South Korea Travel Packing Checklist | Bring Your Own Toothbrush

To put it simply, the first things you should put in your pouch when packing for a trip to Korea are a toothbrush and toothpaste. Since March 2024, accommodation facilities with 50 or more guest rooms have been prohibited from providing disposable amenities free of charge. If you are staying at a mid-sized or large hotel in Seoul, it is safest to plan on the assumption that toothbrushes, toothpaste, and razors will not be provided in your room.

Another potential pitfall is the power supply. Korea uses 220V and Type C outlets, which differ in both shape and voltage from Japan’s 100V and Type A outlets. If you forget a plug adapter, you will end up asking the hotel front desk to lend you one on your first night.

On the other hand, this is currently the simplest time for entry procedures. K-ETA (the electronic travel authorization system) is exempt until December 31, 2026, so tourists staying for up to 90 days can enter with just their passports. Below, I’ll list everything in packing order, from what to put in your carry-on bag to what to pack in your suitcase 🧳

Pack the things your hotel “won’t have” first

This is the biggest change in Korea’s accommodation situation since the amenity regulations were introduced. At accommodation facilities with 50 or more guest rooms, disposable items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, and razors are no longer provided free of charge. Whether it is a design hotel or a guesthouse, the same rules apply if the number of rooms exceeds the threshold.

The three things you should bring are a toothbrush, toothpaste, and a razor. It is also a good idea to pack pajamas. Many accommodations provide bath amenities such as shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and facial cleanser, but if you prefer to use products that suit your hair and skin, it is best to bring them in travel-size containers. The same goes for toner, emulsion, and body cream; people prone to dryness will especially benefit from bringing their own.

Editor’s note: You can also buy these locally at Olive Young or DAISO, but going shopping on the night you arrive takes energy. Bringing even a one-night supply from Japan will make things much easier.

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For power needs, a plug adapter plus a power strip is the best solution

Korea uses 220V and Type C outlets, while Japan uses 100V and Type A outlets. The first thing you need is a Type C plug adapter. For devices compatible with international voltage, such as smartphone chargers and portable battery chargers, this alone is sufficient. If you plan to use appliances that are not compatible, you will also need a voltage converter, so check the labels on your devices before departure.

Another useful item is a power strip. Hotel rooms have a limited number of outlets, and there may not be enough when charging your smartphone, portable battery charger, and camera at the same time. Bringing one Japanese power strip allows you to charge multiple devices with just one plug adapter.

Item	Japan	South Korea
Voltage and plugs	100V・Type A	220V・Type C
Disposable hotel amenities	Generally provided	Free provision is prohibited for hotels with 50 or more rooms (since March 2024)
Payments	Cash is also widely accepted	Cashless payments are the norm; stalls and similar establishments accept cash only

Documents and money — Things to check even if you are exempt from K-ETA

For tourism stays of 90 days or less, you can enter South Korea without a visa if you have a round-trip ticket or a ticket departing for another country. K-ETA, which became required in November 2022, is temporarily exempted until December 31, 2026. To be certain, check the latest procedures on the official K-ETA website before departure.

Your passport is recommended to have at least 90 days of remaining validity from the date you enter South Korea. Depending on the airline, you may be denied boarding, so be sure to check in advance if your passport is nearing expiration. Making a copy of the page with your photograph can speed up the procedures in the event of loss or theft. Keep your passport in a bag you carry with you rather than in your suitcase, and keep valuables together in a crossbody bag or waist pouch as a general rule.

What to print in advance

An e-ticket is sufficient in most situations, but some duty-free shops may ask you to present your passport and airline ticket. Keep your accommodation and tour booking confirmations on hand as screenshots or printouts as well. The arrival and departure card handed out on the plane has a section for your accommodation address, so having the confirmation makes it easier to fill out. Also keep one ballpoint pen in your carry-on bag. It can be useful if you need to communicate in writing.

How to carry cash and cards

South Korea is more cashless than Japan, and credit cards can be used at many shops. However, stalls and some local establishments accept cash only, and privately run cafés and restaurants may sometimes accept only cards issued in South Korea. The safest combination is several credit cards + cash.

As a guideline, ¥10,000 per day is generally sufficient for a trip focused on local experiences. If you have lots of sightseeing or shopping planned, allow a little extra. Since exchange fees are generally lower locally than in Japan, the usual approach is to bring Japanese yen and exchange it at a South Korean airport or bank. Check the exchange rate and fees on the spot. Preparing a local transportation card or electronic payment method for transit and small purchases will also make getting around smoother.

