Ultimate DIY South Korea Trip, Seoul Itinerary and Travel Guide

Annyeonghaseyo! Kamsahamnida! Oppa!… These are some of the Korean words you probably know or familiar with. Its either you heard it in your favorite Korean T.V. series or your friends told you. Speaking of friends, I think we all have a friend that is either addicted to a Korean T.V. series, an avid fan of a Korean group (K-pop), or a Samgyup lover. Am I right?  YES! some might even have a friend who likes these all. All of these are just a mere indication of Korean influence globally. And as a result of its popularity worldwide, more and more people are now coming to South Korea for their travel trip. Some of them wanted to visit the place they saw in their favorite T.V. series and some of them wanted to personally see their favorite Korean artist. That is why we decided to create this Ultimate South Korea, Seoul Itinerary to guide you in your Korean adventure. Enjoy!! 🙂 

PRE-TRAVEL GUIDE

How we book a cheap flight.

• https://www.dabudgetarian.com/how-to-win-promo-fares/

Korean Visa

Yup! if you are a Filipino like us, you need a Korean Visa. South Korea is not like other Asian countries which are visa-free for us. Don’t worry applying a Korean visa is easy, just make sure you provide all the requirements on time.

Check this out for a detailed guide on processing a Korean Visa – Korean Visa Application Process

4 Seasons in South Korea

•Spring:  March to May –  This is the perfect time for those who love to see cherry blossoms at their full bloom. There are a lot of cherry blossom festivals held during this season, starting from early March to mid-April. It is still also advisable to bring a Jacket or any clothing wear for protecting yourself from the cold weather in the early morning and late night.

• Summer lasts from June to August.  It is generally hot and humid during this time, so make sure to dress comfortably. Don’t forget your sunblock 🙂

•Autumn is from September to November.  The weather is more travel-friendly, as the humidity decreases. This is perfect for those Korean drama fans that love the falling leaves of ginkgo and maple trees.

•Winter is from December to February. The temperature drops as well as the airfare. During these months, Dress warmly as possible. Mid to end of January are the coldest days for this season. (There are a lot of promo fare during this season, make sure to check the forecasted temperature before you book your travel)

Tips:

T-money – you can purchase it in a Vending machine or Convenience store (cost around 4,000 Won). T-Money is a transportation card used in Seoul and it gives you a discount on every fare you made. If you’re leaving Seoul and you still have a remaining balance in your T-money card, you can get a refund for the remaining balance after a 500 won service charge.

WI-FI – It is a necessity nowadays. Good thing is that there are a lot of establishments offering Wi-Fi services just in the airport premises.

• There are shops now that are offering a 4G Sim Card and a T-money in one. (The card used to hold the sim is the T-money). You can buy it here for a discounted price. Limited 4G Sim card with T-Money

South Korea is using round pins to plug in their electricity. Do not forget to bring a Round pin adapter.

• There are a lot of countries that use different kinds of power plugs. For frequent travelers or planning to be one. We recommend that you purchase a universal adapter. Less hassle and you don’t need to worry anymore about what type of power plug they used.

For currency exchange, I suggest to have it in Myeongdong. There are a lot of money changers in the area that gives a higher exchange rate than those at the airport. Check out the money changers in front of the Chinese Embassy. Also, exchanging your money to U.S dollar first then exchange it to the money changer in Korea will give you a higher conversion rate than directly exchanging Php to KRW.

Download the Subway Korea app. It is a great help for wanderers like us. It will help you to know the time of departure /arrival per train station, the fastest route going to your destination and its estimated travel time.

There are a lot of establishments that are closed on Monday and Tuesday. Make sure to consider this in your itinerary.

Where to stay in South Korea

We suggest staying in the Jong-no area. Why? aside from being Seoul’s historic/cultural core and having 4 out o 5 palaces nearby,  Jong-no also has its own train station that is connected to two separate lines. This will definitely make your travel effiecintly and cost-friendly.

Here are the Hotel/Hostel we recommend:

Hostel Chloe

Hotel Gaon

Tong Tong Petit Hotel

South Korea, Seoul Itinerary and Expenses:

This is just a sample expense, of course, it will vary depending on the number of days and activities you will include in your itinerary.

