Beyond Seoul: 5 Places in Korea Worth Visiting

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Beyond Seoul: 5 Places in Korea Worth Visiting


If you've been in Seoul for a while, you've probably heard someone say: "You really need to get out of the city." They're right. Seoul is incredible — but it's just one side of Korea. A train ride of one to two hours can take you somewhere that feels like a completely different country. Here are five places worth the trip, plus everything you need to know to actually get there.

The Quick Answer

Korea is small but remarkably diverse. Busan, Gyeongju, Jeonju, Chuncheon, and Jeju Island each offer something Seoul simply can't. Most are reachable in under three hours from Seoul — and some make perfect day trips.

First: Understanding How to Get Around Korea

Before we get to the destinations, let's clear up something that confuses almost every foreigner in Korea.

Subway (전철 / Jeoncheo) vs. Train (기차 / Gicha) — What's the Difference?

These are two completely different systems, and mixing them up can waste you a lot of time.

Subway / Metro (전철) Train (KTX / SRT / ITX)
Purpose Getting around inside a city Traveling between cities
Speed Slow (40–60 km/h average) Fast (up to 300 km/h)
Booking Not needed — just tap your T-money card Required — book in advance via app or website
Fare From ₩1,400 (distance-based) From ₩9,000 (varies by route)
Seats No assigned seating Assigned seats
Examples Seoul Lines 1–9, Bundang Line Seoul ↔ Busan, Seoul ↔ Jeonju

💡 Simple rule: Subway = getting around inside Seoul. Train = getting out of Seoul.

Your Four Options for Getting Out of Seoul

Your quick guide to Korean transportation: KTX for speed, SRT from Gangnam, Express Bus for budget travel. Choose what fits your trip!"


🚄 KTX — Korea's Main High-Speed Train

KTX is operated by Korail and departs from Seoul Station or Yongsan Station. It covers the widest network of destinations across Korea and is the go-to option for most travelers.

  • Maximum speed: 300 km/h
  • Best for: Busan, Gyeongju, Jeonju, Gangneung
  • Foreigner perk: KORAIL PASS — a multi-day unlimited rail pass exclusively for non-Korean passport holders. Available in 3-day and 5-day options. Great value if you're doing multiple trips.
  • App: Korail Talk (English available, foreign cards accepted ✅)
  • Website: letskorail.com (English available)

🚄 SRT — The Gangnam Option

SRT is a separate high-speed rail service operated by SR, departing from Suseo Station in Gangnam. If your accommodation is in the Gangnam, Jamsil, or COEX area, SRT is often more convenient than going all the way to Seoul Station.

  • Maximum speed: 300 km/h
  • Best for: Busan, Mokpo, Yeosu (southern routes)
  • Fares are similar to KTX — sometimes slightly cheaper on the same route
  • ⚠️ Important: KORAIL PASS does NOT work on SRT
  • App: SRT app (English available, foreign cards accepted ✅)

KTX vs SRT — Which Should You Use?

KTX SRT
Departure station Seoul Station / Yongsan Suseo Station (Gangnam)
Network coverage Nationwide (wider) Southern routes (stronger)
KORAIL PASS ✅ Valid ❌ Not valid
English app ✅ ✅
Best if you're staying in... Hongdae, Myeongdong, Itaewon Gangnam, Jamsil, COEX

🚌 Gangnam Express Bus Terminal — The Budget-Friendly Option

Less glamorous than the train, but cheaper and often surprisingly comfortable. Seoul Express Bus Terminal (고속버스터미널) is located right next to Suseo Station (SRT) in Gangnam, accessible by subway Lines 3, 7, and 9 — just get off at Express Bus Terminal Station (고속터미널역).

  • Connects to most major Korean cities: Busan, Jeonju, Gwangju, Daegu, and more
  • Fares are generally 20–40% cheaper than KTX
  • Travel time is 1–2 hours longer than KTX on most routes
  • Seats are comfortable — some premium buses have wider seats and fewer passengers
  • No advance booking required (just show up), but booking ahead is recommended on weekends

Can you book the bus with an app?

Honestly — it's a bit complicated for foreigners right now.

App What It Does Foreigner-Friendly?
T-money GO (티머니GO) Express bus + intercity bus + domestic flights — all in one ⚠️ Mostly Korean interface
Express Bus T-money (고속버스 티머니) Express bus booking only ⚠️ Korean-heavy, tricky for first-timers
Walk-up counter Buy tickets in person at the terminal ✅ Easiest for foreigners

💡 Honest advice: For your first time, just go to the terminal and buy at the counter. Bring your passport, point to your destination on a map if needed, and pay by card. It's simpler than wrestling with a Korean-language app.

