Best Daytrips From Seoul: 25 Places To Go Near Seoul
Daytrips daytrips are so fun, daytrips daytrips, there’s something for everyone! Seoul is a fantastic city to visit or live in, but sometimes, it’s nice to get out too. There are a TON of places to go near Seoul and I have traveled extensively here, there, and everywhere so let me fill you in. You’d be surprised how far across the country you can get in just one day.
Ready for a day trip from Seoul? This is the guide for you with some of the easiest places to get to with public transportation, and some spots nearby that you need a car for. Get ready to travel in Korea.
You will NOT believe how many awesome daytrips there are from Seoul.. let’s dig in:
- How To Plan For A Daytrip From Seoul
- Daytrips From Seoul
- Nami Island (남이섬)
- Imjingak DMZ (임진각 DMZ)
- Everland (에버랜드)
- Heyri Art Village (헤이리 예술마을)
- Incheon’s Chinatown (인천 차이나타운)
- Korean Folk Village (한국민속촌)
- Museum San (뮤지엄산)
- Namhansanseong Fortress (남한산성)
- Oido Island & Daebudo Island (오이도 & 대부도)
- Gwangmyeong Cave (광명동굴)
- Modo, Sindo, Sido Islands (모도, 신도, 시도)
- Gangneung Beaches (강릉해수욕장)
- Ganghwado Island (강화도)
- Chuam Beachside (추암해수욕장)
- Muuido Island (무의도)
- Gangneung Art Stops (강릉)
- Cheorwon DMZ (철원 DMZ)
- Alpaca World (알파카월드)
- Anyang Art Park (안얀예술공원)
- Petite France (쁘띠프랑스)
- Hamchang Art Road
- Icheon Sansuyu Village (이천백사)
- Suwon Hwaseong Fortress (수원 화성)
- Pocheon’s Peace Land Korea (PyungGang Land) (평강랜드)
- Songwol-dong Fairytale Village (송월동 동화마을)
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How To Plan For A Daytrip From Seoul
Get Your T-Money Card: You might be surprised to find out how far you can get on the subway. The Seoul subway system is extensive and you can travel to other cities and even the coast… just on the subway. So, get your T-Money card ready and topped up and you’ll have plenty of places to go!
Rent A Car: I’ve added public transportation and tour options where available below but one of the easiest ways to get in and out of the city on a quick daytrip is with a rental car and it’s easy enough to get one with Klook. Rent a car in Seoul on Klook.
If you’re a resident of Korea, aka have an ARC, then you’ll need a local driver’s license. Short term visitors and tourists can drive with an international driver’s license and their license from home. Check here to learn more about exchanging your license or getting a license in Korea.
Download Navigation Apps: A lot of tourists head to Korea and try to navigate with Google Maps, but it really doesn’t work well here… like at all. Make sure you download KakaoMaps or NaverMaps apps instead which will have much more accurate directions. You can switch to English on the apps, so just look for the settings if you can’t read the Hangul.
Know Where To Find the Public Transportation Hubs: You can get to a ton of places quickly on the KTX which you can hop on at Seoul Station. Sometimes the national buses are the best option though. For those, you’ll want to head to the Seoul Gyeongbu Express Bus Terminal, Seoul Nambu Bus Terminal, or the Dong Seoul Bus Terminal.
If you need or want help booking intercity bus tickets, check out Trazy’s great service to some must-see cities. The massive subway system also gets you out to the suburbs of Seoul. You’d be surprised how far you can get on the subway.
Daytrips From Seoul
1 Nami Island (남이섬)
One of the most if not the most popular place for a daytrip from Seoul is Nami Island and not only is it popular, but it’s popular year round and worth it year round. The island is a fun place to explore and it’s so easy to get to with daily buses and a train and plenty of tours, there’s no reason not to go to Nami Island at least once… though you really should go once in every season.
