Korea travel glossary (EN)

Short definitions plus official links for K-ETA, e-Arrival, T-money, maps, translation, and messaging apps.

Reviewed: 2026-09-28

Entry & documents

Term	Meaning
K-ETA	Korea Electronic Travel Authorization — online pre-boarding authorization for many visa-free short visits. Official site only: www.k-eta.go.kr (fee ~KRW 10,000). Check your passport; temporary exemptions exist.
Temporary K-ETA exemption	Designated nationals may enter without K-ETA until 31 Dec 2026 (KST) per current official notices. Lists change — confirm on K-ETA / Visit Korea. Exemption ≠ “no forms”: e-Arrival often still required.
e-Arrival card	Free electronic arrival declaration at www.e-arrivalcard.go.kr only. Generally required if you do not hold a valid K-ETA (including many temporary-exemption travelers). Submit from 3 days before arrival (KST); validity 72 hours after submit. Separate from K-ETA.
Visa-free stay	Allowed stay length varies by nationality; confirm on visa.go.kr / immigration sites.

Term	Meaning
ICN	Incheon International Airport — airport.kr.
GMP	Gimpo Airport (more domestic / some regional).
AREX	Airport Railroad Express (ICN ↔ Seoul Station area) — arex.or.kr.
T-money	Reloadable transit card for Seoul subway/buses (and some other uses) — t-money.co.kr.
Climate Card	Seoul unlimited subway/bus short-term pass (1·2·3·5·7-day). From 1 Oct 2026, 30-day and postpaid products are discontinued; visitor scope is ~Seoul (Seoul Metro / SMG also note some trips ending at ICN). Not a T-money stored-value balance — details → T-money & transit cards. Official: Visit Korea — Transportation Cards, SMG Climate Card outreach.
Korail / KTX	National rail & high-speed trains (separate from city T-money) — book via korail.com EN tickets (letskorail.com redirects to Korail).
Transfer window	Time limit for discounted transfers between bus/subway — check current rules in transit apps.
Seoul Metro	City subway operator visitor info — seoulmetro.co.kr/en.

App / site	What it’s for	Official link
Naver Map	Walking, transit, and place search (often better than Google in Korea)	map.naver.com
KakaoMap	Maps + Kakao ecosystem (taxis, places)	map.kakao.com
Papago	Translation; photo mode helps with menus	papago.naver.com
KakaoTalk	Messaging most hosts and small businesses use	KakaoTalk
Visit Korea	Official tourism guides & notices	english.visitkorea.or.kr
Visit Seoul	City guides for Seoul neighborhoods & events	english.visitseoul.net
WOWPASS	Optional tourist prepaid card (transit + payments). One of several products travelers mention — compare fees; not required	wowpass.io
1330 Korea Travel Hotline	Multilingual traveler assistance (phone)	See Visit Korea / 1330 guide

1
Install Naver Map (or KakaoMap), Papago, and KakaoTalk before you fly; log in on Wi-Fi.
2
Download offline Korean language packs and save hotel pins while you still have home data.
3
Prefer the official websites above (or App Store / Google Play search for the exact brand name). Avoid look-alike “agency” sites for K-ETA or arrival cards — Korea Immigration has warned about fake e-Arrival websites that ask for payment; use only the official links above.
4
Convenience stores (CU, GS25, 7-Eleven) are where many visitors buy or top up T-money and pick up SIMs.

Tip
Not legal advice. Store listings and app features change; official sites win when wording differs.

Sources

Reviewed: 2026-09-28

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