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South Korea
Discover South Korea: A 10‑Day Adventure 🌏
Planning on 7 days to explore South Korea? Think again—at least 10 days is ideal to journey from the vibrant streets of Seoul all the way down to coastal Busan and charming cultural stops along the way. Here's a comprehensive itinerary packed with culinary delights, transportation, accommodation, safety tips, and more.
🎯 Day 1–4: Seoul – Modern Culture Meets Tradition
Accommodation:
Budget hotels or guesthouses in Myeongdong or Hongdae, ~KRW 60,000–100,000/night (£36–£60). Mid-range hotels closer to KRW 100,000–150,000.
Highlights & Transport:
Gyeongbokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village, Insadong, N Seoul Tower — taxi from Insadong to N Seoul Tower (£9.50)
DMZ day trip: Organized tours ₩50,000 per person.
Culinary Bites:
Gwangjang Market – try bindaetteok (mung bean pancake) for ₩7,000.
Myeongdong street food – tteokbokki, hotteok, priced around ₩3,000 per snack.
Mid-range dining – BBQ restaurants offering grilled meats or seafood: ₩20,000 per person.
Tips:
Use T-money card for seamless travel on buses, metro, and taxis.
Seoul is very safe with low crime rates; usual precautions apply.
🚄 Day 5: From Seoul to Gyeongju via KTX
Catch the high-speed KTX train (2 h 15 min) from Seoul to Gyeongju:
One-way economy: (£42);
Round-trip economy
($104)First-class tickets can reach:$95 one-way koreantrain.com
In Gyeongju (historic Silla-era capital):
Accommodation: Hanok guesthouse ₩60,000/night.
Places to Visit: Bulguksa Temple, Seokguram Grotto, Tumuli Park. Entry ₩4,000 each.
Meals:
Local specialties like ssambap (wrap rice) and hanjeongsik
(full-course Korean meal): ₩15,000.
🏖️ Day 6–7: Busan – Coastal Delights
Hop on KTX (2.5 h from Gyeongju to Busan).
Accommodation:
Central Busan (Haeundae or Seomyeon): ₩80,000/night for mid-range hotels.
Sightseeing:
Jagalchi Market – fresh seafood lunch ~₩20,000–35,000
Gamcheon Culture Village, Haeundae Beach, Beomeosa Temple
Evening: beachside tent bars in Haeundae, experience local beer and octopus for ₩15,000–30,000.
Transport & Taxi Fares:
From Busan Station to central hotels 10-minute taxi: ₩7,000–10,000.
Local buses & metro are also efficient and cheap
Safety: Busan is very safe; be cautious near waterfront at night.
🔁 Day 8–9: En Route Back to Seoul with Stops
Use your KORAIL PASS or flexible KTX ticket to stop at:
Suwon (Hwaseong Fortress): taxi from station: ₩10,000–15,000;
Entry: ₩4,000–6,000.
Daegu or Ulsan: explore temples, food markets, local scenes en route back to Seoul.
Train segments:
Busan → Suwon → Seoul: covered by flexible round-trip ticket
🌆 Day 10: Final Day & Departure From Seoul
Last minute shopping & food:
Hongdae, Itaewon – international cuisine off streets; coffees & trendy cafes:₩5,000–10,000.
Insadong – tea houses, souvenirs; tea for ₩6,000–12,000.
Transfer to Airport (Incheon):
AREX Express Train: ~₩9,500 one-way, 43 min (Seoul Station → Incheon Airport).
Taxi to airport: (£40-£50).
Embark on a 10-day journey through South Korea’s heart and soul—starting in Seoul’s dynamic blend of tradition and modernity, venturing to the historic wonders of Gyeongju, and ending with coastal charm in Busan. This mid‑range itinerary balances comfort and culture, featuring boutique and traditional stays, famous street food and seafood markets, scenic bullet‑train rides, and easy taxi transfers. It’s the perfect guide for couples seeking immersive experiences—from palaces and temples to beaches and modern nightlife—without breaking the bank.
Gyeongbokgung Palace- Canva Pro
Beautiful Seoul City at the Sunset- Image: Canva Pro combined with Pexels)
Book your flights, hotels from here
💡 Travel Planning Tips
Bullet train (KTX): Comfortable and fast; book economy for best value.
Taxis: Start with a ~₩3,800 base fare; note: app-based taxis like KakaoTaxi available
Safety: South Korea is among the safest countries in Asia; stay aware in crowded tourist zones.
Currency: 1 £ ≈ ₩1,800, helpful to convert costs ahead.
Connectivity: Consider renting a portable Wi-Fi or SIM card at Incheon Airport.
📋 Quick Budget Summary (Per Person)
Category: Approx Cost - GBP Equivalent £
Accommodation (10 nights) £333–£667
Food & Drinks £195–£278
Transport (KTX + local) £111–£167
Activities & Entry Fees £56–£83
Airport Transfers £44
Total (₩1.33M–2.23M) £740–£1,239
🧭 Final Thoughts
Duration: 10 days offers a meaningful glimpse of modern cities, history, coastal beauty, and high-speed train travel.
Culinary: From street stalls to seafood markets, expect delicious variety at wallet-friendly prices.
Accommodations: Mix of traditional guesthouses and modern hotels supports local experience.
Transportation: Efficient public systems, KTX, and taxis make a seamless journey.
