South Korea packing list: A local’s guide to what to pack

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Embark on your South Korean adventure fully prepared with our comprehensive Korea packing list, curated by a local. This list ensures you have all the essentials for whatever adventures await, whether exploring the bustling streets of Seoul, hiking mountains in Jeju, or visiting seaside temples in Busan. From seasonal clothing and toiletries to practical gadgets and what NOT to pack, here’s everything you shouldn’t forget to be prepared for your South Korea trip.

Korea Packing List: Summer Essentials

Lightweight, breathable clothes

Summer in Korea is very hot and humid, so pack clothes that best equip you for the heat. It’s best to wear airy, breathable clothing made of light materials like cotton and linen. I like to carry around a linen button-up that can provide sun protection but is also light enough for the heat.

Keep in mind that lots of Koreans dress on the conservative side. Even in the summer, many locals cover their shoulders and knees. Tank tops and shorts are fine, but anything extremely revealing might draw unwanted attention.

Rain jacket

Summer is the monsoon season in Korea, so come prepared for the possibility of rain every day. I recommend bringing a packable rain jacket that you can throw in your bag in case of a sudden downpour.

I don’t recommend packing an umbrella because it will take up a lot of room. Umbrellas are available for cheap on every corner, so buy one when you get here instead.

Hat and sunglasses

The sun is intense in the summer, so you’ll want good sun protection like a hat and sunglasses.

Visiting Korea in the summer? Check out my local’s guide to the best things to do in summer in Korea.

Korea Packing List: Fall and Spring Essentials

Lightweight jacket

Spring and fall often have chilly mornings and evenings but warm daytimes, so bring a lightweight jacket to throw on when the temperature dips. If you’re visiting in early spring or late fall, you might need a lightweight jacket all day.

Layers

Fall and spring are great times to wear light layers to accommodate the drastic temperature changes throughout the day. You can be shivering in the morning and sweating by the afternoon. Packing layers is a great way to be prepared for the wide range of temperatures you’ll experience.

Visiting Korea in the spring or fall? Check out my local’s guide to the best things to do in spring in Korea and the best things to do in fall in Korea.

Korea Packing List: Winter Essentials

Heavy jacket

Everyone in Korea wears long padded jackets in the winter for a reason – the cold weather can be brutal! Although it’s a large and heavy addition to your suitcase, you won’t regret bringing your warmest winter jacket. Alternatively, you can easily buy one when you arrive.

Gloves, hat, scarf

You’ll want as many warm winter accessories as possible, including gloves, hats, and scarves.

Thermal layers

The cold temperatures in winter in Korea call for some serious layering. I like thermal layers such as HeatTech by Uniqlo to layer underneath sweaters. Thermal leggings are also a good addition for layering under pants. I also highly recommend bringing thick winter socks and layering them as well.

Sunglasses

In the winter, there are many days when it’s both snowy and sunny. On these days, you’ll want to reach for your sunglasses to protect your eyes from the bright reflection on the snow.

Visiting Korea in the winter? Check out my local’s guide to the best things to do in winter in Korea.

Korea Packing List: Toiletries & Beauty

Deodorant

Lots of deodorants in East Asia contain skin-whitening ingredients and aren’t antiperspirants. If this bothers you, I suggest you bring your own deodorant when traveling to Asia.

Toothpaste

Toothpaste is another product that you’ll want to bring plenty of from home. Most toothpaste in Korea doesn’t have fluoride. This might not bother you or be the end of the world for a short trip, but it’s good to be prepared if you have a longer trip or your teeth are sensitive.

Tampons or menstrual cup

Although tampons are available in Korea, the selection is limited. Many are small sizes or come without the plastic applicator that we are used to. If you want the comfort and ease of using familiar feminine care products, it’s best to bring your own from your home country.

I highly recommend buying a menstrual cup if you travel regularly. The cup is reusable; you buy it once and clean it in between uses. It’s cheaper, better for the environment, and works fantastically for travelers. It can take some getting used to, so I recommend you try it for a few months before bringing it on your trip.

Hanging toiletry bag

Unless you stay at a 5-star hotel, the bathrooms in your accommodations in Korea will likely be very small. Most have limited, if any, counter space. Therefore, I highly recommend investing in a hanging toiletry bag that you can simply hang up in between uses. This will come in handy all across the tiny bathrooms of Asia. It will also be extra useful if you stay in hostels with shared bathrooms!

Shower shoes

Unless you stay at a nice, Western-style hotel, chances are you’ll have a “wet bathroom”. This means that the entire bathroom gets wet when you shower. Usually, the shower is located right above the sink and there is a knob that changes the water flow from the sink to the showerhead. It’s not a huge inconvenience, but bring cheap shower shoes and check the water flow before use so you don’t take a surprise shower!

Full-size towel

Again, unless you stay at a nice, Western-style hotel, you will probably not get the large bath towels you are used to. The towels that Koreans use are more like what we think of as hand towels. If this is something that will bother you, pack a towel from home to be safe.