✈️ Gimpo Airport (김포공항) — For Jeju Island

Jeju Island cannot be reached by train. You need to fly — and Gimpo Airport is your best option from Seoul.

  • Flight time: approximately 55 minutes
  • Gimpo is much closer to central Seoul than Incheon Airport
  • ⚠️ Don't confuse Gimpo with Incheon. They are completely different airports on different subway lines.

How to get to Gimpo Airport:

  • Subway Line 5 or Line 9 → Gimpo Airport Station (김포공항역)
  • From central Seoul (Hongdae area): about 30–40 minutes
  • The Airport Railroad (AREX) that goes to Incheon does NOT go to Gimpo

Booking domestic flights:

  • Naver Flight (네이버 항공권): English-friendly, foreign cards accepted ✅
  • Individual airline apps: Korean Air, Jeju Air, Jin Air, Air Seoul
  • T-money GO app also supports domestic flight booking

Airlines to look for: Korean Air, Asiana, Jeju Air (cheapest), Jin Air, Air Seoul Fare range: ₩50,000–₩120,000 one way (prices spike during holidays and summer)

The 5 Destinations

1. Busan (부산) — City Meets Sea

  • "Haeundae Beach—where city meets sea. Korea's most famous beach is alive year-round with energy, seafood, and stunning coastal views."
Korea's second city has an energy all its own — gritty, coastal, loud in the best way. It's where the mountains meet the ocean, and where some of Korea's best seafood is served straight from the market.

Don't miss:

  • Haeundae Beach (해운대) — Korea's most famous beach, lively year-round
  • Jagalchi Fish Market (자갈치시장) — Korea's largest seafood market; point and eat
  • Gamcheon Culture Village (감천문화마을) — colorful hillside village, great photos
  • Gwangalli Beach (광안리) — more local vibe, stunning night views of Gwangan Bridge

Getting there:

Option Departure Travel Time Approx. Fare
KTX Seoul Station ~2h 30min ₩59,800~
SRT Suseo Station ~2h 30min ₩52,600~
Express Bus Gangnam Terminal ~4h 30min ₩23,000~

Best for: Seafood lovers, beach trips, anyone wanting a city with a different personality from Seoul

2. Gyeongju (경주) — Korea's Open-Air Museum

  • "Bulguksa Temple in Gyeongju—a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Korea's most iconic temples. Step into a thousand years of history."
Gyeongju was the capital of the Silla Kingdom for nearly a thousand years. Today the whole city feels like walking through a history book — ancient tombs sit in the middle of parks, Buddhist temples are tucked into the mountains, and the streets are lined with relics you'd expect to find in a national museum.

Don't miss:

  • Bulguksa Temple (불국사) — UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of Korea's most iconic temples
  • Cheomseongdae Observatory (첨성대) — 7th-century astronomical tower, still standing
  • Daereungwon Tomb Complex (대릉원) — enormous royal burial mounds you can actually walk through
  • Yangdong Folk Village (양동마을) — a living Joseon-era village, also UNESCO listed

Getting there:

Option Departure Travel Time Approx. Fare
KTX (to Singyeongju Station) Seoul Station ~2h ₩57,600~
Local bus from Singyeongju Singyeongju Station ~20 min ₩1,500~

Best for: History enthusiasts, culture seekers, anyone who wants to understand Korea beyond K-pop and bibimbap

3. Jeonju (전주) — The Food Capital of Korea

  • "Jeonju Hanok Village—700+ traditional Korean houses, now filled with cafes, craft shops, and the birthplace of bibimbap. Don't forget to try hanbok!"
If you want to understand Korean food culture, Jeonju is where you go. This city is considered the birthplace of bibimbap, and its traditional Hanok Village is one of the best-preserved in the country. It also has an obsessive dedication to makgeolli (Korean rice wine) that locals take very seriously.

Don't miss:

  • Jeonju Hanok Village (전주 한옥마을) — 700+ traditional Korean houses, now lined with cafes and craft shops
  • Bibimbap (비빔밥) — try the real thing here; it's different from everywhere else
  • Makgeolli Alley (막걸리 골목) — small traditional bars where makgeolli comes with endless free side dishes
  • Gyeonggijeon Shrine (경기전) — beautiful royal shrine in the heart of Hanok Village

Getting there:

Option Departure Travel Time Approx. Fare
KTX Seoul Station ~1h 50min ₩38,400~
Express Bus Gangnam Terminal ~2h 30min ₩13,400~

Best for: Food lovers, culture travelers, photographers, anyone who wants to try Hanok experience

4. Chuncheon (춘천) — Seoul's Nature Escape

  • "Dakgalbi—Chuncheon's signature spicy stir-fried chicken dish. A sizzling iron pan full of flavor that the whole city runs on."
Chuncheon is what Seoulites go to when they need to breathe. It's surrounded by rivers and mountains, dotted with lakes, and famous for being the filming location of several beloved Korean dramas. It's also the home of dakgalbi (닭갈비) — spicy stir-fried chicken that the whole city seems to run on.

