Wanderlist

Asia · Seoul, Silla temples, Busan & Jeju

South Korea

Palaces and night markets in Seoul, bibimbap in a hanok village, the Silla temples of Gyeongju, the beaches of Busan and the volcanic island of Jeju, all by bullet train.

☀️ Best monthsApr, May, Oct, Nov
✈️ From Geneva14h–16h · 1 stop · from CHF 650
🗓️ Ideal length10–14 days
💰 Mid-range / dayCHF 140–220 pp
🛂 Swiss passportVisa-free for up to 90 days

Overview

Why South Korea?

South Korea is one of the easiest and most rewarding trips in Asia. Seoul is a fascinating megacity: royal palaces, hanok alleys, mountains you can hike from the metro, and food and nightlife 24 hours a day. The KTX bullet train takes you south to Gyeongju, the ancient Silla capital of royal tombs and UNESCO temples, and to Busan, a big port city with beaches and temples on the cliffs. A short flight brings you to Jeju, a volcanic island of craters, lava caves and coastal trails. The food is a highlight everywhere. Public transport is superb, it's extremely safe, and spring and autumn are beautiful. One practical tip: use the Naver Map or KakaoMap app, because Google Maps works poorly in Korea.

Highlights

  • Gyeongbokgung palace and the hanok alleys of Bukchon
  • Gwangjang market, Korean barbecue and Seoul's nightlife
  • A day tour to the DMZ and the border with North Korea
  • Bibimbap and a night in a hanok in Jeonju
  • Bulguksa temple and the royal tombs of Gyeongju
  • Gamcheon village, Jagalchi fish market and the cliff temple of Busan
  • Sunrise on Seongsan Ilchulbong and climbing Hallasan on Jeju

Scorecard

How it rates

Tap a criterion to see why it got that score.

3.9
★★★★★★★★★★

Average of 20 criteria

Experiences

  • Food ★★★★★★★★★★

    One of the great food countries: barbecue, stews, street food, markets and fried chicken.

  • Sightseeing & culture ★★★★★★★★★★

    Palaces, temples, hanok villages and Silla tombs; lots of UNESCO sites.

  • Nature ★★★★★★★★★★

    Mountains everywhere, the volcanic landscapes of Jeju and superb autumn colours.

  • Beaches ★★★★★★★★★★

    City beaches in Busan and pretty coves on Jeju; swimming only in July–August.

  • Animals ★★★★★★★★★★

    Not a wildlife destination.

  • Sport & adventure ★★★★★★★★★★

    Excellent hiking (Bukhansan, Hallasan, Olle trails) and cycling paths.

  • Nightlife ★★★★★★★★★★

    Seoul and Busan party all night: bars, clubs, noraebang karaoke and street stalls.

  • Relaxation ★★★★★★★★★★

    Fast-paced; Jeju and the spas are the relaxing parts.

  • Variety ★★★★★★★★★★

    Megacity, historic towns, port city and volcanic island.

Getting there & around

  • Flight from Geneva ★★★★★★★★★★

    13–16 h with one stop (or direct from Zurich with Korean Air).

  • Transport without a car ★★★★★★★★★★

    KTX bullet trains, perfect metros, buses and cheap domestic flights.

  • Ease of travel ★★★★★★★★★★

    Very organised; K-ETA-exempt until the end of 2026; English is limited, and you need Korean map apps.

  • Jet lag ★★★★★★★★★★

    +7 h in summer, +8 h in winter.

  • Fits 10–14 days ★★★★★★★★★★

    10–14 days is ideal for Seoul, the south and Jeju.

Comfort & practicalities

  • Value for money ★★★★★★★★★★

    Mid-priced: cheap food and transport, but hotels in Seoul and Jeju are not cheap.

  • Weather ★★★★★★★★★★

    Spring and autumn are sunny and mild; summer is hot and rainy, winter very cold.

  • Safety ★★★★★★★★★★

    Extremely safe, day and night.

