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
Seoul City Wall - Naksan Trail
Naksan Park
Ihwa Mural Village
Seoul City Wall
Dongdaemun 8 Best Shopping Malls
Dongdaemun Design Plaza
Dongdaemun Design Plaza
Dongdaemun Design Plaza
Myeongdong Shopping District
Lotte Mart
N Seoul Tower
N Seoul Tower
BUSAN
Gamcheon Culture Village
Cafe Avant Garde
Haeundae Beach
Haedong Yonggungsa Temple
Gijang Crab Market
Waveon Coffee
Cheongsapo Daritdol Skywalk
Abandoned Railway
Cheongsapo Seafood Town
Cheongsapo Seafood Town
Cafe Rooftop Cheongsapo
SEA LIFE Busan Aquarium
Haeundae Market
Shinsegae Centum City Mall
Spa Land
Seomyeon Shopping District
Dongbaek Island
Busan Station
BIFF Square
BIFF Square - Famous snack
Gwangbokro Fashion Street
Yongdusan Park
Lotte Department Store (Gwangbok Branch)
Lotte Department Store - Sky Park
Lifting of Yeongdo Bridge
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.
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...)
T Money Card
CU Convenience Store at Incheon Airport
GS25 Convenience Store at Incheon
7-Eleven Convenience Store at Incheon
Tap T-Money on Bus
T-Money Usage in Taxi
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.
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)
Note: If you wish to take the non-stop AREX Incheon Airport Express Train from Incheon Airport direct to Seoul Station (T1 - 43 mins / T2 - 51 mins) and transfer to subway line to Myeongdong Station, take note that you may need to carry your luggage up/down the stairs on train transfer and at Myeongdong station.
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. Enjoy the 25,550 LED roses, equally beautiful during the day.
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.
