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Voykit pocket guide · South Korea
Seoul
서울
Seoul is a subway city: do the palaces and Bukchon before 11:00, stay indoors at midday in summer, and save Myeongdong and Hongdae for the evening.
Seoul's sights are spread over a wide basin, but the subway reaches all of them and runs late. The trips that go wrong pay for it in three ways: palaces on their closed weekday, hills with a suitcase in Bukchon, and a landing after 23:00 with a guesthouse door that locks. Four walking clusters cover a first visit; one bed is enough.
- Country
- South Korea
- Local name
- 서울
- Best months
- Apr · May · Oct · Nov
- Time zone
- Asia/Seoul
- Stay
- 2 days: Palaces + Bukchon by day, Myeongdong in the evening
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- KRW
- Money
- Cards work almost everywhere, including taxis, markets' larger stalls and convenience stores; foreign cards occasionally fail at small shops and machines. Keep ₩30,000–50,000 in ₩1,000 and ₩10,000 notes for street food, market snacks and T-money top-ups, which are cash-only at station machines.
- Daily spend
- Budget ₩50,000–90,000 excl. bed · Mid ₩90,000–200,000 excl. bed · High ₩200,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Install an eSIM before you fly or pick up a SIM or pocket Wi-Fi at the Incheon arrivals counters (passport needed). A plan with a Korean phone number helps with taxi and delivery apps.
- Emergency
- Police 112 · Fire and ambulance 119 · Korea Travel Helpline 1330
- Plugs
- 220 V, 60 Hz; round two-pin sockets (types C and F). Bring an adapter; most chargers handle the voltage.
- Tipping
- No tipping anywhere, including taxis and restaurants. Upmarket hotels add a service charge to the bill.
- Water
- Tap water is treated to drinking standard; most locals still drink filtered water, which restaurants serve free from a self-service dispenser.
- Toilets
- Free and clean in every subway station, park and department store; most have paper, some expect it in the bin rather than the bowl (follow the sign).
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee (americano at a chain café) | ₩2,000–5,500 |
| Noodle or rice dish at a simple restaurant | ₩9,000–13,000 |
| Beer: draught in a hof / bottle in a convenience store | ₩4,000–7,000 / ₩2,500–4,500 |
| 5 km (3.1 mi) taxi by day / after 23:005 km (3.1 mi) taxi by day / after 11:00 PM3.1 mi (5 km) taxi by day / after 23:003.1 mi (5 km) taxi by day / after 11:00 PM | ₩9,000–13,000 / ₩12,000–18,000 |
| Subway or city bus ride | ₩1,500–1,550 by card (check) |
| Tourist eSIM, about a week | ₩15,000–35,000 |
| Palace or museum entry | Free–₩3,000 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- Gimpo International Airport (GMP)
- GMP to Seoul: AREX or subway Line 9 straight into the city in 30 minutes; use Gimpo for Tokyo Haneda, Osaka and Taipei Songshan flights.
- Incheon International Airport (ICN)
- ICN to Seoul: the AREX train to Seoul Station in about an hour, then one subway leg; the risk is landing after 23:00 when the last train has gone and a taxi costs ten times more.ICN to Seoul: the AREX train to Seoul Station in about an hour, then one subway leg; the risk is landing after 11:00 PM when the last train has gone and a taxi costs ten times more.
By rail and road
| Station | Serves | To the centre |
|---|---|---|
| Seoul Station (서울역) | KTX to Busan, Daegu, Gyeongju (Singyeongju) and Pohang; Korail regional trains; AREX; GTX-A | Line 4 one stop to Myeongdong; Line 1 to City Hall; taxi 5–10 min |
| Yongsan Station (용산역) | KTX to Jeonju, Gwangju and Mokpo (Honam line); ITX-Cheongchun to Gapyeong and Chuncheon | Line 1 or Gyeongui–Jungang line; taxi 15 min to Myeongdong |
| Suseo Station (수서역) | SRT high-speed trains to Busan and Mokpo; GTX-A south to Dongtan | Line 3 to Jongno and Gyeongbokgung, about 40 min |
| Cheongnyangni Station (청량리역) | KTX-Eum to Gangneung, Andong and the east; ITX-Cheongchun to Chuncheon | Line 1 to Jongno, about 15 min |
| Express Bus Terminal (Gyeongbu/Yeongdong and Central City) (고속버스터미널) | Express buses to Busan, Daegu, Gangneung (Gyeongbu hall); Jeonju, Gwangju and the south-west (Central City hall) | Line 3 to Jongno, about 25 min; lines 7 and 9 also stop |
| Dong Seoul Bus Terminal (동서울터미널) | East coast (Sokcho, Gangneung), Seoraksan, Andong and the north-east | Line 2 Gangbyeon, about 30 min to City Hall |
Typical fares
- Incheon → Seoul Station, AREX all-stop
- about ₩4,500, 60 min (check)
- Incheon → Myeongdong, limousine bus
- about ₩17,000–18,000, 60–80 min (check)
- Incheon → centre, taxi
- ₩65,000–90,000 with tolls, 50–70 min
- Taxi across the centre
- ₩9,000–13,000
Show 8 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Eat, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Subway for everything, walking inside a neighbourhood, taxis after midnight or with bags. One T-money card (or a WOWPASS or Climate Card) pays for subway, bus and many taxis; transfers within 30 minutes are discounted.
