How to See a Doctor or Buy Medicine in Korea as a Tourist

Feeling unwell on your trip? This guide explains which kind of clinic or hospital to go to, how to find one that can help in your language, pharmacies vs convenience stores, what to bring and how to get the paperwork for an insurance claim. It explains the process only — it is not medical advice.

Clinic, hospital or emergency room?

• Local clinic (의원, uiwon): small practices for everyday problems — colds, stomach trouble, minor injuries, skin. Usually no appointment needed; you register at the front desk and wait.
• Hospital / general hospital (병원·종합병원): larger hospitals with many departments. Some ask you to go through a clinic first unless it is urgent, and waits can be long.
• Emergency room (응급실): for serious or sudden problems at any hour. Emergency care is prioritised by how serious the case is, not by arrival time.

Finding a clinic that can help you

• Call 1330, the Korea Tourism Organization’s travel helpline: they can help you find medical services and interpret over the phone.
• Search “의원”, “병원” or a specialty (for example “내과” for internal medicine) in Naver Map or Kakao Map to see nearby clinics, opening hours and reviews.
• Ask your hotel front desk — they usually know nearby clinics and pharmacies.
• Large hospitals in big cities often have an international or foreign-patient centre; check the hospital’s website before you go.

Official source: KTO 1330 Korea Travel Helpline

Pharmacy or convenience store?

Pharmacies (약국) sell over-the-counter medicine and fill prescriptions from a clinic; pharmacists can help you choose and explain how to take it — show them your symptoms in a translation app. Many pharmacies are next to clinics. Convenience stores sell a small range of basic household medicines (such as some pain relievers and digestive aids) — handy at night, but ask a pharmacist for anything more.

You might also need: Accommodation Cancelled in Korea? Checklist (2026)

What to bring

• Your passport (clinics register you with it).
• Travel insurance details and your insurer’s emergency contact.
• A list of your allergies and current medication, written down or in your phone.
• A translation app such as Papago — set it up before you travel: Korean apps without a Korean number.

Paying and getting receipts for insurance

You usually pay at the reception desk after the consultation; cards are widely accepted. Costs differ by clinic and treatment. For a travel-insurance claim, ask for an itemised receipt (영수증) and, if your insurer needs it, a medical certificate or diagnosis document (진단서) and the pharmacy receipt — ask for English versions if available, and check what your insurer requires before you leave Korea.

Emergencies: call 119

For an emergency, call 119 (fire and ambulance). Say where you are — share your location from Naver Map or Kakao Map — and call 1330 if you need interpretation. Heading to a clinic late at night? Check a fair taxi fare with the Seoul taxi fare calculator.

Mobile data makes maps, translation and calls much easier when you’re unwell.

Last checked: October 2026. Procedures and services change — follow the hospital’s or operator’s own instructions.

FAQ

Can tourists see a doctor in Korea?

Yes. Local clinics see walk-in patients; bring your passport and register at the front desk. Call 1330 for help finding a clinic or for interpretation.

Do I need a prescription to buy medicine in Korea?

Over-the-counter medicine is sold at pharmacies, and convenience stores sell a few basic items. Prescription medicine needs a prescription from a Korean clinic.

How much does a doctor visit cost in Korea?

It differs by clinic and treatment. Ask at reception, and keep the itemised receipt for your travel insurance.

What number do I call in an emergency in Korea?

Call 119 for an ambulance. Call 1330 if you need help in English, Chinese or Japanese.

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