trip to korea cost reddit

• Travel Planning Guide

South Korea Travel Budget - Visit South Korea on a Budget or Travel in Style

• South Korea Costs

• Is South Korea Expensive?
• How much does a trip to South Korea cost?
• South Korea On-Your-Own Itineraries
• Pyeongchang
• Busan (Pusan)
• Cheju (Jeju)
• South Korea Hotel Prices
• South Korea Cities: Hotel Prices by City
• Best Hotels for a Weekend Getaway in South Korea
• Best Romantic Hotels for Couples in South Korea
• Best Beach Hotels in South Korea
• Best Hotels for First Time Visitors in South Korea
• Best Business Hotels in South Korea
• Best Hotels for One Night in South Korea
• Best Family-Friendly Hotels in South Korea
• Best Cheap Hotels in South Korea
• Best Hotels for Skiing in South Korea
• Best Pet-Friendly Hotels in South Korea
• Best Luxury Hotels in South Korea
• Best Hotels for One Week in South Korea
• Where Do Backpackers Go in South Korea? A Review of Hostels and Guesthouses.
• Hostel Prices & Reviews
• South Korea Tour Prices
• The Best Family-Friendly Tours to South Korea
• The Best Historical Tours in South Korea
• The Best 10-Day Tours in South Korea
• The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in South Korea
• The Best Christmas & New Years Tours in South Korea
• The Best Adventure Tours to South Korea
• The Best Sightseeing Tours in South Korea
• The Best Cultural Tours in South Korea
• The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in South Korea
• The Best Luxury Tours to South Korea
• The Best Tours for Seniors to South Korea
• How much does it cost to travel to South Korea? (Average Daily Cost)
• South Korea trip costs: one week, two weeks, one month

How much do package tours cost in South Korea?

Is south korea expensive to visit.

• How much do I need for a trip to South Korea?
• Accommodation, Food, Entertainment, and Transportation Costs
• Travel Guide

How much does it cost to travel to South Korea?

You should plan to spend around $110 (₩147,903) per day on your vacation in South Korea. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.

Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:

• $28 (₩38,176) on meals
• $16 (₩21,533) on local transportation
• $100 (₩133,776) on hotels

A one week trip to South Korea for two people costs, on average, $1,541 (₩2,070,644) . This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.

• Travel Style: All Budget (Cheap) Mid-Range Luxury (High-End)
• Average Daily Cost Per person, per day $ 110 ₩ 147,903
• One Week Per person $ 770 ₩ 1,035,322
• 2 Weeks Per person $ 1,541 ₩ 2,070,644
• One Month Per person $ 3,301 ₩ 4,437,095
• One Week For a couple $ 1,541 ₩ 2,070,644
• 2 Weeks For a couple $ 3,081 ₩ 4,141,289
• One Month For a couple $ 6,602 ₩ 8,874,190

How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to South Korea cost?

A one week trip to South Korea usually costs around $770 (₩1,035,322) for one person and $1,541 (₩2,070,644) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

A two week trip to South Korea on average costs around $1,541 (₩2,070,644) for one person and $3,081 (₩4,141,289) for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in South Korea will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.

A one month trip to South Korea on average costs around $3,301 (₩4,437,095) for one person and $6,602 (₩8,874,190) for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.

Organized tours are usually more expensive than independent travel, but offer convenience and peace of mind that your trip has been planned by a travel expert.

The average price for an organized tour package in South Korea is $340 per day. While every tour varies by total price, length, number of destinations, and quality, this is the daily average price based on our analysis of available guided tours.

• South Korea One Life Adventures - 13 Day Tour 13 Days - 6 Destinations $ 2,527
• Check-in Korea with Jeju Island in 16days: A Wellness Holiday 16 Days - 19 Destinations $ 4,370

Independent Travel

Traveling Independently has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.

All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.

South Korea is a moderately priced destination to visit. It's about average with most other countries for travel costs. The prices for food, accommodation, and transportation are all fairly reasonable.

Within Asia, South Korea is moderately priced compared to the other countries. The overall cost of travel here is comparable to Bhutan or Taiwan.

For more details, see Is South Korea Expensive?

How much money do I need for a trip to South Korea?

The average South Korea trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these South Korea travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.

Accommodation Budget in South Korea

Average daily costs.

Calculated from travelers like you

The average price paid for one person for accommodation in South Korea is $50 (₩66,888). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in South Korea is $100 (₩133,776). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.

• Accommodation 1 Hotel or hostel for one person $ 50 ₩ 66,888
• Accommodation 1 Typical double-occupancy room $ 100 ₩ 133,776

Hotel Prices in South Korea

Looking for a hotel in South Korea? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.

Find the best hotel for your travel style.

Actual Hotel Prices The average hotel room price in South Korea based on data provided by Kayak for actual hotel rooms is $47. (Prices in U.S. Dollars, before taxes & fees.)

Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world.

Recommended Properties

• SUANBO SANGNOK Tourist Hotel Budget Hotel - Kayak $ 61
• The Shilla Seoul Luxury Hotel - Kayak $ 212

Local Transportation Budget in South Korea

The cost of a taxi ride in South Korea is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $16 (₩21,533) per person, per day, on local transportation in South Korea.

• Local Transportation 1 Taxis, local buses, subway, etc. $ 16 ₩ 21,533

Recommended Services

• Private Airport Transfer: Seoul City to Incheon Airport 1-12 pax Viator $ 215
• Private Airport Transfer: Incheon Airport to Seoul City 1-12 pax Viator $ 225

What did other people spend on Local Transportation?

Typical prices for Local Transportation in South Korea are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Local Transportation prices in South Korea, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.

• Seoul City Pass Plus ₩ 10,000
• Metro Ride ₩ 1,350
• Subway Card ₩ 5,000
• Short Taxi Ride ₩ 7,000

Food Budget in South Korea

While meal prices in South Korea can vary, the average cost of food in South Korea is $28 (₩38,176) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in South Korea should cost around $11 (₩15,270) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in South Korea is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.

• Food 2 Meals for one day $ 28 ₩ 38,176

Recommended

• Night Market Food Tour Viator $ 72
• Busan Seafood Tour & Dinner with Busan Oppa Viator $ 110

What did other people spend on Food?

Typical prices for Food in South Korea are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Food prices in South Korea, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.

• Donkatsu (Charles Restaurant) ₩ 10,000
• Carp Bread ₩ 1,000
• McDonald's ₩ 6,185
• Donut ₩ 2,500
• Burger ₩ 6,200
• Breakfast and Coffee for 2 ₩ 9,500
• Waffle ₩ 1,000
• Donut ₩ 1,000

Entertainment Budget in South Korea

Entertainment and activities in South Korea typically cost an average of $26 (₩35,611) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.

• Entertainment 1 Entrance tickets, shows, etc. $ 26 ₩ 35,611

Recommended Activities

• Mini Van Private Guided Tour in Seoul (Optional Layover) Viator $ 220
• Rare Chance : Korea's White House Walking Tour Viator $ 36

What did other people spend on Entertainment?

Typical prices for Entertainment in South Korea are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Entertainment prices in South Korea, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.

• Kimchi Museum ₩ 3,000
• Palace Tickets ₩ 8,000
• Movie Ticket ₩ 8,000

Tips and Handouts Budget in South Korea

The average cost for Tips and Handouts in South Korea is $32 (₩43,000) per day. The usual amount for a tip in South Korea is 5% - 15% .

• Tips and Handouts 1 For guides or service providers $ 32 ₩ 43,000

Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps Budget in South Korea

Unfortunately, bad things can happen on a trip. Well, you've just got to deal with it! The average price for a scam, robbery, or mishap in South Korea is $0.93 (₩1,250), as reported by travelers.

• Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps 1 $ 0.93 ₩ 1,250

Alcohol Budget in South Korea

The average person spends about $12 (₩15,553) on alcoholic beverages in South Korea per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.

• Alcohol 2 Drinks for one day $ 12 ₩ 15,553
• Soju Tasting at Distillery - story of 3 pigs Viator $ 43
• The Seoul Pub Crawl [official] Viator $ 21

Water Budget in South Korea

On average, people spend $2.17 (₩2,910) on bottled water in South Korea per day. The public water in South Korea is considered safe to drink.

• Water 2 Bottled water for one day $ 2.17 ₩ 2,910

Related Articles

South korea on a budget.

At A Glance

• Public transportation in South Korea is very modern and easy to use. There are trains, buses, and planes that connect most cities. Most larger cities also have their own subway system which is usually modern and efficient. You can also travel around town by taxi or by public bus. Although there is almost every form of transportation you could need throughout the country, you'll usually get the best price if you take the bus. This may also be the slowest form of transportation however.
• South Korea sells a KR Pass to any foreign non-resident visiting the country. The pass offers unlimited travel for a set period of time on Korail train. There are many restrictions on the pass so you should really consider the cost effectiveness of purchasing it before paying the money. First class and sleeping cars are not included on the pass and the limitations are even stricter during holiday and peak periods of travel. In order to make up for the cost of the pass you will have to plan some long, frequent trips through the country. If you do decide to buy a KR Pass it must be purchased five days in advance.
• Karaoke, commonly referred to as noraebang, is a popular activity in most major cities around South Korea. You should try this at least once if you're looking for the full cultural experience.
• If you're in the country in the middle of July head to the city of Boryeong in Chunchungnam. They host a famous Mud Festival that is popular throughout the country. Participants are covered in a thick mud and participate in any number of activities which range from body painting to mud wrestling. There's also a nearby beach that hosts countless parties during this time. If you're planning to go to the festival make sure you reserve a hotel room well in advance as places tend to fill up.
• Although there are ATMs throughout the country, it can be quite difficult to find one that accepts foreign cards. Look for a Citibank ATM or the special Global ATMs. These are most frequently found in airports, subway stations and Family Mart convenience stores. If you're heading out of the major cities make sure you carry plenty of cash with you.

Top Tourist Attractions

Popular foods, more related articles.

We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works .

Subscribe to our Newsletter

By signing up for our email newsletter, you will receive occasional updates from us with sales and discounts from major travel companies , plus tips and advice from experienced budget travelers!

Search for Travel Costs

Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.

Travel Cost Data

You are welcome to reference or display our travel costs on your website as long as you provide a link back to this page .

A Simple Link

For a basic link, you can copy and paste the HTML link code or this page's address.

Travel Cost Widget

To display all of the data, copy and paste the code below to display our travel cost widget . Make sure that you keep the link back to our website intact.

• Privacy / Terms of Use
• Activities, Day Trips, Things To Do, and Excursions

The Cost of Travel in South Korea: My 2024 Budget Breakdown

I was so excited to return to South Korea.

I haven’t been to many places where I’ve felt such a cohesive blend of old and new, but South Korea is one of them. Steeped with 5000 years of culture and history, but integrated with modern music, technology, and infrastructure, it’s a country that surprised and delighted me at every turn.

And Seoul? It’s one of my favourite cities in the world. If you think New York City is the place that never sleeps, just wait until you arrive in Seoul. During my first visit to the country, I landed in the South Korean capital expecting to spend three or four days in town, but ended up leaving after three weeks . Yes, I loved this city so much that I simply couldn’t bring myself to leave.

I’d be walking the bustling streets of popular neighbourhood Hongdae in the early hours of the morning and realise that there was nowhere on earth quite like it. Street performers are sharing their best routines to the latest K-pop songs, shops are bright and open, karaoke is everywhere, and clubs have lines out the door. Talk about a sensory overload, but in the best possible way. 

On my return visit, though, I knew I needed to see more of this wonderful country. South Korea is so much more than it’s biggest city.

From the colourful houses in Busan to the scenic coastal views and tea plantations on Jeju Island to the towering mountains of Seoraksan National Park: I loved each and every destination I visited in the country. Get ready to be swept away by all that Korea has to offer, from Korean BBQ, K-pop, karaoke, palaces, temples, and arcades.

But how are the prices? In this post-pandemic world, the cost of travel has been skyrocketing, but this country has managed to remain relatively inexpensive.

Today, I’m going to be revealing exactly how much you can expect to spend on a trip to South Korea.

I’ve been recording every single dollar, peso, and baht that I’ve spent on my travels since 2011 (I now have  over 65 budget breakdowns on the site !), aiming to give you an accurate picture of how much you can expect to spend in every country around the world. Today, it’s South Korea’s turn and I’m so excited to start sharing.

Grab yourself a cold bottle of soju because this post’s a long one!

What’s Included in this Post 

This budget breakdown covers how much I spent on accommodation, transportation, activities, and food during my trips to South Korea.

The amounts in the guide are listed in U.S. dollars, simply because the vast majority of my readers are from the U.S. I’ve also included prices in the South Korean won (KRW) — the local currency — as you’ll be using that throughout your time in the country.

At the time of writing (February 2024):

• 1 USD: 1,300 KRW
• 1 EUR: 1,450 KRW
• 1 GBP: 1,675 KRW
• 1 AUD: 875 KRW

Yes, this does make calculating the prices of things rather tricky when you’re in South Korea! For me, I kept in mind that 10,000 KRW is roughly 8 USD (€7, £6, or 11.50 AUD) and it made figuring out the prices of things far easier.

One quick note I do want to make about travel in South Korea is that it’s kind of complicated to pay for things! Korea is, these days, a cashless society — everybody pays with cards and there aren’t a lot of places that are happy to accept cash.

Now, that would be all well and good if it wasn’t for the fact that the vast majority of payment terminals don’t accept foreign bank cards. Apple Pay is very limited and Google Pay doesn’t exist at all.

Yes, really.

I’d say that we were able to successfully use our debit/credit cards 30% of the time in South Korea — and it made no difference whether we were using our U.K., Australian, or New Zealand cards.

So, what to do?

Honestly, there isn’t an elegant solution. Expect that every time you try to buy something, you might need to try four cards until one of them works. Carry a lot of cash with you in case none of your cards are accepted. It didn’t end up being a huge problem for us, as we were able to pay with cash whenever our cards were declined, but it was frustrating to have to continually deal with payment rejections everywhere we went!

Okay, let’s get started! Up first: accommodation!

The Cheapest Accommodation Options in South Korea

Like practically every country in the world, prices have increased post-pandemic in South Korea, so you’ll be paying a little more for everything than you would have done a few years ago. Despite that, costs are lower than most Western countries, so accommodation in the country still offers up good value for money.

Let’s start on the lower end of the spectrum. If you’re willing to put in the time and effort, it’s possible to avoid paying for accommodation entirely.

Couchsurfing  exists in South Korea and allows you to stay with a local for free, usually sleeping on their sofa and enjoying a local’s insight into life in their country. It’s not the most comfortable of living situations, but if your budget’s tight, it’s worth sending out a few requests to hosts to see if anything comes of it. You can browse through the 150,000+ Korean hosts on  the Couchsurfing site .

Housesitting  is a more upmarket option, aimed at mid-range and luxury travellers. Housesitting involves taking care of somebody’s house for free while they’re away, often (but not always) looking after their pets, too. It’s best for long-term travellers or retirees, as you can’t pick and choose dates and destinations, so you’ll need to have a lot of flexibility as to where you go and at what time of year. If you do have that freedom, though it’s a wonderful way to cut down your travel expenses, soak up some home comforts, and live like a local for a while. Trusted Housesitters  is the best site for getting started with housesitting, as they have the highest number of listings.

And then we have hostels . In South Korea, you’ll come across hostels all over the country, finding them on tiny islands, large cities, and even within the national parks. They’re one of your best options for saving money.

All prices are in U.S. Dollars, by the way, as that’s where the vast majority of my readers are from.

Hostels in Korea  are on a par with the rest of major cities in East Asia, and you can expect to spend between  $18 a night for a dorm bed  for a well-reviewed hostel, with the price increasing slightly to about  $24 a night  for the absolute best of the best.

When it comes to private rooms in hostels, you’ll be looking at  $30 a night  for a clean, basic room in a good location, so if you’re travelling with friends or with your partner, you may find it cheaper to grab some privacy over settling for two beds in a dorm room.  $70 a night  will get you an exceptionally well-reviewed private room in a hostel.

I use  HostelWorld  to find the cheapest hostels, as they tend to have the greatest number of listings at the lowest prices.

And then there are hotels, which I’m going to jump into next.

The Cost of Accommodation in South Korea 

I found hotels in South Korea to be pretty reasonably priced. You won’t get the cheap, cheap rates that you do in places like Southeast Asia, but prices are generally lower than more expensive countries in Western Europe.

• As mentioned, well-rated hostels come in at an average price of $18 a night for a dorm bed, while private rooms are around $30 a night .
• Inexpensive guesthouses are typically around $50 a night .
• Four-star hotels are between $150 and $200 a night
• And five-star hotels are $250-350 a night

As always with these posts, I like to share where I personally stayed in the country and what I thought of each of my accommodation choices. On my most recent trip, I splurged in Seoul because I wanted to stay in two of the best-rated hotels in the country, but kept my accommodation costs relatively low in the other destinations I visited.

Seoul (Hongdae): RYSE Hotel (240,000 KRW, or $183 per night)

If you’re going to stay anywhere in Hongdae (my favourite Seoul neighbourhood), RYSE Hotel is the place to be. It’s one of the best hotels in the city! It’s in the perfect location, in the heart of Hongdae’s cafe-and-nightlife scene, but so well-insulated that you don’t hear any of it. The rooms had a modern, industrial design, great views over the city, and there were tons of gifts, from facemasks (this is Korea, after all!) to local games to even a bottle of wine. There’s a rooftop bar with some of the best views in Seoul, one of the best equipped hotel gyms I’ve ever used, and the staff were amazing. I’d absolutely stay here again on future visits!

Seoul (Myeongdong): Hotel 28 (189,000 KRW, or $144 per night)

Our itinerary in South Korea saw us spending two separate stints in Seoul, so for our second visit, I dragged myself away from my beloved Hongdae and gave Myeongdong a try — this is the neighbourhood to head to if you want to shop ’til you drop then eat ’til you’re… replete! We chose Hotel28, which is the best-rated option in the area; one of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World. It’s a cinema-themed hotel (you get bags of free popcorn when you check in!) in one of the best areas for eating in the city. The rooms are spacious, the bathroom had the best bathtub ever, and the staff were so sweet. It’s right by one of the city’s best night markets, too, which was so much fun to eat my way around! The hotel gym was great, too.

Gyeongju: Maison Mini Hotel (62,000 KRW, or $49 per night)

Dave and I loved our stay at the adorable Maison Mini Hotel in Gyeongju and found it to be a fantastic mid-range accommodation option. The rooms were spotless and cleaned everyday throughout our stay. The owner was so sweet and welcoming, and the shared kitchen and laundry facilities were definitely appreciated. Having access to a proper coffee machine was particularly useful! The guesthouse is a 10 minute walk from all of the wonderful sights of Gyeongju and a five minute walk from the main bus station, so it made for a great base while we were in town. I can’t recommend this place highly enough!

Busan: Urbanstay Seomyeon (61,000 KRW, or $47 per night)

Like Seoul, Busan is a big old city with plenty of neighbourhoods to choose from. Seomyeon, however, is the best spot for new visitors to town — it’s in a convenient location for visiting all of the most popular spots and has plenty of vibrant nightlife and restaurants to explore. Urbanstay is right beside a metro station, which makes getting around even easier. The rooms are clean, modern, and basic — very minimalist! — with lightning-fast Wi-Fi. There actually aren’t any staff at the hotel, so you’ll be emailed a key code to get into your room, which works well. The washing machines are, as always, very much appreciated!

Seoraksan National Park: Smile Resort (70,000 KRW, or $53 per night)

If you’re going to be hiking in Seoraksan National Park, you’ll want to be staying as close to the park entrance as possible. Unfortunately, this area of South Korea seems to be full of mediocre accommodation options. Still, Smile Resort was the best option that was close to the entrance while not being obscenely expensive. While the interior was a little old and tired, it was a perfectly acceptable place to stay! The owners were welcoming and kind, the free breakfast (a rarity in South Korea) was definitely appreciated before a big day of hiking, and it’s just a five-minute walk from the bus that takes you to the national park entrance. Rooms also have a private kitchenette and fridge, which was useful for keeping our water cold overnight.

My partner, Dave, wrote an in-depth itinerary on how to spend 10 days in South Korea after our most recent trip, so do check that out if you’re looking for advice how to structure a trip to the above places!

The Cost of Transportation in South Korea 

I’m somebody who doesn’t get an awful lot out of travel days in unfamiliar places, but even I can admit that travelling around South Korea is a joy! From the buses to the high-speed trains to the comprehensive subways: getting around this country is convenient, comfortable, and hassle-free.

Your first encounter with the transportation system will be at the airport. There’s two options for getting the train from Incheon International Airport to Seoul: the Airport Railroad Express (AREX) or the All Stop Train. The former takes 43 minutes and costs 9,500 KRW ( $7.20 ), while the latter is half the price at 4,150 KRW ( $3.15 ) and takes 53 minutes.

I recommend jumping on the All Stop Train, then, as it’s cheaper, takes just 10 minutes longer, and runs more frequently than the AREX so will most likely get you into Seoul faster anyway.

I wouldn’t recommend taking the bus or the taxi, as both are more expensive and slower than the train. The bus costs 10-15,000 KRW ( $9 ) and takes around 80 minutes, while taxis cost a whopping 70,000 KRW, or $55 , and take around an hour.

What to Know About T-Money Cards

Before we go any further, it’s time for a primer on T-Money! This is my one travel essential in South Korea and I highly recommend getting your hands on one before you leave the airport.

A T-Money card is designed to make your public transportation experiences seamless. You simply buy your T-Money card from any convenience store, or the vending machines at the airport, and then you can use it on subways, buses, taxis, and even vending machines and grocery stores — all across the country. Simply tap your card on the T-Money scanner and you’re good to go!

I recommend buying yours at the airport, where there are T-Money vending machines located beside the All Stop Train (and then you’ll pay for said train journey with the card). You’ll pay 4,000 KRW ( $3 ) for the card.

Once you’ve bought your card, remember to top it up with some cash. I topped-up with 40,000 KRW ( $30 ), which was the perfect amount for two weeks in the country — I had 2,000 KRW left over at the end. If you do end up with any money left on your T-Money card at the end of your trip, you can get that refunded to you at any subway station (including the airport) in Seoul.

I mentioned in the photo caption above that Dave’s T-Money card came free with his SIM card purchase. He bought his SIM card in advance from LG and picked it up in the arrivals hall at the airport. The SIM card included unlimited data (35,000 KRW or $25 for 10 days of usage) plus a Korean phone number — the latter of which is surprisingly useful in Korea (you often need a local phone number just to join a queue for a restaurant!) but tricky to get from many other providers.

The Cost of Trains in South Korea

If you’ll be venturing outside of Seoul then odds are, you’ll be travelling by train. This is one of the best ways to explore the country, thanks to the modern carriages and speedy services. And expect your trains to be punctual — just as in nearby Japan , this country thrives on an on-time departure.

I’m a huge fan of the KTX — the Korean Travel Express — which whips you up and down the length of the country at speeds of 300+ kilometres an hour (190 mph). It’s the priciest option, for sure, but the amount of time you’ll save will likely make it worth it.

As an example, the KTX from Seoul to Busan — running from the top to the bottom of the country — takes just over two hours (at a price of 59,800 KRW/$45 ). In comparison, the equivalent buses and slower trains complete the journey anywhere between four and six hours (but costing 28,000 KRW/$21 ).

Buy your KTX tickets through the official Korail website to score the cheapest fare — we had no problems using it with our foreign debit/credit cards.

I’ll briefly mention the existence of the Korea Rail Pass (KR Pass) here, which works similarly to the Japan Rail Pass or a Eurail Pass. You can choose from either a consecutive pass or a flexible pass, but to be honest, the prices are around the same amount as the individual tickets, so I didn’t see the point. If you’ll be racing around the country and visiting multiple places in a single day, it may be worth it, but it wasn’t for us.

The Cost of Buses in South Korea

You can take the bus to just about anywhere in South Korea.

There are two types of long-distance buses in the country: express and intercity; due to time constraints, we opted for the express option for every journey we took (intercity buses are cheaper but take way longer because they make stops all along the way; express buses take you directly to your destination). Our two-hour express bus from Seoul to Sokcho ( 21,000W, or $16 ) was bordering on luxurious with wide, comfortable reclining leather seats, tons of legroom, and even power sockets.

You can find bus departures either through Kobus (express buses only) or Bustago (express and intercity buses). However , you can only purchase through these sites if you have a Korean bank card and a local number — yes, it’s frustrating and only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Korea making travel difficult for foreign visitors.

We used these booking sites, therefore, to see which departure time we wanted to aim for and to check there were still tickets available. We then bought the tickets from the bus station an hour or so beforehand — departures typically run multiple times an hour so you don’t have to worry too much about buses being booked.

To give you a sense of ticket prices, here are some average one-way costs for a few routes you might take: 

• Seoul to Busan: 33,000 KRW ($26)
• Seoul to Gyeongju: 20,000 KRW ($15)
• Busan to Daegu: 12,000 KRW ($9)
• Seoul to Jeonju: 20,000 KRW ($15)

The Cost of Flying in South Korea

South Korea isn’t a gargantuan country. And with fast and frequent overland options available throughout, you probably won’t need to fly very often — if it all. But if you plan on going to wonderful Jeju Island (which you should), then flying is the easiest way to get there.

A one-way direct flight from Seoul to Jeju will cost around $42 , and if you’re flying from Busan, a one-way fare is roughly $33 . 

In terms of alternative options to flying, you do have the ferry from Busan. At a journey time of around 12 hours, though, and a cost of 60,000W ($45) , there’s no real reason to put yourself through the discomfort.

The Cost of the Metro in South Korea

The underground systems in Seoul and Busan are in a league of their own. In fact, Seoul has one of the most extensive subway systems in the world — it’s clean, modern, and safe. If you don’t have to use it during rush hour, it’s pretty calm, too. It’s one of the best and most efficient ways to get around Seoul, and with the exception of a couple of local bus trips, I relied on the subway during my entire stint in the city.

Fare is calculated by distance, so a subway ride of less than 10 km will cost 1,350 KRW ($1) with 100 KRW added on for every additional 5km (you’re unlikely to take a journey this far, though). When taking the subway over a typical day of sightseeing, I usually averaged around 5,000 KRW ($4) per day . 

Overall, my daily transportation costs in South Korea worked out to: $10.20 per day

The Cost of Food in South Korea

Long-time readers of the site will already know that food is my primary driver to travel. It won’t come as any surprise, then, to learn that my favourite thing to do in Korea was eat .

There are so many incredible local dishes to sample in this country that I often found myself panicking that there weren’t going to be enough meals in the day. By the end of my weeks in the country, I was officially inducting South Korea into my list of the top five places to eat in the world (the others being India, Vietnam, Mexico, and Greece).

