Seoul is a Korean capital where royal palaces and old city walls stand beside glowing shopping streets and modern towers. Ride the fast subway between traditional lanes, busy markets and riverside parks, and eat well at every turn.
Maps and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).
A layover in Seoul can cover the palace quarter in one compact route. The plan visits Jongmyo Shrine, Jogyesa Temple and Gyeongbokgung Palace, then follows Cheonggyecheon Stream to Deoksugung and Gyeonghuigung palaces. The AREX airport train links Incheon with Seoul Station, so the route suits long daytime layovers.
Layover · ICN 06:00 → 21:00
Layover · 2 adults ·
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6Leaving the airport means passing passport control. Before you fly, check that you're allowed to enter South Korea with your passport.
Flights, car rental and airport transfers for your trip: 1 day · 1 adult.
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Tours, day trips and more on Viator
Browse all toursOpen to visitors, with a few customs.
Temples
Temples are usually open to visitors, though inner shrines are often reserved for worshippers. Visitors are usually asked to dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered, and to take their shoes off where asked, usually before prayer halls. Visitors usually keep their voices down and a respectful distance from altars and offerings, and photographing people praying usually needs their permission first. Rules can vary, so please follow any instructions and ask the staff on arrival.
What to sort before your 1-day trip, plus a few useful words.
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Places to eat near your plan and your stay. Tap the heart to save one.
Chosen from places featured in respected travel and food guides, or on a halal certifier's list, as of October 2026. We don't take payment to include a place.
Please confirm with the restaurant if you have any allergies.
14 min from National Folk Museum of KoreaSagol kalguksu (beef-bone knife-cut noodle soup) · Jongno & the Palaces
Price level$$
Sources
Price level: Source: Taste Korean Food, checked Oct 2026
24 min from Jogyesa TempleSeolleongtang · Jongno & the Palaces
Price level$$
Sources
Price level: Source: Taste Korean Food, checked Oct 2026
37 min from National Folk Museum of KoreaTypical SujebiSujebi (hand-pulled dough soup) · Jongno & the Palaces
Price level$
Sources
Price level: Source: Visit Seoul, checked Oct 2026
48 min from Gyeongbokgung PalaceSamgyetang (ginseng chicken soup) · Jongno & the Palaces
Price level$$
Sources
Price level: Source: Taste Korean Food, checked Oct 2026
59 min from ItaewonChicken shish kebab · Itaewon & Yongsan
Price level$$
Halal-certified
Sources
Halal-certified: Listed as halal-certified by Korea Muslim Federation. Please confirm locally.
Price level: Source: Shuttle Delivery - Kervan Express menu page, checked Oct 2026
610 min from Starfield LibraryHand-drip coffee with pecan pie · Gangnam & Apgujeong
Price level$
Sources
Price level: Source: Eatbook - 26 Katong and Joo Chiat food places, checked Oct 2026
No places near your plan with this option
10Bibim-guksu (spicy cold wheat noodles) · Myeongdong & Namdaemun
Price level$$
Sources
Price level: Source: Taste Korean Food, checked Oct 2026
11Bassak bulgogi (thin-sliced, open-flame beef bulgogi) · Yeouido & the Han River
Price level$$
Sources
Price level: Source: MICHELIN Guide, checked Oct 2026
12Pyeongyang-style cold buckwheat noodles in beef broth · Gangnam & Apgujeong
Price level$$
Sources
Price level: Source: Korea on a Plate - Hapjeongok, checked Oct 2026
13Gomtang (beef bone soup with rice) · Myeongdong & Namdaemun
Price level$$
Sources
Price level: Source: Taste Korean Food, checked Oct 2026
14Mul naengmyeon (cold noodles in beef bone broth) · Jamsil & Songpa
Price level$
Sources
Price level: Source: Visit Seoul, checked Oct 2026
15Kong-guksu (cold soybean noodle soup) · Yeouido & the Han River
Price level$
Sources
Price level: Source: Time Out, checked Oct 2026
Green escapes and the sea, a short trip from the centre. Planning information only.
Free entry
Free entry
Free entry
Free entry
About KRW 5,000
Free entry
One card for most rides on public transport. Airport routes are in Flights.
A rechargeable contactless card that works on the metro and city buses, and in many shops and taxis. Touch it on the reader when you enter and again when you leave, and the fare comes off your balance. Fares typically start at KRW 1,550 and rise with distance, and a transfer within 30 minutes usually carries a discount.
Per person, paid locally · as of October 2026
Taxis run on a meter at city-set rates, with a night surcharge of 20 to 40 percent between 22:00 and 04:00 for regular taxis. Deluxe taxis have a higher start fare. Card payment is usually accepted, and rides from the airport can use fixed zone fares that include tolls.
Typical costs, and how to pay.
Excluding your stay.
| Per person, per day | Budget | Mid-range | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | KRW 9,925 | KRW 11,180 | KRW 20,167 |
| Lunch | KRW 7,680 | KRW 10,711 | KRW 21,143 |
| Dinner | KRW 10,711 | KRW 21,143 | KRW 350,000 |
| Drinks | KRW 4,610 | KRW 6,440 | KRW 6,440 |
| Getting around | KRW 5,000 | KRW 5,000 | KRW 12,400 |
| Sights (entry tickets) | KRW 6,000 | KRW 6,000 | KRW 6,000 |
| Total a day | KRW 43,926 | KRW 60,474 | KRW 416,150 |
Sights are counted at the standard entry ticket. Guided tours cost more.
Typical prices, as of October 2026
Cards, including contactless, are widely used in Seoul shops, restaurants, cafes and convenience stores. A little cash in won is still handy for traditional markets, street food stalls and some taxis.
