Korea Packing Tips

Whether you are moving to Korea or just traveling, this list might help you decide what to take and what to leave at home. I struggled with packing and took way too much with me, but there were some things I was definitely grateful to have. You have to pack smart. Your space is limited in your suitcases and in your apartment. Unless you want to be like me and pay $200 for overweight suitcases, maybe just leave some stuff at home. Most of what you need can be bought in Korea. These packing tips for Korea may not cover everything you need, but this is a great place to start.

Documents

Along with the obvious travel documents you need to enter the country, for moving to Korea I decided to bring photocopies of all of my important documents in case any of them were necessary. I made sure to have extra copies of everything I needed for my visa. I put together a binder with clear inserts for sliding papers into.

• Passport with photocopies

• Birth certificate copies

• Drivers license copies

• Vaccination documents and copies -mostly for my records but also needed Covid vaccination

• Printed resumes

• Letters of recommendation

• Transcripts

• Bachelor's degree certified copies

• Medical records/prescriptions

• Visa documents

• Health form

• Housing Contract

• School Contract

• Passport Photos - take extra because you need them for multiple documents once you enter the country

• International Drivers License - not necessary, but I believe it can be exchanged for a Korean driving license
  

Technology

Some things are super important for traveling while others are just more personal preference. Most things can be bought in Korea. When I move back, I plan to sell my current Xbox and upgrade to the newest one in Korea just so I don't have to pack it again. I also took a webcam and microphone I never used, a laptop that ended up dying on me, and a bunch of little gadgets I rarely used.

• Plug adapter (European) - I personally got a universal adapter

• Power converter - turns out my adapter was not a converter and I fried my friend's blow dryer

• Laptop

• Camera - not really necessary unless you are an active photographer. My phone is fine for me.

• New unlocked phone - this is one thing you might want to upgrade before heading to Korea. Korean phones have to have the shutter sound on when taking pictures to prevent unwanted photos from being taken. It can't be disabled. If this bothers you, upgrade your phone at home and make sure it is unlocked for a Korean carrier.

• External hard drive - I back up all of my documents and photos on here in case anything happens to my computer.

• Phone cords

• Handheld gaming devices

• Full sized gaming devices - again I recommend just buying a new one

• Earbuds

Toiletries

When it comes to toiletries, you can find most of what you need in Korea. I would pack travel sized of everything you need to get you by until you can get to the store. Bulky items like hair dryers and curlers really aren't necessary to pack, but if you do pack them make sure you won't have any issues with using a higher voltage outlet.

• Toothpaste - Korean toothpaste has little if any fluoride in it, so if you want fluoride toothpaste you should stock up before you travel

• Deodorant - I've heard mixed reviews that Korean deodorant isn't as strong, so I packed my own just in case. I didn't personally try any Korean deodorants to know whether they worked for me.

• Hair care products for textured hair - If you have hair outside of the Korean norm, you might want to pack your own stuff. As a white woman with straight hair, I had no issues, but you should look for sources with your hair type for recommendations.

• Advil/Tylenol - really just to be safe

• Travel bag - I got a bag that it water resistant and can hang on in my bathroom for ease of access.

• Medications - You should be able to get medications there but check online to make sure your medicine is available. I had to switch to a different birth control brand, which wasn't a big issue for me but could have a bigger impact on others. My other medicines were easy to get by showing my prescriptions from home.
  

• Concealer/foundation that matches your skin tone - Unless you are super light-skinned, you may have an issue finding your shade.

• Tissues/Hand Sanitizer/ Baby Wipes - make sure you have these on hand in case the bathroom doesn't have toilet paper/soap

• Extra contacts, glasses, solution, eye drops - you can get an eye exam in Korea pretty easily, but packing extra gives you more time before you have to go to the eye doctor
  

Clothing

Now, I know that there are places you can shop in Korea to get foreigner-friendly clothing sizes, but I personally had a hard time shopping in Ulsan without knowing where to go. If you are a size medium or larger, I would pack as much as possible. When I needed sweatpants, I ended up buying men's either 3 or 4XL, which was the largest size at that store. In comparison, I currently wear a women's US size 16-18. I did manage to buy a winter puffer coat and a couple of large shirts that fit well.

• Pants

• Shoes - Size 8 or larger can be hard to find along with any wide shoes. I had no issue buying several pairs of Crocs that fit, but other styles might take a bit more research.

• Teacher clothes - no shoulders, no collarbone, no leggings or sweats; business/business casual

• Bathing suits

Snacks

There were plenty of snacks that I loved in Korea, but if there is anything you can't live without, check and see if they have it or bring it yourself. I didn't take anything with me, but I really wish I had taken snacks for the plane/after the plane during my travel days.

• Reese's - my absolute favorite candy that is not available in Korea

• Vanilla extract - difficult to find and potentially expensive. If you like baking like me, save some money and tuck a bottle in your bag.

• Favorite snacks

• Seasonings - You can find a lot of seasonings in Korea, but specific ethnic seasonings may not be available

Misc.

When I was packing for Korea, I went with the intention of moving away forever. I wanted to take as many of my things as possible, which means I took way too many trinkets, a few books, and random items that ended up in a junk drawer. Until I get settled more and have my own place, I don't plan on lugging around nearly as much with me.

• Ziplock bags/ grocery bags - having a few of these on hand while you're traveling can be helpful. I used a Ziplock bag for leftovers on my first day before I'd gone to the store.

• Compression socks - To avoid blood clotting, you are supposed to wear these on long flights.

• Eye mask - Especially when you have a flight at a weird time and want to sleep, an eye mask is a must. Bonus points if it's heated or massages your eyes.

• Reusable water bottle - I drink a ton of water, so I carry my bottle with me everywhere.

• Beach towel/Bath Towel - I took one of each since full-sized towels can be hard to find in Korea.

• Twisty turby - I love my twisty turby hair towel, and it doesn't take up much space, so I like to pack it.

• Printed pictures - I bought a couple of little cork boards to hang up pictures/mementos to make my apartment feel a little more homey.

• Backpack - I used this as my personal item on the plane. I used it daily to take my laptop/supplies/snacks to school. You could probably buy one there, but I needed it the extra packing-space for the flight.

• Drawstring bag/tote

• Blanket - specifically for the plane, unless you are happy with the thin airplane blankets

• Jewelry - This is something you can buy in Korea, so don't take a lot unless you really want your personal jewelry. I packed a travel box and wore jewelry maybe three times, so next time I'm downsizing even more.