South Korea is a country with 4 very different seasons. Your packing list for summer, spring, fall, and winter will not be the same. I've traveled to Korea in the summer several times: here are my best tips on what you should include in your South Korea packing list for summer, whether it's your first time or 10th!
South Korea in East Asia offers a diverse array of experiences for travelers: from the cosmopolitan energy of Seoul to the natural wonders of Jeju Island and the beaches in Busan. However, the climate is extremely varied: biting cold winters, and very hot and humid Korean summers (which starts at the end of June.)
To fully enjoy all that Korea has to offer, it's essential to pack the right clothing, footwear, and travel essentials.
Having traveled to Korea nearly ten times, thanks to a childhood friend who married a Korean, I've gained valuable insights into what to bring for each of the distinct seasons. I make a point to highlight necessities that may be hard to find in Korea but are readily available in your home country, such as tampons and deodorant.
This complete Korea packing list for humid summers will include all the things that both first-timers and seasoned travelers should know. It is a complete guide including everything from travel essentials to cultural differences, making sure you have the right clothes, SIM card, essential Korean phone apps, travel insurance and more.
Note: To help you decide which part of Korea to explore, click here to learn more about the differences between Busan vs Seoul, Busan vs Nami Island, and Busan vs Jeju Island.
Weather
Unfortunately, the summer is also the rainy season (mid June to end July), so it's not just hot, it's also humid.
I much prefer visiting in fall or spring. Fall is the best time to visit Korea, in my opinion- when the average temperatures are not too hot, and not too cold. (For a packing list for Korean in spring and what to pack for Korea in fall, click here.)
The only bright side is that the air is usually less polluted than in spring. The average temperature is about 26.3 °C (79 °F), with a minimum of 22.6 °C (72.7 °F) and a maximum of 29.9 °C (85.9 °F). (Note that it's usually hotter than 26C/ 79F during the day.)
There is also a lot of variation between the different parts of Korea. I would recommend spending time in Jeju or Busan during the summer, instead of Seoul, as they will have lovely sea breezes to cool you down.
Clothing
You might be tempted to bare it all in summer. In Korea, it's common to see women wearing super short mini skirts. However, revealing cleavage is generally considered less acceptable. When visiting temples or rural areas, it's respectful to dress modestly by covering your shoulders.
- Clothing in breathable fabrics
- Tops made of natural fabric
- Bring a mix of cotton t-shirts, long-sleeved shirts (the air-conditioned malls and department stalls may be chilly, and blouses.
- A light cardigan for chilly evenings or when entering places with AC will be useful
- Bottoms
- Shorts
- Skirts (or dresses)
- You may want to bring a pair of trousers or jeans for places which require covering up, but I personally find them too confining for summer and leave even my favorite jeans behind
- Tops made of natural fabric
- Outerwear
- I don't really recommend a light waterproof rain jacket because it's usually much too hot for one: instead, bring a small foldable umbrella that can fit in your bag.
- If you plan to swim, many pools have a dress code and require a swimming cap.
- Dressy Attire
- Include a dress or outfit for fine dining experiences or watching performances
- Korea has one of the world's least expensive 3-star Michelin restaurants, so it's worth a visit. (Mosu- I went in 2023 and enjoyed it.)
- Accessories
- Accessories help to keep a limited capsule wardrobe more interesting.
- However, earrings, necklaces in the like are cheap in Korea so you might want to buy them when you're there.
- Sunglasses are not commonly worn. Using them may mark you as a tourist, even if you have an East Asian appearance.
- If you plan to swim: Most hotel swimming pools require you to use a swimming cap. It is also common for 5-star hotels to charge for swimming pool and sauna access.
If you're not petite-sized, you may struggle to find clothing in your size in Korea. Asian sizes are small. Most Koreans are extraordinatelyy thin, with local clothing usually offered in only 1 size (free size.)
Packing Tips
- Space-Saving: Roll your clothes to save space and keep them wrinkle-free.
