Seoul

Neighborhoods, food, palaces, and practical advice for planning your first trip to Korea’s capital.

Best months
April–May and September–October
Time needed
4–7 days
Typical daily cost
₩180,000 per person
Checked August 2026
Getting there
Incheon (ICN) or Gimpo (GMP)

Start here

Three guides that answer most of it

If you read nothing else before you book, read these. They cover the route, places to stay, and transportation.

  • Itineraries

    The 5-day Seoul itinerary

    A day-by-day route that keeps travel time short and puts the palaces, the markets and one late night in an order that actually works.

  • Plan a Trip

    Where to stay in Seoul

    Myeongdong, Hongdae, Ikseon-dong and Gangnam compared by who each one actually suits – not by which has the tallest hotels.

  • Plan a Trip

    Getting around Seoul

    T-money (티머니), the subway, buses and the two situations where a taxi is genuinely worth the extra.

Plan your trip

Seoul itineraries

Start with a route. Once you know how long you have and roughly where you are going each day, every other guide on this page slots into place.

Beyond the Basics: 3 to 5-day Seoul Itinerary
Seoul Harold Larson Seoul Harold Larson

Beyond the Basics: 3 to 5-day Seoul Itinerary

Five days is enough to see Seoul properly. This is the route of my favorite places in Seoul that skips the major tourist spots. It’s structured by location so that you don’t find yourself crossing Seoul multiple times in the same day.

Read More