. The 30-day pass has ended.
7-day pass: 20,000 won, plus 3,000 won for the physical card. Visitors from abroad can buy it on the same terms (no tourist discount).
Physical cards are sold at subway stations and convenience stores. Since Mar 17, 2026, the new card machines on Seoul subway Lines 1–8 accept credit and debit cards issued abroad for buying and topping up the short-term pass.
Mobile carrier roaming centers at Incheon, Gimpo, Gimhae and Jeju airports sell prepaid SIM cards, hand over SIMs booked online, and rent pocket Wi-Fi routers and phones.
Convenience stores CU, GS25, 7-Eleven and Emart24 also sell SIM cards — stock varies by store.
eSIMs are bought online and set up by scanning a QR code — check that your phone supports eSIM first.
The Korea Tourism Organization says Google Maps' navigation (GPS) feature can't be used in Korea.
Naver Map gives directions in English, Japanese, Chinese and Korean; Kakao Map in English and Korean. Both are in the app stores.
On Feb 27, 2026, the government conditionally approved Google's request to take 1:5,000 map data out of Korea. The announcement does not say when navigation will be available.
Foreign visitors staying in Korea under six months. You must leave Korea within three months of buying, and items must be new, unopened and unused.
Instant refund at the store: each payment from 15,000 won to under 1,000,000 won, up to 5,000,000 won in total per trip.
Downtown refund booths: up to 6,000,000 won per receipt, and only for their own company's receipts.
At the airport there is no limit on what you bought during your stay. Incheon Terminal 1: 3F duty-free area near Gate 28. Terminal 2: 3F check-in counters G and F, and the duty-free area near Gate 253. Locations can change.