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8 Days Seoul & Busan Travel Itinerary, Korea
Busan, a popular coastal city for travellers to Korea is often visited as overnight trips from Seoul. It is the second largest city in Korea famous for its beaches, largest department store in the world, freshest seafood and tasty street food.
Popular Attractions in Busan:
Central & West Busan - Busan Station, BIFF Square, Jagalchi Fish Market, Yongdusan Park (Busan Tower), Seomyeon Shopping Street, Gamcheon Culture Village, etc.
East Busan - Haeundae Beach, Haedong Yonggung Temple, Cheongsapo Seafood Village, Gijang Market, etc.
KoreaToDo has put together a day-by-day itinerary for travellers, allowing travellers to explore beyond Seoul to a city of natural coastal beauty, BUSAN.
The Itinerary Plan:
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There is no direct train from Incheon Airport to Busan. You will need to take AREX Airport Express Train from Incheon Airport (T1-43mins/T2-51mins) and transfer at Seoul Station for a 3hrs KORAIL KTX high speed train to Busan.
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At Busan, for a different experience from Seoul, we recommend staying at Haeundae Beach, about 50 mins away by subway/public bus or 40 mins by taxi from Busan Station.
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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 hotel and carry a light overnight pack to Busan... unless you wish to drag your heavy luggage up and down the trains and train stations...😎
Itinerary Highlights
SEOUL
BUSAN
Before Departure
1. Recommended Activities, Tours & Tickets to pre-purchase before trip (optional)
🚄 KORAIL Train Pass (Seoul ↔ Busan)
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Purchase the KORAIL PASS (for foreign visitors only) on KLOOK or KORAIL official website. Purchase available 31 days prior to travel date. If you are only going to visit Busan, you can purchase the '2 Day Select Pass' return ticket at 121,000 won per adult. If you have 2-5 people travelling together, you can buy the SAVER pass for 111,000 per adult.
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Go to KORAIL website to reserve your seat ticket (i.e. pick your train no., date & time). Choose 'KTX' train, the fastest train to Busan.
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Print out your KORAIL PASS and Train Tickets; and travel with your Passport for inspection on board.
4G Pocket WiFi (KR Airport Pick Up) - KT OLLEH (Unlimited Data)
4.7★
max 3 devices / 24 hrs pick up
4G SIM Card (KR Airport Pick Up) - KT OLLEH (5/10/20/30 days options)
4.8★
data, calls & texts/24 hrs pick up
4G Pocket WiFi (KR Airport Pick Up) - SK TELECOM (Unlimited Data)
4.7★
max 3 devices/pickup 6am-10pm
Korea Rail Pass (KR PASS): bullet trains to Busan & other areas
4.8★
instant ticket & tourist exclusive!
2. Recommended Accommodation Location in SEOUL: 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. Recommended Accommodation Location in BUSAN: anywhere along Haeundae Beach near 'MS Hotel Haeundae' with bus stops to/from Busan Station just in front of the building and 8 mins easy walk to Haeundae Station.
3. Download Mobile Apps
a) Korea Subway Info App - Metroid HD or KakaoMetro
b) Location/Walking Direction Map - KakaoMap or Naver Map
SEOUL
Day 1: Arrived Seoul / Check in / Siloam Sauna Jjimjilbang / Seoul City Wall Walk / Naksan Park / Ihwa Mural Village / Dongdaemun Design Plaza / 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 ₩15,000.
(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: 4-6 departures per hour
Duration: 80 mins
Fare: ₩15,000 (discount may apply when used with T-money Card)
No reservation required. Just join the queue and it is free seating on board.
Notes: Airport Limousine Bus# 6015 between Incheon International Airport and Myeongdong has resumed operation in 3Q2022. Please check Incheon International Airport official website on the latest bus schedule.
Alternative ways to get to Myeongdong from Incheon International Airport:
a) book your Private Airport Transfer by Car OR
b) take the non-stop AREX Airport Railroad express train from Incheon International 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.
Departing from T1 to Myeongdong Station:
First bus 05:45 | Last Bus 23:15
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 05:25 | Last Bus 22:55
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)
Check into accommodation booked after alighting from Airport Bus at 'Myeongdong Station' Bus Stop.
