25 Best Day Trips From Seoul (First-Timers Guide)

I lived in Korea and spent most weekends exploring the country. I absolutely love Seoul, but there were times when I wanted to experience more of Korea outside of the flashing lights and K-pop craze.

Luckily, there are so many awesome day trips from Seoul, making it easy for me to hop on a train or bus and see a different side to Korea.

Here are 25 of the best Seoul day trips that you cannot miss, as well as a few extra destinations that you should include in your Korea itinerary.

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25 best Seoul day trips

Below are my top picks of the best day trips from Seoul, many of which can be included in a 7 day Seoul itinerary.

Because of the language barrier, I did most of these trips as part of a group tour. I found that it’s often cheaper to book a tour as they offer tourist discounts, and it saves you time as everything is organised.

Summary of the best day trips from Seoul

Most popular Seoul day trip | Nami Island

Easiest trip using the metro | Bukhansan National Park

Bucketlist day trip | DMZ

Adventure day trips | Skiing in winter

Day trips from Seoul for families | Everland Theme Park

Best Seoul Day trips

Here are my favorite places to visit no matter the time of year.

Nami Island

Nami Island is one of the most iconic sights in Korea and is easily accessible on a Seoul day trip.

Serene lakes, dreamy canopies, and quirky sculptures. That’s Nami Island for you – a quick breather from the urban chaos.

But Nami Island is a cultural haven too. Remember the film “Winter Sonata”? That swoon-worthy K-drama? Yep, this island was its backdrop!

You’ll need to pass through “immigration” before taking a ferry (or a zip line) to the half-moon-shaped island

There are a few other attractions near Nami Island, including Garden of Morning Calm and Petite France. All of these can be combined into the perfect day trip from Seoul.

This Nami Island day tour gives you the option of choosing which other attractions to include in your itinerary.

Best tour | Nami + Morning Calm + Railbike

READ MORE: GUIDE TO VISITING NAMI ISLAND

DMZ

The DMZ is no man’s land and acts as a buffer between North and South Korea.

It’s one of the most heavily militarized borders in the world and spans the entire breadth of the two countries.

This is one of the best places to visit outside Seoul as it’s located just an hour’s drive away.

Of all the day trips from Seoul, the DMZ is the one that you cannot access independently and has to be organized through a tour operator.

I did this tour of the DMZ. We visited the Third Tunnel of Aggression, which was built by the North Koreans as a way to invade the South many years ago.

From there, we headed to the Dora Observatory, which overlooks the Korean Demilitarized Zone and onto North Korea.

The tour then stopped at the Joint Security Area (JSA). This area is marked by the iconic blue buildings where the two Koreas meet. Unfortunately, due to a recent unauthorized incidents, DMZ tours no longer stop at the JSA.

Best DMZ tour | DMZ Join-In Tour

Bukhansan Mountain Hike

You don’t have to venture too far when looking for the best Seoul day trips!

Just a short drive north of the city lies Bukhansan National Park, an outdoor playground for those looking to go hiking near Seoul.

The highest point is Baegundae Peak which offers panoramic views of Seoul in the distance. But the climb to get there is tough!

I mistakenly took the expert route – you can read about my Bukhansan hiking adventure here. This saw me climbing on all fours, scaling massive boulders whilst pulling myself up with rope.

You can do the hike independently or to save yourself from getting lost like I did, you can book a tour like this one.

How to get there independently | Take the Seoul Subway to Gupabal Station on line 3. Once you arrive at Gupabal Station, take exit 1. From there take either bus 34, 704, or 8772 to the Bukhansan Fortress Stop.

Best tour | Bukhansan Summit Course

Gangchon Rail Park

Start your morning off by pedaling through the Korean countryside at the Gangchon Rail Bike, the best rail park in Korea!

It’s a 8.6 km rail bike course that passes through wide-open fields. You’ll enter themed tunnels and ride alongside rivers before hopping onto a train for a scenic ride to the final point.

It’s one of the best day trips from Seoul that allows you to explore a different side of Korea, away from the crowds, as only a limited number of people are allowed on the rail bike at a time.

We bought tickets here and traveled independently. Afterwards, we head over to Chuncheon, the Dakgalbi capital of Korea, which is just 2km away. The delicious cheesy meal supposedly originated in the city of Chuncheon and there’s even a street named after it.

Top tip: Because Gangchon Railbike is located close to Nami Island, you can visit both on the same day trip. But you’ll need to book a tour like this and specify the railbike addition. Because you’re on a day trip, your time will be tight, so unfortunatley, I don’t recommened trying to it without a tour.

How to get there independently | You will need to prebook your railbike ticket here. Then take the KTX fast train from Seoul to Namchuncheon Station near Chuncheon.

