Itinerary South Korea in 3 weeks – Guide, Tips & Budget

21-Days Detailed itinerary

Certainly! Here’s a detailed 21-day itinerary for South Korea, including daily activities, transportation tips, and estimated costs. The itinerary covers major cities, cultural sites, and natural attractions.

Day 1: Arrival in Seoul

Morning:

• Arrival at Incheon International Airport.
• Take the AREX (Airport Railroad Express) to Seoul Station (around 43 minutes, approx. $5).

Afternoon:

• Check into your hotel in Seoul (estimated cost: $80 per night).
• Explore Myeongdong: visit street food stalls and shop at cosmetic stores.

Evening:

• Dinner at a local Korean BBQ restaurant in Myeongdong (approx. $20).
• Stroll through the illuminated streets and visit N Seoul Tower for city views (entry: $10, taxi: $10).

Budget:

• AREX: $5
• Hotel: $80
• Dinner: $20
• N Seoul Tower: $10
• Taxi: $10
• Total: $125

Day 2: Seoul – Historical Sites

Morning:

• Visit Gyeongbokgung Palace (entry: $3). Take the subway Line 3 to Gyeongbokgung Station.

Afternoon:

• Walk to Bukchon Hanok Village, a traditional Korean village (free).
• Have lunch at a local eatery in Bukchon (approx. $10).

Evening:

• Visit Insadong for traditional tea and souvenirs (tea: $10).
• Dinner in Insadong (approx. $15).

Budget:

• Palace Entry: $3
• Lunch: $10
• Tea: $10
• Dinner: $15
• Subway fare: $3 (round trip)
• Total: $41

Day 3: Seoul – Modern Attractions

Morning:

• Visit Dongdaemun Design Plaza (free). Take Line 4 to Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station.

Afternoon:

• Lunch at a nearby café (approx. $12).
• Explore the COEX Mall and Starfield Library in Gangnam (subway Line 2).

Evening:

• Dinner in Gangnam (approx. $20).
• Explore Gangnam nightlife or catch a show (approx. $30).

Budget:

• Lunch: $12
• Dinner: $20
• Show: $30
• Subway fare: $3 (round trip)
• Total: $65

Day 4: Day Trip to DMZ

Morning:

• Join a DMZ tour (book in advance, approx. $100 including transportation and guide).

Afternoon:

• Continue the DMZ tour with a stop at the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel and Dorasan Station.

Evening:

• Return to Seoul.
• Dinner at a restaurant near your hotel (approx. $15).

Budget:

• DMZ Tour: $100
• Dinner: $15
• Total: $115

Day 5: Seoul to Busan

Morning:

• Take the KTX train from Seoul to Busan (approx. 2.5 hours, $60).

Afternoon:

• Check into your hotel in Busan (estimated cost: $70 per night).
• Visit Haeundae Beach for a relaxing afternoon (free).

Evening:

• Dinner at a seafood restaurant near the beach (approx. $25).

Budget:

• KTX: $60
• Hotel: $70
• Dinner: $25
• Total: $155

Day 6: Busan – Coastal Exploration

Morning:

• Visit Gamcheon Culture Village (free).

Afternoon:

• Have lunch at a local café (approx. $12).
• Explore the Busan Tower and Yongdusan Park (entry: $5).

Evening:

• Dinner at the Jagalchi Fish Market (approx. $20).

Budget:

• Lunch: $12
• Busan Tower: $5
• Dinner: $20
• Public transport: $5
• Total: $42

Day 7: Busan – Cultural Sites

Morning:

• Visit Beomeosa Temple (entry: free). Take subway Line 1 to Beomeosa Station.

Afternoon:

• Lunch in the Beomeosa area (approx. $10).
• Explore the Busan Museum (entry: free).

Evening:

• Dinner at a local Korean restaurant (approx. $20).

Budget:

• Lunch: $10
• Dinner: $20
• Subway fare: $3 (round trip)
• Total: $33

Day 8: Day Trip to Gyeongju

Morning:

• Take a bus from Busan to Gyeongju (approx. 1 hour, $15).

Afternoon:

• Visit Bulguksa Temple (entry: $5) and Seokguram Grotto (entry: $7).

Evening:

• Return to Busan by bus.
• Dinner in Busan (approx. $15).

Budget:

• Bus: $15
• Temple Entries: $12
• Dinner: $15
• Total: $42

Day 9: Busan to Jeju Island

Morning:

• Fly from Busan to Jeju Island (approx. 1 hour, $50).

Afternoon:

• Check into your hotel in Jeju (estimated cost: $70 per night).
• Explore Jeju’s beautiful beaches like Jungmun Beach (free).

Evening:

• Dinner at a local restaurant in Jeju (approx. $20).

Budget:

• Flight: $50
• Hotel: $70
• Dinner: $20
• Total: $140

Day 10: Jeju Island – Natural Wonders

Morning:

• Visit Hallasan National Park (entry: free, transportation: $10).

Afternoon:

• Lunch at a nearby restaurant (approx. $12).
• Explore the Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak (entry: $5).

Evening:

• Dinner at a Jeju specialty restaurant (approx. $25).

