The 2026 World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC) in Seoul, Republic of Korea, is rapidly approaching. Situated in the Samseong-dong area of the Gangnam District, this year’s venue—the Coex Convention & Exhibition Center—offers convenient access to premier shopping, world-class dining, and must-see cultural attractions.

Seoul is internationally renowned for its fusion of modern lifestyle and historic sites. The city also boasts a world-class public transit system, making it exceptionally easy for travelers to navigate. Familiarizing yourself with the public transportation options, local culture, and essential travel requirements is key to ensuring your trip to Seoul goes as smoothly as possible. We’ve compiled a list of tips for traveling to and around Seoul to help you get started.

Before You Land

Set yourself up for success before arriving in Seoul by making sure you have all the necessary documents required for international travelers. This includes a passport that is valid for at least 6 months beyond your date of departure. Some travelers may qualify for visa-free entry, while others will either need to apply for a visa or a Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA). The K-ETA is an online electronic travel authorization that visa-free foreign visitors must obtain before entering the Republic of Korea for any of the following purposes:

• Tourism
• Visiting relatives
• Attending events or meetings
• Business

Any foreign nationals of a K-ETA-required country or region—including the US, Canada, and Australia—must have a K-ETA in order to enter the Republic of Korea, even if they are visiting visa-free. The assessment typically takes 72 hours; however, it may take longer in some circumstances. International travelers are advised to apply for and receive approval before boarding their flight or ship into the Republic of Korea.

Attendees from countries that require a visa should apply for a short-term visa (C-3-1), specifically for conference attendance. If you are traveling from a country with visa requirements, you can apply in advance through the nearest South Korean embassy.

Other documents that may be required:

• Recent passport-sized photo
• Proof of accommodation and return flight information
• WCLC 2026 invitation from the IASLC (available upon request)

You can find more information about entry requirements on the IASLC travel page and at the links below. Attendees are also encouraged to contact their local Korean embassy for country-specific guidelines.

More information:

• Eligible K-ETA Countries/Applicants
• K-ETA Application Guide
• Korea Visa Portal
• Korea Immigration Service
• More Information About Visas

Arriving in Seoul

Upon arriving at Incheon International Airport, international travelers should follow signs to immigration to complete an Arrival Card. After collecting their baggage, travelers will then proceed through Customs Declaration. Those with items to declare will go to the “Goods to Declare” line (Red Channel), while those without items to declare will proceed to the “Nothing to Declare” line (Green Channel).

Please be advised that certain medications, including those commonly prescribed in some countries to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, and insomnia, are heavily restricted or banned in the Republic of Korea. While some controlled substances are completely prohibited, others may require passengers to obtain advance approval and carry appropriate documentation upon entering the country.

All international travelers are required by Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety to obtain advance approval before entering the Republic of Korea with medications containing controlled substances. More information is available on the Korean Customs website.

Public Transportation in Seoul

Several public transportation options are available once you have cleared customs. The Airport Limousine Bus provides the most direct route to COEX, with its non-stop #6103 service. You can find a bus stop guide, as well as search for and reserve tickets, on the Incheon International Airport website.

Seoul’s subway system is also a popular way to travel around the city. Attendees can take the Airport Railroad Express (AREX) to COEX. From the Incheon International Airport Station, take the AREX to Seoul Station or Hongik University Station, then transfer to Subway Line 2 (Samseong Station) or Line 9 (Bongeunsa Station) if you transfer at Gimpo Airport Station. Both stations connect to COEX.

When riding the subway, you’ll notice some seats are pink or yellow. Please be mindful that these sections are generally reserved for passengers who are elderly, injured, or pregnant.

You can also find taxis at designated stands outside the airport. The Incheon International Airport website provides regularly updated information on taxi availability and locations. Several rideshare services, including Uber, operate in Seoul. Other popular rideshare services include Kakao T, K.Ride, and TADA.

Tips for Navigating Seoul

Seoul’s comprehensive and modern transportation system is often described as easy to navigate, even for first-time visitors. To successfully travel around the city, visitors are encouraged to download Naver Map, one of the most popular navigation apps used in Seoul.

Because of government security restrictions, Google Maps has limited functionality in the Republic of Korea. Naver Map offers real-time information on public transportation routes, traffic updates, and walking directions. Additionally, the app recommends the most efficient transportation routes. KakaoMap is another popular navigation app widely used in Seoul.

A transportation card makes navigating Seoul simple. These rechargeable, prepaid cards allow you to pay for public transportation without the hassle of buying a ticket each time you travel. Several transportation card options are available in Seoul, including the Tmoney Card, EZL Card, WOWPASS, and Climate Card.

Notably, while WOWPASS allows users to load foreign currency, reloading a Tmoney Card at a subway kiosk can only be done with cash—specifically, the Korean Won. For more information, refer to this guide on using a Tmoney card.