Best tour | Nami Island + Railbike

Everland

Everland is the Disney World of Korea! It’s the largest theme park and an institution in the country.

Situated in the colorful city of Yongin, it takes an hour to reach from the center of Seoul. You’ll need a full day to explore all the attractions.

With parades, fireworks, and a magic fair, Everland is a sensory explosion for all visitors and is one of the top activities to do on a Seoul day trip.

Buy your tickets in advance here, where you’ll pay a discounted rate and won’t need to stand in long queues.

You could also book the shuttle bus that includes your transport from Seoul to Everland. This is a great option if you’re traveling with kids.

hwaseong fortress in Suwon

Suwon is a small city situated on the outskirts of the capital. It’s a worthy day trip from Seoul as it’s easily accessible using the Seoul Metro.

The biggest attraction is the Suwon Hwaseong Fortress.

Built in the 18th century during the Joseon Dynasty, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most impressive destinations near Seoul.

Stretching over 5km, you’re able to walk the perimeter walls, taking in the picturesque mountain views that surround the fortress.

Suwon also has an exciting nightlife scene, so after exploring the fortress, head out and treat yourself to some delicious Korean food, and soju (of course)!

Or better yet, coordinate this Seoul day trip with a baseball game at the local Suwon stadium.

How to get to Hwaseong Fortress | Take the Seoul metro to Suwon Station, exiting at Suwon Tourist Info Center. Then get on bus 5 or 7 to the Jangan Park stop (which is about 15 15-minute ride away).

Best tour | Hwaseong Fortress + Starfield Library + Cave tour

Korean Folk Village in Yongin

The Korean Folk Village in Yongin is a captivating window into traditional Korean life.

It features traditional houses and crafts from the Joseon dynasty and has a vibe that’s straight out of the past.

It’s like a history class, but way more interesting.

If you’re a history buff and someone who loves soaking up the culture, the Korean Folk Village makes for a great Seoul day trip.

How to get to the Korean Folk Village | Take the train to Gangnam Station, exit 10. From here, the Korean Folk Village is an hour’s drive on bus 5001-1.

Gwangmyeong Cave

Gwangmyeong Cave is a unique underground attraction converted from an abandoned mine.

It offers a blend of history and entertainment, featuring illuminated tunnels covered with various art installations.

The cave provides visitors with an intriguing journey through its subterranean passages, showcasing the transformation of a former mine into a vibrant cultural and recreational space.

If you join a tour like this one, you can visit both the Suwon Fortress and Gwangmeyong Cave on the day trip.

How to get there independently | Take either the KTX train or the metro to Gwangmyeong Station. Exit the station from exit 8 and take Bus 17 or 77 for 15 minutes to Gwangmyeong Cave.

Best Tour | Hwaseong Fortress + Starfield Library + Cave tour

Best Seoul day trips in winter

Winters in Korea a freezing cold, so you need to come prepared for icy days.

Skiing

If you’re spending winter in Korea (December to March), check out these awesome ski resorts, which are easily accessible on a day trip from Seoul.

Unlike other ski destinations in the world, you don’t need to plan week-long getaways to go skiing in Korea.

The ski parks are much smaller, and the courses lack variety, making it the perfect day trip from Seoul.

Most ski resorts lie within a 2-hour drive from the capital city. Logistically, it’s much easier to book a tour like this one that I did to Vivaldi Park. All transport, ski gear, and lift passes are organised, and the price is discounted for foreigners.

All that’s left for you to do is meet the bus in Myeongdong at 7 am, and you’ll return by 8 pm the same night.

Best tour | Vivaldi Ski Park or Elysian Ski Park

Best Seoul day trips in summer

Caribbean Bay

Right next door to Everland lies Caribbean Bay, a water park with fun slides, wave pools, and river tubing activities.

This makes for an exciting day trip on its own, especially during the warm summer months.

Both Everland and Caribbean Bay get extremely crowded over the weekend and public holidays, so if you’re planning this day trip from Seoul, try to visit during the week when it’s less busy.

Buy tickets | Caribbean Bay day pass

Daecheon Beach

Planning your vacation to Seoul for the summer and looking to hit the beaches?

Unfortunately, those on the east coast, like Busan and Sokcho, are a bit too far to include on a day trip from Seoul.

But Daecheon Beach on the west coast is a 2-hour drive from the capital and makes for the perfect day or weekend trip.

Situated in the town of Boryeong, Daecheon Beach is famous for being the home of the Boryeong Mud Festival, which attracts thousands of visitors to its shores in July each year.

The 3.5km stretch of beach is the perfect place to soak up the sun and spend a day in the water.

How to get there | Take the bus from Seoul Express Bus Terminal to Boryeong Bus Terminal. From the bus terminal, you can hop on the local bus to Daecheon Beach.

