7 days in Korea: Seoul and Busan
A week is the classic first trip to Korea: four days in Seoul, then the fast KTX train south to Busan for beaches, hillside villages and seafood markets.
- Route
- Seoul (4 days) → Busan (3 days)
- Estimated budget
- about $905 (₩1,207,400) per person, mid-range, includes tickets and intercity transport
Prices as of Sep 25, 2026 · USD at the Nov 12, 2026 rate. Estimates, not quotes.
Opens the planner with the same cities and days. Swap any stop, change the style or pick your dates.
Day 1 Seoul
Morning · Sights
Bukchon Hanok Village
About 1 h 30 min · Free
City tour · Book on KlookAffiliate linkChecked Nov 6
10 min by transit
Afternoon · Sights
Gamgodang-gil Stone Wall Lane
About 30 min · Free
Hanbok rental · Book on KlookAffiliate linkChecked Nov 6
35 min by transit
Dinner · Food
Noryangjin Fish Market
About 1 h 30 min · about $19 (₩25,000) per person
Food tour · Book on KlookAffiliate linkChecked Nov 6
Day 1 total: about $127 (₩169,000) per person
Day 2 Seoul
Morning · Sights
Changdeokgung Palace and Huwon
About 2 h · about $6 (₩8,000)
Hanbok rental · Book on KlookAffiliate linkChecked Nov 6
Stay in Seoul
About $54 (₩72,000) a night per person
Day 2 total: about $133 (₩177,000) per person
Day 3 Seoul
Morning · Sights
Gyeongbokgung Palace
About 1 h 30 min · about $2 (₩3,000)
City tour · Book on KlookAffiliate linkChecked Nov 6
52 min by transit
Afternoon · Sights
Lotte World Indoor Theme Park
About 2 h · about $50 (₩67,000)
Admission ticket · Book on KlookAffiliate linkChecked Nov 6
Stay in Seoul
About $54 (₩72,000) a night per person
Day 3 total: about $179 (₩239,000) per person
Day 4 Seoul
10 min by transit
Dinner · Food
Gwangjang Market
About 1 h · about $8 (₩10,000) per person
Food tour · Book on KlookAffiliate linkChecked Nov 6
Stay in Seoul
About $54 (₩72,000) a night per person
Day 4 total: about $127 (₩169,000) per person
Day 5 Busan
Morning
Take the KTX train to Busan
Seoul → Busan · about 2 h 40 min · from about $41 (₩54,400)
Day 5 total: about $161 (₩214,400) per person
Day 6 Busan
Morning · Sights
Gamcheon Culture Village
About 1 h 30 min · Free
Day tour · Book on KlookAffiliate linkChecked Nov 6
10 min by transit
Afternoon · Shopping
Gukje Market
About 1 h · Free
Food tour · Book on KlookAffiliate linkChecked Nov 6
10 min by transit
Dinner · Food
BIFF Square Street Food
About 45 min · about $5 (₩6,000) per person
Food tour · Book on KlookAffiliate linkChecked Nov 6
Stay in Busan
About $49 (₩65,000) a night per person
Day 6 total: about $114 (₩152,000) per person
Day 7 Busan
Morning · Sights
Haedong Yonggungsa Temple
About 1 h · Free
Day tour · Book on KlookAffiliate linkChecked Nov 6
Long transfer (~1 h 11 min)
Afternoon · Sights
Oryukdo Skywalk
About 30 min · Free
Day tour · Book on KlookAffiliate linkChecked Nov 6
42 min by transit
Dinner · Food
Bupyeong Kkangtong Market
About 1 h · about $8 (₩10,000) per person
Food tour · Book on KlookAffiliate linkChecked Nov 6
Day 7 total: about $65 (₩87,000) per person
Budget for this route
| Style | Whole trip, per person |
|---|---|
| Budget | about $423 (₩564,400) |
| Mid-range | about $905 (₩1,207,400) |
| Comfort | about $1,484 (₩1,979,400) |
Lodging, food, local transport, travel between cities, admissions and some shopping. Flights to Korea are not included. Hotel prices assume two guests sharing a room; peak-season prices can be higher.
Korea travel budget for 5, 7 and 10 days, and Seoul’s daily costs →
Where the money goes
| Kind | Per person | Per day | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lodging | about $313 (₩418,000) | about $45 | 35% |
| Food (daily allowance) | about $251 (₩335,000) | about $36 | 28% |
| Shopping | about $146 (₩195,000) | about $21 | 16% |
| Admissions and tours | about $91 (₩121,000) | about $13 | 10% |
| Local transport | about $63 (₩84,000) | about $9 | 7% |
| Travel between cities | about $41 (₩54,400) | about $6 | 5% |
| Total, 7 days | about $905 (₩1,207,400) | about $129 | 100% |
Shares are rounded.
Priciest and cheapest day
- Average day
- about $129 (₩172,486) per person
- Priciest: Day 3 in Seoul
- about $179 (₩239,000), 39% above the average
- Cheapest: Day 7 in Busan
- about $65 (₩87,000), 50% below the average
Time on the move
- At the stops
- about 22 h 45 min over 20 stops
- Between stops
- about 4 h 57 min, 18% of the time
- Average leg
- about 23 min
- Stops per day
- 2.9 on average
- Longest leg
- 1 h 11 min on Day 7
Train and flight rides are not counted.
Mix of stops
| Kind | Stops | Admission |
|---|---|---|
| Sights | 9 | about $58 (₩78,000) |
| Food | 7 | Not counted |
| Shopping | 2 | Free |
| Nature | 1 | Free |
| Café | 1 | about $6 (₩8,000) |
| Free to enter | 9 | of 20 stops |
Before you go
Travel insurance
Check that your policy covers medical care in Korea, trip changes and the activities you plan.
- Check price on SafetyWingAffiliate linkTravel medical insurance for visitors
eSIM or SIM card
Mobile data keeps maps, translation and transit apps working. For an eSIM, check that your phone supports it and is unlocked.
- Check price on KlookAffiliate linkChecked Nov 65G Unlimited Prepaid eSIM South Korea (SKT)
The full checklist (K-ETA, T-money, airport transfers) comes with every trip you build in the planner.
Questions
Is 7 days enough for Korea?
Seven days fits two cities comfortably: four days in Seoul and three in Busan, joined by a KTX ride of under three hours. Adding Jeju in a week means losing most of a day to travel.
How do you get around on a 7-day Korea trip?
Stops on each day are grouped so most legs take under an hour, about 4 h 57 min of travel between stops over the whole trip. Seoul: The subway reaches nearly every place in this guide. Busan: Metro Lines 1 and 2 cover most of the city, but coastal spots such as Haedong Yonggungsa and Taejongdae need a bus or taxi. Seoul to Busan is about 2 h 40 min by KTX train, with fares from about $41 (₩54,400).
How much does a 7-day Korea trip cost?
About $905 (₩1,207,400) per person for this 7-day plan at mid-range prices, covering lodging, food, local transport, admissions and some shopping. The same route costs about $423 on a budget and about $1,484 in comfort. Flights to Korea are not included. Prices as of Sep 25, 2026 · USD at the Nov 12, 2026 rate.