.png){kind=small}
5-9 Days Trip Itinerary for First Timers to Seoul, Korea
KoreaToDo has put together a step-to-step detailed trip itinerary for first timers (or any busy travellers with little time for planning) to Seoul, Korea.
It offers ONE central page of information for all your key travel needs to Seoul. They include, where to stay, important mobile apps to use, how to get from Incheon International Airport to your hotel in Myeongdong (the most popular and central place to stay in Seoul), day-by-day itinerary with detailed transport/walking guides on getting from one attraction to another, recommended tours, shops and restaurants.
The itinerary covers most of Korea's Top 100 Must-Visit Places in Korea in Seoul (e.g. N Seoul Tower, Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seongsu-dong) as released by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO). The itinerary also covers previous attraction winners like Myeongdong.
Itinerary Highlights
🎖 Present/Past Top 100 Must-Visit Destinations in Korea
Before Departure
1. Recommended Activities, Tours & Tickets to pre-purchase before trip (optional)
![[Incheon Airport] Airport Limousine Bus Ticket (One-way/Round-trip)](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0505b9_d7d6bd3873ae4f79b6ee1dd30bdef6fc~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_217,h_173,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/N%20Seoul%20Tower%20-%20Small%204%20-%20bright.jpg)
2. Recommended Hotel Location: anywhere near Myeongdong Station, preferably on the same side of the road as 'Nine Tree by Parnas Seoul Myeongdong 1' (i.e. 2 mins walk to airport limousine bus drop off/pick up bus stop, near exit 8 of Myeongdong Station). Most day tours departs from Myeongdong too.
3. Download Mobile Apps
a) Korea Subway Info App - Metroid HD (Google Play only)
b) Location/Walking Direction Map - KakaoMap (Apple Store | Google Play) or Naver Map (Apple Store | Google Play)
Day 1: Arrived Seoul / Check in / Namsan Seoul Tower / Myeongdong
At Incheon Airport - Arrival Hall (public area after collecting luggage)
-
Pick up your pre-purchased WIFI Router/SIM Card at Incheon Airport (where applicable).
-
Pick up your pre-purchased T-money Card at Incheon Airport (where applicable).
(This is a very convenient cashless payment card that can be used on airport limousine buses, city buses, taxis, subways & convenience stores. Top up at any convenience stores or subway stations. More details...)
-
Exchange your pre-purchased Incheon Airport Limousine Mobile Voucher for physical ticket at Incheon Airport (where applicable).
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
-
No reservation required. Just join the queue and it is free seating on board.
-
If pre-departure purchase is not done online, you can purchase the bus ticket at counters/machines outside arrival hall (T1, 1F) or bus waiting area (T2, B1).
Departing from T1 to Myeongdong Station:
First Bus 05:49 | Last Bus 23:19
Walk outside of arrival hall (1F) at Gate 5, look for Bus #6015 to Myeongdong at bus platform 5B-2.
Notes:
Refer to Incheon International Airport official website on the latest bus information & 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 Int'l Airport direct to Seoul Station (Terminal 1 - 43 mins / Terminal 2 - 51 mins, ₩11,500) and transfer to Seoul Subway for Myeongdong Station (line 4, 3 mins, 2 stops, ₩1,550). Luggage carrying up/down the stairs might be required. There are taxi stands outside Seoul Station too.
Departing from T2 to Myeongdong Station:
First Bus 05:29 | Last Bus 22:59
Go to Basement 1 for platform No. 28
Check in to your accommodation booked after alighting from Airport Limousine Bus at Myeongdong Station stop.
For early arrival into Seoul:
Would you like to have something to eat before starting the day? Check out the cafes around Myeongdong Station or near your accommodation.
Myeongdong Station, Exit 5, 1 min walk
Myeongdong Station, Exit 8, turn left at CU
Myeongdong Station, Exit 8, 1 min walk
Myeongdong Station, Exit 8, 70m ahead
Myeongdong Station, Exit 4
Myeongdong Station, Exit 4
Enjoy scenic cable car ride up Namsan Mountain (243m high) and 360° panoramic view of Seoul at N Seoul Tower's Observatory Deck.
From N Seoul Tower, take the Shuttle Bus No. 01B to the last stop (i.e. Namsan Yejang Bus Transfer Parking Lot). 13 mins bus ride. From there, walk towards Myeongdong Station, 4 mins.
💡Myeongdong's main shopping area is right at Myeongdong Station's exit 5-8.
Myeongdong is the mecca of Seoul's shopping scene, offering everything from fashion and cosmetics to dining, including popular Korean street food. A must-visit to experience the vibrant and lively atmosphere.
Day 2: Seoul Plaza / Cheonggyecheon Stream / Gwanghwamun Square / Gyeongbokgung Palace / Tosokchon Samgyetang / Bukchon Hanok Village / Insadong
Depart 9:00 or earlier [in time for the 10:00 changing of guard ceremony at palace]
Using KakaoMap or Naver Map, take an easy leisure walk from your accommodation to Seoul Plaza (15 mins), located right next to City Hall Station (line 1, exit 5) and facing The Plaza Seoul (hotel). The very popular Lotte Department Store (main branch) and the established Lotte Hotel Seoul that every taxi drivers know even in English are located nearby too.
