Ten days is the right amount of time for a first trip to Korea — enough to get past the surface, not so much that you’re filling time. This itinerary covers the four regions that define the country: Seoul’s urban density, Gyeongju’s ancient Silla heritage, Busan’s coastal personality, and Jeju’s volcanic island world. We’ve added Jeonju as a food-focused overnight on the way back because skipping Korea’s food capital would be a crime.
We’ve run this route ourselves, adjusted the timing based on real mistakes, and priced everything honestly. The approximate total cost is ₩800,000-1,200,000 ($600-900 USD) for accommodation and transport over 10 days, excluding food, activities, and shopping.
Days 1-3: Seoul
Getting There: Most international flights land at Incheon International Airport (ICN). Take the AREX Express Train (43 min, ₩9,500) or Airport Limousine Bus to your hotel area. Get your T-money card and USIM at the airport arrivals hall before leaving.
Where to Stay: Myeongdong or Insadong area puts you in walking distance of Gyeongbokgung, N Seoul Tower, and the metro connections you’ll use for everything else.
Day 1 — Arrive & Recover Arrive, settle in, walk Myeongdong street food corridor for dinner. Tteokbokki, hotteok, mandu — eat everything, spend ₩15,000.
Day 2 — Palaces, Hanok, and a View
- 9 AM: Gyeongbokgung Palace (₩3,000, 2 hrs). Changing of the guard at 10 AM. Rent hanbok at the east gate for free entry if you want photos.
- 11:30 AM: Walk 10 minutes east to Bukchon Hanok Village (free, 1.5 hrs). Up Gahoe-ro 11-gil for the classic view.
- 1 PM: Lunch at Insadong — Tosokchon samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup, ₩18,000) or Sanchon Buddhist temple food (₩33,000 for the full set).
- 3 PM: N Seoul Tower cable car and observation deck (₩21,000, 1.5 hrs).
- Evening: Myeongdong shopping and street food.
Day 3 — Han River and Authentic Seoul
- Morning: Yeouido Hangang Park — cherry blossoms if it’s April, or river cycling any time (₩3,000/hr bike rental).
- Lunch: Gwangjang Market for bindaetteok (mung bean pancake, ₩6,000) and yukhoe beef tartare.
- Afternoon: Choice — Hongdae (art, youth culture, independent shops), or Ikseon-dong (converted hanok alley with coffee shops and cocktail bars).
- Evening: Korean BBQ dinner in Mapo-gu — Galmaegi-sal (pork skirt steak) on the restaurant street near Mapo Station. ₩20,000-25,000/person.
Optional Day 3 Alternative — DMZ Day Trip If you have a fourth Seoul day, the DMZ tour is the single most unique experience in Korea. Organized tours with JSA access run ₩100,000-130,000. Bring your passport — required. Book in advance.
Day 4: Seoul → Gyeongju by KTX
Transport: KTX from Seoul Station to Singyeongju Station (2 hours, ₩43,000-58,000). Note: Singyeongju is the KTX station, 20 min from Gyeongju city center by Bus 700 or taxi (₩7,000).
Day 4 — Ancient Silla Kingdom
Arrive by noon, check in, then:
- 1 PM: Bulguksa Temple (Bus 10 or 11 from bus terminal, ₩6,000, 2 hrs). The masterpiece of Silla Buddhist architecture. Go early — tour groups arrive at 10 AM, so arriving at 1 PM avoids the morning rush.
- 4 PM: Cheomseongdae Observatory (free, 30 min). The oldest surviving astronomical observatory in East Asia. In the middle of the city, easy to combine with a walk through the tumuli park.
- 5 PM: Daereungwon Tumuli Park — cycle or walk through the 23 royal burial mounds as the light softens (₩3,000).
- Evening: Anapji Pond illuminated after 7 PM (₩3,000). The water reflects the reconstructed Silla palace buildings in an unforgettable light display.
- Dinner: Gyeongju bopbap set meal near Anapji Pond (₩15,000-20,000).
Day 5: Gyeongju → Busan
Transport: Mugunghwa or ITX train from Gyeongju Station to Busan Station (1 hour, ₩5,500).
Start early:
- 8:30 AM: Seokguram Grotto — take the shuttle bus from Bulguksa (₩1,200). UNESCO 8th-century granite Buddha shrine. Arrive before 10 AM to beat the tour buses. ₩6,000.
- 11:30 AM: Train to Busan.
- 1 PM: Check in and lunch — Gamcheon Culture Village first (Bus 2 or 2-2 from Toseong Station, free entry to village, allow 2-3 hrs).
- Evening: Jagalchi Fish Market dinner — pick live seafood from tanks, eat upstairs. ₩25,000-40,000/person.
Days 6-7: Busan
Day 6 — Coastal Temples and Beaches
- 9 AM: Haedong Yonggungsa Temple (Bus 181 from Haeundae, 30 min, free entry). Arrive before 10 AM for the light and fewer crowds.
