7 Day Seoul and Busan Itinerary
TL;DR
You have 1 week to visit Seoul and Busan, we have the perfect itinerary for you!
If you only have 7 days (or less) to explore South Korea, Seoul and Busan are the perfect city combination. Seoul is the capital and Busan adds some beach vibes to your trip. Plus travel between these two cities is super quick and convenient.
For our 7-day Seoul and Busan itinerary, we suggest spending
- 4 days in Seoul
- 3 days in Busan
1 Week Seoul and Busan Itinerary
- This is where we stayed in Seoul.
- This is where we stayed in Busan.
- This is our complete South Korea itinerary.
Day 1: Seoul – History and Culture
Start with the historical highlights of the city:
- Palaces like Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, and Changgyeonggung Palace.
- Historical Hanok villages like Bukchon Hanok Village or Ikseon-dong Hanok Village.
- Seoul’s shrines and temples like Jongmyo and Jogyesa.
- Museums like the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History and the National Folk Museum of Korea.
We have written a complete 4 day Seoul itinerary (including a map) if you want more details!
Day 2: Seoul – Gangnam, Hongdae, and Itaewon
Today, it’s time to explore some of the vibrant neighbourhoods of Seoul.
First, make your way to Gangnam. Check out Bongeunsa Temple, COEX Mall with Starfield Library as well as the Statue of Gangnam Style.
Next, hop on the train to Hongdae. While it’s not full of sights, it’s a very young neighbourhood full of cafes, restaurants, and boutiques. Stroll down Hongdae Street and try some of the street food.
Last but not least, head to Itaewon, Seoul’s international district. Check out Little Vietnam, Little Arabia or World Food Street. This is also the prime pub crawl destination in Seoul.
Day 3: Seoul – Day Trip to DMZ
Personally, we think a tour of the DMZ, the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea, belongs on every Korea bucketlist.
We visited
- 3rd Invasion tunnel
- Dora Observatory
- Imjingak
- Unification Village
- Mt. Gamaksan Suspension Bridge
with DMZ Adventure and can fully recommend it.
We have written a complete review of our DMZ Tour from Seoul.
Day 4: Seoul – Modern Seoul
Head to Gwangjang Market to indulge in some delicious Korean street food.
Next, explore more of modern Seoul. Stroll down the Cheonggyecheon Stream, visit art and history at the DDP (Dongdaemun Design Plaza), and check out Myeongdong, one of Seoul's main shopping and tourism districts.
Admire the 360° views from Namsan Seoul Tower before you hop on the train to Busan!
Day 5: Busan – Downtown, Gamcheon, and Songdo
Start your day by exploring the markets and shopping streets of downtown Busan and enjoying the 360° views from Busan Tower.
Make your way up the hill to Gamcheon Culture Village where you can enjoy colourful houses, alleys, street art, and views.
Next, head to Songdo Beach. Maybe take the Busan Air Cruise cable car to Amman Park.
We have written a full 2 day Busan itinerary (including a map) for more details!
Itinerary
2 Day Busan Itinerary + Map
You have 2 Days in Busan, we have the perfect itinerary for Busan!
Carina
Day 6: Busan – Day Trip to Gyeongju
Gyeongju was the old capital of the ancient kingdom of Silla which covered almost all of recent Korea and is also known as “museum without walls”.
You can hop on the quick 30-minute train from Busan to Gyeongju or take a guided tour.
The highlights of central Gyeongju are within walking distance:
- Daereunwong Tomb Complex
- Gyeongju Gyochon Traditional Village & Woljeong Bridge
- Gyeongju National Museum
- Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond
If you want to visit Bulguksa Temple which is considered a masterpiece of the golden age of Buddhist art in the Silla kingdom, you need a second day or opt for a guided tour.
We have written a complete Gyeongju travel guide for more information.
Day 6: Busan – Haeundae
Haeundae Beach is one of the most famous beaches in South Korea. It’s also where Busan X the Sky, Korea’s second tallest building, is located.
From Blueline Park, you can take a scenic ride up the coast via the Haeundae Beach Train or Haeundae Sky Capsule.
Seoul and Busan Itinerary FAQ
Busan vs Seoul
If you only have time to visit one city in South Korea, it makes sense to visit Seoul as it’s A) the capital and B) the transportation hub of the country.
If you have more time, Seoul and Busan are the perfect combination. It’s easy to travel between the two largest cities in Korea and Busan.
Busan treats you with some great beach vibes and is the perfect base for a day trip to the old capital Gyeongju.
How Many Days in Seoul and Busan Do You Need?
We absolutely fell in love with Seoul, hence we would recommend spending
- 4 days in Seoul (including a day trip to the DMZ)
- 3 days in Busan (including a day trip to Gyeongju)
How to Get From Seoul to Busan
We think taking the train is the better option to go from Seoul to Busan:
Seoul to Busan Train
Express trains from Seoul to Busan leave at least every 30 minutes throughout the day. The train takes 2.5 to 3 hours and the tickets cost around 40$.
You can check the train schedule here.
Seoul to Busan Bus
Buses from Seoul to Busan leave roughly once per hour throughout the day. The ride takes roughly 5 hours and the tickets cost around 30$.
You can check the bus schedule here.
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