Yes, you’ve got all the classics you’ve probably come across before, like kimchi, bibimbap, and bulgogi, and you’ll be able to find them on practically every street you walk along. But for me, the delight came in wandering into a crowded restaurant without any idea what was on the menu, sitting down and being presented with one of the best dishes I’ve ever tried. Yes, I’m looking at you, samgyetang.

Of course, Korean BBQ reigns supreme and provides a super-fun food experience — I definitely recommend trying it at least once while you’re in the country. Gather around a table with a group of friends, order yourselves an inordinate amount of meat, marinate it in a variety of sauces, then cook it up at your table on your own little grill.

And let me tell you that Korean fried chicken may have ruined me for all of my future fried chicken experiences. Before arriving in the country, I’d made a vow to never eat the same thing twice while I was there. After my first taste of crispy fried chicken, however, I found myself meekly eating it again a couple of days later. It was just so freaking good!

The kimchi in South Korea is amazing and I was regularly blown away by the depth of flavour that was contained in such a simple dish. You’ll be given a couple of versions of it (cabbage and radish) as a free side with practically every meal you order, and it was nearly always a flavourful highlight for me.

One particularly epic food experience we had in the country is depicted in the photo at the very top of this section — the one where I’m surrounded by about 35 different dishes! Hongsi Hanjungsik in Gyeongju offers up a traditional Korean banquet, run out of the owner’s home, with so many high-quality, tasty things to try. And despite the multitude of dishes, we didn’t come away feeling overly full. At a price of 20,000W (or $15.50) each, it felt like phenomenally good value!

So let’s get into the food prices.

In general, if you’re eating out at a Korean restaurant, look to spend around 10,000 – 15,000 KRW ($7.50 – $11.50) for a meal. When eating at a more Western restaurant (which you absolutely should not do because the Western food in Korea is probably the worst I’ve ever eaten — a ham and cheese sandwich I ordered was drizzled with condensed milk!) then you might spend 20,000 KRW ($15) for a meal. Fast food, street food, or a smaller meal will range around 5,000 – 7,000 KRW ($4 – $5) . 

Here’s some examples of what we spent on some of the various dishes we tried:

• Fried chicken for lunch: 10,000 KRW ($7.50)
• Bibimbap for lunch: 9,500 KRW ($7)
• Bindaetteok (mung bean pancake) as a street food snack: 5,000 KRW ($4)
• Dakgalbi (stir-fried chicken) for dinner: 6,500 KRW ($4.50)
• Unlimited Korean BBQ on a weekday lunch: 15,000 KRW ($11.50)
• Samgyetang (chicken ginseng soup) at a fancy restaurant for lunch: 19,000 KRW ($14.50)
• Street food snacks: 3,000 KRW ($2) each
• A pint of local draft beer in a restaurant: 4,000 KRW ($3)
• A bottle of soju in a restaurant: 4,000 KRW ($3)
• A 750ml bottle of makgeolli in a restaurant: 4,000 KRW ($3)
• An extremely fancy cocktail in a world-class bar: 23,000 KRW ($17.50)

Dave and I are usually intermittent fasters when we travel, so we rarely opted for breakfast while we were travelling in South Korea. Instead, we’d have a large meal for an early lunch and often hit the street food carts for dinner. Our daily meal costs were sometimes then as little as 15,000 KRW ($11.50) a day but averaged out at 25,000 KRW ($19) a day .

The Cost of Activities and Entrance Fees in South Korea    

When it comes to activities in South Korea, there’s so much to keep you entertained — and it’s pretty affordable, too.

If there’s one activity to cross off your list when you’re in Seoul, it has to be the royal palaces. For just 10,000 KRW , you can purchase a combo ticket that gives you entrance to Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung (and its separate secret garden), Deoksugung, Changgyeonggung, and Jongmyo Shrine. To visit each of these individually would cost 14,000 KRW , so it’s well-worth getting the combo and crossing all of them off. We managed to see all of them in a single day of hardcore sightseeing, and while we were undoubtedly templed-out by the end of it, we were still glad we’d made the effort to do so.

If you only have a limited amount of time, then just head to Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung — the two most impressive of the palaces. You’ll be able to catch the impressive changing of the guard in the morning at Gyeongbokgung, then take a tour of the wonderful secret garden at Changdeokgung in the afternoon.

Many visitors to Seoul spend their time shopping, eating, and partying. This is one livable, lively city, crammed full of excellent skincare products, world-class vintage stores, delicious street eats, and more karaoke bars than you could possibly imagine. There’s lots to keep you entertained.

Simply strolling through the different neighbourhoods provides a way to keep costs down. I loved spending my time cafe-hopping in student-filled Hongdae, shopping in bustling Myeongdong, picking up traditional souvenirs in Insadong, and admiring the street art in Itaewon.

One particular highlight from my most recent trip was walking the 10 kilometre, or seven mile, Cheonggyecheon Stream, which runs through downtown Seoul from Cheonggye Plaza to Dongdaemun. Once a busy highway, it has since been transformed into a peaceful oasis, where friends come to chill beside the water, surrounded by plants, trees, and fun water features.

Most visitors to South Korea want to hit up the DMZ: the border between South and North Korea, and specifically the Joint Security Area (JSA) — those famous blue barracks where North and South Korean soldiers stand face-to-face. It’s the closest you can get to North Korea without actually entering it.

You’ll want to be careful, then, when you do book your DMZ tour. There are plenty of these general DMZ tours running (priced at 76,000 KRW/$56 ), but the closest you’ll get to North Korea is standing on a hill and looking into the country from afar with binoculars. You won’t visit the JSA on these trips. It is, however, a third of the price of the JSA tours, so a great option for budget travellers. These non-JSA tours are incredibly popular, so do book early to ensure you manage to get a space. You can check availability for your travel dates using the widget below:

The JSA-specific tours are even more popular, but unfortunately, they’re currently (as of early-2024) on pause. This is a common occurrence, especially during these post-pandemic years. It’s only been open to tourists for about three months in total since 2020!

VVIP Travel and Hana Tour are the two JSA tour operators to go with, so do check out their websites before your trip, just in case the tours are up and running again. Tours cost 195,000 KRW ($150) per person and last for a full day.

I knew I wanted to get out into nature while I was in South Korea, as I didn’t want my entire trip to focus around gigantic, bustling cities. This country, after all, is 70% mountains. Seoraksan National Park provided the perfect opportunity to do just that. It’s a two-hour bus ride from Seoul and when you arrive, you’ll feel as though you’re in a whole other country.

With an entrance fee of just 3,500 KRW ($2.50), this was an affordable way to see a part of the country that few tourists opt to explore. The scenery was incredible and a couple of days in town enabled us to tackle all of the most popular hikes.

Speaking of gigantic, bustling cities: Busan!

Busan often ends up being most people’s favorite spot in South Korea and there’s plenty to do while you’re there. From beach-hopping your days away (my favourite free activity!) to hitting up bustling fish markets; eating allll the street food then exploring amazing colourful villages, blanketed with murals. Busan is well-worth visiting, that’s for sure. But for us? We quickly realised that nearby Gyeongju was more our type of place.

Dave and I adored Gyeongju, a compact city that’s perfect for some respite after a few days in Busan. Gyeongju is crammed full of cultural sites and attractions, from royal tombs to ancient observatories, to one of the most impressive Buddha statues we’ve ever seen. The vast majority of attractions in town were free to visit, so we spent very little money while we were there, too — an added bonus!

And I can’t write about South Korea and not include beautiful Jeju Island — the iconic volcanic island off the southern coast of the country that’s known for its beaches, waterfalls, and mountains, as well as its local delicacies. Just wait until you try the local black pork! There’s tons to do on the island — you could spend two weeks on Jeju alone — but so much of it is focused around landscapes and scenery (so much hiking!) that you can easily visit on a budget.

With all that being said, here’s a breakdown of the main activity costs you may encounter in South Korea:

• Entry to Donggung Palace, Gyeongju – 3000 KRW ($2)
• Bulguksa Temple & Seokguram Grotto, Gyeongju – 5,000 KRW ($4)
• Gyeongju Expo Park – 8,000 KRW ($6)
• Daereungwon Tomb Complex, Cheomseongdae Observatory, Woljeonggyo Bridge, Gyochon Traditional Village – Free
• Royal palaces combo ticket, Seoul – 10,000 KRW ($7.50)
• N Seoul Tower – 21,000 KRW ($16)
• Kimchi Museum entrance – 5,000 KRW ($4)
• Nanta cooking show – 44,000 KRW ($34)
• Lotte World entrance – 62,000 KRW ($47)
• Bukchon Hanok village, Dongdaemun Design Plaza, Cheonggyecheon Stream, War Memorial of Korea, National Museum of Korea, Seoul – Free
• Entrance to Seoraksan National Park – 3,500 KRW ($2.50)
• Busan Sky Capsule – 15,000 KRW ($11.50)
• Songdo cable car, Busan – 15,000 KRW ($11.50)
• Busan Tower Observatory – 7,000 KRW ($5)
• Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, Gamcheon Cultural Village, Busan – Free
• Jeongbang Waterfalls entrance, Jeju Island – 2,000 KRW ($1.50)
• Camellia Hill entrance, Jeju Island – 7,000 KRW ($5)
• Jeju Folk Village, Jeju Island – 12,000 KRW ($9)

As you can see, there’s very little that’s going to break the bank in South Korea — there’s tons of free attractions and any entrance fees are reasonable.

Over my two weeks in Korea, I averaged just $3 a day on activities and entrance fees.

The Cost of Miscellaneous Expenses in South Korea

An eSIM:  A few years ago, I made the switch to eSIMs and it’s an act that’s significantly improved my travels.

I used to hate having to spend my first few hours in a new country wandering around in search of a way to get connected. There’s locating a store that will sell you one, language barriers to deal with (I was surprised to discover South Korea has one of the highest language barriers I’ve ever encountered!), various forms of ID and information you might need to bring, scams to navigate, and… well, it’s a headache.

These days, I buy my SIM cards in advance through AloSIM , which sells local e-SIMs for travellers. What that means is that you can buy your SIM card online  before  you arrive in South Korea, and then as soon as you land in Seoul, can switch on your phone and be online before the plane’s even come to a halt. It’s worked flawlessly for me in over a dozen countries, including South Korea.

I paid  $15 for 5 GB of data for 30 days in South Korea. Readers of Never Ending Footsteps can get a 5% discount on AloSIM eSIMs by using the code FOOTSTEPS.

There’s one small detail I need to mention. Before arriving in South Korea, I read dozens of articles insisting that you need a local Korean phone number to successfully travel in the country.

Most of the taxi apps require a local number (especially if you want to pay by card in the app), and most popular restaurants operate a waitlist where they call or text you on a local number when a table is ready — if you don’t have one, you can’t join the queue!

Dave specifically bought an LG SIM card that gave you a local phone number and… we used it close to zero times. It turned out, we didn’t need to call a taxi even once and none of the restaurants we went to had waiting lists. A couple of takeaway joints that we went to required a local number to place an order, but that was it. I’m glad we had at least one SIM card with a Korean number for peace of mind but we also didn’t really need to use it, so I don’t think it’s as much of a travel essential as people say.

Travel insurance : If you’ve read any other posts on Never Ending Footsteps, you’ll know that I’m a great believer in travelling with travel insurance. I’ve seen far too many Go Fund Me campaigns from destitute backpackers that are unexpectedly stranded in a foreign country after a scooter accident/being attacked/breaking a leg with no way of getting home or paying for their healthcare. In short, if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel. These costs can quickly land you with a six-figure bill to pay at the end of it.

Travel insurance  will cover you if your flight is cancelled and you need to book a new one, if your luggage gets lost and you need to replace your belongings, if you suddenly get struck down by appendicitis and have to be hospitalised, or discover a family member has died and you need to get home immediately. If you fall seriously ill, your insurance will cover the costs to fly you home to receive medical treatment.

I used  SafetyWing  as my travel insurance provider in South Korea. They provide worldwide coverage, don’t require you to have a return ticket, and even allow you to buy coverage after you’ve left home. If you’re on a long-term trip, you can pay monthly instead of up-front, and can cancel at any time. Finally, they’re affordable, and have a clear, easy-to-understand pricing structure, which is always appreciated.

The cost of two weeks of travel insurance with SafetyWing was $21, or $1.50 a day.

How Much Does it Cost to Travel in South Korea? 

It’s time to tally up all of my expenses to see my total travel costs! In U.S. dollars, my average daily costs in South Korea were:

• Accommodation: $104.50 per day
• Transportation: $10.20 per day
• Food: $19 per day
• Activities/Entrance Fees: $3 per day

Average amount spent in South Korea: $137 a day!

As I mentioned in the accommodation section, I did splurge a little when it came to accommodation, so if you’re on a tighter budget, that’s where you’ll be able to cut costs.

For example, if you’re a backpacker who plans on staying in dorm rooms, you can expect to spend $18 a night on accommodation, making your total daily costs around $50 a day .

Alternatively, if you’re part of a couple and staying in budget-to-mid-range guesthouses, you’ll be looking at $50 a night for accommodation, which will make your daily total costs $82 a day .

So what do you think? Is South Korea more or less expensive than you expected? Let me know in the comments below!

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 4.7 / 5. Vote count: 15

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

Thanks so much!

You can follow along on my travels through my social media accounts below

Sorry you didn't find this article useful!

Help me improve it by leaving your comments below

All feedback is anonymous and emailed directly to me. If there's anything I can do to improve the quality of this article, please do let me know and I'll make the suggested changes within 24 hours

Lauren Juliff

Lauren Juliff is a published author and travel expert who founded Never Ending Footsteps in 2011. She has spent over 12 years travelling the world, sharing in-depth advice from more than 100 countries across six continents. Lauren's travel advice has been featured in publications like the BBC, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Cosmopolitan, and her work is read by 200,000 readers each month. Her travel memoir can be found in bookstores across the planet.

Related Posts

The Cost of Travel in Mauritius: My Detailed Budget Breakdown

The Cost of Travel in Thailand: My Detailed Budget Breakdown

2023: My Travels in Review

How to Spend Three Perfect Days in Delhi: An In-Depth Itinerary

Pushkar Travel Guide: 11 Things to Do in Pushkar

The Cost of Travel in Peru: A 2023 Budget Breakdown

11 comments.

Thank you so much for sharing all your infos, they are always clear and straight to the point which makes it really handy, i have been reading you for a while and always enjoy, i am now doing a 3 months trip through bali, south korea and japan, and your infos on south korea are going to be usefull, once again, Lauren,thank you!

Thanks a lot for your excellent article Lauren! South Korea is much more affordable than I thought it was. And apparently there’s nature too :) We just decided against a South Africa trip this September due to the safely situation and power outages, but now adding South Korea to the wishlist for when the boy is a little older and traveling purely by public transport is more feasible.

We’ve been living in the SoKorea for almost 2 years now. A couple things …

* DMA/JSA tours ARE available through visitjsa.com. US military and USDoD-associated individuals have first dibs, but we booked the end of July as “general tourists” without an issue. These tours leave from right OUTside several US military bases in SoKorea, include lunch and are half the price of just DMZ tours from Seoul. There is a dress code, which is STRICTLY enforced.

* In regard to the language barrier. Many Koreans – especially “younger” generation Koreans – DO know English. They, as a whole, are EXTREMELY shy about using it, though. I have found most have excellent English skills – much better than my Korean skills!! Give grace here, folks. And, download the Papago app as EVERYONE (Koreans & foreigners) uses this to communicate. Don’t be shy – just Papago it!

* Korean phone number – during covid, you needed a Korean number to register at restaurants and retail shops for contact- tracing/tracking purposes. We haven’t been anywhere lately that required a Korean # to get a table or anything.

* For taxis, subway directions/maps, download Kakao – there are various Kakao apps – 1 for subway, 1 for taxis, etc.

* Credit cards – AMEX tends to work more places than my Chase or Citibank VISA cards. I carry a couple hundred kwon with me just in case my cc doesn’t work. If you have significant leftover kwon when you leave, I’d suggest looking for Americans at the airport and strike up a conversation – with so many US military bases here, there’s a good chance someone will buy your kwon off you at a reasonable exchange rate.

Thanks for all the extra information!

The language barrier wasn’t a criticism or complaint — just in case you interpreted it as one! I came across a few younger Koreans who spoke excellent English and I didn’t personally have any problems with the lack of English spoken. It was just a brief sidenote that after travelling to 100-odd countries, the language barrier was higher in South Korea than the vast majority of other places I’ve visited.

I used Papago and Naver and Kakao, etc while I was in the country, but as this is an article about the cost of travel, I didn’t want to turn it into a travel guide and add too much detail that was unrelated to the costs. I’ll definitely publish a more general travel guide over the coming months!

The Korean phone number thing wasn’t a reference to COVID contact tracing but rather that the popular restaurants operate waitlists — and to join those waitlists, you’ll sometimes be asked to give your phone number so that they can text/call/KakaoTalk you when your table is available. I had one restaurant turn me away because Dave wasn’t with me so I couldn’t give them a local number, and a couple of takeaway places, where you ordered from a screen, required a local number to confirm the order. I read about this on r/KoreaTravel ( example ) quite a bit before getting here — it wasn’t as bad as expected but it does still seem to be a good idea to get a local number just in case.

Good to know that AMEX works well — the one bank we don’t have accounts with! I’m not American so wasn’t sure if US cards would fare better than ours.

Great to see new articles again! Cant wait to hear what you have been up to!

Thanks so much! I’m relieved to see I still have readers after my extended break! Lots to share from the past year, but the biggest news is probably gaining my Australian permanent residency and setting up a new home base in Melbourne! Other than that, lots of travel in Southeast Asia, as always :-)

Hi! Thanks so much for this :) we are travelling in October to South Korea & Tokyo and I too have read about needing a korean number. Do you happen to know if you need a local number for Kakao app? Thank you!

Hi Lucy! Yes, you can use an international number to sign up for Kakao, but the app won’t let you add a credit or debit card. You’ll need to pay the driver directly with cash.

Just wanted to let you know I found this post incredibly helpful as I´m planning a South Korea trip for later this year! Great to have an idea of costs, and you´ve made me consider putting Jeju island on our itinerary (would mean cutting time in other countries on the way – still figuring it out!).

Thank you so much for all the info! I just have one more question: Do you happen to know of any budget travel agency that organizes Korean land tours for a week or so? I found a few, but the prices are rather high.

wow..learnt so much from your article. thanks a ton. planing a 4day trip to S.Korea and 4 days in Taiwan… do you have any info on taiwan? also is S.Korea clean and safe? Im planning to stay in Seoul. would love to know where i can do some clothes shopping……..also are there any night markets around?

Leave a reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Meet Lauren Juliff

Your Ultimate One Week Itinerary For Korea 2023

Discover the best places to stay in Korea, what foods you shouldn’t miss out on, the incredible sights, the history & culture, and how to make the most of your precious time. This classic one week itinerary for Korea is the perfect place to get started on your wonderful journey. It’ll inspire you to travel more and see the best that Korea has to offer.

I’ve created this one week itinerary for Korea to make planning your week-long adventure in the Land of Morning Calm a breeze. This detailed, yet easy-to-follow guide to the best places to see in Korea will take you on a 7 day journey through Korea’s bustling capital, on thrilling day trips, to the beautiful southern shores, show you Korea’s UNESCO-worthy history and culture, and beyond.

Firstly, congratulations on deciding to visit South Korea. It’s an amazing country that I’ve been living in since 2015 and there are so many awesome things to see, do, eat, try, and experience. Follow this detailed one week itinerary for Korea and make your Korea trip planning a lot easier.

If you want to know how much it costs to travel to Korea, check out my article all about how much you can expect to pay for accommodation, food, sightseeing, and transportation, as well as other expected costs.

Cost To Travel In Korea: Korea Budget Guide

In case you only have a limited amount of time, or want to know about what you can see in Seoul for a few days, then you might like my really simple, yet packed guide to spending 2 – 3 days in Korea’s capital:

What To See In Seoul In A Weekend

Knowing when to visit Korea is also one of the key considerations you should think about before planning your one week itinerary for Korea. To make life easier, I’ve made a detailed guide to all of Korea’s seasons for you.

The Best Time To Visit Korea

Now read on to see the best that Korea has to offer with 3 easy to follow itineraries for Korea and start planning your dream trip.

Korea Essentials:

Here are some of my favourite resources that will help you save time and money on your journey to Seoul:

Flights To Korea: Trip.com | JetRadar

Hotels In Seoul: Myeongdong | Hongdae | Gangnam

Recommended Tour Companies: Klook | Trazy | Get Your Guide | Voyagin

Travel & Tour Passes: T-Money Card | Discover Seoul Pass

Internet / Mobile: 4g Sim Card | Portable 4g WiFi

Airport Transportation: AREX Train Ticket | Incheon Airport Pickup

Follow Me On Social Media:

Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links and I may earn commission for purchases made after clicking one of these links. Affiliate Disclaimer

One Week Itinerary For Korea 1: The Classic Route

This one week itinerary for Korea covers the two largest cities in Korea – Seoul and Busan . You’ll also have the chance to take day trips to some amazing sights, such as the beautiful historic city of Gyeongju . This is actually similar to my first trip to Korea back in 2012, but includes lots of other great places I missed out on at that time.

You’ll get a feel for Korea’s busy lifestyle, and also have time to relax on gorgeous beaches in the south. Sample a wide range of yummy foods from Seoul and Busan and beyond. Not only that, you’ll have time for shopping and a chance to soak up Korea’s unique culture – past and present.

Let’s get started in one of the best cities to visit in the world, Seoul.

1: Day 1 – Welcome To Seoul

You’re about to start your awesome 7 days in Korea with a gentle day seeing some of the main sights. Be ready to dress up, take lots of pictures, and have a great time!

I’m going to assume you’re already in Seoul, but in case you need to know how to get from Incheon Airport into the centre, you should definitely check out this guide:

How To Get To Seoul From Incheon Airport

Once you’re in the centre, we’re going to get started with some of the top sights Seoul has to offer, and show you a glimpse of royal life in the Joseon era.

Before you get started, I’d definitely recommend getting a T-Money Card as this will help you a lot when travelling around Seoul, especially if you plan to use the subway or buses. You can buy these at the airport, any train or subway station, or even at convenience stores. You can find out more about the T-Money Card here:

What Is The T-Money Card & Why It’s Essential

Morning – Seoul’s Grand Palaces

No trip to Seoul would be complete without a trip to Gyeongbokgung Palace – the biggest and most impressive of Seoul’s royal palaces. That’s why it’s one of the first activities on this one week itinerary, and one that really can’t be missed.

The best way to experience the life and sights of this palace is by dressing up in Korean hanbok – traditional Korean clothes that are probably like nothing you’ve worn before. Dressing up in Korean traditional hanbok will not only give you a feeling for Korea’s culture, it’ll also get you free entry to all of Seoul’s main palaces .

Spend the morning at Gyeongbokgung Palace exploring the many sights of the palace, as well as the National Folk Museum and Children’s Museum , which you can find by the East Gate.

Joel’s Tip: I’d definitely recommend wearing hanbok as this first day is all about embracing Korea’s culture. Also, you’ll want to wear it in the afternoon as you’ll visit Bukchon Hanok Village and wearing hanbok will give you loads of incredible photo opportunities.

You can find hanbok rental shops around the palace, or you can book them online before you arrive.

Book Discount Hanbok Rental Online

How to get there : Take the subway (Line 3 – orange) to Gyeongbokgung Station or Anguk Station . Alternatively, walk from Gwanghwamun Station (Line 5 – purple) or Jonggak Station (Line 1 – dark blue) if they’re more convenient.

Afternoon – Traditional Seoul In Bukchon Hanok Village

Once you’ve finished with the palace, head out of the south or east gates and make your way towards the Bukchon Hanok Village . Located between Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changdeokgung Palace, the Bukchon Hanok Village has lots of traditional hanok houses, tea rooms, art galleries, and narrow streets with artsy shops to discover.

In case you’re in need of some coffee first (it’s a very full schedule!), then there are loads of great cafes between Gyeongbokgung Palace and Bukchon Hanok Village, including one of my favourites – Blue Bottle Coffee .

You can also grab some lunch in the nearby restaurants and cafes, or wait until you get to Bukchon Hanok Village to experience eating in one of the beautiful traditional houses that are now restaurants and tea houses.

The Bukchon Hanok Village itself is spread over two main areas that you can explore at your leisure. You’re sure to recognise some of the famous postcard-picture views from Seoul. Walk up and down the streets and take pictures with incredible backgrounds, including the N Seoul Tower standing in the hills behind.

There’s so much to do in this area, it can definitely take the whole afternoon. For more details about what to see in this area, and the best spots to eat, drink, shop, explore, photo, and experience, check out my detailed guide to the area:

What To Do & See In Bukchon Hanok Village

Finish exploring this area, then head back towards Anguk Station and on towards Insadong for an early dinner.

Joel’s Tip : If you finish early and want more palaces to explore, then there’s some good news. Changdeokgung Palace is only 10 minutes away by foot. You can visit here before or after visiting Bukchon Hanok Village as a great way to get more of Korea’s Joseon-era culture.

I actually prefer Changdeokgung Palace during autumn as it’s got some of the best views of autumn leaves in central Seoul. If you are travelling during October, you’ll definitely want to read more about those:

Where To See Autumn Leaves In Seoul & Korea

Early Evening – Insadong Art Street

Insadong Art Street is a lovely place to browse art shops, galleries, museums, experience traditional culture, and relax in cosy old wooden tea houses. The Insadong area also has lots of street food and stalls and is a great place to buy some cheap souvenirs.

Explore the many wonderful shops and sights here, such as the Kimchi Museum , Ssamziegil Culture Complex , the Alive Museum , and the Anyoung Insadong Mall . They have a collection of shops that range from goods by local artists to famous Korean brands. You’ll find many unique stores here that you won’t find in other parts of Seoul.

If you’re looking for an unusual cafe experience, that doubles up as a great place to get some insta-worthy shots, then check out the Poop Cafe in the Ssamziegil Culture Complex. Here you can get coffee served in a toilet-shaped cup, and some delicious ddong-bbang (poop bread). Check it out.

If you have enough time, also check out one of the main temples in Seoul – Jogyesa Temple . This stunning temple is located just off of the main Insadong street and often has seasonal displays such as Buddhist lanterns or flower arrangements. The temple itself is worth the trip alone.

Once you’ve had your fill of Insadong Art Street, keep following the street down, past a small park, and you’ll soon find a stream cutting across your path. Head down the steps and you’ve arrived at the Cheonggyecheon Stream . This stream is a beautiful pathway that cuts through central Seoul and often has light displays or lanterns to see.

Follow the stream west and you’ll arrive at the Cheonggyecheon Plaza where you’ll be greeted by a gigantic seashell. There’s lots to see and do in this area, including the statues of King Sejong and Admiral Yi Sunshin . You should notice Gyeongbokgung Palace in the background at the end of the long street.

