7 Days in Korea: Seoul, Gyeongju and Busan
Spend three days in Seoul, take the KTX to Gyeongju on day 4 (about 2 hours, roughly 44,000 to 50,000 won), then move to Busan on day 5 (30 to 35 minutes, about 11,000 won) for three more days. Book trains early and plan palace days around Monday and Tuesday closures.
- Days 1 to 3
- Seoul: palaces, markets, Namsan, Gangnam, Hongdae
- Days 4 to 5
- Gyeongju: Silla tombs, Wolji Pond, Bulguksa
- Days 5 to 7
- Busan: markets, Gamcheon, seaside temple, Haeundae
- Official info
- Korail ticket reservation
What should I know before I plan seven days?
Details checked October 11, 2026
Split the week as 3 nights in Seoul, 1 night in Gyeongju and 2 nights in Busan, so each rail ride fits inside a morning. The Gyeongbu Line linking Seoul and Busan runs KTX trains at up to 330 km/h, and KTX leaves from Seoul, Yongsan and Cheongnyangni stations, according to VisitKorea. This is a plan built from official listings and our other guides, not a record of a trip.
- Worth knowing: Gyeongju’s KTX stop, Singyeongju Station, sits outside the city centre. One guide reports that local buses 60 or 61 take about 30 minutes downtown and a taxi costs roughly 12,000 to 15,000 won; confirm locally.
- A common mistake: Booking trains one at a time. Korail now sells tickets up to two months ahead, so reserve all three legs together (see our KTX booking guide).
- Local tip: Carry a T-money card in Busan. A Busan metro guide reports that contactless credit cards and international bank cards do not work at the metro gates.
What should I do in Seoul on days 1 to 3?
Use day 1 for the historic core, day 2 for a second palace, Dongdaemun and Namsan, and day 3 for Gangnam and Hongdae. This is the plan in our Seoul in 3 Days guide; read it for station exits and hours.
- Day 1: Gyeongbokgung, Bukchon, Insa-dong, Gwangjang Market. Visit Seoul lists Gyeongbokgung as closed on Tuesdays with adult entry for foreigners at 3,000 won (Visit Seoul: Gyeongbokgung). The Gwangjang Food Alley is listed daily from 09:00 to 23:00 (Visit Seoul: Gwangjang Market).
- Day 2: Changdeokgung, Dongdaemun Design Plaza, Namsan. Changdeokgung is listed as closed on Mondays (Visit Seoul: Changdeokgung). Finish with the Namsan Rampart walking route.
- Day 3: Garosu-gil, COEX, Bongeunsa and Hongdae. Visit Seoul lists the Banpo Rainbow Fountain as running April to October, so it is still on in mid-October (Visit Seoul: Banpo fountain). Pack tonight for a morning train.
Practical example: a traveller who lands on a Thursday can do days 1 to 3 on Friday to Sunday, which puts neither palace on its closing day, then leave for Gyeongju on Monday.
How do I spend day 4 and the morning of day 5 in Gyeongju?
Take a morning KTX from Seoul Station to Singyeongju Station, spend the afternoon in downtown Gyeongju, and keep Bulguksa for the next morning. Reserve on the Korail reservation page. Downtown sights sit within roughly a 30-minute walk of each other, and our Gyeongju bike route covers the loop in detail.
| Leg | Time | Fare | Arrives at |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seoul to Gyeongju by KTX | About 2 hours | About 44,000 to 50,000 won | Singyeongju Station |
| Seoul to Gyeongju by express bus | About 3.5 to 4 hours | About 24,000 to 28,000 won | Gyeongju Express Bus Terminal |
| Gyeongju to Busan by KTX | About 30 to 35 minutes | About 11,000 won | Busan Station (Metro Line 1) |
- Day 4 afternoon: Daereungwon and Hwangnidan-gil. Rows of grass-covered Silla royal tomb mounds, next to a street about 1.5 km long lined with hanok buildings, cafes and restaurants. VisitKorea lists Daereungwon at 3,000 won for adults, though recent reports suggest the grounds may be free, so confirm at the gate.
- Day 4 late afternoon: Cheomseongdae. The Silla-era stone observatory tower, listed as free to see and open until about 22:00 in secondary guides.
- Day 4 evening: Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond. A former royal pleasure garden popular for its night lighting; guides list hours of about 09:00 to 22:00 and roughly 3,000 won for adults.
- Day 5 morning: Bulguksa. This UNESCO World Heritage temple has its own VisitKorea page; check its hours and fee there. It is in the hills outside downtown, so use a bus or taxi and allow extra time.
