South Korea Travel Itinerary: The Perfect 5, 7 & 10 Day Trip for First Timers

Planning my trip to Korea was honestly so exciting. Between Seoul’s cafe culture, the street food, the coastal cities, and all the little neighborhoods that feel straight out of a K-drama, I knew it was going to be a trip I’d never forget.

But once I actually started building a Korea travel itinerary, I got a little stuck. How many days is enough? Do you just stay in Seoul the whole time? Is Busan a must? And what about places like Jeju or Gyeongju?

That’s exactly why I put this guide together. Whether you have 5, 7, or 10 days in South Korea, this itinerary breaks it all down in a way that feels doable, balanced, and fun. I’ve included the stops that make the most sense based on your timing and the time of year you’re visiting to ensure you have the best time possible! Let’s get into it!

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Korea Travel Itinerary: The Perfect 5, 7 & 10 Day Trip for First Timers

My Experience Making a 10 Day Itinerary for Korea

I had the chance to visit South Korea last November, and honestly… it was the perfect time to go to Korea. The fall weather was crisp, the city felt so cozy, and the autumn colors made everything look even more unreal.

When I first started planning, I wasn’t totally sure how many days I needed. I love traveling slow and really getting to know a place, but I was also slightly worried I’d run out of things to do. In the end, I landed on 10 days, which gave me enough time to properly experience Seoul while still adding a couple of extra stops.

Because I visited in late fall, it definitely shaped my itinerary. Busan is a coastal city and I loved it, but I wasn’t exactly doing beach days in November, so I didn’t need as much time there. I also decided to skip Jeju Island because of the season, which was such a bummer since it looks incredible. Instead, I added Gyeongju, which had a totally different charm and is an easy add in from Busan.

Either way, this Korea travel itinerary includes different options depending on the time of year, and by the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly how to plan your own perfect trip.

The Best 5, 7 or 10 Day Korea Itinerary

One of the best things about traveling in South Korea is that you can see a lot without needing weeks of time off. The country is super easy to get around, and even a shorter trip can still include a mix of big cities, culture, and amazing food.

Whether you have 5, 7, or 10 days, the key is picking the right stops so you’re not rushing nonstop. Below are three itinerary options depending on how much time you have.

5 Day Korea Itinerary (Seoul + Busan)

If you only have 5 days in Korea, this itinerary gives you the absolute best mix of iconic sights, local neighborhoods, and a little coastal trip to Busan.

Now, this will be a BUSY 5 days, and you’ll most likely be moving around a lot, but I really think you can see the best of both cities in 5 days, and Busan is only a 2 hour train ride from Seoul.

Day 1: N Seoul Tower + Hongdae Night

Your first day in Seoul is the perfect mix of iconic views, a bit of nature, and a fun night out.

Namsan Park – a peaceful green escape right in the middle of the city, and such a nice way to ease into Seoul
N Seoul Tower – one of the best panoramic viewpoints, especially if you go later in the afternoon
Namdaemun Market – the ideal spot for your first street food dinner, with tons of classic Korean snacks
Hongdae – end the night here for shopping, street performances, and your first taste of Seoul nightlife

Day 2: Palaces + Insadong + Myeongdong Night Market

Day two is all about Seoul’s more traditional side, mixed with some of the best shopping and street food in the city.

Gyeongbokgung Palace – Seoul’s most iconic palace (rent a hanbok nearby for free entrance into the palaces)
Bukchon Hanok Village – wander through the historic streets and cute hidden corners
Insadong & Incheon – perfect for tea houses & my favorite cafes, souvenir shopping, and a slower afternoon vibe
Myeongdong – end the day here for the famous night market, beauty shopping, and endless snacks

If you want a full step-by-step breakdown of what to do in Seoul, I have a much more detailed guide here: Click here for my full Seoul itinerary

Day 3: DMZ Tour + Travel to Busan

This day is a mix of history and transit, but I highly recommend doing the DMZ tour, it was one of the most memorable parts of my Korea trip and the half day tour is more than enough to get a glimpse into the history and have a full experience.

