What Your First Week in Korea for Medical Treatment Looks Like

You have done the research, chosen a hospital, received a cost estimate, and booked your flights. Now you are wondering: what actually happens when I land in Korea? What does the day-to-day reality of a medical trip look like?

This guide walks through a typical first week for an international patient arriving in Seoul for medical treatment. The specifics vary depending on your procedure (a health checkup patient has a very different week than someone undergoing surgery), but the logistical framework is similar. We will cover both scenarios and provide practical tips on food, transport, communication, and payment that apply regardless of your treatment type.

Before You Fly: Final Preparations

In the week before departure, confirm the following:

Documents to bring:
– Passport (valid for at least 6 months beyond your stay)
– Visa confirmation (if required; many nationalities enter Korea visa-free for up to 90 days)
– Hospital appointment confirmation and correspondence
– Complete medical records (originals and copies): imaging on CD/USB, pathology reports, medication list, physician referral letter
– Travel insurance documentation (ensure it covers medical treatment abroad, not just emergencies)
– Credit/debit cards (Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted; notify your bank of travel dates)
– Some Korean won in cash ($200-$300 equivalent for initial expenses)

Medication:
– Bring a full supply of any current medications for the duration of your trip, plus a 1-week buffer
– Carry medications in original pharmacy-labeled containers
– Bring a written list of all medications with generic names and dosages (brand names may differ between countries)

Communication setup:
– Download KakaoTalk (Korea’s primary messaging app, used by hospitals, restaurants, and taxi services)
– Download Naver Map or KakaoMap (Google Maps works in Korea but is less accurate for walking directions and public transit)
– Download Papago (Naver’s translation app, better than Google Translate for Korean)
– Consider an eSIM or portable Wi-Fi device (available at the airport for $3-$5/day)

Hospital coordinator contact:
– Confirm your coordinator’s name, phone number, KakaoTalk ID, and email
– Establish a communication channel before arrival so they know your flight details

Day 1: Arrival

Incheon International Airport (ICN)

Most international patients arrive at Incheon International Airport, consistently ranked among the world’s best. The airport is located on Yeongjong Island, west of Seoul.

Immigration: The process is straightforward. Have your passport and arrival card ready. Automated e-gates are available for some nationalities. Processing typically takes 15-30 minutes.

Luggage and customs: Korea allows standard duty-free allowances. Medical devices (CPAP machines, mobility aids) enter without issue. If you are bringing large quantities of medication, carry your prescription documentation.

Airport pickup: If you have arranged pickup through your hospital or medical coordinator, your driver will meet you in the arrivals hall holding a sign with your name. This is the recommended approach for first-time visitors, especially after a long flight. The cost is typically $60-$100 for a sedan to central Seoul, or $80-$120 for a larger vehicle.

Alternative transport to Seoul:
– Airport Railroad Express (AREX): 43 minutes to Seoul Station, approximately $9. Fast and comfortable.
– Airport limousine bus: Various routes to major Seoul areas, $15-$18, 60-90 minutes depending on traffic.
– Taxi: $60-$100 to central Seoul (Gangnam, Jongno, Mapo), 60-90 minutes. Use only the official taxi queue.

If going to Bucheon St. Mary’s Hospital: Bucheon is approximately 30 minutes from Incheon Airport by car, significantly closer than central Seoul. This is one of Bucheon’s key advantages for international patients: less travel time when you are tired and potentially anxious.

Check-In to Accommodation

For medical trips, we recommend serviced apartments over hotels:

• Kitchen: You will want to prepare simple meals, especially during recovery. Korean convenience stores and supermarkets have excellent prepared foods, but having a kitchen gives you control over nutrition.
• Laundry: Extended medical stays mean doing laundry. Serviced apartments include washing machines.
• Space: Hotel rooms feel confining after a few days. A one-bedroom apartment with a living area provides room to move and rest comfortably.
• Cost: $60-$150/night for a furnished one-bedroom in Gangnam, Seocho, or Jongno, often less than a comparable hotel.

Location selection: Stay near your hospital. If you are being treated at Severance Hospital or KU Anam, the Sinchon/Jongno area is ideal. For Seoul St. Mary’s or NANA Plastic Surgery, Gangnam/Seocho. For Bucheon St. Mary’s, central Bucheon near the hospital.

