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First Week in Seoul: A Newcomer's Guide

Your guide to the first week in Seoul. Get step-by-step advice on the airport, SIM cards, transit, and apps. Perfect for new expats and students.

Evan Han

CEO & Founder of FOHO, a housing platform for foreigners in Korea. Experienced in rental market trends, proptech innovation, and foreign tenant support.

Oct 7, 2025

TIPRegion

FOHO

foreignerhome.com

First Week in Seoul Guide

Table of contents

Your First Week in Seoul: The Ultimate Guide for Newcomers

Welcome to South Korea! The first few days in a new country can be both exciting and overwhelming. This guide is designed to be your step-by-step manual for a smooth arrival, taking you from Incheon Airport to confidently navigating Seoul.

We'll cover everything you need to know, from getting a SIM card and transportation to using essential apps and understanding daily etiquette. Our goal is to make your transition as simple and stress-free as possible.

Part 1: Landing at Incheon (ICN) – The First 3 Hours

Your journey begins at Incheon International Airport (ICN), one of the world's best. While Korea is a high-tech country, your first hour involves paperwork and physical processes before you can connect to its digital world.

Step 1: Clear Immigration and Customs

Follow the "Arrivals" signs. If you land at the concourse, a quick shuttle train will take you to the main terminal for immigration.

1. Complete Your Arrival Forms: Your airline will likely provide these forms before you land.

Arrival Card: Required for foreign nationals without an Alien Registration Card (ARC). You will need the full address and phone number of your accommodation in Korea.

Customs Declaration Form: One per family. Fill this out honestly.

Health Declaration: This may be required. Check for an online option to complete it in advance.

Pro-Tip: Have your Korean address saved on your phone or written down. You will need it for the Arrival Card.

2. Pass Through Immigration: At the immigration counter, present your passport and completed Arrival Card. The officer may ask about your purpose and length of stay.

3. Collect Your Luggage and Clear Customs: After immigration, head down to the first floor to find your bags on the designated carousel. Then, proceed through the green "Nothing to Declare" lane and hand your customs form to an officer.

Important: Prohibited and Restricted Items South Korea has very strict rules. Do not bring the following items:

Narcotics & Certain Medications: Drugs containing controlled substances (e.g., amphetamines, opioids) need prior written approval from the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.

Food with Poppy Seeds: This is illegal and can lead to serious trouble.

Fresh Produce & Animal Products: Most fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy are prohibited to prevent the spread of agricultural diseases.

Step 2: Get Connected, Get Cash, Get a Transit Card

In the arrivals hall, you must complete three essential tasks before heading to Seoul. These are temporary solutions until you get an Alien Registration Card (ARC), which is required for long-term plans.

1. Connectivity: Your Digital Lifeline A working phone is essential. Your main choice is between a physical SIM and an eSIM.

Physical SIM vs. eSIM: An eSIM is a digital profile you can download by scanning a QR code, often purchased online before your trip. This lets you skip the airport queues. A physical SIM is a chip you insert and may be better if you need in-person help or have an older phone.

Where to Buy: The three major providers—SK Telecom, KT, and LG U+—have counters in the arrivals hall. You can also buy prepaid SIMs at convenience stores (GS25, CU) or from vending machines.

Required Documents: You only need your passport to buy a prepaid SIM card.

2. Currency: Fueling Your First Day While Korea is mostly cashless, you need some Korean Won (KRW) for initial costs like topping up your transit card.

Where to Exchange: Banks like KB Bank, Woori Bank, and Hana Bank have exchange booths at the airport.

Best Practice: Exchange only a small amount, like $50-$100 USD (₩70,000 - ₩140,000). Airport exchange rates are not the best.

Using ATMs: Look for "Global ATMs" that accept foreign cards. Important: When asked, always choose to be charged in the local currency (KRW), not your home currency, to avoid high fees.

3. Transit Card: T-money vs. WOWPASS A rechargeable card is necessary for subways and buses.

Feature	T-money Card	WOWPASS Card
Primary Function	A dedicated transportation card.	A prepaid debit card for foreigners with a separate T-money function.
Purchase Cost	₩3,000 - ₩5,000 (card only).	₩5,000 issuance fee.
Where to Buy	Convenience stores (GS25, CU), subway station machines.	Dedicated orange kiosks at airports and major subway stations.
How to Top Up	With KRW cash at convenience stores or subway machines.	Debit Balance: Load with foreign currency cash at a kiosk. T-money Balance: Must be topped up separately with KRW cash.
Where It Works	Public transit, taxis, most convenience stores.	Debit Card: Anywhere that accepts cards. T-money: Public transit.
Best For	Budget travelers focused on public transport.	Travelers wanting an all-in-one cashless solution for shopping and transit.

Sources: Official T-money Card and WOWPASS websites.

Step 3: Choose Your Ride to Seoul

Your best option depends on your budget, luggage, and destination.