White water rafting

If you’re looking for fun day trips from Seoul during summer, why not go rafting down the Naerincheon River near Inje.

Whilst it’s a popular weekend activity for Koreans, I was surprised to see no other tourists on the river!

The 6 km course offers class II rapids. They aren’t overly exciting, but what it lacks in rapids, it makes up for in scenery. It’s incredibly beautiful, and the stream is lined with lush trees.

The highlight of this rafting tour comes halfway through the course when you can hop in the water. After spending an hour paddling in the scorching heat, this refreshing swim is well-deserved.

How to get there | Naerincheon River is a 90-minute drive from Seoul. To get here, you first need to take a bus from the Dong Bus Terminal in Seoul to the town of Inje, followed by a 15-minute taxi to X-Game Resort, which is where you’ll start your rafting tour.

READ MORE: ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT RAFTING IN KOREA

Wolmido Island in Incheon

Incheon is just a hop away from Seoul and stands out as one of the best day trips you can make.

“But that’s where the airport is, right?“

Correct!

But this bustling city effortlessly combines tradition with modernity, offering a delightful blend of experiences. If you’re a foodie, you’ll love Incheon’s Chinatown!

Incheon’s oceanfront is also a major drawcard. Wolmido Island boasts an amusement park with captivating waterfront views and a chance to unwind by the sea.

For a glimpse into Korea’s artistic side, the Songwol-dong Fairy Tale Village’s murals and fairy-tale-inspired decor offer a picturesque stroll.

How to get there | It’s super easy to do a day trip from Seoul to Incheon. Simply take the metro to Incheon Station.

Day trips from Seoul (that are better for a weekend)

Thanks to the KTX fast train, most places are accessible on day trips from Seoul.

But just because you can do it as a one-day getaway, doesn’t mean you should!

The places below are often listed as some of the best day trips from Seoul. But from my experience after visiting all of them, they’re better suited for a weekend trip.

This is because they’re further from Seoul as and you’ll need more time to check out all the attractions nearby.

Jeonju

• Distance from Seoul: 3 hours by bus

Jeonju is a foodie’s delight and a charming city south of Seoul.

Just like Chuncheon is famous for Dakgalbi, Jeonju’s signature dish is Bibimbap, yet another one of my favorite Korean dishes!

Another major attraction in Jeonju is the well-preserved Jeonju Hanok Village, which is arguably one of the most spectacular traditional villages in Korea.

Walk the streets, explore the traditional houses made from wood and slate, dress up in a traditional Hanbok, and observe the selfie-obsessed visitors.

After exploring the village, take a short walk to Jaman Mural Village, where you’ll find vibrant street art.

Finally, and my highlight of Jeonju, enough a night of Makgeolli which is a traditional Korean milky rice wine!

After all the Makgeolli, you’ll most likely wake up with a nice headache the next day, so feast on a big breakfast (which should be bibimbap – yes, it’s a favorite for breakfast, lunch, and dinner) before heading back to Seoul, or continue on to Busan which is 3 hours away.

READ MORE: THE ULTIMATE KOREA PACKING LIST

Why Not to visit Jeonju as a day trip

To get to Jeonju, you can hop on the KTX bullet train, which takes less than two hours from Seoul. But at $35 for the one-way trip, it’s rather pricey!

If you include Jeonju as one of your day trips from Seoul, you would have to take the fast train. But it’s a lot of money to spend for a few hours in the city.

Alternatively, if you’re traveling Korea on a budget, the bus is your best bet. However, this is just over 3 hours’ drive from Seoul. Thus the reason I suggest spending the night in Jeonju.

Seoraksan National Park (Sokcho)

• Distance from Seoul: 3 hours by bus

On the east coast of Korea lies Sokcho. It’s home to Seoraksan National Park and the third-highest mountain in the country.

Mount Seorak is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Korea and a hit amongst nature lovers. You’ll need 5 hours to explore the national park, and there are various hiking trails suited to all levels.

You don’t want to rush this, as it’s a truly stunning park with so much to do and see.

Many people include Seoraksan National Park as one of their day trips from Seoul. If you’re pressed for time, it is possible on a day tour like this.

But if you have a few days, I recommend spending some time exploring Sokcho and Seoraksan National Park.

This will give you time to explore the fishing town of Sokcho and indulge in a delicious fresh seafood dinner. You can also visit the beaches in Sokcho or head to nearby Naksan Beach and visit Naksansa Temple.

The bus ride from Seoul to Sokcho is 3 hours, and you can easily find a bus from the Seoul Express Bus Terminal.

High1 Ski Resort

• Distance from Seoul: 3 hours by bus

I’ve already mentioned that visiting a ski resort is the perfect Seoul day trip. But, there’s an exception!