Now it’s time to jump on the subway and travel to a different part of the city for a romantic night cruise along the river.

Late Evening – A Majestic Han River Cruise

Make your way to Gwanghwamun Station and take the subway (Line 5 – purple) to Yeouinaru Station on the other side of the Han River. Once you exit the station, you’ll be greeted by the slow-moving Han River and long, gentle grassy slopes leading down to the river, which will probably be packed with locals and tourists enjoying the view.

This area is one of my favourite places to spend the evening (or any time) in Seoul. There are lots of places to sit, relax, have a picnic, and enjoy a bit of nature in this busy metropolis. There are often local musicians singing in the evenings, as well as some impromptu performances.

Not only that, there are some incredible festivals here during the year, including the Yeouido Spring Flower Festival where you’ll see countless cherry blossoms.

One of the best ways to enjoy this area is to book a cruise along the river , passing under the main bridges, seeing the city’s skyscrapers and lights, and seeing which famous sights you can see along the way.

Book A Cruise On The Han River

After the cruise, head back to your hotel for a rest, or find a spot to have a quiet drink in the evening. Some cafes are open 24 hours and Seoul never sleeps.

Joel’s Tip: It’s best to book a cruise before you arrive as they can be sold out early. If you want to combine a cruise and some dinner, then there’s an option to eat at the nearby Ashley Marine Buffet restaurant, which is based on the water’s edge and has great views to enjoy while you eat.

Book A Cruise & Dinner Combo Package

2: Day 2 – Exploring Seoul’s Markets, Culture, & History

On the second day of this one week itinerary for Korea it’s time to check out some more of Seoul’s history , see the bustling, vibrant traditional markets , and get some great views of the city .

For those who want to stay up late, visit the busy night bars and restaurants of the city’s international district .

Morning – Understanding Korea’s History & Culture

I’d recommend spending the morning understanding some of Korea’s long and varied history. There are a wealth of museums around Seoul that will both entertain and educate you for a whole morning.

I’d personally recommend the War Memorial of Korea. It has some really interesting displays and will provide some information about the Korean War that many people probably aren’t aware of. Plus there’s loads of tanks and planes to see outside, which is fun.

Here are some of the top museums and galleries to explore in Seoul:

War Memorial Of Korea – An interesting insight into the history of conflict in Korea, especially the war between North and South Korea. Includes a lot of military equipment outside the main museum.

National Museum Of Korea – The definitive history museum for Korea that covers all history from early stone age settlements to modern history.

Seoul Museum Of History – A colourful collection of artefacts and displays that explore the history of Korea’s capital.

Seoul Museum Of Art – The Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA) opened in 1988 and has earned a reputation as one of Korea’s leading art venues with a series of world-famous exhibitions. Situated in the centre of Seoul, its convenient location and outstanding collections attract large numbers of locals and tourists.

National Museum Of Modern & Contemporary Art – The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) focuses on introducing global contemporary art. Equipped with multiple facilities, including a library, theatre, and a multipurpose hall.

Depending on where you’re staying in Seoul, some of these locations might be easier for you to get to. Therefore, choose one that seems more interesting for you, or convenient. I wouldn’t try to visit them all in one day.

Joel’s Tip: If you are expecting rain or bad weather for one day of your one week in Korea, I’d recommend these activities above for that day. They’re perfect for when the weather doesn’t want to help you out. In case it does rain at any time, then this guide will certainly help you:

Things To Do In Seoul When It’s Raining

Morning – Alternative Activity

If you don’t feel like learning about Korea’s history, then an alternative could be to walk along Seoul’s fortress walls . The walls stretch along the mountains behind Gyeongbokgung Palace, and curve in through the heart of the city. Don’t worry, you don’t have to do any heavy hiking as there are many places you can enjoy them in the city centre.

One of the best places to see the fortress walls is from Naksan Park in Ihwa-dong. You’ll get great views of the city and a feel for life as a City Guard patrolling the walls. You can follow the walls north or south and see some incredible sights as you go.

After you’ve explored the walls, check out the Iwha Mural Village , which has lots of wall murals and is a great place for dressing up in old-style Korean school uniforms. You’ll find lots of cafes in the areas where you can enjoy the view with a refreshing coffee and some Korean desserts.

Please note: some residents have complained about tourists in this area, so please be respectful as you explore this area as people live there.

How to get there: Take a subway to Hyehwa Station (Line 4 – light blue) and walk east up the hill towards the park. Alternatively, head to Dongdaemun Station (Line 4 – light blue) and you’ll find fortress walls here, too.

Afternoon – Seoul’s Traditional Markets

Most people who visit Korea can’t wait to try the incredible local food and Seoul’s traditional markets are some of the best places for authentic, cheap, and delicious places to eat.

Seoul has a range of traditional markets that are more popular than ever. If you’ve watched Netflix’s Street Food series, you should recognise Gwangjang Marke t – home to dozens of tiny restaurants packed with locals and tourists looking for the best bites to eat.

Not only will you find fantastic food to eat, there are also many types of shops selling pretty much everything. If you enjoyed wearing hanbok on the first day, you can even get one custom made to take back and show your friends back home. Not only this, there are souvenirs, snacks, health-foods, Korea’s famous cosmetics & clothes, and lots more.

These are the markets I’d recommend visiting in central Seoul. You might have already seen them, depending on where you’re staying. Try to visit at least one or two, as each one specialises in something different. Follow the link to find out why you should visit, what you’ll find, and how to get there.

Namdaemun Market & Myeongdong Market – best for cheap clothes and souvenirs. These two markets are right next to each other. Be sure to check out the great street food .

Gwangjang Market – famous for its awesome food, also a great place to get custom-made hanbok.

Seoul Folk Flea Market – one for those who like retro and vintage goods.

Noryangjin Fish Market – even better before the sun rises. Watch the fish auctions in the early morning and sample some delicious fresh seafood.

If you’d like to know more about Korea’s traditional markets, which you can find in all major cities across Korea, then check out my guide to the 10 best traditional markets in Korea:

The 10 Best Traditional Markets In Korea

If you have more time available and want to experience more amazing shops, but in a very modern setting instead, then take a trip to Dongdaemun Design Plaza . It’s close to Namdaemun, Dongdaemun, Gwangjang, and Myeongdong Markets and you can reach there by subway, bus, or even walking.

The Dongdaemun Design Plaza is a gigantic alien-looking building that houses a range of different attractions, including temporary art exhibitions, art shops, unique markets, cafes, and a long, sloping lawn on the roof.

I’d recommend checking out the Kakao Friends shop for some fun souvenirs for this place. You might want to come back here later if you have more free time on another day as there’s a lot to see.

Early Evening – Night Views From N Seoul Tower

Before the sun sets, make your way to Namsan Mountain for the second great night view on your one week itinerary for Korea. Located in the heart of Seoul, the N Seoul Tower gives incredible 360 degree views of the city.

To get there, head to Myeongdong Station and then either hike up the small hill or ride the nearby Namsan Cable Car . Alternatively, there are shuttle buses that will take you to the top from around the city.

Joel’s Tip: I’d definitely recommend taking the cable car. If you time it right, you can watch the sunset over the city , then see the night views afterwards. Take as many pictures as you can, there is a lot to see from every side.

There are several  r estaurants that you can dine in at the top, as well as cafes and gift shops. Enjoy views of the whole of Seoul while you dine in style in one of the highest points in Seoul.

Restaurants At N Seoul Tower

Joel’s Tip: If you want to save money on sightseeing and get combo tickets for the observatory and other attractions there, such as the, cafes, restaurants, and a VR experience, book online before you visit.

Discount Tickets For N Seoul Tower

Make sure to explore the area around the tower itself, too. You can find some interesting artworks, love locks, and even take a stroll through down the hill a short way.

Late Evening – Myeongdong’s Night Markets Or Itaewon

Here are two great options to end the second day in Korea for different types of travellers.

First option: after you’ve finished sightseeing at the tower, take the cable car back down and explore Myeongdong’s Night Markets and the rest of Myeongdong. The night markets run until late at night and you can pick up some tasty street food desserts or a late night snack.

Seoul is a 24-hour city and you’ll find cafes and bars (and even shops) open until midnight and beyond. If you have the energy, then walk around and explore this area more. There’s a lot of interesting sights to see and this area is a lot more family friendly than the second option.

Second option: if the night is young and you want to enjoy yourself more, head down in the opposite direction of the hill (south) towards Itaewon for some night life.

Itaewon is the international district of Seoul and was formerly the home to an American military base. Thanks to this, there are loads of great international restaurants, bars, and clubs in the area and it’s the perfect place to unwind with a few drinks.

This area has some of the best international food in the city. There are also many bars and clubs here, especially in the area just north of Itaewon Station .

Despite it being known as the international district, it’s actually most popular with Koreans who want to experience foreign drinks and foods and you’ll see the area packed out on most nights of the week.

Best Foods To Try In Korea:

One of the best things about travelling to any country is the chance to sample new and delicious foods. There is a lot to offer in Korea that you might not find in other countries. Here are 3 of my favourites:

Korean BBQ – most people have this at the top of their to-try list when they come to Korea and for a good reason. This is a serious meal and a cultural experience. Be sure to try it.

Pajeon & Makgeolli – Pictured below, this is a great treat to have after a busy day of walking around sightseeing. Korean-style pancake with different fillings, served with traditonal Korean rice wine. The perfect combo!

Tteokbokki – A must-try street food or meal in Korea, this spicy, salty dish is a favourite with Koreans and tourists alike. A simple mix of rice cakes, fish cakes and a hot spicy sauce, it’s the perfect food for winter, or any time.

Want To Know More About Korea’s Traditional Foods?

Want to know about the best Korean foods to try when you visit Korea? From street food to big meals for all the family, Korean cuisine has a lot to offer. Check out this great article with 20 of the most mouth watering traditional Korean dishes you really should try when you visit Korea.

The 20 Best Traditional Korean Dishes

3: Day 3 – A Day Trip From Seoul

Although Seoul is an incredible city and you could spend the whole 7 days in Korea just visiting the sights of this wonderful place, there’s a lot to see outside of Korea that is also worth your time.

There are many great day trips available from Seoul that will introduce you to some of Korea’s varied culture, nature, history, and attractions that you’ll only find outside of the capital.

I’d recommend one of these following day trips as part of your one week itinerary for Korea. They might only take half a day or more, in which case I’ve also added some suggestions for other things to do with the rest of your 3rd day.

I’ve written an in-depth guide to the top 10 day trips from Seoul, so instead of giving too many details here, you can find out more in the links below.

DMZ Day Tour:

Probably top on everyone’s list of the best day trips from Seoul is a trip to the  demilitarized zone  (DMZ) along Korea’s border. This is something that you can only experience in Korea, which is why it’s hard to resist.

There are so many reasons to visit the DMZ. Whether you want to learn about Korean history, experience a real-life war zone border, or simply want a chance to step into North Korea , this is the trip for you.

Day Trip To The DMZ

Nami Island, The Garden Of Morning Calm, And Gangchon Rail Bike:

A visit to Nami Island is one of the top day trips you can take as it’s fun in any season, as you can see from the picture above. See the  giant metasequoia  and golden ginkgo trees , as well as cherry blossoms , pines, and many other natural beauties.

This area is home to many attractions, which makes it a great place to visit from Seoul. You can pick and choose from combinations of several places nearby for the perfect day trip for you. These include:

Garden of Morning Calm : this is a beautifully crafted garden with lots to see. There are lots of flower festivals throughout the year, even in winter where you can see amazing light displays .

Gangchon Rail Bike Park : you can ride a rail bike along an abandoned railway line and take in the picturesque scenery along the way.

Petite France: dedicated to the novel ‘The Little Prince’, this is a recreation of an idyllic French village in the Korean countryside. Worth a visit if only for the uniqueness and to see how Koreans view France.

Day Trip To Nami Island & Other Places

Joel’s Tip: I’d recommend seeing at least Nami Island and the Garden of Morning Calm. If you want to see more, then the Gangchon Rail Bike Park is also fun. In winter, I’d stick to Nami Island and the Garden of Morning Calm to see the winter festivals and displays here.

Booking a tour is more expensive than getting there by public transport, but also a lot more convenient. Time is precious when you only have 7 days in Korea. There are many tour operators in Korea and the price to visit these places together in one tour isn’t really that expensive.

Everland & Caribbean Bay Theme Park:

Theme park fans and thrill seekers will probably find this to be one of the best day trips from Seoul. If you’re visiting in the summer, or even spring and autumn, these are great places to have fun with all the family. Here are two of the best places to visit:

Everland is Korea’s largest theme park and boasts one of the world’s steepest roller coasters . Great for thrill seekers, families, couples looking to create some unforgettable memories, and even animal lovers.

Caribbean Bay , modelled after the gorgeous beaches of the Caribbean, is the premier destination for water park lovers in South Korea

With loads of rides, this is a perfect way to spend a fun day out during your trip to Korea.

Everland & Caribbean Bay Day Trip

Joel’s Tip: There are a lot of discounts available for these theme parks for tourists. Booking online often saves you a lot of money over the usual entrance price.

Alternatives To A Day Trip From Seoul:

If you don’t feel like taking a day trip from Seoul, then why not spend the day in Seoul checking out some of these fun activities instead:

H iking in Bukhansan National Park – take a hike through Seoul’s own national park and breathe in the fresh mountain air.

Trick Eye Museum – fun for all the family. Not only are there the traditional trick eye pictures to amaze and confuse, there’s also new AR (augmented reality) illusions.

Explore Gangnam – There’s so much to see in Gangnam, including the Starfield COEX Mall , which includes the COEX Aquarium . K-Pop fans will love K Star Road and SM Town . Take some time out to visit Bongeunsa Temple , too.

Nanta Cooking Musical Theatre – This is a unique, wacky theatrical performance where energetic chefs bang pots and pans while preparing delicious traditional Korean foods. Includes lots of audience participation.

Seoul Forest Park – This beautiful forest includes children’s parks, deer, a small petting zoo, and lots of charming walks through nature. Lots of cosy cafes nearby, too.

Try a Korean cooking class – There are so many wonderful  traditional Korean dishes  to sample when visiting Seoul, wouldn’t it be even better if you could learn some to share with your friends?

Visit some of Seoul’s other museums – There are plenty of great museums in Seoul. For example, there’s the Seoul Museum of Art , Leeum Samsung Museum of Art , the Museum of Modern & Contemporary Art , and lots more.

Lotte World Tower – Head to Jamsil and check out the world’s 6th tallest building. Nearby you’ll also find Lotte World Theme Park and the gorgeous Seokchon Lake – perfect for seeing cherry blossoms in April.

Evening – Experience Some Real Korean Culture

After your 3rd busy day in Seoul, why not relax and unwind like the locals do. Here are three fun ways that you can embrace Korean culture like a local in the evening.

1: Korean sauna – there’s nothing better after a busy day walking around than soaking in a jjimjjilbang (찜질방) – a Korean sauna. These are great places to unwind and recharge your batteries in hot (or cold) water, in a steam room, or in the communal hot rooms.

You can find many jjimjjilbang saunas throughout Seoul.

2: Korean karaoke – why not spend your free time singing your heart out at a Korean noraebang (노래방 ) – Korea’s own karaoke rooms?

If you’re travelling with some friends then check out the singing rooms. You can order drinks and pay a small fee to sing for as many hours as you’d like.

3: Try Chimaek – one of my favourite ways to spend an evening is with a trip to a chimaek (치맥) restaurant. Chimaek is a portmanteau of chicken and maekju (beer) and you can guess what you’ll find inside.

Check out one of the many awesome chimaek restaurants in Seoul and try some beer and soju mixed together ( somaek ). Maybe some locals will even join you for a glass or two.

I’d recommend including at least one of these activities in your one week itinerary for Korea so you can really embrace Korean culture.

Find More Great Day Trips From Seoul

There are many incredible day trips you can take from Seoul Covering Korea’s stunning natural beauty , Korean temples , a modern-day war zone , theme parks , and lots more. You’re sure to have a fun time exploring Korea on these day trips. Find out more in my guide to Seoul’s top 10 day trips

Top 10 Day Trips From Seoul

Locations In Seoul In This One Week Itinerary For Korea

Click the link below to see a map of all the locations in Seoul mentioned above, as well as for the 7th day, of this one week in Korea itinerary.

Seoul One Week Itinerary Locations

Please note: you will need Google Maps to be able to view this map.

4: Day 4 – Greetings From Busan

You’re not done with Seoul, there’s still time to check out the city on the last day, but for now it’s time to leave Korea’s capital and head down through the spine of the country to the second biggest city in Korea – Busan.

This lesser-known Korean gem is often overlooked in favour of Seoul, but also has a lot to offer tourists. Packed full of sights, traditional culture & markets, stunning seaside temples, and overflowing with seafood and other dining options, there’s plenty of reasons to make your way to Busan.

Find out below all about what to see and do for a couple of days there.

Morning – Travelling From Seoul To Busan

Unfortunately, most of the morning is going to be spent getting from Seoul to Busan. This isn’t necessarily time wasted, however, as you can see some of the marvellous Korean countryside on the way.

There are three options for getting to Busan by train – the KTX , ITX , and Mugunghwa trains. The easiest way to get there is to take the KTX and travel along Korea’s well-run high speed network all the way to the coastal city.

To help you plan your time and costs, here’s some details about getting from Seoul to Busan:

The KTX is the fastest and easiest option. – A one-way ticket will cost around 60,000 / 30,000 won for an adult / child. – Travel times are approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes .

The ITX is slower and therefore costs a bit less. – A one-way ticket will cost around 42,000 / 21,000 won for an adult / child. – Travel times are approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes .

The Mugunghwa trains are older, slower, but much cheaper. – A one-way ticket will cost around 28,000 / 14,000 won for an adult / child. – Travel times are much longer at approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes .

Joel’s Tip: I’d personally recommend that you take the KTX . This will leave you with a lot more time to enjoy Busan. Budget travellers may want to take the Mugunghwa to save some money, In which case, try to get the earliest train possible and sleep on the way.

You can book tickets and find out about train times on the Let’s Korail website .

Afternoon – Busan’s Traditional Markets

After checking into your hotel (or just leaving your bags there), head straight out to Jagalchi Market in the Nampodong area. This is a great spot to get some lunch and sample Busan’s wonderful seafood. This is one of the main spots to see in Busan and there’s loads to do nearby.

Located outside Jagalchi Subway Station (Line 1 – orange), this sprawling market can be found along the harbour’s edge. Wander through and see all manner of delicious, strange, and colourful sea life and sample some in the nearby restaurants.

After visiting this market, there’s lots more to check out in this area, including Nampodong Street – Busan’s main downtown area with lots of shops and sights.

Nearby you’ll find two other very interesting traditional Korean markets – Gukje Market and Bupyeong Market . See the various goods on sale here and pick up some souvenirs of Busan.

Busan is also famous for the annual Busan International Film Festival , held in October each year. In this area you’ll find lots of monuments dedicated to Korea’s film industry. See if you can recognise some of the movie references in this area.

Marvel fans may also recognise this area as the setting for the parts of the Black Panther movie . See the famous scenes from the movie in real life.

Book lovers should definitely check out Bosu-Dong Book Alley just to the north of this area. Here you’ll find a collection of small bookshops packed full of books of all types and ages.

Evening – Seeing The Sights From Busan Tower

Before it gets dark, head up to the Busan Tower (pictured above) for some romantic pictures of the sea, Busan’s sights, and some cute photo zones. You’ll also find thousands of love locks from couples who wanted to leave a romantic memento from their trip here.

You can walk up to the tower or take a short taxi ride from wherever you end up after exploring the markets. It’s close to Jagalchi Market and you should be able to spot the tower above you.

After seeing the sights from here and hopefully watching the sunset, head back down towards Busan Station to explore Busan’s Chinatown , or back towards Nampodong Street to see the lights and shops at night.

Both are good places to experience more of Busan’s famous food and local culture.

If you’re still up for going out after all this, then you should find plenty of bars to drink in, noraebang singing rooms, or cosy cafes to relax in.

5: Day 5 – A Day Trip To Gyeongju

A popular day trip from Busan is going to the historic city of Gyeongju . If you’re only planning to visit Korea once, then I’d definitely recommend including it in your trip.

Known as a ‘ museum without walls ‘, Gyeongju was once Korea’s capital city and has more historical sites and artefacts from the medieval period than anywhere else in Korea.

You can see all the top spots of Gyeongju in one day and a day trip from Busan to Gyeongju will be all you need to check out the many wonderful sights and learn about Korean history.

Top spots to visit in Gyeongju include:

• Cheomseongdae Observatory
• Gyerim Woodland
• Tumuli Park (Daereungwon Tomb Complex)
• Gyeongju National Museum
• Bulguksa Temple

You can book a day trip to Gyeongju from Busan for a convenient and easy trip to this interesting city.

Alternatively, you can take the KTX train from Busan directly to Gyeongju, then arrange your own way around the city. The KTX takes about 30 minutes and costs 12,000 won.

I’ll assume you’re coming back from Gyeonju late and going to bed early in preparation for the next day of your active one week itinerary for Korea.

If not, there are always plenty of night spots in Busan to check out.

If you never made it to Busan, or you want to skip the city and still see all the incredible sights of Gyeongju, then you can travel directly from Seoul. Read more about how to get from Seoul to Gyeongju . This guide covers all the ways you can travel there by public transport, great if you want to avoid expensive tours.

A Fantastic Guide To Gyeongju

Here’s an excellent guide to everything there is to do, see, and eat in Gyeongju:

Amazing Guide To Visiting Gyeongju

It includes a very detailed plan for spending a day in Gyeongju, as well as an overnight itinerary for those who want more time to explore this historic marvel.

6: Day 6 – Busan’s Beautiful Beaches

As long as the weather is good, then it’s time to check out some of Busan’s most famous shores – Haeundae Beach and Gwangali Beach .

Before that, though, a quick trip to one of the most unique and beautiful temples in Korea – Haedong Yonggungsa Temple – is a must.

Morning – Quick Trip To Haedong Yonggungsa Temple

Wake up early and make a short trip to  Haedong Yonggungsa Temple . This is a rare chance to see the beautiful southern coast and one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Korea.

The clear blue seas are on par with what you’ll find in  Haeundae Beach . However, when contrasted by the rugged rocks and unique architecture, this is an even more amazing view.

There are several ways to get to Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, including buses or a taxi. Getting there isn’t too difficult. Follow this guide to see how to get to Haedong Yonggungsa Temple .

Alternatively, you could book a day tour from Klook that will also take you to the Busan Oryukdo Skywalk and Gamcheon Culture Village .

This should take up the best part of the morning, then it’s time to head back to Busan and check out the more of Busan’s hotspots.

Be sure to get off the bus near Haeundae Beach for the next stop on this one week itinerary for Korea.

Afternoon – Busan’s Best Beaches

After coming back from the temple, head to Busan’s most famous beach – Haeundae . If you’re staying in this area, then you may have already seen this area. If not, make sure to check out all there is to see and do.

Depending on the season, you may want to just chill out on the beach, however, if it’s too chilly, then you can see some of the many attractions nearby.

Here are some of the best things to do in this area:

The Sea Life Aquarium – great for families looking to see more of the sea without getting wet themselves. Good for a rainy day in Busan.

Walk around Dongbaek Island Park – despite being called an island, this is actually attached to the land. You can walk around this small hill and get great views of the beach, the city, and the surrounding area. It should take about 1 hour in total.

The Bay 101 – if the weather is warm, why not try some water sports? Have fun riding a banana boat, jet-ski, semi-submarine boat, and lots more.

Haeundae Market – sample some of Busan’s fresh seafood and specialty dishes here in this traditional market. You’ll find lots of restaurants in this area, too.

Cafe In Busan – fun insta-worthy cafe on Dalmaji Hill with views over the coast.

Bars, pubs and clubs – if you’re in this area at night, you’ll see that it becomes very lively. A popular place for Koreans and tourists to party, you’ll find lots of places to have fun here.

Joel’s Tip: If you’re travelling to Korea in summer, then I’d definitely recommend spending time at a beach or two. This is one of my favourite summer activities. For more great fun things to do in summer in Korea, check out this article:

20 Awesome Summer Activities In Korea

How to get there: Take the subway to Haeundae Station (Line 2 – green) and walk towards the coast.

Early Evening – Night Views At Gwangali Beach

From Haeundae Beach , take a subway from Haeundae Station or Dongbaek Station towards Geumnyeonsan Station a few stops along the green line. If you’re feeling active, you can walk along the coast all the way from Haeundae Beach.

From here you will enter another of Busan’s fine beaches – Gwangali Beach . Arguably one of the finest in Busan, Gwangali Beach has fine powdery sands and great views of the Gwangan Bridge .

Once it starts to get dark, head to Millak Waterfront Park to get the best views of Gwangan Bridge at night. The enormous Gwangan Bridge is equipped with thousands of LED lights and provides a spectacular light show in the evenings. Join hundreds of other people staring out into the ocean and the colourful performance put on by the bridge.

Finally, head back to Gwangali Beach to experience the peaceful open-air cafes, bars, and restaurants. You can even do a bit of shopping in the many stores nearby.

Grab some dinner at one of the nearby seafood restaurants (or other restaurants if you’re not a fan) and get a taste of the ocean for your evening meal. Enjoy fine food with views of the golden sands.

How to get there: Take a subway to Geumnyeonsan Station or Gwangan Station (Line 2 – green) and head towarrds the beach.

Late Evening – Busan’s Busy Centre That Never Sleeps

There are plenty of places for nightlife and bars to add to your one week itinerary for Korea. Seoul and Busan have lots of good places to spend the dark hours at night.

If you still have lots of energy and want to party in Busan, then I’d recommend checking out the Seomyeon area in Central Busan.

This area is great for the evening even if you don’t want to drink, with many late-night cafes and busy streets to explore.

To get to this area, take the subway to Seomyeon Station (Line 1 – orange or Line 2 – green). This area is easily accessed from both the Jagalchi / Nampo area and the Haeundea area.

Locations In Busan In This One Week Itinerary For Korea

Click the link below to see a map of all the locations in Busan mentioned above in this one week itinerary for Korea.

Busan One Week Itinerary Locations

7: Day 7 – Last Busan Sights Then Shopping In Seoul

It’s the final day on your one week itinerary in Korea and time to head back to Seoul.

You can choose to spend the morning in Busan, or jump straight onto the train and head back to Seoul for a full day there.

Before leaving Busan, I’d recommend a quick trip to Gamcheon Culture Village before taking the KTX back to Seoul around lunch time. Find out more about this colourful area of Busan below.

Morning – See The Sights Of Gamcheon Culture Village

If you want to head straight back to Seoul to have more time there, then you can skip this section.

However, to get the most out of your one week itinerary for Korea, then definitely visit the Gamcheon Culture Village . Known as the Machu Picchu of Korea,  Gamcheon Culture Village  is high on photographers’ lists.

