The Asia Guide · Premium Itinerary
7-Day South Korea Itinerary
Everything you need for the perfect first trip to South Korea.
Estimated budget
£1,155 pp
Perfect for
First-time visitors
Trip style
City, culture & food
Best time
April–May · Oct–Nov
Welcome
How to use this itinerary
Who this is for
First-time visitors with seven days who want Seoul done properly — not a checklist sprint. It suits couples, solo travellers and friends aged roughly 20–60 with a normal level of fitness (expect 7–13 km of walking a day). Families can follow the same route by cutting the evening sections.
How to use it
Each day runs on a timeline with arrival and departure times you can shift by an hour without breaking anything. Only three things are time-locked: the 10:00 guard ceremony, your Secret Garden slot and the DMZ pickup. Everything else is flexible — swap whole days if the weather turns.
Why this route
Seoul rewards neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood travel. This plan groups sights geographically so you're never backtracking, alternates heavy and light days to manage fatigue, and sequences each day around light, crowds and opening hours rather than a map.
What's included
- Hour-by-hour daily timelines
- Restaurant, café and dish recommendations
- Metro stations and walking directions
- Daily and total budgets in £, $ and ₩
- Booking deadlines and rain alternatives
- Photography timings and shopping guide
Essential information
South Korea at a glance
Everything you'd otherwise spend an evening googling.
Capital
Seoul
Currency
South Korean Won (₩ / KRW)
Language
Korean — English signage on all metro/rail
Time zone
KST (UTC+9)
From the UK
+9h winter / +8h British Summer Time
From Dubai
+5h year-round
Plug type
Type C & F (two round pins)
Voltage
220V, 60Hz
Emergency
112 police · 119 fire & ambulance · 1330 tourist hotline (24/7, English)
Driving side
Right
Internet
World-class. Free fast Wi-Fi in metro, cafés, most streets
Cards
Near-universal — Visa/Mastercard accepted almost everywhere
Safety
Exceptionally safe, including solo and late at night
Tipping
Not expected anywhere. Never tip in restaurants or taxis
Useful apps
Naver Map, KakaoMap, Kakao T (taxis), Papago, Subway Korea
Transport card
T-Money — buy at any convenience store (₩4,000 + top-up)
Visa
90 days visa-free for UK/EU/US/AU. Check K-ETA status before booking flights
eSIM
Airalo or Nomad, 5GB / 7 days ≈ £9. Install before you fly
Daily budget
£85–£130 mid-range, all in
Average meal
₩9,000–₩16,000 (£5–£9)
Average coffee
₩4,500–₩6,500 (£2.60–£3.80)
When to go
Month-by-month weather guide
Korea has four genuinely distinct seasons — the month you choose changes the trip more than anything else in this document.
| Month | Temp | Rain | Humidity | Crowds | Recommended | What makes it special |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryWinter | -6 to 2°C | 20mm | 55% | Low | Good | Bitter, dry and crystal clear — the best light of the year for skyline photography. |
| FebruaryWinter | -4 to 5°C | 25mm | 55% | Low | Good | Still cold but softening. Cheapest hotel rates of the year. |
| March | 1 to 11°C | 45mm | 58% | Medium | Very good | Spring arrives late March. Occasional yellow-dust days — check air quality. |
| AprilCherry blossom | 7 to 19°C | 65mm | 60% | High | Best | Cherry blossom peaks in Seoul around 5–12 April. Book hotels 3+ months ahead. |
| May | 13 to 24°C | 100mm | 63% | High | Best | Warm, green and dry. Arguably the most comfortable month to walk the city. |
| June | 18 to 28°C | 135mm | 70% | Medium | OK | Humidity builds; monsoon usually arrives in the final week. |
| Month | Temp | Rain | Humidity | Crowds | Recommended | What makes it special |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JulySummer | 22 to 30°C | 395mm | 80% | Medium | Avoid | Peak monsoon. Heavy afternoon downpours — plan indoor alternatives. |
| AugustSummer | 23 to 31°C | 365mm | 78% | High | Avoid | Hot, sticky, typhoon risk. Korean domestic holiday peak. |
| September | 18 to 27°C | 170mm | 70% | Medium | Very good | Humidity breaks mid-month. Chuseok holiday closes some businesses. |
| OctoberAutumn colours | 11 to 20°C | 50mm | 62% | High | Best | The single best month: dry, mild, blue skies, foliage from mid-month. |
| NovemberAutumn colours | 4 to 12°C | 45mm | 60% | Medium | Very good | Peak autumn colour in the first ten days, then rapidly colder. |
| DecemberWinter | -3 to 5°C | 20mm | 56% | Medium | Good | Christmas lights across Myeongdong and Gangnam; ice rinks open. |
Budget guide
What a week in Korea actually costs
Per person, per day, in three currencies. Accommodation assumes two people sharing.
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | £28 · $36 · ₩48,000 | £85 · $108 · ₩145,000 | £210 · $268 · ₩360,000 |
| Food (3 meals) | £18 · $23 · ₩31,000 | £34 · $43 · ₩58,000 | £75 · $96 · ₩128,000 |
| Coffee & snacks | £5 · $6 · ₩8,500 | £9 · $11 · ₩15,000 | £16 · $20 · ₩27,000 |
| Transport | £4 · $5 · ₩7,000 | £7 · $9 · ₩12,000 | £22 · $28 · ₩38,000 |
| Activities | £6 · $8 · ₩10,000 | £15 · $19 · ₩26,000 | £40 · $51 · ₩68,000 |
| Shopping | £5 · $6 · ₩8,500 | £15 · $19 · ₩26,000 | £50 · $64 · ₩85,000 |
| Daily total | £66 · $85 · ₩113,000 | £165 · $210 · ₩282,000 | £413 · $527 · ₩706,000 |
| 7-day total | £462 · $592 · ₩791,000 | £1,155 · $1,470 · ₩1,974,000 | £2,891 · $3,690 · ₩4,942,000 |
Money-saving tips
- •Lunch sets are 30–40% cheaper than the same food at dinner
- •Convenience-store meals are genuinely good and cost ₩5,000
- •Palaces are free if you wear hanbok (rental ₩15,000 for 4 hrs)
- •Use T-Money transfers — bus-to-metro within 30 mins is almost free
- •Buy skincare at Olive Young, not brand shops
Where money disappears
- •Taxis after midnight (40% surcharge)
- •Korean BBQ with soju rounds
- •Café culture — three coffees a day adds up fast
- •Dongdaemun malls late at night
- •Airport currency exchange
Included in these figures
- •All metro, bus and typical taxi use
- •Three meals plus coffee and snacks
- •Every entry fee in this itinerary
- •The DMZ tour on Day 4
- •The Gapyeong day trip on Day 6
Before you travel
Your pre-departure checklist
Packing checklist
- •Comfortable trainers (you'll walk 60 km this week)
- •Layers — mornings and evenings are much cooler
- •Compact umbrella
- •Universal adapter (Type C/F)
- •Power bank
- •Slip-on shoes for temples and traditional restaurants
- •Reusable tote for shopping
Book before flying
- •K-ETA (check current requirement for your passport)
- •DMZ tour — 4+ days ahead, passport details required
- •Changdeokgung Secret Garden timed slot
- •Hotels (3 months ahead for April and October)
- •eSIM
- •Travel insurance
- •ITX-Cheongchun seat for Day 6
Organise before flying
- •Tell your bank you're travelling
- •Download Naver Map, Kakao T, Papago, Catch Table offline
- •Screenshot your hotel address in Korean
- •Check passport validity (6+ months)
- •Set up Apple/Google Pay as backup
- •Save the 1330 tourist hotline
Airport information
- •Incheon (ICN) — 48 km west, main international hub
- •Terminal 1: most airlines · Terminal 2: KAL, Delta, Air France, KLM
- •Free shuttle between terminals, 20 mins
- •Gimpo (GMP) — domestic and some Tokyo/Osaka/Beijing routes
- •Arrive 3 hrs before international departures
Reservations required
- •Korean BBQ on Fri/Sat evenings (Catch Table)
- •Secret Garden tour
- •DMZ tour
- •Any Michelin-listed restaurant (4+ weeks)
- •Nothing else in this itinerary needs booking
Travel money & SIM
- •Card-first country — bring one fee-free travel card
- •Withdraw ₩100,000 at Incheon for markets
- •Never accept 'charge in GBP' at card machines
- •eSIM: Airalo/Nomad 5GB/7 days ≈ £9
- •Airport SIM desks charge double — install the eSIM at home
Arrival guide
Your first 90 minutes in Korea
Exactly what happens from wheels-down to hotel door.
