Seoul
First time in Korea
Palaces, shopping districts, food markets, museums, K-culture and night views. Easy to fill several days.
Suggested stay: 3โ5 days
๐บ๏ธ Plan Your Trip
Choose your trip length and style, pick regions and routes, check travel times, then build your days in My Trips.
Plan your Korea trip in 5 steps
- 1Trip length
- 2Travel style
- 3Regions
- 4Getting around
- 5Day by day
Find a trip that fits you
Choose how long you will stay and what you enjoy. We will suggest routes that match.
How long will you stay?
What do you enjoy? (pick any)
Pick a length to see routes.
Where should you go?
Pick a region by what you want from the trip, not by name. Stay lengths are suggestions for a relaxed pace.
Busan
Beach and city
Beaches, seafood, hillside villages and a bright city skyline, all by the sea.
Suggested stay: 2โ3 days
Gyeongju
History and tradition
The old capital of the Silla kingdom: royal tombs, temples and heritage sites you can walk or cycle between.
Suggested stay: 1โ2 days
Jeju
Nature and relaxation
A volcanic island of coastline, hills, walking trails and slow days. Often windy, so check the weather.
Suggested stay: 3โ5 days
Jeonju
Slow travel
Hanok village, traditional food and culture at an unhurried pace.
Suggested stay: 1โ2 days
Gangneung
Mountains and coast
Gangneung and Sokcho on the east coast, with mountains, beaches and outdoor activities. Winters are cold and snowy.
Suggested stay: 1โ2 days each
Incheon
Near the airport
A good first or last stop near Incheon Airport, with a Chinatown, harbour and nearby islands.
Suggested stay: 1 day
Popular Korea routes
Koreaโs geography is easy to misjudge. These routes link places that really work together, with the time it takes to move between them.
Seoul
๐ข EasySeoul in a short stay ยท 1โ3 days
Stay: Seoul 2 nights
Good for: Short stopovers and first visits
Highlights: One palace, a traditional neighbourhood, a market and a night view
Seoul
๐ข EasySeoul first-timer ยท 3โ5 days
Stay: Seoul 4 nights
Good for: Anyone new to Korea
Highlights: Palaces and traditional Korea, modern Seoul, the Han River, markets and food
Seoul โ Busan
๐ก ModerateSeoul and Busan ยท 4โ7 days
Stay: Seoul 3 ยท Busan 2 nights
Good for: A first trip that adds the sea
Highlights: Seoulโs palaces and shopping, then Busanโs beaches, seafood and night views
Getting between stops
- Seoul โ Busan: ๐ KTX, About 2.5 hours
Seoul โ Gyeongju โ Busan
๐ก ModerateClassic Korea ยท 5โ8 days
Stay: Seoul 3 ยท Gyeongju 1 ยท Busan 2 nights
Good for: Travellers who want history as well as the city
Highlights: Seoul, then Silla heritage in Gyeongju, then Busan by the sea
Getting between stops
- Seoul โ Gyeongju: ๐ KTX, About 2 hours to Singyeongju station, then a local bus or taxi into town
- Gyeongju โ Busan: ๐ Train or ๐ bus, About 1 hour or less
Seoul โ Jeonju โ Busan
๐ก ModerateSeoul, Jeonju and Busan ยท 5โ8 days
