What to pack for Seoul: the complete 2026 packing guide

A trip to Seoul has long been on my travel bucket list, and when it came time to pack, I was a little overwhelmed. A quick look at the weather app revealed it was going to be hot but not scorching, storming on some days and sunny on others, cool in the evening but very hot during the day. Add to that the fact that Koreans are incredibly stylish, and you’ve got the makings of a genuine packing crisis. During my visit, I quickly realised I got some things right and others very wrong. To help you be better prepared and have an amazing time, here’s everything you need to pack for a trip to Seoul.

Planning your trip?
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Hotels, I use Agoda
Insurance: Cover-More
Rentals: Discover Cars
RVs: Motorhome Republic
Transfers: Welcome Pickups
Travel eSIM: Simify

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Clothes

I visited Seoul in September and the weather was warm but not scorching. Here’s a look at what I actually packed and used:

• Shorts: comfortable, breathable shorts in cotton or linen are perfect for the warmer days.
• T-shirts: lightweight, breathable fabrics will serve you well.
• Button-up shirts: I wore linen, long-sleeved button-up shirts with shorts and jeans and found them versatile across all conditions.
• Jeans: a couple of pairs are great for a quick, easy outfit that works day or night.
• Jumpers: I packed one, but it was rarely cold enough to need it outside, though I was glad to have it in the hotel room with the aircon cranked.
• Pyjamas: pack a few sets for sleeping and unwinding in the room.
• Swimmers: if your hotel has a pool, toss them in.
• Socks and underwear: pack plenty, more than you think you’ll need.

The laundry situation in Seoul is pretty good. Self-service coin laundromats (look for “Coin Wash” or “Ppallaebang”) are everywhere in the city, open 24 hours and easy to use. A full wash and dry costs roughly 10,000 KRW, which is around $7.50 USD. That said, the kiosks can be tricky with foreign cards, so bring a mix of payment options. If you’re only in Seoul for a week or less, it’s probably easier to just pack enough clothes to last the trip.

Winter gear

If you’re visiting during the winter months, things get really cold in Seoul, so you will want to make more winter-friendly gear. You’ll most likely need warm pants, tops you can layer, wool jumpers, thick coats, scarves, beanies and gloves. Take a look at what the weather in Seoul is like at different times of the year here.

Umbrella

It rained very heavily one day we were in Seoul, and we had to buy an umbrella as we had forgotten ours. We also used the umbrella when we were visiting the Demilitarised Zone, as there wasn’t much shade in some places and the sun was really intense in the middle of the day. So, be sure to pack an umbrella you can fold up and fit neatly in your day bag.

Day Bag

You’ll definitely want a day bag. A small backpack is my preference as it keeps your hands free and can swallow a surprising amount of gear. Whatever you choose, make sure it’s something you can carry comfortably all day and fit your essentials into: camera, phone, wallet, water bottle, sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, umbrella and a small medicine kit.

Sun protection gear

It was lovely and sunny for most of my visit, aside from one day of heavy rain. I shave my head, so sunscreen is non-negotiable for me, and I desperately wish I’d remembered to pack a hat. An umbrella doubles as decent shade when you’re out sightseeing somewhere with limited cover, like the Demilitarised Zone, where the sun at midday is intense.

Comfortable shoes

This is where I got it badly wrong on my first trip. I did not pack shoes that were anywhere near comfortable enough and I paid for it. If you’re planning on doing a lot of sightseeing and using the train as your main mode of transport, you are going to walk a lot. The distances between platforms and train lines can be significant, so please make sure you pack two pairs of genuinely comfortable shoes you can rotate between. Sneakers or proper walking shoes are the move. Don’t make my mistake.

Outdoor/hiking gear

There are some great hiking spots around Seoul, so if you fancy getting out of the city and into the hills, pack accordingly. I bring a lightweight pair of hiking pants or shorts, a couple of breathable tops and a good pair of trail shoes. They’ll also double nicely for long walking days in the city.

Medicine

It’s really important you pack all your prescription medicines and put together a solid medicine kit before you leave. The language barrier makes finding specific medications genuinely difficult once you’re there. I had real trouble tracking down paracetamol when I ran out, so don’t assume you’ll find what you need in a pharmacy. My kit includes Imodium and something for an upset stomach, paracetamol and ibuprofen, band-aids, antihistamines, an asthma inhaler if relevant, eye drops, cold and flu tablets, throat lozenges, travel sickness medication and hand sanitiser. Pack it in its own small bag so it’s easy to grab.

Deodorant

Pack your deodorant and make sure there’s enough left. Western brands can be hard to find on the shelves in Seoul, so don’t rely on picking one up when you arrive.

