What to Pack for Busan: A Student's Packing List
Busan has four real seasons. Here is what to bring, what to leave at home, and what you can easily buy after you arrive.
Busan weather at a glance
| Month | Average temperature |
|---|---|
| January (coldest) | About 2°C, can drop below 0°C |
| April | About 14°C |
| July (rainiest) | About 26°C, very humid |
| August (hottest) | About 27°C |
| October | About 17°C |
Typhoons can come between July and early October. Winters are dry and windy, so a warm padded jacket is essential.
Bring from home
- Passport, admission letter and copies of all visa documents
- Passport photos (3.5 × 4.5 cm, white background) for your ARC
- Personal medicine with the prescription, in original packaging
- Plug adapter: Korea uses type C/F plugs, 220V
- Some favorite dry spices (without meat)
- A few days of clothes for the season you arrive in
Buy in Korea
- Winter jacket and bedding (cheaper and made for Korean winters)
- Toiletries and kitchen items
- Rice cooker and small appliances (220V)
Do not bring
- Meat, sausages, dried meat, eggs and dairy. These are effectively banned. Undeclared farm and livestock products can lead to heavy fines.
- Some medicines, such as strong sleeping pills or cough medicine with codeine, need special permission.
- Fresh fruit and vegetables must be declared.
You can bring up to about a 3-month supply of normal personal medicine with a prescription.
Next: your first 30 days in Busan.