1 · Immigration
15–45 mins depending on arrival wave. Have your K-ETA confirmation and hotel address ready. Automated e-gates are open to registered visitors and cut the wait to five minutes.
2 · Baggage & customs
Bags usually appear within 15 minutes. Customs is a walk-through unless declaring.
3 · ATM & cash
Citibank and Woori ATMs in arrivals accept foreign cards. Withdraw ₩100,000. Ignore the exchange booths — the rate is poor.
4 · SIM / eSIM
If you didn't buy an eSIM at home, the SK Telecom and KT desks in arrivals sell tourist SIMs from ₩27,000 for 5 days. Free airport Wi-Fi is fast enough to activate an eSIM on the spot.
5 · T-Money card
Buy at the arrivals convenience store: ₩4,000 for the card, top up ₩30,000. This is the single most useful thing you'll do at the airport.
6 · Choose your transfer
AREX Express: 43 mins to Seoul Station, ₩11,000 — best for Myeongdong, Jongno, Gangnam. Limousine bus 6015/6001: 60–80 mins, ₩17,000, door-to-hotel with heavy bags. Taxi: 60–75 mins, ₩70,000–₩90,000, only worth it late at night or for four people.
Best option for most travellers: AREX Express to Seoul Station, then one metro stop. Cheapest, fastest, and immune to Seoul's traffic. Only switch to the bus if you have two large suitcases.
Where to stay
The three best areas for a 7-day trip
This itinerary is written assuming you stay in one of these three — all are on a direct airport connection.
Hongdae
Best for: First-timers, solo travellers, under-35s, anyone who wants energy on the doorstep
Pros
- Best food and café density in Seoul
- Late-night everything, buskers until 1am
- Airport Railroad Express stops at Hongik University — 45 mins from Incheon
- Cheapest of the three areas
Cons
- –Genuinely noisy until 2am on weekends
- –Fewer luxury hotels
- –20–25 mins to the palaces
Budget
Hostel Korea Original
£26 / $33 / ₩45,000 / night
Mid-range
RYSE Autograph Collection
£150 / $191 / ₩256,000 / night
Luxury
L7 Hongdae by Lotte
£175 / $223 / ₩299,000 / night
Myeongdong
Best for: Shoppers, couples, first trips where sightseeing efficiency matters most
Pros
- Walking distance to Gyeongbokgung, Bukchon and Namsan
- Skincare and street-food capital
- Two metro lines plus the airport bus 6015 stops outside most hotels
- Widest hotel choice at every price point
Cons
- –Very touristy — locals rarely eat here
- –Weekend crowds are relentless
- –Restaurants close earlier than Hongdae
Budget
Hotel Skypark Central
£58 / $74 / ₩99,000 / night
Mid-range
L7 Myeongdong
£115 / $147 / ₩196,000 / night
Luxury
The Westin Josun Seoul
£240 / $306 / ₩410,000 / night
Gangnam
Best for: Repeat visitors, business travellers, luxury stays, anyone flying out of Gimpo
Pros
- Best luxury hotels in Korea
- Quiet, clean, spacious streets
- Great for high-end dining and department stores
- Direct 6006 airport bus
Cons
- –30–40 mins to the palaces
- –Least charming for a 7-day first trip
- –Most expensive food and drink
Budget
Hotel Cappuccino
£70 / $89 / ₩120,000 / night
Mid-range
Andaz Seoul Gangnam
£185 / $236 / ₩316,000 / night
Luxury
Park Hyatt Seoul
£330 / $421 / ₩564,000 / night
Route overview
Your seven days at a glance
Five days based in central Seoul, one border day, one countryside day — with no backtracking and no wasted transit.
Arrival, Myeongdong & your first Korean BBQ
Incheon → Myeongdong / Namsan
Palaces, hanok lanes and Insadong
Gyeongbokgung → Bukchon → Insadong
Hongdae, Yeonnam-dong and Seoul's café culture
West Seoul
The DMZ and Korea's divided border
Paju / Imjingak → back to Seoul
Han River, Seongsu and Seoul's design district
Yeouido → Seongsu → DDP
Day trip: Nami Island, Petite France & the Garden of Morning Calm
Gapyeong
Last morning, tax refunds and the journey home
Central Seoul → Incheon
Why this order works: Day 1 is deliberately light for jet lag. The two heaviest walking days (2 and 5) are separated by a relaxed café day. The DMZ sits mid-week because tours run best Tuesday–Friday. The countryside trip lands on Day 6, when you'll want a change of scenery, and Day 7 keeps you within fifteen minutes of an airport connection all morning.
Day 1 · Incheon → Myeongdong / Namsan
Arrival, Myeongdong & your first Korean BBQ
Walking
5.2 km
Steps
≈ 7,500
Budget
£72 / ₩123,000
Weather
Check evening rain
Transport
AREX + Line 4 + cable car
Pace
Gentle — jet lag day
- Land, clear immigration and be in the city inside 90 minutes
- Myeongdong street food crawl
- Sunset from N Seoul Tower
Why this order: Day 1 is deliberately light and centred on one neighbourhood. You'll arrive tired, so the route keeps you within 20 minutes of your hotel and finishes with the single best orientation view in Seoul — after which the rest of the week makes visual sense.
Breakfast
- •Airport: Paris Baguette, Terminal 1 arrivals
- •Typical spend ₩7,000 (£4)
- •Must-order: ham-and-cheese pastry + iced Americano
- •Open 06:00
Coffee stop
- •Café: Café Onion Anguk (Myeongdong-adjacent, 10 mins by Line 4)
- •Signature: pandoro bread + flat white
- •Queue: 10 mins before noon, 30 mins after
- •Best seating: the upstairs terrace overlooking the hanok roofs
Morning
Land at Incheon T1/T2 — immigration, bags, SIM desk
- Time needed:
- 45–60 mins
- Entry:
- Free
- Booking:
- K-ETA in advance if required
- Nearest metro:
- AREX, B1 level
- Walking:
- Arrivals to AREX platform 6 mins
- Crowds:
- Heaviest 09:00–11:00 and 16:00–19:00
Photography: Skip photos — move fast, queues build behind wide-body arrivals
Local tip: Use the automated e-gates if eligible: five minutes instead of forty
Google Maps: search “Land at Incheon T1/T2 — immigration, bags, SIM desk, Seoul”
ATM, T-Money card and eSIM activation
- Time needed:
- 15 mins
- Entry:
- ₩4,000 card + ₩30,000 top-up
- Booking:
- No
- Nearest metro:
- Arrivals hall, next to 7-Eleven
- Walking:
- In terminal
- Crowds:
- Low
Photography: —
Local tip: Withdraw ₩100,000 max from a Citibank or Woori ATM (lowest fees). Skip the currency-exchange booths entirely.
