Blog · 5 November 2026
South Korea from India: Seoul, Busan and Jeju, how many days, and what a trip costs
K-dramas and K-pop have put South Korea on many Indian travel lists, and the country is easier to visit than people expect. Seoul is safe, clean and runs on fast metro trains, the KTX bullet train gets you to the south coast in under three hours, and old palaces and temples sit right next to glass towers. It costs more day to day than Thailand or Vietnam, but less than Japan in most months.
How many days do you need?
Plan on seven to ten days. Give Seoul three days for the palaces, Bukchon's old lanes, the shopping streets and a day trip to the DMZ or Nami Island. Then take the KTX south: a night in Gyeongju for its royal tombs and temples, and two days in Busan for the beaches and the fish market. With ten days you can add a short flight to Jeju island for its volcanic coast. Busan has its own international airport, so you don't need to go back to Seoul to fly home.
What a trip costs
For a couple flying from Delhi and staying in a midrange hotel, a 4-day South Korea trip in December comes to about ₹2,37,600, or ₹1,18,800 per person. That covers return flights, trains and flights inside Korea, the hotel, food, local transport, the attractions we pick for you, the visa, travel insurance and a 10% buffer. Hotels in Seoul are the biggest daily cost, and prices jump in the cherry blossom and autumn colour weeks.
You can change the dates, travellers, hotel, cities and attractions on our South Korea trip cost page and see every line update.
Attractions worth paying for
- Gyeongbokgung Palace with hanbok rental: about ₹1,898 per adult. Wearing a hanbok makes the palace photos, and it's the most popular half day in Seoul.
- Bukchon village and Changdeokgung Secret Garden: about ₹1,424. The garden is seen on a guided walk, so book a time slot early.
- DMZ tour to the border with North Korea: about ₹6,643. Carry your passport, because it's checked on the way.
- Nami Island and Petite France day trip: about ₹5,694, a favourite for drama fans and lovely in autumn.
- N Seoul Tower in the evening: about ₹1,898 for the city lights.
- Lotte World theme park, if you have children: about ₹4,745.
- Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto in Gyeongju: about ₹1,424.
- Gamcheon Culture Village and Haedong Yonggungsa temple tour in Busan: about ₹3,796. The temple sits on rocks above the sea.
- Jeju east coast tour with the Manjanggul lava tube and Udo island: about ₹5,694.
Free and cheap things to do
Eat your way down Myeongdong's street food stalls in the evening and walk along the Cheonggyecheon stream through central Seoul. In Busan, spend a morning on Haeundae beach and walk through Jagalchi fish market. Gyeongju's Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond are lit up beautifully after dark, and the Daereungwon tombs cost only about ₹475. On Jeju, the coastal walking trails are free, and the climb up Seongsan Ilchulbong for sunrise costs about ₹475.
When to go
The best months are April and May, when cherry blossoms and spring flowers are out, and October and November, for clear skies and red and gold autumn leaves. These are also the busiest and dearest weeks, so book early. March, June, September and December are good value. January and February are well below freezing in Seoul, and July and August are hot, humid and the rainiest months of the year.
Visa for Indians
Indian passport holders need a visa before flying to South Korea. Most tourists apply for a short-stay tourist visa through the Korea visa application centre in their city, with a fee plus a centre charge. Processing usually takes about two weeks and can take longer if more documents are asked for, so apply at least a month before you fly. Keep your hotel bookings, return tickets and recent bank statements ready.
Tips that save money
- Buy a T-money card at the airport and use it on every metro and bus; it's cheaper than single tickets.
- Book KTX tickets a few days ahead on the Korail site, especially at weekends.
- Convenience stores sell good, cheap meals; vegetarians should learn to ask for no meat or fish sauce, as many dishes use them.
- Stay near a metro line rather than in the most famous area; Seoul's metro is fast, so a few stops away saves a lot on hotels.
Want the numbers for your own dates and group? Plan your South Korea trip and send it to us for live flight and hotel prices.