Your adventure in South Korea awaits—stay curious and enjoy every moment! 😊
🏨 Seoul (Days 1–4 + Day 10)
Hotel Options: with Hotel (Location) : Category & Price/Night
1. Roynet Hotel Seoul Mapo (Mapo): Mid‑range : (£33–44)
Nearby Attractions: Near Hongdae, Ewha Univ. subway
2. Henn na Hotel Myeongdong (Jung-gu):Mid‑range: (£44–66)
Nearby Attractions: Myeongdong shops, Jung‑gu attractions
3. Hotel28 Myeongdong (Jung-gu) : Boutique (£250)
Nearby Attractions: Steps from Myeongdong; cinema-themed décor
4. Voco Seoul Gangnam (Gangnam) Upper-mid: (£120–160)
Nearby Attractions: Gangnam shopping, Sinsa metro
Food Budget for Two (per day):
Breakfast: Cafes or hotel buffet: ₩15,000
Lunch: Local restaurants: ₩30,000–50,000
Dinner: BBQ or seafood: ₩60,000–100,000
Snacks & Drinks: ₩20,000–40,000
Total: GBP (£70–£123)
🏰 Gyeongju (Days 5–6)
Hotel Choices:
Lahan Select Gyeongju (4★):(£130)/night; lake view, on‑site eateries
Gyeongju Bonghwang Mansion (3★+ boutique):(£48); central
Cheaper Hanok-style pensions:
(₩50,000–100,000)
Nearby Attractions:
Bulguksa Temple, Seokguram Grotto – accessible by taxi/bus; entry ~₩4,000 each.
Food Budget for Two:
Breakfast (included)
Lunch & dinner: ₩80,000–120,000 (total)
🌊 Busan (Days 6–8)
Hotel Options:
Mid‑range hotels in Haeundae or Seomyeon (£55–83)/Per Night
Local Highlights:
Jagalchi Market, Gamcheon Culture Village, Haeundae Beach
Sample fresh seafood (~₩60,000–100,000 for two meals)
Taxi Costs:
Busan Station → central hotel: (£4–£6)
Food Budget for Two:
Breakfast: ₩20,000
Lunch & Dinner: ₩120,000
Snacks/beachside food/desserts: ₩20,000
💰 Budget Comparison (Per Night + Daily Food)
City: Hotel Price (per night) : Food Cost for Two
Seoul(mid-range):£44–66 : £70–123
Gyeongju (boutique): £48–£60
Busan (mid-range) £55–£120
🌐 Notes & Tips
Luxury vs Budget: Seoul offers wide hotel range (£26–£199) for mid-range & luxury
Boutique stays like Henn na or Hotel28 add character.
Traditional vs Modern: In Gyeongju, Hanok pensions (£27–£53) provide cultural ambiance at great value
Safety & Comfort: All cities are very safe. Using taxis or apps like Kakao Taxi makes regional transfers smooth.
How To Get A Taxi In Korea For Foreigners - Kakao Taxi App (From Google)
Download the application. Download the Kakao T app.
Choose the taxi. Open the app, and choose the Taxi.
Enter your address. Enter your location and the address you wish to go to.
Pick your options.
Pick with your payment.
Follow your Taxi
Meal Sharing: Korean meals are ideal for two; shared bbq, seafood platters, and banchan (side dishes) are designed to be enjoyed together.
Attraction Access: Many hotels are within 10–15 minutes of major sites—taxis usually cost ₩7,000 depending on distance.
Seoul Tower in the Autumn - Image from Canva -Pro
Book your hotels from here: Reliable, safe trustworthy- Expedia
🧾 Cost Breakdown (Couple, 10 Days)
1. Accommodation (10 nights)
Seoul (5 nights): Mid-range hotels at: £556 (average)
Gyeongju (2 nights): Traditional Hanok/hotels: £89
Busan (3 nights): Mid-range near beach: £208
Accommodation subtotal: £853
2. Food & Drinks
Daily estimate for two: ₩145,000–200,000
Over 10 days: ~₩1,750,000
(average £972 )
3. Transportation
a) Bullet Trains (KTX)
Seoul ↔ Gyeongju
Return: £133
yeongju → Busan one-way: £56
Busan → Seoul via flexible ticket/trains:£56
b) Airport Transfers
Incheon Express Train (Seoul): per couple: £10.50
Gimhae Busan Metro/bus: £3.30
c) Local Taxis & Public Transport
Approx. 4–5 taxi rides: £111
Transport subtotal: £367
4. Attractions & Entertainment
Attraction / Activity: Cost (couple)
Seoul palaces, hanok areas: ₩40,000
DMZ tour or local experiences: ₩80,000
Gyeongju sites (temples) : ₩16,000
Busan tourist sites : ₩30,000
Noraebang/bars/light-fun: ₩100,000
Entertainment subtotal: (₩266,000)£148
5. Extras & Buffer
Snacks, souvenirs, SIM/Wi-Fi rental, occasional spa or beauty sessions
£111
🧮 Grand Total (Per Couple)
Category : £ Equivalent
Accommodation: £853
Food & Drinks : £972
Transport: £367
Attractions & Fun: £148
Extras & Buffer : £111
Total: £2,451
✅ Final Summary:
Estimated total for a couple on a 10-day exploratory journey in Korea (Seoul, Gyeongju, Busan) is: £2,450
covering:
Accommodation (mid-range)
All meals and snacks
Bullet‑train travel
Arrow‑fast airport transfers
Sightseeing and entertainment
Taxi rides & buffer expenses
💡 Pro Tips:
Save by taking occasional buses instead of taxis.
Use tourist passes on subways.
Enjoy free attractions like Hanok villages and parks.
Plan ticket bookings (especially DMZ tours) in advance.
Bring spare cash—card acceptance abroad can be inconsistent
Resources Used: Blog posts & https://korean.visitkorea.or.kr/main/main.do Travelpayouts
Kayak.com Trip.com https://korean.visitkorea.or.kr/main/main.do and Hotels.com
The Korea Train eXpress (KTX), from Seoul to Busan.