- More Info: Nami Island Guide
- Admission: W13,000
- Address: 198 Bangha-ri Namsan-myeon, Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do (강원도 춘천시 남산면 방하리 198)
- How To Get There: Take the subway out to Gapyeong Station on the Gyeongchung and ITX- Cheongchun Line. From Gapyeong Station, you can choose to walk the 1.9 kilometers about 20 minutes or get a taxi which will take about 5 minutes. BUT, there are numerous other options, check the guide above for other options.
2 Imjingak DMZ (임진각 DMZ)
Most tourists with a week itinerary for Seoul make time for at least a couple daytrips and one of them is often the DMZ. The Demilitarized Zone is less than a couple hours from Seoul and there are a lot of tours that can take you there. But you can also visit the Civilian Control Zone on your own as well. Check out the complete guide to the DMZ I’ve made for all of the major points you can see when there are restrictions and when there aren’t.
- More Info: A Complete Guide: How To Get To The DMZ & What To See
- Address: 1400-6 Majeong-ri, Munsan-eub, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기 파주시 문산읍 마정리 1400-6)
- How To Get There: You can get there via a combination of subway and then a bus from Munsan Station.
3 Everland (에버랜드)
Everland is one of the most popular amusement parks in Korea. Located about an hour outside of Seoul, it’s actually the biggest theme park in the country and has around 6 million visitors annually. They know you want to go and they make it easy to get there with various ways to get there and package deals quite often.
- More Info: https://www.everland.com/
- Admission: W40,000 ~ W60,000; You can usually find discounted tickets on Coupang too.
- Address: 199 Everland-ro, Pogog-eup, Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기 용인시 처인구 포곡읍 에버랜드로 199)
- How To Get There: You can technically take the subway out to Everland. Literally, go to Everland Station and you’ll find your way. It’s a bit of a trek though really depending where you are starting from. There are numerous shuttle bus options that are really great and much more comfortable options instead. Find the nearest shuttle stop here on Trazy. Klook also has a great shuttle bus option.
4 Heyri Art Village (헤이리 예술마을)
Heyri Art Village is one of our favorite places to take a sudden and spur of the moment daytrips from Seoul. Heyri Art Village is home to photographers, painters, artists of all kinds, musicians, architects and writers which means it is quirky, artsy and very fun as well as home to galleries, museums and more. There are numerous experiences for adults and kids as well as fun things to see.
- More Info: Heyri Art Village Guide
- Admission: FREE, but there are fees for various experiences
- Address: 1652-239 Beopheung-ri, Tanhyeon-myeon, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기 파주시 탄현면 법흥리 1652-239)
- How To Get There: Outside of Hapjeong Subway Station, exit 8. Walk south toward the Han River to find bus stop #14218. Take bus #2200 for 13 stops, about 45 minutes. Get off at Heyri 1 Gate Bus Stop and you’ll be right in front of the village.
5 Incheon’s Chinatown (인천차이나타운)
Once leased territory to Qing China in 1884, the area is now known as the birthplace of the Korean-Chinese delicacy ‘jjajangmyeon‘, most popular on the unofficial holiday known as Black Day in Korea. Colorful gates welcome visitors to the small but bustling neighborhood. The streets and alleys are filled door to door with eats and treats. All of it together makes for a great day trip out of Seoul.
- More Info: Incheon’s Chinatown Guide
- Admission: FREE
- Address: 269 Jemullyang-ro, Jung-gu, Incheon (인천광역시 중구 제물량로 269 (북성동1가))
- How To Get There: The subway in Seoul goes all the way out to Incheon Chinatown. Hop on and get off at Incheon Subway Station. Exit 1, 2, and 3 drop off right in front of the area.
6 Korean Folk Village (한국민속촌)
Folk villages around the country are beautiful places to spend a day and learn about Korean history and tradition. The Korean Folk Village in Yongin represents a village from the Joseon Dynasty and there are various cultural classes and experiences to have throughout the year. There are performances throughout the year, and on holidays there are special events too.
- More Info: www.koreanfolk.co.kr
- Admission: Adults: W25,000; Teenagers: W22,000; Children: W20,000
- Tour Option: If you don’t want to worry about the transportation, hop on the half day tour with Klook.
