Flights from Phuket (HKT) to South Korea

Discover South Korea

Discover South Korea

Why visit South Korea?
South Korea blends dynamic cities, mountain landscapes, and a coastline dotted with islands, all layered with contemporary culture and deep history. You can move from neon-lit districts to quiet palaces and seaside walkways in a single day.

What to expect
Seoul offers skyscrapers, riverside parks, and royal sites, while Busan brings beaches, hillsides, and a working port atmosphere. Beyond the major cities, national parks, historic towns, and smaller islands give you slower-paced escapes and striking scenery.

Plan your trip
You can use Seoul as a base for exploring the country north to south, or begin in Busan and work your way upwards by rail. South Korea also connects conveniently to the wider North Asian region, making it easy to combine with neighbouring destinations in one journey.

Top experiences in South Korea

Explore Seoul's palaces and city streets

Wander between historic palace complexes, traditional neighbourhoods, and bustling shopping streets in the capital.

Relax on Busan's city beaches

Stroll along the promenades at popular beaches, then head into nearby neighbourhoods for cafes and viewpoints.

Hike in South Korea's national parks

Follow well-marked trails through forested valleys and rocky peaks, with viewpoints over temples, rivers, and towns.

Discover contemporary Korean culture

Dive into music, design, and street style districts where galleries, pop culture shops, and performance spaces sit side by side.

Soak in traditional bathhouses

Unwind in bathhouses and saunas that offer a mix of hot and cold pools, rest areas, and family-friendly facilities.

Walk colourful hillside villages

Climb narrow lanes in restored hillside districts painted with murals, art installations, and small independent shops.

Experience seasonal festivals

Time your visit for spring blossoms, autumn foliage, or city festivals that fill parks and riversides with light and performances.

Enjoy coastal viewpoints and bridges

Seek out clifftop walks, sea bridges, and harbourside viewpoints that light up after dark.

Experience South Korea's way of life

Getting around
High-speed KTX trains link major cities like Seoul and Busan in a matter of hours, with frequent departures throughout the day. Within cities, you will find efficient metro networks, buses, and plentiful taxis, plus contactless cards that work across most urban transport.

Local life & culture
Daily life flows between traditional and modern spaces, from quiet lanes lined with low-rise homes to glass towers packed with offices and shops. You will notice a strong cafe culture, late-opening streets, and year-round cultural calendars that keep parks, theatres, and riverfronts busy.

Where to unwind
In and around the cities you can head to riverside parks, forested walking trails, and coastal promenades to slow your pace. Mountain lookouts, seaside paths, and urban green belts offer easy access to nature without travelling far from your hotel.

A taste of South Korea

National dishes & specialties
Across South Korea you can try beloved comfort foods, sizzling table-top grills, warming stews, and shared side dishes. Seoul and Busan both put their own spin on familiar flavours, from hearty city classics to seafood-driven specialities.

Casual & modern dining hubs
In the main cities you will find casual eateries, cafes, and contemporary restaurants on almost every street. Dining districts cluster around university areas, business centres, and waterfronts, offering everything from quick bites to stylish modern takes on local cuisine.

Signature & scenic dining
For memorable meals, look for restaurants with city skyline views, river outlooks, or seaside terraces. In both Seoul and Busan, hillside districts and tower-top venues turn dinners into atmospheric evenings, especially when the lights of the city come on.

Retail therapy in South Korea

Malls & lifestyle hubs
Large shopping complexes in Seoul and Busan gather fashion, lifestyle brands, cinemas, and food halls under one roof. Many are directly connected to metro stations, making it easy to combine shopping with sightseeing.

Markets & local crafts
Popular shopping districts and markets showcase cosmetics, fashion, and accessories alongside local crafts. Areas in Seoul and Busan are especially known for independent designers, character goods, and seasonal pop-up stalls.

Evening retail scene
After dark, busy shopping streets and entertainment zones stay open late, with bright signage and street performances. Some districts feel almost as lively at night as during the day, inviting you to browse, snack, and people-watch well into the evening.

Best time to visit South Korea

Spring shoulder season (April to June): Mild temperatures around 10–22°C (50–72°F) and blooming landscapes make this a comfortable time to explore cities and nature. Expect popular parks and festivals, but generally manageable crowds.

Summer peak season (July to August): Warm to hot weather between 24–30°C (75–86°F), with higher humidity and occasional showers, draws many visitors to beaches and coastal areas. This is the peak season, especially around school holidays.

Autumn and winter shoulder and low season (September to March): Autumn, a shoulder season, offers clear skies and 10–22°C (50–72°F) with vivid foliage, while winter is the low season with colder conditions from -5–7°C (23–45°F), bringing crisp city days and opportunities for snow in some regions.

Frequently Asked Questions