Note: We purposely did not include the airfare and food.

Restaurants that offer meals range from 7,000 KRW to 15,000 KRW. Of course, food in the convenience store is a lot cheaper.

Arrival at Incheon International Airport

There are only 2 airports nearby Seoul, Gimpo Airport and Incheon International Airport.  Starting in 2001, All international flights are held at Incheon International Airport and Gimpo Airport will only cater to domestic flights. Don’t hesitate to ask airport personnel in case you got lost, Incheon International Airport is included in the list of the top 20 largest airports in the world.

There are several ways to go to Seoul from Incheon.

By Airport Express (AREX):

• Express/Non-Stop: This is a premium train that offers the fastest way to Seoul, it would only take 43 minutes from Terminal 1 and 51 Minutes from Terminal 2.
  • Cost: 9,000 Won for adult and 7,000 Won for child.
  • For those who wanted to reserve seats ahead and have a discounted price; Book here: The Airport Railroad Express

  • 	Departure time
    	Terminal 1	Terminal 2
    1st trip	5:23	5:15
    Last Trip	22:48	22:40

• All-Stop: It is a commuter train that brings you to Seoul for a few minutes longer but a cheaper price than the express train. The estimated travel time from Terminal 1 is 59 Minutes and 66 Minutes from terminal 2.
  • Cost: 4,150 won from Terminal 1 and 4,750 won from Terminal 2

  • 	Departure time
    	Terminal 1	Terminal 2
    1st trip	5:25	5:18
    Last Trip	23:39	23:32

By Bus: This is the best option for travelers, like us, that arrive at the airport late at night.  Late night buses are more expensive and take longer travel time than the subway. The Bus station is just outside the arrival hall, tickets can be purchased at the ticket booths or to the bus personnel (in case of the late-night trip).

• Cost: 9,000 Won

• 	Departure time
  	Terminal 1	Terminal 2
  1st trip	0:15	1:20
  Last Trip	4:40	4:40

  You can also check this link for more information

By Taxi: The most convenient way and also the most expensive way to travel to Seoul. There is an additional 20% rate for late-night fare. It would take an hour and cost you around 55,000 to 80,000 Won 

7 Days South Korea, Seoul Itinerary

DAY 1 : Knowing more South Korea’s culture

Gyeongbokgung:

Out of the 5 palaces in Seoul, Gyeongbokgung is the biggest. It is considered as the main royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty. The place tells you a lot of history about early civilization in Korea. You will be amazed by the craftsmanship and attention to detail made for each building and its walls. Every color, wall design, and statue have symbolism in the Korean culture. 

How to get there: Gyeongbokgung Station, Exit 5 or Anguk Station, Exit 3 

From: Jongno 3(sam)-ga Station

• Jongno 3(sam)-ga to Gyeongbokgung (Orange line)

If you are going there early morning, there is a chance that you will meet those students in the station that are offering a free palace tour. Don’t be shy to accept it, they are friendly and you just need is to grade them once the tour ends.

Entrance fee: 3,000 Won, but if you are wearing a Hanbok, you can enter the palace without paying the Entrance Fee.

Hanbok Rental: 15,000 Won for 2 hrs or book here for a discounted price Hanboknam

The Changing of the Royal Guard ceremony: 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM in front of Gwanghwamun or the main gate of Gyeongbokgung.

• if you have time, you can go to Gwanghwamun Square which is in front of Gwanghwamun gate. There is a huge statue of King Sejong, known as the creator of the Korean alphabet.

Cheong Wa Dae

Just a few minutes walk towards the northwest part of the Gyeongbokgung Palace.  You will see the “Blue House”, it serves as the executive office and the official residence of South Korea’s President.

BukChon

For those who rented Hanbok for Gyeongbokhung Palace tour. Do not return it yet, as there is still another Instagramable place nearby the area. Just a few minutes walk towards the northeast of Gyeongbokgung.  A village full of Traditional Korean House (Hanok) will be seen. This is like, time-traveling and going back to the Joseon Dynasty Era. This is once a community for noble families and High ranking officials only. Be amazed by the architectural design and how they build these houses to last. We are lucky that we can still see this kind of architectural design in its original form.