Google Maps: search “ATM, T-Money card and eSIM activation, Seoul”
AREX Express train to Seoul Station
- Time needed:
- 43 mins
- Entry:
- ₩11,000 (£6.30)
- Booking:
- No — buy at the machine
- Nearest metro:
- Seoul Station, then Line 4 to Myeongdong (1 stop)
- Walking:
- Seoul Station transfer 7 mins, mostly flat with lifts
- Crowds:
- Seats always available on the Express
Photography: Right-hand side windows for the Han River crossing
Local tip: The all-stop train is ₩4,750 and only 15 mins slower — take it if you're not in a rush
Google Maps: search “AREX Express train to Seoul Station, Seoul”
Lunch
- •Myeongdong Kyoja — Korean noodles
- •₩12,000 (£7)
- •No reservations, turnover is fast — arrive 11:45 or after 14:00
- •Must-order: kalguksu hand-cut noodle soup + the free kimchi (famously fierce)
Practicalities & alternatives
- •Rain alternative: swap Namsan for the Seoul Museum of Art (free) and Myeongdong Cathedral
- •Rest stop: Namsan Park benches beside the cable car station
- •Convenience store: CU beside Myeongdong exit 6 — cheap banana milk, sandwiches, umbrellas
- •ATM: Citibank Myeongdong branch, exit 5, foreign-card friendly 24/7
- •Hidden gem: Sungnyemun Gate at night, lit and almost empty, 8 mins from Myeongdong
Afternoon
Hotel check-in, shower, 45-minute reset
- Time needed:
- 2 hrs
- Entry:
- —
- Booking:
- Yes
- Nearest metro:
- Myeongdong (Line 4), exit 8
- Walking:
- 5 mins from exit
- Crowds:
- —
Photography: —
Local tip: Set an alarm. Sleeping past 16:00 on day one wrecks the whole week.
Google Maps: search “Hotel check-in, shower, 45-minute reset, Seoul”
Myeongdong shopping and street-food streets
- Time needed:
- 1.5 hrs
- Entry:
- ₩15,000 snacks
- Booking:
- No
- Nearest metro:
- Myeongdong, exits 6–8
- Walking:
- Loop of 1.2 km
- Crowds:
- Builds sharply from 16:00
Photography: Neon signage compresses beautifully with a 50mm — shoot after 17:00
Local tip: Skincare is cheapest at Olive Young, not the tourist-facing brand shops. Ask for the tax-refund receipt over ₩30,000.
Google Maps: search “Myeongdong shopping and street-food streets, Seoul”
Namsan Cable Car & N Seoul Tower for sunset
- Time needed:
- 2 hrs
- Entry:
- ₩14,000 cable car return + ₩21,000 observatory
- Booking:
- Buy tower tickets online — saves 25 mins
- Nearest metro:
- Myeongdong exit 3, then 10-min uphill walk to the cable car base
- Walking:
- 700 m uphill, or take the free orange lift beside Pacific Hotel
- Crowds:
- Very high at weekends — go on a weekday if you can flex
Photography: Arrive 40 mins before sunset. Shoot from the outdoor deck first, then the observatory for blue hour.
Local tip: Skip the observatory entirely if the budget is tight: the free outdoor terrace has the better view
Google Maps: search “Namsan Cable Car & N Seoul Tower for sunset, Seoul”
Dinner
- •Yeontabal BBQ Myeongdong — charcoal Korean BBQ
- •₩28,000pp (£16)
- •Reserve via Catch Table app, or arrive by 18:00
- •Order: samgyeopsal, galbisal, doenjang jjigae, one bottle of soju
Evening
- •Sunset viewpoint: N Seoul Tower outdoor deck
- •Night photography: Namsan looking north over the palace district
- •Market: Myeongdong street-food stalls peak 19:00–22:00
- •Relaxed option: a 24-hour jjimjilbang (Silloam Sauna, ₩15,000) to kill jet lag
- •Last metro: roughly 23:30 from Myeongdong — check Naver Map
- •Taxi: use Kakao T; Namsan to Myeongdong is ₩7,000
Today's budget
- Food
- ₩47,000
- Coffee
- ₩6,500
- Transport
- ₩26,000
- Activities
- ₩35,000
- Shopping
- ₩15,000
- Total
- ₩129,500 / £76
Ready for tomorrow
- •Book: hanbok rental for 08:30 if you want free palace entry
- •Weather: palaces are 90% outdoors — check rain
- •Depart hotel 08:15
- •Wear: proper walking shoes, layers
- •Prepare: download the Gyeongbokgung audio guide offline
Day 2 · Gyeongbokgung → Bukchon → Insadong
Palaces, hanok lanes and Insadong
Walking
9.4 km
Steps
≈ 13,500
Budget
£64 / ₩109,000
Weather
Mostly outdoors
Transport
Line 3, all walking after
Pace
Full but flat
- Changing of the Guard at Gyeongbokgung
- Bukchon Hanok Village before the crowds
- Secret Garden at Changdeokgung
Why this order: All four sights sit in one 2 km arc, so you walk the entire day rather than fighting the metro. The order is set by two fixed timings: the 10:00 guard ceremony and the Secret Garden's timed-entry slots.