| How | Fare | Use for |
|---|---|---|
| Subway | About ₩1,550 base by card, more by distance (check) | Every cluster, the airports, Gangnam, the river parks |
| T-money card | Card ₩3,000–4,000; top-up in cash at station machines and convenience stores | Subway, bus, taxis and convenience stores |
| Climate Card (short-term) | 1–5-day versions for visitors, from about ₩5,000 plus the card (check) | Heavy subway and bus days inside Seoul |
| City bus | ₩1,500 blue and green; ₩3,000 red express (check) | Namsan, Bukchon slopes, routes without a subway |
| Taxi | Base ₩4,800 for 1.6 km (1 mi); ₩9,000–13,000 for 5 km (3.1 mi)Base ₩4,800 for 1 mi (1.6 km); ₩9,000–13,000 for 3.1 mi (5 km) | Bags, groups of 3–4, after the last train |
| Deluxe (black) taxi | Base about ₩7,000; higher per km | More space, English-speaking drivers more likely |
| Walking | Free | Inside Jongno, Myeongdong, Hongdae |
| Ttareungyi (public bikes) | ₩1,000 an hour; day passes (check) | Han river paths, Cheonggyecheon, Seoul Forest |
Fares are estimates; check before you ride.
- Passes
- Usually no pass. A subway ride costs about ₩1,550 with a T-money card (2026 estimate); the short-term Climate Card for visitors only pays off at four or more rides a day (check). A short taxi is often ₩5,000–9,000.
- Late at night
- The subway stops around midnight; night taxis carry a surcharge. Check the last train in Naver Map before dinner.
See and do
01Gyeongbokgung Palace경복궁
The main Joseon palace with its throne hall, lake pavilion and gate ceremony; in a hanbok, entry is free.
Hours: best 09:00 opening; closed Tue · Price: ₩3,000 · Time: 1.5–2 hHours: best 9:00 AM opening; closed Tue · Price: ₩3,000 · Time: 1.5–2 h · 37.5796, 126.9770
02Changdeokgung and the Secret Garden
The palace built to follow the hills, and a guided walk through royal pavilions and ponds in the woods behind it.
Hours: best Morning garden slot; closed Mon · Price: ₩3,000 + ₩5,000 garden (check) · Time: 2–2.5 h
03Bukchon Hanok Village북촌한옥마을
Lived-in lanes of tiled hanok roofs between two palaces, with views down to the towers.
Hours: best 10:00–11:30 on a weekday · Price: Free · Time: 45 min–1 hHours: best 10:00 AM–11:30 AM on a weekday · Price: Free · Time: 45 min–1 h · 37.5826, 126.9836
04National Museum of Korea
Free, vast and calm: gold crowns, celadon and the pensive Buddhas room.
Hours: best Any day; the rainy or hot afternoon · Price: Free · Time: 2–4 h
05Gwangjang Market food evening
Mung-bean pancakes, gimbap and makgeolli at the counters of Seoul's oldest covered market.
Hours: best 17:00–20:00 · Price: ₩15,000–30,000 · Time: 1.5 hHours: best 5:00 PM–8:00 PM · Price: ₩15,000–30,000 · Time: 1.5 h
06N Seoul Tower and the Namsan walk
The whole basin from the central hill, reached on foot through woods or by bus.
Hours: best Late afternoon into dusk · Price: Free; observatory about ₩21,000–26,000 (check) · Time: 2 h
07Myeongdong evening명동
Street food, cosmetics shops and the cathedral lit at night, one stop from Seoul Station.
Hours: best 18:00–21:00 · Price: ₩10,000–30,000 in snacks · Time: 2 hHours: best 6:00 PM–9:00 PM · Price: ₩10,000–30,000 in snacks · Time: 2 h · 37.5630, 126.9855
08Hongdae and Yeonnam at night홍대
Buskers, bars, clubs and cafés along the old rail-line park; the city's youngest quarter.