For early arrival into Seoul on red-eye flight
If you need to take a rest before starting the day, why not take a short taxi ride (10 mins, ₩6,000) to Siloam, a Korean traditional spa located within walking distance from Seoul Station. ₩11,000 per entry with access to sauna, bath-house, sleeping rooms, restaurant, luggage keeping room, etc.
From Myeongdong Station, take the train to Hansung Univ. Station (5 stops, line 4, exit 4 ), 9 mins. Walk straight about 3 mins until you come across the stairs up to Seoul City Wall. Alternatively, you can catch a short taxi ride here.
Seoul City Wall Walk - Naksan Mountain Trail
Lets start the day in Seoul with fresh air and great city view! 🐥
Passing by Naksan Park.
Reaching the village with interesting metal sculptures, colourful mural paintings and mosaics on the walls and staircases by local artists. Lunch at one of the cozy restaurants or cafes here.
Note: Please keep noise level down as residents living here.
Detour Option - Daehangno Street
If you are feeling the 'effects' of your early flight to Seoul or cannot find anything that you like to eat at Ihwa Mural Village, you can walk downhill towards Hyehwa Station (10mins). There are signage around or use the walking direction map on Ihwa Mural Village page. The area around Hyehwa Station is Daehangno, a cultural mecca for the young. There are many shops, restaurants and cafes around the station. From there, take the train back to Myeongdong Station (4 stops, same line, line 4), 8 mins.
Heunginjimun Gate @ Dongdaemun
Continue on the easy walk along the Seoul City Wall, downhill to Dongdaemun.
Walk towards Dongdaemun Design Plaza, an unique-shape building on the left and an iconic landmark of Korean design industry.
From Dongdaemun History and Culture Park Station near Dongdaemun Design Plaza, take the subway back to Myeongdong Station (2 stops, line 4).
Take a rest at your hotel room before getting around Myeongdong for the rest of the day.
Day 2: Day Trip from/around Seoul
SEOUL
1. Recommended Day Tours from Seoul
3. or Explore more on North of Han River / South of Han River (i.e. Gangnam)
SEOUL / BUSAN
Day 3: Getting to Busan / BIFF Square / Gukje Market / Gwangbokro Fashion Street / Yongdusan Park / Lotte Department Store / Jagalchi Fish Market / Gamcheon Culture Village / Cafe Avant Garde
Check out Hotel. Leave the big luggage at hotel and carry an overnight pack to Busan. Please ensure you have your printed KORAIL PASS, Train Ticket and Passport with you.
Take the subway from Myeongdong Station to Seoul Station (line 4, 2 stops); or taxi to Seoul Station (5,000 won, 13 mins)
Follow the signs to walk from the subway station to Seoul Station (KTX).
At Seoul Station (KTX), look for the platform number to board your train, previously reserved on KORAIL website online.
Take the KTX Train from Seoul to Busan. 🤗
On reaching Busan Station (KTX):
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you can store your overnight pack at the station's lockers. Locker's pricing & operating guide at Busan Station page.
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change the 'city' of your subway app (MetroidHD / Kakao Metro) to 'Busan'.
Note: You can use the same 'T-Money' card on transport and convenience stores in Busan too.
Walk to Busan Station (subway). Take the subway to Jagalchi Station (line 1, 3 stops).
Lots of fabulous street food here! A must try is Ssiat Hotteok (Korean sweet pancake stuffed with seeds). Look for the stall with the longest queue for the best one. 😊
Gukje Market Food Street (optional)
If you would like to try more local food, check out this food street with long history.
Gwangbokro Fashion Street & Yongdusan Park
Walk along the fashion street and when you come across a pink Etude House building, you can turn left up the escalator to Yongdusan Park. The 120m high Busan Tower offers panoramic view of Busan city.
Lotte Department Store (Gwangbok Branch)
Check out the world’s largest indoor musical water fountain and Korea's largest rooftop park to enjoy beautiful view of the entire city of Busan. Watch the lifting of Yeongdo-daegyo (Bridge) that allows ships to pass between south and north ports at 14:00-14:15 daily.
Visit the largest seafood market in South Korea. You can pick your favourite fresh seafood on the 1F and bring it to any restaurants on the 2nd floor for preparation and cooking.
After visiting the above places in close walking distance to each other, it is now time to take the bus to Gamcheon Culture Village. Walking direction to bus stop or take a short taxi ride there (10 mins).
Well-known mountainside village.
Take a rest at this picturesque cafe near to the entrance of Gamcheon Culture Village.