Korea Pharmacy Guide: How To Buy Medicine Without a Prescription as a Tourist

If you get a headache or stomachache while traveling in Korea, you can easily buy medicine at a pharmacy or convenience store. Even if you don't speak Korean, you can purchase medicine without a prescription, so there's no need to worry. This guide covers everything tourists need to know about Korean pharmacies. It includes how to find pharmacies (including at night), a list of over-the-counter medicines, how to communicate with pharmacists, and useful Korean phrases to save on your smartphone.

In Korean pharmacies, you can buy most over-the-counter medicines like cold medicine, pain relievers, digestive aids, and ointments without a prescription. Even if you don't speak English, or if it's late at night, we've got you covered — all the details are below.

Understanding Korean Pharmacies

In Korea, pharmacies are called yakguk — pronounced "yakguk." There are about 21,000 pharmacies nationwide, and you can find one within a 5-minute walk in any neighborhood. They are clustered around subway exits, large shopping malls, and near hospitals.

Pharmacy signs can be identified by a green cross or the Korean word 약국. Even if you don't know any Korean, just look for the green cross. Convenience stores (CU, GS25, 7-Eleven) also sell 13 designated over-the-counter medicines like Tylenol, ibuprofen, and digestive aids 24 hours a day — if the nearest pharmacy is closed at night, a convenience store is a good alternative. However, the selection and quantity are much more limited than at a pharmacy, so it's better to buy proper medicine at a pharmacy.

Typical operating hours are 9 AM to 9 PM, six days a week. Many pharmacies close on Sundays and public holidays, but there are 24-hour pharmacies and a duty pharmacy system, so you can get medicine at any time.

TIP: Medicine prices are very affordable. A box of painkillers costs ₩2,000~₩5,000, and cold medicine is around ₩5,000~₩8,000. Most places accept credit cards, but cash can be convenient — check out our Korea Currency Exchange Guide for the best exchange methods.

How To Find Pharmacies

Using Map Apps

Search for "pharmacy" or "yakguk" on Google Maps to get a list of nearby pharmacies. For more accurate results, I recommend the Naver Map app — it has more precise Korean data and shows real-time business hours. You can search "약국" (copy and paste available) or "pharmacy" in English. Open pharmacies are marked in green, closed ones in gray.

Finding 24-Hour Pharmacies

If you suddenly feel unwell at night, search for "24시 약국" or "24-hour pharmacy Korea" on Naver Map or Google Maps. In major areas like Hongdae, Gangnam, and Jongno in Seoul, there's always at least one open. When I needed a pharmacy at 11 PM due to a sudden headache, I found one just a 3-minute walk away using this method.

Finding English-Speaking Pharmacies

In tourist-heavy areas like Itaewon, Myeongdong, Hongdae, and Gangnam, there are quite a few pharmacies with English-speaking pharmacists. But even without English, you're fine — check the communication section below for ways to overcome language barriers. If you need English-speaking medical services, contact the Seoul Global Center (02-2075-4180) for information on English-speaking medical institutions.

Incheon Airport Pharmacies

If you need medicine right after arriving at the airport: Incheon Airport Terminal 1 has several pharmacies on the B1 floor (Shinsegae Pharmacy) and the 3rd-floor check-in area — Hello Pharmacy, SKYWELL Pharmacy, etc., operate from 6 AM to 10 PM. Terminal 2 also has pharmacies in the 3rd-floor departure area. Note that airport pharmacies may be slightly more expensive than those in the city.

Over-the-Counter Medicines — Symptom Guide

Korea has a clear distinction between prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines due to its separation of prescribing and dispensing system. The best news for travelers: Most medicines for common symptoms can be bought without a prescription.

Symptom	Recommended Product	Main Ingredient	Price Range	Notes
Headache / Fever	Tylenol, Easyen6Ib	Acetaminophen / Ibuprofen	₩3,000~₩5,000	Sold in packs of 8~20 tablets
Cold (General)	Coldaewon, Panpyrin-Q	Cold compound ingredients	₩4,000~₩7,000	Contains drowsiness-inducing ingredients
Nasal Congestion / Allergy	Zyrtec, Claritin	Cetirizine, Loratadine	₩6,000~₩12,000	Effective for pollen and dust allergies
Indigestion / Bloating	Festal Gold, BeaZ	Digestive enzyme complex	₩3,000~₩6,000	Effective after greasy Korean meals
Diarrhea	JeongroHwan, Smecta	Charcoal / Smectite	₩2,000~₩5,000	Also used for mild food poisoning
Wounds / Abrasions	Madecassol, Fusidic	Antibiotic ointment	₩5,000~₩9,000	A must-buy for foreign travelers
Motion Sickness	Kimit, Bonaring	Antihistamine	₩3,000~₩5,000	Take before boarding boats or buses
Muscle Pain / Bruises	JeilPaf, Trast	Indomethacin patch	₩4,000~₩8,000	Korean patches — essential for long walking days

TIP: Korean patches (pas) are famous worldwide. After a day of hiking or walking, buy a patch from a pharmacy. It's stronger than Tiger Balm and cheaper. Many foreign travelers buy several to take home.