See hundreds of colourful buildings on the slopes of these coastal hills, and the murals and sculptures created by local residents. A lot of the art makes use of boring parts of the local landscape, turning them into  Instagram-worthy locales .

If you’re limited in time, enter via the North Entrance and you’ll find a lot of the most famous sites. These include The Little Prince , Love Locks , Socks Shops , the Library Stairs , and more.

How To Navigate The Gamcheon Culture Village.

Spend a couple of hours here and then head back to Busan Station for the train to Seoul.

How to get there: Take the subway to Toseong Station (Line 1 – orange) and walk up the hill to the village. Alternatively, take the 87 bus from Busan Station directly there.

Afternoon – Shopping And Culture In Hongdae

On the last day of your one week itinerary for Korea, you probably want to start thinking about unique and wonderful souvenirs to take back home for your friends and family.

There are several great places to get gifts in Seoul, including Hongdae , Insadong , Myeongdong , Dongdaemun , and many shopping centres and department stores .

You might choose any of these places, however, I’d recommend going to Hongdae if you haven’t already been there.

Hongdae is Seoul’s answer to  Harajuku in Tokyo, with lots of unique fashion and hairstyles, as well as boutique stores. There are several reasons to check out this area.

Firstly, the streets are packed with shops selling clothes (boutique or mainstream), artsy goods, souvenirs, and, perhaps best of all,  lots of Korean snacks  to sample!

Secondly, there’s also a vibrant community and youth art scene in the area. There is a strong art influence here from the nearby Hongik University (Korea’s top Art School).

Head here for the afternoon to shop, eat in the many great restaurants , and check out the street art and performances.

Evening – Heading Home With Happy Memories

The end of your one week itinerary in Korea is here. It’s time to head to Incheon Airport from wherever you are.

If your flight isn’t until the morning, then you can stay in Hongdae for the night, or book a hotel at Incheon Airport .

If you’re in Hongdae , then you can take Airport Limousine Bus 6002 , or the all-stop train from Hongik University Station .

Find out more about transport options to Incheon Airport with my article all about getting between Seoul and Incheon Airport.

How To Get From Seoul To Incheon Airport

It’s Not Goodbye, It’s See You Again

Surely a very sad time, but hopefully you’ll be inspired to plan another one week trip to Korea as soon as you get home!

Korea is different in every season, so be sure to visit again at another time.

Don’t miss out on the beautiful autumn leaves , fun summer activities , winter fun , or cherry blossoms in spring .

There’s still plenty left to explore in Korea!

Alternative One Week Itinerary For Korea

I’m going to post a couple of very short alternative one week itineraries for Korea below. I won’t go into as much detail, but these should help you start planning an alternative course.

Remember, if you have any questions about your one week itinerary for Korea, or about Korea in general, be sure to ask the experts in the Korea Travel Advice & Planning Facebook Group .

One Week Itinerary 2: For Nature Lovers & Hikers

If you want to see more of Korea’s natural beauty , then an alternative one week itinerary for Korea could be as follows:

Days 1 to 3: Exploring Seoul

You can follow a similar itinerary for Seoul, or check out more of Seoul’s natural beauty, including Seoul Forest Park , Seokchon Lake , Haneul (Sky) Park , Bukhansan National Park , Children’s Grand Park , and others.

Day 4: Head To Gangneung City On The East Coast.

Gangneung is a lovely coastal city with lots of beaches, cosy cafes, and access to the nearby mountains.

This is a great place to watch the sunrise, relax with a coffee, or try some water sports on the beach.

How To Get To Gangneung From Seoul

Day 5: Hike Odaesan Then On To Sokcho

Odaesan National Park is a short train journey from Gangneung and provides a great chance to see some of Korea’s natural beauty.

Follow the gentle walking course from the temple near the entrance, or hike to the top of the mountains. You can choose.

After returning to Gangneung, take an intercity bus from Gangneung Bus Terminal to Sokcho . The ride only takes an hour.

Day 6: Seoraksan National Park And Sokcho

There are plenty of things to do in Sokcho , however, the main reason people stay there is to get to Seoraksan National Park .

Seoraksan is one of the most stunning national parks and is especially great to visit in autumn to see the autumn leaves .

Take the shuttle bus from Sokcho Bus Terminal to Seoraksan and spend the day at Seoraksan.

Check out the temples, ride the cable car, hike to the top, or just take it easy with a gentle stroll in the valley.

Either head back to Seoul at night, or wait until the morning and stay in Sokcho. Buses take about 2 hours and run regularly.

Transport Details For Sokcho To Seoul

Day 7: Seoul For Last Minute Shopping

As with my other one week itinerary for Korea, you can spend the last day doing some last minute sightseeing or shopping in various locations.

One Week Itinerary 3: Seoul & Jeju Island

Finally, this third one week itinerary for Korea focuses on one of the new 7 Natural Wonders of the World – Jeju Island .

You can follow any of the activities mentioned in the other two one week itineraries for Korea.

Days 4 to 6: Magical Jeju Island

Instead of travelling to Busan and Gyeongju, take a flight from Incheon or Gimpo Airport to Jeju Island for 2 or 3 days and explore the island.

There’s so much to do there, including many weird museums , hiking South Korea’s highest mountain , eating lots of delicious Jeju Island food , relaxing on the beaches, and connecting with Korean nature.

Hire a rental car to get around more easily. The island isn’t that big and you can see a lot in a short time.

Many things are out of the main city, so driving is a lot more convenient.

To help you plan, here’s an awesome guide to sightseeing in Jeju.

Read more: Guide To Sightseeing For Jeju Island

Day 7: Back To Seoul With Jeju Gifts

Fly back to Seoul on your last day with lots of great souvenirs from Jeju Island , including healthy Korean green tea.

Joel’s Tips For An Amazing 7 Days In Korea

There is a lot to consider before going to any country, such as vaccines, converting money, using the Internet, and when to travel to another country. I’ll try to answer a few of these issues briefly below.

However, for a more detailed guide to pre-planning your trip to South Korea, please read my guide below:

What To Know Before Travelling To Korea .

For now, here are some pointers to get you thinking more about your one week itinerary for Korea and what to expect.

Where to Stay In Seoul

Seoul is a BIG city and to help you decide where to stay, I’ve made a guide to the best places to stay in Seoul . Below are a few recommendations to get you started.

For budget travellers , Myeongdong and Dongdaemun are good places to stay and you’ll be able to pick up lots of cheap clothes, gifts, and street food.

People looking for lots of night life would enjoy the Hongdae area, which also has lots of good cafes, bars, and restaurants. Accommodation here is reasonably priced .

If you have a bit more money to spend and want to check out some of the designer stores or hunt for celebrities, then the Gangnam district is probably best for you.

All of these areas have good subway connections and will easily get you to other areas.

Where To Stay In Seoul

Where To Stay In Busan

Busan is a great city with lots to see and do. Two of the most popular areas to stay in Busan are in Haeundae (the famous beach area) and Seomyeon (the downtown heart of Busan). Whichever area you choose, here are some great hotels for each type of traveller.

Haeundae : The hot place to go in Busan. Gorgeous beaches and great bars and nightlife, as well as traditional markets and cosy cafes. Dalmaji-gil Road in Haeundae has some great views.

Budget Travellers : Toyoko Inn Haeundae No. 2

Families & Couples: Good Day Mate

Luxury Travellers: Paradise Hotel Busan

Seomyeon : The heart of inner Busan. Away from the coast, but conveniently located with access to two of the main subway lines. No shortage of good bars, restaurants, and places to shop here. Good for getting almost anywhere else in the city.

Budget Travellers : Uniqstay Bed & Breakfast

Families & Couples: Arban Hotel

Luxury Travellers: Lotte Hotel Busan

Joel’s Tip: There might be nicer hotels that have better availability when you travel. This list is just to get you started. Try to find the hotel that’s right for you and you’ll certainly enjoy your stay in Busan more.

Best Times To Visit Korea

If you have the luxury of being able to travel to Korea at any time, then there are some definite must-visit times you’ll want to travel to South Korea.

Firstly, the best times to visit Korea are in the spring and autumn when the weather is cooler and nature is at its best.

Spring runs from late March until the end of May and during the first two weeks of April is the best time to see the amazing Korean cherry blossoms and captivating spring festivals .

Autumn starts off in mid-September and runs until mid-November, before rapidly changing to winter. During mid-October to early November you can see the stunning autumn leaves in Korea .

Summer is hot (around 35 degrees) and winter is cold (below zero in January). That’s not to say you can’t travel, but be prepared for the harsher weather. There are still many things to do in winter in Korea and lots of awesome summer activities in Korea .

Whatever time of year you’re visiting, I’d recommend you check out the incredible festivals that occur throughout the year. These can make your week in Korea even more memorable.

For a full breakdown of the different seasons in Korea, what to do each month, and when to visit for that perfect holiday, check out this article about the best time to visit Korea:

When To Visit Korea: Korean Season Guide

How To Get Around Korea

One of the best things that makes living and travelling in Korea so easy is the wide range of good public transport.

Even if you don’t speak any Korean, you can still get around on the buses, subways, trains, and in taxis.

There are many apps for booking taxis and to guide you around Korea, including Kakao Taxi and Naver Maps . You can use these to get around Korea more easily.

Sadly the buses usually aren’t in English, but using the map app will help you figure out which bus to take, where to get on, and where to get off.

Be sure to pick up a T-Money Card or Korea Tour Card (which includes T-Money) when you arrive to make getting around Korea easier. If you plan to visit a lot of expensive attractions in Seoul, then you may want to get a Discover Seoul Pass . This pass gives you free entry to many attractions and a free Airport Express ticket.

The trains and subways have English translations on the maps, as well as English announcements. This makes it very easy to get around Seoul and travel to other places.

Getting from Incheon Airport to Seoul is also easy and there are many cheap and convenient options available.

If you want the freedom to travel around Korea as you like, then try renting a car . Please note that you will need a valid International Driver’s Permit (IDP) to rent a car in Korea. It must also be the ‘ book type ‘, not just a card.

Costs For One Week In Korea

This is a very difficult question to answer and all depends on your own personal spending habits. For a one week trip to Korea, I would suggest budgeting the following daily amounts per person:

Accommodation: 50,000 – 100,000 KRW

Food: 30,000 – 50,000 KRW

Activities: 15,000 – 30,000 KRW

Transportation: 5,000 – 20,000 KRW

This gives a range of about 100,000 – 200,000 KRW per person, per day . These costs can swing a lot depending on the type of person travelling and also just because different days have different costs.

The figures above are based on budget to mid-level travellers.

Please note: 100,000 KRW is worth approximately $85.00 USD

However, there are many other costs than just these, including day trips, Internet connections, travel insurance, visas, etc. For a full breakdown of the cost to travel to Korea, check out the article below:

Cost To Travel In Korea: Korean Budget Guide

I really would recommend reading the guide above for lots of my best tips about how much money to expect to pay in Korea, as well as some other very handy tips.

That’s all for this one week itinerary for Korea. I hope you’ve found lots of ideas to help you plan your trip. If you want to share any other ideas, please feel free to post a comment at the end. Thanks.

Liked this? Pin It For Others

If you enjoyed reading this article, then please go ahead and share this with your friends on Pinterest.

You Might Also Like:

Here are some other great articles that you might want to read about travelling in Korea. Remember, if you have any questions about anything, please feel free to post a comment or join the  Korea Travel Advice Facebook Group .

Pepero Day In Korea 2021: Exploring Korea’s Unusual Holidays

How To Save Money In Seoul in 2023: 15 Money Saving Secrets

Spring Festivals In Korea 2023: Colorful Cherry Blossoms & More!

Leave a comment cancel reply.

• Rest Of Korea / Seoul Travel Blog

How Much To Bring To Korea For 7 Days

· Updated February 13, 2024 THIS POST CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS

Are you visiting Korea for 7 days and are not sure how much to pack and how much money to bring? Well you came to the right place! This blog post covers everything there is to know about bringing the right amount of money and clothes on your trip to South Korea. Read on to find out more!

What To Know About Visiting Korea For 7 Days

1. flight ticket – how much to budget, 2. accommodations – where to stay & how much to budget, 3. public transport – how to get around & prices, 4. food & drinks – how much to budget, 5. sightseeing – how much to budget, 6. other expenses, 7. how to pay with card & cash in korea, 8. where to exchange money, frequently asked questions.

Listed below are some of the main things you need to know about coming to Korea for 7 days.

• Itinerary: Use our 7 day Seoul itinerary or 7 day Korea itinerary to help plan your trip.
• Tipping: Do you need to tip when coming to South Korea? Read this article to find out!
• 24 Hours Seoul Day Pass : If you want to make the most of your time in Seoul, consider purchasing a 24/48/72 hour tourist pass. This gives you instant access to more than 35 different touristic sights in Seoul.  Check more info here.
• Power Travel Adapter: South Korea uses mainland European style plugs, make sure to bring a travel power adapter if you require one. Find more info about Korea  travel converters  here.
• Korea Transportation Card  – The best way to get any city in South Korea is by using public transportation  like the bus or subway. Buy your  public transportation card  in advance and pick up at Incheon International Airport.
• Skincare Procedures – South Korea is the capital of high quality skincare or medical procedures. Learn more about where to get the best skincare procedures here.

Previously we have written a full guide on what to pack when coming to Korea which covers all you need to know about what to wear each season in Korea. You can also download a free printable packing check list by clicking on the picture below.

How Much Money To Bring To Korea For 7 Days

Planning how much money to bring is always difficult, but we will try to break it down for you as much as possible. Listed below are your main expenses you will have during your trip to Korea.

If you are traveling on a budget you can probably get around with 80 000 krw a day but you might not be staying in the nicest hotels or have the best food. For those on a mid range budget, 120 000 krw should be enough and for those on a luxury budget, a minimum of 200 000 krw should be ok.

It is recommended to bring at least around 200$ in cash. You can use this in places that don’t accept cash or in emergencies. Most shops accept card but small market or street vendors will only accept cash payments.

The price of flight tickets to South Korea can vary depending on a number of factors such as the time of year, airline, departure location, and demand. Generally speaking, flights to South Korea tend to be more expensive during peak travel seasons, such as during the summer months and major holidays.

However, by planning ahead and being flexible with travel dates, it is often possible to find good deals on flights to South Korea. Additionally, some airlines may offer special promotions or discounts for specific routes or destinations, so it’s always a good idea to check multiple options before making a purchase.

Overall, the price of flight tickets to South Korea can range from affordable to quite expensive, but with a little research and flexibility, travelers can often find a good deal.

It is highly recommended to book all your accommodations in advance and pay them in advance as well. This will reduce the money you’ll have to bring massively. The best platforms to find accommodation in Korea are:

• Booking.com: They have a wide selection of accommodations all around Korea and with the Genius Membership you can save up to 20%. Find more info about how to get Genius Membership here.

Accommodation in Korea ranges from as low as 20 000 krw up to 250 000 krw or even more. The following budgets should be enough for cheap/budget 40 000 krw/night – mid range 70 000 krw/night – luxury +120 000 krw/night.

Public transport in Korea is extremely cheap. One bus ride or subway ride costs about 1200 krw. If you are traveling around Seoul using public transport you’ll probably spend around 10 000 krw a day. To save money you can use a T Money card on public transport . This card can be bought online and topped up in advance. Buy a T Money Card here.

Intercity/Express buses or trains are more expensive. A bus ride from Seoul to Busan costs around 30 000 krw and a train ticket around 56 000 krw. Buying tickets online is quite hard as many foreigners have problems with the Korean payment system. If you are planning to travel around the country you need to make your budget bigger as you’ll have to pay for your bus/train tickets by cash or card. It is highly recommended to buy bus or train tickets in advance as they tend to sell out quickly. Bus tickets can be purchased in the station or on Kobus (only PC version for international cards). Buy your train tickets on Korail or in any train station. Save money buy purchasing a train pass!

When it comes to food and drinks it again depends on what kind of restaurants you’ll visit. In Korea you can get a meal for as little as 8000 krw so if you want you can really travel on a low budget. Prepare at least the following for budget restaurant 10000 krw a meal – mid range 20 000 krw a meal – luxury +40 000 krw a meal. The price for a cup of coffee is around 5000 krw.

It is possible to pay for certain restaurants online in advance if you reserve them using the booking platform Klook .

This part is really tricky. The price of entrance tickets really depends on where you’ll be visiting. National Museums are most of the time free and entrance fees for National Monuments costs no more than 5000 krw.

The entrance fees for private attractions and touristic sites are generally more pricey than national sites but tickets can all be booked in advance online.

Klook and Trazy are the best booking platforms to use for entrance tickets, performance tickets or even day trips. Booking entrance tickets online is often cheaper and you can pay in advance.

When traveling to Korea, it’s important to budget for souvenirs and shopping, as there are plenty of unique and interesting items to take home. One great way to save money is to prioritize what souvenirs you want to buy ahead of time, and set a budget for each item. It’s also a good idea to research prices and compare them between different stores or markets.

If you’re planning to shop for clothing or accessories, be sure to try them on and check the quality before making a purchase. Some popular souvenirs in Korea include traditional crafts, beauty products, and K-pop merchandise. By planning ahead and being mindful of your spending, you can enjoy the shopping experience in Korea without breaking the bank.

In South Korea 95% of all payments can be made with card. It is recommended to bring a minimum amount of cash with you. $200 USD should be enough to pay for small items and in case your card doesn’t work. All of your other expenses should be paid with your card.

Bring at least 2 cards and inform your bank you will be traveling to South Korea. With your cards you can pay in most shops and even withdraw money. KEB Hana Bank is a good bank to withdraw money from.

Consider getting a travel card like Revolut. Travel cards can be topped up from your regular account and can be used around the world to pay or withdraw cash. No commission is charged when using a travel card. Find more info about getting a travel card here.

The best area in Seoul to exchange money is in Myeongdong . Try to avoid having to exchange money at the airport as they tend to take a lot of commission.

Listed below are a series of frequently asked questions.

You should bring at least $200 in cash to use in shops that don’t accept card or for emergencies in case you card doesn’t work. Use a travel card like Revolut to make payments abroad.

Use this Korea packing check list to help plan what to wear when coming to South Korea.

Liked this post about how much to bring when coming to Korea for 7 days? Why not pin it !

Do you have any questions about how much to bring to Korea for a week trip? Are you struggling to define your budget? Have you been to Korea for 7 days? Let us know in the comment section below.

You may also like....

How To Go To Busan From Seoul By Flight, Train, Bus And Car

March 13, 2023

 by Marie · Published March 13, 2023

Incheon Airport To Gimpo Airport | By Subway, Bus Or Taxi

March 6, 2024

 by Marie · Published March 6, 2024

The Gwangyang International Maehwa Festival

April 23, 2023

 by Marie · Published April 23, 2023

5 Responses

• Pingbacks 0

Hello My name is Dechen Dema and I am from Bhutan.Thank you so much for the details to travel in korea because I am planning to travel south korea and this information gives me benefits. I am very thankful to you.

I want to visit Korea.How much is the possible budget good for two persons. With a minimum accomodatiin?

Your website is great and helpful. I did have a question regarding the phones in Korea. I have read that US Travelers need an unlocked phone once you arrive in Korea and can get one at the airport but do you have a recommendation on getting one before arriving?

I plan on traveling to S Korea Spring of 2025. I have a question regarding an international SIM card or eSIM that I can use in my unlocked iPhone. Is it something I can purchase ahead of time or when I arrive & where would you recommend I purchase from? Many thanks ~ Linda

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

• Next story  Incheon Airport To Myeongdong | By Bus, Train And Taxi
• Previous story  The Ultimate Korea Packing List: An All Seasons Guide On What To Wear

DON’T MISS OUT

Ultimate 2 week South Korea Itinerary: Best Places (2024)

Are you planning a 2 Week South Korea itinerary in 2024? This is our in-depth guide on how you can travel 2 weeks in South Korea visiting beautiful temples, eating the best food and learning about the Korean culture.

We’ll show you the best places to visit in South Korea and the best things to do in each place – tips on how to get around the country, what apps you need and how to budget for a 2 week South Korea trip. Let’s explore what to do in South Korea and create your South Korea route!

This post may contain affiliate links. We will receive a small commission if you make a purchase using these links, at no additional cost to you .

Quick Tips for 2 weeks in South Korea

Table of Contents (Skip to a section!)

• Currency – Korean Won (compare to your own currency here )
• Language – Korean (한글)
• Cuisine – Korean Cuisine (noodles, rice, BBQ & kimchi)
• Apps – NaverMaps (like GoogleMaps) & Kako Talk (like Google Translate)
• Transport Card – T-Money Card (the easiest way to use public transport in South Korea)
• Korea Power Voltage  – Plugs C & F (220 V)

Simcard options for South Korea

E-Sim  – A great option if you don’t need a Korean number! Purchase the sim online and with instructions you can install the sim on your phone settings! Here’s a  12 Day E-Sim . (£9.50 for 12 days)

Prepaid Sim  – This may be preferred if you also want a Korean number as well as data. Price changes depending on the length you want the sim. Find a sim card on Klook here ! (£15 for 10 days) Pick up at the airport.

Portable Wifi  – A great option if you want to connect more than just your phone! Find a  portable Wifi on Klook here ! (£20 for 10 days) Pick up at the airport.

We also recommend having a portable charger for your phone so you always have enough battery to last the day and still use wifi! We recommend this one – Anker Power Bank !

Best time to visit South Korea

The best time to visit South Korea is around March – June (Spring) and September – November (Fall)! This doesn’t mean you won’t enjoy visiting in other months however the winter will be very cold and the summer will be very hot and humid!

Visiting South Korea in the winter means you have a chance to see snowfall and join in with winter activities. But in Spring you can see the cherry blossoms and in Fall you can see the autumnal foliage.

How to get around South Korea

South Korea is one of the easiest countries to get around – there are speed trains, well-connected cities, intercity buses and local buses! In the big cities, there are also metros to help you get to your destination. A Korea Rail Pass is a discounted train ticket that can help you get around the country – Find tickets on Klook here !

Trains – The fastest way to get around South Korea ( Korail tickets here ) ( Korea Rail Pass here)

Express & Intercity Buses – Another easy way to get around & cheaper than trains! ( Kobus tickets )

Flights – Flights to Jeju Island from Seoul or Busan – Check Skyscanner  for flight times and prices !

2 Week South Korea Itinerary

Now that we’ve explained a few things about arriving in South Korea, let’s get down to the South Korea 14 day itinerary! We have written separate in-depth guides about most of the places on our list , so check out our page after you’re finished with this 2 weeks in South Korea route!

Day 1 – 5 | Seoul

The best way to start your 2 week South Korea itinerary is in the capital – Seoul! This city has a lot to offer and it’s one of the best places to learn about Korean culture whilst you get settled into the country.

How to get to Seoul

It’s likely you’ll be arriving at Incheon Airport which is just outside of Seoul. The best way to get to the city centre is to take the Airport Rail Road on the AREX Line. You can buy a ticket at the machines ( there’s an English option! ) and just follow the signs for the platform heading to Seoul Station. Find tickets on Klook here .

You can also buy a T-Money Card from a convenience store at the airport and top up here too ( 10,000 is a good starting point !). You’ll definitely want one for travelling around Seoul, so it’s best to buy one now!

Once you arrive at Seoul Station, you can head to your accommodation using buses or the metro. Naver Maps will be the best app for directions!

What to do in Seoul

There are many things to do in Seoul and you could honestly spend 2 weeks in South Korea just exploring the different areas of this capital city! We recommend 5 days or 5 nights in Seoul as this gives you the best amount of time to see what the city has to offer whilst not rushing around too much. Here’s a list of some of the activities to do in Seoul! (Also check out our 5 Day Seoul Itinerary travel guide here! )

Explore Insa-dong & Ikseon-dong

Insa-dong is one of our favourite neighbourhoods in Seoul. The area is filled with cosy restaurants, lovely teahouses and independent shops. The area is known for its historic art presence and you’ll also find galleries in between the alleys. If you’re hungry, enjoy a traditional Korean lunch or dinner at Osegye Hyang ( location ) in the beautiful streets of Insadong.

Nearby Insa-dong is Ikseon-dong – a hanok village full of trendy cafes, photo booths and cute shops! It’s a beautiful area to explore on your 2 weeks in South Korea itinerary.

Shop in Myeong Dong

Myeong Dong is the main shopping area in Seoul, there are luxury shopping malls, known fashion brands and so many cosmetic stores! The Myeong Dong Walking Street ( location ) is the main strip and you’ll find street vendors around this area too. It’s a great option for dinner or you can find one of the many restaurants in the area.

Check out some of Seoul’s Palaces:

• Changdeokgung
• Changgyeonggung
• Gyeongbokgung (highly recommend!)
• Gyeonghuigung

On your 2 week South Korea itinerary, we recommend visiting Changdeokgung & Changgyeonggung together as they are close together in the same park. The entry for Changdeokgung is 3000 won and Changgyeonggung is 1000 won. Changdeokgung served as the principal palace of multiple Joseon kings for over 250 years!

Another palace that’s definitely worth a visit is Gyeongbokgung – one of the most beautiful palaces in Seoul. It was the main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty and was built in 1395. The gardens are also beautiful to walk around.

Rent a Hanbok in South Korea

To make your visit to a palace even more special, you can rent and wear a hanbok for a few hours. There are many rental shops in Seoul around palaces and hanok villages. We recommend wearing your hanbok in Gyeongbokgung Palace as it’s the perfect size to explore and there’s a great rental shop nearby! Find the link on Klook here –  Hanbok Rental Klook

Bukchon Village

Bukchon Hanok Village is a traditional Korean village with over 900 preserved homes. It’s the perfect area to visit at the beginning of your 2 weeks in South Korea to experience South Korean culture. Here’s the location for the area –  Bukchon Village Location !

Namsan Park & Seoul Tower

Visiting Namsam Park is one of the best places to visit in South Korea! It should definitely be on your 2 week South Korea itinerary and it’s the perfect spot to view all of Seoul! It will take 30 minutes to 1 hour to reach the top of the park and it’s a relatively easy climb up to the top.

After admiring the views at the top of the park, you can go even higher and go to the top of Seoul Tower! Tickets are really affordable on Klook – so make sure you  buy your ticket in advance!  They don’t sell out and it’s an open ticket for whichever day you want to go on your South Korea route.

Visit Hongdae, Itaewon & Gangnam

All in different areas of Seoul, these three neighbourhoods along with Insadong and Myeongdong are some of the best places to visit in Seoul. Hongdae is one of the hip and trendy areas of Seoul, with many shops, restaurants and themed cafes. It’s also a great spot for nightlife alongside Itaewon.

Itaewon is right at the base of Namsan Park and it’s the place to go if you want to see the foreign area of Seoul – there are many international restaurants, shops and bookstores here! We recommend Plant Cafe Seoul ( location ) for lunch here!