  • Health ★★★★★★★★★★

    No health risks; excellent healthcare.

  • Accommodation ★★★★★★★★★★

    Good hotels and hanok stays; rooms are small in Seoul.

  • Crowds ★★★★★★★★★★

    Busy cities and packed sights at weekends and in the cherry blossom season.

When to go

Best time of the year

Go in April–May or September–November; October is the best month of all.

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
BestGoodMixedAvoid

Spring · Apr – May

  • Cherry and azalea blossoms
  • Mild, sunny weather
  • Busy blossom weekends
  • Yellow dust (hwangsa) some days

Autumn · Sep – Nov

  • The best weather: clear, dry, mild
  • Spectacular foliage in October–November
  • Busy at weekends in the national parks
  • Chuseok holiday traffic

Summer & winter · Jun – Aug / Dec – Feb

  • Beach season in summer; clear skies and skiing in winter
  • Monsoon, heat and typhoons in summer
  • Bitterly cold winter

Getting there

Flights from Geneva

Fly to Seoul Incheon (ICN) with one stop, 13–16 h in total. Korean Air flies direct from Zurich several times a week. Many good connections via Istanbul, Doha, Dubai, Frankfurt, Paris, Helsinki and Munich.

RoutingAirlineStopsTravel timeReturn, economy
GVA → ZRH → ICN
Korean Air ZRH–ICN direct a few times a week; or the train to Zurich.
 SWISS + Korean Air 1 13h–15h CHF 800–1400
GVA → IST → ICN Turkish Airlines 1 14h–16h CHF 650–1100
GVA → DOH → ICN Qatar Airways 1 15h–18h CHF 700–1200
GVA → CDG / FRA → ICN Air France / Lufthansa / Korean Air 1 14h–16h CHF 750–1300

Itinerary

Day by day, without a car

Pick a trip length. Day 1 is arrival day and the last day is departure day; the overnight flights are extra. Each transfer lists every option, with the recommended one first.

Style:
Trip length:
Train / metroBus / minivanPlane

+ Hallasan

Climb Korea's highest peak on Jeju.

🧭 Explorer 4 bases · 3 moves

Seoul · 4 nightsGyeongju · 2 nightsBusan · 2 nightsJeju Island · 3 nights
  1. Day 1

    Arrive in Seoul

    Land at Incheon, take the AREX airport train into town (45–60 min), and head out for Korean barbecue.

    • Korean barbecue dinner

      Samgyeopsal grilled at your table, with soju.

      CHF 20–35
    • Cheonggyecheon stream at night

      A lit-up urban stream through downtown.

      ⏱ 1 h
    • 💡 Buy a T-money card at the airport for all trains, buses and taxis. Use Naver Map or KakaoMap: Google Maps doesn't give walking or driving directions in Korea.
    🛏️ Night: Seoul
  2. Day 2

    Palaces, hanok & Insadong

    Gyeongbokgung palace (free in hanbok!), the Bukchon hanok alleys, tea houses in Insadong, and Namsan Tower at sunset.

    • Gyeongbokgung & the guard change

      The grandest Joseon palace; rent a hanbok for free entry.

      ⏱ 2–3 h CHF 2–20
    • Changdeokgung Secret Garden

      UNESCO palace garden, guided tours only.

      ⏱ 1.5 h CHF 5–8
    • Bukchon & Insadong

      Hanok alleys, tea houses and craft shops.

      ⏱ 2 h
    • Namsan Seoul Tower

      Cable car and views over the city at dusk.

      ⏱ 2 h CHF 15–25
    🛏️ Night: Seoul
  3. Day 3

    Markets, hikes & nightlife

    Gwangjang market for bindaetteok and yukhoe, a hike up Bugaksan along the old city wall, and a night out in Hongdae or Seongsu.

    • Gwangjang market

      Mung-bean pancakes, mayak gimbap and raw beef.

      ⏱ 1.5 h CHF 10–20
    • Seoul City Wall hike (Bugaksan)

      A 2–3-h walk along the Joseon-era wall over the mountains.

