3 days in Seoul
Three days is a good first look at Seoul. Each day stays in one part of the city so you spend your time at the places, not on the subway.
- Route
- Seoul (3 days)
- Estimated budget
- about $385 (₩513,000) 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
10 min by transit
Afternoon · Shopping
Myeongdong Shopping Street
About 1 h 30 min · Free
Show ticket · Book on KlookAffiliate linkChecked Nov 6
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 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
Day 3 total: about $125 (₩167,000) per person
Budget for this route
| Style | Whole trip, per person |
|---|---|
| Budget | about $195 (₩260,000) |
| Mid-range | about $385 (₩513,000) |
| Comfort | about $634 (₩846,000) |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food (daily allowance) | about $112 (₩150,000) | about $37 | 29% |
| Lodging | about $108 (₩144,000) | about $36 | 28% |
| Admissions and tours | about $70 (₩93,000) | about $23 | 18% |
| Shopping | about $67 (₩90,000) | about $22 | 18% |
| Local transport | about $27 (₩36,000) | about $9 | 7% |
| Total, 3 days | about $385 (₩513,000) | about $128 | 100% |
Shares are rounded.
Priciest and cheapest day
- Average day
- about $128 (₩171,000) per person
- Priciest: Day 2 in Seoul
- about $133 (₩177,000), 4% above the average
- Cheapest: Day 3 in Seoul
- about $125 (₩167,000), 2% below the average
Time on the move
- At the stops
- about 12 h 30 min over 9 stops
- Between stops
- about 2 h 7 min, 14% of the time
- Average leg
- about 21 min
- Stops per day
- 3.0 on average
- Longest leg
- 52 min on Day 3
Mix of stops
| Kind | Stops | Admission |
|---|---|---|
| Sights | 5 | about $58 (₩78,000) |
| Food | 3 | Not counted |
| Shopping | 1 | Free |
| Free to enter | 3 | of 9 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 3 days enough for Seoul?
Three days covers Seoul’s highlights: the main palaces, a market or two and a couple of neighbourhoods. With four or five days you can slow down or add a trip out of the city.
How do you get around on a 3-day Seoul trip?
Stops on each day are grouped so most legs take under an hour, about 2 h 7 min of travel between stops over the whole trip. Seoul: The subway reaches nearly every place in this guide.
How much does a 3-day Seoul trip cost?
About $385 (₩513,000) per person for this 3-day plan at mid-range prices, covering lodging, food, local transport, admissions and some shopping. The same route costs about $195 on a budget and about $634 in comfort. Flights to Korea are not included. Prices as of Sep 25, 2026 · USD at the Nov 12, 2026 rate.