Tips for First Trip to South Korea

Hi there!

I’m planning my very first trip soon, which will be to South Korea, and I’d love some advice and tips from people who’ve already been there.

I’ll be traveling in October with a friend, and we’re staying for a little over a month. We’ve planned to visit Seoul, Busan, and Jeju Island, and we’d also like to check out some traditional villages—but I’m not sure which ones yet? (I’ve seen names like Gyeongju, Jeonju, and Andong?) So, I’d really appreciate any recommendations on that, as well as how much time you’d suggest spending in each city to make the most of it 🙂 If you have other destinations to recommend, I’m all ears 😉

As for accommodations, is it better to book everything in advance, or is it possible to find something on the day for that same night? I’m a bit anxious about this since we haven’t finalized the dates for each city yet...

If you have any other tips on things I haven’t mentioned, don’t hesitate! I’m open to everything! 😏

Hi there,

It really depends on what you're interested in in Korea, but I’d recommend spending a good week in Seoul if you want to make the most of it and take the time to spend a day in Suwon. For Busan, plan for at least 3 to 4 days because the city is very spread out. The same goes for Jeju—at least 4 days, especially if you're getting around by public transport since the island is quite large and there’s a lot to see: beautiful walks, cute cafés, beaches, etc.

As for the other destinations mentioned, this is just my personal take, but I prefer Gyeongju to Jeonju because there’s so much more to see in the surrounding area (museums, temples, etc.). I think it’ll be more convenient if you want to go to Andong, for example, or even make a quick trip to Pohang by the sea. It’s one of the regions with the most historical sites to see in Korea.

For accommodation, keep in mind that autumn is a pretty busy tourist season in Korea, and many Koreans also travel to places like Busan and Gyeongju. If you want options and don’t want to end up with a windowless room, I’d recommend booking at least a little in advance—not the same day. Needless to say, it’s essential in Seoul, and make sure to check reviews! !

Hi Paula,

What a fantastic project, especially since you’ve planned a whole month—it’ll give you plenty of time to really enjoy it!

First, check out this discussion in post #6 where I shared the itineraries from my past trips and the upcoming one, along with some useful info. It should give you a good idea and answer some of your questions.

Choosing an Itinerary: Jeonju, Hahoe, Gyeongju, Suncheon Bay Nature Reserve, Boseon... | Forum: South Korea | Voyage Forum

For transportation, buses and trains have an excellent network. To help calculate travel times, you can use this site:

Rome2Rio: Discover How to Get Anywhere

If you’re planning to rent a car, make sure you have an international driver’s permit. Be mindful of the processing time in France—it usually takes several months. Mine took 9 months to arrive!

Start by planning your itinerary, which will then help you book accommodations. Spending your first week in Seoul is a great idea. Consider a day trip to Suwon from Seoul or even staying overnight if you’re a night owl 😉 Book through your usual platforms based on your preferences. There are accommodations for all budgets and standards, though you can find affordable options except in Seoul, where, like any capital, prices are a bit higher.

If you’re traveling by bus or train, try to stay near a station. That’s why it’s best to plan ahead—otherwise, you’ll be leaving things to chance for location and price on the day.

Be careful on Jeju Island—bus transportation (there’s no train) can be time-consuming and a bit tricky to understand. I highly recommend renting a car to make things easier.

From Seoul, note that it’s Gimpo Airport. There are 45-minute flights with several airlines departing almost every 5–10 minutes. It’s impressive to see so many flights—this is actually the busiest airline route in the world (14.2 million passengers in 2024, or nearly 39,000 per day). Flights are also available from other major cities.

Flight Schedule < Flights | JEJU INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT(영문)

Happy planning and reading!

Thanks so much for all your feedback!

When it comes to accommodation, keep in mind that autumn is a pretty touristy season in Korea, and lots of Koreans travel domestically too

Great point! I hadn’t even thought of that

To help you calculate travel times, you can use this site.

Rome2Rio: discover how to get anywhere in the world

Thanks! That’ll definitely come in handy 😉

Unfortunately, I’m planning this trip a bit last-minute, so I’ll have to skip the international driver’s permit. But I think I can manage with buses and trains—I’ve heard lots of good things about them. For Jeju, I was wondering: can you rent bikes once you’re there? It’d be slower than a car or bus, but it could be fun for a day

I think we’re going to focus on these cities for this first trip:

As for the itinerary, I’m still on the fence because there are three dates I *have* to be in Seoul (October 3rd, 25th, and 31st), so organizing everything is a bit tricky . Here’s what I’m thinking so far, but it’s still up in the air:



Don’t hesitate to share your thoughts!

but I think I can manage with buses and trains, I’ve heard a lot of positive things

No problem, they’re reliable and punctual.

For Jeju, I was wondering—can you rent bikes once you’re there? It’d be slower than a car or bus, but it could be fun for a day 😄

Yes, renting for a day is a great option. Jeju Island is 73 kilometers from east to west and 31 kilometers from north to south, with the stunning Hallasan Park right in the middle. Buses are your only choice for getting around. Plan to spend plenty of time there to enjoy it. On the far east side, Udo Islet is really nice, and you can rent "classic" or electric bikes.

I think we’ll go with these cities for this first trip:



Gangneung and the whole east coast are great. Even further north, starting from Sokcho.

Andong, with the nearby Hahoe Village, will need 2 to 3 days.

Gyeongju has a lot of charm, and you can rent bikes there too. Easily 3 days.

Busan is huge, and you’ll need to use public transport. Plan several days to enjoy it.

As for the itinerary, I’m still torn because there are 3 dates I absolutely want to spend in Seoul, so it’s a bit tricky to organize 🤪 (October 3rd, 25th, and 31st). I was thinking of this, but it’s still subject to change



Don’t hesitate to share your thoughts! 😏

With those fixed dates in Seoul, book your stops and accommodations with free cancellation for flexibility. Just note that flights to Jeju are usually non-refundable.