Do I need a K-ETA for Korea in 2026?

Not if your nationality is on the waiver list, which runs to 2026-12-31 (Korea time). Confirm your country's status on the official K-ETA site before departure. The waiver is renewed annually, so re-check for 2027 travel.

If I am K-ETA-exempt, do I still fill in an arrival card?

Yes. Travellers entering without a K-ETA submit the online e-Arrival Card, which has replaced the paper form. Only those who voluntarily obtain a paid K-ETA are exempt from it.

Where should I exchange money for won?

Money changers in Myeongdong are widely reported to offer better rates than banks. Airport counters carry a convenience premium, so exchange only a small amount on arrival. Cards are accepted almost everywhere, so cash needs are modest.

eSIM or pocket WiFi for Korea?

For one or two people an eSIM is easier: no device to carry and it activates on landing. For a group sharing one connection, or a phone without eSIM support, pocket WiFi is the better fit.

Do I need a plug adapter in Korea?

Korea uses Type C/F sockets at 220V, 60Hz. Travellers from the US, Japan, the UK and Australia need an adapter; most European plugs fit directly. Chargers rated 100-240V do not need a converter.

Korea Packing Checklist 2026: T-money, eSIM, K-ETA Waiver

Updated: 2026-09-08

The three things that matter for a Korea trip are a T-money transit card, an eSIM for data, and knowing whether you need a K-ETA. The K-ETA waiver for listed nationalities has been extended to 2026-12-31 (Korea time), but everyone still files an online e-Arrival Card. Almost everything else on the list can be bought on arrival, so pack light.

Korea packing checklist

Category	Item	Priority	Notes
Money	T-money card	Must	Sold at convenience stores and the airport; from 2026-03 also issued at subway kiosks with foreign cards
Money	Card that works abroad	Must	Hotels and larger shops; small shops may still want cash
Money	Small amount of won in cash	Recommended	Exchange in Myeongdong or a small sum on arrival
Connectivity	eSIM or pocket WiFi	Must	Buy before departure
Entry	Check K-ETA status	Must	Waiver to 2026-12-31 for listed nationalities; others apply in advance
Entry	e-Arrival Card	Must	Online form that replaces the paper arrival card; required even if K-ETA-exempt
Entry	Passport validity	Must	Leave a comfortable margin beyond your entry date; 6 months is a common airline standard
Clothing	Season-appropriate layers	Must	Large swings between seasons; check your travel dates
Electrical	Plug adapter	Depends	Type C/F, 220V; needed for US, Japanese, UK and Australian plugs

Hotels generally provide a hair dryer, which is the easiest weight to leave at home.

Money: T-money, cards and exchange

T-money card. Sold at GS25, CU, 7-Eleven and Emart24 convenience stores, at shops inside Incheon Airport and at subway customer centres. The basic card costs about 2,500 won (balance loaded separately); the foreigner-oriented T-money Travel Card is listed at around 4,000 won, and other outlets quote 3,000-5,000 won depending on the design. It works on the subway, city buses, intercity and express buses and taxis, and gives transfer discounts. Ticket machines top up to a maximum of 50,000 won per card.
Kiosks from 2026-03. Seoul Metro installed 442 new kiosks across 273 stations where Visa, Mastercard, JCB, UnionPay and Amex cards can be used to buy and top up T-money and to buy a Climate Card tourist pass, so no won cash is needed for that first ride.
Refunds. Balances of 50,000 won or more are refunded at Tmoney Town near Seoul Station; smaller amounts at convenience stores. Spending the remainder at a convenience store on your last day is simpler.

Cards. Hotels, department stores and large chains take foreign cards without trouble. Traditional markets and small restaurants can still be cash-only.
Exchange. Money changers in Myeongdong are widely reported to beat bank rates; airport counters carry a convenience premium, so exchange only a small amount there. A few tens of thousands of won per day in pocket cash is usually enough.

