What to Wear in Seoul in Winter: December to February Guide

What to Wear in Seoul in Winter: December to February Guide

 

Pack for real cold.

Seoul's coldest month, January, averages about -2°C, nights often drop below -10°C during cold snaps, and the wind makes it feel colder, so bring a long padded coat, a hat, gloves and warm layers you can take off indoors.

Indoors, Korean buildings, subways and cafés are heated, often very warm.

That combination, freezing outside and toasty inside, is what makes packing for Seoul tricky.

We have spent many winters in Seoul as a family, and below is how we actually dress, month by month.

How cold is Seoul in winter?

Seoul has a continental climate, so winters are much colder than in many cities at a similar latitude.

The Korea Meteorological Administration's 30-year normal for January in Seoul is about -2°C as a daily average.

Cold waves from Siberia bring a few days at a time that are far colder.

The air is dry, snow is light and occasional, and sunny days are common.

 

Month	What it feels like	What we wear
December	Cold, getting colder, first frosts and the odd snow day	Padded jacket, sweater, scarf
January	Coldest month, dry, windy, cold waves below -10°C at night	Long padded coat, thermal layer, hat, gloves
February	Still cold early, softer late in the month	Padded coat early, lighter coat by late February

 

Check the forecast the week before you fly.

The difference between a mild week and a cold wave is huge, and Korean weather apps announce cold waves days ahead.

Do I really need a long padded coat?

For January, yes, if you will be outdoors much.

Walk around Seoul in winter and you will see the «long padding», a knee-length puffer coat, on students, office workers and grandparents alike.

It is not a fashion choice so much as survival at a bus stop in the wind.

If you do not own one, a warm parka plus thermal leggings under your trousers works.

Many visitors buy a padded coat in Seoul.

Big shopping areas sell them in every price range, and winter sales start around the new year.

How do Seoul locals layer for winter?

The secret is layers that come off easily.

You will be sweating in a heated subway car or a department store ten minutes after shivering on the street.

Our standard January outfit:

1. A thin thermal top and leggings (Korean stores sell these everywhere).

2. A normal shirt or light sweater.

3. A long padded coat that zips open.

4. Hat, neck warmer and gloves in the coat pockets.

We skip thick sweaters in the middle layer, because it is too hot indoors.

What shoes should I pack for Seoul in winter?

Comfortable, waterproof walking shoes with good grip.

Seoul is a walking city, and you will cover many kilometers a day between subway transfers, palaces and markets.

After snow, side streets and hills can be icy for a few days.

Thick socks matter more than heavy boots.

If you visit temples or traditional restaurants, you will take your shoes off, so shoes that slip on and off quickly save time.

What should kids wear in Seoul in winter?

Children feel the wind more and complain less until it is too late.

We put our kids in one-piece snow suits when they were small and long padded coats when they got older.

Mittens on a string, a hat that covers the ears and hand warmers in pockets make outings much happier.

Disposable hand warmers called «hot packs» are sold at every convenience store and are a winter staple in Korea.

What about dry air and skin?

Seoul winter air is very dry, and heated rooms make it drier.

Bring lip balm, a good moisturizer and a small refillable water bottle.

Korean pharmacies and beauty stores sell hand cream everywhere, often in travel sizes.

Some hotels lend humidifiers if you ask, which helps a lot with kids.

Is winter a good time to visit Seoul?

For many visitors it is a great time.

Skies are often clear, popular spots are less crowded than in spring and autumn, and winter brings its own pleasures, such as street snacks, ski trips, ice skating and warm cafés.

Christmas lights and the new year sunrise are also big events.

Two dates to plan around are the Lunar New Year holidays, usually in late January or February, when many shops close and trains sell out, and the cold waves, which can make outdoor sightseeing uncomfortable for a few days.

What is easy to forget when packing for Seoul in winter?

 

Item	Why it matters
Thermal underwear	Lets you wear normal clothes on top
Hat that covers ears	Wind chill on bridges and riverside paths
Touchscreen gloves	You will use maps and translation apps outdoors
Lip balm and hand cream	Very dry air
Small backpack	To carry layers you take off indoors
Hand warmers	Long waits for buses or outdoor events

 

What does a winter day in Seoul actually look like?

A typical clear January day for us starts well below freezing on the walk to the subway.

By lunchtime in the sun, it can feel almost pleasant out of the wind.

By late afternoon it drops fast, and the riverside paths and bridges are the coldest places in the city.

So we plan outdoor sightseeing for the middle of the day and indoor places for early morning and evening.

Palaces, markets and walks along Cheonggyecheon fit the warm hours.

Museums, malls, cafés and jjimjilbangs fit the cold ones.

What should I pack for a ski trip or a trip outside Seoul?

Ski resorts in Gangwon Province are colder and snowier than Seoul.

Most resorts rent skiwear, so you do not need to pack bulky ski pants unless you prefer your own.

Bring thermal layers, a neck warmer and goggles if you have them.

Busan and the south coast are milder than Seoul in winter but still cold enough for a proper coat, especially with the sea wind.

Jeju is milder again, but the wind there is famous, so a windproof layer matters more than heavy padding.

What do Seoul locals wear for the new year sunrise and outdoor events?

Outdoor events in winter, such as the bell ringing on New Year's Eve or watching the first sunrise of the year, mean standing still in the cold for a long time.

That is when Koreans wear everything at once: long padding, two pairs of socks, heat packs in every pocket and sometimes a blanket.

If you plan to join one of these events, dress more warmly than you think you need.

Can I wear fashionable clothes and still be warm?

Yes, and Seoul is a great place to try.

Many young Koreans wear a wool coat over thin heated or thermal layers, with a scarf and a beanie.

It works for short walks between subway stations and cafés.

For long days outdoors, the padded coat wins.

Our compromise for visitors: bring one warm coat and one lighter coat, and decide each morning from the forecast.

Frequently asked questions

Does it snow in Seoul?

Yes, a few times each winter, usually light. Heavy snow that lasts for days is unusual.

Is December or January colder in Seoul?

January is usually the coldest month. December starts milder and gets colder toward Christmas.

Can I buy winter clothes in Seoul?

Easily. Padded coats, thermals, hats and gloves are sold everywhere, from markets to department stores.

Is the subway warm in winter?

Yes, stations and trains are heated, so dress in layers you can open.

For the tastiest part of a Seoul winter, read MARU's guide to the fish bread with no fish and other winter street snacks, and if you visit in November or December, kimjang season is in full swing.

 

Related on MARU Magazine: What Is Bungeoppang? Korean Winter Street Food Explained

Sources: Korea Meteorological Administration (weather.go.kr) climate normals 1991–2020 for Seoul; Visit Korea (english.visitkorea.or.kr) seasonal travel information.