Overview
South Korea combines one of Asia's most exciting megacities with ancient palaces and temples, mountain national parks and a volcanic island, all connected by fast, cheap and punctual transport. Most first trips focus on Seoul and Busan, linked by a KTX bullet train in under two and a half hours, with a day or two in Gyeongju for Silla-era history. With ten days you can add Jeju Island by a one-hour flight. It is also one of the safest countries in the world to travel in, and food alone justifies the trip.
Main regions
Seoul. Start with our Seoul destination page and the 5-day Seoul itinerary. The Joseon palaces (Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung and its Secret Garden), the Bukchon hanok village, street food in Gwangjang Market, nightlife in Hongdae and shopping in Myeongdong and Gangnam. Tours to the DMZ on the North Korean border leave from the city.
Busan. Korea's second city and main port: Haeundae and Gwangalli beaches, the painted hillside Gamcheon Culture Village, the Jagalchi fish market and the seaside Haedong Yonggungsa temple.
Gyeongju. The capital of the Silla kingdom for nearly a thousand years, often called a "museum without walls": royal burial mounds, the Bulguksa temple and Seokguram grotto, and Donggung Palace lit up at night. It is about 30 minutes from Busan by KTX.
Jeju Island. A volcanic island with Hallasan, the country's highest mountain, lava tubes, the Seongsan Ilchulbong sunrise crater, coastal walking trails, and the haenyeo women divers.
The mountains and heartland. Seoraksan National Park near Sokcho for autumn hiking; Jeonju's hanok village, home of bibimbap; and the traditional village of Andong.
Best time to visit
- April to early June (spring): mild weather and cherry blossoms, which peak in early April in Seoul and a little earlier in Busan and Jeju.
- Late June to August (summer): hot and humid, often above 30°C, with the jangma monsoon rains from late June through July. Beach season in Busan.
- September to November (autumn): arguably the best season: clear skies and spectacular foliage, peaking in mid-to-late October in the mountains.
- December to February (winter): bitterly cold in Seoul (often below −10°C at night), but dry and sunny, with ski resorts in Gangwon.
Avoid traveling around the two big holidays, Seollal (Lunar New Year) and Chuseok (harvest festival, in September or October), when trains sell out and many restaurants close for several days.
Getting around
- KTX trains: Seoul to Busan in about 2 hours 20 minutes for roughly ₩60,000 standard class. Book on the Korail website or app, which has an English version; weekend trains sell out.
- T-money card: a rechargeable card that works on subways, buses and taxis nationwide, and in convenience stores. Buy and top it up at any convenience store or subway station.
- Maps: Google Maps doesn't give walking or driving directions in Korea. Download Naver Map or KakaoMap, both of which have English interfaces and excellent public transport routing.
- Taxis: inexpensive; the Kakao T app lets you book in English and avoid communication problems.
- Domestic flights: Seoul to Jeju is one of the world's busiest air routes, with flights every few minutes, taking about 1 hour 10 minutes.
Visa basics
Citizens of the US, UK, Canada, Australia, most EU countries and several others can visit visa-free, usually for up to 90 days. Korea normally requires the K-ETA travel authorization (₩10,000) for visa-free visitors, but nationals of many countries, including all of those listed above, are temporarily exempt until 31 December 2026. Travelers who are K-ETA exempt, or who hold one, also don't need to fill in the new e-Arrival Card, which is otherwise mandatory for all foreigners since 1 January 2026. Check the official K-ETA site if you are traveling in 2027, as the exemption may end.
Typical daily costs
Prices as of September 2026, at about 1,360 won to the US dollar:
- Budget (₩70,000–100,000, about $50–75): guesthouse or hostel, convenience-store breakfasts, market food and set meals (a bowl of bibimbap or kimchi stew is ₩9,000–13,000), subway.
- Mid-range (₩180,000–280,000, about $130–205): a 3–4 star hotel, Korean barbecue dinners, KTX travel, a few paid sights.
- Comfort (₩450,000+, about $330+): luxury hotels, fine dining, private tours.
Sightseeing is cheap: Gyeongbokgung Palace costs ₩3,000, and entry is free if you wear a hanbok (rentals are everywhere nearby). Many shops offer an instant tax refund on purchases over a set amount; bring your passport. Cards are accepted almost everywhere, even for small amounts. Tipping isn't part of the culture.
Top destinations
- Seoul: start with the Seoul destination guide and the full Seoul travel guide for neighborhoods, palaces and where to eat.
- Busan: beaches, seafood and hillside villages.
- Gyeongju: royal tombs, Bulguksa and Silla history.
- Jeju Island: volcanic landscapes and coastal trails.
- Seoraksan National Park: mountain hikes, especially in autumn.
Korea pairs well with Japan: Tokyo is about two and a half hours from Seoul by air, and Busan–Osaka flights put Kyoto within easy reach. Or let our trip planner build a day-by-day Korea route around your dates.