Transit option	Price	Best for
T-money	Card 2,500-5,000 won plus balance	Anyone travelling beyond Seoul; also buses and taxis
Climate Card (기후동행카드)	1-7 days, 5,000-20,000 won	Heavy use within Seoul only
M-PASS	1-7 days, 15,000-64,500 won	Many rides a day, Seoul-centred
WOWPASS	Depends on amount loaded	Combining exchange, transit and spending on one card

Connectivity: eSIM or pocket WiFi

eSIM. Works from the moment you land and adds nothing to your bag. From our tracked data (2026-06-16), a Global eSIM covering Korea starts from $7.00 on Viator.
Pocket WiFi. Better when several people share one connection or a device does not support eSIM, at the cost of a pickup and return at the airport.
Airport SIM counters exist but queues are common and prices are usually higher than buying online in advance.
Budget the airport-to-city leg too. From our tracked data (2026-07-09), the AREX express train from Incheon Airport to Seoul Station starts from 11,500 won (about $7.64) via KKday, with no transfer on the direct service.

Entry: K-ETA waiver to end-2026, e-Arrival Card, documents

K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization). The temporary waiver announced in September 2025 has been extended to 2026-12-31 (Korea time), per a Ministry of Justice notice of 2026-03-20. Nationals of listed countries can enter without a K-ETA. Whether your nationality is on the list is shown on the official K-ETA site when you select your country; check before you fly. The waiver is renewed year by year, so 2027 trips need a fresh check.
Voluntary K-ETA. You can still apply if you wish (fee about 10,000 won, roughly $7-8, per the official site), which exempts you from the arrival card. A K-ETA already issued and still valid remains valid.
Non-listed nationalities must apply in advance, only through the official site (k-eta.go.kr) or official app. The official site warns against look-alike sites charging agency or express fees.
e-Arrival Card. Travellers entering without a K-ETA file the online e-Arrival Card, which replaces the paper form.
Have your passport, return ticket and accommodation details ready; immigration may ask for them.

!Departures at Incheon International Airport Terminal 1 *Photo: Arne Müseler (CC BY-SA 3.0 de), via Wikimedia Commons*

Plugs and clothing. Korea uses round-pin Type C/F sockets at 220V, 60Hz. EU plugs fit directly; US, Japanese, UK and Australian plugs need an adapter. Chargers rated 100-240V need nothing more; a single-voltage 110-120V hair dryer or styler would need a converter and is better left at home. Winters (December-February) call for a down jacket, windproof layer and gloves; spring and autumn have large day-night swings, so layer; summer is hot and humid but indoor air conditioning is strong, so carry a light layer. If your itinerary includes a domestic flight to Jeju, note that domestic and low-cost carriers have stricter carry-on limits than many international routes.

General information only. Check official agencies and local notices for your specific situation.

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FAQ

Do I need a K-ETA for Korea in 2026?
Not if your nationality is on the waiver list, which runs to 2026-12-31 (Korea time). Confirm your country's status on the official K-ETA site before departure. The waiver is renewed annually, so re-check for 2027 travel.
If I am K-ETA-exempt, do I still fill in an arrival card?
Yes. Travellers entering without a K-ETA submit the online e-Arrival Card, which has replaced the paper form. Only those who voluntarily obtain a paid K-ETA are exempt from it.
Where should I exchange money for won?
Money changers in Myeongdong are widely reported to offer better rates than banks. Airport counters carry a convenience premium, so exchange only a small amount on arrival. Cards are accepted almost everywhere, so cash needs are modest.
eSIM or pocket WiFi for Korea?
For one or two people an eSIM is easier: no device to carry and it activates on landing. For a group sharing one connection, or a phone without eSIM support, pocket WiFi is the better fit.
Do I need a plug adapter in Korea?
Korea uses Type C/F sockets at 220V, 60Hz. Travellers from the US, Japan, the UK and Australia need an adapter; most European plugs fit directly. Chargers rated 100-240V do not need a converter.