South Korea Itineraries

The best places to visit in South Korea depend on what you’d like to get out of your holiday. Most trips start in lively Seoul, where ancient palaces, traditional neighbourhoods and modern city life come together. From here, head to Sokcho and Seoraksan National Park for mountain scenery and hiking, before travelling south to historic Gyeongju, where ancient tombs, temples and traditional villages bring Korea’s history to life.

Further south, Busan is a great place to soak up coastal Korea, with beaches, colourful neighbourhoods and bustling markets. And for something completely different, head to Jeju Island to explore volcanic landscapes, waterfalls and coastal trails at your own pace. Take a look at our ready-made itineraries for suggested routes, or get in touch and we’ll talk through the options with you.

The best way to travel around South Korea is a mix of fast KTX trains, comfortable buses and the occasional domestic flight. The public transport network is excellent, making it easy to travel between the main cities and regions, while we’ll arrange private transfers where they make sense. In cities, local buses and subways are easy to use with a T-money card, so you can get around independently too. We’ll include the transport you need in your travel plan, so you can sit back and enjoy the journey.

Short-term visitors (less than 90 days) with British citizen passports do not need to obtain a visa prior to travelling. This includes those coming for business, tourism, and to visit family and friends. You will need to complete a free online e-Arrival Card up to 72 hours before you land and you will need proof of your outward or return travel from South Korea.

Handy Hint: before departure make copies of your passport, bank cards and insurance documents and leave them with family or friends in the UK. Also keep a copy in your luggage, in a separate place from your original documents, and e-mail yourself scanned copies too. This will make things easy if you lose any paperwork during your visit.

The best time to visit South Korea is during spring (April–May) or autumn (September–November), when the weather is mild, the humidity drops, and the country is at its most photogenic…think cherry blossoms in spring and fiery maple leaves in autumn. South Korea is a genuine four-season destination though, and each one gives you a completely different trip, so there’s a good case for visiting at any time of year, whether it’s catching the tail end of the ski season in a mountain resort or joining locals for a steaming bowl of soup on a snowy Seoul evening.

Absolutely. A family holiday here has something for every age. For younger children, there are plenty of parks, playgrounds and non-strenuous city sightseeing tours, along with cable cars and quiet temple visits in the mountains. Older kids and teens can enjoy some gentle cycling along the coast, tasting street food at local markets, hiking in national parks and sleeping in a traditional hanok. Whatever you choose, there’ll be lots of options for all the family.