- Address: 90 Minsokchon-ro, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 용인시 기흥구 민속촌로 90 (보라동))
- Hours: Every day 10:00am ~ 6:00pm
- How To Get There: Near Sungnyemun Gate, catch bus 4101 which goes directly to the Korean Folk Village.
7 Museum San (뮤지엄산)
Designed by Tadao Ando, Museum San is a beautiful museum that focuses on disconnecting to connect. The museum was named one of the 100 Must Visit Tourist Spots in korea by the Korea Tourism Organization. It’s a beautiful place to spend a few hours.
- More Info: Museum San Guide
- Admission: W18,000 (Coupang often has great package options for Museum San. Check out what’s available.)
- Address: 260 Oak valley 2-gil, Wonju-si, Gangwon-do (강원도 원주시 지정면 오크밸리2길 260)
- How To Get There: This is a doable daytrip if you have a car, otherwise you should join a tour because the public transportation options to this spot are a bit difficult… or non-existant.
8 Namhansanseong Fortress (남한산성)
Namhansanseong Fortress Wall is really pretty easy to get around and isn’t nearly as long as Seoul Fortress Wall. It’s a great spot to hike in winter near Seoul and great in the summer too.
The wall is worth a visit in any season and even in winter the paths are relatively easy to walk along as there aren’t too many steep inclines. The restaurants inside the fortress also make it a good day trip with friends or family; take a walk, see some historical sights and then enjoy some supper together before catching the subway home.
- More Info: Namhansanseong Fortress Guide
- Admission: FREE
- Address: Sanseong-ri Joongbu-myeon Gwangju-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 광주시 중부면 산성리)
- How To Get There: Hop on the subway and get off at Sanseong Station (Seoul Subway Line 8) and go out exit 2. Take City Bus No. 9, and get off at Namhansanseong bus stop. (Travel Time : 20 Min., Interval of Buses: 20 Min.). OR you could take 13-2 bus at Dongseoul bus terminal Gangbyeon station and transfer to 15-1 bus at the entrance of Namhansanseong, get off at the last stop
9 Oido Island & Daebudo Island (오이도 & 대부도)
Oido has really been incorporated into mainland Korea for all intents and purposes but walking along the boardwalk will still give you some of those island vibes. Daebudo is just a bit further and the shores of Daebudo are full of clams, sea snails, goby, flounder, black rockfish and more which make for fun adventures along the coastline.
- More Info: Oido & Daebudo Guide
- Admission: FREE
- How To Get There: Take the subway out to Oido Station. From exit 1 or 2, take bus 30-2 to the Oido Boardwalk. It takes about 25 minutes on the bus and get off at the Oido Ocean Complex. For Daebudo, Take the subway to Choji Subway Station. Go out exit 1 and cross the street to the bus stop and take bus 123 out to the island.
10 Gwangmyeong Cave (광명동굴)
A super fun trip to take is just south of Seoul to Gwangmyeong. This is great no matter the weather really, BUT in the summer, it’s a lovely respite from the heat and humidity in Korea. Go deep into what used to be the Siheung Mine. There are learning opportunities for kids, light exhibits for the Instagrammers, and lots of other cool things to see. Make sure to take a jacket… even in the summer!
- More Info: Gwangmyeong Cave Guide
- Admission: Adults: W6,000; Children: W2,000 (Get on Coupang to get discounted tickets.)
- Address: 142 Gahak-ro 85beon-gil, Gwangmyeong-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 광명시 가학로85번길 142 (가학동))
- How To Get There: Go to Gwangmyeong Station and outside of exit 8, take bus 17 or 77 which will take you directly to the Gwangmyeong Cave site in about 15 minutes. Get off when you see the signs.
11 Modo, Sindo, Sido Islands (모도, 신도, 시도)
Modo (모도), Sindo (신도), and Sido (시도) islands, always grouped because they sit right next to each other and are connected via bridges so when you take the ferry from Incheon to one, you’ll always visit all three, are also called the “Three Brother Islands”. They are so close and yet they seem so far from Seoul, Korea. It’s the quick island getaway you probably need… no, you definitely need.
