Things only locals know
Map apps, convenience-store 1+1, luggage delivery, Bukchon hours
Small things that make a big difference
- Use NAVER Map or Kakao Map for walking. As of Aug 2026 Google Maps still had no turn-by-turn walking or driving directions in Korea. NAVER Map works in Japanese, English and Chinese, with translated reviews.
Sources: TechCrunch (Google Maps in Korea) ↗ · Asia News Network (Google Maps 2026-08) ↗ · Korea Times (NAVER Map) ↗
- Convenience-store "1+1" and "2+1" deals change monthly. At GS25 you can save the free item in the app's "My Fridge" and pick it up later at any GS25.
Sources: Asia Economy (1+1 deals) ↗
- Since March 2026 about 440 subway ticket machines (Lines 1–8) take foreign Visa and Mastercard for single tickets and Climate Card passes (about 3.7% fee).
- With the Climate Card, exiting at a Gyeonggi or Incheon station means paying the difference to station staff.
- T-Luggage delivers bags same day between subway stations and Incheon Airport. Counters at Seoul Station (B1, between Exits 1 and 2), Hongik Univ., Myeongdong and Gimpo Airport. T-Locker has 332 locker sites on Lines 1–9.
Sources: Incheon Airport (T-Luggage) ↗
- Tourists may enter Bukchon Hanok Village's "red zones" only from 10:00 to 17:00. People live there, so keep it quiet.
Sources: Korea Times (Bukchon curfew) ↗
- All express buses nationwide (1,724 buses) have free Wi-Fi since April 2025.
Sources: Korea Times (express bus Wi-Fi) ↗
- Foreign spending is growing faster in local alleys than at famous hotspots. Browsing nearby reviews on a map app and wandering is the current way to explore.
Checked 2026-11-08