Walk along the straight road, Sejong-daero at the side of Seoul Plaza (passing by City Hall Station, line 1, exit 4/5) towards Gyeongbokgung Palace (20 mins), bypassing Cheonggyecheon Stream and Gwanghwamun Square along the way. This is a nice, spacious and modern area in Seoul.
To arrive before 10:00 for the Changing of the Royal Guard Ceremony (20 mins), followed by the optional Free English Guided Tour at 11:00 (1-1.5 hrs). No reservation required.
The next Changing of the Royal Guard Ceremony is at 14:00.
Alternatively, you can take a taxi direct from Myeongdong to Gyeongbokgung Palace (20 mins, ₩9,500) or subway to Gyeongbokgung Station with 1 transfer (15 mins, ₩1,550). Use subway mobile app Metroid HD or KakaoMetro for the lines and transfer station.
Walk from Gyeongbokgung Palace to the popular Tosokchon Samgyetang (Ginseng Chicken Soup) Restaurant. 10 mins.
At Seochon, you can wander through traditional hanok alleys, discover boutique shops, and enjoy charming cafes, award-winning restaurants and art galleries.
Walk back to Gyeongbokgung Station (line 3).
Take the subway from Gyeongbokgung Station to the next stop, Anguk Station (line 3, exit 2). Walk to Bukchon Hanok Village (10 mins).
Beside Bukchon Hanok Village, there are many popular cafes, restaurants, flagship stores (e.g. Sulwhasoo, adidas) and shops (particularly niche Korean perfume brands) in Bukchon and around Anguk Station where you can explore around.
Walk from Bukchon Hanok Village back towards Anguk Station to Insadong. 3 mins walk from exit 6.
Dinner at one of the quaint restaurants at Insadong.
After dinner, walk back to Anguk Station (line 3). Take the subway back to Myeongdong Station (line 4, 1 line transfer, 10 mins).
Alternatively, at any point along Insadong, you can take a taxi back to Myeongdong (11 mins, ₩6,600).
Day 3: Day Trip from Seoul
1. Recommended Day Tours from Seoul
Day 4: Mangwon Market, Mangridan-gil Street & Mangwon Hangang Park / Seongsu / Ikeongdong Hanok Village
Take the subway from Myeongdong Station to Mangwon Station (line 6, 1 line transfer, 27 mins, exit 2). 5 mins walk to Mangwon Market.
Mangwon Market is the new 'darling' of traditional market in Seoul with many famous eats. Outside the market are well-known bakeries, desserts and prop shops. Also, you can walk to nearby Mangwon Hangang Park for duck boat rides, Hangang ramyeon or visit the 3 retired warships parked along Han River.
Take the subway from Mangwon Station (line 6) to Seongsu Station (line 2, 33 mins journey, exit 3/4).
Seongsu is one of the hottest places in Seoul and ranked the World’s 4th Coolest Neighbourhood by Time Out in 2024. Besides stylish cafes, popular bakeries and famous restaurants, you can find the largest Olive Young store in Korea, multiple MUSINA brand stores and many other flagship stores.
Walk back to Seongsu Station. Take the subway to Jongno 3-ga Station (line 1/3/5, 1 line transfer, 22 mins, exit 4/6).
Ikseongdong Hanok Village, located in Jongno 3-ga area is designated as the last hanok village in Seoul. It has emerged as a hot place with trendy cafes and restaurants. Time Out ranked Jongno 3-ga as the World’s #1 Coolest Neighbourhood in 2026.
After visiting the hanok village, take the subway from Jongno 3-ga Station back to Myeongdong Station (line 4, 1 line transfer, 8 mins).
Day 5... : Self-explore based on your interest
1. Recommended Day Tours from Seoul
Day before departure: last minute shopping / chilling out
Last Minute Shopping
Last Day: Getting to Airport...
Take the Airport Limousine Bus, #6015 (or #6001) from the same drop off stop (Myeongdong Station) to Incheon Airport (T1/T2)
Bus stop location: near exit 8 of Myeongdong Station & right in front of KB Bank.
Interval: 2-6 departures per hour
Duration: 80 mins (T1) / 90 mins (T2)
Fare: ₩17,000
No reservation required. Payment by T-money Card (recommended) or cash. Just join the queue and it is free seating on board.
First bus 04:30 | Last Bus 20:03 (refer to the information at airportlimousine.co.kr or bus stop for the latest schedule)
Alternatively, you can book on a private car transfer to Airport as well.
🌾SEASONAL HOT PICKS🌾 Handpicked Experiences from Seoul
♔ KoreaToDo recommends Klook.com, Asia leading in-destination service provider.
Other KoreaToDo Collection that you may like:
-
Seoul & Busan Travel Itinerary
-
Cherry Blossoms & Spring Flowers Travel Itinerary in Seoul
-
Autumn Foliage Itinerary