Transport	Est. Time to Central Seoul	Est. Cost (KRW)	Best For
AREX Express Train	43-51 min	~₩9,500	Speed, traveling to Seoul Station.
AREX All-Stop Train	59-66 min	~₩4,750	Budget, destinations on the airport line (e.g., Hongdae).
Airport Bus	60-80+ min	₩5,000 - ₩15,000	Heavy luggage, direct routes to specific neighborhoods.
Taxi	50-70+ min	₩47,000 - ₩52,000+	Convenience, direct door-to-door service.
Private Van	50-70+ min	$100+ USD	Large groups or families with lots of luggage.

Sources: Official AREX fares, Incheon Airport Transportation Guide. Taxi fare is an estimate including tolls.

Part 2: Your First 72 Hours in Seoul

Now that you've arrived at your accommodation, the next three days are about setting up your base.

Chapter 4: Mastering Korean Map Apps

The Google Maps Problem: Due to national security laws, Google Maps does not provide walking or driving directions in South Korea. It only works for public transit. You must use a local app.

1. Naver Map: The Best for Foreigners Naver Map is the top recommendation because it has a full English interface and is incredibly powerful.

Real-time Transit Info: Tells you exactly when your bus or subway will arrive.

Comprehensive Search: Find restaurants, cafes, and pharmacies with user reviews, photos, and menus.

How to Use: Download "NAVER Map" and set the language to English. Search for places in English or, for best results, copy and paste the Korean name.

2. Kakao Map: The Local Favorite Kakao Map is also excellent, but its English support is limited. It is known for its highly accurate real-time bus tracking.

Chapter 5: Your First Grocery Run

Phase 1: The Convenience Store (First 24 Hours) Korean convenience stores (CU, GS25, 7-Eleven) are open 24/7. Stop in for immediate essentials:

Bottled water

A simple meal like a gimbap (rice roll)

A T-money card (if you still need one)

Look for "1+1" (buy one, get one free) or "2+1" deals to save money.

Phase 2: The Hypermarket (First 72 Hours) For a full stock-up, visit a large hypermarket like E-Mart, Homeplus, or Lotte Mart.

Your First Shopping List: Rice (look for single-serving hetbahn bowls), eggs, kimchi, ramyeon (instant noodles), and frozen mandu (dumplings).

Important: You must buy special, district-specific trash bags (jongnyangje bongtu) for your general waste. You can find them at any hypermarket or convenience store.

Chapter 6: A Guide to Food Delivery

Korea's delivery culture is amazing. In the past, it was difficult for foreigners to use, but this has changed.

App	English UI?	Accepts Foreign Cards?	ARC Required?	Key Pro / Con for Newcomers
Shuttle	Yes	Yes (and PayPal)	No	Pro: Designed for foreigners, zero stress. Con: Limited service area.
Baemin	No	Yes	No	Pro: Korea's largest selection. Con: Korean-only UI; requires a translation app.
Coupang Eats	Yes	Yes	Sometimes	Pro: Easy-to-use English UI. Con: May ask for local verification.
Yogiyo	No	Limited	Yes	Not recommended for new arrivals due to verification hurdles.

Part 3: Settling In During Your First Week

With the basics covered, focus on the steps that will make your long-term stay successful.

Chapter 7: The Golden Key: The Alien Registration Card (ARC)

If you are staying over 90 days, the Alien Registration Card (ARC) is the most important document you will get. It is the key to life in Korea.

Why You Need an ARC:

Banking: To open a full bank account.

Phone Plan: To get a cheaper, long-term (postpaid) phone plan.

Online Services: To verify your identity on Korean websites and apps.

Healthcare: To enroll in the National Health Insurance program.

You must apply for your ARC at a local immigration office within 90 days of arrival. For more information, visit the official government portal, HiKorea

Chapter 8: Shopping Beyond Groceries

Daiso: An essential store for budget-friendly household goods. You can find everything from kitchenware to stationery for ₩1,000 - ₩5,000.

Olive Young: Korea's top health and beauty store. A great place to explore K-beauty products like sunscreen and sheet masks.

Gmarket Global: An e-commerce site in English that accepts foreign credit cards and PayPal. It's perfect for shopping online before you have a Korean bank account.

Chapter 9: Essential Etiquette and Daily Rules

1. Trash Disposal Seoul's trash system is strict.

General Waste: Must go in the special, pre-paid bags (jongnyangje bongtu) for your district.

Recycling: Separate paper, plastics, glass, and cans into clear bags or designated bins.

Food Waste: Must be separated into special food waste bags or bins.

2. Public Transportation Etiquette

Let people exit before you board.

Do not sit in the priority seats (for the elderly, disabled, and pregnant women).

Keep your voice down. Avoid loud phone calls.

Stand on the right side of escalators.

3. No-Tip Culture Tipping is not expected in Korea. Service staff are paid a full wage. A polite "Thank you" (gamsahamnida) is the correct way to show appreciation.

Settle in Sooner. Feel at Home.

You've successfully navigated your first week—that's a huge step. Now, it's time to find a place to truly call home.

Navigating the housing market can feel like the next big challenge, especially with language barriers. FOHO was built to make it simple. We connect you with affordable, verified homes and provide full support with landlord communication, ensuring a smooth and clear process from start to finish.

Focus on settling in, not on stress.