City itineraries for Seoul, Busan, Jeju and beyond, plus transport, accommodation and seasonal travel tips.
Staying in Seoul for a few days? Spend at least one of them outside the city. This guide covers day trips you can reach by subway (Suwon, Incheon), by train (Nami Island, Chuncheon, Gangneung, Jeonju) and by official tour (the DMZ), with transport tips and suggested routes.
What do you need to prepare before a trip to Korea? We cover documents and electronic travel authorisation to check before entry, the map, transport, translation, taxi and delivery apps you'll need in Korea, USIM and eSIM, payment methods, voltage and plugs, and emergency numbers — a pre-departure checklist.
The deepest way to experience Korean tradition is to spend a night inside it. We cover what hanok stays are like and where to find them, how to sleep in an ondol room, temple stay programmes and daily schedules, how to book and what to bring, and the etiquette to follow.
How much does a trip to Korea cost? We cover types of accommodation, price ranges for meals and cafés, transport cards and public transport, admission fees, shopping and mobile data, how to budget by travel style, and realistic tips for saving money.
The palaces of the Joseon dynasty are the heart of Seoul, a capital for 600 years. We cover each palace's history and highlights, the guard-changing ceremony and Changdeokgung's Secret Garden, night openings, combination tickets, free entry in hanbok, a one-day route and etiquette.
When should you go to Korea? We cover approximate timings for spring cherry blossoms and autumn foliage, the summer monsoon and beaches, winter snow and skiing — with weather, sights, festivals, what to wear and travel tips for every season.
Gyeongju is often called a museum without walls. We cover the main sights — Bulguksa and Seokguram, Daereungwon and Cheomseongdae, the night view of Donggung and Wolji, Hwangnidan-gil and Bomun Lake — plus transport, itineraries, food and where to stay.
Korea is famous for its convenient public transport. From buying a transport card to riding the subway and buses, transfer discounts, taxis and ride apps, KTX and express buses between cities, domestic flights and rental cars — all in one guide.
Hallasan and Seongsan Ilchulbong, emerald beaches and oreum cones, haenyeo divers and dol hareubang statues — a first-timer's guide to Jeju with sights by region, a four-day itinerary, car and bus tips and must-eat foods.
The seas of Haeundae and Gwangalli, the colourful alleys of Gamcheon Culture Village, the bustle of Jagalchi Market — a guide for first-time visitors to Busan with neighbourhoods, a three-day route, must-eat foods and transport tips.
Palaces and hanok villages, markets and the Han River, trendy café streets — a four-day Seoul itinerary for first-time visitors that keeps travel time to a minimum, plus where to stay, how to get around and what it costs.
