Seoul is a huge, safe, efficient city where 600-year-old palaces sit beneath glass towers. You’ll find world-class street food, cafés, shopping and nightlife, plus mountain trails inside the city. This guide covers the essentials and links to our detailed Seoul guides.
Top things to do in Seoul
- Gyeongbokgung Palace and the Changing of the Guard. See our Seoul palaces guide.
- Bukchon Hanok Village: traditional houses between the palaces. Respect the residents’ quiet hours.
- Myeongdong and Gwangjang Market for street food, cosmetics and bindaetteok.
- N Seoul Tower on Namsan for city views, best at sunset.
- Hongdae and Seongsu: indie music, cafés and pop-up stores.
- Gangnam and COEX: the Starfield Library and K-pop landmarks.
- The DMZ, the border zone with North Korea, on an organised tour only.
See all 20 best things to do in Seoul, or compare Seoul tours and DMZ trips.
Where to stay in Seoul
- Myeongdong: central, with shopping and the airport bus. Best for first-timers.
- Jongno and Insadong: near the palaces, with traditional charm.
- Hongdae: young, lively, and on the AREX airport line.
- Gangnam: modern, upscale, and good for business.
- Itaewon: international food and nightlife.
Read our full Seoul area guide, or check hotel prices in Seoul.
Getting around Seoul
The subway is fast, clean, cheap and signposted in English. Buy a rechargeable T-money card at convenience stores or stations. It also works on buses and in taxis. Use Naver Map or KakaoMap rather than Google Maps, which has limited directions in Korea. Taxis are affordable, and the Kakao T app helps if you don’t speak Korean.
Airport to the city
| Option (Incheon → central Seoul) | Cost (KRW) | Time |
|---|---|---|
| AREX Express to Seoul Station | 9,500 | ~43 min |
| AREX all-stop train | ~4,950 | ~66 min |
| Airport limousine bus | ~10,000–17,000 | 60–90 min |
| Taxi | ~60,000–80,000 | 60–90 min |
Fares are from MileAsia (2026). Full details are in Incheon Airport to Seoul.
Best time to visit Seoul
Spring, with cherry blossoms in early April, and autumn, with colourful leaves from mid-October to early November, are the best seasons. July and August are hot, humid and rainy (monsoon). Winter is dry but very cold, often below freezing. Read the best time to visit Seoul.
Entry requirements
Visitors from 22 countries and territories, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan and several EU countries, are exempt from K-ETA until 31 December 2026, but must complete Korea’s electronic arrival card. Others pay 10,000 KRW for a K-ETA (LoyaltyLobby). See our K-ETA and Korea entry guide. Get a Korea eSIM and travel insurance.
Seoul guides
- 20 best things to do in Seoul
- Seoul itinerary: 3, 4 or 5 days
- Where to stay in Seoul
- Seoul palaces guide: Gyeongbokgung and more
- K-ETA and Korea entry requirements
- Incheon Airport to Seoul
- Best time to visit Seoul
More of East Asia: see our Hong Kong travel guide.
FAQ: Seoul travel
How many days do you need in Seoul?
Four days covers the palaces, the main neighbourhoods, Namsan and the markets. Add a day for the DMZ or a trip outside the city.
Is Seoul expensive?
It’s mid-range. Transport and street food are cheap, palaces cost a few thousand won, and hotels and cafés are similar to other big Asian cities.
Is Seoul safe for tourists?
Yes, it’s one of the safest big cities in the world. Normal precautions apply in busy nightlife areas.
Does Google Maps work in Seoul?
Only partly. Directions are limited, so download Naver Map or KakaoMap, which both have English menus.
Plan your trip to Seoul
The trusted services we use to plan our own trips.
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