Korea 7-Day Itinerary: Seoul & Busan Highlights Guide | Homejourney

Keen to plan a Korea 7 days adventure that covers both Seoul and Busan – and still have enough structure, safety, and clarity on costs to feel in control? This definitive Homejourney guide brings together first-hand experience, verified information, and Singapore‑specific tips to help you design the ideal Seoul Busan itinerary while quietly keeping an eye on longer‑term lifestyle or property goals in Asia.

Having flown this Singapore–Seoul–Busan route multiple times and done variations of this Korea one week plan with family, friends, and solo, I’ll walk you through exactly what works, what’s overrated, how to stay safe, and where to save – all with a Singapore traveller and investor mindset.

1. Destination Overview: Why a Korea 7-Day Seoul–Busan Highlights Trip
2. Best Time to Visit Korea for a One Week Trip
3. Getting There from Singapore, Visas, and Money
4. Definitive 7-Day Seoul–Busan Highlights Itinerary
5. Alternative 3-Day & 5-Day Korea Itinerary Options
6. Top Attractions & Experiences in Seoul and Busan
7. Where to Stay in Seoul & Busan (by Budget & Travel Style)
8. Food & Dining: What to Eat and Where
9. Transport, Safety & Money-Saving Tips
10. Connecting Korea Travel to Singapore Property & Investment
11. Frequently Asked Questions about Korea 7-Day Itineraries
12. Next Steps & How Homejourney Supports Your Asian Journey

1. Destination Overview: Why a Korea 7-Day Seoul–Busan Highlights Trip

A one week Seoul Busan itinerary is ideal if you want a sharp contrast between:

Seoul – hyper‑modern, dense, fast‑paced, with royal palaces and K‑culture everywhere.[1][3]
Busan – coastal city with beaches, seafood markets, and colorful hillside villages.[1][4][5]

For Singaporeans, this combo feels like pairing an amped‑up Shinjuku (for Seoul) with a more relaxed Hong Kong‑meets‑Penang (for Busan), but with subway efficiency and strong safety overall.

Key Reasons to Choose a Korea 7 Days Seoul–Busan Highlights Route

Time efficiency: High‑speed KTX cuts Seoul–Busan to about 2.5–3 hours.[4][5]
Variety: City palaces, DMZ history, café streets, beaches, and markets in a single week.[1][3][7][9]
Family‑friendly & safe: Public spaces are well‑lit; violent crime rates are relatively low by global standards. Common‑sense precautions still apply.
Good value vs Singapore: Food and transport are often cheaper than Singapore; accommodation prices vary by area and season.

2. Best Time to Visit Korea for a One Week Trip

You can run this Korea one week itinerary year‑round, but the experience changes with the season.

Season Overview (Seoul & Busan)

Season	Months	Weather & What It Means for a 7-Day Itinerary
Spring	Mar–May	Mild (about 5–20°C). Cherry blossoms late Mar–early Apr. Great for walking palaces and villages; bring a light jacket.
Summer	Jun–Aug	Hot & humid (up to 30°C+), with monsoon rains. Better for Busan beaches, but factor in indoor options in Seoul.
Autumn	Sep–Nov	Comfortable (10–22°C) with foliage in Oct–Nov. Ideal for first‑timers; clearer skies, good for views and photos.
Winter	Dec–Feb	Cold (0°C or below), possible snow. Magical landscapes, but you’ll layer up and shorten outdoor walks.

Insider tip from a Singapore perspective: If you’re used to MRT plus air‑con malls, autumn is the easiest adjustment – you’ll walk more without overheating or freezing.

3. Getting There from Singapore, Visas, and Money

Flights from Singapore

Direct flights connect Changi (SIN) to Seoul Incheon (ICN) daily on multiple carriers; flight time is roughly 6–7 hours. Many itineraries land early morning, which works well with Day 1 of this Korea 7 days plan.

On the return leg you can either:

Fly out of Busan Gimhae (PUS) via regional hubs; or
Take KTX back to Seoul and depart from ICN/GMP.

Visa Requirements (Singaporeans & Regionals)

Citizens of Singapore currently enjoy visa‑free short‑term entry to South Korea for tourism, subject to Korean immigration rules and any updated travel schemes. Always verify latest requirements with the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Singapore or official Korean immigration portals before departure, as policies can change.

Travellers from other countries should check their own eligibility; many nationalities either enter visa‑free or via the K‑ETA system.

Currency & Exchange

South Korea uses the Korean won (KRW). For practical day‑to‑day spending:

Street meals: roughly 5,000–10,000 KRW (about mid‑single to low double digits in SGD equivalent, depending on rates).
Café drinks: 4,000–7,000 KRW per coffee.
Subway rides: typically in the 1,300–1,500 KRW range per trip in Seoul–Busan.

