Your first day in Korea goes smoother when you tackle things in the right order. Get online first — a SIM or eSIM turns your phone into a map, translator and payment tool the moment you leave the gate. Next, pick up a T-money card so you can tap onto any bus, subway or taxi without hunting for cash. Only then do the apps and the ride into town fall into place, because each step builds on the one before it.

Use this arrival checklist for your first 24 hours. Each card is one task, with how long it takes and a link to the full guide. Skim it on the plane, then work top to bottom once you land.