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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 4 out of 5 Korea's Top 10 Most Popular Attractions of 2021 in Seoul (i.e. N Seoul Tower, Gyeongbokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village & Insadong), as released by Korean Tourism Organization.
It also covers 2 previous attraction winners, Myeongdong and Hongdae, excluding another palace (Changdeokgung Palace & Secret Garden) from the itinerary. 2 other Top 10 winners can be visited on a day tour/trip from Seoul, namely Nami Island & Hwadam Botanic Garden.
Itinerary Highlights
Before Departure
1. Recommended Activities, Tours & Tickets to pre-purchase before trip (optional)
2. Recommended Hotel Location: 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. Download Mobile Apps
a) Korea Subway Info App - Metroid HD or KakaoMetro
b) Location/Walking Direction Map - KakaoMap or Naver Map
Day 1: Arrived Seoul / Check in / Namsan Seoul Tower / 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.
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)
Notes:
Refer to Incheon International Airport official website on the latest bus 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.
Check into accommodation booked after alighting from Airport Limousine Bus at Myeongdong Station Bus Stop.
From N Seoul Tower, take the Namsan Shuttle Bus No. 05 back to Myeongdong.
Day 2: Seoul Plaza / Cheonggyecheon Stream / Gwanghwamun Square / Gyeongbokgung Palace / Tosokchon Samgyetang / Bukchon Hanok Village / Insadong
Depart 09.00 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.
For those who wish 'conserve' energy, you can take a taxi direct from Myeongdong to Gyeongbokgung Palace (20 mins, ₩6,000) or subway to Gyeongbokgung Station with 1 transfer (20 mins, ₩1,250). 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.
Walk 5 mins 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).
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, complete the walk along Insadong-gil to the main road, Jong-ro. Turn left at Jung-ro, walk straight forward until you reach Jongno-3 ga station (5 mins). Take the train with 1 transfer back to Myeongdong Station (12 mins, ₩1,250). Use subway mobile app Metroid HD or KakaoMetro.
Alternatively, at any point along Insadong, you can take a taxi back to Myeongdong (10 mins, ₩5,000).
Day 3: Day Trip from Seoul
1. Recommended Day Tours from Seoul
Day 4: Ewha Womans University / Sinchon Shopping District / Hongdae / Gwangjang Market / Dongdaemun
You can start the day any time you wish. Also, you can go to all the places recommended today or pick and choose your preferred. They are all on the same subway line (line 2), allowing you to travel from 1 place to another place easily. ☺
Take the subway from Myeongdong Station to Ewha Womans Univ. Station (line 2, exit 2/3, 18 mins). Use subway mobile app Metroid HD (search for "ehwa women's univ.") or KakaoMetro. Walk 5 mins to Ewha Womans University, by passing the shopping street along the way.
Take the subway from Ewha Womans Univ. Station to Hongik Univ. Station (2 stops away on the same line, line 2).
Take the subway from Hongik Univ. Station to Euljiro 4-ga Station (8 stops away on the same line, line 2, 15 mins). Walk 5 mins to Gwangjang Market.
Walk back to Euljiro 4-ga Station. Take the subway to Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station (next stop on the same line, line 2).
Designed by world-renowned architect Zaha Hadid, the building's exterior attract many photographers and keen travellers. The site of Igansumun Floodgate of Seoul City Wall, almost entirely preserved in its original form.
After shopping, take the subway from Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station to Myeongdong Station (line 4, 2 stops, ₩1,250).
Alternatively, you can take a short taxi back to Myeongdong (10 mins, ₩5,000).
Day 5... : Self-explore based on your interest
1. Recommended Day Tours from Seoul
3. or Explore more on North of Han River / South of Han River (i.e. Gangnam)
Day before departure: Last Minute Shopping / Chilling Out
Last Minute Shopping
or Chill Out...
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 and right in front of KB Bank.
Interval: 2-6 departures per hour
Duration: 80 mins (T1) / 90 mins (T2)
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.
First bus 04:35 | Last Bus 20:15 (refer to the information at bus stop for the latest schedule)
Alternatively, you can book on a private car transfer to Airport as well.
🌾SEASONAL FAVES🌾 Handpicked Experiences from Seoul
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