{"id":24492,"date":"2018-02-09T09:00:13","date_gmt":"2018-02-09T09:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/?p=24492"},"modified":"2018-03-24T20:30:51","modified_gmt":"2018-03-24T20:30:51","slug":"things-know-before-traveling-to-seoul","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/things-know-before-traveling-to-seoul\/","title":{"rendered":"11 Things Tourists Should Know Before Traveling to Seoul"},"content":{"rendered":"

Seoul<\/a> may not have been on your travel radar before. But with Pyeongchang<\/a> now in the limelight, tourism to Seoul is primed and ready to flourish. If you\u2019ve never traveled to South Korea before, it may take a bit of adjusting. Give yourself a day or two to get acclimated, and you\u2019re sure to love this buzzing city. Here are 11 tips every first-timer should know before traveling to Seoul.<\/p>\n

\"Skyline

Bongeunsa Temple<\/p><\/div>\n

1. Google Maps will only get you so far<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Korean laws and regulations restrict how much map data Google Maps has access to. After researching online, I found that almost everyone recommends downloading other navigation apps to use in Seoul. The problem\u2026 they\u2019re all in Korean. Honestly, you can still use Google Maps to get around \u2013 you just have to know how to use it and know its limitations.<\/p>\n

Limitation #1- It will NOT give you accurate driving\/walking directions. If you map your route, it will simply show a direct line from point A to point B, completely ignoring the layout of streets on the map. However, you can still see your location, so simply refer to the map and decide your own route to get to your destination. Old school, I know.<\/p>\n

Limitation #2- Google Maps does not provide connections between public transportation routes. Yes, it will show you how to get from point A to point B using the subway system, BUT it won\u2019t show connections between different lines (even if it\u2019s more efficient to do so). For instance, if the most efficient route is to take the green line, then hop off at a connecting station and take the orange line the rest of the way, Google Maps might simply recommend you take the orange line the entire way (which may require more walking to get the station on your part). So, again, you can\u2019t rely on Google Maps 100%, but take an extra minute and you\u2019ll be able to navigate yourself pretty easily!<\/p>\n

2. The subway system is surprisingly easy to navigate<\/strong><\/h2>\n

That being said about Google Maps, the subway system is very organized, clean, and extremely affordable. There is almost no need to take taxis while you\u2019re traveling in Seoul. The subway signs and maps are very clearly marked in Korean (both in Hangul and in Romanized Korean) and English. The subway lines are also color-coded, and the exits are always indicated by yellow numbers.<\/p>\n

\"Bukchon

Bukchon Hanok Village<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

3. There\u2019s no tipping<\/strong><\/h2>\n

It may be ingrained in Western culture, but in Seoul, it\u2019s not customary to leave a tip. Whether it\u2019s taxi drivers, wait staff, bartenders or even bellhops, keep that extra gratuity to yourself. If you try to leave a tip, it may even be construed as rudeness. So, it\u2019s best to follow the norm!<\/p>\n

4. There are a lot of ways to say \u201cthank you\u201d in Korean<\/strong><\/h2>\n

When I arrived in Seoul, I asked someone how to say \u201cthank you\u201d and they told me \u201cgomab seubnida.\u201d Then later I asked a tour guide, and he said \u201cgamsa habnida\u201d \u2026 I wasn\u2019t sure which one to use, but I later learned that both are considered formal expressions (there are also informal ways, but it wouldn\u2019t be appropriate to use between strangers).<\/p>\n

However, \u201cgamsa habnida\u201d is the most formal and therefore, the most frequently recommended to travelers, since you really can\u2019t go wrong with being overly polite. The \u201cg\u201d is pronounced more like a guttural \u201ck\u201d sound, and the \u201cb\u201d is more like an \u201cm\u201d \u2013 so, \u201ckahm-sa ham-nee-da\u201d is the correct pronounciation.<\/p>\n

\"Korean

Bibimbap (the spice level depends on how much gochujang (chili pepper paste) you add)<\/p><\/div>\n

