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This South Korea packing list is going to teach you how to pack for winter in Korea. It can be hard to know what to wear in South Korea in winter, especially if like me, you come from a place where winters are practically non existent. In fact you may not even know that it does snow in some places in South Korea, so a bit of planning needs to go into what you pack.
I was given lots of different advice as to the level of rugged-up-ness I would need to be, but generally I spent most of my time in normal clothes plus a warm coat, scarf and boots. If you feel the cold very strongly though, bring a pair or two of thermal underwear to wear underneath your normal clothes. Having been to South Korea in both winter and summer, I prefer winter and I can definitely help you plan what to wear to stay warm.
South Korean winters can get pretty chilly, with many cities experiencing snow, however most of the sites are still easily accessible. South Koreans don’t let the cold stop them, and neither should you, you’ll even find many of the hikes still have many locals trodding along beside you. Anyway, read on to find out how to dress for winter in Korea based on my personal experience traveling to South Korea in winter.
In this South Korea packing list article you’ll find:
- How seasons will effect your packing list,
- What to wear in South Korea in winter,
- Some information on things to see, and advice on where to stay.
What to Wear in South Korea in Winter
How to dress for winter in Korea:
- Pants x 2-3: Jeans and other types of warm pants will come in handy for the cold here. A lot of locals wear jeans, so you wont be out of place here.
- Leggings x 2: These are lightweight so you can getaway with two pairs without adding too much weight. If you’re tight on space only bring one. You can use the leggings under the dress, under your pants on quite cold days, or to sleep in.
- Dress x 2: Avoid thin material, and something with a short or long sleeve works best to keep the heat in. You should pair this with the leggings. If dresses aren’t your thing add an extra top. If you’re more of a dress person than a top and pants persons, you’ll be fine taking all dresses instead. I wore some of the same dresses I would wear in other seasons, and just added a warm coat, leggings and boots.
- Tops x 4-6: Stick to longer sleeves to keep warm.
- Cardigan x 1-2: You can layer this under your coat or use it for indoors. I loved being able to switch into my cardigan when visiting cat cafes in the capital.
- Coat x 1: If luggage weight is not an issue pack a second coat. It gets quite cold in winter especially when there’s a breeze so you’ll be wearing this each time you go outside. Try either a knee length Korean style coat. I personally brought one as I was trying to keep my luggage under 20 kilos on my 2 week trip.
- Scarf x 1-2
- Boots x 1: Like the jackets, feel free to take a second pair if you’re not trying to conserve space. Make sure it’s something that can survive the snow – thin-heeled boots wont be the best idea. I wore thick heeled black boots, but flat boots are an even better option. Make sure whatever you bring is appropriate to wear in rain and snow. My boots were cheap and not specifically snow proof, but it was hard for water to get in or soak through ankle height faux leather. Its not the time to bring suede for sure.
- Socks x 4: Easy to wash as you go, make sure you keep your feet warm while you’re out and about, and at night as well. Socklets are a good alternative for inside boots as well but they wont keep you as warm. If you think you might be doing activities where moisture can seep inside your shoes, opt for a waterproof pair.
- Sneakers x 1: If for some reason you feel the urge to go on a winter’s hike sneakers may be a good idea. However unless you plan to do something strenuous, you can probably survive with the above pair of boots. Make sure you choose a sneaker that is waterproof and well constructed.
- Underwear x 7 / bras x 5
- Gloves x 1-2: Keep your hands warm!
- Beanie (woollen hat) x 1-2: Keep your head warm when you go outside. Now is your chance to wear one that isn’t age appropriate as South Koreans fully embrace cute hats. So go forth, and purchase one that resembles a llama like you always wanted.
What to Pack for South Korea in Winter
Keeping warm: In the interest of how to dress for Korea in winter, you may want to take it one step further. If you really feel the cold you could try to pick up some stick-on heat packs in the chemist on arrival. These are cheap, and quite popular (but maybe more so in China). If you can’t find a basic heat pack you could try one of the heat packs made to ease pain. Stick it to your stomach (they’re adhesive) and it should keep you warmer for atleast a couple of hours. I loved these, especially on colder days.
Make up & Toiletries: Don’t forget to bring your basics like toothbrush, toothpaste and deodorant. Make up is a personal choice, but remember that your skin will be a little drier due to the cold. Moisturizer may be a good option if you can find a travel sized one. Check out this cheap and compact makeup bag here.
Medical kit: Bring a small medical kit with cold and flu medications, tissues, dehydration sachets and headache tablets. If you don’t want to bring these from home, you can buy some on arrival from the supermarkets.
Technology: Bring your camera plus two to three batteries, and your charger. I personally love the Sony a6500 + 35mm f1.8 combination.Batteries will not last as long in the cold as they do in normal temperatures, so take the extra one if you have it. Bring 2-3 16gb memory cards (better than buying one large card in case it gets stolen or damaged). Consider a portable charger which will help if your phone dies quicker due to the cold. On that note, don’t forget your phone charger! Pack an international plug adapter as well so you can use your electronics. Cold wise, my camera didn’t have any issues, even in snowy Nami Island. However, cold can drain your batteries faster, so don’t forget to bring a spare and limit its exposure to the cold air.
