Seoul travel tips · October 2026

Visiting Seoul with a Small Dog: A First-Timer's Checklist

Seoul is a surprisingly good city for small dogs. You will see pups in carriers on the subway, in strollers along the Han River and napping under café tables. But if it is your first time here with your dog — whether you are visiting or just moved in — a few local habits and rules are worth knowing before you go. Here is the checklist we would give a friend, from Mungdolphin (멍돌핀), a small-dog café in Gangnam.

1. Paperwork before you fly

Bringing a dog into Korea from abroad is handled by Korea's Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA). Requirements depend on the country you are coming from and can include a microchip, rabies vaccination, a rabies antibody test and a health certificate. Some of these steps take weeks or months, so check APQA's current rules and talk to your vet well before booking your flight.

2. Getting around: subway, bus and taxi

On Seoul's subway and city buses, small pets are generally allowed only inside a closed carrier or bag, with the dog fully inside. A carrier your dog is comfortable in is the single most useful thing you can pack.

Regular taxis are a little hit-and-miss: some drivers are happy to take a dog in a carrier, others may decline. There are also pet taxi services in Seoul that are made for riding with animals — useful for longer trips or if your dog does not love the carrier. Ask your hotel or a local friend which app they use.

3. Walks and manners

• Leash up. Dogs must be on a leash in public places in Korea.
• Bring poop bags and always pick up — public bins can be hard to find, so a small pouch helps.
• Seoul sidewalks are busy. A short leash and a quick lift in crowded spots keep everyone comfortable.
• Pavement gets very hot in summer and icy in winter. Check the ground with your hand before a long walk. (Our winter guide for small dogs has more cold-weather tips.)

4. Finding pet-friendly places

Many restaurants and shops in Seoul do not allow dogs inside, but lots of cafés do. When you search on Naver Map or KakaoMap, add the word “애견동반” (pet-friendly) to your search, and look for a dog sticker on the door. If you are not sure, just ask before walking in.

5. Useful Korean phrases

Before you need it, look up the nearest 24-hour animal hospital (24시 동물병원) to where you are staying and save it on your map. Hopefully you never use it.

6. Plan for places your dog can't go

Palaces, museums and many shops will be off-limits for your dog. Instead of leaving a small dog alone in an unfamiliar room, consider short-term care:

• Play room by the hour — at Mungdolphin, dogs under 5 kg are ₩3,000 per hour and 5–10 kg dogs are ₩4,000 per hour (over 4 hours counts as a full day: ₩30,000 / ₩40,000). The play room is open daily from 9:00 (weekends from 10:00) until 21:30.
• Dog hotel for overnight trips — by reservation and prepayment, one dog per room, from ₩40,000 a night.
• Grooming after a long flight — a bath starts from ₩35,000 (hygiene trim included), by reservation.

More details on how daycare, the hotel and grooming work are in our guide to daycare, dog hotel and grooming in Gangnam.

7. A gentle first day

Long flights and a new city are a lot for a small dog. On day one, keep it simple: a short walk near where you are staying, plenty of water and an early night. When your dog is ready to socialize, a play room is a calm, indoor place to meet other small dogs and burn off energy — rain or shine.

And if you are traveling without your dog and missing them? You are welcome at Mungdolphin too. Grab a drink and spend some time with our resident dogs — see our dog café visiting guide.

Finding Mungdolphin

• Subway: Sinnonhyeon Station (Line 9), about a 7-minute walk, or Nonhyeon Station (Line 7), about 10 minutes.
• Car: Nonhyeon Elementary School public parking lot in front (24 hours, ₩300 per 5 minutes).
• Taxi: show the driver this address 👇