Breakfast
- •Onion Anguk — bakery café inside a restored hanok
- •₩13,000 (£7.50)
- •Must-order: pandoro, salt bread, iced Americano
- •Opens 08:00 — arrive by 08:15 for a courtyard table
Coffee stop
- •Café: Cha Teul (traditional tea house, Bukchon)
- •Signature: omija five-flavour berry tea
- •Queue: rare, but limited floor seating
- •Best seating: the low table by the garden window
Morning
Gyeongbokgung Palace
- Time needed:
- 2.5 hrs
- Entry:
- ₩3,000 (free in hanbok)
- Booking:
- No
- Nearest metro:
- Gyeongbokgung (Line 3), exit 5 — surfaces inside the grounds
- Walking:
- 0 m from exit
- Crowds:
- Empty at 09:00, packed by 10:30
Photography: Geunjeongjeon throne hall from the left corner of the courtyard at 09:15, before tour groups
Local tip: Do the National Folk Museum at the north end — free, air-conditioned, and almost nobody goes in
Google Maps: search “Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul”
Changing of the Guard, Gwanghwamun Gate
- Time needed:
- 20 mins
- Entry:
- Free
- Booking:
- No
- Nearest metro:
- Same
- Walking:
- 5 mins from throne hall
- Crowds:
- High — arrive 09:50
Photography: Stand front-left of the gate; the procession turns towards you
Local tip: Repeats at 14:00 if you miss it
Google Maps: search “Changing of the Guard, Gwanghwamun Gate, Seoul”
Bukchon Hanok Village
- Time needed:
- 1 hr
- Entry:
- Free
- Booking:
- No
- Nearest metro:
- Anguk (Line 3), exit 2
- Walking:
- 12 mins from Gyeongbokgung's east gate, uphill
- Crowds:
- Moderate midday; residential area with 17:00 quiet hours
Photography: Bukchon-ro 11-gil looking downhill towards the city — the classic frame
Local tip: Keep your voice down and don't photograph doorways — people live here and fines are enforced
Google Maps: search “Bukchon Hanok Village, Seoul”
Lunch
- •Tosokchon Samgyetang — ginseng chicken soup
- •₩20,000 (£11.50)
- •No bookings; the queue moves in 15 mins even when it looks long
- •Order: samgyetang, and add the small bottle of ginseng liquor they bring
Practicalities & alternatives
- •Rain alternative: the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA), 4 mins from Gyeongbokgung
- •Hidden gem: Jaha Sonmandu in Buam-dong for handmade dumplings and a mountain view
- •Rest stop: Samcheong Park benches at the top of Samcheong-ro
- •Convenience store: GS25 opposite Anguk exit 1
- •Shopping: Kwangjang-style craft ceramics in Insadong's Ssamziegil basement
Afternoon
Changdeokgung Palace + Secret Garden tour
- Time needed:
- 2 hrs 15
- Entry:
- ₩3,000 + ₩5,000 garden
- Booking:
- Yes — timed slots sell out, book online 5 days ahead
- Nearest metro:
- Anguk (Line 3), exit 3
- Walking:
- 5 mins
- Crowds:
- Capped by the tour system, so never crushing
Photography: Buyongji pond reflections; best light after 15:00
Local tip: The English tour is usually 13:30 or 15:30 — build your lunch around whichever you book
Google Maps: search “Changdeokgung Palace + Secret Garden tour, Seoul”
Insadong — galleries, craft shops, Ssamziegil
- Time needed:
- 1.75 hrs
- Entry:
- Free
- Booking:
- No
- Nearest metro:
- Anguk exit 6
- Walking:
- 8 mins from Changdeokgung
- Crowds:
- Busy but pleasant
Photography: The spiral ramps of Ssamziegil from the top floor
Local tip: Skip the main drag's souvenir shops; the side alleys sell better ceramics for half the price
Google Maps: search “Insadong — galleries, craft shops, Ssamziegil, Seoul”
Dinner
- •Gwangjang Market — Korea's best street-food hall
- •₩18,000pp (£10)
- •No reservations; go 18:30, before the after-work rush
- •Order: bindaetteok mung-bean pancake, mayak gimbap, live octopus if you're brave
Evening
- •Sunset: Cheonggyecheon Stream, 10 mins from Gwangjang
- •Night photography: the stream's stepping stones with neon reflections
- •Bars: Ikseon-dong's hanok cocktail bars, 12 mins away
- •Relaxed option: back to the hotel by 21:00 — tomorrow is the biggest walking day
- •Last metro: Line 1 from Jongno 5-ga around 23:40
- •Taxi: Gwangjang to Myeongdong ₩6,500
Today's budget
- Food
- ₩51,000
- Coffee
- ₩9,000
- Transport
- ₩3,200
- Activities
- ₩11,000
- Shopping
- ₩20,000
- Total
- ₩94,200 / £55
Ready for tomorrow
- •Book: nothing required
- •Weather: Hongdae is walkable in light rain — arcades everywhere
- •Depart hotel 09:30 — later start, later finish
- •Wear: something you're happy to be photographed in; Hongdae is a street-style area
- •Prepare: cash ₩30,000 for market stalls
Day 3 · West Seoul
Hongdae, Yeonnam-dong and Seoul's café culture
Walking
8.1 km
Steps
≈ 11,800
Budget
£68 / ₩116,000
Weather
Good rainy-day option
Transport
Line 2 + walking
Pace
Relaxed, late finish
- Yeonnam-dong's Gyeongui Line Forest Park
- Seoul's best independent coffee
- Hongdae busking after dark
Why this order: After two heavy sightseeing days, day 3 is about how Seoul actually lives. Everything sits along one former railway line turned park, so the route is a single straight walk with cafés either side.
Breakfast
- •Egg Drop, Hongdae — Korean toast sandwiches
- •₩7,500 (£4.30)
- •Must-order: bacon cheylo egg drop
- •Opens 08:00
Coffee stop
- •Café: Fritz Coffee Company, Dohwa (a 12-min taxi or 15-min walk)
- •Signature: Old Dog blend filter + a sugar-glazed pretzel
- •Queue: 10–15 mins on weekend mornings
- •Best seating: the hanok courtyard at the back
Morning
Gyeongui Line Forest Park (Yeonnam-dong)
- Time needed:
- 1 hr 15
- Entry:
- Free
- Booking:
- No
- Nearest metro:
- Hongik University (Line 2/AREX), exit 3
- Walking:
- 6 mins to the park's south end
- Crowds:
- Locals picnicking, never crowded on weekdays
Photography: Shoot along the path with a long lens to compress the tree line
Local tip: Grab a mat and a coffee and sit for twenty minutes — this is what Seoulites do here
Google Maps: search “Gyeongui Line Forest Park, Seoul”
Yeonnam-dong backstreets and design shops
- Time needed:
- 1 hr 10
- Entry:
- Free
- Booking:
- No
- Nearest metro:
- Same
- Walking:
- 1.4 km loop
- Crowds:
- Low
Photography: Low-rise rooftops and hand-painted signage; best in soft morning light
Local tip: Object and Zero Per Zero sell the best-designed souvenirs in Seoul — far better than Insadong's
Google Maps: search “Yeonnam-dong backstreets and design shops, Seoul”
Lunch
- •Yeonnam Seoul Mapo Galbi — grilled pork ribs
- •₩17,000 (£10)
- •Walk-in; two-person minimum on the grill sets
- •Order: mapo galbi, cold naengmyeon noodles to finish
Practicalities & alternatives
- •Rain alternative: the whole of Hongdae's arcade shopping plus a board-game café (₩8,000/hr)
- •Hidden gem: Haneul Park's silver-grass fields, 20 mins by taxi, unreal at sunset in October
- •Rest stop: any of the 24-hour cafés on Wausan-ro
- •Convenience store: CU beside Hongdae exit 9
- •ATM: KB Bank ATM inside Hongik University station, exit 8 concourse
Afternoon
Hongdae Free Market & side-street shopping
- Time needed:
- 1.5 hrs
- Entry:
- Free
- Booking:
- No
- Nearest metro:
- Hongik University exit 9
- Walking:
- 8 mins
- Crowds:
- High on Saturdays (that's when the market runs)
Photography: Street art on the walls behind Hongik University's art building
Local tip: Vintage on Hongdae's second floors is far better value than the ground-floor chains
Google Maps: search “Hongdae Free Market & side-street shopping, Seoul”
Ihwa Mural Village OR Mangwon Market (pick one)
- Time needed:
- 1.5 hrs
- Entry:
- Free
- Booking:
- No
- Nearest metro:
- Mangwon (Line 6) exit 2 for the market
- Walking:
- Mangwon: 5 mins from the station
- Crowds:
- Local, busy, friendly
Photography: Mangwon's food stalls at 16:30 when everything is freshly fried
Local tip: Mangwon is where Seoul shops for dinner — cheaper and more genuine than Gwangjang
Google Maps: search “Ihwa Mural Village OR Mangwon Market, Seoul”
Dinner
- •Gopchang Jeongol on Wausan-ro — grilled beef intestine (Seoul's cult dish)
- •₩26,000pp (£15)
- •No bookings — arrive 18:00 or expect 40 mins
- •Order: gopchang, kimchi jjigae, and the fried rice they make in the pan afterwards
Evening
- •Sunset: Haneul Park or the Han River at Mangwon Hangang Park
- •Night photography: Hongdae's playground street at 21:00 during busking
- •Bars: Hongdae's rooftop bars on Eoulmadang-ro
- •Relaxed option: Han River convenience-store picnic with ramyeon and beer — a genuine Seoul ritual
- •Last metro: Line 2 until roughly 00:20 from Hongik University
- •Taxi: Hongdae to Myeongdong ₩11,000, 20 mins
Today's budget
- Food
- ₩50,500
- Coffee
- ₩12,000
- Transport
- ₩4,000
- Activities
- ₩0
- Shopping
- ₩25,000
- Total
- ₩91,500 / £54
Ready for tomorrow
- •Book: DMZ tour must be booked at least 4 days ahead with passport details
- •Weather: the DMZ is exposed and windy — always colder than Seoul
- •Depart hotel 06:45 for a 07:30 pickup
- •Wear: no ripped jeans or military-style clothing (dress code is enforced)
- •Prepare: bring your physical passport — no passport, no entry
Day 4 · Paju / Imjingak → back to Seoul
The DMZ and Korea's divided border
Walking
5.5 km
Steps
≈ 8,000
Budget
£95 / ₩162,000
Weather
Windier and colder than the city
Transport
Organised coach tour
Pace
Early start, free afternoon
- 3rd Infiltration Tunnel
- Dora Observatory looking into North Korea
- Imjingak Peace Park
Why this order: The DMZ is the one thing you cannot do independently, so it takes a fixed day. Half-day tours return by 14:00, leaving the afternoon free — which is why the day finishes with Seoul's most atmospheric neighbourhood rather than another long trip.