Evening: Rest and Adjust

Do not schedule anything medical on arrival day. Your priority is sleep, hydration, and adjustment. Seoul is GMT+9. If you are arriving from the US (12-17 hour time difference), jet lag will be significant. Tips:

• Try to stay awake until at least 9-10 PM local time on your first night
• Hydrate aggressively (cabin air dehydrates you, and you need to be well-hydrated for blood tests)
• Take a short walk in your neighborhood to orient yourself. Find the nearest convenience store (GS25, CU, 7-Eleven), pharmacy, and subway station
• Eat a light meal. Korean convenience stores have surprisingly good food: kimbap (rice rolls), sandwiches, salads, hard-boiled eggs, and fresh fruit.

Day 2: Hospital Registration and Initial Consultation

Morning: Hospital Arrival

Your coordinator will either meet you at the hospital entrance or in the international patient center. The registration process is typically:

1. Document submission: Passport, medical records, insurance information (if applicable)
2. Registration: You receive a hospital ID card or number used for all subsequent appointments and billing
3. Payment arrangement: Hospitals typically require a deposit for international patients, especially for surgical admissions. Credit cards accepted.
4. Orientation: Your coordinator walks you through the hospital layout, shows you the relevant departments, and explains the schedule for the day.

Initial Consultation

Depending on your treatment type:

For health checkups: Your checkup may start immediately on Day 2 if you have fasted since the previous evening. The screening center will process you through tests in a specific sequence: blood draw first (while fasting), then imaging, then endoscopy, then consultations. Learn more about what to expect from a Korean health checkup.

For surgical consultations: You will meet with your surgeon or specialist for a detailed evaluation. This typically involves:
– Review of medical records and imaging you brought from home
– Physical examination
– Discussion of the treatment plan, alternatives, risks, and expected outcomes
– Additional diagnostic tests may be ordered (blood work, imaging, biopsies)
– Informed consent discussion

For ongoing treatment (chemotherapy, radiation): The oncologist reviews your records, examines you, and either confirms the proposed treatment plan or recommends modifications based on the in-person evaluation.

Consultations at major hospitals are thorough. Expect 30-60 minutes with the physician, with your coordinator translating and clarifying throughout. Bring a written list of questions, since it is easy to forget things in the moment, especially with the stress of a medical visit in a foreign country.

Afternoon: Additional Testing

Most treatment plans require additional diagnostic work before proceeding:

• Blood tests: Results typically available same day or next morning
• Imaging (CT, MRI, ultrasound): Can often be scheduled same day or next day at Korean hospitals, a dramatic difference from the weeks-long waits common in the US and UK
• Biopsy: If needed, may be scheduled for Day 2 or 3. Results take 3-7 business days.
• Cardiac clearance: If you are having surgery, an ECG and possibly an echocardiogram to ensure you are safe for anesthesia.

Day 3: Results, Treatment Planning, and Pre-Op

For Checkup Patients

If you had your checkup on Day 2, Day 3 is typically the results consultation:

• Meet with an internist or specialist who walks through your entire results report
• Explanation of any abnormal findings and recommended follow-up
• If something significant is found (a suspicious nodule, elevated tumor markers, early-stage abnormality), the hospital can fast-track a specialist referral, often for the same day or next day
• Receive your written report (or confirmation that it will be emailed within 3-5 business days)

For checkup patients, Days 3-7 are free for exploring Seoul, pursuing skincare treatments, dental work, or simply enjoying the city.

For Surgical Patients

Day 3 is typically dedicated to pre-operative preparation:

• Pre-operative education: Your coordinator and the nursing team explain what will happen during and after surgery, answer questions, and ensure informed consent is complete
• Anesthesia consultation: You meet with the anesthesiologist who will manage your case. They review your medical history, allergies, and previous anesthesia experiences. This is an important safety step.
• Pre-operative instructions: Specific fasting requirements (typically no food or water after midnight before surgery), medication adjustments (which to take, which to skip), and what to bring to the hospital on surgery day
• Admission: For major surgeries, you may be admitted to the hospital the evening before. For outpatient procedures (many cosmetic surgeries), you arrive on the morning of surgery.