Hours: best Friday or Saturday from 19:00 · Price: ₩30,000–60,000 · Time: 3 h+Hours: best Friday or Saturday from 7:00 PM · Price: ₩30,000–60,000 · Time: 3 h+ · 37.5570, 126.9240
09A Han river park evening
Bikes, lawns, fried chicken delivered to your mat and the bridge lights coming on.
Hours: best Sunset, April–October · Price: ₩20,000–40,000 for chicken and beer · Time: 2 h
10Samgyetang at Tosokchon토속촌 삼계탕
Whole ginseng chicken soup in a hanok-style hall next to the palace; the classic lunch after Gyeongbokgung.
Hours: best Before 11:30 or after 14:00 · Price: ₩20,000–28,000 · Time: 45 minHours: best Before 11:30 AM or after 2:00 PM · Price: ₩20,000–28,000 · Time: 45 min · 37.5779, 126.9713
Hours and prices are desk estimates (checked 2026-09); anything marked (check) is not confirmed. Coordinates open in any map app.
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Suwon Hwaseong Fortress | Subway Line 1 or the Suin–Bundang line, or a Mugunghwa train from Seoul Station, then a local bus | Half day to a full day |
| DMZ and the Joint Security Area | Guided tour only; coach from central Seoul | Full day, pick-up 07:00–08:00Full day, pick-up 7:00 AM–8:00 AM |
| Nami Island and Gapyeong | ITX-Cheongchun train from Yongsan or Cheongnyangni, or a shuttle bus from Insadong | Full day |
| Incheon (Chinatown, Wolmido) | Subway Line 1 to Incheon Station, about 1 h 10 min | Half day |
| Korean Folk Village, Yongin | Subway to Suwon or Giheung, then a shuttle or taxi; or a tour | Full day |
| Jeonju Hanok Village | KTX from Yongsan, about 1 h 40 min, then 20 min by taxi | Long day; better as one night |
Eat
| Where | What · area | Price | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gwangjang Market counters | Bindaetteok (mung-bean pancake), mayak gimbap · Jongno 5-ga | ₩5,000–10,000 | Budget |
| Gimbap and snack chains (bunsikjip) | Gimbap, tteokbokki, ramyeon, fried dumplings · Every neighbourhood | ₩3,500–9,000 | Budget |
| Myeongdong street stalls | Skewers, egg bread, hotteok, fried chicken · Myeongdong-gil, evenings | ₩3,000–8,000 an item | Budget |
| Convenience-store meals | Triangle gimbap, cup ramyeon with hot water, lunch boxes · Everywhere, 24 h | ₩1,500–6,000 | Budget |
| Tosokchon Samgyetang | Samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup) · Seochon, by Gyeongbokgung | ₩20,000–28,000 | Mid-range |
| Korean barbecue (samgyeopsal or galbi) | Pork belly or marinated short rib grilled at the table · Mapo, Hongdae, Jongno, every district | ₩17,000–35,000 a serving | Mid-range |
| Myeongdong Kyoja | Kalguksu (knife-cut noodle soup) and dumplings · Myeongdong | ₩11,000–14,000 (check) | Mid-range |
| Jinokhwa Halmae Wonjo Dakhanmari | Dakhanmari (whole chicken hot pot) · Dongdaemun (Dakhanmari alley) | ₩30,000–35,000 per pot for two (check) | Mid-range |
| Mingles | Modern Korean tasting menu · Gangnam (Cheongdam) | From about ₩300,000 (check) | Splurge |
| Jungsik | New Korean tasting menu · Gangnam (Cheongdam) | From about ₩250,000 (check) | Splurge |
| Balwoo Gongyang | Buddhist temple-food courses · Jongno (by Jogyesa) | ₩50,000–150,000 (check) | Splurge |
| Hanwoo beef barbecue | Korean beef grilled at the table · Majang meat market, Gangnam | ₩60,000–150,000 | Splurge |
Per person, one dish or one meal, 2026 estimate. Many barbecue and stew places need two servings minimum.
