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6-9 Days Cherry Blossoms Spring Travel Itinerary to Seoul
(end March to mid-April)
KoreaToDo has put together a day-by-day Cherry Blossoms Itinerary for travellers visiting Seoul in Spring.
With so many cherry blossoms hot spots in Seoul, we have shortlisted the must-visits and those easily accessible by public transport.
Key Cherry Blossoms Guides:
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Latest cherry blossoms forecast.
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Yeongdeungpo Yeouido Spring Flower Festival is Seoul's biggest festival.
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Seokchon Lake Cherry Blossom Festival is another popular place for cherry blossoms in Seoul.
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Cherry blossoms at Namsan Mountain generally peak later than Seokchon Lake and Yeouido.
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Also, cherry blossoms in Incheon generally peak later than Seoul.
So, based on your travel dates, you can move around the days accordingly. Some travellers love the end of the season with the falling petals and petals-covered ground, a sight to behold too.
Itinerary Highlights
Before Departure
1. Recommended Activities, Tours & Tickets to pre-purchase before trip (optional)
2. Recommended Hotel Location: anywhere near Myeongdong Station, preferably on the same side of the road as 'Nine Tree Hotel Myeongdong' (i.e. 2 mins walk to airport limousine bus drop off/pick up bus stop, near exit 8 of Myeongdong Station)
3. Download Mobile Apps
a) Korea Subway Info App - Metroid HD or KakaoMetro
b) Location/Walking Direction Map - KakaoMap or Naver Map
Day 1: Arrived Seoul / Check in / Namsan Seoul Tower / Myeongdong
At Incheon Airport - Arrival Hall (public area after collecting luggage)
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Pick up pre-purchased WIFI Router & SIM Card at Incheon Airport (where applicable).
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Recommend to purchase T-money Card at the 24-hours CU Convenience store near Exit 5 (/11/14) on 1F (arrival hall) of Terminal 1 (T1) or CS25/7-Eleven on 1F (arrival hall) of Terminal 2 (T2). Card deposit is ₩4,000. Suggest to top up at least ₩20,000 to ₩30,000 as the airport limousine fare is ₩17,000.
(The card can be used on airport limousine bus to city, bus, taxi, subway and convenience stores. Top up at any downtown convenience stores or subway stations. More details...)
Take Airport Limousine Bus from Incheon Airport (T1/T2) to City (i.e. Myeongdong Station Bus Stop)
Bus #: 6015
Interval: 2-6 departures per hour
Duration: 80 mins
Fare: ₩17,000 (discount may apply when used with T-money card)
Boarding: Join the queue anytime to board the bus
Departing from T1 to Myeongdong Station:
First bus 06:25 | Last Bus 22:45
Walk outside of arrival hall (1F) at Gate 5, look for Bus #6015 to Myeongdong at bus platform 5B.
Departing from T2 to Myeongdong Station:
First bus 06:05 | Last Bus 22:25
Go to Basement 1 for platform No. 28
Tab the T-money Card on boarding.
(alternatively, bus ticket can be purchased at arrival hall's counters or by cash to driver).
Notes:
Refer to Incheon International Airport official website on the latest bus information & schedule.
Alternative ways to get to Myeongdong from Incheon Int'l Airport:
a) book your Private Airport Transfer by Car OR
b) take the non-stop AREX Airport Railroad express train from Incheon Int'l Airport direct to Seoul Station (Terminal 1: 43 mins / Terminal 2: 51 mins, ₩9,500) and transfer to subway for Myeongdong Station (line 4, 3 mins, 2 stops, ₩1,250). Luggage carrying up/down the stairs might be required. There are taxi stands outside Seoul Station too.
Check into accommodation booked after alighting from Airport Limousine Bus at Myeongdong Station Bus Stop.
Get to N Seoul Tower by Namsan Shuttle Bus or cable car ride to the top. refer to N Seoul Tower for the travel options.
N Seoul Tower (also called Namsan Seoul Tower) 남산서울타워
After you have tour N Seoul Tower, take the easy 30-40 mins walk down the mountain in the same direction as the shuttle bus going down. This is where the Cherry Blossoms Trail starts.
