Spring (March to May) and fall (September to November) are considered to be the best months to visit South Korea due to the mild weather and stunning seasonal scenery. Cherry blossoms bloom in the spring, while autumn features vibrant fall foliage. Summers can be hot and humid, and winter brings snow to northern regions and ski resorts.
Discover Tailor-Made South Korea Vacations
South Korea is one of Asia’s most dynamic destinations, where centuries of tradition meet cutting-edge innovation
Travellers are drawn to its mix of historical palaces, tranquil countryside, and high-energy cities—all easily connected by an efficient transportation system. In a single trip, you can hike mountain trails, explore historic temples, and dive into vibrant urban culture.
With Goway’s customized South Korea tours, your journey can be as relaxed or adventurous as you like. Whether it’s a Seoul travel package or a full country exploration, our experts craft luxury itineraries that showcase the very best of Korea.
Featured Highlights
- Strolling through the vibrant streets of Seoul’s Myeongdong district
- Exploring the ancient capital Gyeongju, often referred to “the museum without walls”
- Hiking to scenic waterfalls on volcanic Jeju Island
- Visiting the DMZ for a fascinating glimpse into modern Korean history
- Savouring Korean barbecue and street food with a local guide
- Taking part in a K-Pop dance class
From the Founder
I still remember my first trip to Patagonia in 1972—standing at the edge of the Perito Moreno Glacier, feeling impossibly small yet deeply connected to something greater. That's what I want every traveler to experience: those quiet moments of wonder that stay with you long after you've returned home.
Bruce HodgeFounder, Goway Travel
Featured South Korea Trip Ideas
Nicknamed the “Land of the Morning Calm,” South Korea offers a captivating mix of serene landscapes and vibrant citiesA tailor-made journey lets you experience the full spectrum: wander temple grounds, explore Seoul’s buzzing Myeongdong district, or hike along Busan’s scenic coastline. With round-the-clock action, Seoul is a 24-hour city. Visit royal palaces or join a K-Pop dance class by day and enjoy sizzling Korean barbecue and street food classics by night. Busan, South Korea’s second city, feels like a breath of fresh air, with golden beaches and striking seaside temples such as Haedong Yonggungsa. Further south, Jeju Island draws nature lovers with its volcanic peaks, lava caves, and waterfalls. The best trips to Korea also include hidden gems, from Gyeongju’s royal tombs to the culinary capital of Jeonju, birthplace of bibimbap.
Read More
Tokyo, Seoul & Hong Kong Sampler
Hong Kong, Seoul, Gyeongbokgung Palace, Tokyo, and Shibuya CrossingEast Asia offers a feast for the senses! Discover the bright lights of Tokyo, immerse in Seoul's culture, and savor Hong Kong's flavors. Every moment promises to be memorable.
13 days
From US$5,980/p.p.
Request a Quote
Best of South Korea & Japan
Tokyo, Shibuya Crossing, Hiroshima, Kyoto, Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion), Busan, Gyeongju, Seoul, and Gyeongbokgung PalaceUnearth the cultures of South Korea and Japan on this enriching excursion. From Seoul’s historic palaces to Kyoto’s sacred shrines, each moment thrills.
15 days
From US$7,865/p.p.
Request a Quote
Classic Korea: Seoul, Gyeongju & Busan
Busan, Gyeongju, Seoul, and Gyeongbokgung PalaceExperience Korea’s rich heritage and modern spirit on this independent journey from vibrant Seoul to historic Gyeongju and coastal Busan, with temples, markets and more.
8 days
From US$4,243/p.p.
Request a Quote
Korean K-Beauty & Wellness: A Women's Journey
Jeju Island, Seoul, and Gyeongbokgung PalaceA women's only small group journey through South Korea blending cherry blossoms, tea culture, wellness rituals and Jeju’s volcanic coast with vibrant markets and food.
9 days
From US$5,680/p.p.
Request a Quote
Essential Korea: Seoul & Busan
Busan, Seoul, and Gyeongbokgung PalaceUncover South Korea’s history, cuisine, and landscapes on an independent tour with guided day trips, blending flexibility with expert local insight.
8 days
From US$2,247/p.p.
Request a Quote
Don't see the
perfect trip idea?
Request a custom quote.
Turn your travel dreams into reality with Goway. Our customized vacations take travellers to all corners of the world.
Tokyo, Seoul & Hong Kong Sampler
Hong Kong, Seoul, Gyeongbokgung Palace, Tokyo, and Shibuya CrossingEast Asia offers a feast for the senses! Discover the bright lights of Tokyo, immerse in Seoul's culture, and savor Hong Kong's flavors. Every moment promises to be memorable.
