Getting online
An eSIM is the simplest option for most travelers: you buy a data plan online before your trip, receive a QR code by email, and activate it on arrival without visiting a counter — as long as your phone is eSIM-compatible and carrier-unlocked. Physical tourist SIM cards and pocket Wi-Fi devices are also available at counters inside Gimhae Airport for travelers whose phones don't support eSIM.
Free Wi-Fi is widely available in cafes, convenience stores and subway stations, which is usually enough as a backup even without mobile data.
Paying for things
Card payment is accepted almost everywhere in Busan, including most small restaurants and convenience stores, so you don't need to carry large amounts of cash. That said, some traditional market stalls, small food vendors and coin lockers are cash-only, so it's worth keeping a modest amount of Korean won on hand, especially for Jagalchi Market or Gukje Market.
A T-money transit card doubles as a small-payment card at convenience stores, which is a convenient way to use up loose change before flying home.
Emergency and help numbers
You can call 112 or 119 even without a Korean SIM card or a locked phone — these are universal emergency numbers. Operators can generally connect you to an English-speaking interpreter; saying 'English, please' clearly at the start of the call helps.
For non-emergency questions — directions, translation help, or general trip problems — 1330 is a free tourist hotline specifically set up for exactly that.
| Number | Use |
|---|---|
| 112 | Police |
| 119 | Fire and ambulance |
| 1330 | Korea Travel Hotline — tourist information and interpretation, 24 hours |
A few small things that help
- Download an offline map or save key addresses in Korean before you lose signal, especially for taxi rides
- Public restrooms are common and free at subway stations, parks and department stores
- Tipping isn't expected in Korea, including at restaurants and for taxis
- Recycling and general waste bins are separated — look for labeled bins in convenience stores rather than assuming one bin fits all