Half-Day DMZ Tour – a really eye-opening experience and one of the most unique day trips from Seoul. Book the exact tour I took here!
KTX Train to Busan – hop on the high-speed train in the afternoon (it’s fast, easy, and super comfortable)
Evening in Busan – check into your hotel—we stayed here and it was perfect—grab dinner, and enjoy the coastal city atmosphere right away

Day 4: Haeundae Beach + Blueline Park

Your first full day in Busan is all about ocean views and the city’s most famous coastline.

Haeundae Beach – Busan’s most popular beach area, great for a morning walk
Blueline Park – don’t miss the skywalks, sky capsules and seaside views, it’s one of the prettiest spots in Busan! Book this tour for the best experience!
Cafe stop along the coast – Busan does beach cafés so well, especially in this area. My favorite cafe was TIDE coffee roasters.

Day 5: Gamcheon Culture Village + Departure

Your last day in Korea is the perfect chance to squeeze in one more iconic Busan experience before heading out.

Gamcheon Culture Village – Busan’s famous colorful hillside neighborhood, full of little alleyways, street art, and cute viewpoints
Jagalchi Fish Market (optional) – if you want one last local food stop, this is a super classic Busan experience
Final seaside stroll – whether it’s Haeundae again or a quieter beach walk, Busan is such a peaceful place to end the trip

Ending Option 1: Travel Back to Seoul

If your flight leaves from Incheon, hop on the KTX back to Seoul in the late afternoon or evening. It’s quick, easy, and gives you one last night in the capital.

Ending Option 2: Fly Out of Busan (My recommendation)

If you can, flying out of Gimhae Airport in Busan is honestly the smoothest option. It saves you the extra travel day and makes this itinerary feel super seamless.

7 Day South Korea Travel Itinerary

If you have a full week in Korea, this is where the trip starts to feel way more balanced. You still get the big highlights from the 5-day itinerary, but with two extra days to explore sides of Seoul and Busan that most people completely miss.

Personally, I don’t recommend trying to squeeze in another destination, both of the cities are much larger than you would expect and took quite a bit of time to get around.

Days 1–3: Seoul Highlights

(Follow the 5-day itinerary above, including Namsan, Hongdae, the DMZ tour, and Myeongdong.)

Day 4: Explore a Different Side of Seoul (Itaewon + Seongsu + Gangnam)

This is the day where Seoul feels less like sightseeing and more like exploring the city’s personality.

A fun way to structure it is by hitting a few neighborhoods that all feel totally different:

Itaewon for international food, cool streets, and a more edgy vibe
Seongsu for trendy cafes, design shops, and that “Brooklyn of Seoul” energy
Gangnam for modern Seoul, shopping, and spots like the Gangnam statue and the famous Starfield Library at the starfield Coex Mall

All three of these neighborhoods are relatively close to one another, I recommend starting your morning in Gangnam, afternoon in Seongsu and then finishing with a cozy dinner in Itaewon.

Days 5–6: Busan Highlights

(Same structure as the 5-day itinerary: Haeundae Beach, Blueline Park, and coastal exploring.)

Day 7: Temples + Local Busan Nightlife

Your extra day in Busan is the perfect chance to do something a little more unique than just beaches.

Haedong Yonggungsa Temple – One of the most beautiful temples in Korea, sitting right on the ocean cliffs. It feels completely different from anything in Seoul and is 100% worth the trip out.
Catch a Baseball Game (Seasonal) – If you’re visiting during baseball season, going to a game in Busan is such a fun local experience. The crowds, the chants, the snacks… it’s a whole event.
Dinner + Drinks in Seomyeon – Seomyeon is one of the best areas for a night out in Busan, with tons of restaurants, bars, and that lively evening energy to end your trip on a high note. No Gyoza No Life was our favorite restaurant in the area!