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Essential gear for sweat and sun during a summer trip to Korea

Summer in Seoul means intense sunlight and humidity. Keep your sun-protection items, such as sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and a stole, together in a place where they are easy to access. The difference is especially noticeable on days with long outdoor waits.

• Sweat towels (one for each day of your stay) & sweat wipes — Refresh yourself between travel stops
• Folding umbrella and rain gear — Summer showers are common, and a sun-and-rain umbrella serves two purposes
• One extra day’s worth of clothes in addition to the number of days you’ll stay — As a spare for sweaty days
• Handkerchief and disinfecting wet wipes — Frequently useful at street stalls and food courts
• Flushable pocket tissues — Still useful in case the toilet paper runs out

Don’t forget your regular medications and Band-Aids, either. The more walking your trip involves, the more useful blister bandages become. Contact lenses and glasses, cosmetics and a makeup kit, and an eco-bag that can be used as a shopping bag. These three are things you’ll have to buy again locally if you don’t have them, so be sure to check them at the end of your list.

3 apps to install before arrival

These are the three types of apps you’ll open every day while there. It’s faster to install and log in before leaving Japan than to download them using airport Wi-Fi✨

• Papago（Papago・파파고） — Translation app. Camera translation is convenient for menus and signs
• NAVER MAP（NAVER MAP・네이버 지도） — The standard map app in Korea. Searching for place names in Hangul improves accuracy
• Kakao T（KAKAO T・카카오 T） — Taxi-hailing app. You can enter your destination, so there’s no need to explain it verbally

Also, make sure you have a way to connect to the internet before departure. Although Wi-Fi is available in many airports, hotels, and cafés, you may lose service while walking around town. Prepare one of the following: rental Wi-Fi, a SIM card, or an eSIM. It’s also a good idea to check whether your current plan supports international roaming.

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Checklist — In the order to pack your bag

Carry-on bag (keep these somewhere easy to access)

• Passport (at least 90 days of remaining validity from the date of entry is recommended) + a copy of the photo page
• e-ticket for your flight (printing it out provides peace of mind at duty-free shops, too)
• Accommodation and tour booking confirmations & a ballpoint pen
• Cash (Japanese yen) and several credit cards
• Transportation card and electronic payment options
• Smartphone, mobile battery, rental Wi-Fi, or SIM/eSIM
• Handkerchief, pocket tissues, and disinfecting wet wipes
• Regular medications, Band-Aids, and a folding umbrella

Suitcase

• Toothbrush, toothpaste, and razor (assuming the hotel does not provide them)
• Pajamas, bath amenities, toner, emulsion, and body cream
• Travel adapter (Type C), voltage converter if necessary, power strip, and chargers
• Change of clothes (number of days staying + one extra day), sweat towels and wipes
• Cosmetics and makeup set, contact lenses and glasses
• Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, and stole (summer) / down jacket, scarf, gloves, and hand warmers (winter)
• Reusable shopping bag

If you're traveling to Korea for a concert, add fan merchandise such as light sticks and slogans. Since your luggage will increase, it's smart to leave some extra space in your suitcase on the way there.

Summary

There are three things to remember and take home with you. Bring your own toothbrush, toothpaste, and razor; use a Type C travel adapter; and note that K-ETA is exempt until December 31, 2026. As long as you have these three points covered, a change of clothes for each day and protection against sun and sweat will be enough.

There are also just three things to do before departure. Check your passport's remaining validity, install Papago, Naver Map, and Kakao T, and decide how you will stay connected. You can buy more supplies locally, but these three things can only be taken care of while you're still in Japan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are toothbrushes provided at hotels in Korea?

Since March 2024, accommodations with 50 or more guest rooms have been prohibited from providing disposable amenities free of charge. Assuming that toothbrushes, toothpaste, and razors will not be provided in your room, it is safest to bring them from Japan. Many hotels do provide bath amenities such as shampoo, but if you prefer to use products that suit your skin and hair, it is reassuring to bring them in small containers.

Do I still need to apply for K-ETA?

Since the requirement is temporarily exempt until December 31, 2026, you can enter Korea with just your passport if you are visiting for tourism for up to 90 days. A round-trip ticket or an onward ticket to another country is required. As the rules may change, check the latest information on the official K-ETA website before departure.

How much cash should I bring for a trip to Korea?

If you're mainly traveling locally, such as visiting street food stalls, budgeting 10,000 yen per day should be sufficient. If you plan to do a lot of sightseeing or shopping, bring a little extra. Since exchange fees are generally lower locally than in Japan, the standard approach is to bring yen and exchange it at a Korean airport or bank. Some stores do not accept cards issued overseas, so it is safer to bring several cards.