South Korea travel guide: when to go, where to go and how to plan it together

November 8, 2026 · 8 min read

South Korea packs a lot into a small country. Seoul is a city of palaces, hillside temples and neon streets that never really close. An hour or two away by fast train are fishing ports, mountain monasteries and the tombs of an ancient kingdom. The food is a reason to come by itself: sizzling barbecue, spicy stews, markets full of fried and steamed snacks, and side dishes that arrive free at every table.

It's an easy country to travel, with excellent trains, clean subways and a phone-based culture, but a few apps and habits are different from elsewhere. This guide covers when to go, where, a nine-day route and how to plan it with friends.

Capital: Seoul
Currency: South Korean won (₩)
Languages: Korean
Plugs: Type C and F, 220 V
Driving: On the right
Time zone: UTC+9, no daylight saving
Best time to go: April to June and September to November
Daily budget: About US$100–190 a person a day, mid-range, 2026

When to go

Spring (April to early June) is lovely. Cherry blossom arrives in early April in the south and Seoul, with streets and rivers lined in pink, and then the hills turn green. Weather is mild and dry, and it's one of the two busiest seasons.

Summer (late June to August) starts with the monsoon, called jangma, for a few weeks of heavy rain, then turns hot and very humid. Beaches and the east coast are full in August. Typhoons can disrupt travel, especially in the south and on Jeju, in late summer and early autumn.

Autumn (September to November) is the best time for many people: clear skies, comfortable temperatures and, from mid-October into November, red and gold leaves on the mountains and in palace gardens. Book early for the best foliage weeks.

Winter (December to February) is cold and dry, with Seoul often well below freezing. It's a good time for hot springs, ski resorts in Gangwon province, and winter food, and the cities are quiet and bright. Jeju is milder.

Two holidays shape travel. Seollal (the lunar new year, in January or February) and Chuseok (the autumn harvest festival, in September or October) are when almost everyone travels to their family. Trains and highways are packed, many shops and restaurants close for a day or two, and tickets sell out weeks ahead. Seoul empties and tourist sights stay open, but plan your trains before the dates are announced.

Where to go

Seoul

The capital has palaces such as Gyeongbokgung, the old wooden houses of Bukchon and Seochon, food markets like Gwangjang, shopping in Myeongdong and Hongdae, and mountains at the edge of the city that you can reach by subway. Wear comfortable shoes and use the subway. Four days. For a day-by-day plan, see the 4-day Seoul itinerary.

Suwon

Less than an hour from Seoul, Suwon is surrounded by an 18th-century fortress wall you can walk, a World Heritage site. It is a good half-day trip from the capital.

The DMZ

The demilitarised zone on the border with North Korea can be visited only on an organised tour from Seoul. Tours go to viewpoints, a tunnel and a train station, and give context to the history. Book ahead and bring your passport.

Gyeongju

The capital of the ancient Silla kingdom, with grassy royal burial mounds in the middle of the town, an observatory, a lotus pond lit at night and the Bulguksa temple on the hill. It's relaxed and best seen by bike. One or two nights.

Busan

The second city, on the south coast, has long beaches, a fish market at Jagalchi, the colourful Gamcheon hillside village, seaside temples and a skyline of towers on the water. It has a looser, saltier feel than Seoul. Two or three days.

Jeju Island

A volcanic island south of the mainland, with a snow-capped Hallasan mountain, lava tubes, waterfalls, coastal walking paths, black-stone walls and tangerine orchards. A rental car is the usual way to see it. Two or three days.

Jeonju and Andong

Jeonju is known for its hanok village and for bibimbap, the dish that started here. Andong has a folk village and a Confucian tradition, and is home to a mask dance festival in autumn. Both are quiet and traditional.

Seoraksan and Gangneung

Seoraksan National Park on the east coast has jagged granite peaks, waterfalls and temples, and a cable car for views. Gangneung, nearby, has a coffee street, beaches and sea-view cafes. It is good for a night in autumn.

A 9-day itinerary

Days 1–4: Seoul. Spend the first day around Gyeongbokgung and Bukchon, the second on markets, shopping and food, the third on a DMZ tour or Suwon, and the fourth on a mountain walk or a hot spring.

Day 5: Gyeongju. Take the KTX high-speed train to Singyeongju station, about two hours, then a short bus or taxi into town. Rent a bike and see the royal tombs and the lotus pond at night.