13 days
From US$5,980/p.p.
Request a Quote
Best of South Korea & Japan
Tokyo, Shibuya Crossing, Hiroshima, Kyoto, Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion), Busan, Gyeongju, Seoul, and Gyeongbokgung PalaceUnearth the cultures of South Korea and Japan on this enriching excursion. From Seoul’s historic palaces to Kyoto’s sacred shrines, each moment thrills.
15 days
From US$7,865/p.p.
Request a Quote
Classic Korea: Seoul, Gyeongju & Busan
Busan, Gyeongju, Seoul, and Gyeongbokgung PalaceExperience Korea’s rich heritage and modern spirit on this independent journey from vibrant Seoul to historic Gyeongju and coastal Busan, with temples, markets and more.
8 days
From US$4,243/p.p.
Request a Quote
Korean K-Beauty & Wellness: A Women's Journey
Jeju Island, Seoul, and Gyeongbokgung PalaceA women's only small group journey through South Korea blending cherry blossoms, tea culture, wellness rituals and Jeju’s volcanic coast with vibrant markets and food.
9 days
From US$5,680/p.p.
Request a Quote
Essential Korea: Seoul & Busan
Busan, Seoul, and Gyeongbokgung PalaceUncover South Korea’s history, cuisine, and landscapes on an independent tour with guided day trips, blending flexibility with expert local insight.
8 days
From US$2,247/p.p.
Request a Quote
Don't see the
perfect trip idea?
Request a custom quote.
Turn your travel dreams into reality with Goway. Our customized vacations take travellers to all corners of the world.
What do Goway's travellers say?
“Exceptional Experience”
Goway gave us a magical holiday in Southeast Asia. From the organization of the transportation, guides and drivers, hotels and tours, everything ran like clockwork with quality accommodations, experienced guides and drivers and amazing excursions. We had a wedding in Bali Indonesia that was the stimulus for visiting 7 countries Cebu Philippines, Hanoi, Hue and Hoi An Vietnam, Siem Reap Cambodia, Bangkok Thailand, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia, Bali, Indonesia and Taipei, Taiwan.
We had marvelous tour guides and drivers. All of them spoke excellent English, had years of experience, were very knowledgeable and passionate about their country and its heritage, very friendly, funny, patient , flexible and accommodating. In Bali we were able to add another tour when we changed hotels and the guide was able to accommodate our friends from Canada to go with us. The drivers were excellent considering the traffic volumes and what we would consider complex driving movements by cars, trucks, bicycles, vespas, tuk tuks and motorcycles.
The hotels we were placed in were five stars, with exceptional breakfast which showcased the country's food. We were always able to find ethnic food from that area that we could try. I would highly recommend the Sofitel Legend Metropole in Hanoi. The hotel even has a bunker from the Vietnam War that you can tour if you are staying there. Also the Komaneka at Bisma in Ubud Indonesia was a beautiful property and we were treated like royalty by being placed in a villa with our own swimming pool. All the hotels except one had universal outlets.
For any of the Temples whether Buddha or Hindu, churches or Mosques, you need covered shoulders, covered knees and covered toes. Some like Indonesia provide sarongs as part of the entrance fee.
For tours the I highly recommend the following:
The overnight Ginger Cruise of Halong Bay. The suites were like what you see in the movies of Chinese junket's. You visit a secluded fishing village, the scenery is amazing, the food was excellent and we were taught how to make spring rolls and went squid fishing.
The half day cooking class in Cambodia was an amazing experience. We were taken out to a village farm with a multi-generational Cambodian family. The farm had power but no running water. Water was gathered from the river or rainfall. We went to other farms around the village to look at the crops of herbs and vegetables, including rice that were used in the dinner. Also visited the village market for fruits, meats and fish. You were taught how to prepare the foods with the women of the farm while the men set up tables, chairs and lighting for the evening meal. The whole family plus our guide and driver ate the prepared meal under the stars. It was totally awesome.
Also don't miss the cooking class at the Blue Elephant in Bangkok. This was a class of 12 students, again with a market tour to select ingredients for what we would be cooking. We prepared four courses which were first demonstrated then we went into a kitchen with stations where each of us prepared that course. Afterwards we sat down to eat the meal that we had prepared.
For a different authentic experience The Dark Foodie Tour in Siem Reap by Vespa was one of the highlights of the tour. This tour you spend time with the Cambodian people in the night market, bars and restaurants and even a local fair. You are driven around the city like the locals on Vespa's.
