Travel guides to Seoul & beyond · Updated September 2026
Seoul,
without the
guesswork.
Transit, money, food, the neighbourhoods worth your time — and the best trips beyond the city. 42 practical guides, kept up to date.
PopularClimate CardeSIMKorean BBQHanbokWhere to stayDay tripsPhrases
Four things to sort
before you land
Get online before you land
eSIM, USIM or pocket WiFi — and why a Korean number sometimes matters.
Read the guide → 2Install the apps that work here
Google Maps won't walk you anywhere. Here's the kit that will.
Read the guide → 3Sort your subway pass
The Climate Card makes transit unlimited. Use the calculator to check.
Read the guide → 4Know the money rules
Cards work almost everywhere, WOWPASS has a catch, and never tip.
Read the guide →Five words that change
how Seoul treats you
You can get by in English, but a little Korean gets you smiles, extra side dishes and better help. Here are the ones you'll use every day.
The 30 phrases worth learning →- Hello안녕하세요annyeong-haseyo
- Thank you감사합니다gamsa-hamnida
- This one, please이거 주세요igeo juseyo
- How much is it?얼마예요?eolma-yeyo?
- Excuse me!저기요!jeogiyo!
Autumn in Seoul
The humidity is gone, the skies are clear and the city is at its most walkable. This is the season locals say to visit.
Where to see the autumn leaves →
Foliage season
Colours usually peak late October into early November — ginkgo avenues, palaces and Namsan.
Fireworks over the Han
The Seoul International Fireworks Festival is usually held on a Saturday in early October. Arrive very early.
Plan B for grey days
Autumn is mostly dry, but keep one indoor day up your sleeve — museums, spas and cafés.
Travel
Eating
Things To Do
Beyond Seoul
Beyond SeoulWeekend Trip
Busan from Seoul: A Day Trip or Two Days by KTX
Beaches, fish markets and a temple on the rocks — how to see Busan by KTX, in one day or two.
Day Trip
Suwon Hwaseong Fortress: The Easiest Great Day Trip from Seoul
Weekend Trip
Jeonju Hanok Village: Bibimbap, Hanok Stays and Korea's Food Capital
Day Trip
Nami Island, Petite France & the Garden of Morning Calm: A Gapyeong Day Trip
Weekend Trip
Seoraksan and Sokcho: Korea's Most Dramatic Mountains, by Bus from Seoul
Living
Free tools for your trip
Trip planner
Pick your days and style — get a day-by-day plan with a map.
Open →Climate Card calculator
Is the unlimited pass worth it for your trip? Ten seconds.
Open →Pre-trip checklist
Everything to sort before you fly — saved in your browser.
Open →Korean phrases
The 30 phrases that actually get used, with pronunciation.
Open →