Restrooms and throwing away trash

Yes. Public restrooms are common in subway stations, parks, tourist sites and highway rest areas, and many are free, though fees and opening hours vary by facility. Restrooms in large malls, department stores and fast-food outlets are often available too. Search 'hwajangsil' or 'public restroom' in a map app to find the nearest one.

Most public restrooms are free to use. Toilet paper is sometimes provided at the entrance rather than inside each stall, so check before you go in. Café and restaurant restrooms are usually for customers, and some have a door code printed on your receipt or given by staff.

In most public restrooms today, yes. Korea changed its rules to remove waste bins from public toilet stalls and encourage flushing paper. Some older buildings or small facilities may still ask you to use a bin because of weak plumbing, so follow any posted signs.

Women's stalls usually have a small separate bin for sanitary products. Never flush pads or diapers, as they can block the plumbing. If there is no bin in the stall, wrap the item in tissue and use the trash can near the sinks.

Bidet toilets are common in Korea, with a control panel beside the seat showing picture icons. There are usually buttons for wash, bidet, dry and stop; always press stop when you finish. If it is your first time, turn the water pressure down before you start.

Korea uses a pay-as-you-throw waste system with strict recycling rules, and many areas reduced street bins partly because people dumped household trash in them. As a result, you may need to carry your rubbish for a while. Subway stations, convenience stores and your accommodation are good places to throw it away.

Waste is split into general trash, food waste and recyclables such as plastic, cans, glass and paper. Clear, colorless water and drink bottles should be emptied, have their labels removed and be put out separately; check local rules for colored bottles. If your lodging has sorting bins, follow the labels and its instructions.

Yes. Food waste is collected separately from general trash. If you eat delivery food at your lodging, drain leftover food and put it in food waste, then rinse containers for recycling. Bones, shells and eggshells go in general trash in many areas, but some local governments treat them as food waste, so follow local rules.

If you eat at the store's eating area, use its bins and sorting containers. There is often a separate spot for pouring out leftover instant noodle broth. If you ate outside, carry your trash to another store or back to your accommodation rather than leaving it on the street.

Most subway stations have restrooms, located either inside or outside the ticket gates. Station maps and signs show where they are. If the restroom is inside the gates, you need to tap your transit card to enter, so plan to use it before leaving the paid area.

Subway stations, public buildings and large malls often have accessible restrooms and diaper-changing tables. More facilities are adding family restrooms and nursing rooms too. Small shops and older buildings may lack these, so plan restroom breaks around larger facilities. Station staff can point you to the nearest one.

Many public restrooms, especially those required by local rules to have safety equipment, have emergency call buttons in stalls or sink areas, but not every restroom does. Pressing one may alert building staff or connect to police. If you spot a suspicious hole or device that could be a hidden camera, do not tamper with it; report it to 112.

General trash must go in designated paid bags specific to each district. They are sold at convenience stores and supermarkets, and as a rule you must use the bags designated for that area. Short-term travelers usually just use their accommodation's bins, but in a longer-term rental you may need to buy local bags.

The usual practice is to form a single line at the entrance and take the next free stall, rather than waiting in front of individual doors. If a stall door is closed, knock lightly before opening it. People inside often knock back to signal that it is occupied.

Restrooms at Korean highway rest areas are generally spacious and well kept. Rest areas also have food courts, convenience stores and coffee shops, making them handy breaks on long bus trips. Express bus stops are short, so remember your departure time and bus number.

Popular trailheads and beaches usually have public restrooms. Higher up the mountain there are often none, so go before you start hiking. Some beaches open showers and changing facilities only during the official swimming season. Carrying tissues and hand sanitizer is a good idea on long hikes.

Men's restrooms are marked 남 (nam) and women's 여 (yeo), usually with pictograms too. Men's signs are often blue and women's red, but not always. The word for restroom is hwajangsil, which is useful when asking for directions. Many signs also include English.

Yes. Dropping trash or cigarette butts on the street can result in a fine, and enforcement happens in some tourist areas and beaches. If you cannot find a bin, carry a small bag to collect your rubbish until you reach a place to dispose of it properly.

At hotels, just use the room bins. Guesthouses and short-term rentals often ask guests to separate general waste, recyclables and food waste. Follow the guide you received at check-in, and message your host if you are unsure how to sort something.

Many cafés have a return station where you pour out ice and leftover drink and separate the cup and lid. If you drink in, you may be given a reusable cup, which you simply leave at the return counter. Never leave a takeaway cup on the street; hold onto it until you find a bin.