You may have heard of the song ‘Gangnam Style’ and it’s actually a neighbourhood in Seoul – one of the wealthiest neighbourhoods in the country! The best spots to visit in Gangnam are Gangnam Shopping Street & Starfield Library Location .

Learn about the history of the Korean war and visit the Demilitarized Zone of Korea! It’s an important part of their country and you also get the chance to see a view of North Korea. You can only do this with a tour –  book tickets with Klook here !

There’s also an Eland Hangang River Cruise to make your 2 week South Korea itinerary more unique! You can also day trip to Nami Island  for a journey into nature.

5 Day Seoul Itinerary Breakdown : Day 1  – Insadong, Ikseon-dong & Myeong Dong / Day 2  – Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, Bukchon Village & Hongdae / Day 3  – N Seoul Tower & Itaewon / Day 4  – Gyeongbokgung, Hanbok, Naksan Park & Gwangjang Market / Day 5  – Seoul Forest & Gangnam

Where to stay in Seoul

Best area to stay in Seoul:   Insadong, Myeongdong, Hongdae, Itaewon & Gangnam

Hostel Tommy  $-$$ (Insadong) – This location is perfect for a first-time visit to Seoul. It’s close to the hanok villages, royal palaces, trendy cafes, restaurants and convenience stores. Located minutes away from a metro station to take you anywhere in the city. The hostel has dorms and private rooms to suit each traveller and there’s a common area with a kitchen!  Find the link to Booking.com here –  Hostel Tommy Booking.com

Where to eat in Seoul

Osegye Hyang $ (Insadong) – Traditional Korean vegan restaurant ( location ) Maru $ (Insadong) – Vegan street food ( location ) Gwangjang Market (Stall A11) $ (Jongno 5) – Vegan options at the famous market ( location ) Plant Cafe Seoul $$ (Itaewon) – International vegan cuisine in Seoul ( location ) ( website )

Day 5 – 6 | Golgulsa Templestay

‘ Templestay ‘ is a unique cultural programme in South Korea. There are many Buddhist temples in the country that allow guests to stay overnight and join in activities and meditation. It allows visitors to experience the life of Buddhist monks in Korea and they’re all so welcoming. Want to add this to your South Korea 14 day itinerary?

How to get to Golgulsa Temple from Seoul

KTX  – You can book your train tickets online here –  Korail Train Tickets and get a Korea Rail Pass if you’re planning to travel more of South Korea by train. Once you have your ticket head to  Seoul Station  and get on your train to  Singyeongju Station  (around 2 hours) The KTX will cost around 45,000KWR for a one-way ticket.

Once you’ve reached  Gyeongju , you can catch a bus (150 / 100 / 100-1 around 50 minutes) to the Andong bus stop and then it’s a 15-minute walk to Golgulsa Temple. It’s also possible to get a taxi to the temple from Gyeongju which is faster.

Another option would be to take a bus or car ! Bus  – Head to  Express Bus Terminal  and get a bus to  Gyeongju Express Bus Terminal . It will take around 4 hours and is usually cheaper than the KTX. A car is also a great option to get to Golgulsa Temple as the temple has lots of parking spaces.

What to do at Golgulsa Templestay

As the Golgulsa Templestay is a programme – there will be certain schedules for weekdays and weekends. It’s completely optional to do any of these activities, but all of them are included in your Templestay experience.

Sunmudo Performance

One of the reasons why Golgulsa Temple is so unique is due to its teaching of Sunmudo. It’s a Korean Buddhist martial art involving strength and patience. The first activity you’ll do on arrival is to watch the Sunmudo Performance and it’s so beautiful.

You can also find out more here –  Golgulsa Temple Sunmudo Website .

Sunmudo Training

Now it’s your turn to train like a Buddhist monk (it’s super hard!). If it’s summer, you’ll honestly break a sweat but these activities are so fun! One of the monks here at Golgulsa Temple showed us all the techniques they use to train on a daily basis and the strength he has because of this training.

108 Prostrations (Bows)

Buddhists bow 108 times to purify the body and free themself from the 108 defilements. During your Templestay in Korea, it’s possible to join in with these bows. It’s a beautiful experience to watch.

Morning Chanting Service & Meditation

After learning how to meditate with the monks, you’ll be waking up at 5 am to join in with the morning chanting service and meditation. It’s so peaceful at this time of day and a really great way to start your day. Don’t worry you’ll have time to sleep again after breakfast.

Trekking & Hiking at Gampo Beach

On weekends at Golgulsa Templestay, they take visitors on a hiking and meditation adventure. We visited Gampo Beach and meditated on the beach. It was also great to meet other visitors and locals who did the Templestay programme.

How to book a Templestay in South Korea?

The best way to book a stay at Golgulsa Templestay is through their website – Here’s the link for  Golgulsa Templestay Reservations . The  price  is  60,000KRW  per night, per person. (30krw for a pre-schooler)

We use a Joby GorillaPod 3K Pro Kit to take photos of us together on our camera, it’s so useful especially when there’s no one around! There’s also a version for a phone – Joby Phone Tripod to get the best photos on your 2 weeks in South Korea!

What is the food like at Golgulsa Templestay?

Included with the price are 3 meals – breakfast, lunch and dinner! This will be Buddhist Korean temple food which means strictly vegetarian (almost all vegan!) It’s likely you’ll have rice for all three meals with kimchi and other vegetables, it’s a really good choice of food and you can pick the food yourself.

We 100% recommend Golgulsa Templestay and if you have the time on your 2 weeks in South Korea itinerary, we would even spend 2 days. Although one night is enough to experience the lifestyle.

Day 6 – 8 | Gyeongju

Gyeongju is a  museum with no walls . It was the residence of  Silla rulers for over 1000 years ! It’s one of the best cities to visit in South Korea for its many archaeological sites. The remains sites and tombs from this time frame have been preserved, which makes Gyeongju a place to learn. It’s definitely a great spot to add to your 2 week South Korea itinerary!

How to get to Gyeongju from Golgulsa Temple

There’s a high chance you passed through Gyeongju to reach Golgulsa Temple. If you arrived at Golgulsa Temple by bus, then you can simply follow the same way back to the city. Head to the Andong bus stop (a 15-minute walk) and then wait for a 1 50 / 100 / 100-1 , it should take around 50 minutes to get to Gyeongju city.

What to do in Gyeongju

There are many things to do in Gyeongju as part of your places to visit in South Korea itinerary – for a more in-depth guide check out of 11 Best Things to do in Gyeongju with lots of details about visiting the city.

Woljeonggyo Bridge

This beautiful bridge was built during the Unified Silla period (AD 676-935). It was burned down after this time frame and in April 2018 it was rebuilt. It’s now considered the biggest wooden bridge in South Korea. It’s also free to visit, like most things in Gyeongju.

Daereungwon Tomb Complex

An interesting way to spend your 2 weeks in South Korea is to visit Daereungwon Tomb Complex – an ancient burial site with 23 tombs. Cheonmachong Tomb is the most famous as you can see inside the tomb! There’s a lot of information and artefacts inside. The complex is 3000 won for entry.

Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond

In the Silla Kingdom times, Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond was an important palace and banquet hall for guests. It was abandoned in 1935 when the Silla Dynasty ended. However, in 1963, South Korea listed the palace as a historical site and it was beautifully renovated.

The best time to visit Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond is after sunset as the Palace glows up gold! It’s a magical place to see on your 2 week South Korea itinerary.

Cheomseongdae

Add Cheomseongdae to your South Korea itinerary if you want to see one of the oldest astronomical observatories in Asia ! It was built in the kingdom of Silla and used exactly as an observatory – to collect information on the galaxy. Check out Gyerim Forest if you’re in the area, it’s a great spot for sunsets.

Hwangnidan-Gil

This trendy street is filled with the coolest shops, the cutest cafes, teahouses and more! It’s one of the best places to find clothes and snacks in Gyeongju.

Where to stay in Gyeongju

We recommend staying in Hwangnam-dong  and  Noseo-dong . These areas are both close to many great sites in Gyeongju and there will be options for any budget.  Bomun Tourist Complex  area is also a good place to stay if you’re visiting Gyeongju World!

Doobaki Guesthouse  $-$$ – Dorms & Private Rooms – We highly recommend Doobaki Guesthouse, it suits every traveller and there’s a big common area with a kitchen, games and the cutest cat! –  Find here on Booking.com!

Dorandoran Guesthouse  $-$$ – This guesthouse is also in a great location in Gyeongju and includes complimentary breakfast. –  Find here on Booking.com !

Where to eat in Gyeongju

Top Market (Grocery Store) – Vegan instant ramens, bread, fruits & veggies! Baru $-$$ – A little out of the city centre, but a great spot for Vegan Korean food!

Day 8 – 11 | Busan

Busan is another must on your South Korea itinerary 14 days route! It’s the perfect spot to spend a few days and experience the city by the sea. There are many markets, skyscrapers and hikes to do here. Let’s explore more on your 2 weeks in South Korea itinerary!

How to get to Busan from Gyeongju

The best way to get from Gyeongju to Busan is by  KTX  or  Bus  – We recommend getting the bus because the Bus station is in the centre of Gyeongju, whilst the train station is a bus ride away. The bus will drop you off at one of Busan’s 4 bus terminals, and you can use public transport to make your way to your accommodation. It takes less than 1 hour by bus.

What to do in Busan

Here are a few of the best things you can do in Busan to fill 3 days! Some of the best places to visit in South Korea are located in this city, including amazing beaches! Check out the Visit Busan Pass  if you plan to do a lot of activities in Busan.

Gamcheon Culture Village

Another must-visit on your 14 day South Korea itinerary is Gamcheon Culture Village! It’s also one of the best places to visit in South Korea and Busan.

Gamcheon Village has come a long way since the Korean war when it was populated with some of Busan’s poorest residents. After a time, the Tourism Board of South Korea chose to bring the village to life with art and soon after it became a beautiful attraction with cute cafes and trendy shops.

It’s free to enter – but you can buy a map for 2000 won which helps you find your way through the maze-like village.

Igidae Coastal Walk

If you’re looking for a long coastal walk for your 2 week South Korea itinerary, Busan is the place to be. The Igidae Coastal Walk will last between 1-3 hours and you don’t have to commit to the whole length as there’s many exit and entry points.

The walk itself is breathtaking with views of Busan, the ocean and wildlife along the way. A fun free activity on the north side of the walk is the Oryukdo Skywalk – a glass bridge with views of the rocks and ocean.

A short bus ride away from Gamcheon Culture Village is Nampo-dong – one of the coolest areas of Busan. There are many things to do in this area, including markets, bars, restaurants and shopping!

• Markets in Nampo – Jagalchi Fish Market & Gukje Market
• Gwangbokdong Food Street – The street food in Nampo comes alive at night!
• Biff Square – Another spot for street food and the annual film festival

Sunset at Lotte Department Building

The best spot for free views of Busan! Head to the Lotte Department Building and go up to the highest floor, from there you will find the garden and rooftop with views of all of Nampo and the iconic Busan Tower. It’s another great idea for your 2 week South Korea itinerary.

Also check out a visit to Lotte World in Seoul and Busan – one of South Korea’s best theme parks!

Busan Tower

Busan Tower is very famous for making up the Busan skyline. The views are very beautiful from the tower but similar to the department building. The entry price is 12,000 won to go up the tower.

Evening in Seomyeon

Seomyeon is the central hub of Busan, it’s well-connected to all transport and you’ll definitely pass through here a few times on your trip. The area is filled with food, shops and even arcade games for you to spend a great evening on your South Korea route.

Another evening activity is the  Busan Night Tour to see the magical Illumia Park.

Haedong Yonggung Temple

On your South Korea route, head to Haedong Yonggung Temple – a temple located on the amazing coast of Busan. It was built during Goryeo Dynasty in 1376 and it’s known to be one of the most beautiful temples in South Korea. It’s also free to enter!

It’s easy to reach Haedong Yonggung Temple by public transport such as metro and bus. It takes around 1 hour from Seomyeon. Use NaverMaps for the exact directions.

Relax at Haeundae Beach

Also on the east side of Busan is Haeundae Beach – one of the most popular beaches in Busan! Depending on the season, you’ll have different experiences at the beach. In the summer there’s many crowds but the opportunity to see festivals such as the sand festival !

There’s a long seafront to walk along with many restaurants and you can enjoy this in any season! Also check out the Haeundae Markets too! Check out  BUSAN X the SKY  for incredible views from the skyscrapers in Haeundae!  Find tickets on Klook here .

3 Day Busan Itinerary Breakdown : Day 1 – Gamcheon Village & Nampo / Day 2 – Temples & Beaches / Day 3 – Coastal Walk & Seomyeon

Where to stay in Busan

We recommend staying in Seomyeon if you have a few days in Busan as it’s well-connected to all the great things to do in the city. There’s enough going on to enjoy your evenings after a day of exploring. Other areas to stay in are Nampo, Haeundae and Gwangan .

Dynamic Guesthouse $-$$ (Seomyeon) – Feel like a local and stay in an apartment block in Seomyeon! Located on the 36th floor are two penthouse apartments split into rooms – one of the coolest places we’ve stayed in! Find Dynamic Guesthouse on Booking.com here !

Plea De Blanc Hotel & Residence $-$$ (Haeundae) – A great place to stay during summer in South Korea. Find Plea Blanc Hotel & Residence on Booking.com here !

Where to eat in Busan

Dajeon $ (Seomyeon) – Some of the best bibimbaps! Soban Vegan Restaurant $ (near Gamcheon) – Go here for the vegan fried chicken! Doko – Dosi Nongga Cafe $-$$ (Seomyeon) – Bakery with vegan options !

Day 11 – 13 | Jeonju

On your last few days before heading back to Seoul, take the time to explore Jeonju – another great weekend trip away from Seoul! Back in 892 to 936, Jeonju was the capital of the Hubaekje Kingdom. We’ll show you why Jeonju is worth a visit and the best things to do in this lovely city.

How to get to Jeonju from Busan

Using public transport is the best way to get from Busan to Jeonju! We recommend taking the bus as it’s direct compared to the train. Head to Busan Central Bus Terminal and catch a bus heading to Jeonju, it should take around 3 hours.

Sometimes these buses can be busy and sell out, so if you want a certain bus make sure to book online (if you have a Korean number) or book ahead on your first day in Busan at the same station.

The bus is direct and drops you off at Jeonju Bus Terminal . From the bus terminal, you can take another bus to the traditional Hanok village. Use Naver Maps to double-check your directions!

Alternatively, you can take the train, however, you’ll need to change at Osong Station and it takes almost around the same time as a bus (which is usually cheaper!)

What to do in Jeonju

Jeonju is a very popular spot for locals so you’ll find a lot of souvenirs, cute cafes and you can even rent these tricycle-style vehicles to get around the city. Renting a hanbok is another popular activity here as every spot is so photographable! Jeonju is definitely worth a stop during your 2 weeks in South Korea, even if it’s for just one night.

Explore Jeonju Hanok Village

At this point, you would have seen many hanok villages on your 2 week South Korea itinerary. You don’t definitely won’t be bored of them at this point as the one in Jeonju has the largest hanok village in South Korea! It’s ultimately one of the main reasons Jeonju is a popular visit.

Explore the village in your own time and there are many cafes and teahouses around to spend some time.

Also look at 25+ Best South Korea Travel Tips: What to Know Before Visiting !

Jaman Mural Village

Another beautiful village to explore is the Mural Village just to the east of the hanok village. Since the Korean War when the buildings were rather dull, Jeonju decided to revamp them! Art such as colourful murals have made this place an attraction and even galleries have now opened in the area.

Gyeonggijeon Shrine

Gyeonggijeon Shrine is important in Jeonju and South Korea as it holds the portrait of King Tae-jo – the inventor of the Joseon dynasty. There are actually a few portraits of King Taejo that are preserved here. It’s an interesting spot to visit on your 2 week South Korea itinerary.

Nambu Market

This market is big! It’s possible to find almost anything here from food to household items and clothes to souvenirs. There’s a night market every Friday and Saturday, but it’s also open during the daytime all week.

Jeondong Cathedral

Right next to the traditional Hanok village is the Old Cathedral of Jeondong – an important Catholic church in Jeonju! It was built in honour of Roman Catholics who lost their lives in the Joseon dynasty. The church was designed by Priest Poinel, who also designed Seoul’s Myeongdong Cathedral. They look quite similar too!

See the views from Omokdae

A short hike up this hill will reward you with views of the hanok village and part of Jeonju city in the background. It’s totally worth it at any time of day or season!

Where to stay in Jeonju

The best place to stay in Jeonju is around Jeonju Hanok Village. It’s very popular to stay in a traditional hanok when visiting Jeonju – and that’s exactly what we did! When browsing the internet we found many options for anyone’s budget and luckily found Jungdam that fit our budget.

Jungdam  $-$$ – Right in the heart of the traditional Korean village. Jungdam is a hanok home split into many rooms for guests to come and enjoy the experience. They provide the best Korean breakfast in the morning – even suitable for vegans! Find here on Booking.com !

Where to eat in Jeonju

Jeonju is the birthplace of bibimbap! Try bibimbap from any restaurant in Jeonju to feel the authentic touch. If you’re after vegan options, here’s what we recommend!

Plantica $-$$ – The best Korean-inspired sandwiches with cakes & drinks! Pool $-$$ – Great spot for vegan Japanese food in Jeonju!

Day 14 | Seoul

Now you’re back in Seoul for the last night of your 2 week South Korea itinerary! After an incredible trip, you can tick off a few things you didn’t get a chance to do. Maybe revisit a favourite restaurant or neighbourhood? It’s completely up to you!

We spent our last day playing arcade games in Hongdae and eating at Osegye Hyang $ (Insadong) – Our favourite traditional Korean vegan restaurant in Seoul ( location )!

How to get to Seoul from Jeonju

The best way to get from Jeonju to Seoul is by bus or train! Again, we recommend the train as it’s a little less expensive and only takes 2 hours and 40 minutes. You can buy your bus tickets as soon as you arrive in Jeonju at Jeonju Bus Terminal . When you arrive in Seoul, there will be many public transport options for you to grab to get to your accommodation!

Interested in getting a Korea Rail Pass ? Check out tickets on Klook for a demonstration on how to book tickets and an easy way to receive your pass!

Where to stay in Seoul before leaving

For your last night in Seoul, you can choose anywhere that’s close to a metro line that gets to Seoul Station . If it’s available you can stay in the same place as your first time in Seoul or pick a new neighbourhood! Hongdae is another great place to stay as you can get the AREX Express from Hongik Univ Station .

Hostel Tommy  $-$$ (Insadong) – We still recommend Hostel Tommy as his hospitality was amazing! It’s a great spot for 5 nights or 1 night in Seoul. It has easy connections to the airport via the metro and Seoul Station.  Find the link to Booking.com here –  Hostel Tommy Booking.com

2 Weeks in South Korea Itinerary Breakdown

Seoul – 5 nights, Golgulsa Templetsay – 1 night, Gyeongju – 2 nights, Busan – 3 nights, Jeonju – 2 nights & Seoul – 1 night!

Other Places To Visit in South Korea

Jeju Island – Jeju Island is the best vacation for those living in South Korea. It’s filled with nature, hikes and fresh air! You can reach Jeju island by flight from Seoul or Busan. It’s highly recommended to rent a car or motorbike whilst you’re here as the transport can take a while. However, if you have 4-5 days on the island it’s totally possible to have a great time with public transport. (We’d love to visit Jeju Island in the future on another South Korea trip!)

Seoraksan National Park – Another great escape from Seoul is Seoraksan National Park (Sokcho). It’s possible to visit here on a 2 week South Korea itinerary. If you’d like to fit it into this South Korea route, take off 1 night in Seoul and travel by bus early morning on one day and late afternoon the following day. The hikes here are pretty impressive, but possibly not for beginners.

How do I plan a 2 week trip to South Korea?

Now that you’ve read our 2 week South Korea itinerary, it’s time to truly start planning your trip! Start with focusing on what you really want to get out of your Korea trip.

As entry requirements are still around, please double-check if you’re eligible to enter the country! Also, check if you’re eligible for a visa in South Korea. Other than that, if you use this exact 2 weeks in South Korea itinerary, the first step:

• Check for any national holidays on your date of visit ( check here! )
• Quick check if places of interest are open ( sometimes things are closed on Mondays! )
• Book your flights ( check prices here! )
• Book your accommodation ( book here! )
• Book your templestay ( book here! )
• Book any trains you want to take ( book here and take a look at the Korea Rail Pass )

Is 2 weeks in Seoul enough?

Yes! 2 weeks in South Korea is the perfect amount of time to see the best places to visit in the country. We’ve created our 2 week South Korea itinerary at a good pace, so you don’t have to rush around every 2 days. We wanted to minimize our flights at the time, which is one of the reasons we didn’t visit Jeju Island, however, it’s totally possible on a 2-week trip!

Must-Try Foods in South Korea (Vegan edition!)

• Bibimbap (rice bowl with veggies!)
• Vegan Korean Fried Chicken (vegan chicken coated in a sweet bbq like sauce)
• Gimbap (similar to sushi)
• Tteok-bokki (rice cakes in a spicy tomato like sauce)
• Kimchi (there are many vegan-friendly versions around Korea)
• Baked Sweet Potato (the best street snack, sometimes covered in sugar)

We also have a Vegan in South Korea Guide – Best Restaurants & Snacks (2024) !

How much to budget for 2 weeks in South Korea?

We visited South Korea knowing it should be less expensive than the UK – and it is! It’s also slightly less expensive than in Japan. Here’s our average daily budget for 2 weeks in South Korea – South Korea Travel Costs (2024) .

How can you save extra money? Choose restaurants that aren’t so expensive, shop at convenience stores more often and stay in private rooms in hostels! Take buses over trains (although maybe treat yourself to one!)

Check out our 10 Best South Korea Budget Tips + Travel Costs (2024) !

What to pack for 2 weeks in South Korea?

This really depends on the season that you visit – if it’s winter, bring thermals, gloves and a hat. If it’s summer you may want to bring a raincoat or umbrella! Here are a few we can’t travel without:

• Stainless Steel Water Bottle – Our metal water bottles have been our side throughout it all! They are easy to clean and are better than plastic! Bring one along for your 2 week South Korea itinerary.
• Worldwide Travel Adaptor – The number one plug to have when travelling to different countries. It has one international plug and 4 USB slots to charge your gadgets at the same time.
• Amazon Basics Packing Cubes – We always travel with packing cubes and even use them at home!
• Anker Power Bank – A portable charger is always useful for those journeys around South Korea!
• Rain Mac in a Bag – A lightweight raincoat to help with tropical rain or light spring rain, we also have a backpack cover to stop our clothes from getting wet in our backpacks.
• Joby GorillaPod 3K Pro Kit – GorillaPods are a great little tripod to carry on a South Korea trip, they’re lightweight and can fit in a carry-on bag. They capture some of the best photos when there’s no one around to take a photo of you. We love our Joby GorillaPod and use it for our Sony A600 . There’s also a version for a phone – Joby Phone Tripod .
• Osprey Farpoint 40l Backpack – One of Dan’s favourite pieces of gear, perfect for long or short journeys. Better yet, it’s aeroplane carry-on compliant!

What to do after visiting South Korea

Japan – Whilst you’re in this area of the world, why not visit South Korea’s neighbour – Japan! You can find flights from Seoul or Busan that take you straight into many amazing areas of the country. Check out our Ultimate 2 week Japan Itinerary (2024) The Best Places !

South East Asia – This region of the world is filled with budget-friendly locations with beautiful beaches, mountains, culture and more! After South Korea, you may want to visit Thailand and have a relaxing vacation.

More  South Korea  guides:

• 5 Day Seoul Itinerary – Best Things To Do (2024)
• Staying in Golgulsa Temple: The Best Templestay in Korea (2024)
• 25+ Best South Korea Travel Tips: What to Know
• 3 day Busan Itinerary: What to do in Busan (2024)
• 11 Best Things to do in Gyeongju: Itinerary (2024)
• Ultimate South Korea Bucket List: 20 Best Things To Do
• Vegan in South Korea Guide – Best Restaurants & Snacks (2024)
• All our  South Korea  posts!

That’s the end of our  Ultimate 2 week South Korea Itinerary: Best Places (2024)!  Have the best trip to South Korea and if you need any more help planning – send us a message on Instagram (@thesunrisedreamers) or leave a comment below!

LIKE THIS POST? PIN IT FOR LATER & SHARE IT WITH OTHERS!

Don’t forget about Travel Insurance! – SafetyWing  Nomad Insurance

SafetyWing  is a totally flexible monthly-rolling travel insurance to help you stay safe on your trip anywhere in the world.  Find out more here!

Amy & Dan are the founders of The Sunrise Dreamers. They are travellers from the UK who have been on the road since 2017 whilst living in places like England, Canada, Thailand and the Canary Islands. They share their knowledge of travelling the world with detailed travel guides and tips. They're experts in vegan travel and show their audience how to travel on a budget.

Similar Posts

Staying in Golgulsa Temple: Best Templestay in Korea (2024)

Are you thinking about spending the night at Golgulsa Templestay? It’s totally worth it! It’s one of the best Templestays…

The Best 2 Days in Manila Itinerary (2024)

Planning a 2 day Manila itinerary? We’ve got you covered! With 2 days in Manila, you can discover the history,…

The Best 3 Month Southeast Asia Itinerary: 2024

Planning a 3 Month Southeast Asia itinerary? Here’s our in-depth guide on how to travel around Southeast Asia in 3…

3 Day Bangkok Itinerary: The Best 2024 Guide

Here’s your ultimate 3 day Bangkok itinerary, filled with the best places to visit in Bangkok, amazing food recommendations and…

Moalboal Itinerary: The Best Things To Do (2024)

Planning a Moalboal itinerary in 2024? You’re in the right place! Moalboal is the best place to base yourself to…

The Best 2 week South Thailand Itinerary (2024)

Wondering how to plan your 2 week South Thailand Itinerary? We’ll help you! The Thai Islands are incredibly beautiful –…

10 Comments

Such a great itinerary, food & travel. Love the Jeonju Hanok Village photo 🥰

Thank you!!! 😀

This is amazing! I guess my trip for Seoul is planned! Thank you 🙂

Thank you so much! Have an amazing trip! 🙂

Hello, just curious how did you lug your luggages around between cities. Esp like to areas like the overnight stay in the temple and Jeonju?

Hey! We had backpacks for this trip but if you want to travel with suitcases, the public transport is great in South Korea, you won’t have to lug it around too much. If you have a late train/bus, ask your accommodation in advance if you can leave your luggage there for the day.

Thank you so much for writing all this up. I am adapting your itinerary and have 5 weeks to book everything before flying to Seoul. This guide is invaluable and will save me so much time. Wonder how much Hangul you could speak. Anyway, so grateful and glad I found your blog. Kudos!