ATMs run by banks are usually cheaper than stand-alone machines, though many banks also charge foreign cards a fee. If asked, choose to be charged in South Korean Won. Your own bank may also charge a foreign-use fee. Check with your bank before you go.
Tipping is not customary in Seoul, and menu prices usually already include everything. You do not need to tip in restaurants, cafes or taxis, though some upscale hotels and restaurants add a service charge to the bill.
Jongno & the Palaces
Seasons, weather, and the events and holidays that change opening hours, crowds and prices.
Quick answers to common questions.
The layover plan visits Jongmyo Shrine, Jogyesa Temple and Gyeongbokgung Palace, then follows Cheonggyecheon Stream to Deoksugung and Gyeonghuigung palaces. Gyeongbokgung usually takes 90 to 150 minutes, so on a shorter layover keep the walk along the stream brief. As of 1 Nov 2026.
Allow most of a day between flights. The time has to cover the airport on both ends, the AREX train into the city and back, which usually takes 43 to 66 minutes each way from Incheon, and a few hours in the city. As of 1 Nov 2026.
Average highAverage lowRainy days
Typical, based on past years. Not a forecast.
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 2° | -7° | 4 days |
| January is the coldest stretch of the year, but the days are generally sunny and among the driest of the twelve months. Pack a heavy coat, warm layers, gloves and shoes that cope with cold, and expect fewer tourists once the New Year week is over. | |||
| February | 5° | -5° | 4 days |
| February stays cold and mostly dry, with the odd late-winter snowfall and a sharp wind chill, though the air slowly starts to ease. A winter coat and insulating layers still apply, and if the Lunar New Year holiday falls in the month, expect a quiet city and busy intercity travel. | |||
| March | 11° | 0° | 7 days |
| March begins with a winter feel and then warms noticeably as the weeks pass, with chilly mornings and milder afternoons. Long sleeves, a medium jacket and removable layers work well, and shoes that handle puddles help while the last snow melts. | |||
| April | 18° | 6° | 7 days |
| April is when the weather turns pleasant, with mild days, larger gaps between morning and evening and the cherry blossom around the city, usually from the first days of the month. A light jacket and comfortable walking shoes suit it, and the blossom spots such as Yeouido are busy at weekends. | |||
| May | 23° | 12° | 8 days |
| May feels warm and bright, with spring flowers replacing the blossom and dry, sunny days more likely than not. Light tops with a thin layer for the evening are enough, and the long holiday weekends around Children's Day and Buddha's Birthday fill parks and palaces. | |||
| June | 27° | 18° | 9 days |
| June starts warm and fairly comfortable, then turns more humid, and the rainy season usually arrives in the second half. Breathable clothes and a compact umbrella or light rain layer are worth packing, with indoor museums and cafes as backup on wet days. | |||
| July | 28° | 22° | 17 days |
| July is hot, humid and usually the wettest month of the year, with heavy showers that can arrive quickly. Wear very light, quick-drying clothes, carry rain protection and plan indoor stops such as malls and museums for the middle of the day. | |||
| August | 29° | 22° | 16 days |
| August stays hot and sticky, with thunderstorms and the rainy spell easing off as the month goes on. Breathable clothes, sun protection and a rain backup are the basics, and it is a busy month for domestic holidays. | |||
| September | 26° | 17° | 8 days |
| September shakes off the summer rains and becomes far more pleasant, with warm early days that gradually turn drier and milder. Summer clothes early in the month and a light layer later work well, and in some years Chuseok falls in this month, which brings crowds and higher prices. | |||
| October | 20° | 9° | 6 days |
| October is mild and mostly dry with a crispness in the air by the end of the month, and the autumn colours begin to appear. Long sleeves with a light jacket and removable layers suit it, and it is one of the most popular months for walking and hiking. | |||
| November | 12° | 2° | 8 days |
| November turns noticeably colder, with a distinct chill and cold mornings, while it remains one of the drier months. The autumn colours usually peak from late October into early November, so a sweater and a warmer jacket make sense for the parks and mountain trails. | |||
| December | 4° | -5° | 5 days |
| December brings cold, dry and often sunny weather, with freezing temperatures possible. Pack a winter coat, warm layers and gloves; the Christmas lights, the winter lantern display and the skating rink make the evenings lively. | |||
Mar · Apr · May
Spring runs from March to May. It starts chilly and changeable, then brings cherry blossom in April and warm, bright days in May. Layers are the key, since mornings and evenings stay cool well into the season.
Jun · Jul · Aug
Summer runs from June to August. It is hot and humid, with the rainy season usually arriving in the second half of June and July and heavy showers often passing quickly. Light clothes, rain protection and indoor stops for the middle of the day help.
Sep · Oct · Nov
Autumn runs from September to November. After the summer rains the air turns drier and milder, the leaves usually change colour from late October, and November brings a clear chill. It is a popular time for walking and hiking.
Dec · Jan · Feb
Winter runs from December to February. It is cold and mostly dry, with sunny days, the odd snowfall and a sharp wind chill. A warm coat, layers and gloves are needed, and the city is usually calmer outside the holiday weeks.
Coming up in the next 12 months. to see what falls during your trip.
It falls on a Friday in 2026, which makes a long weekend. Seoul is festive rather than shut, but some sights keep holiday hours, so check each venue's own page.
Tens of thousands of people gather at Jonggak to welcome the new year. Wrap up warmly, arrive early, and plan your journey home, as streets and stations near the area are crowded.
It falls on a Friday in 2027. After the midnight celebrations the morning is usually slow, and some sights keep shorter hours, so check ahead.