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Paris to Korea: Seoul, Gyeongju and Busan

Paris → Seoul → Gyeongju → Busan

Bulguksa
"Lotus_Flower_Bridge_and_Seven_Treasure_Bridge_at_Bulguksa_in_Gyeongju,_Korea.jpg" by Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
중화전의 낮 (Seoul)
Photo: Eunmi Park, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Korea cities & temples Best season (general guide): Mar–May, Sep–Nov

Korea is easy to explore by rail, and this route makes the most of it: a long stay in the capital, a stop in an old royal city, and a seaside finish. Direct flights from Paris to Seoul are common, and after that the KTX high-speed trains take care of the rest.

Seoul gets four nights because there's so much to see: the Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung palaces, the Bukchon hanok village, markets like Gwangjang, and the neon districts around Myeongdong and Hongdae. A fast train south brings you to Gyeongju, capital of the ancient Silla kingdom. Its grassy burial mounds, the Bulguksa temple and the Seokguram grotto are best seen at a slower pace, ideally by bicycle. Busan, a short ride away, ends the trip by the water with Haeundae beach, the hillside houses of Gamcheon village and the Jagalchi fish market. You can fly home from Gimhae airport.

VisitKorea, the national tourism organisation, recommends spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) for mild weather. Spring blossoms and autumn foliage are both popular. July and August are hot and humid, with a monsoon period. Winters are cold and dry. Train seats around the Chuseok and Seollal holidays can sell out.

A T-money card covers the subway and buses in Seoul and Busan. Korean food deserves time: try barbecue in Seoul, Gyeongju's famous bread filled with red bean paste, and raw fish around Jagalchi market in Busan. Many palaces in Seoul offer free entry if you wear hanbok, the traditional dress, which can be rented nearby. Temple-stay programmes, including at Bulguksa, offer a night of monastic routine for those curious about Korean Buddhism. In Busan, the Haedong Yonggungsa temple stands on rocks right by the sea.

Suggested outline

  1. Paris

    Start

  2. Seoul

    By air · 4 nights suggested

    Four nights for the palaces, markets and neighbourhoods.

  3. Gyeongju

    Overland · 2 nights suggested

    Reached by KTX. Two nights in the former Silla capital.

  4. Busan

    Overland · 3 nights suggested

    Three nights by the sea, near Gimhae airport (city code PUS).

    Gamcheon Culture Village
    "Gamcheon_Houses,_2024.jpg" by Bl00dnFl4mes, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence

Day by day

  1. Day 1 · Seoul — Arrive; Myeongdong· Paris → Seoul (by air) — long-haul; may arrive the next calendar day
  2. Day 2 · Seoul — Gyeongbokgung and Bukchon
  3. Day 3 · Seoul — Changdeokgung and Gwangjang market
  4. Day 4 · Seoul — Hongdae
  5. Day 5 · Gyeongju — KTX to Gyeongju; burial mounds· Seoul → Gyeongju (overland)
  6. Day 6 · Gyeongju — Bulguksa and Seokguram
  7. Day 7 · Busan — Train to Busan; Haeundae· Gyeongju → Busan (overland)
  8. Day 8 · Busan — Gamcheon village
  9. Day 9 · Busan — Jagalchi market
  10. Day 10 · Busan — Travel home from Busan· Busan → Paris (by air)

A suggested pace only; expedition days are set by the operator.

Flights, leg by leg

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Seoul

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Gyeongju

Nearest airport: Seoul Search fares · Seoul ↗

Busan

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Plan the trip: Busan

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