Hi! Thanks so much for sharing this with us 🙂 I’m so happy you found this guide useful and that it will help you plan your trip to South Korea! We could only say Hello and Thank you, but that’s better than nothing haha!

Thanks for this amazing itinerary! Me and my friends are using it right now as a basis for our trip. We are now at Hostel Tommy and Tommy himself asked us to thank you for mentioning him and give you his regards. You’re welcome to stay for free if you ever return 😉

With kind regards, Laurens (and Tommy)

Hi Lauren, thank you so much for your lovely comment! It’s made my day – and thank you for passing over Tommy’s message, that’s so kind! I hope you’re having a great stay in Seoul and enjoy the rest of South Korea! So excited to go back one day 🙂 – Amy

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

The Only 1 Month Korea Itinerary You Need

While I’ve already written ways to spend two weeks in Korea , I thought I’d make one giant Korea itinerary guide for a month.

I do think one month isn’t nearly enough to see all of Korea, but I’m obviously quite biased ;).

I decided to make this itinerary a bit faster than I’d normally travel just so I could fit in as much as possible. If you only can ever come to Korea once, this should help you feel like you saw everything you could see.

Quick Korea Travel Tips

• Getting in: If you’re coming from abroad, you’ll most likely fly into Incheon International Airport (ICN). It’s about an hour from Seoul and extremely easy to take the subway to get to your hotel. However, you can also get a taxi or book a transfer beforehand.
• Stay Connected: While Korea is pretty well connected wifi wise, I always recommend getting a SIM card! Even better, Korea offers e-SIMs! You can buy ahead and not even have to take out your normal SIM.
• Getting Around: All major cities have some sort of subway system and there’s a pretty robust bus system all around the country even in more rural areas. Download KakaoMap for the most up to date information. In between cities, you can take the train or bus. For trains, I always use Let’s Korail to buy tickets ahead of time as they can sell out. For buses, I usually just show up to the terminal and buy tickets, but my friend told me you could use TxBus , Kobus , or Bustago to order online.
• Language Help: While major tourist points are pretty okay with English, I’d say the rest of Korea you’ll want to have some sort of translation app on hand. And I recommend learning Hangul at least a little bit so you can read. Papago is better than Google translate for Korean.
• Travel Insurance: Korea can be expensive if you wind up in the hospital! I recommend getting either World Nom a ds or SafetyWing . I personally have an annual plan with Allianz.

For more advice, check out my Korea travel tips and my Korea trip planner .

The Ultimate Korea Itinerary Guide for 1 Month

Fly into: incheon international airport.

Assuming you’re coming from abroad, you’re most likely going to fly into Incheon Airport ! Incheon has spoiled me because it’s seriously one of the best airports in the world , even if the “ice rink” is a lie. Seriously, this place even has arrows on the ground to make sure you’re going in the right direction to the subway!

Days 1 – 4: Gangwon Province

So, you’re not actually going into Seoul just yet. Nope, you’re going to the Northeast coast to Gangwon-do! In fact, this is the northernmost province in South Korea.

You get there in one of two ways:

• Take an airport bus from Incheon to Sokcho ( Check the schedule here )
• Use the subway to first go to Seoul Station. Then take a train from Seoul Station to Gangneung Station. Forom there take a bus from Gangenung to Sokcho (Airport – 1 hour, KTX – 2 hours, Bus – 1 hour)

Stay: By the beach! Top spots include Heavenmark , Sokcho Beach’s House , or Sokcho & Guesthouse

Day 1: Sokcho

I’d base myself in Sokcho (속초) for this Gangwon trip. This is the main spot for anyone visiting the area as it’s a gateway city for Seoraksan National Park and has quite a few scenic things to do on its own.

Take the rest of the day to get over jet lag and sleep because your schedule is about to be packed .

Day 2: Hike or visit Seoraksan

Spend the day hiking Seoraksan , one of Korea’s most important mountains. Or you could take the cable car up, I won’t judge.

Day 3: Sea Train

Take the sea train and stop off at some of the main beaches in Gangwon, including Gangneung , Donghae , and Samcheok . Wander around, relax on the beach, and just enjoy. A good day to rest if you did actually hike Seoraksan. If you do want to do some sightseeing, you could do this Gangneung Taxi Tour .

• Seasonal Options: Goseong Lavender Farm in June, surfing and SUP at Surfyy Beach, or any of the ski resorts in winter

Days 5 – 9: Seoul

Time for one of the coolest cities in the world! I’m not kidding. I’ve been to so many cities in my travels and Seoul still tops the list for me. The biggest thing you should know is that it’s massive . Much bigger than what you’re expecting and unless you want to drain your bank account taking taxis, you’re going to want to give yourself more time than you think to get around via the subway or bus.

Getting back: For your time in Seoul, I recommend staying in Insadong . It’s the best location for everything you’ll want to do below! To get to Insadong from Sokcho, you’ll want to take a bus from Sokcho Bus Terminal to Seoul Express Bus Terminal. From there you can take the subway to the closest station to your hotel.

Stay: I’ve personally stayed at the Grid Inn which is in SUCH a good location. If you want to experience a hanok, try Charm Hanok Guest House .

Day 5: Seoul – Insadong

Once you’ve arrived to Seoul and dropped your things off at your hotel, just walk around and enjoy Insadong! This is probably my favorite neighborhood of Seoul because it’s the most historic area.

If you’re up for some walking, spend the afternoon strolling through Bukchon Hanok Village. It’s really such a pretty place as it’s where all the traditional houses are located! Be sure to go to the main view point, which is someone’s house, and see over the tiled roofs to Namsan Tower. Another good stop is the cool cafe, Green Mile Bukchon ! Also my favorite incense shop, Granhand has a location here.

When it comes time for dinner, hop over to Gwangjang Market to sample all the delicious Korean food you can. If it sounds familiar, it’s because the market was featured on Netflix’s “Street Food” series.

Day 6: Storybook Day Tour

There are a few different day tours you can do from Seoul , but I personally love the nearby storybook-esque visits ! You could take the subway to Gapyeong and do the Gapyeong shuttle bus or you can book a tour that will take you to each of the spots throughout the day.

I’ve personally only visited via a tour. Most will take you to the Garden of the Morning Calm , Nami Island , and Petite France . Sometimes the tours have one other stop, but I think doing all three is a good amount for one day without feeling overwhelming. Check this tour for prices + availability

Day 7: Changdeokgung & Deoksugung

To start, there are five official grand palaces of Seoul , and on this trip I have you seeing three of them. It sounds like overkill, but I promise these three are particularly different. Gyeongbokgung is the largest of the palaces (more below) while Changdeokgung is known for its Secret Garden and Deoksugung is much smaller and known for having some European style buildings mixed in. I promise they’re worth it!

On this day, you’re going to start off early and go straight to Changdeokgung . It opens at 9, and you want to make sure you get tickets to see the Secret Garden. If you visit during the fall, the line will be long! This whole palace area will take at least 2 hours to see everything.

For lunch and the middle of the day, you can go around Insadong (there’s plenty of good restaurants to pop into) or you can venture over to Seoul University to see all the restaurants and cafes near there.

In the afternoon, head to Deoksugung . Visit the palace grounds themselves before going up to the observatory to get a cool bird’s eye view. This is a particular must if you visit during peak fall foliage season.

Day 8: Full Day Tour to Suwon Hwaseong or the DMZ

Use this day to tour either the DMZ or Suwon Fortress . Both will take you the better part of the day and will showcase an interesting part of Korea’s history. Book a tour to Suwon here or book a DMZ tour here

Seasonal Option: Hike Bukhansan for its fall foliage.

Day 9: Gyeongbokgung + Cheonggyecheon

Start off early and head there to see the changing of the guards and then head in to walk around. Gyeongbokgung is massive , so you’ll probably spend a good few hours there. You can also stop in and visit the National Folk Museum of Korea.

From Gyeongbokgung, walk along Cheonggyecheon , Seoul’s very pretty manmade river. Depending on when you’re visiting, they sometimes have really nice exhibits. You’ll also pass through Gwanghwamun , which has the big statue of King Sejong and usually some sort of event going on.

From Cheongchyecheon, you can walk over to Jogyesa .

Days 10 – 16: Jeollanam-do and Jeollabuk-do

Time for my favorite provinces of Korea! Jeollanam and Jeollabuk (from here on just combined into Jeolla) are a deeply underrated part of the country. I think they’re home to some of the most incredible scenery and, most importantly, the very best food.

I know, I know. I’m biased because this is exactly where I lived for three years, but I promise it’s worse spending at least six days of your month in Korea here.

To get to Jeonju, the first stop in Jeolla, do one of the following:

• Take a KTX, and it’ll be about 90-minutes from Yongsan Station
• The slow train will be closer to 3 hours from Yongsan Station
• A bus will be around 2 1/2 – 3 hours from the Express Bus Terminal

Day 10: Jeonju

Stay overnight in Jeonju’s Hanok Village and get a proper hanok sleeping experience. I personally loved Ssamok Ssamok Hanok Guesthouse when I stayed overnight.

The main thing to do is to enjoy the hanok village. Compare it to Bukchon and let me know which one you like better, I’m personally more partial to Jeonju’s version.

Depending on how active you want to be, you can also visit Deokjin Park , especially if it’s around summer with the lotus pond, and/or visit Jeonju’s Mural Village .

The biggest thing to try here is bibimbap. I was a big fan of 종로회관  (Jongno Hoegwan) but you can’t really go wrong no matter where you go here. At night, climb up to Omokdae (오목대 ) to get a cool view over the village.

Seasonal Options: If you’re visiting in the fall, don’t go straight to Jeonju! Get up super early and take a bus to Naejangsan or Daedunsan ! You can hike or take the cable cars up *cough*. From either of those places, you can get a bus back to Jeonju.

Day 11: Namwon

Of course, I have to add Namwon . You can either stay another night in Jeonju and just do a day trip here or stay overnight. Either way, take a bus instead of the train as the bus terminal is right in town while the train station is a little ways out of town.

If you’re an avid hiker, then I’d plan to hike to Jirisan’s peak or one of its many trails, like Baemsagol or Guryong Falls .

Otherwise, wander around Gwanghallu , along the river, and eat . People say Jeonju has the best bibimbap, but I think Namwon does ;)

Seasonal Options: If you’re here in May, hike Baraebong instead to see all the royal azaleas.

Day 12: Damyang

Damyang is home to Korea’s famous bamboo forest! This should be another full day trip as you’ll be able to see Meta Provence and the metasequoia trees as well. Trust me, the bamboo forest is huge .

If you’re staying in Namwon, a reader just let me know there are now direct bus routes from Namwon to Damyang that take under an hour – hurrah! (Just check Bustago for times – Kakao didn’t seem to have a bus route option listed).

Day 13: Suncheon

For the rest of your time in Jeolla, Suncheon is the best spot to stay in both because it has a ton to do but also because it’s very easy to get around. I recommend staying around the train station; Sunshine Divine Hotel looks like the nicest option.

Once you’ve dropped off your things, head for the Suncheon Bay Wetland Reserve ! If you get in on time, you can hike up and see the sunset over the bay, and it should be gorgeous. The hike is around an hour maybe less and pretty easy if you’re in shape (only a little hard if you’re not). I’ve done it at least… 4 or 5 times in tennis shoes and skirts!

Day 14: Boseong Green Tea Fields

From Suncheon Bus Terminal, you can get to Boseong in about an hour. It’s an easy day trip that will have you trekking around the tea fields, eating all the green tea flavored food, and, if you have time, soaking in a green tea bath near Yulpo Beach. Just check the last bus back from Boseong to Suncheon so you get back in time.

Day 15: Suncheon

Take a breather in Suncheon and visit Naganeupseong , a pretty fortress village about an hour by local bus from downtown Suncheon. It’s a nice afternoon trip, so sleep in and go around golden hour. There’s also the very fun Open Film Location if you want to see what Korea was like in the 1950s-70s.

Alternatively, you can hike between Seonamsa and Sogwangsa if you still have a bunch of energy.

Day 16: Yeosu

Yeosu is one of Korea’s main port cities, and it’s only 30-minutes away from Suncheon via train! There’s a ton to do but the city is pretty spread out, so you’ll want to splurge on some taxi rides to make it more efficient.

The first thing to do is to go over to Hyangiram on Dolsan Island, a really gorgeous seaside temple that’s worth all the steps, I promise! From there go to Angel Alley to see all the murals and get a coffee at either Nangman Cafe or Cafe Duu. Both have pretty views out to the main Yeosu bridge.

Make your way back into town and enjoy Odongdo , a small island near-ish to the expo. If you’re feeling adventurous, there’s a gejang restaurant near Odongdo where you can try raw crab. I personally LOVE it, but it’s not the best for weak stomachs.

Days 17 – 20: Busan

Time for Busan ! If Seoul is NYC , Busan is LA but nicer. Actually back when I was planning a month-long trip to Korea pre-pandemic, I was planning to spend a solid week in Busan to get to know it better. Most of my trips have been day trips or short weekend trips from Suncheon/Namwon.

To get to Busan from Suncheon, your best bet is to take either a train or bus. They both should be between 2 and 2 1/2 hours. From there you can use the subway to get to your hotel.

Stay: Book your hotels in or around Haeundae to be the most central. Can’t go wrong with Park Hyatt Busan . MS Hotel Haeundae and Ekonomy Haeundae also have nice ocean views.

Day 17: Busan

The first day I’d go to Haedong Yongungsa and then hang out around Haeundae . If you have time, visit Spaland and experience the granddaddy of all jimjilbangs in Korea.

I highly recommend making sure you’re at Haeundae for sunset. It’s gotta be one of the prettiest sunsets I’ve seen in Korea.

Day 18: Gyeongju

Do a day tour of Gyeongju ! There’s SO much to see in this town as it’s got a ton of historical sites related to the Silla dynasty . If you really want to do DIY this, I’d rent a car because everything is super spread out and I remember the buses not being reliable (no idea if it’s gotten a major update). Otherwise we wound up paying a taxi driver to stay with us the whole day. You’re much better off just booking an actual day tour from Busan, like this one.

Day 19: Day Trip or Enjoy Busan

On this day you have to options depending on how you’re feeling. If you do want to rent a car, this is a good day to do a day trip to Tongyeong ! Otherwise, it’s quite hectic trying to get around with the public transportation and/or taxis.

Otherwise you can do a nice hike up Geumjeongsan , relax at either Haeundae or Gwanghalli all day, or see some of the islands close to Busan.

Seasonal Option: If you’re visiting during cherry blossom, get your butt to Hwagae or Jinhae at the crack of dawn!

Day 20: Busan

Start the morning over in Gamcheon Culture Village . It’s less busy in the mornings and easily one of my favorite places in all of Korea. The colorful buildings are so super charming and it’s just the perfect area to spend a few hours walking around.

From Gamcheon, you can head over to Nampodong and check out the different markets and alleyways. It’s also close to Jalgachi Fish Market for lunch and/or dinner.

Days 21 – 27: Jeju

Now for my favorite place in all of Korea – Jeju! For such a small island, you’d be surprised by just how many things there are to do . Depending on how you want to explore the island depends on how you’ll figure out where to stay. I’ve been a few times and while the bus system is really good, I do think if there’s one place to rent a car it’s here. If you do rent a car, you can just base yourself in one place the whole time. Otherwise I’d split my stays between the west and east so you’re not spending too much time in public transport

Getting to Jeju: From Busan, you’ll want to fly to Jeju! Don’t even think of taking a ferry. The best one is in Mokpo, which is 4-5 hours from Busan, and even from there it’s 4 hours by ferry. By the time you figure it all out you’ll wish you’d just flown.

When it comes to where to stay in Jeju , my favorite area is the Northeast. PLAYCE Camp is a really cool spot with sort like its own town center vibe. I also LOVED Baco Home 3 & Slow Mansion which is right next to the smaller port for Udo and by a beach that’s basically private with a view of Seongsan from afar. Another favorite was this super rural stay called Romantopia in Southeast Jeju. You really can only stay at these latter two if you have a car, though. Otherwise finding the bus or taxis will take up half your time!

Day 21: Northwest Jeju

If you’re going the bus route, stay around Hyeopjae for two nights. This is a little under an hour from Jeju Airport. For super budgeters Hyeopjae Guesthouse is nice and on the beach and if you can splurge a bit, Dyne Oceano Hotel looks lovely.

For your first day in Jeju, just enjoy the coast! Before you check in, you can actually stop off at Aewol which has a beautiful sea walk as well as some very cute cafes. If you’re feeling up to it, you can even do some sea kayaking.

Once you’re settled in Hyeopjae, you’ve GOT to go to Donato’s for pizza. It’s on par if not better than some slices I’ve gotten in Italy.

Day 22: Hike Hallasan

Hiking day! Hallasan is still one mountain I’ve yet to hike simply because it was either too hot when I went to Jeju or I just didn’t have time. It’s the tallest mountain in the country, and you’ll want to set aside the whole day to do it. Stop off at a convenience store to pack up some kimbap and snacks for the hike.

Day 23-25: Southwest Jeju + Seogwipo

For your next leg you’ll want to go towards Southwest Jeju and stay somewhere in Seogwipo. All the luxury resorts and hotels are in this area if you’re looking for a splurge. When I did my first trip, I stayed at this really cute hostel called Lemon Tree Guesthouse 2 , and I’ve always wanted to stay at Hidden Cliff Hotel & Nature.

There’s a lot to see in this area, which is why I recommend spending 2-3 days here. Some of the things you can see include Camelia Hill , O’Sulloc Tea Fields , the three major waterfalls, Yeomiji Botanical Garden , and Daesungeolli Cliffs . Seogwipo is the next largest city next to Jeju City but way cuter and more charming. There are also lots of cute cafes sprinkled around this area!

Day 26-27: Northeast Jeju

Next, head over to the east coast! Like I said the Northeast is my favorite area but you could also stay somewhere along the central eastern coast and still get around pretty easily. Spend one of these days moseying your way all around the even tinier island of Udo and at least one sunrise and sunset around Seongsan Ilchulbong! Sunrise is a must and if you go at the right time you’ll see the hanyeo emerging from the morning catches. Sunset, though, is my favorite time. Instead of hiking up to the peak, walk away along the water and look at it from afar. Truly magical.

Some other things to do include Bijarim Forest, Manjanggul Cave, and way more!

Days 28 – 30/31 – Seoul

From Jeju, you can easily (and fairly cheaply depending on when) fly up to Seoul! I’d stay around Hongdae just because it’s right on the same line as the airport, and it’s a fun area to end your trip on.

Stay: RYSE , L7 Hongdae , and Hotel Baroato are all near subway exits and lovely

Day 28: Seoul – Hongdae

Since Hongdae caters to three different universities (Hongik, Yonsei, and Ehwa), it’s bustling with energy and fun things to do. If you want to relax a bit, I’d spend the day at the Trick Eye Museum which holds the X-rated Love Museum, the actual Trick Eye area, an Ice Museum, and CaFace. There’s also the very fun Yeonnam-dong area which is where a ton of trendy cafes in Seoul are located.

You can also take the subway one stop over to Sinchon and Ehwa to visit those areas as well! Ehwa and Hongdae have really fun shopping if you’re hoping to indulge in some Korean fashion.

Day 29: Seokchon + Lotte World

If you don’t mind the trip across the city, you can squeeze in a trip to Seokchon Lake, Lotte World , and Seoul Sky Observatory. This is especially a must-see during cherry blossom season.

Day 30-31: Any Last Minute Visits or Shopping

Use your last day or two to do any last minute sightseeing or souvenir shopping. I know I don’t include Namsan Tower, so this is a good day to go up there!

Last Day: Fly Out of Incheon

If you’ve stayed in Hongdae, it’s a very easy hour ride to get to the airport from Hongdae Station. If for some reason you can’t use the subway, you may want to book an airport transfer .

Hope this guide helps you plan the perfect, month-long Korea itinerary! There’s so much to see and do, it might have pained me a little that I couldn’t recommend all of it.

SHARE THIS ON PINTEREST

want to support?

I’m always grateful when friends and readereach out wanting to support There She Goes Again . Truthfully, I’m just happy my posts are helping people travel! If you’d like to support the blog, here are some companies and brands I’m affiliated with. Simply click the links, and I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you!

• Booking (Hotels)
• Sixt (Car Rental)
• Klook (Tours)
• Viator (Tours)
• Get Your Guide (Tours)
• Trazy (Korea Tours)
• Tiqets (Entrance Tickets)

BLOGGING / SOCIAL MEDIA

• WPX Hosting (Advanced)
• Bluehost (Beginners)
• Lezé the Label (Clothing)
• Printfresh (Pajamas, etc)
• Promptly Journals
• Encircled (Clothing)
• Girlfriend Collective (Athleisure)
• Birkenstock (Sandals)
• Bookshop (For Local)
• Amazon Books

47 Comments

Hello! So glad to find you!

I am heading to Korea for 2 months (basically March and April 2024). I have to say that this one month guide is perfect! I will go more slowly but love how you have helped minimize the travel times. I hate wasting my vacation going back and forth from place to place.

I like nature, beautiful but easy – medium hikes, and cultural/artsy things. If you could add a few days here and there to your itinerary, where would you add? I’ll probably spend about 2 weeks in Seoul before I am done and can do some day trips.

I also do not want to rent a car or use a tour company unless there is a don’t miss thing that really requires a car or tour.

Anyway, appreciate hints AND really really really appreciate this sort of itinerary tool.

Oh such gorgeous months to go!! Definitely add more time in Jeollabuk + Jeollanam – this itinerary is really full on for those provinces. For two months, I’d also build in at least a day or two for jimjilbangs and rest – maybe even a little pampering with a hair appointment or facial. You’ll also be here for the cherry blossoms, so you’ll want to spent a time visiting those areas! Take a day for Hwagae Cherry Blossom Festival and a day for Gwangyang’s Maehwa Festival. Plus Gurye’s Sansuyu and Namwon’s Baraebong Royal Azalea hike… Spring is SUCH a gorgeous time to be here!

Hi Sam! I hope you are doing well. I just want to thank you for all the South Korean guides, trips, and tricks you shared. I have fun doing one month of solo traveling in Korea with it. I’m used to planning, but It was my first time flying solo, so I tend to plan thoroughly, and your blog has been a big help! I went there from last October to November, enjoying the autumn and getting the first snow there before returning! All the destinations are nice, and the food recommendations are delicious (The only sad thing is a lot of restaurants in Namwon are closed due to renovation! I didn’t get to try their naengmyeon) I love Suncheon the most. I got lucky and got to visit Suncheonman for free! Because their 2023 expo was a big success, the government showed its appreciation to the people by opening it free for one week before closing it until 2024. It’s a must visit for everyone visiting Suncheon! It was very very very very very beautiful. Also, have fun hiking in Seoraksan in autumn! I only have the energy to hike Ulsanbawi, but It will be a memory I will never forget. Once again, thank you, and have a great 2024! :)

Hi Jenn, this makes me so happy to read!!! I’m so glad you enjoyed your trip, it sounds like the perfect introduction to Korea! I’ll be visiting Namwon again later this year, so I’ll have to check on those restaurants!

Hi Samantha!

How are you?

I booked a summer 3 weeks for South Korea (big kpop/kdrama fan) but I booked with little knowing of what you can do. I am now reading up on it and feel that I might not love it as much as 3 weeks’ worth.

I booked a non-refundable stay in Seoul for my first 3 nights limiting me. Is there any advice you can give?

So far, I’ve liked the look of Seoul, Jeju Island, Busan but wondering where else I could go? Is there a direct way to get to Busan from Jeollabuk-do? Finding it quite hard to use the suggested Kakao maps (not in English as far as I can tell) and Google maps is useless. Or if you can suggest an itinerary for 3 weeks that’s quite public transport friendly?

I like to get out in nature, very much a scenic person but don’t mind unusual things like the poop cafe etc or anything else quite quirky! Not too much into history so I am wondering if I’ll enjoy the palaces.

There’s so much to do and see in Korea that I feel like even 3 weeks isn’t enough, but I’m obviously biased. Jeollabuk-do is a huge region but I imagine you’d at least want to go to Jeonju. There are both direct buses and trains that go. However I do recommend you use the Papago app to help you translate (you can screenshot maps and upload).

3 nights sounds like a great first time in Korea – how do you think it’s limiting you? I’d start with 3 days in Seoul and then end with 2-3 days in Seoul. You can do day trips, check out each neighborhoods, find filming locations, etc.

Jeju is my favorite place in Korea so I could easily spend a week there but you’d want at least 4-5 days especially if you want to do any of the Hallasan hiking.

I think the palaces and whatnot are gorgeous even if you’re not interested in their history but I guess that’s up to the person. Summer is VERY hot in Korea and Seoul, so plan wisely because there’s not a ton of shade.

This whole one month itinerary is designed to be public transport friendly, so I would pick from that or look at my other posts to see if anywhere else catches your fancy.

If I have 4 days for GANGWON PROVINCE, JEOLLANAM-DO AND JEOLLABUK-DO, how would you recommend I split it? I’m thinking 2 days for Sokcho/Seoraksan, not sure how to spend the other 2 days.

Will be going in late November too, so will be closer to winter

Ok, so just so you know if you go in late November, it’s not closer to winter, it IS winter. That’s when I went and I remember wearing heavy knit sweaters and my down jacket the whole time. There might be some leaves but fall foliage season is usually over, and it’s just very cold. It might even be ski season by late November, though I’m not sure. If you do want to stay up there, other good parts in Gangwon are Odaesan National Park, Donghae, and Gangneung. If I remember correctly Samcheok is supposed to be a cute village, but I haven’t spent enough time in Gangwon to know all the spots first hand!

If you go to Jeollnam & Jeollabuk, I have two options:

2D2N Jeollabuk, 2D2N Jeollanam – 2N in Jeonju – 1 day for Jeonju Hanok Village and Jeonju in general, 1 day for Namwon & Jirisan National Park – 2N in Suncheon – 1 day for Suncheon (lots of options) and 1 day for Boseong, Damyang, or Yeosu

1D1N Jeonju, 3D3N Jeollanam – 1D1N for Jeonju and the Hanok Village – 3N in Suncheon (use as base) – 1 day each for Boseong, Suncheon, and Damyang

Hope that helps!!

I’m planning to go to Seoul in early November, would you recommend going Sokcho/Seoraksan straight after then?

I was originally planning to go Seoul, Jeju, Busan, then the other cities. But if it makes a difference in terms of seeing fall leaves, and not as cold weather, I’ll change to Sokcho/Seoraksan first before Jeju and Busan. Or does it not make any difference?

Wrote this reply before but it’s not showing up here

From memory, fall foliage in the Gangwondo peaks in mid-October. If you’re trying to catch the leaves changing colors, in early November, your best bet is to head along the west coast (Naejangsan, Mudeungsan, etc) or to Jeju. Even looking at the forecast from last year, other places saw their peak the last week of October while the west coast areas were still colorful into the first week of November.

