Self-Launched Solo South Korea: Seoul, Gyeongju & Busan

Arrive at Incheon International Airport (ICN). Take the AREX Express train directly to Seoul city centre — fast, affordable, and stress-free at around £8. Check into your hostel in the Hongdae or Myeongdong neighbourhood, both brilliant bases with great transport links. In the evening, book a Korean cooking class through GetYourGuide or Airbnb Experiences (from ~£30pp) where you'll learn to make Bulgogi or Bibimbap, just like the G Adventures group. A great way to meet other travellers on day one.

🚌AREX Express train from Incheon Airport, ~£8

🛏Hostel in Hongdae or Myeongdong (e.g. Kimchee Guesthouse, HiKorea Hostel) — ~£15–20/night

• →Take the AREX Express train from Incheon Airport to Seoul city centre (~£8)
• →Check into hostel in Hongdae or Myeongdong
• →Book a Korean cooking class via GetYourGuide or Airbnb Experiences (~£30pp)

Start the morning with a Taekwondo experience class — bookable via GetYourGuide or directly with studios like the Korea Taekwondo Association for around £20–25pp. Afterwards, hop on the subway to Gwangjang Market (Line 1, Jongno 5-ga station), one of Seoul's oldest and most famous traditional markets. Graze on bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes), mayak gimbap, and tteokbokki from street stalls for just a few pounds. In the afternoon, walk to Jongmyo Shrine — a UNESCO World Heritage site and the most important Confucian royal shrine in Korea. Entry is ~£1.50 and guided tours run in English on weekends.

🚌Seoul Metro (day pass ~£4)

🛏Hostel in Hongdae or Myeongdong — ~£15–20/night

• →Taekwondo experience class (~£20–25pp via GetYourGuide)
• →Explore Gwangjang Market and try street food (~£5–8 on food)
• →Visit Jongmyo Shrine (UNESCO World Heritage site, entry ~£1.50)
• →Evening free — explore Insadong or Bukchon Hanok Village independently

Head to Seoul Station and board the KTX bullet train to Gyeongju (via Singyeongju station), taking around 2 hours and costing approximately £25–30. Gyeongju is known as Korea's 'museum without walls'. Visit Daereungwon Tumuli Park — a huge burial mound complex housing the tombs of Silla dynasty kings, entry ~£2. Then walk to Cheomseongdae Observatory, the oldest surviving astronomical observatory in Asia (free entry, outdoor site). This evening, check into a traditional Hanok guesthouse — a beautifully preserved Korean inn with ondol (underfloor heated) rooms. Dress in a Hanbok (traditional Korean garment) for photos; many Hanok guesthouses offer complimentary rental.

🚌KTX from Seoul Station to Singyeongju (~£25–30); local bus or taxi in Gyeongju (~£3–5)

🛏Traditional Hanok guesthouse in Gyeongju (e.g. Gyeongju Hanok Guesthouse) — ~£25–35/night

• →KTX bullet train from Seoul to Gyeongju (~£25–30, ~2 hrs)
• →Visit Daereungwon Tumuli Park (~£2 entry)
• →Explore Cheomseongdae Observatory (free)
• →Check into Hanok guesthouse and try on Hanbok (~£5 rental if not included)

Spend the day exploring more of Gyeongju's extraordinary UNESCO-listed heritage. Take local bus 10 or 11 to Bulguksa Temple (~£2 entry), one of the most celebrated Buddhist temples in Korea and a masterpiece of Silla dynasty architecture. From there, hike or take a shuttle bus up the hillside to Seokguram Grotto (~£2 entry), housing a stunning 8th-century granite Buddha. In the afternoon, cycle around Bomun Lake or explore Anapji Pond (Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond), which is especially beautiful at dusk. Bike rental is available near the tourist office for around £5/half day.

🚌Local city buses (~£2–4); bike rental (~£5)

🛏Budget guesthouse or hostel in Gyeongju — ~£15–20/night

• →Visit Bulguksa Temple (~£2 entry, local bus from city centre)
• →Hike or shuttle to Seokguram Grotto (~£2 entry)
• →Cycle around Bomun Lake (~£5 bike rental)
• →Evening visit to Donggung Palace & Wolji Pond (Anapji) at dusk (~£2 entry)

Take the KTX or Mugunghwa train from Gyeongju (Singyeongju) to Busan — around 30–40 minutes and just £5–10. Check into a hostel in the Haeundae or Nampo-dong area. In the afternoon, head to Gamcheon Culture Village, Busan's iconic 'Machu Picchu of Korea' — a hillside neighbourhood painted in vivid colours, dotted with street art, quirky sculptures, and indie cafes. Entry is free and you can easily spend a couple of hours wandering. In the evening, stroll along Haeundae Beach or Gwangalli Beach and grab dinner from the seafood restaurants along the promenade.