Just a reminder, unlike Namsangol Hanok village, Bukchon is a residential area. Make sure to act accordingly, so that we would not disturb the locals.

How to get there: This is just a few minutes walks from Gyeongbokhung Palace. We only use google map when we visit Bukchon.

Insadong

Not yet satisfied with your pictures wearing Hanbok? Got hooked by the Korean traditional culture and art? or just want to eat delicious Korean street foods? Well, this is the perfect place for you.  It offers a lot of various shops like crafts stores, souvenir shops, art galleries, coffee and tea house, Korean street foods and even a Hanbok Photo-shoot.

How to get there: Anguk Station (Exit 6) and Jongno 3(sam)ga (Exit 5)

Han River Cruise

The best way to finish your 1st day South Korea, Seoul Itinerary is by having a dinner buffet while riding a cruise in the Han river. How relaxing right? and to add a romantic vibe, the cruise has its own live band that will be performing while you are having dinner. 100% the BEST!

Get your discounted Han River Cruise here

How to get there:  Yeouinaru Station (Exit 3)

From: Jongno 3(sam)-ga

• Jongno 3(sam)-ga to Yeouinaru (Purple line)

From the metro station, walk for around 15-20 minutes towards Yeouido Terminal

Tip: Arrive at the meeting place at least 30 minutes for the registration

DAY 2: Chasing Cherry Blossom in Jinhae

Spring in Korea won’t be complete without cherry blossoms. And when it comes to cherry blossoms, Jinhae is the perfect place to be. It is the most well known best spot for cherry blossoms in South Korea. Every April 1- 10, Jinhae host the biggest and most popular Cherry Blossom Festival in Korea. Millions of tourists are going to Jinhae just to see and experience being surrounded by cherry blossoms. Going to Jinhae from Seoul is not that easy, it would take you around 5 hrs of land travel plus there are no direct bus or train from Seoul to Jinhae. Considering this scenario and our limited time, we opted to book a tour package going to Jinhae and back to Seoul within the day.  1 Day Jinhae Tour

First Destination: Naval Academy Museum

Second Destination: Yeojwacheon stream

Ready your camera, as the area around Yeojwacheon stream is the best spot for cherry blossom viewing. You can also see in the area the “Romance Bridge” which is popularized by a Korean T.V. Series.

Last Destination: Gyeonghwa Rail Station

In case your South Korea adventure is not scheduled in Spring and you wanted an alternative to this itinerary. Maybe you can try to explore Busan, Korea’s second-largest city, you can check our  Busan Travel guide  for more info.

DAY 3 : Full Day Combined DMZ and JSA tour

The DMZ serves as a  buffer zone where North and South Korea separates. it is one of the heavily guarded areas in the world. No wonder why some tourists are scared to go to the place due to security reasons, but we can definitely assure you it is safe (Just follow the rules!).

There is a huge possibility that DMZ will just become just part of history. There is recent news about the meeting of the two leaders and it seems that they are pursuing a more peaceful relationship.

The observatory where you can see  North Korea.

How to get there: There is no D.I.Y. for this place, you can only visit it via Tour. 

• DMZ Tour:  The highlight of the tour is the Observatory, where you can see North Korea and the Third tunnel which is the largest and closest tunnel made by North Korea in their attempt to invade South Korea.
• JSA or Panmunjoum Tour: This will bring you to the closest and safest place to North Korea,  you can see here both North and South Korean soldiers facing one another.
• Combined JSA and DMZ tour : This tour is what we highly recommend. You have the chance to experience going to both tours in a Day.