At the end of the road (/base of the mountain), take Namsan Shuttle Bus No. 05 back to Myeongdong from the bus stop ahead (@Namsan Public Library).
Day 2: Yeongdeungpo Yeouido Spring Flower Festival / Hangang River Cruise / Dongdaemun, Gwangjang Market or Palace
Depart as early as you can if you wish to catch the cherry blossoms with less crowd. ☺
Take the subway from Myeongdong Station to National Assembly Station (32 mins). Use subway mobile app Metroid HD (search 'assembly') or KakaoMetro for the lines and transfer station. From exit 6, walk on the 1.7km 'V' shape cherry blossoms path towards Yeouinaru Station along Han River.
Yeongdeungpo Yeouido Spring Flower Festival 영등포 여의도 봄꽃축제
There will be performances, exhibitions and promotions, including late night cherry blossoms viewing during the festival period.
There are 2 bicycle rental shops on both sides of Yeouinaru Station near to the cycling track, providing travellers a great way to enjoy Han River and Seoul. Photo ID required.
1) Go on lunch on board the E-land Cruise nearby OR
2) Walk to E-Land Cruise Terminal for more restaurants, cafes and convenience store options OR
3) Take a quick bites at any of the convenience stores located along the park with different 'amazing' food heat up facilities.
Han River (Hangang) Cruise 한강유람선
Get on the popular Han River Cruise, operated by E-Land Cruise.
Take the subway from Yeouinaru Station to any of your preferred attractions below, located on the same subway line, line 5.
Option 1
Dongdaemun History and Culture Park Station, 16 mins
Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DPP) 동대문디자인플라자
(LED Roses light up till 00:00)
Dongdaemun Shopping Malls (open till 4-6am)
Option 3
Gwanghwamun Station, 11 mins
You can take the subway or short taxi (10 mins) ride back to Myeongdong. Alternatively, from Gwanghwamun Square/Cheonggyecheon Steam, you can take a leisure walk back to Myeongdong as well (30 mins).
For subway, use subway mobile app Metroid HD or KakaoMetro.
For walking direction, use KakaoMap or Naver Map.
Day 3: Seokchon Lake Cherry Blossom Festival / Lotte World OR Seoul Sky / Gangnam Shopping Street / Express Bus Terminal Underground Shopping
Depart as early as you can if you wish to catch the cherry blossoms with less crowd. ☺
Take the subway from Myeongdong Station to Jamsil Station (28 mins). Use subway mobile app Metroid HD or KakaoMetro for the lines and transfer station. From exit 2, walk 2 mins to Seokchon Lake Park.
Seokchon Lake Cherry Blossom Festival
Cherry blossoms beautifully embroider both East and West Lake (Lotte World & Magic Island). During the festival period, visitors can enjoy a variety of performances, exhibitions and hands-on activities.
Lunch (& Shop)
There are many eating options around Seokchon Lake. Towards Jamsil Station, there are CJ Food World@Jamil Lotte, Lotte Department Store and Lotte World Tower/Mall/Mart.
Jamil Lotte
@Lotte World Mall 5F
@Lotte World Mall 5F
@Lotte World Tower 81F
@Lotte World Mall 3F
@Lotte World Tower 31F
Lotte World Mall B1F
@Lotte World Mall 5F
@Lotte World Mall 5F
@Lotte World Mall 2F
After Lunch, walk to your preferred attraction(s) to visit.
Dinner at the many restaurants available at Lotte World.
Take the subway from Jamsil Station back to Myeongdong Station (28 mins).
Option 2: Seoul Sky Observatory & Shopping
Seoul Sky @ Lotte World Tower 서울스카이
World’s highest glass-floored observatory at 478m on the 118th floor. Offers beautiful panoramic view of the entire city.
Take the subway from Jamsil Station to Gangnam Station (line 2, 12 mins).
Take the subway from Gangnam Station to Express Bus Terminal Station (2 stops away, 12 mins, exit 8). Use subway mobile app Metroid HD or KakaoMetro for the lines and transfer station.