- More Info: Modo, Sindo, Sido Islands Guide
- Admission: W2,000 ferry ticket
- Address: 63 Yeongjong haeanbuk-ro, 847 beon-gil, Jung-gu, Incheon (인천 중구 영종해안북로847번길 63 삼목여객터미널) The Sammok Ferry Terminal which will get you there.
- How To Get There: Check the guide above for ferry specifics.
12 Gangneung Beaches (강릉해수욕장)
The white sand beaches of the east coast are easier to get to than you might realize. Need a quick beach trip? Catch a train and you’ll be there in just a couple of hours. Spend the day and then hop on back. It’s an awesome spot to check out and is one of the most popular spots for Seoulites to get to in the summer. Join the crowds for just a day. The beaches here are so so worth it.
- More Info: Gangneung Guide
- Address: 1-san Anhyeon-dong Gangneung-si Gangwon-do (강원도 강릉시 안현동 산1)
- How To Get There: Trains leave every hour from 5:00am until 10:00pm and take around two hours. The tickets cost between W26,000 and W44,000 depending on the seats chosen. You can also take an intercity express bus. You can even pre-book your intercity bus with Trazy.
13 Ganghwado Island (강화도)
Ganghwado Island (강화도) is the fifth largest island in Korea and is one of numerous islands that can be found out in Incheon in northwest Korea. From historical spots, cafes, restaurants, and seaside views, there is plenty to see and do on the island near Seoul.
- More Info: Ganghwado Island Guide
- Admission: FREE
- How To Get There: From Hapjeong Subway Station, go to the bus stop in the middle of the road between exits 10 and 5. Take bus #3000. It goes by 34 stops and takes about an hour and twenty minutes.
14 Chuam Beachside (추암해수욕장)
The KTX line was extended along the northeastern coast of Korea and with that came some beachside stops that are even easier to get to. The Chuam beachside quickly became one of my favorite places in Korea with a beautiful beach, a nearby suspensions bridges, and restaurants and cafes. It’s a super easy daytrip with a beautiful beach in the middle.
- More Info: Chuam Beachside Guide
- Admission: FREE
- Address: Chuam Beach, Bukpyeong-dong, Donghae-si, Gangwon-do (강원 동해시 북평동 추암해수욕장)
- How To Get There: Catch a KTX train from Seoul Station and get off at Donghae Station. From there, it’s just a 10 minute taxi to Chuam Beach.
15 Muuido Island (무의도)
Muuido Island (무의도) in Incheon is one of the most popular beach getaways from Seoul and it has become a bit more popular since there was a road that was built from the mainland to the island. Since it doesn’t require a ferry trip anymore, it is just a bit busier than before but still oh so fun.
There are two beaches on the island but the one you definitely can’t miss is Hanagae Beach (하나개해수욕장). There is lots of sand, lots of fun, and plenty of sun.
- More Info: Muuido Island Guide
- Admission: FREE
- Address: 151-8 Hanagae-ro, Jung-gu, Incheon (인천 중구 하나개로 151-8)
- How To Get There: Go to Unseo Subway Station and go out of exit 2. Walk around to the main road and go left to the bigger road and cross the street to find the bus stop and catch bus 6-1. The bus will take about 50 minutes but will take you all the way to the beach.
16 Gangneung Art Stops (강릉)
If it’s not so warm and the beaches aren’t calling, Gangneung is still a great place to head. The Haslla Art World and Arte Museum are out there. Enjoy some beach breezes in between art stops for a day. The Haslla Art World (하슬라아트월드) is very cool and there is a lot to check out and see.
- Admission: Adults: W12,000; Children: W11,000; Babies 36 months and under are free (Pre-purchase your tickets for a discount.)
- Address: 1441 Yulgok-ro, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do (강원도 강릉시 강동면 율곡로 1441)
- How To Get There: Take a train from Seoul Station to Jeongdongjin Station which takes just over 2 hours and costs between W23,000 and W36,000. From there, you can get a quick taxi to Haslla which is just 5 minutes up the road.
