Seoul

Palaces, hanok lanes and river towers

Last reviewed: 13 September 2026

Recommended stay: 3–4 days
Best time to visit: April to June and September to November
Airports: ICN · GMP

Seoul at a glance

Seoul is a dense East Asian capital of palaces, hanok lanes and river towers. Gyeongbokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village, Changdeokgung, Insadong, Myeongdong, Cheonggyecheon, Hongdae, Seongsu, N Seoul Tower and Lotte World Tower sit on subway clusters, with day trips to the DMZ, Suwon, Nami Island and Incheon Chinatown. Incheon (ICN) and Gimpo (GMP) are the catalogue airports. A T-money card simplifies subway and bus hops.

Quick information

Recommended stay3–4 days

Best time to visitApril to June and September to November

AirportsICN · GMP

Budget travelAccommodation and reserved day trips drive costs most strongly. Check current prices close to travel instead of relying on a fixed estimate.

Spring and autumn suit palace courtyards, Bukchon and Cheonggyecheon without peak summer humidity. Summer is hot; keep indoor hours for Lotte World Tower and museums. Winter is clear but cold for N Seoul Tower viewpoints.

Plan your visit

Airport to centre

AREX / airport train

Airport rail toward Seoul Station and subway connections

Check the current AREX or Korail fareTransport

Must-see sights

Gyeongbokgung Palace

Bukchon Hanok Village

Changdeokgung

Sights

One-day itinerary

Morning: Gyeongbokgung and Bukchon.
Afternoon: Insadong and Cheonggyecheon.
Evening: Myeongdong without stacking N Seoul Tower.

Itineraries

Best areas to stay

Jongno / Insadong
Jongno
A compact historic core. Evenings are quieter than Hongdae.
Best for
First visits, palaces and walking
Myeongdong
Busy and practical; palaces need a short subway hop.
Best for
Shopping and subway links
Hongdae
Useful for AREX from GMP; Gyeongbokgung needs a subway hop.
Best for
A livelier evening stay
Seongsu
Cafés and warehouses; the palace cluster needs a planned hop.
Best for
A calmer riverside stay with children

Approximate budget

Budget
Varies
per day, per person
Simple rooms, street food and subway; excludes travel to Seoul.
Mid-range
Varies
per day, per person
Comfortable room, restaurants, T-money and selected palaces.
Comfort
Varies
per day, per person
Central stays, frequent dining, private transfers and a reserved DMZ or tower day.

Airports

Last reviewed: 13 September 2026

ICN
Incheon International Airport
52 km from city centre
GMP
Gimpo International Airport
16 km from city centre

Airport to city transport

Last reviewed: 13 September 2026

OptionTimePrice

ICN

AREX / airport trainICNUsually the most practical public option from ICN. Confirm express versus all-stop services and last trains on official airport or AREX information.
Airport rail toward Seoul Station and subway connections
Check the current AREX or Korail fare
Details
Usually the most practical public option from ICN. Confirm express versus all-stop services and last trains on official airport or AREX information.
Airport limousine busICNUseful for luggage and hotel drop-offs. Confirm the current stop, luggage space and last services.
Dedicated coaches toward Gangnam, Myeongdong and selected hotels
Check the current operator fare
Details
Useful for luggage and hotel drop-offs. Confirm the current stop, luggage space and last services.
TaxiICNUseful for families, late ICN arrivals and Seongsu stays. Use an official rank.
Door-to-door journey; time varies with traffic
Confirm the current official fare
Details
Useful for families, late ICN arrivals and Seongsu stays. Use an official rank.
Private transferICNUseful for groups, child seats and DMZ departures. Confirm meeting point and delay terms.
Pre-booked door-to-door journey
Confirm the complete quoted price
Details
Useful for groups, child seats and DMZ departures. Confirm meeting point and delay terms.

GMP

AREX / subwayGMPUsually the most practical public option from GMP. Confirm the current line and last services.
Airport rail and subway toward Hongdae, Seoul Station and the centre
Check the current AREX or T-money fare
Details
Usually the most practical public option from GMP. Confirm the current line and last services.
Airport limousine busGMPUseful when a current stop serves Gangnam or the east river more directly than AREX.
Coaches toward selected Seoul districts
Check the current operator fare
Details
Useful when a current stop serves Gangnam or the east river more directly than AREX.
TaxiGMPUseful for families and Hongdae or Seongsu stays. Use an official rank.
Door-to-door journey; time varies with traffic
Confirm the current official fare
Details
Useful for families and Hongdae or Seongsu stays. Use an official rank.
Private transferGMPUseful for groups and child seats. Confirm meeting point and delay terms.
Pre-booked door-to-door journey
Confirm the complete quoted price
Details
Useful for groups and child seats. Confirm meeting point and delay terms.

Getting around

Last reviewed: 13 September 2026

OptionTimePrice

Subway and walkingLoad a T-money card. The palace cluster is walkable. N Seoul Tower and Lotte World Tower need a subway or taxi hop.
Best for palaces, Insadong, Myeongdong, Hongdae and Seongsu
Check current T-money rules
Details
Load a T-money card. The palace cluster is walkable. N Seoul Tower and Lotte World Tower need a subway or taxi hop.
Bus and taxiValidate the card. Recheck last subway services. A car is unnecessary in the centre.
Useful for Cheonggyecheon edges and late returns
Check current T-money or taxi fare rules
Details
Validate the card. Recheck last subway services. A car is unnecessary in the centre.

Seoul at a glance

Quick information

Plan your visit

Airport to centre

Must-see sights

One-day itinerary

Best areas to stay

Jongno / Insadong

Myeongdong

Hongdae

Seongsu

Approximate budget