This is phenomenal!! Thank you so much. I love reading all of your pages – I am going to try and read them all before we go. We have booked to visit in mid march to go for 21 days! I am so excited. I have two questions below:

1. We have a late night flight arriving at Incheon airport at 8:30pm, where would you recommend we stay in Seoul if we want to head to Sokcho early in the morning? 2. Do you recommend booking things early in advance, we would like to be the most cost efficient and also stay in the best hostel/hotels?

1. Hmmm how are you planning to get to Sokcho? Bus or train? 2. I think you should be ok regardless. It never hurts to book early but don’t feel stressed that you have to. Cherry blossom season gets a little busier in Seoul, so if there’s anything you want to do around then, I’d book earlier, but I’ve never had any issues doing or booking anything last minute during March or April!

Hey Samantha! I’m planning on going to Korea for a month in September. You mentioned you planned this a little faster than you would normally travel… do you think it would be wise to split some of it into more trips to Korea and instead spend some more time in some places? If so, where would that be?

Hi Cosima! If you can, I would 100% slow it down and split between multiple trips. Give yourself a few extra days in each location – honestly you could spend 2 weeks in Seoul alone and still have left you want to see and do, especially if you factor in day trips.

I am preparing a one month trip to korea and found your article : its so well planned and includes all the places i wanted to go so ill probably follow it step by step ! I just had a question regarding the suitcase, how did you do ? Did you just travel light with a back pack ? Or did you leave your suitcase in some sort of locker ?

Hi! Usually when I travel to Korea I do a carry-on and a backpack for my laptop and camera (currently I use Paravel and Troubadour Goods, to give you an idea of the size). I’ll tuck in a tote bag and smaller bag/crossbody for daywear.

It’s pretty easy to navigate with that set-up! If I don’t have my hotel room, I usually find a locker to put my things in. (All major Seoul subway stations have them and nearly all train stations I’ve been to have them too)

Hi :D First: Thanks for the amazing blog! You put so much information into one page – its amazing!

I’m going to South Korea in about 2 weeks for 22 days. Which parts would you say can be skipped as I will not be able to do the full month like you describe it here. I have to admit that I did not do a ton of research before booking the flight. It was more a spur of the moment kind of thing :P

Thanks a ton!

Hi Claudia; I hope you enjoy your trip!!! I would cut out Gangwon and Busan altogether OR cut out Jeju.

Hey this is awesome. Thanks! I know this is really subjective depending on accommodation types etc but do you have a rough idea of budget? If you stayed in hostels/ mid range hotels. Any suggestions of a rough budget would be awesome

Hi! I would say anywhere from 50,000 KRW – 100,000 KRW a night will get you a decent mid-range or budget hotel or nice Airbnb. To give you an idea of the higher end, I stayed at some nicer hotels in Seoul last spring and I remember it coming out to around 250,000 KRW per night. Hope that helps!

What a amazing itinerary! I am planning to go there from 30 April to 29 May, and look here and there on the several website, I am glad to found your blog. Thank you so much for to share with us your trip, full of interest point. Did you use some pass for all the transfert?

Hi Valeria; I’m glad it was helpful! I’ve never used a pass besides a T-money card for subways and local buses. You can easily by all inter city buses and train tickets at stations!

Going to South Korea May 1-22. Planning to be in South Korea including Seoul May 19-21 for Lantern Festival – other than that pretty flexible. I am over 75 years old woman independent traveler. Although I am a good walker, I never was a hiker, particularly if hilly. Greatest interests are in people, culture, music, food ,history and much less so in scenery . Also I prefer not being on tight schedule. Moderate budget – with some splurges if worthwhile.

What modifications in your itinerary you would recommend for this senior woman?

Besides taking out the hikes in this itinerary, I’d be sure to take it easy and give yourself plenty of time. Korea is more mountain than flat land, so the whole country is basically hilly and even places that aren’t advertised as a hike will likely involve some incline.

I love this blog because it gave me an idea of where to visit when I travel to Korea around Spring time next year. Planning to stay there for at least 1 to 2 months. I just want to know if there is a need to declare and submit this one don’t itinerary to the Korean Embassy as part of their requirement?

Also, how many weeks or months in advance should we submit the application for Korean Visa?

Thanks in advance!

Hi Nina! What country is your passport? I know for Americans, we just have to have a K-ETA which just needs to be done a few days in advance (it can take anywhere from 15 minutes to 2 days for approval). We don’t need an itinerary or anything!

Hi! Thank you for your interesting article. We took a lot of inspiration from it to our trip. We are currently in Suncheon and we wanted to go to the bamboo forest in Damyang. But it seems like a 2 to 3h trip to go from there suncheon to damyang. How did you manage to go there by public transport?

Thank you for your answer! Have a great day!

Hi! If memory serves, it should be under two hours if you do Suncheon – Gwangju (~1hr) and then Gwangju – Damyang (~30mins). It goes pretty quickly and buses are frequent.

Hi Mirana! I’m seeing the same thing trying to go from Suncheon to Damyang…. Did you guys do this trek, and approx how long did it take you each way? 3-4 hrs round trip in a day seems pretty hectic (especially when you consider doing the transfers itself and getting back to the hotel) – if you did it, do you think it’s worth it?

Sam – may be worth editing this guide and suggesting it as a daytrip from Namwon. There’s a direct bus and it only takes 45min each way!

Good to know – there wasn’t a direct bus route when I lived in Namwon so I had no idea one existed now!

Great blog, do you by chance have a map with these points of interest on the map? I guess I can create my own but was wondering if you already had one. I’m not familiar with all these places

Hi! I don’t. The map I recommend – KakaoMap – doesn’t have an integration feature like Google Maps does.

hii!!! this looks like an awsome plan!!! is it also ideal if im going to this in the winter (mid jan to mid feb)?? im doung this as a part of a 4/5 months trip to the far east!

Hi! I just re-checked, and yes I’d say it does! Winter hiking is quite popular in Korea, so most of the popular trails should be okay to hike. If you like skiing, you may just want to re-adjust so you can spend more time in Gangwon!

This post guide got me sooo excited to visit South Korea!! I am especially grateful that you included places outside of Seoul too because I would love to see the countryside! I plan on making a one-month trip to SK in October 2023, hopefully, so I’ll be revisiting this guide. Thanks again!!!

Amazing!! I’m glad you found it helpful. October is one the BEST months to visit :D!

Hi , My dream country is south korea. And I really wanted to visit there.😄 I wanted to ask that I want to experience the weather where little breeze blowing and the sun is not so bright. And the surounding is green.. Can you help me in which month should I visit. And I love your guide. 🌈✨

Hi! Such a great country to love :) I’d say for that kind of weather, late September-mid October is your best bet or late April – mid May. Depends on where you are, of course The more north, the longer it stays cold and the more south, the longer it stays warm!

Love this! I’m going to South Korea for 6 weeks in the winter (i know not so smart lol)!! I’m so excited+terrified. This is my first solo travel and I would really like to explore more than Seoul. however I still book one Airbnb located at Seoul for my whole trip 😂 probably not the best idea, but I got the place pretty cheap with good reviews. I’m terrified for my life to be homeless in a foreign country. I’m thinking maybe I can do 1-day trip outside Seoul and commute back. Good idea, bad idea? 😅

Yay! Omg you couldn’t pick a better place for your first solo travel! I DEFINITELY recommend getting out of Seoul — that’s a long 6 weeks even though there’s a ton to do in the city. It’s pretty easy to arrange ski trips to Gangwon-do (most slopes will have shuttles from Seoul). It’s also super easy to hop on the KTX or an intercity bus to one of the towns nearby. Jeonju is such a fun spot, and I’m partial to my old hometowns of Suncheon and Namwon!

Wonderful post! Thanks so much – it’s really helpful.

Thank you for posting this as I will be staying in South Korea for a month in March/April. I have booked a Airbnb for in Seoul for the whole month but would love to see other parts of S Korea. This post has helped with figuring a few other cities. I was looking in what would be the best option for traveling with the country but not just limited to just 3-5 days. Any suggestions on what would be the best option for seeing other cities? Any other must see cities in S Korea?

Soooo many places! Korea is really easy to travel in and since it’s so small, nothing is really *that* far away by train or bus. Jeju is literally an hour flight from Seoul, so if you’re feeling really crazy, you could do a whirlwind day trip there.

Check out the other Korea posts on my blogs to get more ideas :) Might help you to narrow down where to go.

Awesome thank you! Question is the KTX/ or korail (maybe the same) is there a monthly purchase ticket or is just the 3-5 days? Or is it better to buy the reservation tickets as you go?

Hmm I’ve never bought multi day KTX tickets. I don’t take the KTX that often since the slower trains are still quite nice and the only difference you see in time is for longer distances (for example Suncheon to Namwon is a matter of maybe 20 minutes but the ticket is 2,000 KRW vs 8,000 KRW).

I don’t think you really need them based on the prices I’m seeing on letskorail. I’d just buy tickets as you need them.

This is amazing! How much would you say this would all cost?!?

Hmm good question! I’m not a good budgeter, so I’ve never broke down the costs. I’d say if you’re being careful with money, but you’re not totally on a shoestring budget, you could do about $50 USD (55-60,000 KRW)/day including hostels, food, and transportation. Let’s say you spend $20/night on a hostel bed, put aside $15 for transportation (some days might only be $5, but longer trips between cities might be more expensive), and $15 for food (maybe if you’re eating light for 2 meals and spending a bit more for one big meal — a good meal should be around $10 or less if it’s a mom and pop Korean place), that should even out.

If you’re super-super-super shoestring budgeting, you could maybe get by on $20-30/day. That would mean a lot of $2 kimbap and ramen, cheapest transportation options, and couchsurfing or sleeping in saunas.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

• Visa Application Helpline

Subscribe to our newsletter

Learn how to live a sustainable long-term travel lifestyle.

By signing up, you agree to the our terms and our Privacy Policy agreement.

What's Hot

Top 27 places to visit in darjeeling, explore the beautiful hills of darjeeling, top 10 things to do when traveling to shimla: shimla travel guide, the ultimate paris travel guidelines for first timers | top attractions & things to do.

The Best 10-Day South Korea Itinerary: Budget and how to plan

If you’re looking for a travel destination that offers a rich cultural experience and a glimpse into history, South Korea is the perfect choice. Despite its small size, this country is packed with diverse attractions and a unique charm that will captivate any traveler.

Whether you’re interested in exploring ancient palaces, indulging in delicious street food, or immersing yourself in the vibrant K-pop culture, South Korea has something for everyone. With this ultimate 10-day South Korea itinerary , you’ll be able to make the most of your time in this fascinating country.

South Korea will give you the perfect opportunity to create a storming itinerary to explore the bustling cities quiet mountains and countryside. South Korea has a synchronized harmony of traditional culture and modern history.

Tourists can enjoy the cultural heritage through the UNESCO sites and can enjoy the variety of food, local culture, and lifestyles. Along with Korea’s Buddhist temples, and UNESCO sites you will find beautiful mountains, hiking trails, and port cities will let you experience the full range of diversity in the country.

Planning a Trip to Korea Preparations

Though you cannot plan to see all there is in 10 days you surely can have the most rejuvenating experience. Planning a trip to Korean districts and there are many cultural sites. Before flying to Korea, it will require that you have ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) for Korea.

You can apply online on their website and when granted you will be eligible to live in the country for 30 to 90 days. You will also require a valid passport, accommodation, and permit if you were to travel across the country. The required travel duration for most travelers are 10 to 15 days. And it is always recommended to get started on your preparation one or two months ahead.

Documents Required for Visiting South Korea:

• Valid Passport & Visa
• K-ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) For citizens of Selected Countries
• Cash for Currency Exchange

To have a hassle-free trip to South Korea there are few more things you can do to prepare. Few of them are using a language translator app, using specialized local maps, downloading cab app, and getting cashless money transfer systems. Here are the top apps for planning South Korea itinerary 10-days you can use to make your journey easy.

10-Day South Korea Itinerary: Provinces, Day to Day

You must start your visit from the capital of South Korea, Seou l and you will get to learn the royal history, Korean cuisine. Then on 3rd Day, you can travel to Suwon to watch the folk village and enjoy the folk village view. Then continue your journey to the South and move to Andong where you will find the beautiful Hahoe folk village, and you should visit the Soju Museum, Bongjeongsa Temple.

After spending a few days in Andong, it’s time to visit the cultural and Spiritual heart of Korea, Gyeongju. Visit the attractions like Tumuli Park, Bulguksa Temple, and more. Then for the last days of your trip, you will travel to the bustling fishy port city of Busan where you can roam around the fish markets and taste heavenly fish or go on a fish-catching trip. With this itinerary, you will be able to see the most remarkable culture and attractions of Korea.

Seoul: 2 Days

Seoul offering a modern yet traditional lifestyle should be the first place in your south Korea itinerary for 10-days.  The Seoul trip for two days will be your first step in familiarizing yourself with the city’s cultural, historical, and traditional sides. Take the first day slow and visit the royal palaces and UNESCO sites. You can start your trip with Gyeongbokgung Palace, and then continue to visit Cheonggyecheon Stream, Gwangju Traditional Market, and Insadong Shopping Street.

Gyeongbokgung is one of the most popular and oldest palaces in Seoul . This served as the main official palace during the Joseon dynasty. The entrance fee to the palace is $2.50 and you can also rent hanboks if you want great pictures in the traditional dresses. After the tour head over to the Cheonggyecheon Stream where you can enjoy a nice walk and enjoy the art murals, greenery, and scenic beauty.

Make your way to Gwangju Market, where you will be enjoying a whole array of foods. Some of the famous foods there as one of the oldest markets in Seoul are bindaetteok, mandu-guk, and bibimbap. From there you can go to visit the traditional Bunchon Hanok village.

For Day 2 in Seoul , start your day with a delicious breakfast in Hongdae. Hongdae is a vibrant area where young people hang out and Hongdae shopping street is also a great area to hang out. From there you can go to museums of the city and during the sunset hike up the N Seoul tower where you will enjoy the beautiful city’s nighttime landscape view. You can also have an amazing dinner on the restaurants of N Seoul tower.

Day 3: Trip to DMZ

The DMZ tour from Seoul takes a whole day. You must keep aside a one-full day for this historic area. You can only have guided tours of the DMZ area. The Demilitarized Zone portrays the rich history of the Korean Wars. The DMZ tour packages are available from $25. Visit the freedom bridge, DMZ exhibition hall, and other monuments. You will get a brief recap of the historical moments throughout the trip to DMZ.

Day 4 & Day 5: 2 Days in Andong

By Korean standards, it’s a long journey between Seoul and Gyeongju . For this itinerary, there’s no better place to break up the trip than Andong. Long known for its traditionalism, Andong is a center of culture and folklore. It’s one of the best places to visit in South Korea for a glimpse of its ancient past.

For Day 1: Explore the impressive grounds of the historic Neo-Confucian Academy with a trip to the historic Dosan Seowon and for Day 2: Admire a stunning view of the surrounding natural landscapes from the top of the Buyongdae Observatory.

Also, the Woryeonggyo Bridge, a wooden footbridge crossing the Nakdong River, provides breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and is a popular spot for photographers and nature enthusiasts.

Day 6: 1 Day in Gyeongju

No place during your 10 days in South Korea will live up to expectation better than Gyeongju. This fascinating city is nothing short of the cultural and spiritual heart of Korea. Gyeongju checks off all the boxes that drove you to visit South Korea in the first place.

Compared to the hubbub of Seoul and brash Busan, Gyeongju is a relaxing respite. And it’s as fulfilling as either. The top attractions in Gyeongju are spread far & wide. They encompass some of Korea’s finest cultural moments. Tumuli Park is one of the few Gyeongju tourist attractions smack dabs in the middle of town. The park is an ancient burial site. About two dozen Korean royal tombs sprout from the earth here.

Day 7 & Day 8: 2 Days in Jeju Do

Jeju is South Korea’s one of the most vibrant islands to experience beautiful braces, local markets, and more. On the first day arriving in Jeju, you can visit the Jeju Folklore and Natural Music and Halla Arboretum. And you can then visit the Jeju five-day folk market and Dongmun Traditional Market.

The next day you can catch the sunrise at Hallasan or at Sarabong Peak early in the morning. Then you can go visit the Hamdeok beach and Manjangul cave. There are a lot of places to explore in the south of Jeju-do and you will have a refreshing experience while travelling here.

Day 9: Busan

Busan is one of those take-it-or-leave-it places. Apparently, suggests that anyone should fall in love with, or even like, this brash Korean port city. And that’s usually where the story ends. When you are in Busan, don’t leave out the bustling J agalchi Fish Market.

It’s one of the city’s top cultural attractions, and an absolute must-see and must-do. This is not just the port city’s most significant market; it’s the biggest fish market in South Korea. All types of seafood caught around the Korean peninsula find their way to the market stalls of Jagalchi Fish Market .

With your trip coming to close soon, make time to fit one more temple into your Korea itinerary : Beomeosa Temple. This ancient temple is Busan’s top tourist attraction. The original temple was founded in AD 678 by Ui Sang, a monk in the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. It has since been rebuilt multiple times. Most of the current buildings hail from the 16th and 17th centuries.

From stone pagodas to ornate wooden gates, the beauty of the city entrances you. The temple also benefits from a spectacular location. It sits at the foot of Mount Geumjeongsan. Visiting Beomeosa Temple, it’s easy to forget you’re in Korea’s second-biggest city.

Day 10: Departure

On Day 10 return to Seoul, and get your things packed. On the last day you can visit some famous places in Seoul or have a last traditional meal of Korean cuisine. You will have a lot of memories and an experience of Korean culture by the time you live.

Most Popular Tourist Attractions in South Korea

There are a lot of beautiful places across South Korea where you can experience a diversity of landscapes, culture and food. Taking a trip to South Korea is a phenomenal way to experience the joys of life. Here are the top few tourist attractions and landmarks of South Korea that any first-time traveler must cover.

DMZ is a zone between South Korea and North Korea near the 38th parallel north. And the demilitarized zone is a walk through the history for tourists where you can understand the value of the war history of the country. This area works as a buffer zone between two countries and is a place for maintaining political peace.

Changdeokgung Palace:

One of the most popular UNESCO sites in Seoul is the Changdeokgung Palace. Changdeokng Palace is an official residential building built in the Joseon dynasty. This complex was built as a secondary palace from Gyeongbokgung Palace to have the administrative work done.

Gyeongbokgung Palace:

The Gyeongbokgung palace is a South Korean first palaces for administrative work. It was built in 1935 in Hanyang, currently the heart of Seoul. This is quite famous for taking pictures in hanbok, traditional korean dress and visiting the historical settings, and artefacts. At the entrance, you will also find the historical Gwanghwamun gate located at the three-way intersection.

Hwaseong Fortress:

Hwaseong fortress is a one-of-a-kind brick and pilestone fortress made in Joseon dynasty. It’s located in the centre of Suwon, a few kms away from Seoul. It was built by King Jeongjo to honour his father, Prince Sado.

Namsan Tower:

Namsan tower located in Seoul is an observatory tower on the highest hill in Yongsan-gu district of Seoul. It gives undeniably the best view in the city and is worth a visit. The lovelocks there for couples are also quite famous. You can also enjoy the views from the cafe or the restaurant on the N Seoul tower.

Lotte World:

Lotte World is a major theme park in Seoul with indoor and outdoor rides, shows and parades, and an aquarium. If you have come here with children, taking a day to go to Lotte world will really make the trip a lot of fun. The aquariums, ice rink and parades are a true treat to kids.

Jeju Island:

Jeju Island is one of the most peaceful and pleasant natural spaces that you can visit. It is one of the most beautiful volcanic islands on the planet Earth. Top attractions in Jeju-do are the lava tunnels, Hallasan, Cheonjiyon waterfall, and the hiking trails.

Nami Island:

Nami Island has gained popularity as a scenic and romantic spot, and you can go there to enjoy cherry blossoms and the tree-lined pathways are quite romantic during Autumn and Spring. You can also enjoy different types of activities like cycling, zip lining and boating in Han River.

Traditional Villages:

There are a beautiful Korean village like Bukchon Hanok, Yongin-si in Seoul where you can get roam around the beautiful streets, visit artisans and traditional arts.If you travel to Andong during your trip, you must visit Andong folk village to visit the Andong folk museum, thatched house. You can also visit the Jeonju-si for old shrines, Boseon-gun in South Jeolla province for the entrancing beauty.

Dodohaehaesang National Park:

Dodohaehaesang National Park is the largest natural park in South Korea and if you are a nature lover you will have a great time as there are 1500+ plant species and 1200+ animal species. The scenic beauty of the island the park is located on is all the is also an attraction.

  National Museum of Korea:

National Museum of Korea has collections of Korean traditional products, and you will find a lot of art exhibitions going on every day worth visiting. You will see the collection of art, artifacts, and crafts from Korean and international artists at the National Museum.

  South Korea Food Markets

South Korea has a lot of vibrant food markets which are worth visiting for tasting local foods and get immersed in the local lifestyle. A few of the top South Korean food markets are Gwangjang Market, Namdaemun, and Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul for tasting the most famous traditional foods. You may also visit the jagalchi fish market in Busan for fresh fish and seafood and tasty foods.

Budget for South Korea 10-Day Itinerary

Your travel tastes, style, and the time of year you intend to travel all affect how much money you allocate for a 10-day itinerary in South Korea. I can give you a general idea of the expenditures related to a traveler on a medium budget, though. Please be aware that these projections were created using pricing as of my September 2021 update and may have altered since then.

Accommodation: The price of lodging can change based on the area and the type of lodging you select (hotels, hostels, guesthouses, etc.). Budget travelers should budget $30 to $100 per night for a mid-range hotel or guesthouse, on average.

Food: There are numerous culinary alternatives available in South Korea at various pricing brackets. For roughly $5 to $15 each meal, budget-conscious travelers may savour delectable street food and regional cuisine. The price range for meals at mid-range restaurants could be between $15 and $30.

The public transit system in South Korea, which includes buses and subways, is good. Spend between $100 and $150 on transport over the course of ten days, which includes getting around cities and possibly taking the train to various locations.

Activities and Sightseeing: Different attractions and activities have different entrance prices. Budget, on average, $5 to $20 per attraction. You can budget between $100 and $150 for this category if you’re going to numerous paid attractions.

Shopping and souvenirs: Depending on your shopping tastes, this expenditure can vary greatly. Budget travelers should set up $100 to $200 for shopping and souvenirs.

Other: It’s a good idea to have some extra cash on hand for unanticipated costs like tips, extra snacks or drinks, or any emergency requirements. Set aside between $100 and $200 for other costs.

Without factoring in international flights to and from South Korea, a ballpark estimate for a 10-day moderately priced vacation in South Korea could vary from $800 to $1,000. Remember that this is only a rough estimate, and that the actual cost of the trip may change depending on your choices. It is advised to conduct detailed pricing and expense research for your planned route and travel duration in order to obtain a more precise budget.

Related Posts

New zealand itinerary & tour packages to design the perfect vacation, macau trip itinerary: experience the perfect visit, the best 4-day hong kong itinerary: explore the city’s highlights, the best 10-day japan itinerary: exploring tokyo, kyoto, and osaka.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

How to get to South Korea on points and miles

Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here .

At TPG, we paused traveling to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Local and federal governments around the globe are now debating the appropriate levels of isolation and distancing. Before booking that next trip, we recommend you talk to your doctor, follow health officials' guidance and research local travel restrictions . TPG is continuing to publish deals, reviews and general travel news to inform and prepare you for that trip, whether it is next month or next year.

My parents immigrated from South Korea to the United States in the early 90's. Over the past couple of decades, my extended family and I have traveled to and from South Korea quite often. Ultimately, the visiting friends & family (VFR) market is a huge travel segment for many immigrant families.

However, it's no secret that flying across the globe is costly – especially when you're traveling during the summer or over the holidays. In fact, my mother has only visited South Korea once in her 25+ years of living in the United States. I'm convinced that if she knew how to book using points & miles, she could have visited more frequently.

Before the coronavirus outbreak, my mother and I had flights booked to South Korea in May 2020. While I eventually had to cancel my trip altogether, my mother rebooked her trip for the end of August.

New to The Points Guy? Sign up for our TPG daily newsletter for tips and tricks to make the most of your travel rewards.

Quarantine requirements

While South Korea initially experienced a high number of COVID-19 cases at the start of 2020, the Korean government has since effectively contained the outbreak. By providing fast and free testing and enforcing contact tracing, life has slowly started to return to normal.

Still, Korea continues to implement strict measures . Once you enter the country, you must take a COVID-19 test and quarantine for 14 days, even if you test negative. For Korean nationals and residents of Korea, you're allowed to quarantine at your residence for 14 days. Foreigners, however, must quarantine in a government-mandated facility that costs roughly $100 per night.

While most people don't have the financial means – or simply the time – for a 14-day quarantine abroad, there are still many reasons why people currently have to fly to and from South Korea. Especially with the recent student visa changes, over a million international students may be forced to return to their home countries.

Personally, I have even considered traveling to South Korea for a few months to make this 14-day quarantine worth it. By looking at award travel for the end of the year and early 2021, there are plenty of ways to get to South Korea on points & miles – regardless of the reason for your trip.

Many airlines fly direct from the United States to South Korea. I have only flown economy to South Korea, which is a lengthy, 14+ hour flight. While flying economy can save you some miles, business class is a much better value.

Using Delta SkyMiles

Before the pandemic, Delta often had deals to fly from the United States to South Korea. You could find round-trip fares in their Main Cabin for 50,000 SkyMiles. Looking at availability within the next year, I found that current round-trip fares typically go for under 80,000 SkyMiles. In fact, for most cities, economy round-trips are currently around 75,000 SkyMiles and about $50 in taxes and fees. Let's take a closer look.

From my home airport at Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU), I found a fare to Seoul (ICN) that costs 66,000 SkyMiles and $51.45 in taxes. Since SkyMiles are worth 1.2 cents each according to TPG valuations, these points are worth $792.

The cash price of this fare is $975. If you have built up some SkyMiles, this is a decent way to get to South Korea on a budget.

Delta vs. partner awards

When booking on Delta's website, it's important to pay attention to whether or not the flight is operated by Delta or their partner, Korean Air. Note that the flight above is operated by Delta only.

Let's take a look at this route from Boston (BOS) to ICN. The international legs on this trip are operated by Korean Air. For 75,000 SkyMiles and $47.75 in taxes and fees, this redemption is worth about $900 (according to TPG valuations).

Meanwhile, the cash price for this flight is $1,918.95. At this rate, you'll get over 2.5 cents of value out of each mile. This is over double its normal value of 1.2 cents.