Cards are widely accepted in cities, but carry some cash for markets and smaller eateries. Many Singapore travellers prefer multi‑currency wallets or cards for better FX rates; ATMs are common in convenience stores like GS25 and CU.

On Homejourney, when you later explore Singapore property options, we support easy comparison across multiple currencies including those commonly used in key Asian markets, helping you convert from KRW to SGD in a transparent way as you shortlist properties. Bank Rates

4. Definitive 7-Day Korea Itinerary: Seoul & Busan Highlights

This Korea 7-Day Itinerary: Seoul Busan Highlights is optimised for a first visit, starting in Seoul and ending in Busan. It’s based on routes used in popular professional tours, combined with ground‑tested tweaks for Singapore travellers.[1][3][4][7][9]

Day 1 – Classic Seoul Highlights (Old & New)

Morning: Arrive at Incheon, transfer to hotel, then head to Gyeongbokgung Palace – the largest royal palace in Seoul.[1][3][8][9]
Catch the 20‑minute Guard Changing Ceremony at Gwanghwamun Gate if timing aligns.[1]
Visit the National Folk Museum within the palace grounds to understand Joseon‑era life.[1]
Afternoon: Walk to Bukchon Hanok Village to see preserved hanok houses and alleyways.[1][2][3]
Explore Insadong for galleries, craft shops, traditional tea houses, and street snacks.[1]
Evening: Head to Gwangjang Market for classic street food like bindaetteok (mung bean pancake) and mayak gimbap (addictive mini rolls).[1][2]

Insider tip: Coming from Singapore’s humidity, your first day can feel drier (especially in colder months). Carry a small water bottle and lip balm; Gwangjang’s indoor market is a good first‑night choice if you’re tired but still want atmosphere.

Day 2 – DMZ or Themed Seoul Neighbourhoods

Option A is a DMZ day trip, which many 7‑day Korea itineraries include as a signature historical experience.[1][2][3][9]

Morning to afternoon: Join a licensed tour to the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), typically covering Imjingak Park, the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel, DMZ Exhibition Hall, and Dora Observatory with views toward North Korea.[1][2][3]
Return to Seoul late afternoon.
Evening: Light walk around Myeongdong for cosmetics shopping and street snacks, or head to N Seoul Tower if time and energy allow.[2][4]

Option B (if you prefer to skip DMZ):

Spend a slower day exploring Gangnam, Hongdae, and Starfield Library in COEX.[2][3][4]
These areas highlight modern Seoul – malls, nightlife, and youth culture.

Day 3 – Modern Seoul & Shopping

Morning: Visit a central temple like Jogyesa, known for its colorful lanterns during Buddha’s Birthday season.[4]
Explore design‑led spaces such as Ssamziegil in Insadong, which you may have glimpsed on Day 1 but can now browse more deeply.[4]
Afternoon: Shopping in Myeongdong, Hongdae, or Gangnam, depending on your style.
Evening: Early night or a casual stroll along the Cheonggyecheon Stream for a calmer city experience.

Singapore traveller note: This is your buffer day. If you’re travelling with kids or elderly parents (similar to how many families plan regional trips before exploring eventual relocation), keep activities clustered by MRT line to minimise walking.

Day 4 – Travel to Busan via KTX

Morning: Take the KTX high‑speed train from Seoul Station to Busan (around 2.5–3 hours).[4][5][7]
Check into your Busan hotel (ideally near Haeundae or Seomyeon).
Afternoon: Easy coastal activity – stroll along Haeundae Beach or Gwangalli Beach for relaxed views of the sea and Gwangandaegyo / Diamond Bridge with its LED lights after dark.[1][5]

Day 5 – Busan Culture, Markets & Views

Morning: Explore Gamcheon Culture Village, famous for colorful hillside houses, alley murals, and cafés.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]
Afternoon: Visit Jagalchi Fish Market, the iconic seafood hub, and nearby Gukje Market for local goods.[1][2][5][6][7]
Evening: Consider Busan Tower in Yongdusan Park or a sunset visit to Gwangalli Beach.[3][4][6]

Day 6 – Temples & Coastal Scenery

Morning: Head to Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, a striking seaside temple built against the cliffs with panoramic ocean views.[1][2][5][8]
Alternatively or additionally, visit Bulguksa Temple (often combined with Gyeongju side trips on longer itineraries).[1][5][8]
Afternoon: Optional ride on the Songdo Cable Car and walk the Songdo Yonggung Suspension Bridge for more coastline vistas.[1][6]