      ⏱ 3 h
    • Hongdae or Seongsu nightlife

      Street performers, bars and clubs until dawn.

      CHF 20–60
    🛏️ Night: Seoul
  4. Day 4

    DMZ day tour

    A guided tour to the Demilitarized Zone: the Third Infiltration Tunnel, Dora Observatory views into North Korea, and Imjingak.

    • DMZ tour

      Passport required; book 2+ days ahead. The JSA (Panmunjom) is sometimes closed.

      ⏱ Full day CHF 60–120
      How to get there (1 option)
      • Guided day tour from Seoul Recommended
        ⏱ ≈ 8 h CHF 60–120 Comfort ★★★★★★★★★★
        Book: Klook / Viator / local operators
    • Myeongdong street food

      Evening snacks: tteokbokki, egg bread, hotteok.

      CHF 10–20
    🛏️ Night: Seoul
  5. Day 5

    KTX to Gyeongju

    The fast train to Singyeongju and a bus into town for the royal tombs.

    🧭 Seoul → Gyeongju: your options
    • KTX Seoul → Singyeongju (+ 20-min bus or taxi to town) Recommended
      ⏱ 2h10 CHF 40–55 🔁 Every 30–60 min Comfort ★★★★★★★★★★
      Book: Korail Talk
    • Daereungwon tomb park & Cheonmachong

      Grassy royal tombs; one is open inside.

      ⏱ 1.5 h CHF 2–4
    • Donggung Palace & Wolji Pond at night

      Silla pavilions reflected in the lit-up pond.

      ⏱ 1 h CHF 2–4
    🛏️ Night: Gyeongju
  6. Day 6

    Bulguksa & Seokguram

    The UNESCO Bulguksa temple and the Seokguram grotto Buddha on the mountain, then cycling around the tombs and Cheomseongdae observatory.

    • Bulguksa temple

      Masterpiece of Silla Buddhist architecture.

      ⏱ 2 h CHF 0–5
    • Seokguram grotto

      An 8th-century granite Buddha facing the East Sea.

      ⏱ 1.5 h CHF 0–5
      How to get there (1 option)
      • City bus 10/11 to Bulguksa, then bus 12 or a 1-h hike Recommended
        ⏱ 40 min + 20 min CHF 2–4 Comfort ★★★★★★★★★★
        Book: T-money card
    • Bike around the historic centre

      Flat and easy between tombs, ponds and the observatory.

      ⏱ 2 h CHF 5–10
    🛏️ Night: Gyeongju
  7. Day 7

    On to Busan · Gamcheon village

    A short train to Busan, then the colourful hillside Gamcheon village and Jagalchi fish market.

    🧭 Gyeongju → Busan: your options
    • KTX Singyeongju → Busan Recommended
      ⏱ 30 min CHF 8–12 🔁 Every 30–60 min Comfort ★★★★★★★★★★
      Book: Korail Talk
    • Intercity bus Gyeongju → Busan (Haeundae or Nopo)
      ⏱ 1 h CHF 5–8 Comfort ★★★★★★★★★★
      Book: At the terminal
    • Gamcheon Culture Village

      A pastel hillside village of murals and alleys.

      ⏱ 2 h
    • Jagalchi fish market

      Pick your fish downstairs, eat it upstairs.

      CHF 20–40
    🛏️ Night: Busan
  8. Day 8

    Busan: temples by the sea & beaches

    Haedong Yonggungsa temple on the rocks, the Haeundae beach and the Blueline Park sky capsule along the coast.

    • Haedong Yonggungsa

      A temple on the sea cliffs, best early.

      ⏱ 1.5 h
    • Blueline Park sky capsule

      Tiny colourful capsules on a rail above the coast.

      ⏱ 1 h CHF 25–40
    • Haeundae beach & Dongbaek island

      The city beach and a coastal walk.

      ⏱ 2 h
    🛏️ Night: Busan
  9. Day 9

    Fly to Jeju

    A one-hour flight to the volcanic island, and black-pork barbecue for dinner.