Breakfast
- •Hotel or convenience store — you leave before most places open
- •₩5,000 (£3)
- •Must-order: triangle gimbap + banana milk
- •CU and GS25 are 24 hours
Coffee stop
- •Café: the Imjingak visitor-centre café — functional, not special
- •Signature: hot Americano, ₩3,500
- •Queue: none
- •Best seating: outdoor terrace facing the river
Morning
Coach pickup and transfer to Imjingak
- Time needed:
- 1 hr 45
- Entry:
- Included
- Booking:
- Yes — 4+ days ahead
- Nearest metro:
- Pickup usually at Hongik University or City Hall
- Walking:
- —
- Crowds:
- —
Photography: Sleep instead
Local tip: Book the half-day tour, not the full day; the afternoon add-ons are mostly shopping stops
Google Maps: search “Coach pickup and transfer to Imjingak, Seoul”
Imjingak Peace Park & Freedom Bridge
- Time needed:
- 45 mins
- Entry:
- Included
- Booking:
- —
- Nearest metro:
- —
- Walking:
- Flat, 600 m
- Crowds:
- Moderate
Photography: The ribbon-covered fence at the Freedom Bridge — shoot tight, not wide
Local tip: Read a few of the ribbons; families still tie messages for relatives in the North
Google Maps: search “Imjingak Peace Park & Freedom Bridge, Seoul”
3rd Infiltration Tunnel
- Time needed:
- 1 hr
- Entry:
- Included
- Booking:
- —
- Nearest metro:
- —
- Walking:
- 350 m descent at 11° — genuinely steep coming back up
- Crowds:
- Timed entry
Photography: No cameras allowed underground
Local tip: Take the shuttle monorail back up if it's running and you have knee trouble
Google Maps: search “3rd Infiltration Tunnel, Seoul”
Lunch
- •Back in Seoul: Gwangjang or a hotel-area bibimbap house
- •₩12,000 (£7)
- •Walk-in
- •Order: dolsot bibimbap
Practicalities & alternatives
- •Rain alternative: Ikseon-dong is largely covered — this is a perfect wet-afternoon area
- •Hidden gem: Nakwon Musical Instrument Arcade, a time capsule two minutes away
- •Rest stop: Tapgol Park
- •Convenience store: GS25 at Jongno 3-ga exit 4
- •ATM: Hana Bank, Jongno 3-ga, foreign-card enabled
Afternoon
Dora Observatory
- Time needed:
- 30 mins
- Entry:
- Included
- Booking:
- —
- Nearest metro:
- —
- Walking:
- Flat
- Crowds:
- Moderate
Photography: Bring a zoom — you're looking 3 km into North Korea; wide shots are pointless
Local tip: Free binoculars on the top deck, no coins needed since the 2018 refurbishment
Google Maps: search “Dora Observatory, Seoul”
Return to Seoul, then Ikseon-dong hanok alleys
- Time needed:
- 3.5 hrs
- Entry:
- Free
- Booking:
- No
- Nearest metro:
- Jongno 3-ga (Lines 1/3/5), exit 6
- Walking:
- 3 mins from exit into the alleys
- Crowds:
- Fills up sharply after 17:00
Photography: Ikseon's lantern-strung lanes come alive from 16:30
Local tip: Duck into Sikmul or Cheongsudang — restored hanoks with courtyards you'd never guess from the alley
Google Maps: search “Return to Seoul, then Ikseon-dong hanok alleys, Seoul”
Dinner
- •Euljiro Nogari Alley — grilled dried pollack and draught beer
- •₩20,000pp (£11.50)
- •No reservations, plastic stools on the street from 18:00
- •Order: nogari, golbaengi muchim, two glasses of Cass
Evening
- •Sunset: Cheonggyecheon at dusk
- •Night photography: Euljiro's neon-lit backstreets — the most photogenic corner of Seoul after dark
- •Bars: Euljiro 3-ga's hidden 'nowhere' bars behind unmarked doors
- •Relaxed option: a Korean cinema showing with English subtitles at CGV Myeongdong
- •Last metro: Line 2 from Euljiro 3-ga around 23:50
- •Taxi: Euljiro to Myeongdong ₩5,500 — often quicker to walk
Today's budget
- Food
- ₩37,000
- Coffee
- ₩7,000
- Transport
- ₩3,000
- Activities
- ₩110,000 (tour)
- Shopping
- ₩5,000
- Total
- ₩162,000 / £95
Ready for tomorrow
- •Book: KTX to Busan if you're adding the optional extension (see Day 6)
- •Weather: day 5 is mostly outdoors along the river
- •Depart hotel 09:00
- •Wear: comfortable clothes for cycling
- •Prepare: download the Ttareungi bike-share app tonight
Day 5 · Yeouido → Seongsu → DDP
Han River, Seongsu and Seoul's design district
Walking
7.6 km
Steps
≈ 11,000
Budget
£62 / ₩106,000
Weather
Needs a dry day — swap with Day 3 if wet
Transport
Line 5, Line 2, bike share
Pace
Active
- Cycling the Han River path
- Seongsu-dong's converted warehouse cafés
- Dongdaemun Design Plaza after dark
Why this order: This is the modern-Seoul day, and it's ordered around light: river in the morning when it's clear, Seongsu in the afternoon when the cafés are open, and DDP last because its architecture only works illuminated.