Budget:

• Transportation: $10
• Lunch: $12
• Seongsan Peak: $5
• Dinner: $25
• Total: $52

Day 11: Jeju Island – Cultural Sites

Morning:

• Visit the Jeju Folk Village Museum (entry: $10).

Afternoon:

• Lunch at a local café (approx. $12).
• Explore the Manjanggul Cave (entry: $10).

Evening:

• Dinner at a local seafood restaurant (approx. $20).

Budget:

• Museum: $10
• Lunch: $12
• Cave: $10
• Dinner: $20
• Transportation: $10
• Total: $62

Day 12: Jeju Island to Seoul

Morning:

• Fly from Jeju to Seoul (approx. 1 hour, $50).

Afternoon:

• Check into your hotel in Seoul (estimated cost: $80 per night).
• Explore the Hongdae area and its street art (free).

Evening:

• Dinner in Hongdae (approx. $15).
• Enjoy live music or a performance in the area (approx. $20).

Budget:

• Flight: $50
• Hotel: $80
• Dinner: $15
• Performance: $20
• Total: $165

Day 13: Seoul – Shopping and Relaxation

Morning:

• Visit the Lotte World Mall (free entry).

Afternoon:

• Have lunch in the mall (approx. $15).
• Enjoy shopping and the aquarium (entry: $25).

Evening:

• Dinner at a high-end restaurant (approx. $30).

Budget:

• Lunch: $15
• Aquarium: $25
• Dinner: $30
• Public transport: $5
• Total: $75

Day 14: Seoul – Art and Culture

Morning:

• Visit the National Museum of Korea (entry: free).

Afternoon:

• Have lunch at a nearby café (approx. $12).
• Explore the trendy neighborhood of Itaewon (free).

Evening:

• Dinner in Itaewon (approx. $20).

Budget:

• Lunch: $12
• Dinner: $20
• Subway fare: $3 (round trip)
• Total: $35

Day 15: Seoul – Day Trip to Nami Island

Morning:

• Take the ITX train to Gapyeong (approx. 1 hour, $7).
• Ferry to Nami Island (entry and ferry: $15).

Afternoon:

• Explore Nami Island and have lunch (approx. $15).

Evening:

• Return to Seoul by train.
• Dinner in Seoul (approx. $15).

Budget:

• Train: $7
• Ferry and Entry: $15
• Lunch: $15
• Dinner: $15
• Total: $52

Day 16: Seoul – Historical and Modern Blend

Morning:

• Visit Changdeokgung Palace (entry: $3).

Afternoon:

• Lunch in the palace area (approx. $10).
• Visit the Dongdaemun Night Market (free to explore).

Evening:

• Dinner at the market (approx. $15).

Budget:

• Palace Entry: $3
• Lunch: $

10

• Dinner: $15
• Subway fare: $3 (round trip)
• Total: $31

Day 17: Day Trip to Suwon

Morning:

• Take the train to Suwon (approx. 1 hour, $5).
• Visit Hwaseong Fortress (entry: $3).

Afternoon:

• Lunch in Suwon (approx. $10).
• Explore Korean Folk Village (entry: $10).

Evening:

• Return to Seoul by train.
• Dinner in Seoul (approx. $20).

Budget:

• Train: $5
• Fortress Entry: $3
• Lunch: $10
• Village Entry: $10
• Dinner: $20
• Total: $48

Day 18: Seoul – Han River and Relaxation

Morning:

• Visit the Han River Park (free). Rent a bike (approx. $5).

Afternoon:

• Lunch at a riverside café (approx. $12).
• Visit the Seoul Museum of Art (entry: free).

Evening:

• Dinner in a relaxed setting (approx. $20).

Budget:

• Bike Rental: $5
• Lunch: $12
• Dinner: $20
• Total: $37

Day 19: Seoul – Tech and Innovation

Morning:

• Visit the Samsung D’light (free).

Afternoon:

• Lunch at a nearby restaurant (approx. $12).
• Explore the Digital Media City (free).

Evening:

• Dinner in a trendy neighborhood (approx. $20).

Budget:

• Lunch: $12
• Dinner: $20
• Subway fare: $3 (round trip)
• Total: $35

Day 20: Seoul – Free Day

Morning & Afternoon:

• Use this day to revisit favorite spots or explore new areas in Seoul (free). Optional activities include additional shopping, visiting lesser-known museums, or relaxing in a local park.

Evening:

• Farewell dinner in Seoul (approx. $30).

Budget:

• Dinner: $30
• Total: $30

Day 21: Departure

Morning:

• Check out of your hotel.
• Take the AREX train to Incheon International Airport (approx. $5).

Afternoon:

• Final preparations for departure.

Budget:

• AREX: $5
• Total: $5

Summary of Approximate Costs:

• Accommodation: $70-80 per night x 20 nights = $1,400 – $1,600
• Meals: Approx. $15-30 per day x 21 days = $315 – $630
• Local Transportation: Approx. $5-10 per day x 21 days = $105 – $210
• Entrance Fees and Activities: Approx. $200 – $400
• Internal Flights/Trains: Approx. $200 – $250

Estimated Total Budget: $2,220 – $2,860

This budget assumes a mid-range travel style with comfortable accommodations and some higher-end dining and activities. Adjustments can be made based on preferences and travel style. Enjoy your trip to South Korea!