    🧭 Busan → Jeju Island: your options
    • Busan Gimhae → Jeju Recommended
      ⏱ 1 h CHF 40–110 🔁 Hourly Comfort ★★★★★★★★★★
      Book: Korean Air / Jeju Air / Air Busan
    • Overnight ferry Busan → Jeju
      ⏱ ≈ 12 h CHF 50–120 Comfort ★★★★★★★★★★
      Book: Seaworld Express
    • Jeju black pork

      The island's specialty, grilled at your table.

      CHF 20–35
    • Dongmun market

      Tangerines, hallabong and seafood stalls.

      ⏱ 1 h
    🛏️ Night: Jeju Island
  10. Day 10

    Climb Hallasan

    South Korea's highest peak (1,950 m) via the Seongpanak trail to the crater lake, or the easier Eorimok trail.

    • Hallasan summit (Seongpanak)

      9–10 h return; free online reservation required.

      ⏱ Full day
      How to get there (1 option)
      • Bus 281 from Jeju City Recommended
        ⏱ 50 min CHF 1–2 Comfort ★★★★★★★★★★
        Book: T-money card
    • Eorimok trail (easier)

      5–6 h to the Witse Oreum shelter with great views.

      ⏱ 6 h
    • 💡 Book the Seongpanak/Gwaneumsa summit permit at visithalla.jeju.go.kr.
    🛏️ Night: Jeju Island
  11. Day 11

    Seongsan, lava tube & haenyeo

    Sunrise on Seongsan Ilchulbong crater, the haenyeo divers' show, the Manjanggul lava tube, and Udo island by bike.

    • Seongsan Ilchulbong

      A tuff cone rising from the sea; 30 min up.

      ⏱ 1.5 h CHF 4–6
    • Haenyeo divers

      The famous women free-divers (UNESCO heritage).

      ⏱ 30 min
    • Manjanggul lava tube

      One of the world's longest lava caves.

      ⏱ 1 h CHF 3–5
    • Udo island by e-bike

      Turquoise beaches and peanut ice cream.

      ⏱ Half day CHF 10–30
    • 💡 Jeju buses work but are slow; a taxi tour (CHF 120–180 per car per day) is great for a group of 3–4.
    🛏️ Night: Jeju Island
  12. Day 12

    Fly home via Seoul

    An early flight to Seoul, then the airport train to Incheon for your flight home.

    🧭 Jeju Island → Seoul: your options
    • Jeju → Gimpo (+ AREX to Incheon, 35 min) Recommended
      ⏱ 1 h CHF 40–110 🔁 Every few minutes (Gimpo) / hourly (Busan) Comfort ★★★★★★★★★★
      Book: Korean Air / Jeju Air / Jin Air / Air Busan / T'way
    • Hallabong juice at the airport

      Jeju's famous citrus.

    • 💡 Leave at least 4 h between the Jeju flight and your international departure (or book a Jeju–Incheon connection on the same ticket).
    🛏️ Night: Flight home
Want it a bit different?

Skip a region, add beach days, change the pace… Suggest changes and a new version of this trip will be created.

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Getting around

Transport without a car

KTX trains between cities, metros and T-money cards in the cities, and short domestic flights to Jeju. Use Naver Map or KakaoMap for directions and Kakao T for taxis.

🚆 Train ★★★★★★★★★★

KTX and SRT bullet trains up to 300 km/h, frequent and punctual.

🚇 Metro / Skytrain ★★★★★★★★★★

Seoul and Busan metros are huge, cheap, clean and in English.

🚌 Bus ★★★★★★★★★★

Excellent express buses between cities; slower local buses on Jeju.

✈️ Flight ★★★★★★★★★★

Gimpo–Jeju is the busiest route in the world: fly any time.

🚕 Taxi ★★★★★★★★★★

Cheap and plentiful; use the Kakao T app.

