Seoul City Guide
Plan a Trip to Seoul: the Decisions, in Order
Seoul plan your trip guides usually list sixty things; in practice there are six decisions that matter, and this page puts them in order with the numbers behind each, checked in Q3 2026. Everything it links to sits under the Seoul city guide homepage.
Quick answer Six decisions, in the order they need making
Planning Seoul is unusually simple. Come for three days minimum, in late September to early November or in May if you can. Stay in Jongno or Myeongdong. Book the Huwon garden and, if you want it, a DMZ tour — nothing else. Buy a transport card on arrival. Budget about ₩44,000 a day before your room. Check whether you need a K-ETA, and in 2026 you probably do not.
Key takeaways
- The single most useful planning fact: Gyeongbokgung closes Tuesdays and the other palaces Mondays.
- Do not book a fourth day in the city — book a day trip instead.
- Install Naver Map before you fly. Google Maps does not route on foot in Korea.
The Six Decisions
In the order they need making, with the page that answers each and the short version of the answer, checked in Q3 2026.
| Decision | Short answer | Where the detail is |
|---|---|---|
| When to go | Late September–early November, or May. November is the quiet version | Best time to visit |
| How many days | Three minimum; a fourth for a day trip | Three days, routed |
| Where to stay | Jongno or Myeongdong for a first trip | Where to stay |
| What to book | The Huwon garden, and a DMZ tour if you want one | Tickets |
| What it costs | About ₩44,000 a day plus your room | Seoul costs |
| Getting around | A transport card; ₩1,550 a ride; Naver Map | Getting around |
Everything else — palaces, museums, markets, towers, food — can be decided on the morning of the day itself. Seoul rewards improvisation more than most cities because so little of it requires a reservation.
Before You Fly
Check the K-ETA position. The travel authorisation is waived for the listed countries from 1 January to 31 December 2026. You may still apply for about US$7–8 to skip the paper arrival card. The official notice and who is not covered.
Sort out data. An eSIM installed before departure activates on landing; a physical SIM or a pocket router is collected at Incheon. You will need one — Naver Map, Kakao T and translation all require a connection.
Install Naver Map or KakaoMap. Google Maps does not give walking directions in Korea, and this catches out almost every first-time visitor.
Book the two things. The Huwon garden session at 10:00 six days before your visit, and a DMZ tour two or three days ahead with passport details.
Book accommodation early if you are travelling in autumn. Late September to early November is Korea's own travel peak.
The First Hour in Korea
Three things at the airport, in this order.
A transport card. T-money from any convenience store for ₩2,500 to ₩4,000, loaded with cash at the counter. It pays for the all-stop airport train, every metro and bus ride afterwards, most convenience-store purchases and taxis. Bundles that add a SIM start around $12.
Data, if you have not sorted it already.
The right train. The all-stop AREX runs on your new card and stops at Hongik University, Gongdeok and Digital Media City — closer to most hotels than Seoul Station. The express is ₩13,000 and reserved. Airport options compared.
After that, nothing is urgent. Seoul has no ticket queues worth planning around and no attraction that sells out on the day.
The Planning Pages
The five pages that answer everything on this list.
Best time to visit
Seasons against crowds and prices: when to visit Seoul.
- Autumn peaks
- November underrated
- August cheapest
Where to stay
Six areas ranked by journey time: where to stay in Seoul.
- Jongno walks to the palaces
- Hongdae for value
- Gangnam only for a reason
Getting around
Cards, fares, transfers, last trains: getting around Seoul.
- Metro ₩1,550
- Free transfers in 30 min
- 30-day Climate Card withdrawn
What it costs
Three budgets priced: Seoul travel costs.
- Careful ₩24,000
- Normal ₩44,000
- No tipping anywhere
Three days, routed
The itinerary this all builds to: three days in Seoul.
- Two palace mornings
- One modern day
- Free museum evening
The Bookings Worth Making
Four listings that solve arrival, the border and the palace morning — the only parts of a Seoul trip that reward advance planning. Ratings and prices are the operators' own figures, checked in Q3 2026.
from $11.99
Incheon Airport: Traveler SIM & T-money Transportation Card
Enjoy unlimited 4G data while you are traveling in Korea. Stay online with a stable, high-speed.
Check Availability
from $45
Seoul: DMZ, The 3rd Tunnel and Suspension Bridge Tour Option
Take a guided tour from Seoul to explore the DMZ, the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel, Dora Observatory, and the Mt. Gamak Suspension.
Check Availability
from $7.31
Seoul: Hanbok Rental with Gyeongbokgung Palace Entry
Wear a Korean Hanbok and explore Gyeongbokgung Palace with this experience. Choose your preferred Hanbok, match your hairstyle to the Hanbok, and discover the nearby.
Check Availability
from $92.89
Seoul: Private Transfer To/From Incheon Airport
Travel with ease between Incheon International Airport and Seoul at an affordable price. Meet your driver at your hotel or arrival gate, then sit back and enjoy a smooth, worry-free.
Check AvailabilityPrices, ratings and details are the platform's own, checked in Q3 2026; dollar figures are the listed prices — the platform bills in your account's currency.
Planning Questions
How many days do I need in Seoul?
Three as a minimum for a first visit, four if you want a day trip. The planner on the homepage counts it out by half-days.
What do I need to book in advance for Seoul?
Two things: the Huwon garden session at Changdeokgung, released six days ahead, and a DMZ tour if you want one. Everything else is walk-up.
Do I need a visa or K-ETA for Korea?
K-ETA is waived for the listed visa-free countries through 31 December 2026. If you need a visa, that replaces it. Details and the official notice.
What is the best month to visit Seoul?
October for the weather and the foliage, or May for spring. Both are peak season; the first half of November gives similar weather with far fewer people.
How much should I budget for Seoul?
About ₩44,000 a head a day — roughly $32 — for transport, a sight, lunch and dinner, before accommodation. The costs page has three budget levels.
What is the one thing first-timers get wrong?
The closing days. Gyeongbokgung and Jongmyo close on Tuesdays, the other palaces on Mondays, and an itinerary built on the wrong day loses a morning.
Reviewed Q3 2026 (July–September 2026); next review Q4 2026. Prices, hours and terms are set by the venue or operator and confirmed at checkout.
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