Stay: Seoul 3 ยท Jeonju 1 ยท Busan 2 nights
Good for: Food lovers who like a slower stop
Highlights: Hanok village and traditional food in Jeonju between two big cities
Getting between stops
- Seoul โ Jeonju: ๐ KTX, About 1.5โ2 hours
- Jeonju โ Busan: ๐ Express bus or train with a change, Allow about 4 hours; no fast direct train
Seoul โ Gangneung โ Busan
๐ก ModerateSeoul, the east coast and Busan ยท 5โ8 days
Stay: Seoul 3 ยท Gangneung 2 ยท Busan 2 nights
Good for: Beach and nature lovers
Highlights: Gangneungโs coast, then the Donghae Line down to Busan
Getting between stops
- Seoul โ Gangneung: ๐ KTX-Eum, About 2 hours
- Gangneung โ Busan: ๐ KTX-Eum on the Donghae Line, About 3 hours 50 minutes, stopping at Gyeongju; only a few trains a day
Seoul โ Jeju
๐ก ModerateSeoul and Jeju ยท 5โ8 days
Stay: Seoul 3 ยท Jeju 3 nights
Good for: Couples and families who want a rest after the city
Highlights: Seoul sightseeing, then Jejuโs coast, hills and walking trails
Getting between stops
- Seoul โ Jeju: โ๏ธ Domestic flight, About 1 hour 15 minutes in the air
Seoul โ Gyeongju โ Busan โ Jeju
๐ด Fast-pacedKorea highlights ยท 8โ12 days
Stay: Seoul 3 ยท Gyeongju 1 ยท Busan 2 ยท Jeju 3 nights
Good for: Active travellers with 8โ12 days
Highlights: City, heritage, sea and island in one trip
Getting between stops
- Seoul โ Gyeongju: ๐ KTX, About 2 hours to Singyeongju station, then a local bus or taxi into town
- Gyeongju โ Busan: ๐ Train or ๐ bus, About 1 hour or less
- Busan โ Jeju: โ๏ธ Domestic flight, About 1 hour in the air
Seoul โ Gangneung โ Gyeongju โ Busan โ Jeju
๐ด Fast-pacedKorea in two weeks ยท 10โ14 days
Stay: Seoul 3 ยท Gangneung 2 ยท Gyeongju 2 ยท Busan 3 ยท Jeju 3 nights
Good for: Travellers who want the widest picture of Korea
Highlights: Seoul, the east coast, Gyeongju, Busan and Jeju, mostly by train
Getting between stops
- Seoul โ Gangneung: ๐ KTX-Eum, About 2 hours
- Gangneung โ Gyeongju: ๐ KTX-Eum on the Donghae Line, On the same line as the GangneungโBusan train; check the timetable
- Gyeongju โ Busan: ๐ Train or ๐ bus, About 1 hour or less
- Busan โ Jeju: โ๏ธ Domestic flight, About 1 hour in the air
Seoul โ Jeonju โ Gyeongju โ Busan โ Jeju
๐ก ModerateThe long, slow tour ยท 14โ24 days
Stay: Seoul 4 ยท Jeonju 2 ยท Gyeongju 2 ยท Busan 4 ยท Jeju 4 nights
Good for: Two weeks or more, with time to rest between moves
Highlights: Longer stays so you are not changing hotels every night
Getting between stops
- Seoul โ Jeonju: ๐ KTX, About 1.5โ2 hours
- Gyeongju โ Busan: ๐ Train or ๐ bus, About 1 hour or less
- Busan โ Jeju: โ๏ธ Domestic flight, About 1 hour in the air
Most routes start and end in Seoul. If you fly into one city and out of another (for example Incheon in, Busan out), you save a day of backtracking.
Approximate times. Confirm on the day you book.
Themed trips
Not sure which route? Start from what you love and follow the suggested outline.