You will see lots of temples but two you don't want to miss is Angkor Wat in Cambodia and Wat Suthat in Thailand. Both are astounding and if you get a chance circle back to view the Wat Suthat at night where the lights on the temple show off its beauty.
Chris Lawson“I had an amazing trip”
I had an amazing trip. It was more than I could have expected. I got to see everything I wished to see while I was abroad. All the guides were lovely and provided me with excellent knowledge on their cities/tours. Especially in China where it was their holiday week and they all took time away from their families to make me around their cities. The tour company in Japan made sure I got to every tour destination and knew what the plan was for each day.
This is the second time I have used Goway for traveling and it has exceeded my expectations.
katieahotmail.com“Seasoned Pros Created a Fabulous Trip to Japan for Us”
Can't say enough good things about Goway Travel. From the very start, our travel rep, Harpreet, listened carefully to what we were hoping to see and do on our first trip to Japan. She asked great questions and then came back to us with a detailed itinerary packed with adventure and fun, and all within our travel budget.
From the moment we took off from LAX, Harpreet had made sure we had every tour voucher, hotel voucher, plane ticket, train ticket, literally every detail covered. All we had to do was follow our itinerary.
Also, Harpreet booked us into terrific hotels. Each one was spotlessly clean, comfortable, included a full (and delicious) breakfast and, most importantly, was centrally located to all of the activities she had planned for us. So everything was a 5 or 10-minute walk away.
In three weeks' time we were able to visit six cities and so many fascinating shrines, temples, castles, imperial palaces - most of which were World Heritage sites. Harpreet also tucked in fabulous "experiences" like learning how to make sushi with a professional chef, enjoying a tea ceremony and watching graceful Geishas dance.
My husband and I are seasoned travelers. But we don't speak Japanese and we really knew very little about the country. There is no way we would have been able to see and do all of the fascinating things we did in Japan if we hadn't chosen Goway Travel to be our guide. Many thanks for an unforgettable trip!
Bobbi Fagone“A magical time in Greece”
We were looking forward to a magical vacation in Greece, and Goway Travel delivered on all fronts. This is the second time that we have booked with them (the first being an incredible excursion in Thailand), and everything went along swimmingly. Only on one occasion did a tour go sideways, but our Goway specialist (Patrick) took care of it for us.
When your tour involves many flights, numerous hotels, various tours, ferries, and transfers, it is nice to know that your travel specialist can handle it all. Goway (from Patrick to all the other staff involved) handled everything in such a professional manner. Thanks Goway for such an incredible experience in Greece. I look forward to another adventure in the near future!
Jenny Friess“Excellence from the start”
While researching suppliers for a clients Thailand honeymoon, I remembered being referred to GoWay by a longterm TA ….because they “get it right and get it done!” I had already started their training modules, so I put in a quote. Immediately, Taylor responded with a very thorough email and we decided to chat. I gave him my specifics and he again responded immediately and matched my client’s travel needs 100%. I found it comforting to speak with a country expert with the knowledge I needed. My clients booked their vacation and are very excited about their itinerary! Thank you Taylor for making this process seamless.
Karla B“3,week tour of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia”
We booked our 3,week tour of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia and overall it was an excellent experience. I typically book my own travel, but travelling with a group and wanting tours in each destination made GoWay a great choice. We had great hotels and good guides in each city. I will say that our standout guide was Romeo Tran in Ho Chi Minh City. We spent a few days in the city, as well as an over night boat ride on the delta, and he was fantastic. We had alot of fun with him, and would highly recommend him in particular.
Neil Braun“Customized Trip to Vietnam”
We recently completed a custom Vietnam tour organized by Goway, and it was everything we asked for and more. We would definitely choose Goway again. The true highlights of our trip, however, were our two guides: Vu Dang and Thien. They truly made our experience unforgettable. Both were incredibly knowledgeable, thoughtful, and kind. Their pride in their Vietnamese heritage shone through in every conversation, making our learning experience both deep and engaging. We learned so much in such a short time, and it was always fascinating. I would highly recommend these two guides to anyone visiting Vietnam!
Laura Derbyshire“Mahalo Goway Travel ”
Mahalo Goway Travel for helping in planning our group Japan's trip. Lawrence was very helpful & patient with all the changes & additions we did. Also, mahalo to Natasa who helped planned my Australia trip past November. The planning from transportation to tours to hotels worked very smoothly. I'll continue to use Goway travel for all my International trips. I'll also will recommend to my friends & family to use Goway...Mahalo
Tanya Laguatan“Maria Spitman is Winderful”
Maria Spitman was wonderful to work with. She was very helpful in designing our trip to Japan and equally wonderful when we had to cancel it. I loved the service she gave us.