How To Communicate in Pharmacies

Even if the pharmacist doesn't speak English, buying medicine is no problem. Here are three methods I've tried and found effective.

Method 1: Use Smartphone Translation

Use the Google Translate app to translate "I have a headache" or "I have a cold" into Korean and show the screen to the pharmacist. They are used to this situation. The Papago app has better Korean-English translation accuracy than Google Translate, so it's good to have it installed. You'll need data to use the app, so I recommend preparing a SIM or eSIM before entering Korea.

Method 2: Speak English First

Say "Do you speak English?" or "English, please?" and the pharmacist will either call an English-speaking staff member, pull out a translation app, or respond in basic English. Most pharmacists know the English names of major medicines.

Method 3: Show Product Names Directly

Check the product names in the table above and say "Tylenol juseyo" or write down the product name and show it at the counter. In Korean pharmacies, medicines are often displayed behind the counter, so you can't pick them up yourself. Knowing the product name speeds things up.

If You Need a Prescription

Antibiotics, sleeping pills, antidepressants, and strong painkillers require a prescription. If you need these, you must visit a hospital first. The procedure for foreigners visiting hospitals is simple — bring your passport and inform the reception that you're a foreigner. You must pay the consultation fee directly as health insurance is not covered, usually between ₩30,000 and ₩80,000.

Once you have a prescription, take it to the pharmacy right next to the hospital (there's almost always one attached). If you have travel insurance, keep all receipts to claim them after returning home.

Note: Prescription narcotic painkillers (opioids) or psychotropic drugs from your home country may require special permission. Check with the Korean embassy or the Korea Food and Drug Administration before entering. You can find the full list of items to be cautious about bringing in the Korea Customs Declaration Guide.

Scenario Guide for Tourists

If You Get Sick at Night

If you get a headache at 11 PM: Search for "24시 약국" on the Naver Map app. Near Hongdae Station, Gangnam Station, and Jongno 3-ga in Seoul, there are always pharmacies open at night. In small provincial cities, call 119 for English interpretation services and guidance to the nearest open pharmacy or emergency room.

If You Just Arrived at the Airport

There are pharmacies on the B1 floor of Terminal 1 and the 3rd-floor departure area of Terminal 2 at Incheon Airport. Before heading into the city — before deciding whether to take the airport bus or subway — it's a good idea to grab some basic medicine, especially a box of painkillers for headaches or jet lag fatigue after a long flight.

If You Get Sick on Weekends or Holidays

Even on holidays and weekends, there's a government-designated duty pharmacy system, so at least one pharmacy is open in every area. You can find currently operating duty pharmacies on the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service app. Or call 119 for guidance.

Useful Korean Phrases

Situation	Korean	Pronunciation	English
Describing Symptoms	머리가 아파요	meori-ga apa-yo	I have a headache
Describing Symptoms	배가 아파요	bae-ga apa-yo	My stomach hurts
Describing Symptoms	열이 있어요	yeori isseo-yo	I have a fever
Describing Symptoms	기침이 나요	gichimi na-yo	I have a cough
Requesting Purchase	이거 주세요	ige juseyo	Give me this, please
Requesting Purchase	진통제 있어요?	jintongje isseo-yo?	Do you have painkillers?
Requesting English	영어 할 수 있어요?	yeongeo hal su isseo-yo?	Can you speak English?
Checking Price	얼마예요?	eolma-ye-yo?	How much is it?

TIP: Take a screenshot of this table or save it in a memo app. You can view it offline even without Wi-Fi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy medicine without a prescription at Korean pharmacies?

Yes. Most everyday medicines like cold medicine, pain relievers, digestive aids, antidiarrheals, wound ointments, and allergy medicines can be bought without a prescription. Antibiotics, sleeping pills, and narcotic painkillers require a prescription.

Are there pharmacies where I can communicate in English?

In tourist-heavy areas like Itaewon, Myeongdong, and Hongdae in Seoul, there are many pharmacies with English-speaking pharmacists. In other areas, using Google Translate or directly showing product names works well.

How do I find 24-hour pharmacies?

Search for "24시 약국" on Naver Map or Google Maps. There are always pharmacies open at night in major areas of Seoul. In the provinces or on holidays, you can call 119 for guidance.

Are Korean medicines stronger or weaker than foreign medicines?

They generally follow international standards. Check the ingredient names like Tylenol 500mg or Ibuprofen 200mg. It's best to start with the minimum recommended dose when trying them for the first time.

Can I bring prescription medicine into Korea while traveling?

For typical prescription medicines (blood pressure, diabetes meds, etc.), bring them in their original containers with a copy of the prescription. Narcotic painkillers or psychotropic drugs may require special permission, so check in advance.

How much do medicines cost?

Painkillers (8 tablets) cost ₩3,000~₩4,000, general cold medicine (10 doses) ₩5,000~₩8,000, digestive aids ₩3,000~₩5,000, and wound ointments ₩6,000~₩9,000. Overall, they're quite affordable, and most places accept credit cards.

Korean pharmacies are very accessible for travelers. Even if you don't speak the language, don't have a prescription, or it's late at night — you can get the medicine you need in most situations. There are plenty of pharmacies, the pharmacists are friendly, and the prices are low, so don't worry too much.