What to Pack for Seoul: Packing List from Canada (By Month)

Seoul skyline with a tall skyscraper and a bridge over the Han River in daylight — Photo: JIWON KANG on Unsplash

Pack a proper winter coat for December to February, when nights fall below freezing, and light clothes plus an umbrella for July and August, the rainiest months. Spring and autumn need layers.

Seoul does real winters. From December to February nights fall below freezing, so a warm packable down jacket plus a hat and gloves is the difference between enjoying the city and hiding indoors. Summer is the opposite: hot, with July and August the rainiest months, so pack a compact umbrella.

The city is hilly and best seen on foot, so comfortable walking shoes matter. Add sunscreen for summer, packing cubes to keep layers organised, a power bank for navigation, and a plug adapter, since Korea uses European-style plugs at 220 V.

Autumn (September to November) is dry and mild, and one of the best times to visit. Seoul is hilly and best seen on foot, so bring comfortable shoes. South Korea uses Type C and F plugs at 220 V: you need an adapter.

WeatherHighs from 2°C (Jan) to 30°C (Aug); rainiest July to August

PlugType C, F, 220 V

EntryCanadians can visit South Korea visa-free; check whether you need a K-ETA before flying, as the exemption has been extended in stages.

Month by month

When are you going?

Tap your month to see the weather in Seoul and what to pack for it.

See all 12 months

Month	High	Low	Rain days	Weather
January	2°C	-6°C	3	Freezing, mostly dry
February	5°C	-3°C	3	Cold, mostly dry
March	11°C	2°C	5	Cool, mostly dry
April	18°C	8°C	6	Mild, mostly dry
May	24°C	14°C	7	Mild, mostly dry
June	28°C	19°C	8	Warm, showers
July	29°C	22°C	13	Warm, rainy
August	30°C	23°C	12	Hot, rainy
September	26°C	18°C	6	Warm, mostly dry
October	20°C	11°C	5	Mild, mostly dry
November	12°C	4°C	6	Cool, mostly dry
December	4°C	-3°C	4	Cold, mostly dry

Monthly averages for Seoul, from the city's climate table.

In this article

Products mentioned in this article

Everything linked above, in one place, chosen for Seoul's weather, plugs and trip. Named products open that product on Amazon.ca; the others open an Amazon.ca search, so you can compare brands and today's prices.

Plug type C, F

Type C / F adapter

Look forFits South Korea's sockets (C, F, 220 V)

Why we picked it

Pack a Type C / F adapter (two round pins), or a universal adapter.
Phone and laptop chargers labelled 100–240 V work with just an adapter
Plug guide for South Korea

See options on Amazon.ca

Cold

Packable down jacket

Look forPacks into a pouch, warm to around 0°C

Why we picked it

Warm enough for winter days, light enough to carry
Squashes into a corner of a carry-on
Wear it on the plane to save space

See options on Amazon.ca

Walking

Comfortable walking shoes

Look forCushioned, broken in before you fly

Why we picked it

City trips easily mean 15,000+ steps a day
Slip-ons are easier for temples and homes where you take your shoes off
Break them in at home, not on day one

See options on Amazon.ca

Rain

Compact travel umbrella

Look forUnder 350 g, folds to about 25 cm, wind-resistant frame

Why we picked it

Fits a day bag or the side pocket of a carry-on
A wind-resistant frame survives tropical downpours
Dries quickly in its own sleeve

See options on Amazon.ca

Packing

Compression packing cubes

Look forA set of 3–4 with a compression zip

Why we picked it

Keeps a week of clothes organised
Separates clean from worn on the way home
Fits more into a carry-on

See options on Amazon.ca

Power

Anker Power Bank (20K, 30W)

Specs20,000 mAh (about 74 Wh at 3.7 V), USB-C, up to 30 W

Under the 100 Wh limit, so no airline approval needed.

Why we picked it

Keeps your phone alive for maps and translation apps
Allowed in your carry-on, never in checked bags
At most 2 on international flights since March 2026

Check price on Amazon.ca

Sun

Travel-size sunscreen, SPF 50

Look for100 ml or less, so it can go in your carry-on

Why we picked it

Strong sun near the equator burns fast, even on cloudy days
100 ml or less fits the carry-on liquids rule
Water-resistant if you'll swim

See options on Amazon.ca

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Interactive checklist

Seoul packing checklist

0 of 8 packed

Documents: passport (check it's valid long enough). Canadians can visit South Korea visa-free; check whether you need a K-ETA before flying, as the exemption has been extended in stages.
Plugs: South Korea uses Type C, F at 220 V. Pack a Type C / F adapter (two round pins), or a universal adapter.
Clothes: for January, the coolest month, a warm winter coat, hat and gloves; for August, the warmest, light clothes and sun protection.
Rain: a compact umbrella or rain jacket for July to August.
Health: prescription medicine in its original packaging, in your carry-on, plus a basic first-aid kit.
Phone: an eSIM or roaming plan, and offline maps downloaded before you land.
Power: up to 2 power banks under 100 Wh, in your carry-on only.
Winter: hat, gloves and thermal layers if you're going from December to February.

Fly for less

Flights to Seoul from Canada

Toronto → SeoulYYZ–ICN Montreal → SeoulYUL–ICN Vancouver → SeoulYVR–ICN Calgary → SeoulYYC–ICN

Plan the rest: Seoul travel guide · Halal travel in Seoul · eSIM for South Korea · Plugs in South Korea

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Questions

Common questions

What should I pack for Seoul in January?

Freezing, mostly dry: highs around 2°C, lows around -6°C, and rain on about 3 days. Pack a warm winter coat, hat and gloves.

What should I wear in Seoul in August?

Hot, rainy: highs around 30°C, lows around 23°C, and rain on about 12 days. Pack light, breathable clothes (cotton or linen), sun hat and SPF 30+ sunscreen and a refillable water bottle.

Do I need a plug adapter for Seoul?

Yes. South Korea uses Type C, F plugs at 220 V. Pack a Type C / F adapter (two round pins), or a universal adapter.

When is the rainy season in Seoul?

Rain is most frequent from July to August, with rain on 12–13 days a month on average, and the heaviest rain in July.

Do Canadians need a visa for South Korea?

Canadians can visit South Korea visa-free; check whether you need a K-ETA before flying, as the exemption has been extended in stages.

Packing lists

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Sources

Checked October 22, 2026. Airline rules change, so check with your airline before you fly.