What to Pack for Korea | Packing List for Female Travelers

Last Updated on October 19, 2025 by Christine Kaaloa

Most people know about Korea through K-drama, K-pop and flawless skincare ads. Korea is a fashion forward country where young to old, everyone puts their best foot forward to make a good impression. There’s historical temples, wonderful hiking spots and delicious food everywhere you turn. But what to pack for Korea travel?

I lived and taught in Korea for a year and I’ve returned to it many times. This guide will equip you with the essential packing list traveling to Korea, ensuring a smooth and stress-free journey.

Download our Korea travel eguide at the end of this post to help you stay organized and avoid any travel mishaps

Light-weight Luggage

It pays to pack light when traveling to Korea. The metro stairs in Korea get steep, with two to three flights of walking (yes, walking!). Although some really deep metros have escalators and elevators exist in some metros (they’re tucked away and often in obscure spots), you’ll find yourself forced to climb those stairs. This means that whatever luggage you packed, you’re hoisting them up and down the stairs with you.

Storage lockers -in train/luggage/jjimjilbang Korean spas – all fit carry-on and duffle bag size. This means that the less you pack, the more freedom you’ll have in storage choices, easy movement and transportation.

Carry-On Luggage Compact luggage is ideal for getting around Korea, using train/metro station lockers and Korean spas. Consider a wheeled backpack with packing cubes like mine or one with a detachable daypack. Tip: Check out these wheeled backpack carry-on luggage options.

• Foldable Backpack A foldable backpack is perfect for daily outings. Use it to carry extra items, like shopping purchases or your camera. Meanwhile, a foldup expandable tote with a dropdown bottom is great for bringing home souvenirs and Duty Free shopping.
• Foldable Tote a foldup expandable tote with a dropdown bottom is great for bringing home souvenirs and Duty Free shopping. I have this exact one and while it may not last 20 years, I love that it varies in size!
• Packing Cubes
• Fanny Pack or Belt Bag – Check out my list of travel packs
• Anti-Theft Purse – Check out my list of anti-theft bags

Travel Clothes to Bring to Korea

Koreans judge appearances as a form of success. Koreans like to dress well; they are fashion-forward. However, Korean sizes run smaller than western sizes so clothes shopping can be challenging for westerners. I’m typically a size small but in Korea I was a large.

General Korean Etiquette: Although women’s skirts can be pretty mini in Korea, it is a conservative dress style country, which appreciates covered shoulders and cleavage.

Dress respectfully when visiting temples and other religious sites. Footwear should always be removed when entering temples and local homes.

Seasonal Considerations: 

Summer: The summers can get hot in Korea.  Lightweight and breathable clothing, comfortable walking shoes, a hat, and sunglasses.

Autumn: Layers like light jackets, sweaters, and long pants.

Winter: Korean winters can be biting cold. You want warm clothing and thermal layers, including a heavy coat, scarf, gloves.

Travel Tip: Some convenience marts and larger stores sell hand warming packs that heat up and you can put in your pockets.

• Merino wool travel clothing:  An Unbound Merino V-Neck tee –  one shirt can take the place of several! These are antimicrobial, heat regulating ethically sourced, light-weight merino wool shirts, so in hot environments, it’s actually airy and cooling.
•  The Women’s long sleeve crew tee is moisture wicking materials, dri-weave and wool are ideal. Merino wool is pricey but Unbound Merino has versatile, classic styles, regulates body heat in all types of weather, dries fast and does not carry an odor. Read why merino wool is a gamechanger in travel.
• Unbound Merino travel dress. It’s every thing you need in a dress. Bring a long or mid-length sleeved top to cover your arms.
• Unbound Merino lightweign travel shorts. Well designed, impeccable seams, deep front and back pockets.

• Large Pashmina – Multipurpose. It will help both as a fashion accessory to being an extra layer of warmth from Spring to Winter.
• Travel Umbrella  Korea experiences sudden rain showers, so a compact travel umbrella  that fits in your bag is a must-have. 
• Neck Fan. Korea’s summers can be hot and humid. A portable neck fan will help you stay cool while exploring the streets or waiting in crowded  spots like subway stations.

Download my South Korea Travel Survival eguide

Footwear for Traveling Korea

Be prepared to WALK! Koreans walk a lot — the relaxing past time for older Koreans is hiking- and the Seoul metro stations can occasionally mimic a steep hike. Make sure you bring comfortable walking shoes for walking and more rigorous activities. Read my post on comfortable footwear for travel

Read Things to Know before traveling Korea

I highly recommend packing a good pair of flip flops or Jesus sandals. If you are staying in a Seoul hostel, you’ll want flip flops to walk around in common areas and showers.

Temples in Southeast Asia will require you to remove footwear so footwear that’s easy to slip on and off is ideal. Running or hiking shoes are good for physical activities like trekking.