10 Day South Korea Itinerary

Personally, I think 10 days in South Korea is the perfect amount of time. It gave me enough space to actually wander, enjoy each place, and not feel like I was constantly rushing to the next stop. By the end of the trip, I really felt like I’d experienced the country beyond just the highlights, and I loved the contrast between the different cities.

If you have the time, I honestly can’t recommend 10 days enough.

It’s also the perfect trip length to add in a third stop beyond Seoul and Busan. Most travelers end up deciding between Jeju Island, which requires a short flight, or Gyeongju, which is only about an hour from Busan by bus.

The biggest factor really comes down to what time of year you’re visiting, so I’ve put together two different 10-day itinerary options below to help you choose what fits best.

Days 1–4: Seoul

Follow the 7-day itinerary above, with your main Seoul highlights

Days 5–7: Busan Highlights

Follow the 7-day itinerary above, with your main Busan highlights

Option 1: Add Jeju Island (Best for Warm Weather)

Days 8–10: Jeju Island

If you’re visiting Korea between late March and early October, Jeju is hands down my number one recommendation for a 10-day itinerary.

The island feels totally different from Seoul and Busan, with beaches, volcanic landscapes, and a much slower pace.

Best things to do in Jeju

Visit Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak), one of the most iconic spots on the island
Spend time at the beaches, especially Hyeopjae Beach for the clearest water
Explore Jeju’s waterfalls, like Cheonjiyeon or Jeongbang (yes, one drops right into the ocean)
Drive along the coast and stop at random cafés with insane views
Check out Hallasan National Park if you want to hike Korea’s tallest mountain and explore the Unesco World Heritage site
Wander through Jeju’s famous lava tubes, like Manjanggul Cave
Eat all the island specialties, especially fresh seafood, tangerines, and Jeju black pork BBQ

Option 2: Add Gyeongju (Best for Cooler Months)

Days 8–9: Gyeongju

If Jeju doesn’t make sense for the season, Gyeongju is such a cool alternative and one of the easiest add-ons from Busan.

It feels completely different from Seoul. Instead of skyscrapers and trendy cafes, you’re suddenly surrounded by ancient tombs, temples, and streets that look like they belong in a historical drama.

I’ll be honest, it’s not the kind of place that will be everyone’s favorite stop, but if you already have the time, 2 days here is a really fun way to see a totally different side of Korea, especially since it’s so close to Busan.

Best things to do in Gyeongju

Visit Bulguksa Temple, one of the most famous temples in the country
Discover the Gyochon traditional village or visit the Gyeongju national museum
See Seokguram Grotto for unreal views and a peaceful mountain escape
Walk around the Daereungwon Tomb Complex, where royal burial mounds are literally just sitting in the middle of town
Explore the Woljeonggyo Bridge, especially in the evening when it lights up
Spend a night in Donggung Palace & Wolji Pond, one of the prettiest nighttime spots in Korea
Wander Hwangnidan-gil, a street full of cute shops, snacks, and cafes in traditional-style buildings

Day 10: Return to Seoul (or Fly Out of Busan)

From either Jeju or Gyeongju, you can wrap up your trip in a way that makes sense logistically:

Head back to Seoul to fly out of Incheon international airport
Or fly out of Busan if that’s easier

Quick Personal Take – If you’re visiting in warmer months, I would pick Jeju over Gyeongju every time.

But if you’re traveling in fall or winter, Gyeongju is a really solid cultural stop that fits nicely into the itinerary without needing beach weather.

How to Get Around Korea

One of the things that makes traveling around Korea so easy is the transportation. For our trip, we went from Seoul to Gyeongju by bus, then took another bus down to Busan, and finally hopped on the KTX train back to Seoul.

Honestly, it couldn’t have been simpler.

None of our travel days were longer than about 2.5 hours, and if you ask me, that’s such a huge motivator to explore more of the country. You can see multiple cities without losing full days to transit, which makes planning a Korea itinerary feel way less overwhelming.