17 Cheorwon DMZ (철원 DMZ)
A bit more of a trek than the Imjingak DMZ trip that I mentioned above, Cheorwon is special in the winter in that not only can you visit the DMZ but you can see a large number of migrating birds. In fact, 30% of the wild crane population of the world stops in Korea in the winter.
- More Info: Cheorwon DMZ Guide
- Admission: W8,000
- Address: 1825 Taebong-ro, Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon-do (강원도 철원군 동송읍 태봉로 1825)
- How To Get There: Bus from Express Bus Terminal to Sincheorwon Bus Terminal (신철원터미널). After arrival, outside you can catch a bus to Goseokjung (고석정).
18 Alpaca World (알파카월드)
Alpaca World is a fun spot to check out if you want something different to do in Korea and of course if you love alpacas. Be aware that the park is on the side of a mountain so the paths are NOT flat. It is a lot of walking up and then down and then up and down again. This can be nice in the spring and the autumn, but I’m not so sure about in the heat of the summer or the frigid winter.
- More Info: Alpaca World Guide
- Admission: W15,000; Children under 3: FREE (You can get discounted tickets on Coupang.)
- Address: 310 Pungcheon-ri, Hwachon-myeon Hongcheon-gun Gangwon-do (강원도 홍천군 화촌면 풍천리 310)
- How To Get There: This is a daytrip that’s easier if you have a car. Otherwise, it’s better to join a tour. Head to Alpaca World, Jade Garden, and then stop at the Gubongsan Mountain Observatory Cafe Street for some awesome views also seen in my hit K-dramas. Join this tour here.
19 Anyang Art Park (안얀예술공원)
There are a few art installations that are the most popular… and yet some of these still seem to be off the radar of the locals that live and work there. The installations are a bit spread out so go up into the mountainside to see what you can see and then head down for a cafe break before heading back out again. The stream is lined with cherry blossom trees so visit in the spring to see them or in the fall when the foliage is beautiful on the mountainside.
- More Info: Anyang Art Park Guide
- Admission: FREE
- Address: 131 Yesulgongwon-ro, Manan-gu, Anyang-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 안양시 만안구 예술공원로 131 (석수동))
- How To Get There: head from Seoul down the blue line to Gwanak Subway Station. Go out exit 2 and walk toward the main road where you can see a bus stop outside near Paris Baguette. Take bus 900 just two stops. Get off and cross the street to find another bus stop. Take bus 2-1 which will go just three stops and drop you off right at Anyang Art Park’s parking lot and starting point. The buses take a total of 12 minutes but if you don’t want to switch twice and wait, getting a taxi from Gwanak Subway Station is easiest and it takes just 5 minutes and costs about W4,000.
20 Petite France (쁘띠프랑스)
Petite France is one of those Instagrammable hot spots to the east of Seoul in Korea that makes for a great day trip from the city. Popular with K-drama fans as it has been a set for numerous shows and Petite Prince fans because the little prince is everywhere you look, the village is a colorful find in the green and blue mountainside.
- More Info: Petite France Guide
- Admission: W10,000; You can often find discounted tickets and packages on Coupang too.
- Address: 1063 Hoban‐ro, Cheongpyeong‐myeon, Gapyeong‐gun, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 가평군 청평면 호반로 1063)
- How To Get There: Take the subway/ITX out to Cheongpyeong Station (this would take about an hour and a half from Seoul) and take exit 2 and find the nearby bus stop. You can find the local Gapyeong Circle Bus which will take you out to Petite France. The bus will take about 30-40 minutes. The Gapyeong Circle Bus costs W6,000 for adults and W3,000 for children. You can get on and off as many times as you want during the day. The bus also stops by Jaraseom Island, Gapyeong Rail Bike, Nami Island, and Garden Of the Morning Calm.
21 Hamchang Art Road
A very very hidden gem, even the locals didn’t know what I was looking for when I arrived. Small towns are charming and the people, too. Hamchang in Sangju lived up to my small town expectations with friendly people and the bonus was the scavenger hunt for art. This is definitely off the beaten track, but if you have a car, this is a doable day trip. We also managed to stop at one of the coolest rest stops in Korea.