Days 6–7: Busan. Under an hour by train from Gyeongju. Visit the fish market, Gamcheon and a seaside temple, and eat a lot of seafood.

Days 8–9: Jeju. Fly from Busan, about an hour. Rent a car, drive the coast and walk in the interior. Fly home from Jeju through Seoul or Busan.

With more time, add Jeonju between Seoul and Gyeongju, or a night on the east coast near Seoraksan. For a longer Asia trip, read the guides to Japan and Taiwan.

Getting around

KTX high-speed trains link Seoul with Busan in around two and a half hours, and run to Gyeongju, Daegu, Gwangju and the east coast. A second operator runs similar services from a different Seoul station, so check which station you need. Reserve in advance for weekends and holidays.

Express buses are cheap, comfortable and reach most places, with reclining seats. Intercity bus terminals have timetables and ticket machines.

Subways in Seoul, Busan and other cities are clean, cheap and signposted in English. A rechargeable transit card, such as T-money, works on subways, buses and in taxis, and in convenience stores. Many phones can use it too.

Taxis are plentiful and reasonably priced. The Kakao T app is the usual way to call one.

Maps work differently here: Google Maps has limited directions in Korea, so install Naver Map or Kakao Map before you go. Both have English versions and handle transit times well.

Driving is only worth it on Jeju and in the countryside. You will need an International Driving Permit under the right convention; see renting a car abroad. Navigation apps tell you where the speed cameras are.

Money and costs

South Korea is a card country. Cards and contactless payments are accepted almost everywhere, including street stalls and taxis. Some foreign cards fail at certain machines, so carry a card from a second network and a little cash for markets, lockers and small shops. ATMs in convenience stores accept foreign cards. See how to pay abroad.

Tipping isn't done and can be refused politely. Service is included.

Food is great value: a barbecue dinner, a bowl of noodles or a market snack won't cost much. Fresh fruit is pricier than you might expect, and accommodation is the largest cost. Many restaurants serve two or more portions, and barbecue is often a minimum for two.

Rough daily costs a person, in 2026:

Budget: about US$55–90, with hostels or guesthouses, markets and the subway.
Mid-range: about US$100–190, with hotels, restaurant meals and KTX.
Comfortable: US$250 and up, with good hotels, a hanok stay and set dinners.

Planning South Korea as a group

The country is easy for groups, but the small restaurants and rooms need thinking about.

Stays. Hotel rooms are small and often for two. Apartments are common in Seoul and Busan, and some sleep four to six. A night in a hanok, a traditional house with heated floors, is a highlight; many sleep several people on mats.

Meals. Barbecue and stew restaurants are made for groups, with a grill at the table. Many places need a minimum number of orders, and some of the best are small and need a reservation. Booking apps are often in Korean, so ask your hotel for help with popular spots.

Transport. For a group of four, a taxi is often as cheap as the subway. KTX tickets for everyone in the same coach should be booked at once.

Costs. Most places take cards, so someone usually pays and the others owe them. Log it in won as it happens, and settle at the end.

Before you go

Entry rules: check the official government site of South Korea and your own government's travel advice before you book, as requirements depend on your passport.
Travel insurance that covers medical costs, which can be high for visitors, and cancellations.
Connectivity: an eSIM or a rented pocket wifi works well; public wifi is also good in cities. See eSIMs and staying connected.
A plug adapter for Type C or F; the voltage is 220 V.
Health: no special vaccines are usually needed; ask a travel clinic. Some medicines are restricted, so check the rules before you pack any, and carry a letter from your doctor.
Customs: take your shoes off in homes, temples and many restaurants. Use both hands when passing or receiving something from an older person. Wait for the oldest person to start eating. Don't leave chopsticks standing upright in rice.

What to pack

Pack for the season in layers. Spring and autumn need a light jacket, a scarf and comfortable shoes that are easy to slip off. Summer needs breathable clothes and a compact umbrella, since the monsoon and humidity can be heavy. Winter needs a proper coat, thermal layers, gloves and a hat, as it gets very cold.

Bring socks without holes, as you will take your shoes off often, and sturdy walking shoes if you plan to climb a mountain. A small day bag, a portable charger and a coin pouch for the lockers at stations are useful.