Sandy Warren“Amazing trip to Southeast Asia”
We had an amazing trip to Southeast Asia. We would like to thank Goway for organizing a memorable vacation. The tour guides were very personable, kind, respectful and knowledgeable about their countries. It was nice to be able to ask them questions and hear about their daily lives. They went above and beyond to make our trip as enjoyable as possible. We were so glad our tours were private as the guides were very flexible in accommodating us as I often could not fully participate after spending time in a hospital with food poisoning.
We enjoyed our time in Singapore. The driver who drove us from and to the airport gave us a compressive overview of daily life in Singapore. It was fascinating to hear how home ownership, retirement and driving was so different there.
The accommodations were excellent, the staff were all very kind and helpful. We have to particularly commend the staff at the Siesta Classic Ma May in Hanoi. Ann at reception was so kind to my husband when I was in the hospital asking him regularly how I was doing and arranging late checkout without being asked. And Suzie our Hanoi tour guide for rearranging a tour time for my husband then dropping him off at the hospital. She also managed to take me to see the Ho Chi Minh property on our way to the airport as I had missed so much of Hanoi. I would also like to thank Aurel Vion, the Goway representative from Paris, who personally called me while I was in the hospital to enquire how I was doing, cancel our Halong cruise and arrange an extra night in the hotel for my husband. It was much appreciated.
Hoang was super flexible with our tours in Hue and Hoi An as I was still very weak having just gotten out of hospital. We really enjoyed our visit to the private pottery museum and meet the owner and our ride on the Perfume River in a private boat and our voyage through the mountain pass to Danang. Andy, the tour guide who picked us up from the Boutique Hoi A Resort helped us avoid the long lineups in the Danang airport, again very appreciated. Tuan our tour guide in Saigon was also very accommodating. We really enjoyed our days with him relaxing on our private sampan to Cai Be and our trip to Can Tho to visit the floating markets. He also took us to the War Remnants Museum on the way back to Saigon as we had missed our tour of the Cu Chi tunnels because our flight in Danang was delayed 4 hours.
And poor Phil in Bangkok, he tried his best with the culinary tour. Unfortunately after the food poisoning we were being very cautious in what we ate. We did appreciate his tour of Chinatown and the great meal of Pad Thai. He also provided us with excellent directions so we could take the subway, skytrain and ferry by ourselves.
We will never forget how we were able to experience and appreciate cultures much different than ours.
We have only good things to say about Goway and certainly always recommend the company to all we know. We have already had an acquaintance of ours book a trip with the company.
And lastly we must thank Katherine Samsonkinai for arranging another excellent vacation. We will certainly continue to recommend her and will be calling her again to organize our next big trip.
LindaTravel Information about South Korea
Get to know South Korea before you go.
Best Time To Visit
A four-season destination, South Korea welcomes travellers year-round.
The most popular times to visit are spring and fall, when the weather is mild and the landscapes are at their most photogenic.
Spring (March to May) brings cherry blossom season, known locally as beotkkot season. Towns and cities across the country burst into pink bloom, with Jinhae hosting the largest festival near Busan. “It’s similar timing to Japan’s blossoms, but far less crowded,” says Destination Specialist Maria Spitman.
Fall (September to November) offers crisp air, colourful foliage, and a calendar full of cultural festivals. “The weather is stunning in fall, especially October and November,” says Destination Specialist Harpreet Litt. Mountains like Seoraksan turn brilliant shades of red and gold, drawing hikers and photographers alike.
Summer (June to August) is hot and humid, perfect for those looking to spend time on the beach. Busan’s coastline comes alive, and there are plenty of festivals, such as the Boryeong Mud Festival, complete with mud slides and clay fights. That said, July and August are also the rainiest months, so pack rain gear and an umbrella.
Winter (December to February) is cold, particularly in the north, but it’s also a good time to see attractions with fewer crowds. Ski resorts in Gangwon Province rival those in Japan, and winter festivals add cheer to the season. Lunar New Year is widely celebrated, but closures of restaurants and stores typically last only a day or two.
Overall, the country offers something special no matter when you travel. Read more about the best time to visit South Korea and let us help you choose the best season for your South Korea journey.
What do the experts say?
Try to stay at a traditional hanok accommodation (similar to a ryokan) with hanok dinner, which involves enjoying Korean cuisine, aka jeongsik (course meals) with banchan (side dishes). It's a rustic, traditional experience that all globetrotters will love.