TIPS: 

• Book early as Travel agency needs to secure clearance from Government.
• DMZ or JSA tour always depends on the situation/relationship between the two countries. Tour might not be available/cancel if they asses that it is risky for tourists.
• PASSPORT is a must! South Korean soldiers will check your passport before entering the DMZ.
• Dress properly, follow the dress code given by the Korean Government. (No ripped jeans, sleeveless shirts, mini skirts, shorts, military clothing, exercise clothing, round neck t-shirts, and sandals).
• JSA or the Joint Security Area tour does not allow you to bring backpacks during the tour.
• Also, please avoid waving or any hand signals to North Korean soldiers during the JSA tour. They might misinterpret this gesture

Day 4 – Starfield Library, Lotte World and Lotte Tower

Starfield Library

Starfield Library is located in the center of COEX Mall. Yup!! It is inside a mall, actually not an ordinary mall, it is the largest underground shopping center in Asia. Starfield Library is a public library where anyone can enjoy the wide selection of local and foreign books and magazines. In case you prefer to read e-books, the library also has iPads that can be used.

How to get there: Samseong station exit 6 

From: Jongno 3(sam)-ga

• Jongno 3(sam)-ga to Seoul Nat’l University of Education (Orange line)
• Seoul Nat’l University of Education to Samseong (Green Line)

Operation hours:  10:30 – 22:00

Lotte World

Lotte World is one of the popular theme parks in South Korea. It is 13 hectares big and has more than 40 attractions to choose from. Lotte World is divided into 2 areas, the Lotte World Adventure and Magic Island. Lotte World Adventure is the indoor area which was the festival and parades happened, it also has an ice rink and indoor rides. Guys, Lotte World is not your ordinary indoor theme park, it is the world’s largest indoor theme part. Magic Island is the outdoor area wherein you can find the gyro swing and the gyro drop, Korea’s first high-altitude free-fall ride.

How to get there:  Jamsil station: just follow the signage going to Lotte world

Operation hours: 09:30 – 22:00

From: Samseong

• Samseong to Jamsil (Green Line)

Admission cost: 57,000 KRW (49 USD or 2470 Php)

You can buy a discounted ticket here for lotte world and Lotte Aquarium – Lotte World

In case you wanted to visit only one of the two major theme park in South Korea. You can check out our Lotte World and Everland comparison blog.  Hope this could help you in deciding which theme park is the best for you.

Lotte World Tower

Lotte World Tower is the home of Seoul Sky Observatory, the tallest observatory in Korea. Actually, Lotte World Tower is the tallest building in Korea right now :). How tall? It is soaring 1,821 ft or 555 meters, tall enough to be the 6th tallest tower in the world.

How to get there:  Jamsil station: Just follow the signage going to Lotte World Tower/ Lotte Tower

Operation hours: 09:00 – 23:00

Admission cost: 25,500 KRW (22 USD or 1,105 Php)

Avail the Seoul Sky Observatory here – Seoul Sky Observatory 

Day 5: Korean Food, N Seoul Tower, and Myeongdong

Korean Food Cooking Lesson

After a tiring day at the theme park, you need to chill out and have a relaxing day in your itinerary. Let those tired legs rest a little bit HAHA. Speaking of relaxing, one of the best/fun ways to relax is by trying local delicacies. But instead of buying it, why not learn how to cook it? Luckily there are establishments in Korea that offer a short cooking class. Here you will learn how to prepare your favorite Korean delicacies plus they will tour you in one of the oldest Market in Korea.

We avail our Korean cooking class here – OME FOOD

Meeting point: Jegi-dong Station Exit 2

From: Jongno 3(sam)-ga

• Jongno 3(sam)-ga to Jegi-dong (Purple line)

Myeongdong

A perfect place for Shopaholics and to those who love to eat.  You can find here a lot of stuff, branded clothes, Korean apparel,  Ginseng shops, souvenir shops, etc.. This is also a perfect place to eat and try Authentic Korean cuisine or Korean Street foods because they offer a lot cheaper prices compared to other places.

Myeongdong is also known for its skincare products. Tony Moly, Nature Republic, Etude House, The face shop, Innisfree, Holika Holika are some of the shops that you can find here. Some of the shops are giving free Facial mask and even offering a tax refund. This is definitely a MUST for beauty product lovers.

How to get there: Myeongdong Station, exit either 5, 6 ,7, 8

Tip: Before buying, try to check out other shops first. Some shops offer a cheaper price than others. Also, maximize the tax refund they offer.

N Seoul Tower

The best way to end the day is a perfect 360 cinematic view of Seoul from the Namsam Seoul tower.  It is 480m above sea level and it is located above the Namsan Mountain. Since opening to the public, it has become the Seoul’s top tourist destination.

