Something Went Wrong in Korea? Quick Fixes for Common Travel Problems

Most travel problems in Korea have a simple fix once you know who to ask. Find your situation below: each one has the first thing to do and a link to the full guide.

Money and cards

My card was declined

Try a different card (Visa or Mastercard work most widely) and keep some cash as a backup. Some small shops are cash-first. Paying in Korea

The ATM won’t take my card

Look for an ATM that says it accepts foreign cards — many are in convenience stores, banks and airports. Paying in Korea

I got less tax back than I expected

Check which receipts qualify and where to claim before you fly. Tax refund calculator

Phone and data

I have no data

Buy an eSIM or a local SIM, or pick up pocket Wi-Fi at the airport. Free Wi-Fi is common in stations and cafés. eSIM vs SIM vs Wi-Fi

An app wants a Korean phone number

Use the visitor-friendly alternatives that work without one. Apps without a Korean number

Getting around

I missed the last subway

Take a taxi — estimate the fare first so you know what to expect. Seoul taxi fare calculator

Taxis keep passing me

Use a taxi app, or wait at a taxi stand near a station or hotel. Taxi apps

I’m on the wrong bus or line

Get off at the next stop and use a map app; transfers within a set time are usually free with a transit card. City buses · Subway

Lost items

I left something in a taxi or on the subway

Note the time, route and car or train if you can. Ask station staff, and search the police lost-and-found portal Lost112.

I lost my passport

Report the loss at a police station, then contact your country’s embassy or consulate for a replacement or travel document.

I lost my wallet or phone

Block your cards, report the loss to the police, and check Lost112. Call 1330 if you need help explaining in Korean.

Official source: 1330 Korea Travel Helpline (KTO) · Lost112 (Korean National Police Agency)

You might also need: Korea Trip Checklist (2026): What to Sort Out Before You Fly

Health and safety

I feel sick

For something minor, a pharmacy is the first stop; for anything more, a clinic or hospital. Hospitals and pharmacies

It’s an emergency

Call 119 for fire and ambulance, 112 for police. 1330 can help with interpretation.

Bookings

My accommodation cancelled on me

Keep screenshots, contact the platform first, and know where to complain. Accommodation cancellations

My flight is delayed or cancelled

Ask the airline desk what they will cover and keep every receipt. Flight delayed or cancelled

Eating out

I can’t read the menu or the kiosk

Point your camera at it with Papago or Google Lens, or look for an English button on the kiosk. Ordering at restaurants

I have a food allergy

Show a written note in Korean and check labels with a translation app. Allergy phrases

Who to call

• 1330 — Korea Travel Helpline (Korea Tourism Organization): travel information, help with interpretation and complaints, in English and other languages.
• 112 — police. 119 — fire and ambulance.
• Lost112 — the police lost-and-found portal for items handed in across Korea.

Last checked: October 2026. Routes, services and rules change — check the official source before you rely on them.

FAQ

What number do I call for help in English in Korea?

1330, the Korea Travel Helpline run by the Korea Tourism Organization. For emergencies call 112 (police) or 119 (fire and ambulance).

How do I find something I lost in a taxi in Korea?

Ask the taxi company or station staff if you have a receipt or the route, and search the police lost-and-found portal Lost112.

What should I do if I lose my passport in Korea?

Report it at a police station and contact your embassy or consulate for a replacement or emergency travel document.

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