Discover the natural splendor of Bukhansan National Park, a preserved reserve in the heart of South Korea. Immerse yourself in the diversity of its fauna and flora, with its majestic peaks, such as Mount Baegundae, the park offers breathtaking panoramas of Seoul.
South Korea: guide based on my trip. Authentic destinations, detailed budgets (backpacker to comfort) and tested addresses far from tourist circuits.
The Land of the Morning Calm is easy to explore by bus and train: Seoul and its lively neighbourhoods, Busan between beaches and markets, Gyeongju and its ancient temples, not to mention the mountains of Seoraksan. Here's everything you need to know to plan your trip, based on my 3 stays there.
Any questions? I have the answer for you! You'll find everything you need to know on my blog The Solo Backpacker.
For a first trip, I recommend 3 weeks: that's how long it took me to travel around the peninsula by bus and train, from Seoul down to Busan via the east coast. With 15 days, focus on Seoul and 2 or 3 cities; with more than 3 weeks, you can add the south-west (Suncheon, Boseong, Jeonju).
To see how to link all these stops together, with the price of each journey, check out my 15-day to 1-month South Korea itinerary.
South Korea has 4 very distinct seasons, just like France. I mostly travelled there between September and December.
💡 My advice: aim for late September to November. If you go in November or winter, pack warm clothes, a thick coat and ankle boots.
For 3 weeks travelling solo, I spent around €1,700, flights included, staying in guesthouses and getting around by bus and metro. Seoul is the most expensive city; a city like Gyeongju can be visited on around €30 a day.
To see the cost of every bus and train between each stop, check out my detailed article about the cost per category for a first trip in South Korea.
In South Korea, I almost always stayed in guesthouses or hostels. They offer the best value for money, and that's where I met the most amazing people.
💡 My tips: book the best-located places in advance, as they fill up fast, and choose weekdays rather than weekends, when prices go up.
My neighbourhoods and tried-and-tested places are in each city guide:
The Korean transport network is one of the most efficient I know: punctual, clean and very well connected. Remember to buy a T-Money card as soon as you land. All my tips (buses, KTX, metro, apps, Korail Pass) are in my complete guide to transport in South Korea.
Free WiFi is fairly rare outside cafés. Get a SIM card or an eSIM with data, to book before you leave.
No visa needed for a tourist stay with a French passport. The K-ETA (electronic travel authorisation) is not required until 31 December 2026: check the current rules for your nationality before you leave.
No. I travelled all around the country in 3 weeks by combining buses, trains and the metro, without ever needing one. Public transport covers almost the whole country, including the national parks.
No, conversational English is enough to get by, with the help of a translation app like Papago. A few basic words (hello, thank you) are always appreciated, especially outside Seoul.
I haven't visited it yet, and I didn't include it in my itinerary. For a first trip, the mainland cities already offer more than enough to do: in my opinion, Jeju isn't a priority.
Do you have a destination in mind? Or are you looking for inspiration? Explore my various articles detailed by destination to help you build a perfect itinerary and experience an unforgettable trip!
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