• • 1 pair Havianas soft flip-flops  * casual walking, beaches, hotel showers
  • 1 pair of comfortable activity shoes.
  •  2-3 pairs of Merino wool socks. Moisture wicking, antimicrobial, requires less washes. I like the Wander ankle high socks and Smart Wool socks for colder climates.
  • Compression Socks  If you’re taking long flights, train rides or on your feet a lot (which you will be in Korea, because there’s a lot of walking), compression socks can help reduce swelling and improve circulation in your legs. 

Travel Toiletries:

Many toiletries can be easily purchased in Korea at Family Mart, 7-Eleven and these western-friendly stores. Also, skincare shops are highly popular and Korea and the popularity has grown to the world.  Skincare in Korea is less expensive than the west and Korean products are very good.

Travel-Size Toiletries Kit  For convenience and security, carry a reusable TSA travel size container kit that you can decant with essential items like shampoo, makeup, toothbrush and lotion.

Pro-Tip: I recently tried chewable toothpaste and have fallen in love. It is portable, you can stash some in a pocket with your toothbrush for in-flight needs and it flies through TSA in a breeze.

• Sleep Mask & Ear Plugs For a better night’s rest, especially in busy cities, a blackout sleep mask (love these- here’s a list of good ones! )and earplugs can block out light and noise, ensuring you sleep soundly in hotels or hostels.

  

Other Essentials

Pharmacies are common, but language barriers make translation tricky. Unless you have a Korean speaker or a Google Translate, to help you communicate your needs: 

• Bring Your Prescription Medicine   Bring extra medication and pack it in a Holii travel pill organizer. Include essentials like Tylenol and Pepto Bismal.
• Motion Sickness Tablets  Plan to take ferries to smaller islands or long bus rides? Korean bus drivers’ fast-paced driving style can affect sensitive travelers. There is Dramamine (pills), motion sickness patches and natural alternatives like ginger chews ( I use these!)
• Charcoal tablets are a natural replacement to stronger stomach medications when you contract a stomach bug from bad food. It helps to extract toxins. It will also make you #2 more so you can alleviate your stomach of toxins.
• Imodium D tablets (aka loperide hydrochloride) are something I always pack in case of a stomach bug. I don’t want my trip to be trapped in the bathroom.
•  Vitamin C  Korea’s weather can fluctuate by season. Don’t get sick on your trip. These dissolvable vitamin C packets are a pick-me-up when you’re tired and it can prevent colds. 
• Hand Sanitizer  Keep your hands clean on the go, especially in public places. Korean bathrooms sometimes have a community soap bar.  I love this lavender hand sanitizer spray; it smells nice
• Collapsible Water Bottle Staying hydrated and eco-friendly is important. Cups are small-size in Korea. They’re a little larger than a shot glass. Bring your refillable water bottle, fill it up at any water fountain and reduce your plastic waste. 

Essential Electronics:

Your phone, camera, chargers, and adapters (Korea uses Type C or F plugs).

• An international multi-plug adapter will allow you to charge your devices without worrying about compatibility, while also being a hub for multiple plugs.
  Korea uses a 220-Volt Adapter, a two-pronged adapter with rounded pins (Europe plug type C & F.) While some Western hotels may have Western or international plug outlets, as of 2023 Incheon Airport hasn’t converted to international plugs.  U.S. outlets are 110V. Small electronic devices like mobile phones, camera chargers, and even laptops should be fine (although the latter may vibrate slightly). Check your device’s label to confirm its voltage compatibility. Leave hair dryers and irons at home.
• Travel Documents: Passport, visa (if required), and any necessary booking confirmations. Option: Store them in a Neck Wallet with RFID blocking  or money belt.
• Money & Currency: Korea is largely a cash-based country, unless you are paying large payments such as a hotel or Cash, local currency (Korean Won) and having access to ATMs or credit cards. Read ATM tips to avoid scams
• SIM or  Wi-Fi Hotspot  Stay connected throughout your trip with a Skyroam Solis internet hotspot, Airalo eSim (you can activate it before you arrive) or a Prepaid SIM. Access the internet easily, navigate, and keep in touch with friends or family without worrying about roaming fees.
• Portable Power Bank Stay connected while sightseeing without worrying about running out of battery. A portable power bank ensures your devices stay charged, especially when navigating public transportation.
• Travel Insurance  Don’t leave home without travel insurance. It’s essential for covering unexpected events such as flight delays, medical issues, or lost luggage. It provides peace of mind. I use trip insurance that covers adventure and theft!. But you can find one using this trip insurance finder tool 

Feminine Products

Tampons – Korea is not really a tampon country just yet.

Period Panties – So handy; you don’t have to worry about leaking on your clothes again. These panties wick away moisture and neutralize odor also.