Annyeonghaseyo!
We can’t wait to share with you our 5 DAYS IN SEOUL COMPLETE ITINERARY. Last April, we were lucky to visit South Korea, a very popular destination; nonetheless the cost of living in this city is expensive so travelers need to shell out lots of money if they want to stay more than a week right in the heart of Korean Drama and Seoul cuisine.
But why spend a week, if you can do it in 5 days? Or 4 days even more so. Without further ado, let’s begin and list the 15 places to visit in Seoul.
Day 1
Let’s just say that your Day 1 is your arrival date but technically, you’re still in the Philippines or your home country.
At the Incheon International Airport Terminal 2, you need to hop on an airport train to transfer to Terminal 1. Don’t worry because this is a free ride. At Terminal 1, you may rent a KT Olleh 4G Portable Wifi pocket for just P141 per day that offers an unlimited high speed internet across Korea and can connect up to 3 devices. To know more how to avail this pocket wifi, CLICK THIS KLOOK LINK.
From Incheon Terminal 1, you may ride the Airport Railroad Express or AREX going to Seoul Station. I suggest that you buy the Express Ticket rather than the All-Stop Ticket to lessen the travel time. The first train from airport is at 5:23 AM while the last train from the airport is at 12am. For more information about the timetable, visit their site. Enjoy discounted price of Arex ticket, avail it in Klook.
During our trip, we checked in at Korstay Guesthouse, near the subway station of Sookmyung University Station which is just one station away from Seoul Station.
Day 2
After a goodnight sleep, we officially started our Seoul escapade.
We began our cultural tour and set our foot in the area of Gyeongbokgung Palace.
1. GOBLIN STREET SCENE
Coming from Seoul Station, hop on the Dark Blue line train going to Jonggak Station. Walk for 10 minutes to reach the Goblin Hanbok Rental. Does that ring a bell? Oh yes, your guess is right.
This hanbok rental shop is just across the wall known as one of the shooting locations of hit series Goblin. You better not skip this one if you’re a die hard fan of Koreanovela. The rental price for Hanbok in this shop is reasonable and cheaper compared to other rental shop.
You may rent a Premium Korean traditional outfit for 4 hours for only KRW 15,000 (P740 approximately) including the handbag, wired skirt, hairstyling services and free storage of your clothes and luggage. The woman who assisted us was very kind.
3. INSADONG CULTURAL VILLAGE
You may get lost along the alleys of Insadong Cultural Village because you’ll be mesmerized by the beauty and uniqueness of some Hanok, traditional Korean houses. Along the streets, there are various souvenir stores, art shops and some Korean food stalls. It is a 700-meters stretch so better bring a bottle of water.
3. BUKCHON VILLAGE
Connected to Insadong Village is Bukchon village, the former residence of royal families. Just be careful not to bother the village people while taking pictures at the stonewalls. Uphill is where you can see the scenic view of the whole village and nearby streets.
4. GYEONGBOKGUNG PALACE
Not far from the Bukchon Village and Insadong Street is the famous cultural site of Gyeongbokgung Palace. Words are not enough to describe how beautiful this Korean royal place is. Located at the northern part, it is the easiest to access among the 5 remaining palaces in the area. Best time to visit is during the opening hours where there are few visitors.
After our Gyeongbokgung palace tour, we decided to return our Hanbok and head to Dongdaemun. From Jonggak Station, hop on the Dark Blue line train going to Dongdaemun Station.
5. DONGDAEMUN
If you are shopaholic and insomniac at the same time, then this is the perfect place to kill time. The high-rise shopping malls in Dongdaemun operate from 7pm until 5am. They sell wholesale garments and collectible bags in bulks. Prices are relatively high compared to night market shopping stalls, but women still swarm the malls to get unique and chic dresses.
DAY 3
6. GANGNAM
Reserve this day for Everland alone because for sure, this wonderland-like amusement-garden park will exceed your expectations. Coming from Seoul Station, hop on the Light Blue Line going to Dongjak Station then transfer to Beige Line Train going to Sinnonhyeon Station. Upon your arrival at the station, you officially set foot in Gangnam District, the famous place in PSY’s hit song “OPPA GANGNAM STYLE.” Classified as the Seoul’s upscale district, high-rise building and shopping centers fill the area.
Just few steps from the Sinnonhyeon Station, you’ll find a waiting shed area in the middle lane. Go there and wait for BUS 5002 that will take you straight to Everland Station in just 30 to 40 minutes. From Everland Station, there are free shuttle buses that will drop you at the main entrance of Everland.
7. EVERLAND
Play like a kid for one day in this spectacular Disneyland-like park. For only P1,458, you may enjoy numerous thrilling rides and experience adrenaline rush on the wooden roller coaster. Click this Klook link for discounted Everland ticket.
Aside from rides, visit the Animal Safari and Panda World, and marvel at the beauty of beds of Tulips during spring season.
Don’t miss the fireworks show and light parade during the closing hour. This is definitely the ultimate way to end your amazing day in Everland.
From Everland, there are public buses waiting at the parking area. These will take you back to Myeongdong, Dongdaemun and Seoul Station.
DAY 4
8. GANGCHON RAIL BIKE
Be one with the nature at this day and find bliss in pedaling a Gangchon Rail Bike, one of the highlights of our Seoul and also memorable because we accidentally dropped our daughter’s sling bag along the rail. (What a funny and clumsy moment!)