🚌KTX/Mugunghwa train Gyeongju–Busan (~£5–10); Busan Metro (~£3 day pass)

🛏Hostel in Haeundae or Nampo-dong, Busan (e.g. Imagine Hostel, Busan Backpackers) — ~£15–20/night

• →Train from Gyeongju to Busan (~£5–10, ~40 mins)
• →Explore Gamcheon Culture Village (free entry)
• →Wander Haeundae or Gwangalli Beach
• →Dinner at seafood restaurants near the beach (~£10–15)

Start the morning with a visit to Haedong Yonggungsa Temple — one of Korea's rare seaside Buddhist temples, perched dramatically on cliffs above the East Sea. Take bus 181 from Haeundae (~40 mins, ~£1). Back in the city, head to Jagalchi Fish Market, Korea's largest seafood market. Pick your fresh catch and have it prepared upstairs for a fraction of restaurant prices — a uniquely local experience. In the afternoon, explore Biff Square (named after Busan International Film Festival) in Nampo-dong, browse street stalls and enjoy hotteok (sweet pancakes). Finish the evening at Gwangalli Beach to catch the illuminated Diamond Bridge.

🚌Busan Metro and local buses (~£3–5)

🛏Hostel in Haeundae or Nampo-dong — ~£15–20/night

• →Visit Haedong Yonggungsa Temple (free; bus ~£1 each way)
• →Explore Jagalchi Fish Market and eat fresh seafood (~£10–15)
• →Browse BIFF Square and Nampo-dong street food stalls (~£5)
• →Evening stroll at Gwangalli Beach to see Diamond Bridge lit up

Take the morning to visit Taejongdae Natural Park on the southern tip of Yeongdo Island — stunning coastal cliffs, lighthouse, and sea views. You can walk the trail or take the park's own Danubi Train (~£2) around the headland. In the afternoon, head to Songdo Beach and take the Songdo Ocean Sky Cable Car (~£10) for panoramic views over the bay — a highlight of any Busan visit. Enjoy a free evening: Busan's nightlife in Seomyeon or Haeundae is excellent for solo travellers looking to socialise at rooftop bars or craft beer spots.

🚌Busan Metro and local buses (~£3–5)

🛏Hostel in Haeundae or Nampo-dong — ~£15–20/night

• →Taejongdae Natural Park (bus ~£1.50; park Danubi Train ~£2)
• →Songdo Ocean Sky Cable Car (~£10)
• →Free afternoon and evening — explore Seomyeon or Haeundae nightlife

Board the KTX bullet train from Busan to Seoul (~£45–55, ~2.5 hrs) and check back into a hostel in Hongdae or Itaewon for your final nights. Spend the afternoon at Han River Park — rent a bike (~£5/hr), pick up snacks from a GS25 convenience store, and join the locals for a classic Seoul afternoon. In the evening, do what the G Adventures group does: hit a norebang (private karaoke room) in Hongdae. These are easy to find, cheap (~£5–8pp/hr), and an absolute must-do Korean experience. It's one of the best ways to end your South Korea adventure.

🚌KTX Busan to Seoul (~£45–55)

🛏Hostel in Hongdae or Itaewon, Seoul — ~£15–20/night

• →KTX bullet train Busan to Seoul (~£45–55, ~2.5 hrs)
• →Afternoon at Han River Park — bike hire and riverside picnic (~£8)
• →Evening norebang (karaoke) in Hongdae (~£5–8pp/hr)

Enjoy a final morning in Seoul before your departure. If time allows, grab breakfast at a local café in Hongdae, browse the Gyeongbokgung Palace grounds (open from 9am, ~£2 entry), or pick up last-minute souvenirs at Insadong or Namdaemun Market. Head to the airport on the AREX Express train (~£8) in plenty of time. Safe travels!

🚌AREX Express to Incheon Airport (~£8)

• →Final breakfast at a local Hongdae café (~£5)
• →Optional: quick visit to Gyeongbokgung Palace (~£2) or Insadong market
• →AREX Express train to Incheon Airport (~£8)