First time in Korea
3โ5 days ยท Seoul
Palaces and old Seoul, a market and street food, a modern district, the Han River at sunset
K-culture
4 days ยท Seoul
Music and entertainment districts, exhibitions, shopping streets and a live show if you can book one
Food lover
5โ6 days ยท Seoul โ Jeonju โ Busan
Seoul markets and cafรฉs, Jeonjuโs traditional cooking, Busan seafood
History and tradition
5โ7 days ยท Seoul โ Gyeongju โ Busan
Seoulโs palaces, a night in Gyeongju among royal tombs and temples, then Busan
Beach and city
5โ6 days ยท Seoul โ Busan
Seoul for three days, then Busanโs beaches, seafood and coastal walks
Nature
5โ7 days ยท Seoul โ Gangneung โ Busan
A short Seoul stay, then Gangwonโs coast and mountains
Family-friendly
5โ7 days ยท Seoul โ Jeju
Fewer, shorter days with parks, museums and an island rest at the end
Couple trip
5โ7 days ยท Seoul โ Gyeongju โ Busan
Night views, hanok stays, a quiet Gyeongju evening and Busanโs coast
Shopping
4 days ยท Seoul
Group shopping areas by day so you do not cross the city repeatedly
Getting between cities
Koreaโs public transport works well, but distances between regions are longer than they look on a map. Intercity travel mainly uses trains, express buses and domestic flights, and each city has its own subway, buses and taxis.
| From โ to | How | Approximate time |
|---|---|---|
| Seoul โ Busan | ๐ KTX | About 2.5 hours |
| Seoul โ Gyeongju | ๐ KTX | About 2 hours to Singyeongju station, then a local bus or taxi into town |
| Gyeongju โ Busan | ๐ Train or ๐ bus | About 1 hour or less |
| Seoul โ Jeonju | ๐ KTX | About 1.5โ2 hours |
| Jeonju โ Busan | ๐ Express bus or train with a change | Allow about 4 hours; no fast direct train |
| Seoul โ Gangneung | ๐ KTX-Eum | About 2 hours |
| Gangneung โ Busan | ๐ KTX-Eum on the Donghae Line | About 3 hours 50 minutes, stopping at Gyeongju; only a few trains a day |
| Seoul โ Jeju | โ๏ธ Domestic flight | About 1 hour 15 minutes in the air |
| Busan โ Jeju | โ๏ธ Domestic flight | About 1 hour in the air |
| Gyeongju โ Jeju | ๐ to Busan, then โ๏ธ flight | Go back through Busan; plan most of a day |
| Seoul โ Sokcho | ๐ Express bus | Allow about 2.5 hours; check the bus operator |
Approximate times. Confirm on the day you book.
- Book KTX seats early for weekends and holidays; they can sell out.
- Foreign visitors can buy a KORAIL Pass for unlimited train travel over set days. Compare it with single tickets for your route.
- Domestic flights to Jeju can be the fastest option, but allow time to reach the airport and check in.
Where should you stay?
Choose your base by how you will spend your evenings and how close you want to be to the subway. In big cities, staying near a subway station saves more time than anything else.
Seoul areas
| Area | Best for |
|---|---|
| Myeongdong | Shopping, a central location, first-time visitors |
| Hongdae | Nightlife, cafรฉs, younger travellers |
| Insadong and Jongno | Palaces, traditional Korea, culture |
| Gangnam | Modern Seoul, shopping, business trips |
| Area | Best for |
|---|---|
| Busan | Haeundae for the beach, Seomyeon for transport and food, Nampo for markets and the old port |
| Jeju | Jeju City near the airport and shops, Seogwipo for the south coast and quieter stays |
| Gyeongju | Near the downtown heritage sites so you can walk to them in the evening |
Tip: changing hotels every night costs half a day. Staying two or three nights in each base is usually more comfortable.
Best places by season
Spring ยท MarchโMay
Seoul, Gyeongju, Jeju
Spring flowers and comfortable walking. Popular flower weeks get crowded, so book early.
Summer ยท JuneโAugust
Busan, Jeju, Gangneung, Sokcho
Beaches and sea, but heat, humidity, the rainy season and typhoons. Keep indoor backup plans.
Autumn ยท SeptemberโNovember
Seoul, Gyeongju, Seoraksan, Jeonju
Mild weather, autumn colours and festivals. Often the most comfortable season for sightseeing.
Winter ยท DecemberโFebruary
Seoul, Pyeongchang, Gangwon, Busan
Cold and dry, with skiing and snow scenery in Gangwon. Busan is milder than Seoul.
