East Asia

South Korea Holidays

Six centuries of palaces and the most switched-on street culture in Asia, an hour's flight from a volcanic island.

See South Korea packages
Apr, Sep–NovBest months
7–8 daysIdeal trip length
₹1,49,999Packages from, per person
~6h 45mDelhi to Seoul, non-stop

Korea is the easiest of the East Asian countries to fall for quickly. Seoul puts a 14th-century palace and a neon shopping street within the same twenty minutes on the metro; you can wear a hanbok into Gyeongbokgung in the morning — it gets you in free — and be eating tteokbokki in Myeongdong by evening.

Beyond the capital, Jeju is the honeymoon island: volcanic craters, black basalt coast, tangerine groves and a sunrise walk up Seongsan Ilchulbong. Busan is the beach-and-seafood counterweight in the south, three hours away by KTX. A week does Seoul plus one of the two comfortably.

The case for it

Why South Korea

Palaces and pop culture in one cityGyeongbokgung's changing of the guard, Bukchon's hanok lanes, then Hongdae's buskers and a K-pop dance class. Seoul does both without either feeling staged.
An island that earns the extra flightJeju's UNESCO-listed volcanic landscape, the Olle coastal trails, Hallasan and the haenyeo divers. An hour from Seoul and completely unlike it.
Food that travels well with Indian palatesKorean cooking is generous with chilli, garlic and fermentation. Vegetarian bibimbap, japchae and temple food are easy to find, and Indian restaurants are all over Seoul.
Where to go

Where to go in South Korea

Seoul

Seoul

Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung, Bukchon Hanok Village, N Seoul Tower, Myeongdong and Hongdae, plus a half-day DMZ tour. Four nights.

Jeju Island

Jeju Island

Seongsan Ilchulbong at sunrise, Manjanggul lava tube, Cheonjiyeon falls, Udo island and the coastal drive. Two to three nights.

Busan

Busan

Haeundae and Gwangalli beaches, Gamcheon Culture Village, Jagalchi fish market and the Haedong Yonggungsa temple on the cliffs. Two nights, reached by KTX.

Nami Island & Gangwon

Nami Island & Gangwon

The tree-lined avenue every Korean drama uses, Petite France, and Gangwon's ski resorts in winter. An easy day trip from Seoul.

Sample itinerary

A week in Korea

  1. 1
    Days 1–2 — Seoul, the old city

    Land at Incheon. Gyeongbokgung in hanbok, Bukchon and Insadong, Gwangjang market for lunch, N Seoul Tower at sunset.

  2. 2
    Day 3 — DMZ and the modern city

    Morning at the Demilitarized Zone and the Third Tunnel, afternoon in Gangnam or Dongdaemun, evening in Hongdae.

  3. 3
    Day 4 — Nami Island or Everland

    The metasequoia avenue and Petite France, or a theme-park day if you have children along.

  4. 4
    Days 5–6 — Jeju

    Fly down. Seongsan Ilchulbong at sunrise, Manjanggul lava tube, the Jusangjeolli cliffs and a tangerine farm; a slow second day on the Olle trail.

  5. 5
    Day 7 — Seoul and home

    Back to Seoul for last shopping in Myeongdong, then the airport express to Incheon.

Season by season

When to visit South Korea

WindowWhat it's likeWorth knowing
March – MayCherry blossom, then warm and greenBlossom peaks in Seoul in early April, a week earlier in Busan and Jeju. Book early.
June – AugustHot, humid, monsoon in JulyBeach season in Busan and Jeju. Cheapest fares, but pack for rain.
September – NovemberClear skies, autumn colourThe most reliable weather of the year. Late October and early November for foliage.
December – FebruaryCold and dry, snow inlandSki season in Gangwon, ice fishing festivals, and Seoul lit up for winter. Bring real cold-weather gear.
Tour packages

South Korea holiday packages

Read the South Korea travel guideSearch all South Korea holidays
Before you go

Travel tips

Practical

Good to know

  • Money

    Korean Won (KRW). Korea is close to cashless — cards work almost everywhere, including buses and taxis. Carry a small amount for markets.

  • Transport

    A T-money card covers the Seoul metro, buses and taxis. The KTX handles Seoul–Busan in under three hours; Jeju needs a short flight.

  • Hanbok

    Renting one is not a gimmick — it waives the entry fee at the four main palaces and is the single best photo hour of the trip.

  • Language

    Less English than Japan outside tourist areas. Papago translates Korean far better than the general-purpose apps.

  • Food

    Say gogi ppaego juseyo for no meat. Temple cuisine, bibimbap without egg and Itaewon's Indian restaurants cover most needs.

  • Etiquette

    Two hands when giving or receiving, shoes off indoors, and no tipping — it is genuinely not expected.

South Korea: common questions

How many days do I need in South Korea?
Seven for Seoul plus Jeju or Busan. Ten if you want all three without a rushed day in the middle. Seoul alone justifies four.
Is Jeju worth the extra flight?
For honeymoons and anyone who wants landscape alongside the city, yes. If your trip is under six days, Busan by KTX is the better use of the time.
When is cherry blossom in Korea?
Late March in Jeju and Busan, roughly the first week of April in Seoul. It is a shorter window than Japan's and shifts each year, so we hold flexible hotel rates.
Can I do a DMZ tour?
Yes — half and full-day tours run from Seoul, and we book them with the itinerary. Passport required, and the Joint Security Area portion opens and closes with the security situation.
What does a Korea trip cost from India?
From ₹1,49,999 per person for seven days including flights, hotels, transfers and sightseeing. Jeju, ski days and peak blossom dates move it up.
Is Korea good for a family trip?
Very. Low crime, excellent public transport, Everland and Lotte World for children, and food that is easy to adapt. Jeju in particular suits multi-generation groups.

Plan Seoul, Jeju and Busan in one go

Tell us your dates and who is travelling. We will send a costed itinerary with the visa checklist attached, so nothing stalls at the last minute.

See packages
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The world's only carbon-negative country — monasteries on cliff faces, empty mountain roads and no visa queue for Indian travellers.