Get your discounted N Seoul Tower ticket here: N Seoul Tower

Admission Time: 

• Sunday to Friday: 10:00 A.M.-11:00 P.M.
• Saturday: 10:00 A.M.-12:00 A.M.

How to get there: 

Via Namsan shuttle bus

• Shuttle Bus No. 05 – it is the one who will stop closest to Myeongdong station near exit 3.
• Shuttle Bus No. 02 – Chungmuro Station exit 2, in front of Daehan Cinema

Via Cable Car

• From Myeongdong Station: look for the Pacific Hotel, and keep right. Walk for about 10-15 minutes then you will see an elevator, take the elevator then get to the boarding point
• Cable car operating hours: 10:00am-11:00pm

DAY 6: Exploring Nami Island

Nami Island or Namiseom Island is located at Gapyeong, a province northeast of Seoul. Nami island is a half-moon shaped island that was formed as a result of the construction of the Cheongpyeong Dam. Aside from being known for the Romantic tree line and the location of the Korean series Winter Sonata, It is also the resting place of General Nami (a great general way back from the Joseon Dynasty).

How to get there:  

By Train: It is a 2 hrs travel from Myeongdong Station to Gapyeong Station.  From Gapyeong Station, you have an option to take a cab or a Bus going to ferry Warf.

From: Jongno 3(sam)-ga station

• Jongno 3(sam)-ga to Cheongnyangni
• Cheongnyangni  to Sangbong
• Sangbong to Gapyeong

By Bus tour: It is the easiest and most convenient way. You don’t need to worry anymore about the availability of public transportation, you just need to go to the meeting place around Seoul and have a relaxing trip going to Gapyeong. You can purchase your discounted price here: Nami, Petite France Garden of Morning Calm

Entrance Cost: 13,000 KRW including the Ferry fare

Tips:

• For 6,000 KRW you can have an unlimited ride on the Gapyeong Bus.
• Bus Route – Gapyeong Station – Jaraseon Island- Gapyeong Railbike – Nami Island (warf) – Interactive art museum – Petite France – Cheongpyeong Bus station a- Cheongpyeong station- Garden of Morning Calm
• Make sure to know the bus schedule. Bus has an interval, from 30 – 45 mins. if you miss one, it could ruin your Itinerary.
• Make sure you are on the right bus! Don’t be like us that instead of going to Petite France, we took the bus going to Gapyeong Station. (woooohh!!!)
• We suggest to take the Garden of Morning Calm first, then Petite France, Nami Island and lastly Rail Bike. The reason behind this is that the Gapyeong Bus is until 7 PM only and if you miss the bus in the Garden of Morning Calm. The only option you have is taking a Cab, and it will cost you a lot.

DAY 7: Everland

Everland is the largest theme park in South Korea, it is divided into 5 Zones,  Global Fair, Zoo Topia, European Adventure, Magic Land and American Adventure. Yup! You got it right, there is a Zoo in the theme park. This is definitely a place for all ages and for those who are thrill seekers try there T- Express. It is a wooden roller coaster that has a 77-degree angle with a 100km top speed.

Book in advance and get a discount here: Everland

Admission time: 10: 00 A.M. till 9: 00 P.M.

How to get there:  

By Train: It is an almost 2 Hrs travel from Jongno 3(sam)-ga Station to Jeondae Everland Station. You need to pass-by 38 stations and transfer 3 times.

From: Jongno 3(sam)-ga

• Jongno 3(sam)-ga to Yangjae (orange line)
• YangJae to Migeum
• Migeum to Giheung
• Giheung to Jeondae Everland Station

From Jeondae Everland Station, Follow the sign and take the free shuttle bus to Everland

By Shuttle bus: There is a Shuttle bus that offering a direct ride to Everland, What you just need to do is be on time on the designated location of pick up. Purchase your discounted here: Everland Shuttle Bus

By tour: If you are availing the Shuttle bus, I suggest just avail the Whole day tour which comes with a Shuttle bus going and from Everland plus the Admission fee. Purchase your discounted price here: Full Day Everland Tour