What to pack for two weeks in South Korea
The weather can be pretty changeable in South Korea, especially if you’re visiting in spring or autumn. We arrived in mid-April to rain, within two days there was glorious sunshine, and a week later there was torrential rain again. The weather forecast isn’t particularly accurate and can change from one hour to the next.
The temperature in South Korea in April went from lows of around 11-13°c in the evening and highs of about 26°c in Seoul in the day. So it’s best to pack for all weathers rather than pack too light and get caught out.
The other thing that can make packing tricky is the wide range of activities in South Korea. We explored historic areas, spent days and nights out in major cities, hiked up mountains, visited art galleries, toured to the border of North Korea, and went to the beach. It’s not that easy to pack for all those different occasions.
And on top of all of this, South Koreans take their style seriously. It’s not a fancy or dressed-up vibe, but everyone makes an effort. So you may want to consider the pieces you bring and how they work together so you’ll feel good about what you’re wearing when you’re out and about surrounded by stylish Koreans. I went for a layering approach and was pretty happy with how well my final packing list served me.
What to pack for two weeks in South Korea in April
On top:
Three t-shirts
A long-sleeved top
A vest top
Two sports bras
For layers:
A plaid shirt
A cord jacket
A hoodie
A waterproof jacket
On the bottom:
A pair of loose gingham shorts for the daytime
A pair of bike shorts for daytime or hiking
A pair of wide-leg jeans
A pair of wide-leg black trousers
A pair of cargo pants
A pair of leggings
On my feet:
A pair of Converse trainers
A pair of Adidas Spezial trainers
A pair of hiking/running shoes
Accessories etc:
Sunglasses
Two hats (one cap and one bucket hat for more coverage)
1 bikini
2 weeks worth of underwear and socks
A backpack (also to be used as carry-on luggage)
A small daytime/evening bag (I used the Uniqlo bumbag)
Toiletries:
Toothbrush + paste + floss
Face wash/cleanser
SPF face cream
Deodorant
Body butter/moisturiser
Hair brush
Scrunchie + hair ties
Lip balm (with SPF if possible)
Sanitizer and hand cream
Enough pills and other medications, if needed
Everything else:
Passport
Travel insurance
A visa (if needed, but these were waived for the UK at the time we visited)
Travel adaptors + chargers (mostly the EU plug)
Laptop + charger (but only if you really need it)
Books or an e-reader + charger
Battery pack + charger
Water bottle
First aid kit if you’re hiking (including antihistamines and bite cream, sleeping tablets, pain killers, plenty of plasters, antiseptic wipes, and gauze)
Ready to go to South Korea? Check out our full two-week itinerary here.