This is a one-day trip itinerary to explore the core attractions of Seoul with a transportation and food budget of under 20,000 KRW for the day. We've designed a route centered around public transportation and free-to-visit locations to guide you through a highly satisfying day while minimizing travel expenses.
| Time | Activity | Estimated Time | Main Activities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | Traces of Tradition and History | 3 hours | Watch the Gyeongbokgung Royal Guard Changing Ceremony, stroll through Bukchon Hanok Village |
| Lunch | Vibrant Market Exploration | 1.5 hours | Enjoy affordable Korean food at Gwangjang Market |
| Afternoon | Rest in the City Center | 3 hours | Walk along Cheonggyecheon Stream, visit Seoul Plaza and the Seoul Outdoor Library |
| Evening | Seoul's Night View | 2 hours | Stroll in Namsan Park & enjoy the free night view, look around Myeong-dong Street |
When traveling around Seoul on foot, the most efficient means of transport are the subway and buses. By using the 'Climate Card' short-term pass, you can save significantly on transportation costs as it allows unlimited use of public transport for a set period.
Types and Prices (as of July 2024)
Purchase and Recharging: You can buy a physical card (3,000 KRW extra) at the Customer Safety Offices within Seoul subway lines 1-8, the Myeongdong Tourist Information Center, or nearby convenience stores. After purchase, use an unmanned recharging machine inside a station to top it up with cash for the desired pass type.
Coverage (as of August 2024): Unlimited rides are available on Seoul subways and Seoul-licensed buses. However, the Shinbundang Line, buses licensed by other cities/provinces, and wide-area (red) buses are not covered, so it's necessary to check your route.
Start your trip at Gyeongbokgung Palace, where you can feel Korea's history. Even without entering the palace itself, you can watch the Royal Guard Changing Ceremony for free, which takes place twice daily (10:00, 14:00) in front of Heungnyemun Gate. The grand and colorful traditional ceremony is a wonderful spectacle. (As of May 2024)
After watching the ceremony, walk 10-15 minutes to Bukchon Hanok Village. You can stroll through the tranquil hanok alleyways that line the hill and capture photos of old Seoul. Since this is a residential area, it is important to be quiet during your visit.
Just a 15-minute bus or subway ride from Bukchon, Gwangjang Market is the perfect place to taste delicious and inexpensive Korean street food. You can enjoy a hearty meal with a variety of foods like bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes), mayak gimbap, and tteokbokki for around 10,000 KRW per person. Experiencing the vibrant market atmosphere is also a huge part of the fun.
Take some time to digest while strolling along Cheonggyecheon Stream, located just a 5-minute walk from Gwangjang Market. As you walk along the stream that cuts through the city, you will reach Seoul Plaza in front of Seoul City Hall. Depending on the season, various events are held here, or the Seoul Outdoor Library might be open, where you can relax on beanbags and read a book, making it a great spot for a short break.
You don't need to pay for an expensive observatory to enjoy Seoul's nightscape. By following the path from near Myeong-dong Station towards Namsan and walking up to Namsan Park, you can get a beautiful free view of the Seoul cityscape without going up the N Seoul Tower. For more night view spots, you can refer to the late summer Seoul night dates page.
After coming down, wrap up your trip by exploring Myeong-dong Street, which is always bustling with foreign tourists. You can soak in Seoul's nightlife by browsing the various shops and street food stalls.
Q. Is the Climate Card 1-day pass (5,000 KRW) really worth it for a one-day trip? A. Yes, it most likely is. Currently, the basic subway fare in Seoul is 1,400 KRW (with a transportation card), so if you ride more than four times, you will exceed the 5,000 KRW price of the 1-day pass. The suggested itinerary involves at least 4-5 uses of public transportation, so you can save on transport costs.
Q. Can I use a credit card at traditional markets? A. Most large stores accept them, but many small stalls and street food vendors at Gwangjang Market may only accept or prefer cash. It's a good idea to have a small amount of cash on hand.
Q. Is admission to all palaces free? A. No. Events held outside the palaces, like the Gyeongbokgung Royal Guard Changing Ceremony, are free to watch, but you need to purchase a separate admission ticket to enter the grounds of most palaces, including Gyeongbokgung.
In autumn 2026, the time approaches when downtown Seoul will be painted in a golden hue. Especially from late October to early or mid-November, the ginkgo leaves reach their peak color, romantically transforming the bleak urban landscape. We introduce five ginkgo tree walking trails in downtown Seoul that are easily accessible by subway, without needing a car. We have included detailed information on the features, transportation, and surrounding areas for each course.