Umbrellas are common; you can pick them up everywhere as well, but you'll find on sunny days as well as rainy ones that locals are using umbrellas and without one, you'll get a poke in the head now and again as you're walking on busy sidewalks.
Avoid July/August, as they are the rainiest months, with heavy flooding even in the cities, and temple walks become difficult. I also recommend avoiding Chuseok in September, a six-day holiday where everything is closed.
Visit during Spring to see the Cherry Blossoms! A great alternative to Japan's Cherry Blossoms.
Places To Go
Handcrafted journeys to our most popular places to visit in South Korea
Seoul
Seoul is the capital city of South Korea. With a population of over 10.5 million people, it is also...
Seoul is the capital city of South Korea. With a population of over 10.5 million people, it is also South Korea’s largest city and its financial, political and cultural centre.A major settlement for...
Jeju Island
On Korean vacations, Jeju Island is situated on South Korea’s largest island, located in the...
On Korean vacations, Jeju Island is situated on South Korea’s largest island, located in the country’s south end.Jeju Island lies in the Korea Strait and was once a part of Jeollanam-do Province...
Busan
Busan is the second largest metropolis after Seoul on Korea vacations. Located on the southeastern...
Busan is the second largest metropolis after Seoul on Korea vacations. Located on the southeastern tip of the Korean Peninsula, Busan is the largest port city in South Korea and the world’s fifth...
Gyeongju
On Korean vacations, you will want to vist Gyeongju which was the capital city of the ancient...
On Korean vacations, you will want to vist Gyeongju which was the capital city of the ancient kingdom of Silla (57 BC – 935 AD), which ruled about two-thirds of the Korean Peninsula between the 7th...
Seoul
Seoul is the capital city of South Korea. With a population of over 10.5 million people, it is also...
Seoul is the capital city of South Korea. With a population of over 10.5 million people, it is also South Korea’s largest city and its financial, political and cultural centre.A major settlement for...
Jeju Island
On Korean vacations, Jeju Island is situated on South Korea’s largest island, located in the...
On Korean vacations, Jeju Island is situated on South Korea’s largest island, located in the country’s south end.Jeju Island lies in the Korea Strait and was once a part of Jeollanam-do Province...
Busan
Busan is the second largest metropolis after Seoul on Korea vacations. Located on the southeastern...
Busan is the second largest metropolis after Seoul on Korea vacations. Located on the southeastern tip of the Korean Peninsula, Busan is the largest port city in South Korea and the world’s fifth...
Gyeongju
On Korean vacations, you will want to vist Gyeongju which was the capital city of the ancient...
On Korean vacations, you will want to vist Gyeongju which was the capital city of the ancient kingdom of Silla (57 BC – 935 AD), which ruled about two-thirds of the Korean Peninsula between the 7th...
Travel Styles
Explore South Korea by Travel Type
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time to visit South Korea?
How many days do I need in South Korea?
Seven to 14 days is enough time for Seoul, Busan, Jeju Island, and Gyeongju. Five days is enough if you’re just visiting one city, such as Seoul.
Do I need a visa for South Korea?
Many nationalities, including U.S. and Canadian citizens, enjoy visa-free entry for short stays.
What is South Korea famous for?
South Korea is known for its rich history, scenic landscapes, K-Pop, K-Dramas, K-Beauty, and delicious cuisine, including Korean barbecue, bibimbap, and kimchi.
Can I visit the DMZ from Seoul?
Yes. The Demilitarized Zone is about an hour’s drive from Seoul and is accessible via guided tours.
How do I get around South Korea?
High-speed trains connect cities, while subways, buses, taxis, and ride-hailing apps are available in urban areas. In general, public transportation is efficient, inexpensive, and easy to navigate.
Where can I try Korean barbecue?
Seoul, Busan, and most other cities have countless restaurants offering Korean barbecue.
What is Jeju Island known for?
Jeju Island is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve boasting stunning volcanic landscapes, lava tubes, waterfalls, and peaks like Hallasan Mountain. The island has a unique culture and is also famous for its haenyeo, female free divers who harvest seafood from the ocean floor.
What currency is used in South Korea?
The South Korean won (KRW).
Can I ski in South Korea?
Yes. Resorts in the north and mountainous regions, like Pyeongchang, offer skiing and winter sports
What is a temple stay in South Korea?
Temple stays let visitors experience monastic life and Buddhist culture firsthand, including meditation, chanting, and traditional meals at monasteries.
Can I combine South Korea with Japan?
Yes. Short flights or ferries connect South Korea and Japan, making it possible to experience both countries in a single trip.
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