- Laundromat: If you're in Korea for a longer period of time- I sometimes stay for over a month- choose a hotel with laundry facilities. This is especially important in summmr when you sweat, and your clothes may not be wearable more than once.(A laundry room is quite common in mid-range Korean hotels, such as Songdo Fairfield in Busan, L7 Hotel in Gangnam Seoul, Ibis Seoul... You will have to pay a small fee of a few thousand won. They offer washers, dryers, and even ironing facilities!)
Footwear
You will most likely walk quite a bit when traveling in South Korea, whether when on a day trip from Seoul or wandering around major cities such as Seoul and Busan. (Unless you cab everywhere- taxis are inexpensive but there are some no-go zones for cars near some tourist areas on weekends.)
I always bring at least 2 pairs of shoes:
- sneakers or comfortable and durable walking shoes
- For wannabe hikers, sturdy hiking shoes are a good idea.
- If your Korean itinerary includes the beaches of Busan or Jeju, sandals or flip-flops will come in handy
- formal shoes (for nice restaurants or attending Korean traditional performances)
- I always bring my Vivaia shoes
- Made from recycled water bottles
- Look nice: the only pointed shoes that suit my big, wide feet! (Even better than my Salvatore Ferragamo pairs which I find too uncomfortable to wear now.)
- Comfortable: I've walked nearly 10,000 steps with them (at a go) without developing blisters! (This is the longest I've ever walked in shoes that are not boots or sneakers. The shoes irritated me a bit on the very first outing, but from the second time on, there was no issue at all!)
- Washable: Most models can be put in the washing machine
- Note: at the time of writing this ultimate Korean packing list got summer, I am NOT a Vivaia affiliate and I paid for my own shoes- but I fully intend to apply soon
- I always bring my Vivaia shoes
If you are a female and have large feet, your biggest mistake is not bringing a spare pair of shoes. If yours breaks or gets wet, it is ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE to find large-sized female shoes in Korea- both on the street and in a department centre. My pairo of boots broke in April 2023 in Seoul- a pair of unisex slippers (from the ABC Mart in Myeongdong) was the only thing I could find in my size. (40.5)
Technology
Korea is amazing for WiFi- there is WiFi almost EVERYWHERE and the speed is fast.
Nonetheless, I always buy and suggest you buy an e-SIM or local Sim Card. You will need your phone for many things- a translation app, Navigation app etc- and it's always best to have data on hand.
- Smartphone:
- Essential for navigation apps such as Naver and Kakao (Google is not used- this is a list of the best free apps to download for South Korea, translation apps, etc.
- Ensure your mobile phones are unlocked if you plan to use a Korean SIM card for local data access.
- Chargers and Power Bank:
- Bring your device chargers
- You will need a universal travel adapter for Korean outlets (Type C and Type F plugs, 220V)
- A high-capacity power bank
- SIM Card:
- You can also rent a portable Wi-Fi router. However, some booking sites require you to have a local Korean phone number, so a SIM card is more useful
- or purchase a local SIM card/ e-SIM. You can get local SIM cards at Incheon but with an e-SIM there is no need to queue.
- A light Digital Camera or DSLR
- E-Reader or Tablet
- Ideal for leisure reading during flights or downtime, and for storing travel guides and maps.
- Noise-Canceling Headphones or Earbuds:
- All I can say is: crying babies on the long-haul flight...
- Smartwatch or Fitness Tracker:
- Helps you meet your fitness goals whilst on holiday!
Health
Here is a list of things to bring for personal use, just in case:
- A first aid kit and medications:
- Band-aids, antiseptic wipes, and a small tube of antibiotic ointment
- Tweezers for splinters
- Hand sanitizer and face masks
- Many personal care items can easily be found at local grocery stores or convenience stores, which you'll find everywhere. (Many hotels have a convenience store in or near their building.)
- However, due to cultural differences, there are some medicines and personal items that are difficult to find in Korea, such as tampons.
- Routine Vaccinations
- Ensure that your routine vaccines like MMR, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, varicella, polio, and your yearly flu shot are up to date.