Each course has its own unique charm. If you want to feel a historical atmosphere, we recommend Jeongdong-gil, and if you want a dense ginkgo tree forest, we suggest Seoul Forest.
| Name | Features | Nearest Subway Station | 2026 Estimated Peak Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deoksugung Stonewall Walkway (Jeongdong-gil) | 'Walkable Street No. 1' where modern architecture and stone walls harmonize | City Hall Station (Lines 1, 2) | Late Oct - Mid Nov |
| Samcheongdong-gil | An artistic street lined with galleries and cafes next to Gyeongbokgung Palace's wall | Anguk Station (Line 3) | Late Oct - Mid Nov |
| Seoul Forest Ginkgo Tree Grove | Not a roadside path, but a grove where the entire forest turns yellow | Seoul Forest Station (Suin-Bundang Line) | Late Oct - Early Nov |
| Sungkyunkwan Myeongnyundang | Harmony of 500-year-old giant trees and serene traditional architecture | Hyehwa Station (Line 4) | Late Oct - Early Nov |
| Namsan Park Northern Circuit Road | A quiet walking path closed to vehicles, with views of downtown Seoul | Hoehyeon Station (Line 4) | Late Oct - Early Nov |
Designated as Seoul's 'Walkable Street No. 1,' this is a perfect place to enjoy the autumn atmosphere. The ginkgo and zelkova trees lining the roughly 500m path, combined with the serene stone wall of Deoksugung Palace, create a picturesque scene. It's also enjoyable to look around modern architectural structures like the Seoul Museum of Art and the Jeongdong Theater.
This path runs along the eastern wall of Gyeongbokgung Palace towards Samcheong Park. The yellow ginkgo trees on both sides of the winding road form a tunnel. With the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul, as well as unique galleries, workshops, and pretty cafes, there are plenty of things to see and do. It's popular with young people and both domestic and international tourists, offering a vibrant atmosphere.
This place has a different charm from a typical tree-lined street. Instead of being on a roadside, the ginkgo trees form a grove within the park, so when the autumn colors peak, the entire forest turns a golden yellow. You can fully immerse yourself in autumn under the dense canopy of ginkgo trees that seem to touch the sky. The spacious park also has many other attractions like the Mirror Pond and the Hill of Wind, making it suitable for family outings.
This is a special place with two giant ginkgo trees that have stood for over 500 years. Located in the front courtyard of Myeongnyundang Hall, where Confucian scholars of the Joseon Dynasty studied, these ginkgo trees are a piece of history in themselves. The yellow ginkgo leaves, combined with the elegant traditional architecture, create a unique and dignified scene not found elsewhere.
If you want to quietly enjoy the autumn foliage at Namsan, a symbol of Seoul, the Northern Circuit Road is recommended. It's a pedestrian-only road closed to vehicle traffic, so you can enjoy a quiet walk. Autumn leaves and ginkgo trees line the path, and there are spots along the way to view downtown Seoul. You can also connect to other trails in Namsan Park to plan a longer course. This course also overlaps with a part of the Complete Guide to the Seoul Trail 2026.
Q1. When is the peak season for ginkgo leaves in Seoul in 2026? A. The ginkgo leaves in the Seoul area for 2026 are predicted to peak around October 30. Generally, they are at their most beautiful from late October to early or mid-November.
Q2. Is parking available at the recommended locations? A. Most are located in the city center and have limited or no parking space. Using public transportation is strongly recommended. Some places, like Sungkyunkwan Myeongnyundang, operate paid parking lots, but they can be very crowded during the autumn foliage season.
Q3. Is the smell of the ginkgo fruit strong? A. The Seoul Metropolitan Government is working to replace ginkgo trees on major walking paths with male cultivars or to collect the fruit in advance. However, some female trees may remain, so there might be a slight odor, and the fallen fruit can make paths slippery, so please walk with caution.
Ginkgo trees are resistant to pollution and have beautiful autumn scenery, which is why they were widely planted as street trees in Seoul. Thanks to this, every autumn, various parts of Seoul are colored yellow, presenting a special landscape to its citizens. A walk along a ginkgo tree path in the city is a great way to fully experience the changing seasons without traveling far. If you are looking for a wider range of autumn foliage spots beyond the courses introduced, refer to the 2026 Autumn Foliage in the Seoul Vicinity page, and if you want to enjoy an autumn night festival, check out the information on the 2026 Seoul Lantern Festival.