Choose your arrival airport
Where you land shapes your best route.
Incheon Airport
The main gateway. Best for Seoul, and the start of most routes to Gangwon, Jeonju and Busan.
Gimhae Airport
Closest to Busan, and a good way into Gyeongju.
Jeju Airport
For a trip focused on Jeju Island.
Build your itinerary without burning out
Do not pack too many places into one day
Moving between distant areas takes longer than it looks on the map.
Group nearby sights together
For example, in Seoul: Gyeongbokgung, Bukchon, Insadong, then Myeongdong, all in the same area of the city.
Leave free time
Leave room for meals, shopping, cafรฉs and unexpected finds.
Is my day too busy?
Count the places you plan for one day and the hours you will spend travelling between them.
This day may be too busy. Consider moving one place to another day.
Reservations and opening hours
Check these before you put a place into a day. Hours and closing days change often, so use the official page for the final answer.
| ๐ด Reservation recommended | Popular shows, K-pop experiences, some observation decks, popular restaurants, theme parks, DMZ tours and some cultural classes |
| ๐ก Check opening hours | Palaces, museums and markets: many close one day a week, so check the closing day before you plan |
| ๐ข Usually no reservation | Streets, parks, most neighbourhoods and open-air sights |
Make it your own trip
Save places from the map, then arrange them day by day in My Trips. You can sign in to keep your trips across devices.
Before you finalise your plan
Entry rules can change. Check each item on the official site and your own passport rules before you book.
At the airport, declare any goods you must declare. Read the customs guide before you pack.
Official resources
- VISITKOREA
Places to visit, events and suggested courses
- KORAIL
Train timetables, tickets and the KORAIL Pass
- K-ETA
Official K-ETA site: check if you need it
- e-Arrival Card
The official free service. Use only this address and beware of look-alike sites.
- Korea Customs Service
Rules for what to declare when you arrive
Guides
- ItinerariesSeoul in 3 Days: A First-Time Itinerary
A relaxed three-day plan for first-time visitors to Seoul: palaces and old neighborhoods, Namsan and design districts, then trendy areas and the Han River, with closing-day and transport tips.
Read the guide - ItinerariesEasy Day Trips from Seoul
Discover easy day trips from Seoul, including Suwon, the DMZ, Nami Island, Incheon, Korean Folk Village, Gangneung and Jeonju. Compare travel time, transport, highlights and sample itineraries.
Read the guide - RegionsJeollanam-do (Namdo): Tidal Flats, Tea Fields, Bamboo and Food
A guide to Koreaโs southwest: Suncheon Bay and the UNESCO tidal flats, Boseong tea fields, Damyang bamboo forest, Naganeupseong walled town, Yeosuโs waterfront and Namdo food.
Read the guide - Nature & outdoorsWalking Korea: The Dulle Trail, Jeju Olle and the Seoul Trail
A guide to Koreaโs long-distance walking routes: the 4,500 km Korea Dulle Trail and its four segments, Jeju Olle Trail, the Seoul Trail, and how to use the Durunubi app.
Read the guide - PlanningThe Best Official Travel Resources for Korea (and Which Languages They Support)
A guide to Koreaโs official tourism portals and apps: VisitKorea, Visit Seoul, the Odii audio guide, Durunubi, Wi-Fi Free, Templestay, Namdo tourism and the 1330 helpline.
Read the guide - PlanningBest Time to Visit Korea: Season-by-Season Guide
What each season in South Korea offers: cherry blossoms, summer monsoon, autumn foliage and winter festivals, with weather and crowd tips for planning.
Read the guide
Tools and quick answers
- My Trips in My KoreaBuild day-by-day trips from your saved places.
- Korea MapExplore regions and save places.
- Trip Readiness CheckerCheck what to prepare for your dates.
- Transportation GuidePlan how to get around.
- First 24 Hours in KoreaPlan your first day.
- Can I...? Quick AnswersQuick answers while you plan.