Guides

Short answers to the problems visitors run into most. Every tip links to its source.

• Paying online in Korea with a foreign cardWhich card brands work on NOL World, Melon Ticket, Korail, Kakao T and more, where foreign cards may fail, and what's still being checked.
• Kakao T won't take your foreign card? Here's the workaroundWhich cards Kakao T accepts, why adding one can still fail, paying the driver directly, and k.ride's card, Alipay+ and PayPal options.
• Booking Korean restaurants without a Korean phone numberHow to use Catchtable Global with Google or Apple sign-up, what to do when a restaurant isn't listed, and Naver's passport check.
• Korean phone number verification: a tourist's guideWhy Korean apps ask for a +82 number, which eSIMs give you a Korean 010 number, what they work for, and Naver's passport check.
• Buying K-pop and show tickets on NOL WorldNOL World verification for 'Verified Member Only' shows, booking fees, which cards work, and how Melon Ticket compares.
• When KTX tickets go on saleKTX tickets open one month before travel. How to book on Korail's global site without an account, and which cards work.
• T-money, WOWPASS and the Climate CardT-money, WOWPASS and Seoul's Climate Card compared: prices, fees, where each works, foreign cards, and Busan and Jeju options.