Ultimate Seoul Day Tip for 2024

Looking for day tips about Seoul?

You have come to the right place. I, Gazi, am here to guide you on how to enjoy Seoul best. I have been living in Seoul since 2023. I am enjoying Korean culture and trying to unravel hidden gems! All Korea lovers are better.

Today let’s unravel 5 easy day trips from Seoul that make your journey more enjoyable. Holla!

Table of Contents

Suwon

Suwon is an hour away from Seoul. It’s the capital of Gyeonggi Province and is well known for its historical landmarks, especially the Hwaseong Fortress, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

There are a lot of fun things to do in Suwon out there, but you should not miss the experience:

Hwaseong Fortress and nearby attractions
Starfield Library Suwon and Starfield Suwon Mall

Apart from that, Suwon also has a modern vibe that seemed to me a mini capital. From shopping malls to cages to beautiful parks to history, Suwon has everything.

How to get Suwon from Seoul?

Subway: I love to travel by subway. I think the best option is to take Subway Line 1 (Sinchang bound) toward Suwon station.

One thing is that you have to be aware of it as line 1 might go to different locations. So, you might need to change the line.

The destination line is seen in Korean as well as English. Look at what you require with the destination towards Suown or Shinchang. It takes generally about an hour to cover.

Train: It’s a bit costly, but itx and KTX trains are faster between Seoul station and Suwon station. One ticket requires between 5k to 8.5 won, and the journey around takes 35 minutes.
Bus: Express buses – 3000 and 7000 series are available, running from various points in Seoul to Suwon.

An additional tip is that necessary Korean apps like Kakao Subway, or map make your journey easier.

Nami Island

The second best option for Seoul day tips is Nami Island. it is also known as Namiseom, which is a picturesque escape into nature. It’s not very distance from Seoul.

Nami Island is a perfect place who love nature! I love it too much. Highly recommended for relaxation!!!

Both Koreans and tourists love to enjoy Nami Island – tree-lined paths, woodlands, and riverside walks. Sounds cool, right? This island got international fame as the filming location for the hit Korean drama Winter Sonata.

When to visit Nami Island?

From late October to early November is the best time to visit. You can see the remarkable fall foliage there. The whole island becomes yellow with the leaves. The ginkgo tree lane is a popular photo stop during the fall.

However, a very common way to explore Nami Island is by bike. There are a lot of bikes that can be rented with 5k won for 30 minutes. A little entry fee is required which is 13k won covering both entry free and the free ride to the island and back!

How to get Nami Island from Seoul?

Tour Guide: If you want to save on hassle, you can book a tour guide. But I don’t recommend

Train: You have 2 options to reach:

Gyeongchun Line: Sangbong → Gapyeong Station (about 50 min.)
itx-Cheongchun: Yongsan → Gapyeong Station (about 60 min.) or Cheongnyangni → Gapyeong Station (about 42 min.)
From Gapyeong station, it is a ~20 min. walk to the island

Car: Nami Island is about 2 hours drive from Seoul. No hassle of parking, which needs 6k to 10k won. In addition, 1k won per hour after you take the first 12 hours.

Garden of Morning Calm

You should put a day in your Seoul day plan on Garden of Morning Calm. The Garden is located in Gapyeong (near Nami Island, 30 minutes).

Each year more than 600k people visit the garden!

The Garden of Morning Calm is one of the most great destinations to visit during your Seoul trip, and it was for me! Professor Han-Skung coined it in 1996. It spans 300k m², and it has more than 5k plant species, some of which are very rare and endangered.

However, The “Garden of Morning Calm” is an inspirational name of Korea, basically “the Conunty of the Morning Clam” and the design represents Korean aesthetics with a focus on imbalance and harmony. The garden has a special seasonal festival the whole year. Fining the exact dates of the festival is hard as it vary. You can stay connected to the official website to know when it has happened

Winter: Lighting Festival (January – March)
Spring: Spring Festa (April – May)
Summer: Hydrangea Festival (July)
Autumn: Maple Festival (October – November)

How to get Garden of Morning Calm from Seoul?

Subway, train, and bus: The most common route is taking the subway or train from Seoul to Cheongpyeong Station on the Gyeongchun Line. From there, you can either take a 20-minute taxi ride (around 18,000–20,000 won) or a local bus, which takes about 25 minutes. Keep in mind that local buses run at intervals of 30 to 80 minutes, so plan accordingly. The bus stop is located right in front of the Garden of Morning Calm and is labeled “Arboretum/Bus Terminal” in English.

Car: The drive from Seoul to the Garden of Morning Calm takes about 1.5 hours, and parking is available near the garden’s entrance.

Guided tour: While the garden is accessible via public transportation, its secluded location can make it difficult for first-time visitors. If you’d prefer, you can opt for a guided tour that includes a shuttle service to the park.

Petite France

As you are still in Suwon if you have time to visit Petite France why will you miss it?

Petite France is a charming cultural village located in the Gyeonggi Province of South Korea, designed to replicate the feel of a traditional French village.

It serves as both a cultural park and a guesthouse, combining French architecture, art, and culture with a beautiful, scenic backdrop of mountains and lakes. Petite France offers visitors an immersive experience with a variety of attractions that celebrate French heritage, culture, and famous works, particularly focusing on Le Petit Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.

How to get Petite France from Seoul?

Bus: Take an intercity bus from Dong Seoul Bus Terminal (Gangbyeon Station, Line 2) to Gapyeong Bus Terminal. The journey takes about 1.5 hours.

From Gapyeong Bus Terminal, transfer to the Gapyeong Tourist Shuttle Bus (available in front of the terminal). This bus takes you to various tourist destinations, including Petite France. The shuttle bus stops directly at Petite France, and the ride takes around 20-30 minutes.

Train (ITX-Cheongchun) and Shuttle Bus: Take the ITX-Cheongchun train from Yongsan Station or Cheongnyangni Station in Seoul to Gapyeong Station (around 50-60 minutes).

From Gapyeong Station, take the Gapyeong Tourist Shuttle Bus. This bus serves tourist spots such as Petite France, Nami Island, and the Garden of Morning Calm. The shuttle bus runs every hour or so, and the trip to Petite France takes around 20-30 minutes.

Taxi: For a more convenient, but pricier option, you can take a taxi from Gapyeong Station or Gapyeong Bus Terminal to Petite France. The ride takes approximately 20 minutes.

Tips: The Gapyeong Tourist Shuttle Bus operates on a loop covering multiple tourist sites. You can purchase a day pass (around 6,000 KRW) to use the shuttle bus freely for the whole day.

Be sure to check the bus and train schedules in advance, especially during peak seasons or weekends, as they may differ.