If you are somebody who loves the combination of travel and convenience, then you might want to pay a visit to Seoul, South Korea. This city has gained notoriety in recent years, not only due to the fantastic pace of economic development but also the convenience culture that it offers.
Seoul is, of course, a mega city, a bit like Tokyo. It is tremendously expansive and very dense in places. While the physical environment can feel overwhelming, there is plenty of infrastructure to support it. South Korea is heavily geared towards efficiency, and many people are keen to save time, just like you, allowing you to make the most of your travels.
So, what are some of the reasons why visiting Seoul is the most convenient travel experience you’ll probably ever have?
The magic of the T-Money Card
One of the first things you’ll notice about Seoul is that it’s easy to get a T-Money card. The idea here is to provide you with a versatile, rechargeable smart card that acts as a golden ticket to the city.
Rather than fumbling with cash or using single-journey tickets, you can just tap your T-Money card when boarding or exiting public transport options. You can also use it at various convenience stores like CU and GS25, and to pay for taxi fares and even vending machines in some locations.
Obtaining the T-Money card is easy, simple, and straightforward, even for tourists. It can unlock the city so you don’t have to rely on international banking.
Foreigner-friendly subway systems
When you go to most countries, you sort of accept that it’s going to be a challenge using the subway system. When Koreans visit London, for example, the underground doesn’t provide signage in Korean.
In Korea, the situation is different. All subway stations have Korean and English instructions on where to go, with Japanese and Chinese added as extras. Onboard automated announcements highlight transport points in English and the local language, and every station is meticulously numbered so it’s easy to know when you’re going to get off. Korea uses Latin numerals the same as in the West, so numbers are easily recognised and don’t take on a character format. Getting lost on the Seoul subway system is, in a word, difficult.
What’s more, it’s easy to find luggage storage near Seoul Station, which is great if you want to drop off bags before going to a hotel. Seoul has plenty of options for people looking for convenience who don’t want to carry their positions around with them all the time. As you might imagine, these are safe and secure, and many businesses that operate these types of services have exceptional reputations.
Localised indispensable apps
Of course, if you’re going to navigate around South Korea effectively, especially in a city like Seoul, it’s a good idea to use localised, indispensable apps. These are similar to how you might have your banking apps or Uber in the West. If you go to Seoul, make sure you use Naver Map. This is the ultimate local tool because it provides you with bus timings, walking routes, and tells you the most efficient subway cars to get to your destination.
If you’re struggling with languages, Papago is a great option. It can instantly translate Korean speech, street signs, or menus into English in real time, so you’re not faffing around in Google Translate.
Fast connectivity
What if you’re somebody who wants to connect to the internet quickly because you’re a digital nomad or you’re on a nomad or business visa to the country? In these cases, you’ll be happy because Seoul offers plenty of public Wi-Fi and has some of the fastest internet in the world. It also offers 5G networks. From the moment you land at Incheon International Airport, most data services are continuous and reliable and won’t let you down.
Practically cashless society
Another benefit of going to Korea as a tourist is that the society is almost entirely cashless. 95% of businesses in the country accept Visa and Mastercard, and you can also pay using your T-money card if you want.
You can, of course, still take cash with you, but using your foreign credit card or a local card is easier than you might think. Even some of the street vendors offer the ability to pay by card, and they don’t necessarily insist on taking cash. Most have machines you can use to pay by card. All merchant fees and vendor transaction costs are dealt with in the background, so you don’t have to worry about them.
Of course, if you’re looking for ultimate value for money, down some back street somewhere, then cash might still be the best option. There are many ATMs around town where you can withdraw it. Just make sure you work out how much something costs before paying for it. Korean money has more zeros on it than most Western currencies, like the euro, dollar, and pound.
Incredible safety at any hour
It’s worth noting that Seoul has one of the highest safety ratings of any developed city in the world, making it very convenient and useful for travellers. You don’t have to worry about taking locked cabs everywhere. Many times, it’s safe to simply walk to your destination or get on public transport, even late at night. In general, you won’t see the type of degeneracy that has become so popular, common, and prevalent throughout the West. Travelling late at night feels like a safe experience, as if you were travelling at 7:00 or 8:00 in the morning.
Convenience stores everywhere
Finally, Seoul is one of the most convenient locations in the world because it has plenty of convenience stores and eateries, including ones you’d recognise like 7-Eleven and multiple brands that you probably won’t recognise unless you’ve been to the country before. Convenience stores stock everything from umbrellas to toiletries, allowing you to grab toothpaste if you need it or a quick coffee.