- More Info: Hamchang Art Road Guide
- Admission: FREE
- Address: 경상북도 상주시 함창읍 가야로 2 (Gyeongsangbuk-do Sangju-si Hamchang-eub Gaya-ro 2)
- How To Get There: From Seoul, take a bus from Express Bus Terminal or Dong Seoul Bus Terminal to Hamchang Bus Terminal or Jeomchon Terminal and then go to Hamchang Station.
22 Icheon Sansuyu Village (이천백사)
The Baeksa Village in Icheon has “thousands of Japanese cornel trees that are 100 to 500 years old”. Icheon is a perfect destination for a day trip from Seoul in the spring, early spring at that. The cornel trees are the first to bloom and you’ll want to see the vibrant yellow against the blue sky to get you into the spring spirit.
- More Info: Icheon Sansuyu Village Guide
- Admission: FREE
- Address: 17 Wonjeok-ro 775 Beon-gil, Icheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, Korea (경기도 이천시 백사면 원적로775번길 17 (백사면))
- How To Get There: Starting from the bus station outside of Seoul Station, take bus 9300, 9401, 9000, or 1150 to Pangyo Station Bus Stop (07492). From the bus stop, walk up the road to Pangyo Subway Station and take the subway to Icheon Subway Station. Outside of exit 1, the only exit there, fine the bus stop just in front and take the bus 35 minutes, 14 stations, to stop 32416, Provincial Hall Bus Stop. You’ll want to walk back the way the bus came just a bit to find the Sansuyu Village.
23 Suwon Hwaseong Fortress (수원 화성)
An UNESCO World Heritage site, Suwon’s Hwaseong Fortress is the most popular attraction in Suwon to see. The 5.7 km long wall was constructed during the Joseon Dynasty and most visitors walk along the high walls for fun and visit restaurants and cafes along the way. Make sure to head inside the fortress too and find the statue of King Jeongjo and Haenggung Palace.
- More Info: Suwon Hwaseong Fortress Info
- Admission: Adults: W1,000
- Address: 320 Suseong-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 수원시 장안구 수성로 320)
24 Pocheon’s Peace Land Korea (PyungGang Land) (평강랜드)
Pocheon is just northeast of Seoul and has some really beautiful places to visit that tend to be fairly quiet. Pocheon Art Valley (포천아트밸리) is a popular spot for people to visit, but my personal favorite is Peace Land Korea, a botanical garden with wooden giants hidden among the trees. It’s great for families, friends, well just anyone.
- More Info: Pocheon Guide
- Admission: Adults: W7,000, Children: W5,000
- Hours: every day: 9:00am ~ 6:00pm
- Address: 171-18 Umulmok-gil Yeongbok-myeon, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 포천시 영북면 우물목길 171-18)
- How To Get There: This is a great daytrip option if you have a car or plan to rent one. Pocheon’s public transport isn’t as easy to get to the parks and stops.
25 Songwol-dong Fairytale Village (송월동 동화마을)
Just next to Incheon’s Chinatown, the Songwol-dong Fairytale Village is a whimsical village to walk through as you try to spot some of your favorite characters from both Korean and western fairytales. It’s a colorful place to visit and since it’s right next to Chinatown, there’s plenty of good food nearby too.
- More Info: Check out the Incheon Itinerary for how everything fits together out there.
- Admission: FREE
- Address: 38 Donghwamaeul-gil, Jung-gu, Incheon (인천광역시 중구 동화마을길 38 (송월동3가) 일대)
- How To Get There: Take Seoul subway line 1 out to Incheon Station and take Exit 1 (the only exit available). Across the street, you’ll see the entrance to China Town. Head through the China Town gate and walk up until it dead ends and turn left. On this road you’ll see the Fairy Tale Village welcome archway and clearly see where all of the vibrant colorful buildings and paintings begin.
Are you ready to travel around Korea? There are so many places that you can easily fit into a weeklong itinerary to Seoul. Or if you’re here longer, then you have plenty of time to get all of these awesome daytrips from Seoul in!
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