Korea Packing List: Practical Accessories and Gadgets

Unlocked phone with an eSIM

You’ll need an unlocked phone that can support a Korean data plan during your trip. Korea is known for its widespread fast wifi, but you won’t always be connected when you’re on the go. You don’t want to risk being stuck without wifi or data at any given time.

My favorite option for accessing the Internet across the world is the Airalo eSIM. An eSIM doesn’t need to be physically put in and taken out; it’s simply installed onto your phone and connects to the Internet anywhere in the world as soon as you land. Instead of wasting time looking for a local plastic SIM, you can activate the eSIM immediately after installation or upon arrival in Korea. This is the easiest and most convenient option, and it’s reliable. I’ve used Airalo all over the world and I’m always a happy customer.

Keep in mind that eSIMs only provide data service for connecting to the Internet, not calling and texting plans. If you need to make calls or send texts abroad, you can pick up a physical SIM card at the airport upon arrival by pre-ordering here.

Need to know what apps to download on your phone before your trip? Check out my essential apps for Korea travel, including navigation, translation, hotels, and restaurants.

Universal plug adapter

The plug types in Korea are Type C (Europlug) and Type F (German Schuko). I like to travel with a universal plug adapter so that no matter where I’m traveling, I have an adapter that will work.

Korea operates on a 220V supply voltage, so don’t pack any appliances that don’t use this voltage, such as hair dryers or stylers (more on this below).

Power bank

You’ll probably spend many days out and about from sun up to sun down. It’s best to bring a power bank so your phone doesn’t die and you can always access your camera, translation app, and navigation.

Coin purse

While many establishments in Korea accept credit cards, there are times when you’ll have to use cash. When traveling to countries where cash is common, a coin purse is great for organizing all the bills and coins you’ll go through during the day. Don’t make the mistake of having to dig through your bag in search of coins!

International Driving Permit (IDP)

If you rent a car in Korea, you need an International Driving Permit (IDP). Unlike in most other countries, you can’t rent a car in Korea if you don’t have an IDP. U.S. citizens can easily obtain an IDP from their local AAA office for $20.

Korea Packing List: What NOT to Bring

Too many clothes

If you like shopping, leave plenty of room in your suitcase for new clothes. Korea has some great, affordable, trendy shopping that you won’t want to resist.

Shoes that aren’t good for walking

When traveling in Korea, you’ll get your steps in every day. Not only will you walk a lot, but you’ll also climb many stairs and hills. This is not the time to pack anything but comfortable walking shoes!

Lots of skincare and makeup

Korea is one of the best countries in the world for shopping for skincare and makeup. It’s affordable, high quality, and sets trends worldwide. Any trip to Korea is incomplete without visiting Olive Young, a health and beauty store where you can stock up on high-quality skincare and makeup without breaking the bank. Leave plenty of room in your suitcase!

Appliances that don’t use 220V

Don’t make the mistake of bringing appliances that don’t use the right voltage and frying them! Many people bring their hair dryers or stylers, but these often have different voltages if you’re from North America. If you attempt to use them in Korea, it’s a safety hazard that could fry the appliance or start a fire. Check the voltage before bringing any with you.

Now that your bags are packed with essentials but have plenty of space for shopping, you’re well-prepared for your South Korean journey. With our comprehensive Korea packing list, you’ll be equipped for any adventure that comes your way in this exciting, diverse country.

Book Your South Korea Excursions

Now that you have your packing list down, do you have your excursions and activities booked? The best activity and excursion booking platforms for South Korea are Klook and GetYourGuide. Both websites have thousands of trustworthy travel experiences with verified user reviews. I use Klook and GetYourGuide to book almost all my excursions in Asia.

Book Your South Korea Accommodation

Need amazing hotels or hostels for your South Korea trip? The best booking platform for finding and reserving great hotels in Korea is Agoda. It’s owned by the same company as Booking.com but is based in Asia, making it great for finding any hotels you need. If you’re a backpacker staying in hostels, then Hostelworld is consistently the best hostel booking platform worldwide, and Korea is no exception. Book your South Korea accommodation on Agoda today:

Keep reading:

• 2 week South Korea itinerary & travel guide from a local
• South Korea Solo Travel Guide: Safety, tips, & what to expect
• 31 unmissable things to do in spring in Korea
• 22 best things to do in summer in Korea
• Fall in Korea: The 26 best things to do
• 25 unmissable things to do in Korea in winter
• Where to stay in Seoul, South Korea: A local’s guide
• What to know before going to South Korea: 33 tips from a local
• Seoul itinerary: Local’s guide to 1 week or less
• 15 unique things to do in Seoul: An unreplicable bucket list
• 20 best things to do in Seoul, South Korea
• 16 best things to do in Busan, South Korea
• Busan itinerary: 2, 3, or 4 days in South Korea’s coastal gem