Don't miss:

  • Nami Island (남이섬) — a small river island famous for its tree-lined paths and drama filming locations
  • Soyang River Dam (소양강댐) — Korea's largest dam, scenic boat rides available
  • Dakgalbi Street (닭갈비 골목) — the original dakgalbi restaurants, great for a hearty lunch
  • Chuncheon Myeongdong Street — the local version of Seoul's Myeongdong, more relaxed and cheaper

Getting there:

Option Departure Travel Time Approx. Fare
ITX-Cheongchun train Yongsan Station ~1h 20min ₩9,100~
Bus Dong Seoul Terminal ~1h 30min ₩6,500~

💡 The ITX-Cheongchun (춘천 ITX) is a regional intercity train — not a subway. Book via the Korail Talk app.

Best for: Nature lovers, K-drama fans, day trippers who want green space without going far

5. Jeju Island (제주도) — Korea's Island Escape

Seongsan Ilchulbong—a dramatic volcanic crater rising from the sea. Jeju's UNESCO site is best experienced at sunrise."


Jeju is unlike anywhere else in Korea. Volcanic landscape, dramatic coastal cliffs, lava tube caves, and an entire walking trail system (Olle-gil) that circles the island. It's also where you'll find Hallasan — Korea's highest mountain — and the famous black pork BBQ that Jeju locals are fiercely proud of.

Don't miss:

  • Hallasan National Park (한라산) — hike Korea's highest peak (1,947m); trails range from easy to challenging
  • Seongsan Ilchulbong (성산일출봉) — dramatic volcanic crater rising from the sea, best at sunrise
  • Manjanggul Lava Tube (만장굴) — one of the world's longest lava tunnels, walk through actual volcanic history
  • Jeju Olle Trail (제주 올레길) — 26 coastal walking routes, do one section or several
  • Heukdwaeji (흑돼지) BBQ — Jeju's black pork, grilled at your table; unmissable

Getting there:

Option Departure Travel Time Approx. Fare
Flight from Gimpo Gimpo Airport ~55 min ₩50,000–₩120,000
Ferry from Mokpo Mokpo Port ~5h 30min ₩30,000~

💡 The ferry is significantly cheaper but much slower. The flight from Gimpo is almost always the practical choice.

Best for: Nature lovers, hikers, anyone who wants to see a completely different side of Korea

Quick Comparison: All 5 Destinations

Destination Travel Time from Seoul Best Transport Vibe Day Trip?
Busan ~2h 30min KTX / SRT Coastal city ⚠️ Tight
Gyeongju ~2h KTX Ancient history ✅ Yes
Jeonju ~1h 50min KTX / Bus Food & culture ✅ Yes
Chuncheon ~1h 20min ITX train Nature & drama ✅ Easy
Jeju Island ~55min (flight) Plane from Gimpo Island escape ❌ 2+ days

App Guide: How to Book Everything

Transportation Best App English? Foreign Card?
KTX Korail Talk ✅ ✅
SRT SRT App ✅ ✅
Express Bus T-money GO ⚠️ Limited ✅
Domestic Flight Naver Flight / airline apps ✅ ✅
Subway (in cities) Kakao Metro / Naver Map ✅ T-money card

FAQ

Q: Which destination is best for a first trip outside Seoul? Jeonju or Gyeongju — both are under two hours by KTX, easy to navigate, and packed with things to see and eat. Gyeongju for history, Jeonju for food.

Q: What's the difference between KTX and SRT — which should I use? Both are high-speed trains with similar speeds and fares. Use KTX if you're staying in central or northern Seoul (Seoul Station is your hub). Use SRT if you're in Gangnam or near Suseo Station. Note that the KORAIL PASS only works on KTX.

Q: Can I use the subway to get to Busan or Jeonju? No. The subway only operates within city limits. To travel between cities, you need a train (KTX, SRT, ITX) or a bus. They are completely separate systems.

Q: Is the express bus worth it over the train? For budget travelers — yes. The bus is 20–40% cheaper than KTX on most routes. It takes longer, but the seats are comfortable and the ride is smooth. Jeonju by bus from Gangnam Terminal is a great option.

Q: Do I need a visa to visit Jeju Island? Jeju has its own visa-free policy separate from mainland Korea — many nationalities can enter Jeju without a visa even if they'd normally need one for mainland Korea. Check the official Korea Immigration Service website for the most current policy, as it changes periodically.

Related Posts

Bookmark this page — you'll want to come back to it when you're ready to explore.

Have questions? Drop them in the comments — we'll help you figure it out.


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