Breakfast
- •Café Onion Seongsu (yes, go twice)
- •₩12,000 (£7)
- •Must-order: pandoro and a cortado
- •Opens 08:00 — the 08:30 crowd is half the size of the 10:30 crowd
Coffee stop
- •Café: Center Coffee, Seongsu
- •Signature: single-origin filter flight
- •Queue: 5–10 mins
- •Best seating: the window bar on the second floor
Morning
Han River cycling, Yeouido to Banpo
- Time needed:
- 2 hrs
- Entry:
- ₩1,000/hr Ttareungi bike
- Booking:
- App registration takes 10 mins — do it the night before
- Nearest metro:
- Yeouinaru (Line 5), exit 2
- Walking:
- 2 mins to the bike racks
- Crowds:
- Quiet on weekday mornings, busy Sunday
Photography: Banpo Bridge from the north bank; the rainbow fountain runs at 12:00 (Apr–Oct)
Local tip: Ride east, not west — the eastern path has the better skyline and more rest stops
Google Maps: search “Han River cycling, Yeouido to Banpo, Seoul”
Some Sevit floating islands
- Time needed:
- 30 mins
- Entry:
- Free
- Booking:
- No
- Nearest metro:
- Sinbanpo (Line 9)
- Walking:
- 10 mins along the riverfront
- Crowds:
- Low
Photography: Glass architecture reflecting the river at midday
Local tip: Free public toilets and lockers here — useful mid-ride
Google Maps: search “Some Sevit floating islands, Seoul”
Lunch
- •Seongsu Galbi — lunch-set Korean BBQ
- •₩16,000 (£9)
- •Lunch sets 11:30–14:00 only; no bookings needed at lunch
- •Order: the ribs lunch set with doenjang jjigae
Practicalities & alternatives
- •Rain alternative: DDP's interior exhibitions plus Seongsu's covered café strip
- •Hidden gem: Under Stand Avenue container market, 5 mins from DDP
- •Rest stop: DDP's grass-roof park
- •Convenience store: Emart24 inside DDP
- •Shopping: Seongsu is Korea's sneaker capital — flagship stores at outlet-adjacent prices
Afternoon
Seongsu-dong warehouse district
- Time needed:
- 2.5 hrs
- Entry:
- Free
- Booking:
- No
- Nearest metro:
- Seongsu (Line 2), exit 3
- Walking:
- 1.8 km wandering loop
- Crowds:
- Moderate weekdays, heavy Saturdays
Photography: Red-brick factory frontages with modern glass inserts; strong late-afternoon shadows
Local tip: Daelim Changgo is the standout — a genuine warehouse gallery-café with 8 m ceilings
Google Maps: search “Seongsu-dong warehouse district, Seoul”
Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP)
- Time needed:
- 1 hr 40
- Entry:
- Free (exhibitions ₩8,000–15,000)
- Booking:
- Only for special exhibitions
- Nearest metro:
- Dongdaemun History & Culture Park (Lines 2/4/5), exit 1
- Walking:
- Direct from exit
- Crowds:
- Spread out; the building absorbs people
Photography: The LED rose garden and the curved aluminium skin at blue hour — the best architectural shot in Seoul
Local tip: The night market stalls on the DDP plaza open at 18:00 and are far better value than Dongdaemun's malls
Google Maps: search “Dongdaemun Design Plaza, Seoul”
Dinner
- •Jinokhwa Halmae Wonjo Dakhanmari — whole-chicken hotpot near Dongdaemun
- •₩24,000pp (£14)
- •No bookings; queue 20 mins after 19:00
- •Order: dakhanmari, kalguksu noodles added at the end, the mustard-soy dip
Evening
- •Sunset: DDP roof park
- •Night photography: DDP's illuminated curves, 19:00–21:00
- •Market: Dongdaemun's night shopping runs to 05:00 if you're curious
- •Bars: a quiet makgeolli house in Euljiro, 10 mins west
- •Last metro: Line 2 until roughly 00:10
- •Taxi: DDP to Myeongdong ₩6,000
Today's budget
- Food
- ₩52,000
- Coffee
- ₩12,000
- Transport
- ₩7,000
- Activities
- ₩10,000
- Shopping
- ₩25,000
- Total
- ₩106,000 / £62
Ready for tomorrow
- •Book: Nami Island / Garden of Morning Calm combo shuttle, or a KTX seat if you're going to Busan
- •Weather: the day trip is fully outdoors — check forecasts tonight and swap if needed
- •Depart hotel 07:30
- •Wear: layers; the countryside is 3–5°C colder than Seoul
- •Prepare: charge your camera and pack snacks — options are limited on the island
Day 6 · Gapyeong
Day trip: Nami Island, Petite France & the Garden of Morning Calm
Walking
9.0 km
Steps
≈ 13,000
Budget
£78 / ₩133,000
Weather
Fully outdoors
Transport
ITX-Cheongchun train + Gapyeong shuttle
Pace
Long day, easy walking
- Nami Island's tree-lined avenues
- The Garden of Morning Calm
- A slower, rural counterpoint to six days of city
Why this order: Six straight days of Seoul is too much for most travellers. Gapyeong is only 70 minutes out and delivers a completely different landscape — and the three sights share one hop-on shuttle bus, so the logistics are trivial.
Breakfast
- •Paris Baguette at Yongsan or Cheongnyangni Station
- •₩7,000 (£4)
- •Must-order: coffee + sausage bread for the train
- •Opens 06:30
Coffee stop
- •Café: Nami Island's Chestnut Tree café
- •Signature: hot chestnut latte
- •Queue: 5 mins
- •Best seating: the riverside deck facing the water
Morning
ITX-Cheongchun to Gapyeong
- Time needed:
- 1 hr 15
- Entry:
- ₩10,800 (£6.20)
- Booking:
- Reserve a seat on Korail app the night before
- Nearest metro:
- Board at Cheongnyangni (Line 1) or Yongsan
- Walking:
- In-station
- Crowds:
- Busy on weekends — reserve
Photography: River views on the right-hand side after Namyangju
Local tip: The all-stop Gyeongchun Line is free with T-Money but takes 25 mins longer
Google Maps: search “ITX-Cheongchun to Gapyeong, Seoul”
Nami Island
- Time needed:
- 2.5 hrs
- Entry:
- ₩16,000 including ferry
- Booking:
- No
- Nearest metro:
- Gapyeong Station → shuttle bus (₩6,000 day pass)
- Walking:
- Island loop 3.5 km, completely flat
- Crowds:
- Low until 11:00, very high 12:00–15:00
Photography: The metasequoia avenue at 10:00 with side-lit trunks; empty before the 11:00 tour buses
Local tip: Rent a bike (₩5,000) and do the outer loop — 80% of visitors never leave the central avenue
Google Maps: search “Nami Island, Seoul”
Lunch
- •Gapyeong Dak-galbi house near the wharf
- •₩15,000 (£8.60)
- •Walk-in; two-person minimum
- •Order: dak-galbi with rice fried into the pan at the end
Practicalities & alternatives
- •Rain alternative: swap Gapyeong entirely for Bukchon + the National Museum of Korea
- •Hidden gem: the Gapyeong Rail Bike along the disused railway line (₩35,000 for four)
- •Rest stop: the Garden's greenhouse café
- •Convenience store: CU beside Gapyeong Station
- •ATM: Nonghyup Bank next to Gapyeong Station — the only reliable foreign-card ATM in town
Afternoon
Petite France
- Time needed:
- 1 hr
- Entry:
- ₩12,000
- Booking:
- No
- Nearest metro:
- Shuttle stop 4
- Walking:
- Hilly site, 900 m
- Crowds:
- Moderate
Photography: Pastel façades with a long lens; skip if you're short on time
Local tip: Genuinely skippable — swap for extra time at the Garden if the weather is good
Google Maps: search “Petite France, Seoul”
Garden of Morning Calm
- Time needed:
- 2 hrs
- Entry:
- ₩11,000
- Booking:
- No
- Nearest metro:
- Shuttle stop 5
- Walking:
- 2.5 km of garden paths, some slopes
- Crowds:
- Low on weekdays
Photography: The best light is 15:30–16:30; in December–March the lighting festival runs until 21:00
Local tip: If you're here in winter, stay for the illumination and take the later train — it's the highlight of the whole day trip
Google Maps: search “Garden of Morning Calm, Seoul”
Dinner
- •Back in Seoul: Mapo Jeong Daepo — grilled pork belly with the famous egg moat
- •₩27,000pp (£15.50)
- •Reserve on Catch Table or arrive before 19:30
- •Order: samgyeopsal, doeji galbi, cold noodles
Evening
- •Sunset: from the train window on the way back
- •Night photography: rest tonight — tomorrow's departure is early
- •Market: skip
- •Relaxed option: a foot massage in Myeongdong (₩30,000 for 40 mins)
- •Last train from Gapyeong: 21:40 — do not miss it, taxis back to Seoul are ₩80,000+
- •Taxi: station to hotel ₩8,000
Today's budget
- Food
- ₩49,000
- Coffee
- ₩7,000
- Transport
- ₩28,000
- Activities
- ₩39,000
- Shopping
- ₩10,000
- Total
- ₩133,000 / £78
Ready for tomorrow
- •Book: airport bus or AREX seat if you have a morning flight
- •Weather: irrelevant — mostly indoors and transit
- •Depart hotel by 09:00 for late flights, 06:30 for morning flights
- •Wear: layers you can shed at the airport
- •Prepare: pack tonight, separate liquids, keep tax-refund receipts and unopened purchases accessible
Day 7 · Central Seoul → Incheon
Last morning, tax refunds and the journey home
Walking
4.0 km
Steps
≈ 6,000
Budget
£55 / ₩94,000
Weather
Mostly indoors
Transport
AREX or 6015 bus
Pace
Easy
- A final proper Korean breakfast
- Last-minute skincare and tax refund
- A stress-free airport run
Why this order: The last day is built backwards from your flight. Everything here is within 15 minutes of a direct airport connection, so you can enjoy the morning without watching the clock.
