Daegu Travel Tips. Money, Safety, Culture

Local SIM Cards & eSIM

SK Telecom, KT, and LG U+ offer reliable service. Purchase at airports or local stores along with your passport.

Connectivity Options

Prepaid SIM for data and calls
ESIM from Airalo for instant digital activation
Consider Airalo or Nomad for eSIMs.

Internet Access & Wi-Fi

South Korea has superb Wi-Fi coverage at most public spaces, cafes, and hotels.

Access Points

Free Wi-Fi at cafes, restaurants, hotels, public areas.
Portable Wi-Fi (Pocket Wi-Fi) for consistent personal access. Solis Wi-Fi is an option.
Rent devices at airports or online.

Postal Services

Korea Post (우체국) offices throughout Daegu.
Mailing letters and parcels (domestic/international).
Basic banking services available.

Rosetta Stone for language learning.
Overcome language barriers.
Improve pronunciation.

Language Barriers & Translation

Korean (Hangul) is the official language. English proficiency varies, with younger people and those in tourist roles often having some English. Outside major tourist areas, English may be limited.

Recommended Tools

Papago (Naver Papago): Often more accurate for Korean context.
Google Translate: Useful for general sayings and basic communication.
Text, voice, and image translation options.

Essential Korean Phrases

Hello: Annyeonghaseyo (안녕하세요)

Thank you: Gamsahamnida (감사합니다)

Excuse me/Sorry: Joesonghamnida (죄송합니다) or Juseyo (주세요)

Yes: Ne (네) / No: Aniyo (아니요)

Please: Juseyo (주세요) / Check-out, please: Gyesanhaejuseyo (계산해주세요)

How much is it?: Eolmayeyo? (얼마예요?)

I do not understand: Jal moreugesseoyo (잘 모르겠어요)

Can you speak English?: Yeong-eo haseyo? (영어 하세요?)

Business Hours & Schedules

Banks & Government Offices

Banks generally operate 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Mon-Fri. Government offices usually from 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM, Mon-Fri. ATMs are widely available 24/7.

Shops & Department Stores

Small shops 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM. Department stores (Shinsegae, Lotte) 10:30 AM - 8:00 PM (later weekends), with monthly Monday closures. Convenience stores mostly 24/7.

Food & Drink

Lunch from 11:30 AM. Dinner typically until NINE:00-10:00 PM. Cafes generally open from 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM or later. Operating hours for attractions vary.

Major Public Holidays

South Korea observes several public holidays that affect business operations.

Holidays

Seollal (Lunar New Year): Late Jan/early Feb (3 days). Many family businesses close, travel is busy.
Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving): Mid-Sept/early Oct (3 days). Similar temporary closures and high travel demand.
Other Public Holidays: Independence Day, Children's Day, Buddha's Birthday. Banks/government offices closed.

Holiday Impact

Many smaller family-run businesses close.

What to Expect

Large department stores, major attractions, some restaurants in tourist areas usually open.
Booking transport and accommodation well in advance during these periods is something to think about.
Expect busy travel networks.

Airport Services

Airport Lounge Access

Priority Pass: Airport lounge access.
Relax before your flight.
Global network of lounges.

Flight Compensation

Compensair: Compensation for delays/cancellations.
Service for affected travelers.
Simple claim process.

Planning Reminder

Always verify specific business hours for attractions and establishments during your visit, especially around holidays.

Etiquette & Cultural Norms

Navigating local customs with deference and awareness.

Greeting & Attire

A gentle nod is customary, especially for elders. A handshake may accompany it with Westerners. Use polite forms of address like '-ssi' or '-nim'. Casual wear is typically fine, but modest dress covers shoulders and knees at religious sites.

Practices

Slight bow for greetings.
Use polite honorifics.
Modest dress for religious sites.

Dining & Tipping

Tipping is not customary; service charges are usually included. Remove shoes when entering homes and some traditional restaurants.

Table Manners

Serve others before yourself.
Use two hands when receiving/pouring drinks from elders.
Do not stick chopsticks upright in rice.

Photography & Taboos

Photography Ethics

Ask permission before photographing individuals.
Be discreet in residential areas.
Avoid military or government buildings.

Sensitive Topics

Approach Korean War/Japan relations with sensitivity.
Avoid local politics with strangers.
Treat North Korea topic with care.

Social Norms

Hierarchy & Age

Respect for elders guides social interactions.
Age dictates many social dynamics.
Politeness for all interactions.

Gender & LGBTQ+

Traditional gender roles present in some contexts.
LGBTQ+ rights developing, public acceptance varies.
Major cities like Daegu are often more open-minded.

Accessibility Information

Daegu works towards accessibility, however some older areas could offer challenges.

Infrastructure

Most Daegu subway stations have elevators, accessible restrooms, and tactile paving. Some older stations have limited features.

Transport Features

Subway: Elevators, accessible restrooms, tactile paving.
Buses: Newer low-floor models with ramps.
Older stations may have limited accessibility.

Accessible Attractions

Major modern attractions are generally accessible. Older historical sites may have stairs or uneven terrain.

Sites with Access

Shinsegae Department Store: Fully accessible.
Daegu National Museum: Accessible facilities.
83 Tower: Accessible by elevator.

Visual & Hearing Impairments

Subway Assistance

Subway: Auditory announcements in Korean and The english language.
Braille blocks on platforms and walkways.
Clear signage in areas.

App Resources

Kakao Map and Naver Map offer some accessibility features.
Voice guidance or larger text choices might be available.
Apps for better navigation.

Further Resources

The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) website (english.visitkorea.or.kr) provides information about accessible travel within Korea, including specific city details. Local disability organizations might as well offer support, typically in Korean. A tour operator specializing in accessible travel needs to be considered for specialized assistance.

Daegu Travel Tips