Day 4: Treatment Day (Surgery or Start of Therapy)

For Surgical Patients

The typical surgery day at a Korean hospital:

Morning:
– Arrive at the hospital or ward (if already admitted, you are prepped in your room)
– Change into a hospital gown
– IV line placed by nursing staff
– Final check-in with your surgeon and anesthesiologist
– Transfer to the operating room

During surgery:
– Your companion (family member or coordinator) waits in the designated waiting area
– At some clinics like NANA Plastic Surgery, operating rooms have camera monitoring for safety and accountability
– Surgery duration varies: 1-2 hours for procedures like rhinoplasty or eyelid surgery, 3-6 hours for major cancer surgery or facial bone contouring

Post-surgery:
– Recovery room monitoring (1-2 hours)
– Transfer to your hospital room or, for outpatient procedures, to a recovery area
– Pain management initiated (Korean hospitals use a combination of IV analgesics, oral medications, and sometimes PCA (patient-controlled analgesia) pumps)
– Your coordinator updates your companion on the surgery outcome

Evening:
– Rest. The nursing staff monitors vital signs regularly.
– Light liquids may be permitted depending on the procedure.
– Pain management adjusted as needed.

For Chemotherapy Patients

Your first chemotherapy infusion typically begins on Day 4 after all pre-treatment workup is complete:

• Blood work confirmed (liver function, kidney function, blood counts within acceptable range)
• Anti-nausea pre-medications administered
• Chemotherapy infusion (duration varies from 30 minutes to several hours depending on the regimen)
• Post-infusion monitoring (1-2 hours)
• Discharge with medications for managing side effects at home (anti-nausea, anti-diarrheal, etc.)

Day 5-6: Recovery

Post-Surgery (Hospital Stay)

For major surgery requiring hospitalization:

• Day 5 (post-op day 1): Gradual mobilization: sitting up, short walks within the room or hallway. IV fluids continue. Pain assessment and medication adjustment. Surgical drain monitoring (if applicable). Diet progresses from clear liquids to soft food.
• Day 6 (post-op day 2): Increased mobility. If recovery is on track, discussion of discharge timeline. Wound check by the surgical team. Introduction of regular diet.

Korean hospitals provide meals to inpatients. The food is Korean (rice, soup, side dishes) and is generally nutritious and mild. If you have dietary restrictions or preferences, inform the nursing staff. Your coordinator can also arrange delivery of specific foods from nearby restaurants.

Post-Surgery (Outpatient/Cosmetic)

For outpatient cosmetic procedures:

• Day 5: Return to the clinic for a wound check and bandage change. Swelling and bruising are at or near their peak. Stay in your apartment, rest, and apply cold compresses as directed.
• Day 6: Gradual improvement. Short walks in your neighborhood are encouraged (gentle movement aids recovery). Avoid strenuous activity, bending over, or lifting anything heavy.

General Recovery Tips

Pain management: Korean physicians tend to prescribe pain medications conservatively by US standards. If your pain is not adequately controlled, communicate this clearly to your medical team. You are entitled to adequate pain relief.

Hydration and nutrition: Drink plenty of water. Eat protein-rich foods to support healing (eggs, tofu, chicken, fish). Korean convenience stores and restaurants make this easy.

Communication: Use KakaoTalk to stay in touch with your coordinator and medical team. Most hospital international patient departments respond to KakaoTalk messages during business hours.

Walking: Seoul is an excellent city for gentle recovery walks. The Cheonggyecheon Stream in central Seoul, the paths along the Han River, and the quiet residential streets of neighborhoods like Samcheong-dong are flat and pleasant. Walking aids circulation and recovery.

