8 Days Seoul & Busan Travel Itinerary, Korea

Itinerary Highlights

SEOUL

BUSAN

Before Departure

1. Recommended Activities, Tours & Tickets to pre-purchase before trip (optional)

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

more travel tips....

 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)

• Pick up pre-purchased WIFI Router & SIM Card at Incheon Airport (where applicable).

• 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.

​

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.

​

Siloam Sauna Jjimjilbang 실로암사우나찜질방

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! 🐥

Naksan Park

Passing by Naksan Park.

Ihwa Mural Village

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.

Heunginjimun Gate @ Dongdaemun

Continue on the easy walk along the Seoul City Wall, downhill to Dongdaemun.

Dongdaemun Design Plaza

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.

​

Myeongdong

Shopping

Food & Drinks

Street Food

Day 2: Day Trip from/around Seoul

 SEOUL 

1. Recommended Day Tours from Seoul

2. or Pick a Day Trip from Seoul under 3 hours

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. 🤗

​

Busan Station

On reaching Busan Station (KTX):

• you can store your overnight pack at the station's lockers. Locker's pricing & operating guide at Busan Station page.

• 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).

​

BIFF Sqaure

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.

Jagalchi Fish Market

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).

​

Gamcheon Culture Village

Well-known mountainside village.

Avant Garde Cafe

Take a rest at this picturesque cafe near to the entrance of Gamcheon Culture Village.

Cross the street to take the bus (+subway) back to Busan Station or take a taxi (15 mins).

​

Collect your overnight pack from the locker at Busan Station.

​

You can get to your accommodation at Haeundae (beach) by subway (to Haeundae Station, 50 mins, 1 transfer), direct bus (45 mins) or taxi (40 mins). see Haeundae Beach page for travel options.

​

Check into your accommodation at Haeundae Beach, Busan.

​

Dinner at one of the many restaurants along Gunam-ro (main road between beach and Haeundae Station) or around your accommodation. See map at Haeundae Beach page if required.

BUSAN 

Day 4: Haeundae Beach / Haedong Yonggungsa Temple / Gijang Crab Market / Waveon Coffee / Cheongpaso Sky Observatory & Seafood Village

Haeundae Beach

Start the day walking to the most popular beach in Busan, Haeundae Beach and enjoy taking photos with the seagulls.

Notes: For today's places to visit, it is recommended to travel by taxi especially if you are travelling in a group. Bus and subway may not bring you directly to these places and take a much longer travel time.

​

Take the bus (+walk) to Haedong Yonggungsa Temple (45 mins journey); or 20 mins taxi ride (9,100 won).

​

Haedong Yonggungsa Temple

Probably the most scenic and unique temple along the coastal line.

Take the taxi from the taxi stand at Haedong Yonggungsa Temple entrance to Gijang Crab Market (18 mins, 7,800 won). If by bus, walk 15 mins to main road and take bus 181 or 139 to Gijang Crab Market, 20 mins. Use Naver Map or KakaoMap for bus directions.

​

Gijang Crab Market

Walk through the local market. Pick your favourite seafood (e.g. KING & SNOW crabs!) and have it cooked for you at the restaurant inside.

Take the taxi to Cheongsapo Daritdol Skywalk:

from Gijang Crab Market - 21 mins, 11,300 won (53 mins by bus...)

from Waveon Coffee - 33 mins, 25,000 won (1 hr 46 mins by bus...)

​

Cheongsapo Daritdol Skywalk

Catch the beautiful sunset at the 72.5m long observatory that stretches out over the ocean. Explore the abandoned railway next to the skywalk entrance too.

Cheongsapo Seafood Town & Cafe Rooftop Cheongsapo

At the seaside village, have a relax walk to the lighthouses, coffee at one of the rooftop cafes and seafood dinner at one of the many popular restaurants along the street.

Take the taxi back to your accommodation at Haeundae Beach (12 mins, 6,000 won). See if you can catch the fireworks released by the visitors tonight.

Alternatively, you can join a tour to explore Busan's attractions in comfort.