Sleep
| Band | Price a night | Where | What |
|---|---|---|---|
| budget | ₩25,000–45,000 dorm bed · ₩60,000–100,000 double | Hongdae, Sinchon, Jongno | Hostels, guesthouses, capsule-style pods |
| mid | ₩130,000–230,000 | Myeongdong, Jongno, Dongdaemun, Gangnam | Business hotels and 3–4 star chains |
| mid | ₩120,000–300,000 | Bukchon and Seochon | Hanok guesthouses |
| splurge | ₩450,000–1,500,000+ | Gwanghwamun, Namsan, Jamsil, Gangnam | International luxury hotels |
Per room per night in won, 2026 estimate; cherry-blossom week, big concerts and holidays add 30–80%.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | 안녕하세요an-nyong-ha-se-yo |
| Thank you | 감사합니다gam-sa-ham-ni-da |
| How much is this? | 이거 얼마예요?i-go ol-ma-ye-yo |
| Not spicy, please | 안 맵게 해 주세요an maep-ke hae ju-se-yo |
| This one, please | 이거 주세요i-go ju-se-yo |
| The bill, please | 계산해 주세요gye-san-hae ju-se-yo |
| Please take me to this address | 이 주소로 가 주세요i ju-so-ro ga ju-se-yo |
| Stop here, please | 여기서 세워 주세요yo-gi-so se-wo ju-se-yo |
| Where is the toilet? | 화장실 어디예요?hwa-jang-sil o-di-ye-yo |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Shoes: Off where there is a raised floor or a shoe rack: homes, guesthouse rooms, floor-seated restaurants, temple halls.
- Age and hierarchy: Greet elders first with a small bow; pour for others and turn your head slightly when drinking with seniors.
- Two hands: Give and receive money, cards and drinks with two hands, or one hand supported by the other.
- Subway: Talk quietly, no phone calls; leave the priority seats (and pink seats for pregnant women) empty.
- Chopsticks: Do not stand them upright in rice; rest them on the table or the dish.
- Tipping: None. Leaving money on the table may be chased after you.
- Rubbish: Few public bins; carry rubbish to a convenience store or your hotel and sort it by type.
- Names: Do not write a person's name in red ink: it is associated with the dead.
Red lines
- Palaces: no climbing on walls or steps; follow guard instructions.
- Bukchon is a residential lane: keep quiet and follow the posted visiting rules.
- Do not photograph people at close range without asking.
Scams and watch-outs
- Taxis at Myeongdong, Dongdaemun and the airport that quote a flat price or skip the meter at night: use the taxi rank, a taxi app or insist on the meter.
- Friendly students who ask you to fill in a survey or join a 'traditional ceremony' near Hongdae, Sinchon or City Hall are recruiting for religious groups; decline and walk on.
- Cosmetics shops on the main Myeongdong street price the same product higher than chain stores a block away: compare with Olive Young before buying.
- Bars in some night districts where a host sits with you and the bill arrives with unordered drinks: order from a printed menu and pay per round.
One and two days
1 day
A stopover or a first day after a morning arrival. Skip: Gangnam and Jamsil: a river crossing each way for little on a short day.
- 09:009:00 AMGyeongbokgung at opening (not Tuesday); guard ceremony at 10:00Gyeongbokgung at opening (not Tuesday); guard ceremony at 10:00 AM
- 11:3011:30 AMSamgyetang lunch
- 13:001:00 PMBukchon lanes, then down to Insadong
- 15:303:30 PMCheonggyecheon walk east to Gwangjang Market
- 17:305:30 PMPancakes and makgeolli at Gwangjang Market
- 19:307:30 PMMyeongdong streets and N Seoul Tower by bus
2 days
A long weekend in the old city. Skip: Lotte World Tower and COEX unless it rains.
Day 1 — palaces and hanok lanes
- 09:009:00 AMGyeongbokgung and the National Palace Museum
- 12:0012:00 PMLunch in Seochon
- 13:301:30 PMBukchon, Samcheong-dong and Insadong
- 18:006:00 PMMyeongdong dinner and the cathedral
Day 2 — garden, museum, river
- 09:309:30 AMChangdeokgung and the Secret Garden (booked slot; not Monday)
- 12:3012:30 PMGwangjang Market lunch
- 14:302:30 PMNational Museum of Korea
- 18:006:00 PMHongdae and Yeonnam evening
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Visit Seoul (official tourism): english.visitseoul.net/
- Visit Korea (Korea Tourism Organization): english.visitkorea.or.kr/
- Wikivoyage - Seoul: en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Seoul
- Wikitravel — Seoul: wikitravel.org/en/Seoul
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Seoul서울
이 주소로 가 주세요
Please take me to this address
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
Take me to
- 경복궁Gyeongbokgung Palace
- 북촌한옥마을Bukchon Hanok Village
- 명동Myeongdong
- 홍대Hongdae
- 토속촌 삼계탕Tosokchon Samgyetang
Most embassies are around Gwanghwamun and Jeong-dong (US: Sejong-daero; UK: beside Deoksugung). Write your own embassy's 24-hour line below.
Show drivers the Korean address or a pin in Naver Map or KakaoMap; romanised names are often misread.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/seoul). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.