Finding budget restaurants near you...
Finding free attractions near you...
Doryung’s Editorial · Field Notes
Live Exchange
1 USD ≈ ₩1,474
FX · WK 17
Where the won is friendliest
1 USD ≈ ₩1,474 — but the rate you actually get depends on where you swap.
FX · WK 17
Where the won is friendliest
1 USD ≈ ₩1,474 — but the rate you actually get depends on where you swap.
Best rates
Myeongdongsmall bureaus near Lotte — usually within 0.3% of mid-market.Itaewonlong-running shops; English signs everywhere.Airport ATMBC / Shinhan — close to mid-market on weekdays.
Avoid
Hotel front desks5–10% worse than street bureaus.Dynamic Currency Conversionalways say ‘charge in KRW’ at terminals.
Doryung
“I have seen yangban exchange silver for hyeopjeon — the ratio mattered then too.”
Subway Survival
T-money in 5 steps
Transit · T-Money
Five steps to ride anything
T-money works on metro, bus, and most cabs. Get one in five minutes.
Transit · T-Money
Five steps to ride anything
T-money works on metro, bus, and most cabs. Get one in five minutes.
Get a card
- 1. Walk into any CU / GS25 / 7-Eleven.
- 2. Ask: “T-money card, please.” — ₩2,500 deposit.
- 3. Top up at the cashier — ₩10,000–₩30,000 to start.
Use it
- 4. Tap card on metro gate or bus reader. Tap again on exit (transit transfer).
- 5. Refund balance & ₩500 of deposit at any subway info desk.
Routing
- Naver Map (best Korean coverage) or KakaoMap. Google Maps mis-routes Korean transit.
- First train ~5:30 am · last ~midnight · less frequent on weekends.
Taxi (KakaoT)
Base ₩4,800
Transit · Kakao T
How locals hail
Base fare ₩4,800 · KakaoT app accepts foreign cards · cash optional.
Transit · Kakao T
How locals hail
Base fare ₩4,800 · KakaoT app accepts foreign cards · cash optional.
Setup
- Install KakaoT — works without a Korean phone number for international cards.
- Sign in with email; add a Visa / Mastercard.
Hail
- Pick “Regular” — cheapest, most cars.
- “Black” = premium 2× rate, English-speaking drivers, leather seats.
Watch out
00:00–04:00+20% surcharge on the meter.Outside Seoulmay need cash — keep ₩30,000 backup.
Convenience Stores
CU · GS25 · 7-Eleven
Daily · 24 HR
The unsung backbone of Korea
Open 24/7 every block. SIM cards, hot food, banking, T-money.
Daily · 24 HR
The unsung backbone of Korea
Open 24/7 every block. SIM cards, hot food, banking, T-money.
Pick a chain
CUlargest network · best banchan + lunchbox selection.GS25strong on private-label snacks · cleaner ramyun corners.7-Elevenfewer locations but solid for hot food + American snacks.
What to grab
- Triangle gimbap (₩1,500), instant ramyun + hot water counter.
- Tourist SIM (3-day ~₩30,000) — passport required.
- T-money card top-up · phone charging (₩2,000).
Doryung
“These boxes did not exist in my century. Now I admit — they are useful at 3 a.m.”
Emergency
112 · 119 · 1330
Emergency · 24 HR
Three numbers worth memorizing
Call before you Google. Korean emergency lines have foreign-language support.
Emergency · 24 HR
Three numbers worth memorizing
Call before you Google. Korean emergency lines have foreign-language support.
The numbers
- 112 Police — theft, harassment, scams. Press 9 for English.
- 119 Fire & ambulance. Same line; dispatchers triage.
- 1330 Tourism Hotline — 24/7 in EN/JP/CN/RU. Translates live.
1330 is your real friend
- Lost passport? Hotel doesn’t speak English? Misunderstanding with a vendor?
- Call 1330. They three-way the conversation in your language. Gold.
Tax Refund
₩30,000+ instant
Tax-Free · ≥ ₩30,000
How to get up to 10% back
Foreign tourists with single receipts ≥ ₩30,000 qualify. Two refund paths.
Tax-Free · ≥ ₩30,000
How to get up to 10% back
Foreign tourists with single receipts ≥ ₩30,000 qualify. Two refund paths.
Spot the sign
- Look for the red “Tax Free” or “Global Blue / Global Tax Free” sticker.
- Show your passport at checkout — they print a refund slip.
Two ways to refund
Instantmany big stores deduct VAT at the counter — fastest.Airportbefore check-in, scan at the kiosk → cash or card refund.
Limits
- Stay ≤ 6 months · purchases ≥ ₩30,000 per receipt · keep items unused & sealed.
❖ Doryung’s Free Finds
★ Free
Jongno-gu
Bukchon Hanok Village
북칼한옥마을
Why free
Open lanes — no ticket booth.
Jongno-gu
Bukchon Hanok Village
북칼한옥마을
Why free
Open lanes — no ticket booth.
Doryung
❖ Open Map
“I have walked these alleys since the lanterns were tallow. Wear soft shoes; the residents still live here.”
★ Free
Jung-gu
Cheonggyecheon Stream
청계천
Why free
City stream walk, no fee.
Jung-gu
Cheonggyecheon Stream
청계천
Why free
City stream walk, no fee.
Doryung
❖ Open Map
“A river was buried, then unburied. Dip a hand in summer; in winter the lanterns float on the water.”
★ Free
Yongsan-gu
Namsan Park & N-Tower base
남산공원
Why free
Hike to the tower, gratis.
Yongsan-gu
Namsan Park & N-Tower base
남산공원
Why free
Hike to the tower, gratis.
Doryung
❖ Open Map
“The cable car asks coin; the staircase asks only breath. Both reach the same view at the top.”
★ Free
Yeongdeungpo-gu
Han River — Yeouido Park
여의도 한강공원
Why free
Riverbank, picnics, fireworks.
Yeongdeungpo-gu
Han River — Yeouido Park
여의도 한강공원
Why free
Riverbank, picnics, fireworks.
Doryung
❖ Open Map
“Bring chimaek if you must. The bridges light at dusk and the geese have opinions.”
★ Free
Jongno-gu
Insadong-gil
인사동급
Why free
Pedestrian-only craft street.
Jongno-gu
Insadong-gil
인사동급
Why free
Pedestrian-only craft street.
Doryung
❖ Open Map
“Tea houses, paper lanterns, the smell of ink. You may leave with empty pockets — that is up to you.”
★ Free
Yongsan-gu
National Museum of Korea
국립중앙박물관
Why free
Permanent collection — free entry.
Yongsan-gu
National Museum of Korea
국립중앙박물관
Why free
Permanent collection — free entry.
Doryung
❖ Open Map
“Five thousand years in one building. Begin with the Goryeo celadon if your eye is patient.”
★ Free
Jongno-gu
Buam-dong Walk
부암동
Why free
Backstreet hill walk, café-spotted.
Jongno-gu
Buam-dong Walk
부암동
Why free
Backstreet hill walk, café-spotted.
Doryung
❖ Open Map
“The painters and poets fled here when the city grew loud. The steep lanes are still patient.”
★ Free
Seongdong-gu
Seoul Forest
서울쁍
Why free
City park, deer enclosure included.
Seongdong-gu
Seoul Forest
서울쁍
Why free
City park, deer enclosure included.
Doryung
❖ Open Map
“Best at the hour the office towers lose their light. The deer are unimpressed by your camera.”