Moisturiser

Seoul’s climate can dry your skin out, particularly if you’re spending long days outdoors or in heavily air-conditioned spaces. Pack a quality moisturiser and keep a small hand cream in your day bag. Your skin will thank you.

Tissues

Always keep a pocket pack of tissues with you, just in case you find yourself in a toilet without paper, you sneeze and have an embarrassing nose explosion somewhere or need to help someone else out who desperately needs one.

Extra bags

You might like to bring a few separate bags to put your dirty shoes, clothes and underwear in to keep your bag from stinking out and making your fresh clothes smell bad.

Charging station

You’ll need a power converter to ensure you can recharge your camera, phone and other electronics. In Seoul, it’s the two-round prong converter (take a look at it here). I always pack a power board with me or a multi-USB. It means I can charge my iPhone and cameras while using my laptop and only need one converter. Yep, I’m a technology addict.

External battery pack

We were out all day, every day in Seoul and, using our cameras and phones a lot for work, found our batteries ran out really quickly. An emergency backup battery pack came in really handy on a number of occasions.

Naver Maps and Papago

One of the most useful things I can tell you about navigating Seoul is to ditch Google Maps before you arrive. Due to local data regulations in South Korea, Google Maps has very limited navigation functionality in the country. Turn-by-turn directions for walking and transit are often wrong or missing entirely, which is a problem in a city as large and fast-moving as Seoul.

The solution is Naver Maps, which is South Korea’s equivalent and works exactly as you’d expect a modern maps app to function. Download it before you leave, set the language to English in the settings, and you’re good to go. It handles walking, subway, bus and driving routes, shows real-time transit arrivals and gives you the specific subway exit number to use, which matters a lot when exits can be over 100 metres apart. For an additional layer of confidence on the subway, Kakao Metro is worth grabbing too. It shows real-time train arrivals down to the second and tells you which carriage to board to minimise your walk at the next stop.

For translation, Papago is far better than Google Translate for Korean. Point your camera at a menu and it translates the text in real time, layout intact. It’s genuinely useful.

If I went back now I wouldn’t head off without data. I use a Holafly eSIM for South Korea so I land with unlimited data already going, which means Google Maps and Google Translate work everywhere, not just when you’re sat on the hotel wifi.

Packing hacks and tips

A few tips and tricks to help you hack your pack!

Eco-friendly bags

Stash some eco-friendly bags and reusable sandwich bags in your luggage, they come in so very handy for storing dirty shoes and clothes as well as bars of soap, wet swimwear or leaky toothpaste tubes! 

Stop leaky bottles

If you’re worried about your shampoo, conditioner or body wash leaking in your bag simply unscrew the lid, place some cling-film over the top and screw the lid back on. It’ll stop everything from leaking and potentially ruining your clean clothes.

Tupperware

I use Tupperware or similar hard plastic containers to put all my toiletries in. This ensures no leaks will destroy my clean clothes and makes it really easy for me to grab my toiletries in one easy swoop, keep them together in the hotel and makes re-packing easier too. I also use a small container for all my jewellery and another one for electronics like adaptors, cords and chargers. It keeps me organised and stops me from losing things! 

Dryer sheets

Put dryer sheets in your suitcase to keep your clothes smelling good throughout the whole trip. If you don’t have dryer sheets, a few drops of essential oil on a tissue, laid flat in-between layers of clothes, works wonders. I also have a little bottle of spray which instantly freshens up clothes, it’s from The Laundress and it’s amazing! No musty-smelling clothes for you, my friend. 

Frequently asked questions about packing for Seoul

What should I wear in Seoul in September? September in Seoul is warm during the day, often reaching the high 20s Celsius, with cooler evenings. Lightweight, breathable clothing works well for daytime, with a light layer for evenings and air-conditioned spaces. Rain is possible, so pack a compact umbrella.

What shoes should I wear in Seoul? Comfortable walking shoes or sneakers are essential. Seoul’s subway network is fantastic but the distances between platforms and exits can be enormous. Your feet will cover more ground than you expect.

Does Google Maps work in Seoul? Not well. South Korean regulations limit the navigation accuracy of Google Maps for walking and transit routes. Download Naver Maps and set it to English before you travel. It’s the local standard and works exactly as you’d hope.

Can I do laundry in Seoul? Yes, easily. Self-service coin laundromats are widespread throughout the city, open around the clock and very affordable. Search “Coin Wash” or “Ppallaebang” on Naver Maps to find one near your accommodation.

Is Seoul safe? Seoul is one of the safest cities in the world for tourists. Petty crime is rare and the city is well-lit and easy to navigate. Common sense applies as it would anywhere, but most visitors find Seoul genuinely hassle-free.

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