- 11 AM: Haeundae Beach (Subway Line 2). Morning walk; the beach is beautiful but swimming is only comfortable July-August.
- Lunch: Milmyeon (Busan cold noodles) near Seomyeon (₩8,000-10,000).
- 3 PM: Taejongdae Park (taxi from Nampo Station, ₩10,000). Coastal cliff walks and lighthouse views (2 hrs).
- Evening: Gwangalli Beach at night. Buy convenience store beer and watch the bridge lights reflect on the water. The most romantic free activity in Korea.
Day 7 — Busan Food and Culture
- 10 AM: BIFF Plaza area for ssiat hotteok (famous Busan seed pancake, ₩2,000) and Nampo-dong street markets.
- Lunch: Dwaeji gukbap (pork rice soup), Busan’s working-class lunch. ₩8,000/bowl. Near Seomyeon subway.
- 2 PM: Jagalchi Market and the harbor area (daytime is different — more chaotic, more interesting than the evening tourist version).
- Evening: Haeundae Amso Galbi for the upscale BBQ experience (₩25,000-40,000/person) or a craft beer evening in the Kyungsung/PNU area.
Day 8: Busan → Jeonju
Transport: KTX from Busan to Jeonju via Iksan (~2 hours, ₩31,000).
Day 8 — Korea’s Food Capital
- 2 PM: Arrive Jeonju, Bus 79 to hanok village (₩1,400, 20 min).
- 2:30 PM: Walk Jeonju Hanok Village — the main street first, then escape into the back alleys. Find the bamboo grove behind Gyeonggijeon Shrine (₩3,000).
- 5 PM: Gyeonggijeon Shrine before closing.
- Evening: Jeonju bibimbap dinner at one of the restaurants near the main village square (₩15,000-20,000/set). The 30+ banchan side dishes are the point — taste everything.
- After dinner: Makgeolli tavern (makgeolli jip). ₩10,000-15,000 for a pitcher of rice wine with unlimited pajeon pancakes and snacks.
Days 9-10: Jeju Island
Transport: KTX from Jeonju to Iksan, then flight from Gunsan or bus to Jeonju Airport, then fly to Jeju (CJU) — OR express bus back to Seoul Gimpo Airport and fly Gimpo→Jeju (1 hour, ₩40,000-90,000). The bus-then-fly option via Seoul is usually simpler.
Rent a car at Jeju Airport — essential. ₩40,000-60,000/day. Have your International Driving Permit.
Day 9 — Volcanic Jeju
- Morning: Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak) — drive to the northeast corner (45 min from Jeju City), hike the 30-min ascent to the UNESCO volcanic crater. ₩5,000.
- Afternoon: Manjanggul Lava Tube (35 min drive west, ₩4,000, 1.5 hrs in the tube).
- Late afternoon: Haenyeo demonstration near Seongsan.
- Evening: Drive back to Jeju City for black pig BBQ dinner. ₩15,000-22,000/person. Order samgyeopsal and moksal.
Day 10 — Hallasan and Farewell
- 7 AM: Drive to Yeongsil Trailhead, Hallasan National Park (30 min from Jeju City). Start hiking early — the mountain gets crowded and weather changes fast.
- Hike: Yeongsil Trail (3.7km each way, ~4 hours round trip). The views from the 1,700m shelter are extraordinary.
- Lunch at the trailhead after returning.
- 2 PM: Dongmun Traditional Market in Jeju City — buy hallabong tangerines (Jeju’s famous sweet mandarin) and black pork jerky as souvenirs.
- Fly home from Jeju International Airport (CJU).
Budget Summary
| Category | Low | Mid | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (10 nights) | ₩300,000 | ₩700,000 | ₩1,800,000 |
| Transport (all trains, buses, flights, metro) | ₩250,000 | ₩350,000 | ₩500,000 |
| Food (daily) | ₩25,000 | ₩50,000 | ₩120,000 |
| Activities/Entry (10 days) | ₩50,000 | ₩150,000 | ₩400,000 |
| 10-day total | ₩950,000 | ₩1,700,000 | ₩3,900,000 |
| Approximate USD | $700 | $1,260 | $2,890 |
Currency: ₩1,350 ≈ $1 USD (March 2026 rate)
Key Practical Notes
Booking: KTX trains between cities should be booked 1-2 weeks ahead at korail.com (English available). Jeju flights book through Jeju Air, Jin Air, or Korean Air apps — book 3-4 weeks ahead for peak season.
T-money Card: One card works on all Seoul metro, buses, and Jeju buses. Load at any GS25 or CU convenience store. Start with ₩30,000-50,000.
Kakao T App: Korea’s dominant ride-hailing app. Works better than waving for taxis in busy areas. English interface available.
Naver Maps: Download offline maps for Seoul, Gyeongju, Busan, Jeonju, and Jeju before you go. Works better than Google Maps for Korean addresses and public transit.
Language: Google Translate’s camera function (point at menus) works remarkably well in Korea. Naver Papago is preferred by many expats for natural Korean translation.