Sample journeys
Then the train south
Four shapes we often start from. Every trip is drawn up for you; these show the pace, not a package. Nights are the ones we would suggest. We quote per trip and publish no prices.
01 · 12 nights
Kiln to Coast
Seoul’s studios, a potter’s wheel, two nights on a heated floor in Hahoe, the Silla capital, Busan’s market and Jeju’s east coast.
Ask for this route
- Day 1–3SeoulA palace morning, Seongsu’s studios with a design guide, a market supper.
- Day 4IcheonA day at the kilns, wheel time with a potter, an overnight in the countryside verify.
- Day 5–6Andong and HahoeTwo nights in a clan-village guest house. Byeongsan Seowon by the river.
- Day 7–8GyeongjuBulguksa at opening, bikes between the royal tombs, the pond at dusk.
- Day 9–10BusanJagalchi at the morning auctions, Gamcheon’s upper lanes, the coast path.
- Day 11–12JejuThe haenyeo, an Olle trail section and Seongsan at sunrise. Fly home from Jeju via Seoul.
02 · 10 nights
The Slow South
Two nights in Seoul, then the train to Jeonju’s tables, Boseong’s tea fields, a temple night and the islands of the south coast.
Ask for this route
- Day 1–2SeoulSeochon and a palace, then a long Korean supper.
- Day 3–4JeonjuA hanji workshop, the markets and a makgeolli house.
- Day 5Temple stayOne night at a mountain temple in Jeolla verify programme.
- Day 6–8Boseong and the south coastTea fields, Suncheon Bay at sunset, a ferry to a small island.
- Day 9–10BusanThe fish market and the coast, then KTX to Seoul or fly out of Gimhae verify.
03 · 7 nights
Seoul and the Island
Four nights in Seoul, split between what your teenagers want and what you want, then three on Jeju with one big outdoor day.
Ask for this route
- Day 1–4SeoulHongdae and Seongsu for them, Seochon and the palaces for you, a DMZ day together with a historian.
- Day 5–7JejuHallasan or a crater walk, a morning with the haenyeo, black-pork barbecue.
04 · 9 nights
Mountains and Monasteries
Seoul, then east to Seoraksan for a temple night and a ridge walk, inland to Andong, down to Gyeongju and out through Busan.
Ask for this route
- Day 1–2SeoulBukchon early, Changdeokgung’s garden, a tea house.
- Day 3–4SeoraksanA temple stay at the foot of the park, then a ridge walk with a guide verify trail status.
- Day 5–6Andong and HahoeThe clan village, the academy, and a mask carver.
- Day 7GyeongjuGolgulsa or Bulguksa, then the royal tombs at dusk.
- Day 8–9BusanHaedong Yonggungsa on the rocks, and a last supper at the market.
Two nights,not onethe secondmorning
Hahoe village, Andong
36° 32′ N, 128° 31′ E
Photo Austin Curtis / Unsplash
Practical notes
Rules change. We check each one against the official source when we book, and again before you fly. Last reviewed October 2026.
Do I need a visa or a K-ETA?
Many nationalities, including UK, US, Canadian, Australian and most EU passport holders, can visit South Korea without a visa for a short stay verify length of stay per passport. Visa-free visitors normally need a K-ETA, an online travel authorisation, but some countries are exempt until 31 December 2026 verify current exemption list and end date on k-eta.go.kr. We confirm what your passport needs when we book.
Is there an arrival card?
South Korea has an online e-Arrival Card, and some K-ETA holders are exempt from it verify current rules on e-arrivalcard.go.kr.
Should I buy a rail pass?
Foreign visitors can buy a Korail Pass for a set number of days verify current pass types, prices and SRT coverage. On most of our routes point-to-point tickets cost less, so we compare both for your trip.
When is the best time to go?
April–May and October–November. July is the rainy season (jangma), late summer can bring typhoons, and winter is cold and clear verify with KMA. Blossom and maple dates shift every year.
Will I manage without Korean?
In Seoul and on the trains, yes: signs are in English. In villages and markets a guide or driver who speaks Korean makes a real difference, which is why we add one where it helps.
Money and tipping
Cards are accepted almost everywhere; carry some cash for markets and small temples. Tipping is not expected verify.