My experience flying Korean Air

If you're looking for an economy award on Delta's website, I recommend booking a flight that is operated by Korean Air. One of our senior editors, Alberto Riva, flew on Korean Air's economy class on the A380, and stated that it was "as good as economy class gets." For a 12+ hour flight, I much enjoyed the food and service onboard.

Related: Where to Sit When Flying Korean Air's 787-9: Economy

Flying business class

If you have even more SkyMiles to burn and want to fly Prestige (business class) on Korean Air, it costs 170,000 SkyMiles and $47.75 in taxes and fees. According to TPG valuations, these miles are worth a little over $2,000.

The cash price of this same round-trip is $7,332.95. The value of your SkyMiles effectively jumps to 4.28 cents each, making your miles worth almost four times the TPG value.

Earning Delta SkyMiles

Whether you're flying economy or business class on Delta or Korean Air, using your SkyMiles may be a solid option. You can earn a ton of SkyMiles through Delta's co-branded credit cards with American Express, which offers substantial welcome bonuses.

You can also get a Membership Rewards-earning card, which will then transfer to Delta SkyMiles at a 1:1 rate. Our favorites are the American Express® Gold Card and The Platinum Card® from American Express.

Related: How to redeem American Express Membership Rewards for maximum value

Using Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Miles

Transferring Membership Rewards to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club can be another great way to score a sweet deal on long-haul international flights – especially in business class. The best part of this program is that you can redeem Flying Club miles for flights on Delta. While award availability is more limited, with some digging, you can find some incredible deals.

For example, I found a one-way, nonstop flight in Delta One from Atlanta (ATL) to Seoul for just 60,000 miles and $5.60 in taxes. Note that Main Cabin is 40,000 miles and $5.60 in taxes.

This same ticket on Delta's website costs a whopping 115,000 miles for Main Cabin and 120,000 miles for Delta One.

And look how much these fares are in cash.

Clearly, using your Virgin Atlantic Flying Club miles gives you a major advantage. While award availability tends to be limited, you'll score a great deal if you're flexible with your dates.

Earning Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Miles

It's fairly easy to rack up Flying Club miles without ever flying Virgin Atlantic, thanks to its many transfer partners. You can transfer American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Citi ThankYou Rewards and Diners Club Rewards to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club at a 1:1 ratio. You can also transfer from Marriott Bonvoy at a 3:1 ratio.

Related: Unlock incredible value with Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

Using Korean Air SkyPass

Korean Air's iconic first-class can be booked using SkyPass miles. Here is the award chart for round-trip flights between South Korea and the United States. Note that one-way tickets require half the miles listed below.

There are a few other things to note with SkyPass. The taxes and fees add another $37 to all international award redemptions but can vary on other factors. Finally, the rates are only applicable to direct flights from the United States. Korean Air flies directly out of 12 cities in the United States, which include:

• Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
• San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
• McCarran International Airport (LAS)
• Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
• Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP)
• Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
• Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
• Dulles International Airport (IAD)
• John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
• Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)

Earning Korean Air SkyPass Miles

Earning SkyPass miles can be a bit more challenging. Marriott Bonvoy is currently the only transfer partner, offering a ratio of 3:1. You'll get 5,000 bonus miles for every 60,000 points transferred. Of course, there are also Korean Air's co-branded cards to consider.

Because Korean Air is part of the SkyTeam alliance, you can also credit flights that you take on other airlines (e.g., Delta or Air France ) to the SkyPass program. Note that the number of miles you receive will also depend on the fare and class of service.

Using United MileagePlus miles

Searching on United's website is fairly easy. While United stopped publishing award charts in 2019, the redemption rates are pretty standard when looking at the 30-day calendar. From searching multiple cities, I found that the lowest one-way tickets cost 35,000 miles on economy and 88,000 miles on business – plus only $5.60 in fees.

United miles are worth approximately 1.3 cents each. Therefore, you're getting an okay deal at 70,000 miles round-trip for an economy fare, worth about $915 including tax.

To fly United Polaris, the 170,000 miles you need for a round-trip are worth about $2300. This is a fraction of the cost of how much you'd pay in cash, so you're getting a better value booking on business class.

Finally, these are the cash prices for those same round-trip tickets. As you can see, the lowest price for round-trip economy class is $957, while business class costs $4,355.

Earning United MileagePlus Miles

If you're a Chase cardholder, you can transfer your Ultimate Rewards points to United at a 1:1 ratio. Marriott Bonvoy transfers to United at a 3:1 ratio. And if you fly United frequently, signing up for their co-branded credit cards are also an effective way to lock in a ton of United miles. In sum, flying United Polaris to South Korea may be more feasible than you think.

Related: 17 ways to earn miles through the United MileagePlus program

Using Avianca LifeMiles

Through Avianca LifeMiles, you can book flights on any Star Alliance airline, which includes United and Asiana Airlines. By transferring your hard-earned points to Avianca LifeMiles, you may score an even better deal than simply booking through United's website. Plus, you can redeem LifeMiles for Asiana's business class product for just 75,000 miles one-way or 150,000 miles round-trip.

Meanwhile, a one-way on United's economy prices out at just 35,000 LifeMiles.

Earning Avianca LifeMiles

The Avianca LifeMiles program has many partners. You can transfer from American Express Membership Rewards or Citi ThankYou Points at a 1:1 ratio. Capital One miles transfer at 2:1.5, and Marriott Bonvoy transfers at 3:1. Finally, Avianca also offers two types of co-branded credit cards: the Avianca Vuela Visa® Card and the Avianca Vida Visa® Card.

Pooling your points and miles from these various programs can easily turn this flight into a reality.

Related: Everything you need to know about Avianca LifeMiles

Using ANA Mileage Club Miles

You can book flights to Seoul through ANA's Mileage Club, which partners with both Asiana and United. Note that you can only book round-trip flights, not one-way.

For example, nonstop round-trip flight on Asiana's business class from New York (JFK) to Seoul (ICN) costs 95,000 miles and $307.69 in taxes.

While these taxes are quite hefty, the overall miles you need to book a round-trip on ANA are relatively low. ANA miles are worth 1.4 cents, meaning 95,000 miles are worth almost $1330. The cash price for this business class flight is almost three times the value of your Mileage Club miles.

The same flight in economy class costs 60,000 miles and $307.69 in taxes. The miles portion of this award is valued at $840.

Meanwhile, the cash price of this flight is $1,021. In this scenario, you would be getting a better deal paying cash on this ticket.

Earning ANA Mileage Club Miles

American Express Membership Rewards is a key transfer partner for ANA Mileage Club. At a 1:1 ratio, you can land an awesome deal on a roundtrip business class fare to South Korea. Marriott Bonvoy also transfers to Mileage Club, but at a 3:1 ratio.

And of course, you can also earn by flying ANA as well as flying any Star Alliance airlines and its non-alliance partners.

Related: Ultimate guide to ANA Mileage Club

Using Aeroplan Miles

Air Canada Aeroplan's website has a published redemption chart for awards between Canada & the continental United States and Asia 1, which includes South Korea.

Through Aeroplan's website, you can book awards on Star Alliance flights, including Air Canada, Asiana and United.

Here is an example of a business class award to Seoul through Aeroplan. For 150,000 miles and about $50 in taxes, this is another solid option to consider.

Earning Aeroplan miles

Through American Express Membership Rewards, you can transfer your points to Aeroplan miles at a 1:1 ratio. Capital One miles transfer at a 2:1.5 ratio and Marriott Bonvoy at 3:1 (with a 5,000-mile bonus for every 60,000 points transferred). You can also credit your flights to Aeroplan instead of United Mileage Plus. You'll often find you're getting a better return on your miles this way.

Related: The best ways to maximize Air Canada's Aeroplan program

Bottom line

As you can see, there are countless ways to get to South Korea using points and miles. Given the COVID-19 pandemic, award redemption rates are standard across the board, giving you plenty of flexibility for dates. The options for both economy and business class offerings are impressive, so how you want to redeem your hard-earned rewards depends on you.

Since many of these award redemption rates are similar, you ultimately have the choice to pick which airline you want to fly. I am personally biased towards Korean Air when flying to South Korea, as I've had great experiences flying their economy long-haul. If you're aiming for business class however, I would read up on our reviews of each flight to decide the best option for you.

Featured by Patrick Foto/Getty Images

Travel with Karla

the teacher who loves to travel

Filipino Budget Trip to Korea

I’ve been asked many times, “How much should be the budget in trip to Korea?” Since I live here, I don’t spend money for flight tickets and accommodations. I only spend money for food, transportation, and entrance fees. Good thing, I have a lot of friends who visited Korea. Here are the breakdown of their expenses in their trip to Korea:

Aicy spent 12,020 peso s in 3 days.

• travel tax = 1,620 pesos
• Accommodation = 800 pesos (she stayed in my place)
• Transportation = 1,500 pesos
• Food = 1,500 pesos
• Entrance fees = 1,500 pesos
• Souvenirs/Pasalubong = 500 pesos

Camille spent 20,000 pesos in 7 days.

• Accommodation = 2,400 pesos (she stayed in a dormitory type room)
• Transportation = 600 pesos
• Food = 4,380 pesos
• DMZ Tour = 1,300 pesos
• Souvenirs/Pasalubong = 2,000 pesos

Joice spent 22,000 pesos in 9 days.

• Airfare = 11,000 pesos (50 kg baggage)
• Accommodation = free (she stayed in a friend’s house)
• Transportation & Entrance fees = 5,000 pesos
• Food = 3,000 pesos
• Souvenirs/Pasalubong = 3,000 pesos

Een spent 23,000 pesos in 2 weeks.

• Airfare = 7,000 pesos
• Accommodation = free  (she stayed in a friend’s house)
• Transportation = 4,000 pesos
• Food = 3,000 pesos (she had free breakfast and dinner)
• Souvenirs/Pasalubong = 9,000 pesos

Christine spent 24,380 peso s in 4 days.

• Accommodation = 3,500 pesos
• Transportation = 1,700 pesos
• Food = 2,100 pesos
• Entrance fees = 2,520 pesos
• Souvenirs/Pasalubong = 3,940 pesos

Regine spent 25,870 peso s in 6 days.

• Accommodation = 3,550 pesos
• Transportation = 2,200 pesos
• Food = 2,000 pesos
• Entrance fees = 2,000 pesos
• Winter clothes = 3,000 pesos

Nadine spent 28,300 peso s in 7 days.

• Airfare = 19,000 pesos (40 kg baggage)
• Accommodation = free (she stayed with her relatives)
• Transportation = 2,000 pesos (she often takes taxi)
• Food = 2,000 pesos (she had free breakfast & dinner)
• Entrance fees = 1,000 pesos
• Souvenirs/Pasalubong = 4,300 pesos

Nina spent  51,470 pesos in 6 days.

• Accommodation = 7,200 pesos
• Transportation = 1,800 pesos
• Surround Viewing for EXO-LS  = 1,750 pesos
• KPOP Merch/Pasalubong = 9,100 pesos
• She didn’t catch her flight so she spent 16,000 pesos  to buy another ticket.

En-en spent 61,750 pesos in 12 days.

• Dumaguete to Kalibo = 1,500 pesos
• Kalibo to Incheon =3,000 pesos
• Incheon to Manila = 3,800 pesos
• Manila to Dumaguete = 1,100 pesos
• terminal fee = 750
• Accommodation = 9,900 pesos
• Transportation = 4,300 pesos
• Food =14,000 pesos
• Entrance fees = 3,580 pesos
• Souvenirs/Pasalubong = 18,200 pesos

Kim went to Korea four times!

In spring 2014, kim spent 27,000 pesos in 8 days..

• Accommodation = 9,000 pesos
• Transportation & Entrance Fees  = 4,000 pesos
• Food = 3,000 pesos (free breakfast at the hotel)
• Souvenirs/Pasalubong = 4,000 pesos

In Winter 2016, Kim spent 14,000 pesos in 8 days.

• Accommodation & Food = free (he stayed with relatives)

In Summer 2016, Kim spent 9,000 pesos in 5 days.

• Airfare = 6,000 pesos
• Transportation & Entrance Fees  = 1,000 pesos

In Autumn 2016, Kim spent 14,000 pesos in 15 days.

• Transportation & Entrance Fees  = 5,000 pesos

My mom, sister and I spent 12 days in Korea for only 60,000 pesos. Check out our detailed itinerary here: 12 Best Days in Korea .

• Shopping in Seoul
• Things to Collect While Traveling
• Things you should NOT do in Korea

Share this:

91 comments.

• Pingback: South Korea resumes issuing tourist visas - Travel with Karla
• Pingback: Travel Agencies Designated By Korean Embassy - Travel with Karla

This is my dream destination Ms. Karla hope na makapunta ako dito someday ???

• Pingback: Three Ways to Visit Korea without VISA - Travel with Karla
• Pingback: 10 Must Buy Souvenirs in Korea - Travel with Karla

I have read your Filipino blog Budget Trip to Korea. I am very interested in reading your experience while in the Philippines. Thank you for sharing your experience and knowledge here.

Korea has always been a choice for my travel plans. Thanks for putting this in.

I know Filipino loves travelling. I would recommend to visit Everland when travelling to Korea. Such a nice place, get your camera ready!

Articles about travel from the Philippines into Korea is very useful, for Filipinos who will visit Korea this is great information and tips, thank you

Hi, my boyfriend and i are going to celebrate our 8th anniv in Korea, its our first time there and we wanted it to be hassle free trip. since tourist guides are soooo much expensive, we are planning our DIY trip, right now we are about to book hotels, wed like to book at least 2 budget hotels in our 7 days trip. Can you suggest a great accessible place? and can you also suggest places to visit during that 7 days? thank you. pls email me.. [email protected]

Are you staying in Korea till now? If ever I’ll travel there can I just stay in your place? ????

I’m back in the Philippines.

I am making my own itinerary. Is there entrance fees to Bukchon Hanok Village, Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changdeokgung Palace?

There’s an entrance fee in the palaces, but if you’re wearing a hanbok, you can go there for free.

Hi. Pwede po mag tanong if where sila nag book ng flight nila? ???? thank you.

Usually nag aabang sila ng piso fare sa Cebu Pac or Red Hot Sale ng Air Asia

if hindi po promo magkano po yung bayad if Davao-Korea

Hi. Can I ask po for a cheap airfare or coupon po. Any suggestion po or if you can send me th PDF din po if okay lang po? My best friend and I are planning po to go there probably next year po. Thank you po!!!

Annyeonghasaeyo!:) I am planning to have my solo trip at end of May this coming year. And I am not considering tour packages coz I think time will be limited and more expensive. I’ve never been in Korea and know no one there. Is it easy to wander Korea for a first-timer? or shall I get a tour package instead. Can I hear your advice? Thanks!

Hi Karla, we are going to Korea this November 20-26 just like to seek your advice as to what clothes should we bring? Thanks a lot.

You may start wearing winter clothes ????

Hello po. Ask ko lang po, pupunta po kami ng family ko on Jan 24. Sobrang lamig po ba nun to the point na hindi na kami makakatour? And ok n po kaya 3 layers na damit? Pati po, hassle po ba magcommute pag winter? Hope you can reply to me po. Thank you!

Hello po, pupunta po kami South Korea ng family ko on Oct. 5 – Oct 12, 2017.. Ask ko lang po ano advice niyo sa clothing na need namin dalin? Like sobrang lamig na po ba nun or hindi pa naman. Thank you po!!

Hi Karla just wanted to ask where is the best place to propose in korea on Oct 27-Oct31. My girlfriend and I will go to korea on the said dates.

Awww that’s so sweet! I highly recommend Garden of the Morning Calm.

Hi. What clothes to wear if middle of march ang punta?

Winter Clothes 🙂

Hi Ms. Karla ???? Will be on Korea this coming November 29-December 4. Winter na po ba nun and sobrang lamig po ba? Thanks!

Miss karla 2nd week of march winter padin po ba in korea? And wala pa po tLagang cherry blossoms?

Winter pa din, last week of March ang start ng cherry blossoms.

hi ms. karla what if po gusto ko po mg visit sa friend ko sa korea ano po ba pwede gawin?

Korean citizen po ba siya? Pwede ka mag ask for invitation.

Hi po. Me and my friends will visit Nov 15 – 19. Ano pong pwedeng isuot and ilang layer po? 😀

Hi Kristine! It’s almost winter that time… You may use coats and three layers of clothes.

What’s the weather like 1st week of September?

Hello Karla,

We will be going to seoul on the 28th of september to 5th of Ocyober What clothing should we bring? Can we see the Autumn leaves already? Are stores or tourist attractions closed on Chuseok?

I hope the leaves start changing that soon. It’s not so cold that time, probably Tagaytay weather. You may still go out wearing normal shirt or you may use a cardigan. Some stores are closed but cultural attractions are open.

Hi Ate Karla, Ill be in Korea po kasi ng October last week to November 1.. What kind of clothing po kaya ang dapat ko isuot? Thanks

Hello, We’ll be traveling to Korea on the 1St week of September until the 21St of September. What type of clothing do you recommend we bring? ???? thanks!!

Hi Coleen! I think a thin jacket will do. 🙂 https://travelwithkarla.com/2016/11/18/autumn-in-korea/

Hello! Saan po sila nakakahanap ng murang airfare? I occasionally search up on different airline websites pero yung pinakamurang nakikita ko is ~13k for roundtrip 🙁 (including taxes and all)

Nag aabang sila ng piso fare from Cebu Pac or Red Hot Sale from AirAsia. ????

Hi Karla! I would like to ask if anong clothing pag October sa Korea. We will be traveling sa Seoul on 11 October to 15 October. And where to find magandang tour package or where to buy tickets for DMZ, Nami Island and Everland. thanks! 🙂

Hello Cheng! Pag second week of October usually, nakamakapal na jacket na ang mga tao. ( Autumn in Korea ) Sa Trazy may mga packages sila for that. ^^

Hi Karla! Just like to ask if okay lang ba madami ka dala pasalubong like cosmetics from SK? I mean were the customs have a strict policy on this? I plan to go to SK this October. Thanks!

hi, by next year autum will visit korea. which month is better po ba oct or nov? thanks po

Last week of October or first week of November 🙂

Hi karla just want to ask about the airfare balikan naba yan or one way lang ?

This is useful. Can’t wait to go to Korea someday soon (^^)

Hi Karla, I hope you don’t mind me sharing your article to our readers at https://Yehey.com website.

Thank you in advance.

No problem. Just put the source and pingback the article here.????

Done. Thank you.

Omg i love this very informative!!! ??????

Ms Karla nagbabalak po kame nang bf ko mag Korea by January. Although winter ang weather maganda din po ba mamamasyal kahit winter? . And saan ung budget friendly na accommodation???.. hindj ba mahirap kumaha nang tourist visa normally magkano aabutin if 5days vacation. Thanks

1. Winter in Korea is really cold, you can’t stay outside a long time. 2. Check out my promos to get discounts in selected hotels. 3. These are the visa requirements for tourists . 4. It depends on your lifestyle. Check out: Filipino Budget Trip to Korea

Hi po.. Saan po ba makakakita ng murang airfare papuntang korea? I’m planning to go there mga April by next year po kasi eh.. Patulong nmn po ????

Nag aabang lang sila ng seat sale from Cebu Pac or Air Asia (feeling ko homepage nila yun). 😀

Hi. What would type of clothes would you recommend bringing for a short vacation in November? 🙂

It depends on which week of November. Check out the clothes I wore last Autumn .

Hi Karla! My boyfriend and I will be traveling to Korea next month and I want to know more about the gapyeong bus tour. Im afraid we might get lost.

The Gapyeong bus has a schedule. It’s searchable online. You’ll see the bus stop near Gapyeong Station.

Hi ms Karla. Any advice on what to wear during spring?

Hi Karla, stumbled upon your blog and was amazed at how you were able to do comparisons in terms of how much your friends spent. We’ll be travelling on April 2017. 🙂

Hi @travelwithkarla! My friend and I will be traveling to Korea this June and we want to visit Nami Island in the morning and go to the palaces in the afternoon. We planned to start the travel from Junso to Nami at 4am so that we can go back to Seoul and visit the palaces. But, we found out that there’s no subway or bus that can take us there at that time. Or is there? Our itinerary is kind of hectic that’s why we want to push through this plan. But we’ve got no idea what to do. Any advice for us? TIA. ????????????

You can go to one palace in the morning, then travel to Nami Island by lunch time 🙂

Hi Karla, will be travelling with the whole family in October. Hope you can share with me the coupons as we are a family of 7 and expenses can be quite overwhelming. ???? Do you recommend that we go to Jeju in the middle of our trip or at the end/start of the trip? Lookinng forward ro hear your insightful suggestions. Thanks Karla! ??

Hi! The coupons I have are valid until April 2017 only.

Hi Ms. Karla, we will be in Korea in August any Hotel/hostel recommendations? by the way your blog is very helpful =)

My followers can avail discounts at Hostel Korea Changdeokgung. Check out my promos .

thank you fro the prompt response! hope We could meet you there! Where can I get coupons so we could atleast save =)

Send me an email ( [email protected] )

Hi Karla, we are planning to visit korea on oct 28 (saturday)-november 1 (wednesday) 2017 we don’t* have air tickets yet, any suggestion on where to find cheap airfare? also, may I know how to get coupons for discounts? ???? Thank you for the reply and for sharing your thoughts/experiences. More power!

They usually wait for Cebu Pac’s piso fare or Airasia’s red hot sale. Send me an email. I’ll give you a PDF file of coupons. ????

wow,, hope you could send me some too. =)

Hi Karla, we are planning to visit korea on oct 28 (saturday)-november 1 (wednesday) 2017 we doesn’t have any air tickets yet, any suggestion on where to find cheap airfare? also may I know how to get coupons for discounts? 🙂 Thank you for the reply and for sharing your thoughts/experiences. More power!

where do we get coupons for the entrance fees? will b der 1st week of april. any fashion advice as well on what to wear during that time? thanks!

I can email you a PDF file of coupons. ^^ During April, two layer of clothes is enough. A thin cardigan will do.

Hi.. Karla, I’ll be in Seoul on April 6-9, can I have also a copy of PDF coupons.. thanks.

Hi karla! Really like your blogs as theyre very informative and helps me plan for my April trip in Korea. Would appreciate if you can also share with me coupons so we can have discounts at the usual tourists spots. Thanks so much!! -Rie

Me and My friend are planning to go on May… What Hostel can u advice for us, were looking for a cheap but comfortable place to stay.. thank u.

Check out Hostel Korea Changdeokgung. My followers can avail discounts there. ????

Hi Karla, I’m planning to visit Korea in October for about a week. I’m flying from California. I would love to see the places where Kdrama have been shot. I enjoy reading your Bless g thus far.

May I ask what are the recquirements for students?

Check this out: https://travelwithkarla.wordpress.com/2016/05/21/korean-visa-requirements/

when i saw your blog i feel like really want to go there, i’m saving money,hopefully i can go there next year, can you help me to tour around if ever??

I’ll be here til Spring. I’m planning to move to another country on Summer. ????

Oh no you’ll be leaving :((

Hope you still continue sharing your adventures san ka man mapunta Ms. Karla 🙂

Round trip na ba yung airfare nila? 🙂

Yes. Most of them got promo fares.

Spring 2016 I spent more than 60,000 Php… depende sa traveller yan. Meron kasing traveler na more on sight seeing lang, meron din na shopping talaga ang pinunta.. on our case, we hoarded cosmetics ???? We stayed in Dongdaemun and visited Myeongdong, Gangnam, Everland, Petite Frace, Nami island, garden of morning calm and N Seoul tower

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

• Weird But True
• Sex & Relationships
• Viral Trends
• Human Interest
• Fashion & Beauty
• Food & Drink

trending now in Lifestyle

Travel expert who visited every US state reveals favorite spots...

Most promiscuous countries in the world revealed: Here's how...

New pictures surface of man 'believed to be Banksy' at site of...

Dear Abby: My terminally ill wife is cheating on me — I want to...

I'm a porn star — here's my number one tip for men who want to...

Content creator stunned to learn $15 Goodwill dress has...

My son picked up a piece of metal on a walk — it turned out to...

How to prepare your pets for solar eclipse 2024, wedding guests unleash on cost-cutting couples who skimp on food and booze to save money.

• View Author Archive
• Get author RSS feed

Thanks for contacting us. We've received your submission.

Weddings are supposed to be a happy blur of expensive flowers, white taffeta gowns and top-shelf liquor on the open bar. Right?

Well, a shocking number of nuptial attendees are needling their hosts on a lively Reddit thread that spills the champagne on some of the most embarrassingly cheap functions they’ve attended.

Sure, wedding guests are essentially present to celebrate the magical union of their loved ones, but it goes without saying that they’re also present for the free food and drink.

And if they don’t get it? Watch out, because they may be shaming you behind your back — and in front of an audience of millions.

In the busy r/weddingshaming forum on the social media platform, a plethora of P.O.’d would-be party animals dropped their most horrible and tasteless experiences that left them wanting more. A lot more.

The original poster of the thread noted that they were given simply just cheese, crackers and nuts to tide them over for the long evening of dancing to the Village People.

Another person chimed in and said they were given just “a plate of lettuce” as the “vegan option” at their sister’s nuptials.

Another ravished reveler interjected: “I showed up to a reception once that only had a ‘popcorn and ice cream bar.’ The reception was scheduled around dinner time, and there was no previous mention of there not being real food provided on the invites or programs.”

At one person’s backyard wedding, “cold Chick-fil-A nuggets and veggie trays” were given out and the bride and groom “didn’t have enough for everyone so people were fighting over” the miniscule chicken chunks.

“Fun times. We left to go get food,” they not-so-fondly remembered.

Another poster joked about their own experience in a follow-up thread titled Family-Style Starvation .

The commenter warned people against having a family-style event with long rectangular tables that had large plates of food.

They explained that their cousin had a wedding with that tactic, having 25 guests per rectangular table with the food served at each end.

They stated that they were sitting with their husband in the middle of the table and “there was no food left by the time it got to us,” as well as for the couple idling next to them.

“All we got was a couple spoonfuls of lavender asparagus risotto to split between the four of us. We even asked the servers if there were any extras they could send to the middle,” they wrote.

“They assured us there was. They served it to the head of the tables again! So everyone got seconds while we still had nothing, not even risotto. We ended up leaving early and demolishing Wendy’s in the way home!”

Someone else claimed that the only delectables presented to them for one reception was just a batch of cupcakes.

For one’s “buffet cocktail hour,” the nourishment given was Ritz crackers, turkey pepperoni and cheese, but no alcohol.

Drinks included orange juice, cranberry juice and sparkling water, with Coke or Diet Coke available for purchase.

The sit-down dinner portion was “microwaved lunch meats masquerading as ‘roast turkey’ or ‘prime rib’ with a gravy on top, corn niblets or peas, and those fancy-cut sweet pickles.”

Sounds like a feast by comparison.

Share this article:

Advertisement