Three days may be just enough time to graze the surface of such an amazing city, but follow my guide to the best sights and spots, and yours will be a truly memorable trip to Seoul.
The Korean capital is a fascinating and vibrant city, with ancient palaces and traditional villages sitting alongside modern museums and towering skyscrapers. If you only have two days to explore, then make sure you've got some good walking shoes, because there's a lot to pack in!
You could easily pass a couple of weeks wandering the streets of Seoul, visiting a different festival or cafe or museum each day, but most first timers come for just 5 days in Seoul. So this Seoul itinerary covers a little something for every interest, plus a few swaps dependent upon weather and days of the week.
If you are thinking of visiting South Korea and would like to have a practical itinerary to cover both Seoul and Busan, allot at least 5 or 6 days. If you are also visiting Jeju, you'll need to add 2 or 3 more.
If you're planning a trip to South Korea, a 4-day itinerary in Seoul and a 3-day itinerary in Jeju Island will allow you to experience some of the best attractions in both places.
However, we do believe it's possible to spend 2 days in Busan and experience many of the key highlights. In order to optimise time though you'll need to choose your accommodation wisely. You'll also need to consider how you want to get around Busan.
Perfect For a Weekend, Perfect For More Than a WeekWhether you're visiting just for a short weekend getaway, or looking to fill up a week or beyond – Jeju is well suited to any kind of holiday. If you only have two days up your sleeve, it's still well worth it to visit.
3 days is enough to see the major sites of Jeju, so on the map I've outlined where to go for each day. This assumes that you can arrive at the first spot around 9am, and will be tired enough for dinner and relaxation around 7pm. If this sounds like you, this may be your perfect Jeju itinerary.
South Korea's capital city, Seoul, was named the world's ninth most expensive city for expatriates in terms of living expenses, an international survey showed.
The Verdict on Seoul vs BusanIf you want to enjoy the nightlife in Korea then Seoul is definitely the correct choice. If you want to enjoy the scenic views of the Korean coast, then Busan is much better than Seoul in that regard.
While Seoul is Korea's hub of cosmopolitanism and the place where you're likely to discover the country for the first time, Busan allows you to dig deeper into Korean cuisine and culture, without giving up all the convenience and comfort Seoul offers.
It's wise to travel to Busan & Jeju in the same trip, as Jeju is a mere 50-minute flight from Busan. There's plenty to explore in both cities, and we recommend allocating roughly 4 days or more in each city to get the most of your trip.
Which place is cheaper, Cheju (Jeju) or Seoul? These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. The average daily cost (per person) in Seoul is $111, while the average daily cost in Cheju (Jeju) is $75.
As such, instead of going direct to Busan from Incheon Airport, we suggest travellers to stay in Seoul first. Leave your heavy/large-sized luggage upon check out at your Seoul's hotel and carry a light overnight pack to Busan...
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. The average daily cost (per person) in Seoul is $111, while the average daily cost in Busan (Pusan) is $89. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment.