Being in a tropical country like Singapore where it’s summer all year long, it’s important to be well prepared when visiting Korea, especially during a season with varying temperatures. Korea is a popular destination during winter, but did you know temperatures can drop as low as -10 degrees?
Sounds cold doesn’t it? Don’t worry, we’ve got you! This guide will provide essential tips on what to pack and what to expect, ensuring you stay warm, comfortable, and healthy during your winter trip.
What Clothes to Bring to Korea in Winter
Warm Base Layers
The most important thing to prepare during a trip to Korea in winter is warm base layers. Invest in items like the Uniqlo Heat Tech or Long Johns because this is going to be the foundation of your winter wardrobe!
Psst, get the extra warm version if you want to be extra cautious.
Clothing
Most, if not all your clothes should also consist of long sleeves. We highly recommend going for materials like wool for warmth, and maybe even throwing in one or two options with a turtleneck to cut through the cold.
A down jacket or padding coat is great for outerwear.
If you’re heading to regions like Gangwon-do or Jeju, we highly recommend bringing a windproof jacket with wool or feather padding as it gets windy there. Even if the temperatures aren’t low, the wind does make it feel extra cold!
Socks & Shoes
One thing a lot of people need to remember is socks! Go for a thick and high cut or one made using wool to ensure your toes and feet stay toasty.
Waterproof shoes or boots are highly recommended especially if you’re heading to places with snow. Don’t risk getting your feet wet because they will freeze in that weather.
Accessories
You can bring many other items to keep yourself warm, such as gloves, scarves, and beanies. If you don’t have a beanie, even a cap helps! But much like your clothing items, remember to opt for materials like wool for maximum warmth.
Health & Wellness Essentials
Vitamins & Supplements
Weather changes and time differences when overseas, can challenge your immune system and affect your health. To avoid hiccups during your travels, be sure to bring along supplements to keep your health in tip-top condition!
One of the items we usually turn to for immunity support is Redoxon Triple Action Orange Effervescent! Growing up, there was always a tube of this in the pantry. 1 effervescent tablet to get a yummy, fizzy drink with a great orange flavour.
For those who are always on the go, Redoxon has a new product: the Redoxon Triple Action Film Coated Tablet! All you need to do is pop 1 tablet and swallow it. This is perfect for early mornings when you’re busy preparing for a day trip or heading out to the ski slopes.
From now till 31st Dec 2024, you can get a $50 Trip.com gift card with a minimum purchase of $70, available at Guardian, Watsons, Unity, and Bayer Official Store on Shopee.
Medicine
Always travel with some medicine! Since it is a foreign country, you might not find the same medications as the ones back home. Items like aspirin and charcoal pills are extremely handy in emergencies.
Skincare & Body Care
The harsh winter weather means it’ll be really dry, so be sure to bring your skincare along! We recommend items with hyaluronic acid or ceramides as they help a lot with dry skin. If you forget, you can always grab some at the nearest OliveYoung! That’s the best part of travelling in Korea.
Sheet masks are great when you need a hydration boost and are easily available in Korea, so you don’t need to worry about forgetting to bring them.
One thing lots of people forget or neglect is their lips! Make sure to have a nourishing lip balm and moisturize on the go to avoid lip cracks.
Moisturizing the body is a must, especially if you have dry skin – so make sure to have body butter or body cream with you in Korea!
Other Useful Items
Heat packs are a lifesaver during extreme cold conditions, so make sure to have some with you. They aren’t the easiest to find in Singapore, but in Korea, simply head to any convenience store or Daiso to get them.
Also, Febreze is a handy item to bring for winter trips. It can help keep your clothes smelling clean and fresh, avoiding the need for laundry.
You’ll probably be doing a lot of shopping in Korea, so saving luggage space is something to think about. One of the most straightforward solutions is to pack everything in vacuum bags. Save some luggage space by placing your thick jackets and clothes into vacuum bags, so you have more space to bring home your shopping!
Things to Look Out For During Winter in Korea
It’s important to keep informed about extreme weather conditions in Korea during winter. One thing the government does is to send out alerts through phones when they have extreme weather conditions.
However, these alerts are usually in Korean. So, here are some keywords to look out for if you receive such alerts!
If you see words like 한파특보 or 한파주의보, this usually indicates a cold wave alert. When this happens, temperatures are likely to experience a dip in the next few days.
If you see the words 영하 before a number, it’s indicating temperatures below zero. For example, 영하10도 means -10 degrees, while 영하2도 means -2 degrees.
Travelling to Korea During Winter
We hope this guide has given you a detailed look at the winter essentials you need for Korea! The important thing is to always keep yourself warm and healthy throughout the trip, so you get the best holiday experience with your friends or family!
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*This article is brought to you in partnership with Redoxon
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