Here are the most popular ways to get around Korea

KTX Train

The KTX is Korea’s high-speed train and honestly one of the easiest ways to travel between major cities. We took it from Busan back to Seoul and it was fast, comfortable, and super straightforward. If you’re short on time, this is definitely the best option.

Buses

Intercity buses are another great way to get around, especially for places like Gyeongju. We did Seoul to Gyeongju by bus and it was simple, affordable, and really smooth. Most rides are only a couple of hours, so travel days never feel overwhelming. We booked our tickets on Klook here.

Metro

In Seoul and Busan, the metro system is amazing. It’s cheap, super well connected, and all the signs are in English, which makes getting around as a tourist really easy. We used it constantly. You’ll need a Tmoney card which you can get at any convenience shop.

Taxi/uber

Taxis are also really convenient, especially late at night or when you don’t feel like navigating transfers. Uber works in Korea (it basically connects to local taxis), and prices are surprisingly reasonable compared to a lot of other big cities.

Things to Know + Travel Tips for Planning a Trip to Korea

Download These Apps Before You Go

Korea is super modern, but Google Maps honestly struggles here. In my experience, I still used it as I was more comfortable with it, but sometimes I literally just could not find a restaurant or it would take me the way wrong way. So I just recommend having these downloaded just as a back up.

Naver Maps for directions (a lifesaver)
Kakao Taxi for getting rides easily
KakaoTalk which is basically Korea’s main messaging app
Papago is the best translation app for Korean

Get a T-Money Card on Day One

This is the transport card used for metros, buses, and even some taxis. You can grab one at any convenience store and just top it up as you go. It makes everything 10x easier.

Korea Is Very Safe (Even Solo)

One of the best things about traveling here is how safe it feels, even at night. I was constantly walking around Seoul in the evenings and never felt uncomfortable. You can read my solo travel guide here!

Don’t Underestimate Travel Time in Seoul

Seoul is HUGE. Even if two places look close, it can easily take 40–50 minutes by metro. Group your days by neighborhood so you’re not spending half your trip underground.

Cash Isn’t Needed Much (But Keep a Little)

Most places take card, even tiny cafes. But markets, street food stalls, and topping up transport cards sometimes require cash, so having a small amount is helpful.

Book Popular Things Ahead of Time

If you want to do:

DMZ Tour
Hanbok rental
Jeju flights
KBBQ spots on weekends

FAQ: South Korea Itinerary

When is the best time to visit Korea?

Korea is amazing year-round, but spring and fall are the sweet spots. Spring (late March to May) has cherry blossoms and perfect weather, while fall (September to early November) is crisp, colorful, and super comfortable for exploring. Summer is great for beaches and Jeju, but it can be hot and humid, and winter is freezing but much quieter.

How many days do I need in South Korea?

Most people feel good with 5 to 10 days in Korea. Five days is enough for Seoul and Busan at a quicker pace, seven gives you more breathing room, and ten days is ideal if you want to add a third stop like Jeju or Gyeongju without rushing.

Which is better to visit, Busan or Jeju?

It really depends on what vibe you want. Busan is an easy train ride away and gives you beaches, temples, and city energy, while Jeju feels like a full island getaway with nature and slower travel days but requires a flight. If you’re visiting in warmer months, Jeju is incredible, but Busan makes more sense if you’re short on time.

Is it worth going to Seoul for 5 days?

Yes, 100%. Seoul is massive and five days is plenty of time to see palaces, markets, different neighborhoods, and eat your way through the city without feeling bored. Even if Seoul is your only stop, it’s still totally worth it.

Final Thoughts on the Ultimate South Korea Travel itinerary

No matter if you have 5 days or a whole month, you seriously need to get yourself to Korea. It’s one of my favorite destinations of the year, and with nearby destinations getting almost too popular, it’s only a matter of time before even more travelers start flocking here too.

The best part is, you don’t need endless time off to experience the magic. A solid itinerary, a few must-do stops, and a little room to wander is all it takes. So book the flight, start planning, and get ready… Korea is going to blow you away.