Continue shopping at:
Express Bus Terminal Underground Shopping Mall (Goto Mall), open till 22:00
Take the subway from Express Bus Terminal Station back to Myeongdong Station, 22 mins. Use subway mobile app Metroid HD or KakaoMetro for the lines and transfer station.
Day 4: Cheonggyesan (Mountain) / Seoul Forest
Starting in the morning, buffer enough time for the 3-3.5 hrs hike (or shorter if you wish for a look), lunch and picnic under the cherry blossoms at Seoul Forest (Park). Grab a picnic mat if you can...
Take the subway from Myeongdong Station. refer to Cheonggyesan (Mountain) page for the travel options, about 45 mins journey.
Every April and May, beautiful pink azaleas spring flowers bloom along the mountain paths. You can hike to all the way to Maebong Peak (582m, 1.5hr 1-way) on its well-maintained trails or turn back anytime as you wish of your nature experience.
After coming back from the nature hike (/walk...), look for a big restaurant signboard on your right, leading to a fabulous and affordable Korean traditional restaurant, Sodamchae. 2 mins walk.
Lunch at Sodamchae. You may like to take-away some food for the picnic at Seoul Forest (Park).
After lunch, walk and turn left on reaching the main road. Walk straight until reaching Cheonggyesan Station (9 mins walk).
Take the subway from Cheonggyesan Station to Seoul Forest Station, 37 mins. Use subway mobile app Metroid HD or KakaoMetro for the lines and transfer station. Exit 3, 5 mins walk.
Have a picnic and rest under the cherry blossom trees. Look out for deer at the park too.
Take the subway from Seoul Forest Station back to Myeongdong Station, 25 mins. Use subway mobile app Metroid HD or KakaoMetro for the lines and transfer station.
Day 5: Incheon - Chinatown / Songwol-dong Fairy Tale Village / Jayu Park / Wolmido Island
Flexible start time... ⍢
Take the subway from Myeongdong Station to Incheon Station, 81 mins. Use subway mobile app Metroid HD or KakaoMetro for the lines and transfer station. Exit 1, Incheon Chinatown is just across the road.
The first Chinatown in Korea, known for its marvellous traditional Chinese food with its must-eat jajangmyeon (black bean sauce noodles).
Jayu Park 자유공원 (Cherry Blossoms in April)
Short walking distance from Incheon Chinatown and offer spectacular views of Incheon and sea.
Songwol-dong Fairy Tale Village 송월동 동화마을
Short walking distance from Incheon Chinatown and a great insta-worthy place.
Walk back to the bus stop near Incheon Station, exit 1.
Take Bus 2, 10 or 23 and get off at Wolmido (City Tour) Bus Stop, 13 mins.
Enjoy the walk along the sea shore and have fun at Wolmi Theme Park.
Dinner at one of the many seafood restaurants (& cafes) around.
Take the bus (13 mins) or taxi (10 mins) back to Incheon Station 인천역.
Take the subway from Incheon Station back to Myeongdong Station, 81 mins. Use subway mobile app Metroid HD or KakaoMetro for the lines and transfer station.
Alternatively, you can hop on a day tour to Incheon with ease as well.
Day 6: Day Tour / more Cherry Blossoms Spots in Seoul
1. Recommended Spring Day Trips/Tours from Seoul (pick one):
a) Garden of Morning Calm Spring Festival (mid-apr to May)
It is recommended to join a day tour if you wish to visit multiple popular attractions at Gangwon (i.e. Nami Island, Petite France, Gangchon Rail Bike) in a single day. It is more cost effective as well.
Note: Though Gapyeong Rail Park is nearer to Nami Island and Gapyeong Station, it is a 8km round trip (i.e. same scenery on the ride back) whereas Gangchon Rail Bike is a 1-way 8.6km scenic ride passing through different theme tunnels and generally offers by local tours.
b) Everland (Tulip Festival | Cherry Blossom Festival)
Immerse in the beautiful flower fields of over 1.2 million tulips in 100 different varieties.
c) Other popular Cherry Blossoms Destinations