Everything else to pack:
Photocopies of important documents. Keep them in a different place to where you keep your passport if possible. Also leave a copy at home.
2 bank cards: It’s a personal rule of mine to never travel with less than 2 bankcards. Sometimes one may not be accepted, or it may get stolen or eaten by the machine. Having a backup will save you a ton of stress.
Recommended luggage:
Backpacks: It’s going to be a little harder to make it as a carry on traveler due to all the winter clothes, so don’t forget to book a checked bag (like this 65L or 70L if packing more than one coat). If you insist on trying, wear the heaviest stuff at the airport. I’m yet to be called out on wearing a giant coat in inappropriate weather while checking in for a winter destination – let’s pretend you’re just prepared for dis-embarkment. If you don’t have too many clothes and snow is forecasted during our travels, a backpack might be a better choice so you can have your luggage off the ground. It also might be easier if you’re staying in hostels or moving around a lot.
Suitcase: same as above, see some options here. If you’re going to be in the main cities where snow isn’t forecasted, a suitcase is probably a better option. It’ll have more space for winter clothes. Its best to go for a hard-shelled suitcase to help protect your luggage on rainy days.
South Korea: Weather & Seasons
South Korea, like Japan and China, experiences hot, humid summers, and cold, sometimes snowy winters. While it can get pretty cold, you’ll find a good, thick coat will protect you from a lot of the cold. Understanding seasons may help you understand a little easier about what to pack for a trip to South Korea.
Seasons in South Korea
- Summer in South Korea (June, July, August): If you judge summer by the estimated temperatures you wont be adequately prepared. While only stated to be between 18-29C / 64-84F, Korean summers are incredibly humid which can make traveling uncomfortable at times. Not to mention there’s also a decent chance of rain. Take breathable fabrics, dresses, sandals and a protective hat.
- What to wear to Korea in Winter (December, January, February): If you want to experience snow then winter is a good time to visit South Korea. As I mentioned above, most of the attractions will still be opened with locals unbothered by cold weather and snow when it comes to sightseeing, hiking national parks and getting out and about. It’s also a good excuse to visit more cat cafes to escape the winter breeze. I didn’t need a heavy duty coat while visiting, but a warm one is necessary. Read on for the winter packing list. Expect temperatures around -7 to 5C and 19-41F.
- Spring in South Korea (March, April, May): A pleasant time to visit, temperatures will be around 7-28C / 44-84F. See the Spring packing list here for details on what to wear.
- Autumn in South Korea (September, October, November): Like Spring, Autumn is a nice time to visit. Expect to be wearing a light jacket, jeans and boots. The warmness of your jacket will need to increase if visiting the month after winter. Temperatures are around 2 to 26C / 35-78F.
Where to Stay in South Korea in Winter
- Seoul
- Budget: Birdsnest Hostel Hongdae is a good choice for budget travelers looking for a dorm or cheap private room.
- Midrange: Shilla Stay Gwanghwamun is a great choice for staying in central Seoul. Starting at around 120 a night the hotel is centrally located and close to the subway, plus the buffet breakfast is great.
- Luxury: For a splurge, much like what I suggest for Busan, I recommend trying Korean brand Lotte Hotel. I love trying local owned or started hotels when visiting a country.
- Busan
- Budget: Situated close to a subway, Kimchee Busan Original Guesthouse is one of the cheaper dorms available with good reviews in the city.
- Midrange: SOYU Hotel is a good choice for those with a mid-range budget. It’s close to the subway and Busan tower.
- Luxury: Lotte Hotel Busan is a good option for a splurge being close to a shopping mall, the subway and many of Busan’s sites. The hotel offers an all inclusive plan, a mini golf course and a fitness centre.
- For other cities take a look over on Booking.com.
Popular Day Tours in Winter in South Korea
You can pretty much do everything you want to do in winter, just the same as you could in summer. Swimming and sunbathing would be the exception though, obviously. Here are some ideas for what to do in South Korea in winter to get you started:
Seoul:
- Day tour to Nami Island & Petite France (colour french buildings): find more details here.
- Night bus tour of Seoul: find the details here.
- Demilitarized Zone and security zone day tour (Where North and South Korea meet): If you want to see what this incredibly tense border looks like you can hop on this popular day tour – click here for more information.
- Hit the popular sites of Seoul on a day tour: see more details here.
- For more ideas of what to see in Seoul visit this website.
Busan:
- Full day tour of Busan hitting most of the sights. Find more information by clicking here.
- Busan day tour similar to above, but with the addition of a photographer capturing moments for you! I would totally do this if I went back, it’s so hard to get good photos of yourself. See the details here.
- For more Busan tour ideas visit here.
Hope you liked this packing list for South Korea in winter. Don’t forget to pin it or share it to your social medias if you found it helpful.
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