5. Korean food tends to be spicy<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re a wimp like me and have zero tolerance for spice, then you\u2019ll definitely want to be careful about what you try. Generally speaking, if a dish is orange or red, you might want to steer clear. But there are plenty of non-spicy Korean dishes that you should try while in Seoul \u2013 pajeon, gimbap, jjajangmyun, bulgogi, japchae, and even Korean fried chicken (without the spicy sauce).<\/p>\n

6. Corn randomly appears in the most unexpected dishes<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Another thing Koreans love to add to food is corn. Great news for me, but bad news for my husband who can\u2019t eat anything with corn in it. We came across corn in Korean sandwiches, on pizzas, and even in ice cream in Seoul. Go figure!<\/p>\n

7. Toilets are either high tech or very much the opposite<\/strong><\/h2>\n

You may be familiar with high tech western style toilets in Asia that have all the buttons and gizmos with features like bidets, heated toilet seats, and even the option to play music. Just be careful pressing the buttons, as they\u2019re typically only marked in Korean.<\/p>\n

On the very opposite end of the spectrum are the Asian style squat toilets, which you may or may not encounter in old buildings. In most public restrooms, DO NOT flush the toilet paper. There is a trash bin in each stall meant for discarded tissue. This can be an awkward adjustment for many, but you don\u2019t want to be the person responsible for clogging the pipes either. Don\u2019t be that tourist!<\/p>\n

\"poop

One of the more interesting themed cafes in Seoul!<\/p><\/div>\n

8. There are a TON of cafes<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Seriously, you will not be able to turn a corner without seeing at least one cafe everywhere you go in Seoul. Themed cafes<\/a>, dessert cafes, and regular coffee shops are incredibly widespread with plenty of fodder for your Instagram feed!<\/p>\n

9. Not all street food is authentic\u2026 <\/strong><\/h2>\n

But it\u2019s still really fun. A tour guide warned us that a lot of the street food is ridiculously priced and not even authentic Korean food. But as long as you\u2019re cool with that, there\u2019s no reason to let that stop you from trying some of these crazy concoctions! A corndog covered in French fries? Yes, please!<\/p>\n

\"Seoul

Cheonggyecheon Stream<\/p><\/div>\n

10. Shopping late at night is a big deal<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Seoul is a shopper\u2019s paradise, and the retail party doesn\u2019t stop when the sun goes down. On the contrary, that\u2019s when some stores are just heating up! I stayed in a hotel in Myeongdong<\/a> and couldn\u2019t get over how empty all the shops in the area were around lunch time, but by 10:00 at night, the streets were packed with consumers and street vendors. Night owls can also choose from Dongdaemun Market<\/a>, Sinsadong Garosu-gil Road, Paju Premium Outlets<\/a>, and Apgujeong Rodeo Street for more nocturnal shopping.<\/p>\n

11. Korean chopsticks are different<\/strong><\/h2>\n

You\u2019ll frequently have to use metal chopsticks, which are flatter and wider than what you\u2019re probably accustomed to holding. This can be a bit challenging even if you consider yourself pretty adept at using chopsticks. Koreans eat rice with a spoon, so at least there\u2019s one less food to struggle with!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

First-timers, take note! These tips will come in handy.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":94,"featured_media":24493,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[1104,1103,706,707,292],"class_list":["post-24492","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel-tips","tag-korea","tag-korean-culture","tag-seoul","tag-south-korea","tag-travel-tips"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n11 Things Tourists Should Know Before Traveling to Seoul<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/things-know-before-traveling-to-seoul\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"11 Things Tourists Should Know Before Traveling to Seoul\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"First-timers, take note! These tips will come in handy.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/things-know-before-traveling-to-seoul\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Inspire | Travelocity.com\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2018-02-09T09:00:13+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2018-03-24T20:30:51+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/iStock-610231902-e1518126747895.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1023\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"641\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Kate Sherga, Travelocity Copywriter\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Kate Sherga, Travelocity Copywriter\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. 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