Practical example: leaving Gyeongju at lunchtime on day 5 puts you in Busan by early afternoon, since the KTX leg is only 30 to 35 minutes.
What should I do in Busan on days 5 to 7?
Use the afternoon of day 5 for Nampo, day 6 for Gamcheon and the old markets, and day 7 for Haedong Yonggungsa and Haeundae. Busan Station is on Metro Line 1, which also serves Nampo, per a Busan metro guide.
- Day 5 afternoon and evening: Jagalchi Market and BIFF Square. Jagalchi is listed 05:00 to 22:00, closed the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month (VisitKorea: Jagalchi Market). BIFF Square is a 428-metre street of cinemas, shops and street food (VisitKorea: BIFF Square).
- Day 6 morning: Gukje Market, Kkangtong Market and Bosu-dong Book Street. These sit in Jung-gu within walking range, on VisitKorea’s Marketplace and Hillside Village course.
- Day 6 afternoon: Gamcheon Culture Village. A hillside village of pastel houses. The metro guide says to take Line 1 to Toseong, then a 10 to 15 minute bus up the hill, or a taxi.
- Day 7 morning: Haedong Yonggungsa Temple. A seaside temple open 04:30 to 19:20 with free admission and last entry at 18:50 (VisitKorea: Haedong Yonggungsa). No public transit route is listed there, so check a map app or use a taxi.
- Day 7 afternoon: Haeundae Beach. A white-sand beach about 1.5 km long, free to enter (VisitKorea: Haeundae Beach). Choose where to sleep with our Busan area guide.
Flying home from Busan or returning to Seoul by KTX on day 7 evening both work; leave a buffer of a few hours before an international flight.
How much will the main transport and sights cost?
Budget roughly 55,000 to 61,000 won for the KTX legs from Seoul to Gyeongju and on to Busan, before local transport and meals. If you return to Seoul by KTX at the end, add about 55,000 to 60,000 won for that leg. Sight admissions are small: the two palaces list 3,000 won, and Haedong Yonggungsa and Haeundae Beach are free.
| Item | Cost | Source note |
|---|---|---|
| KTX Seoul to Gyeongju (Singyeongju) | About 44,000 to 50,000 won | Our Gyeongju guide; confirm on Korail |
| KTX Gyeongju to Busan | About 11,000 won | Our Gyeongju guide; confirm on Korail |
| KTX Busan to Seoul, if returning | About 55,000 to 60,000 won | Our KTX guide |
| Gyeongbokgung or Changdeokgung | 3,000 won each, adult foreigner | Visit Seoul |
| Busan metro base fare | 1,600 won with T-money | Busan metro guide |
| Haedong Yonggungsa, Haeundae | Free | VisitKorea |
Seoul city transport is extra; see our subway guide and bus guide. Set up payment and maps first with the essential apps guide, and see 5 Days in Korea for a shorter version without Gyeongju.
FAQ
How long should I spend in Seoul, Gyeongju and Busan on a 7-day trip?
Three days in Seoul, one night in Gyeongju and the last three days in Busan is a balanced split. It keeps the long KTX ride to one morning and still covers palaces, Silla heritage sites and the coast.
How do I get from Seoul to Gyeongju?
By KTX from Seoul Station to Singyeongju Station in about 2 hours (roughly 44,000 to 50,000 won), then a local bus or taxi into the city. An express bus takes about 3.5 to 4 hours.
How do I get from Gyeongju to Busan?
By KTX from Singyeongju Station to Busan Station in about 30 to 35 minutes for roughly 11,000 won. Busan Station connects directly to Busan Metro Line 1.
Can I do Gyeongju as a day trip instead of staying overnight?
Yes, but one night lets you see Wolji Pond lit after dark and do Bulguksa the next morning without rushing. If you cut it to a day trip from Busan, see our one-day bike route.
Which days should I avoid for Seoul's palaces?
Gyeongbokgung is listed as closed on Tuesdays and Changdeokgung on Mondays, so plan the palace days around those closures.
Official sources and useful links
Links open in a new tab. Prices and hours above are approximate; verify on these pages.
- Korail ticket reservation KTX booking for visitors, English
- VisitKorea: train travel and KTX KTX stations, top speed and Gyeongbu Line length
- VisitKorea: Gyeongju bike tour guide Gyeongju sight hours and admission
- VisitKorea: Bulguksa Temple UNESCO World Heritage temple in Gyeongju
- VisitKorea: Marketplace and Hillside Village course Jagalchi, Gukje, Kkangtong, Bosu-dong and Gamcheon
- Visit Seoul: Gyeongbokgung palace hours, closing day and admission
- Busan metro guide fares, T-money and routes (independent guide)
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