- Prescription Medicines
- Bring an adequate supply of your prescription medications.
- Leave them in their original containers with clear labels
- Carry a copy of your prescription.
- Over-the-Counter Essentials:
- Pain relievers
- Allergy medications (antihistamines)
- Cold and flu remedies
- Anti-diarrheal medications
- Motion sickness pills if you plan to travel by bus or boat
- Chronic Conditions
- For conditions like diabetes or heart disease, carry a medical alert bracelet and a letter from your doctor detailing your condition and treatment plan. Have it translated in Korean, as many people do not speak or read English.
Vegans or travelers with food allergies or special dietary needs should get their dietary requirements written down in Korean. Also, research the restaurants before hand as meat is a huge part of Korean food. (I do NOT recommend the temple restaurant in Insa-dong.)
Beauty/ Skincare
Don't bring too much as you can get a lot of fun inexpensive beauty brands in Korea There are many very good Korean brands, ranging from Innisfree to Sulwahsoo- I used to sell Korean beauty products online, which is why I've bene to Korea os many times!
A travel sized set will suffice- don't forget a sunscreen with a high SPF and a lip balm with SPF protection. (However, if you have darker skin, you will struggle to find suitable make-up in Korea so bring your own. Koreans only cater to fair skin, and love being as pale as possible.
Tip: go to stores which give you more freebies and samples. This is part of Korean culture- they call it "service." Stores like Olive Young have lots of brands, but don't give as many free gifts.
Travel Essentials
- Travel insurance
- Make sure your plan covers medical evacuation and hospital stays.
- Carry your travel insurance information with you.
- Credit cards
- These work at convenience stores, depeartment stores, hotels etc.
- However. a lot of Korean websites- such as Busan's Blue Line Park- will not take foreign credit cards.
- You will need some cash to buy Korean traditional souvenirs and local snacks from the markets. The exchange rate in Myeong Dong is better than that at the airport.
- Passports and IDs
Etiquette and Tips
- Personal space is less of a focus in Korea. I have experienced situations where an older woman (Ahjumma) has placed her hands on me and physically moved me out of the way in crowded places like Namdaemun Market in Seoul. While this would be considered unacceptable in the West, in Korea, it's best to accept it as a cultural norm.
- Tipping is not customary in Korea. I've had bellboys in Seoul hotels politely refuse tips when offered.
- When giving or receiving something, use both hands as a gesture of respect. Alternatively, you can use one hand (typically the right) while supporting the wrist or forearm of the giving hand with your other hand.
- Do NOT wear your shoes into people's homes.
Miscellaneous
My ultimate Korea packing list for summer also includes:
- Refillable Water bottle: Although tap water in Korea is generally safe to drink, I always opt for bottled water when traveling with my elderly relatives. This precaution stems from a past experience of food poisoning during a visit to Jeju Island 10 years ago, where the owner of the pension we stayed at suggested the cause might have been the water, as many other guests had also fallen ill.
- Cash: While credit cards are widely accepted, carrying cash is essential for transactions at local markets and in more rural areas. For example, it was only in February 2024 that street vendors in the popular Myeong Dong district started accepting card payments.
- Portable charger: Taking photos can quickly drain your phone's battery. A portable charger ensures you can always access navigation apps like Kakao or Naver maps, even at the end of a long day.
- Adapters for electronics: Korea uses different plug types from many countries, so it's important to bring the appropriate adapters for your electronic devices.
- Travel pillow: Surprisingly, some 5-star hotels in Korea may charge extra if you request an additional pillow. If you need ample support for a good night's sleep, consider bringing your own travel pillow to avoid incurring additional costs.
Seniors may want to bring their own wheelchair: if you are not so mobile, and will require a wheelchair from time to time, take note that many places in Korea do not stock enough wheelchairs for guests. For example, we managed to reserve one in advance when staying at Lotte Seoul. However, it was impossible at Shilla Jeju and even though they offered us one on arrival (and seeing how my Aunt walked), they could not produce a single one for our entire stay!
Here’s to having an incredible summer adventure in Korea.
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