Should I book everything in advance for South Korea?

Hello,

I’ll be buying my ticket to South Korea soon and I’m wondering if it’s possible to improvise once I’m there.

It’s a two-month trip in July and August. I know it’s not the best time to visit South Korea (weather-wise), so it’s the low season, but I imagine there’ll still be tourists since it’s school holidays in Europe and other countries. Is it advisable to book hotels and trains well in advance (and possibly museum entries and other tourist spots)?

I really don’t like booking weeks in advance, and for a two-month trip, it’s complicated to plan everything.

Usually, I book the first few nights in the country ahead of time, then reserve a hotel two or three days before—or even the day before—and for trains and buses, I just go to the station and take the first one leaving. For museums and other tourist spots, I buy the ticket at the counter.

I’d like to travel this way in South Korea, but is it easy to do, or will I struggle?

Thanks in advance.

Hi Marie,

As you mentioned, July is generally less popular because it’s humid compared to August, which can get really hot (35°C but feels like 40°C). Still, Western travelers come anyway since some people don’t have much choice about when to go.

Booking your first and last nights in Seoul with free cancellation is a good safety net. If you’re heading to Seoraksan Park, since there aren’t many accommodations right in the heart of the park, it’s best to plan ahead—especially to avoid weekends. The same goes for Jirisan Park. For the rest of the country, you’ll always find something.

For trains, buses, and entry tickets, you can figure it out once you’re there.

If you’re going to Jeju, there are flights from Seoul Gimpo (the other airport) almost every 5–10 minutes with both regular and low-cost airlines. There are also plenty of flights from other Korean cities.

Awesome, that reassures me!

Thanks for the details about the parks and Jeju Island. I was a bit worried about the latter because it seems really touristy, but if there are several flights a day, that should be fine.

Thanks again and have a great evening.