Day 7: Follow-Up and Looking Ahead

Follow-Up Appointment

One week post-arrival typically includes:

• Surgical patients: Stitch removal (for some procedures), splint removal (rhinoplasty), drain removal, wound assessment, and discussion of ongoing recovery milestones
• Checkup patients: This day is likely already free for other activities
• Ongoing treatment patients: Assessment of treatment tolerance, blood work to check for side effects, and planning for subsequent treatment cycles

Planning the Remainder of Your Stay

Depending on your treatment type and recovery progress, the remainder of your Korea stay may include:

• Additional follow-up appointments (typically every 2-3 days for the first 2 weeks post-surgery)
• Subsequent treatment cycles (chemotherapy every 2-3 weeks, radiation daily for several weeks)
• Recovery activities and Seoul exploration
• Complementary medical services: many patients add a dental checkup or dermatology consultation while in Korea

Practical Tips: Daily Life in Seoul

Money

• Currency: Korean won (KRW). As of 2026, approximately 1,350 KRW = 1 USD.
• Cards: Visa and Mastercard accepted almost everywhere. Many places also accept Samsung Pay and Apple Pay.
• Cash: Still useful for small purchases, street food vendors, and traditional markets. ATMs in convenience stores (GS25, CU) accept foreign cards.
• Tipping: Not practiced in Korea. No tips at restaurants, taxis, or hospitals.

Transportation

• Subway: Seoul’s metro system is extensive, clean, affordable, and entirely navigable in English. A single ride costs approximately $1.30. Buy a T-money card at any convenience store (reloadable transit card, also works on buses and in some taxis).
• Taxi: Affordable by Western standards. A typical ride within central Seoul costs $5-$15. Use the KakaoTaxi app (Korean Uber equivalent) for easy hailing. All licensed taxis have meters.
• Walking: Seoul is highly walkable, especially in areas like Gangnam, Myeongdong, Insadong, and Itaewon.
• Hospital shuttle: Some hospitals operate free shuttle buses from major subway stations.

Food

Korean cuisine is diverse, affordable, and generally healthy. Options for medical patients:

• Congee (juk): Rice porridge available at dedicated juk restaurants. Gentle on the stomach, various flavors. $5-$8 per bowl.
• Soup (guk/tang): Korean soups are available at every meal, including seolleongtang (ox bone soup), samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup), and doenjang-jjigae (fermented soybean soup). All are nutritious and easy to digest.
• Convenience stores: Open 24/7. Stock kimbap, sandwiches, hard-boiled eggs, yogurt, fruit, and a wide range of prepared meals that can be heated in-store. A full meal costs $3-$6.
• Delivery: Baedal Minjok (Baemin) and Coupang Eats deliver from thousands of restaurants. English-language interfaces available. Your apartment address is all you need.
• Dietary restrictions: Vegetarian and vegan options are limited in traditional Korean restaurants but available at international restaurants and health food stores, particularly in Itaewon and Gangnam. Halal food is available in Itaewon (Seoul’s Muslim-friendly district with a central mosque and halal restaurants).

Communication

• Korean: You do not need to speak Korean. Hospitals provide interpreters, and many restaurants and stores in major areas have English menus or staff. However, learning a few basic phrases is appreciated: “annyeonghaseyo” (hello), “kamsahamnida” (thank you), “eolmayeyo?” (how much?).
• Translation apps: Papago (by Naver) is the best Korean-English translator. It handles medical terminology better than Google Translate and has a camera mode for translating signs and menus in real time.
• Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi is available in virtually all public spaces, transit, and commercial areas.

Weather and Clothing

• Spring (March-May): Mild, 10-20C. Cherry blossoms in April. Light layers.
• Summer (June-August): Hot and humid, 25-35C. Monsoon rain in July. Light clothing, umbrella.
• Autumn (September-November): Crisp, 10-20C. Beautiful foliage. The most comfortable season for medical travelers.
• Winter (December-February): Cold, -10 to 5C. Heavy coat, layers, warm boots. Hospitals and buildings are well-heated.

Pack comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that is easy to put on and remove (important post-surgery). Button-front or zip-front tops are preferable to pullovers if you are having facial or upper body surgery.

Safety

Seoul is one of the safest major cities in the world. Violent crime against tourists is virtually nonexistent. Petty theft is rare. You can walk alone at night in most areas without concern. Emergency number: 119 (ambulance/fire) or 112 (police).

Planning a medical trip to Korea? Our team is based in Seoul and handles every detail: airport pickup, hospital coordination, accommodation, translation, and daily support throughout your stay.

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