1330 is the number to save before your trip to Korea. It's a free tourist help line run by the Korea Tourism Organization, and English-speaking staff answer 24 hours a day. They can help with directions, translation, opening hours, complaints, and much more.
How to call 1330
| Your phone | What to dial |
|---|---|
| Korean SIM or eSIM | 1330 |
| Foreign SIM (roaming) | +82-2-1330 |
| Calling about a specific region | Area code + 1330 (for example 051-1330 for Busan) |
The help service itself is free. Your phone carrier's normal call charges may apply, especially when roaming.
Languages and hours
- English, Japanese, Chinese, Korean: 24 hours, all year
- Russian, Vietnamese, Thai, Malay/Indonesian: daytime hours (about 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
Text chat in the main languages is also offered through messaging apps. Check the official VisitKorea site for the current list of chat channels.
What 1330 can help with
- Translation over the phone: hand your phone to a taxi driver, shop clerk or restaurant staff, and the operator translates
- Directions and public transport routes
- Opening hours, admission and event information
- Accommodation and festival information
- Tourist complaints, such as overcharging
- Connecting you to other services like immigration (1345)
How to use 1330 as a live interpreter
This is the most useful trick for visitors, and many people don't know it.
- Call 1330 (or +82-2-1330 from a foreign SIM).
- Choose English from the menu.
- Tell the operator briefly what's happening: "I'm in a taxi and the driver doesn't understand my hotel address."
- When the operator is ready, hand your phone to the driver, clerk or staff member. The operator speaks to them in Korean.
- Take the phone back and the operator tells you the answer in English.
Keep it short and specific. Have the place name, address or booking number ready before you call.
Real situations where 1330 helps
| Situation | What to ask 1330 |
|---|---|
| Taxi driver can't find your hotel | Ask them to explain the address to the driver |
| Restaurant menu has no English | Ask what a dish is, or whether it contains pork, nuts or seafood |
| You think a shop or taxi overcharged you | Ask how to file a tourist complaint and what details to keep (receipt, plate number, time) |
| You're not sure which bus or subway to take | Give your start point and destination and ask for the route |
| A palace or museum looks closed | Ask about the closed day and opening hours |
| You lost something on the subway or in a taxi | Ask which lost-and-found center to contact |
1330 can explain and connect, but it can't fix every problem for you. For lost items, refunds or disputes, it will usually tell you which office handles it.
What to say: a simple script
You don't need perfect English. Something like this works:
"Hello, I'm a tourist. I need help talking to a taxi driver. I'm going to [hotel name] in [area]. Can you explain it to the driver?"
"Hi, I'm at [place]. I want to go to [place]. Which subway line should I take?"
If the line is busy, try again in a few minutes, or use the chat option on the official VisitKorea channels.
In Seoul: the 120 Dasan Call Center
Seoul has its own city help line, 120. For English, dial 120, press 9, then 1. From outside Seoul dial 02-120, and from abroad +82-2-731-2120. The foreign-language service runs weekdays 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (not on public holidays), according to Seoul district information pages.
It's useful for Seoul-specific questions like city transport and public facilities. Outside those hours, or anywhere outside Seoul, use 1330.
Which number to call
| Number | Use it for | Hours (English) |
|---|---|---|
| 1330 | Travel help, interpretation, complaints, anywhere in Korea | 24 hours |
| 120 (Seoul) | Seoul city information | Weekdays 9:00-18:00 |
| 1345 | Visa and immigration questions | Check before calling |
| 112 | Police | 24 hours |
| 119 | Fire and ambulance | 24 hours |
Emergency numbers
1330 is not an emergency line. For emergencies call:
| Number | Service |
|---|---|
| 112 | Police |
| 119 | Fire and ambulance |
| 1345 | Immigration information |
If you can, have a Korean speaker call for you. If not, speak English slowly and clearly: emergency lines can bring in interpreters.
FAQ
Is 1330 free?
The service itself is free. If you call with a roaming foreign SIM, your carrier's normal call charges apply. With a Korean eSIM or SIM, calls are usually included in your plan.
Can 1330 book things for me?
It's an information and interpretation line, not a booking service. It can tell you how and where to book, and help you talk to the place directly.
Final word
Save +82-2-1330 in your contacts now. When you're stuck with a taxi driver, a menu, or a train ticket, a free English-speaking helper is one call away, at any hour.