Breakfast
- •Isaac Toast, Myeongdong
- •₩6,500 (£3.70)
- •Must-order: ham special toast + strawberry milk
- •Opens 07:00
Coffee stop
- •Café: Fritz Coffee Myeongdong branch
- •Signature: Old Dog filter, plus a bag of beans to take home
- •Queue: 10 mins
- •Best seating: window counter
Morning
Namdaemun Market — final souvenirs
- Time needed:
- 1.5 hrs
- Entry:
- Free
- Booking:
- No
- Nearest metro:
- Hoehyeon (Line 4), exit 5
- Walking:
- 2 mins
- Crowds:
- Busy but easy
Photography: Overhead stall canopies from the market's main crossroads
Local tip: Aisle 'Kalguksu Alley' does a ₩7,000 noodle lunch that beats anything at the airport
Google Maps: search “Namdaemun Market — final souvenirs, Seoul”
Olive Young flagship — skincare restock + tax refund
- Time needed:
- 1 hr
- Entry:
- Budget ₩60,000
- Booking:
- No
- Nearest metro:
- Myeongdong exit 6
- Walking:
- 6 mins
- Crowds:
- High after 11:00
Photography: —
Local tip: Spend over ₩30,000 in one transaction, show your passport, and claim the refund at the airport kiosk — roughly 7% back
Google Maps: search “Olive Young flagship — skincare restock + tax refund, Seoul”
Lunch
- •Myeongdong Kyoja (if you skipped it on Day 1) or airport-side Korean food court
- •₩12,000 (£7)
- •Walk-in
- •Order: mandu dumplings and kalguksu
Practicalities & alternatives
- •Arrive at Incheon 3 hours before international departures — the walk to the far gates alone is 20 minutes
- •Tax refund kiosks are before security in Terminal 1, level 3, near check-in counter J
- •Spend leftover won at the airport CU or on the Incheon transit hotel spa
- •Rain alternative: the entire day is indoor-friendly
- •Convenience store: CU inside Incheon T1 departures, cheapest place for last-minute gifts
Afternoon
Hotel pickup of stored bags and final packing
- Time needed:
- 45 mins
- Entry:
- —
- Booking:
- Arrange luggage storage at checkout
- Nearest metro:
- —
- Walking:
- —
- Crowds:
- —
Photography: —
Local tip: Most Seoul hotels store bags free after checkout — use it and keep your morning light
Google Maps: search “Hotel pickup of stored bags and final packing, Seoul”
Airport transfer: AREX from Seoul Station or 6015 bus from Myeongdong
- Time needed:
- 45–70 mins
- Entry:
- ₩11,000 train / ₩17,000 bus
- Booking:
- No
- Nearest metro:
- Seoul Station (Line 1/4) for AREX
- Walking:
- AREX platform is a 7-min walk inside Seoul Station
- Crowds:
- Both fine outside 07:00–09:00
Photography: —
Local tip: Take the bus if you have big luggage and are staying in Myeongdong — it's door to terminal with no stairs
Google Maps: search “Airport transfer: AREX from Seoul Station or 6015 bus from Myeongdong, Seoul”
Dinner
- •Onboard, or Incheon's 4th-floor food street (₩14,000 for bibimbap)
- •₩14,000
- •No bookings
- •Order: bibimbap or a last bowl of kalguksu
Evening
- •Departure — enjoy the flight
- •If you have a long layover, Incheon's free transit tours run to the city and are genuinely good
- •Spa on Air in T1 has showers and sleeping pods (₩30,000)
- •Keep ₩10,000 in coins in case you return
- •Nothing else to plan — you're done
Today's budget
- Food
- ₩32,500
- Coffee
- ₩7,000
- Transport
- ₩17,000
- Activities
- ₩0
- Shopping
- ₩60,000 (refundable ~7%)
- Total
- ₩116,500 / £68
Ready for tomorrow
- •Home. Leave a review, and tell us where you'd like to go next.
