Build Your Perfect Seoul Itinerary

Planning on making the long trip to Korea, but you aren’t sure about what things to do in Seoul? Don’t worry, you can use our specially-made itinerary to fill out your days on your much-awaited Korean vacation! From Seoul to Busan, you’ll love what we have in store for you.

Before you dive into all the places and activities that you can experience in Seoul, it’s probably a good idea to be familiar with how you’ll be going from one destination to another in the busy city. 

So, what actually are your options for commuting in Seoul?  

The cheapest and most efficient way to make your way around Seoul is by using its intercity buses and subway. Don’t worry! Seoul’s buses and trains are safe, reliable, and tourist-friendly! 

You can download the official Subway Korea app so that you can easily plot your route ahead of time, get the latest updates on the train schedules, and calculate how much your ticket will cost! 

If you don’t mind paying more for comfort (or if walking to and from subway stations doesn’t appeal to you), you can always get a cab to bring you wherever you need to go! You can just hail a cab on the side of the road, of course, but there are more foreigner-friendly options.

Uber is active in South Korea, so you’ll automatically be able to use your account (and your payment details) if you’re already registered! However, Uber has a lower number of drivers in South Korea compared to the local alternatives so you might not book a ride right away.

The more prominent cab-hailing app in Seoul is called Kakao T! Simply download the app and set up your account (like you would with Uber) and you'll be able to hail a larger number of drivers, making your travel plans easier. 

Paying for your transportation is as easy as can be in South Korea! Of course, cash is still accepted, but it can get hectic and even become a hassle to use up the Korean Won you have on hand just for paying for tickets or fares. 

For an easier experience, we recommend using credit cards or even the many pre-paid payment cards that are available to use in the country. Aside from paying for transportation on trains, buses, and taxis, you can also use these cards at a variety of stores! 

The most popular and reliable options are Namane, T-money, and WOWPASS! 

Just one more thing before we get to the itinerary- you’ll obviously need a place to stay while you’re in Seoul! With so many areas to choose from, finding the best hotel for you can get daunting (and a little pricey!). Luckily, we’ve already made a list of affordable hotels from Hongdae to Itaewon! 

Now that we’ve gotten our transportation and lodgings settled, we can finally take on your itinerary! We’ve laid out a 5-day itinerary for Seoul that we think will be perfect for anyone looking to make the most out of their South Korea trip! 

Day 1 of your trip is all about arriving at the airport after a long, and possibly stressful trip. That’s why we recommend keeping the first half of day 1 relatively free – find your way to the hotel from the airport, settle in, and recharge your social battery for what’s in store at night! 

Once you’ve rested up, we can officially kick off your Seoul adventure with a night tour! A guided walking tour is a great way to get a feel for the city and is an easy method to get top-notch recommendations from actual locals. 

There are many different kinds of tours available depending on what kind of trip you want, such as: 

After a chill and easy day 1, we’re hoping that you’re charged up and ready to go for day 2! Day 2 is theme park day and is perfect if you’re traveling with kids or if you want to bring out the inner child in you! 

Boasting the world’s largest indoor theme park along with an outdoor amusement park and artificial island, Lotte World is one of the highlights of any trip to South Korea. Not just for kids, you’ll find shopping malls, a luxury hotel, and other recreational areas here! 

South Korea’s largest theme park, Everland is a can’t-miss for any diehard amusement park aficionado visiting the country. From incredible rides to a water park and even a zoo, you won’t regret making the detour to Gyeonggi-do to visit Everland!

After a long, fun day of exhilarating rides and exciting activities, we recommend winding down with a nice, relaxing spa treatment in Seoul.

Keep the fun and energy going on day 3 by going on these day tours around and outside of Seoul! Day tours are a great addition to any trip because you don’t have to worry about getting lost going to a destination or missing out on notable spots or activities right under your nose. 

One of South Korea’s most popular tourist spots for a reason, Nami Island is the perfect day trip for those looking for a refreshing change of scenery. Take in the island’s natural beauty and enjoy picture-perfect views you won’t forget.

For the BTS fans out there, you probably already know about these day tours and let us reassure you, these are worth the time and effort to try! Visit locations where some of your favorite BTS music videos were filmed, get exclusive behind-the-scenes information from your tour guides, and be immersed in one of your favorite fandoms by simply booking a BTS fan tour! 

Get to know the local culture a little bit better while you recharge with these slower-paced yet equally fun activities on day 4! 

Immerse yourself into the Korean culture a little more with authentic Korean flavors and even trying on their beautiful traditional wear, the Hanbok. There are many tours that can go from half-day to whole-day affairs all over Seoul, many of which have local guides that will make sure you get the best local bites, every time!

If you want to taste authentic Korean tea and traditional meals, you can check out Insadong and a guided tour too like this one:

If you want to experience one of Korea’s largest seafood markets

If you want an upscaled street food experience 

If you’ve seen pictures of tourists wearing traditional Korean wear or if you’ve always wanted to live out your K-drama fantasies of being a prince or princess from some romantic kingdom, then check these out! 

Those clothes that you see are called hanbok and are traditional Korean clothes that have been worn since 57 BCE! These clothes were used to denote your status, social role, age and more- these days, wearing the hanbok is an act that foreigners can do to show their respect and enthusiasm for Korean culture. 

Find the perfect fit with these hanbok rental locations! These rentals also come with a free photoshoot so that you can have a keepsake of the occasion. 

Rounding out your week in Seoul, you can spend this day focusing on more of your personal interests and hobbies!

If you’ve heard about personal color analysis and you’ve always wanted to see if it actually works (trust us, it does), then now’s a perfect time to try it out! For those not familiar, a personal color analysis is where a styling expert determines the best color combination and aesthetic that matches your own personal look and recommends hair, make-up, and styling tips to transform or optimize your appearance. 

Are you more of a home cook? If you’ve always wanted to learn how to make real, authentic kimchi then this workshop is a must-try! Learn from the best kimchi makers and take some of Korea home with you!  

Are you, like us, hooked on Jin Ramen? You might be interested in this cooking workshop hosted by Ottogi (one of the largest food and beverage companies in Korea, and manufacturers of Jin Ramen)! Learn to make Korean dishes using popular and accessible Ottogi ingredients and take your Jin Ramen game to the next level! 

If you’ve maxed out our 5-day itinerary (or perhaps not all of the activities agree with you), then maybe you should consider stepping out of Seoul and traveling to Busan! Though most foreigners probably know Busan as the namesake of the global smash hit zombie film, “Train to Busan”, you’ll be pleased to learn that Busan is actually quite the vacation destination! 

Offering a complimentary alternative to the modern and bustling Seoul, Busan is a coastal area steeped in South Korea’s lesser-known traditions and culture. Possessing the country’s largest seaport, you can expect only the freshest seafood, lively street markets, and more! 

Itching to get on your own “train to Busan” (though without the danger, heartbreak, and zombies)? You’re in luck! Enjoy big savings on a smooth, hassle-free, and zombie-free KTX train ride when you book on Klook. 

If you’d rather take the bus, check out these options for you! 

Ready to visit Korea? Explore Seoul, Busan, and so much more with Klook! Download the Klook app and get fun ideas, recommendations, and SAVINGS for your next vacation!