Where to stay & budget

Three budget levels

Per person per day, excluding international flights, sharing a room. Food and transport are good value; accommodation is the main cost.

Budget CHF 70–110 per person / day
Mid-range CHF 140–220 per person / day
Comfort CHF 300–550 per person / day

Seoul

A 24-hour megacity where Joseon palaces and hanok alleys sit between glass towers, with night markets, K-pop, mountain hikes inside the city and some of the best street food in Asia.

Where: Jongno / Insadong (palaces), Myeongdong (central), or Hongdae / Seongsu (nightlife and cafés).

Budget
CHF 60–100 / room / night
Guesthouse or hanok stay
Mid-range
CHF 130–220 / room / night
Design hotel (e.g. L7, Nine Tree)
Comfort
CHF 280–550 / room / night
Five-star hotel (e.g. Four Seasons, Signiel)

Jeonju

Korea's food capital and home of bibimbap, with a hanok village of 700 traditional houses, makgeolli bars and a lively night market.

Where: In the Hanok Village, in a traditional guesthouse (sleeping on the floor).

Budget
CHF 50–80 / room / night
Hanok guesthouse
Mid-range
CHF 90–160 / room / night
Boutique hanok stay
Comfort
CHF 160–260 / room / night
Upmarket hanok hotel

Gyeongju

The 'museum without walls', capital of the Silla kingdom for 1,000 years: royal burial mounds, Bulguksa temple, the Seokguram grotto and lotus ponds lit up at night.

Where: Near Hwangnidan-gil and the tombs, or Bomun Lake (resorts).

Budget
CHF 50–80 / room / night
Guesthouse or hanok stay
Mid-range
CHF 90–160 / room / night
Boutique hanok or hotel
Comfort
CHF 180–300 / room / night
Resort at Bomun Lake

Busan

Korea's big port city between mountains and beaches: Haeundae, the colourful Gamcheon village, cliff temples by the sea and the Jagalchi fish market.

Where: Haeundae (beach) or Seomyeon / Nampo (city, markets).

Budget
CHF 60–100 / room / night
Guesthouse or budget hotel
Mid-range
CHF 120–200 / room / night
Beachfront hotel in Haeundae
Comfort
CHF 250–450 / room / night
Five-star at Haeundae

Jeju Island

A volcanic island with a crater rising from the sea, lava caves, the 1,950-m Hallasan, waterfalls, tangerine farms, and the famous haenyeo women divers.

Where: Jeju City (transport hub) or Seogwipo (south coast, waterfalls).

Budget
CHF 50–90 / room / night
Guesthouse
Mid-range
CHF 110–200 / room / night
Hotel or design stay
Comfort
CHF 250–450 / room / night
Resort in Jungmun

Practical

Good to know

🛂 Visa (Swiss passport)
Swiss passport: visa-free for up to 90 days. Swiss citizens are temporarily exempt from the K-ETA until 31 December 2026 (after that, a K-ETA of ≈ KRW 10,000 may be needed again). Fill in the arrival card (on paper or the online e-Arrival Card).
💉 Health
No vaccines needed. Tap water is safe but most people drink filtered water. Fine dust (air pollution) can be high in spring: check the AirKorea app.
🛡️ Safety
Extremely safe. Don't write names in red ink and take your shoes off in hanoks and some restaurants.
💱 Money
Korean won (KRW), about 1,650–1,750 KRW per CHF. Cards are accepted everywhere; carry a little cash for markets. A T-money card pays for all transport.
🗣️ Language
Korean; English signs everywhere in transport, but spoken English is limited. Papago translator app helps.
🕒 Time zone
UTC+9: 8 h ahead of Geneva in winter, 7 h in summer.
🔌 Plugs
220 V, type C/F: European plugs work.
📶 Phone & apps
eSIM or pocket Wi-Fi from the airport; superb coverage and free Wi-Fi everywhere. Install Naver Map, KakaoMap, Kakao T and Papago.

Information last checked: September 2026. Visa rules, prices and timetables change, so always check before booking.