South Korea Highlights

A private tour of South Korea by car, from Seoul down to Busan and back, with your flights, hotels, private transfers and sightseeing all arranged.

You start with 2 nights in Seoul and a morning tour of Gyeongbokgung Palace, the National Museum of Korea and N Seoul Tower. Then head south, stopping at the folk village at Yongin, for 1 night in Songnisan National Park, where you visit Beopjusa Temple on the slopes of Mount Songnisan.

Next come 2 nights in Gyeongju, the old capital of the Silla kingdom, with a full day at Bulguksa Temple, Seokguram Grotto, the royal tombs of Tumuli Park, Cheomseongdae Observatory and Yangdong Folk Village. You stop at Unmunsa Temple on the way to Busan for 1 night by the sea, seeing Busan Tower, Jagalchi Fish Market and Nampodong Street. Your last night is back in Seoul, with a stop in Itaewon on the way.

Like all our trips, it’s easy to adjust: add nights where you’d like longer, upgrade your hotels or change the route to suit you.

Is this a private trip, and can I change it?

It’s a private trip built around your dates, not a group tour on fixed departures. You travel by private car throughout, and your sightseeing in Seoul, Songnisan National Park, Gyeongju and Busan is private, with entrance fees included.

You can change anything: add nights, swap places, upgrade hotels or slow the pace, and we’ll reprice it for you.

When is the best time to go?

Spring and autumn are best for this trip. April and May are mild, and cherry blossom usually arrives in late March or early April, with Gyeongju one of the best places in Korea to see it. Late September to early November is dry and clear, and the leaves turn in Songnisan and around Gyeongju from late October.

Summer is hot and humid, with a rainy season from late June through July. Winter is cold and dry, often below freezing in Seoul, but quiet. Around Chuseok in September or October and Lunar New Year in January or February, roads are busy and some places close, so we’ll plan around them.

Which airlines do you use?

We work with the main airlines flying to South Korea, including Korean Air, Virgin Atlantic, Asiana and Finnair. Direct flights from London Heathrow to Seoul Incheon take around 14 hours, and Finnair flies via Helsinki, often with good fares.

The flight out is overnight, landing in Seoul the next day. The flight home is usually a daytime flight, landing in the UK the same day. We can also book connecting flights from regional UK airports, and you’re welcome to ask for a particular airline.

What are the hotels like?

We choose hotels for their location, comfort and character, from boutique city hotels to international chains. Rooms in Seoul and Busan are often compact, while hotels in smaller towns and national parks tend to be roomier but simpler.

Check-in is usually from 3pm, and hotels will keep your bags if you arrive earlier. If you’d like a night in a hanok, a traditional wooden house where you may sleep on a mattress on a heated floor, we can add one.

How do we get around?

You travel by private car with a driver for the whole trip, so you don’t need to manage your luggage on trains. Most drives are a few hours with stops along the way. The longest is the last one, from Busan back to Seoul, which takes around five hours plus your stop in Itaewon.

If you’d rather, we can swap that drive for the KTX high-speed train, which takes about two and a half hours. In Seoul the metro is quick, cheap and signed in English if you want to explore on your own.

Seoul

Buzzing, bold, and brilliantly multifaceted, Seoul is a city where ultra-modern skyscrapers and high-tech subways coexist with serene temples, ancient palaces, and quiet hanok villages.

Often described as the heartbeat of South Korea, Seoul is a place where centuries-old tradition and cutting-edge innovation merge seamlessly. Neon-lit districts like Gangnam and Hongdae pulse with energy, fashion, and music, while tranquil spots such as Bukchon Hanok Village and Gyeongbokgung Palace whisper stories of dynasties past.

Beyond its glittering skyline, Seoul is a cultural powerhouse—home to pioneering design, dynamic street food, vibrant K-pop culture, and an ever-evolving art and café scene that keeps it perpetually fresh and fascinating.

Mount Songnisan National Park

Tucked away in the heart of the Korean Peninsula, Mount Songnisan National Park is a place of spiritual serenity and rugged natural beauty.

The park’s dramatic peaks, ancient pine forests, and crystal-clear streams form the backdrop to one of Korea’s most revered temples, Beopjusa—home to a towering bronze Buddha and centuries of Buddhist heritage.

Visitors come here to hike winding mountain trails that lead to breathtaking panoramas and to experience the peaceful rhythm of temple life that has endured since the Silla Dynasty.

Whether you’re seeking a moment of quiet reflection or an invigorating trek through pristine wilderness, Songnisan offers an enchanting escape into Korea’s beautiful landscape.

View Itinerary in Detail

To view a sample holiday, click on one of the links below. This will open the itinerary up in a new window.

All of our South Korea Holidays are completely tailor made and we can put together any kind of itinerary to suit your interests and budget.

We have many other options so if you have a particular hotel in mind just let us know and we'll put together a price and itinerary for you.