High1 Ski Resort is the biggest (and arguably the best) ski resort in Korea, but it’s a 3-hour drive from the capital, so it’s best visited as a weekend trip from Seoul.

High1 offers the highest elevation in the country with long courses and more exciting slope variety than you’ll find elsewhere.

Because of the driving distance, it’s best to extend your stay so that you can ski the afternoon you arrive, and the following day before heading back to Seoul.

Longer trips from Seoul

There is just so much to do and see in Korea! If you have the time, head over to the destinations below.

You can’t, or rather, shouldn’t, visit them on a day trip from Seoul. I also wouldn’t recommend a weekend trip (but it is possible if you have no other option.)

Jeju Island

Jeju Island, the Hawaii of Korea – so they say!

It’s one of the 7 New Wonders of the World and home to Korea’s highest Mountain, Mount Hallasan.

There’s so much to do in Jeju, from climbing Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak to exploring Manjanggul Cave and even chasing towering waterfalls. During the summer, hit the beaches or pop into one of the numerous themed museums.

The highlight for me was the famous Jeju Black Pork BBQ – it’s the best I had in all of Korea.

I spent 5 days on the island and traveled independently using public transport. But, if you’re pressed for time and only have 2 or 3 days in Jeju, it’s best to join a day tour like this as the distance between destinations is far, and the public transport can be slow.

How to get to Jeju Island | Take a flight from Gimpo Airport in Seoul.

READ MORE: WHERE TO STAY IN JEJU ISLAND

Busan

Busan is the second-largest city in Korea and another must-visit on any Korea travel itinerary.

This vibrant city has so much to offer, including some of the best beaches in Korea.

I had my first Jimjilbang experience in Busan – if you don’t know what a jimjilbang is, it’s one of the best things to do in Korea!

The city is also famous for the colorful Gamcheon Culture Village and the picturesque Haedong Yonggung Temple (Temple by the Sea).

How to get to Busan | Using the KTX, you can reach Busan from Seoul in as little as 3 hours, but the ticket is expensive. If you’re spending $80 to get there (which is more than the cost to fly), you might as well make the most of your time and explore Busan for more than just a day trip from Seoul.

Other day trips from seoul

Below are other Seoul day trips. If you’re short on time, I’d give them a skip in favor of those day trips I’ve listed above.

But if you have extra time in Seoul, these are fantastic options to consider.

• Dumulmeori: A scenic place to visit alongside the river. It’s a popular spot amongst locals.
• Heyri Art Valley in Paju: Perfect for art and crafts lovers and easily accessible from Seoul.
• Legoland Korea Resort: This is the biggest Legoland theme park in Asia!
• Namhansanseong Fortress: A UNESCO World Heritage Site within 2 hours from Seoul.
• Alpaca World: The name speaks for itself! Alpaca World can be combined with a Nami Island day trip from Seoul like this one here.
• Anyang Art Park: This park boasts art installations as well as short hiking trails into the forest.
• Muuido: A small island south of Incheon. Great for a summer day trip from Seoul.
• Lotte World: Another theme park near Seoul with thrilling rides.

How to plan your day trips from Seoul

South Korea has one of the best public transportation networks in the world.

This makes it easy to plan the perfect Korea itinerary where you can visit the many bucket list destinations the country has to offer.

By Train or bus

The KTX fast train takes a fraction of the time than a normal train would. And buses depart from the Seoul Express Bus Terminal to various destinations at 30-minute intervals.

But, if you cannot speak Korean or read hangul, you may struggle to navigate around the country, especially if you’re rushing around and your time is limited.

You don’t want to risk getting lost or mistakenly catch the wrong train – both of which happened to me. This resulted in many of my day trips from Seoul being extended to weekend getaways!

Tour group

It’s best to plan your trip using a tourist-friendly operator such as Klook, Trazy, or Viator.

I’ve used all three operators in Korea, and they offer extremely affordable tours. This includes discounts for international tourists.

These tour operators take care of all the nitty-gritty for you, so you can just sit back, relax, and enjoy your day trip from Seoul.

However, there are still a few day trips that you can do independently without a guide, and I’ve included them all above!

Thoughts on the best day trips from Seoul

Each of these Seoul day trips offers something different and suited for everyone from adventure travelers to backpackers.

My highlights include the DMZ and the skiing day trips from Seoul. But each is worthy to be on your Korea bucket list!

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Have you done any of these Seoul day trips? Would you prefer to travel independently or with a tour group? Let me know in the comments section below!

Psst… Looking for more Korea travel information? Check out my other posts!

• The Best Places to Stay in Seoul
• 24 Strange Things About life in Korea
• Teaching English in Korea: The Only Guide You Need
• The Ultimate 2 Week South Korea Itinerary
• 19 Things You Need to Know Before Moving to Korea
• Where to Stay in Busan: The Ultimate Guide

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