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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:
a) Central & West Busan - Busan Station, BIFF Square, Jagalchi Fish Market, Yongdusan Park (Busan Diamond Tower), Seomyeon Shopping Street, Gamcheon Culture Village, Huinnyeoul Culture Village, Songdo Beach, Songdo Cloud Trails, Busan Air Cruise, Songdo Yonggung Suspension Bridge, etc.
b) East Busan - Haeundae Beach, Haeundae Sky Capsule, Haeundae Beach Train, Busan X the Sky Observatory (98-100F), Lotte World Adventure Busan, Skyline Luge Busan, Cheongsapo Seafood Village, 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 2hrs 40mins 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's 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 train 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 / 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 ₩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)
No reservation required. Just join the queue and it is free seating on board.
Notes:
Refer to Incheon International Airport official website on the latest Airport Limousine Bus's schedule and updates.
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 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)
Check into accommodation booked after alighting from Airport Bus at 'Myeongdong Station' Bus Stop.
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 / Jagalchi Fish Market / Gamcheon Culture Village / Huinnyeoul Culture Village / Jeoryeong Coastal Trail / Songdo Beach / Songdo Air Cruise (Marine Cable Car) / Amnam Park / Haeundae Market
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 (7,000 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'.
Notes: 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. 😊
Nampo-dong is a good base to visit most of the popular attractions in Central and West Busan.
Pick 1 of Your Preferred Tour Courses
Course 1: Classic
Nampo & Gamcheon Culture Village
Visit the other places of interest in close walking distance to each other at Nampo-dong.
You can also go on Jagalchi Cruise, boarding at Jagalchi Market building Gate 7.
After Nampo-dong, walk to the bus stop near Jagalchi Station (line 1, exit 3). Take the bus to Gamcheon Culture Village (15 mins) or take a short taxi ride there (10 mins).
Nearby the village's entrance is Cafe Avant Garde Busan with fantastic view of Gamcheon Culture Village.
Cross the street to take the bus (+subway) back to Busan Station or take a taxi (15 mins).
Course 2: Relax
Huinnyeoul Culture Village, Coastal Tunnel & Jeoryeong Coastal Trail
Walk to the bus stop near Nampo Station (line 1, exit 6). Take a 12 mins bus ride to Huinnyeoul Culture Village.
Take one of the several stairways from the village down to the water edge for Jeoryeong Coastal Walk and Huinyeoul Coastal Tunnel.
From village, take direct bus back to Busan Station. 20 mins.
Course 3: Fun
Songdo Beach, Busan Air Cruise, Songdo Cloud Trails & Songdo Yonggung Suspension Bridge
Walk to the bus stop near Nampo Station (line 1, exit 5). Take a 11 mins bus ride to Songdo Beach.
All attractions are within walking distance or via Busan Air Cruise (marine cable car) to Amnam Park.
From Songdo Beach, take direct bus back to Busan Station. 15 mins.
Collect your overnight pack from the locker at Busan Station.
💡If you like to cover most of these attractive places, you may consider to stay 1-2 nights at Nampo-dong. Check out the hotel recommendations near BIFF Square.
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.
For Haeundae Market. Use the walking details on Haeundae Market page if required.