How to go there: At Seoul Station, ride the train in Dark Blue Line going to Cheongnyangni Station then transfer to ITX train going to Gangchon Station. You may want to reserve online tickets for ITX because most tickets are sold out. For walk-ins, purchase ticket at ITX ticket counter. Lucky for us, we accidentally got ITX train tickets without knowing it.
At Gangchon Station, ride another subway train going to Gimyujeong Station. Allot 1 hour for total travel time.
The ride itself is refreshing by immersing yourself in nature’s beauty. There are tunnels where you’ll see different light projections and each has its own theme: nature, scary, bubbles and disco.
At the end of the track, you’ll see the lovely Bukhangang River. A free ride in the Romantic Train will take you back to the Gangchon Station, then another free shuttle ride to Gimyujeong Station. Click this Klook link to avail promo ticket in Gangchon Rail Bike.
9. NAMI ISLAND
Before you can reach the Nami Island, you need to take a train ride from Gumyujeong Station to Gapyeong Station, then hop on the Sightseeing Tour Shuttle Bus or taxi. You may take a zipline ride or ferry ride to go to the island. For ferry ride, you can buy a ticket for regular price of KRW13,000 (P630 approximately) and student price of KRW7,000 (P340 approximately). Ferry sails every 30 minutes.
This island is named after General Nami, a victorious soldier during Joseon Dynasty. Designated as UNICEF Child Friendly Park, the park offers a fairy tale world for kids. They call the residents of Nami Island as citizen of Naminara as they gained their cultural independence from the Republic of Korea, it has its own diplomatic and cultural policies.
For Korean Drama fans, enjoy the popular areas where Winter Sonata was filmed.
Going back to town proper, ride a ferry and you may continue your Nami tour in Petite France. To reserve tickets, you may want to avail Klook promo of Nami Island and Petite France combo tickets.
10. PETITE FRANCE
The sightseeing tourist bus will take you to this famous hillside village for about 30 to 40 minutes. We opted not to enter the place because I could not bear the freezing temperature as the place is located across the lakeside road. Outside, we could already glimpse at the French cultural village.
We decided to go back home due to the sudden drop of temperature plus, I was scared to pass by the zigzag road going to Garden of Morning Calm.
But for those who don’t have motion sickness, you may take a Sightseeing Tourist bus to visit the place. Just be mindful of the operating hours of the bus. The last ride is at 6pm I guess.
DAY 5
11-13. NAMSAN PARK & N. SEOUL TOWER
This is the last day of your Seoul tour and to make it memorable, why not visit the N. Seoul Tower, a favorite destination of lovers and families.
How to get there: At Seoul Station, you can walk to Namsan Park or ride a train going to Myeongdong Station then transfer to a cable car going straight to the tower. Option 2 is riding a train going to Chungmuro Station and proceed to Exit 2. From there, there are buses (Namsan Circular Shuttle Bus 2) going straight to N. Seoul Tower.
Just a friendly reminder, the bus doesn’t go all the way on the top of the hill so you still need to walk to reach the tower area. We already purchased our tickets online at Klook for only P511 for a combination of Namsan Seoul Tower admission, SSENTOY admission and Hello Kitty Island admission. You may buy your tickets at the Tower counter for observatory alone.
Perched on the hilltop is the Observatory of Namsan, Seoul, standing at more than 400 meters above sea level. Similar to the purpose of Taipe 101 and Tokyo Skytree, it offers a scenic panoramic view of the downtown.
Within the building, we visited the Hello Kitty Museum and it made our daughter giggling in happiness.
Our little one also enjoyed the SSENTOY Museum where numerous collection of movie characters including the Marvel heroes and Disney figures are displayed. For promo tickets, click this Klook link to save almost 50% of the price.
Outside, you may buy a love lock and put it among thousands of love locks on the deck.
14. NAMDAEMUN
From N. Seoul Tower, we headed to Namdaemun Market via shuttle bus. Stalls sell souvenirs and delicacies at cheaper price (the cheapest I think).
15. MYEONGDONG STREET
A 10-minute walk will take you to the neighbouring place, Myeongdong Street, the gala place for Korean beauty skin care and the hippest shopping district in Seoul. No need to elaborate how vast and multi-level the shopping stalls of Korean products lining along the alleys. You’ll see 3-4 branches of the same store in the area and they offer different promos. Distribution of free face masks that will hook customers to get inside the store is very common.
To go back to Incheon International Airport, you need to ride an Airport train in Seoul Station. Alight at Terminal 1.
This is where your Seoul journey ends and hopefully I cover all the top tourist attractions in Seoul. You may download HERE our complete itinerary during our 5 days in Seoul for free.
If you’re planning to go to South Korea, check if you need to get a visa. For Filipinos, we are required to get a ROK visa, you may want to look at how we get our approved Korean Visa.
This is such a good itinerary. Love the pics. Hope to visit someday!
thanks! we hope it will come true.:)
Everland has been on my amusement park bucket list for awhile. I would love to visit Seoul and will definitely refer to your itinerary if I ever do!
This is making me even more excited !!!!
I like to visit these places in South Korea especially the everland and gangnam 😍
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