Restaurant guide
Every place recommended in this itinerary
| Restaurant | Cuisine | Average | Must-order | Hours | Reservations | Vegetarian |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Myeongdong Kyoja | Korean noodles | ₩12,000 | Kalguksu | 10:30–21:30 | No bookings, fast turnover | Limited |
| Yeontabal BBQ | Korean BBQ | ₩28,000 | Samgyeopsal | 11:00–23:00 | Catch Table app | Poor |
| Tosokchon Samgyetang | Ginseng chicken | ₩20,000 | Samgyetang | 10:00–22:00 | Walk-in only | No |
| Gwangjang Market stalls | Street food | ₩18,000 | Bindaetteok | 09:00–23:00 | None | Good — pancakes, gimbap |
| Gopchang Jeongol (Hongdae) | Grilled offal | ₩26,000 | Gopchang | 17:00–02:00 | Arrive by 18:00 | No |
| Yeonnam Seoul Mapo Galbi | Korean BBQ | ₩17,000 | Mapo galbi | 11:30–23:00 | Walk-in | Poor |
| Seongsu Galbi | Korean BBQ | ₩16,000 lunch set | Ribs lunch set | 11:30–22:00 | Not needed at lunch | Poor |
| Jinokhwa Halmae Dakhanmari | Chicken hotpot | ₩24,000 | Dakhanmari | 10:30–23:00 | Queue after 19:00 | No |
| Euljiro Nogari Alley | Beer & snacks | ₩20,000 | Nogari + Cass | 17:00–01:00 | None | Some |
| Mapo Jeong Daepo | Korean BBQ | ₩27,000 | Egg-moat samgyeopsal | 11:30–00:00 | Catch Table | Poor |
| Gapyeong Dak-galbi | Spicy chicken | ₩15,000 | Dak-galbi + fried rice | 10:00–21:00 | Walk-in | No |
| Isaac Toast | Breakfast toast | ₩6,500 | Ham special | 07:00–19:00 | None | Yes |
| Egg Drop | Breakfast sandwiches | ₩7,500 | Bacon cheylo | 08:00–21:00 | None | Yes |
| Café Onion (Anguk / Seongsu) | Bakery café | ₩13,000 | Pandoro | 08:00–22:00 | None | Yes |
| Fritz Coffee Company | Speciality coffee | ₩8,000 | Old Dog filter | 08:00–21:00 | None | Yes |
Shopping & transport
Buying well and moving fast
Best shopping streets
- •Myeongdong — skincare, street food, tourist-friendly
- •Hongdae — street style, vintage, accessories
- •Seongsu — sneakers, design, concept stores
- •Garosu-gil (Gangnam) — premium fashion
- •Insadong — ceramics, tea, traditional crafts
- •Namdaemun — bulk souvenirs, kitchenware
Skincare & souvenirs
- •Olive Young — cheapest and widest range, tax-free desks in flagships
- •Innisfree / Etude flagship stores for gift sets
- •Object & Zero Per Zero (Yeonnam) for design gifts
- •Osulloc for green tea
- •Best buys: sheet masks, sunscreen, gochujang, roasted seaweed, soju glasses, hanji stationery
Tax refunds & convenience stores
- •Spend ₩30,000+ in one transaction at a Tax Free shop
- •Show your passport at purchase, keep goods unopened
- •Claim at Incheon kiosks before security — about 7% back
- •CU, GS25 and 7-Eleven are on every corner, 24/7
- •Convenience stores do ATMs, parcel drop-offs and hot food
Metro & rail
- •Base fare ₩1,400, most journeys ₩1,400–₩1,800
- •Runs 05:30 to roughly midnight
- •English signage and announcements on every line
- •Free transfers between metro and bus within 30 mins
- •AREX to Incheon: Express ₩11,000, all-stop ₩4,750
Taxis & apps
- •Kakao T for taxis — works with a foreign card and no Korean needed
- •Base fare ₩4,800, typical city hop ₩7,000–₩12,000
- •40% surcharge after midnight on 'deluxe' black taxis
- •Naver Map beats Google Maps in Korea (Google's routing is restricted)
- •Papago for translation, Subway Korea for offline metro maps
Transport money-savers
- •T-Money is ~₩100 cheaper per ride than single tickets
- •Bus + metro transfers within 30 mins are almost free
- •Walk between Myeongdong, Jongno and Euljiro — it's 15 mins, not a metro ride
- •Ttareungi bike share: ₩1,000/hour
- •Refund your unused T-Money balance at any convenience store before flying
Language
20 Korean phrases worth knowing
Korean pronunciation is forgiving — attempting it will noticeably change how you're treated.
Hello
안녕하세요
an-nyeong-ha-se-yo
Thank you
감사합니다
gam-sa-ham-ni-da
Yes / No
네 / 아니요
ne / a-ni-yo
Excuse me (to get attention)
저기요
jeo-gi-yo
How much is it?
얼마예요?
eol-ma-ye-yo
Please give me this
이거 주세요
i-geo ju-se-yo
The bill, please
계산해 주세요
gye-san-hae ju-se-yo
Delicious!
맛있어요
ma-shi-sseo-yo
Not spicy, please
안 맵게 해주세요
an maep-ge hae-ju-se-yo
I'm vegetarian
저는 채식주의자예요
jeo-neun chae-shik-ju-ui-ja-ye-yo
Water, please
물 주세요
mul ju-se-yo
Where is the toilet?
화장실 어디예요?
hwa-jang-shil eo-di-ye-yo
Do you speak English?
영어 하세요?
yeong-eo ha-se-yo
I don't understand
잘 모르겠어요
jal mo-reu-ge-sseo-yo
Please stop here (taxi)
여기서 세워 주세요
yeo-gi-seo se-wo ju-se-yo
To this address, please
이 주소로 가주세요
i ju-so-ro ga-ju-se-yo
Can I pay by card?
카드 되나요?
ka-deu doe-na-yo
One more, please
하나 더 주세요
ha-na deo ju-se-yo
Sorry / Excuse me
죄송합니다
joe-song-ham-ni-da
Goodbye (to someone leaving)
안녕히 가세요
an-nyeong-hi ga-se-yo
FAQs
Everything first-timers ask
Is 7 days enough for South Korea?
For a first trip focused on Seoul, yes — comfortably. This route covers the historic core, the modern city, the DMZ and a countryside day trip without a single rushed morning. If you also want Busan or Jeju, you need 10–14 days; adding them to a week means spending two of your seven days in transit.
Do I need cash in Seoul?
Very little. Cards work almost everywhere, including taxis and convenience stores. Carry ₩50,000–₩100,000 for traditional markets, street-food stalls and small temple entries. Withdraw from Citibank, Woori or Hana ATMs — they reliably accept foreign cards.
Is the T-Money card worth it?
Absolutely. Buy one at any convenience store for ₩4,000, top up ₩30,000, and it covers every metro, bus and most taxis, with automatic transfer discounts. Without it you'll pay more and waste time buying single-journey tickets.
What's the best way from Incheon to the city?
AREX Express train (43 mins, ₩11,000) if you're near Seoul Station; the 6015 or 6001 limousine bus (60–80 mins, ₩17,000) if you're in Myeongdong or Hongdae with heavy luggage; a taxi only if you land after midnight (₩70,000–₩90,000).
Is Seoul walkable?
Neighbourhood by neighbourhood, yes — which is exactly how this itinerary is structured. Between neighbourhoods, use the metro: it's clean, cheap, English-signed and never more than 15 minutes between the areas in this plan.
Do I need to book restaurants?
Only the Korean BBQ places on Fridays and Saturdays. Use the Catch Table app, which works in English. Everywhere else in this itinerary is walk-in — the trick is timing, not booking: eat at 11:45 or 14:00 for lunch, 18:00 or 20:30 for dinner.
How much English is spoken?
Enough. All transport, museums and major restaurants have English signage or menus, and Papago handles the rest instantly with its camera translation. Older market vendors speak little English but are very used to gestures and calculators.
What should I book before I fly?
K-ETA (if required for your passport), the DMZ tour, the Changdeokgung Secret Garden slot, your eSIM, hotels, and travel insurance. Everything else can be arranged on the ground.
Is Seoul safe at night?
Exceptionally. Solo travellers, including women, routinely walk home at 2am. Standard precautions in nightlife areas are enough. The 1330 tourist hotline gives free 24/7 English help with anything from lost property to medical advice.
How do tax refunds work?
Spend ₩30,000+ in one transaction at a 'Tax Free' shop, show your passport, keep the receipt and the goods unopened, then claim at the Incheon kiosk before security. Expect roughly 7% back, refunded to your card or in cash.
The Asia Guide
Thank you — now go and enjoy Korea
Every restaurant, café and timing in this document has been chosen to save you planning hours and make your week in Seoul run smoothly. Print it, save it offline, and adapt it as you go — the best trips always drift a little from the plan.
If this made your trip easier, our premium itineraries for Japan, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia are built exactly the same way — or we'll handcraft one around your dates, budget and travel style.