Ultimate 14-Day South Korea Itinerary #2 – The Perfect Itinerary for History Lovers & Budget Travellers

This 2-week South Korea Itinerary is ideal for first-time South Korea visitors who would love to get more insight into South Korea’s culture and history. And, as a plus, it can be the perfect itinerary if you are travelling South Korea on a budget as well!

You will be exploring some of the best spots that mainland South Korea has to offer. Not only will this itinerary take you to South Korea’s big cities, but also to towns filled with remnants of the country’s fascinating history as well as aesthetic Hanok villages!

Ultimate 2-week South Korea Itinerary for Budget Travellers and History Lovers!

This itinerary post is part of a series! The goal is to show you a number of different 14-day South Korea itineraries so you may find the one that aligns most with your interests and preferences! Currently you are reading Itinerary #2 of this multiple part series.

So, who is this 2-week South Korea itinerary for?

• This itinerary is perfect for first-time visitors that are particularly interested in learning more about South Korea’s history and culture and wish to explore the country’s aesthetic Hanok villages.
• Explore the bustling city of Seoul, stroll around the charming Jeonju Hanok Village, stay at a temple in Gyeongju and relax in the beautiful seaside city of Busan!
• If you are travelling South Korea on a bit of a tighter budget: This 2-week itinerary is quite budget friendly as is, but with a few tweaks it can become even more so. But, more on that throughout the post.
• And finally, you don’t need to rent a car. So, if driving in South Korea is not something you want to do, then this itinerary is perfect for you as well!

This all sounds good to you? Then let’s get into the itinerary!

What You Should Know about travelling South Korea

Before getting into the itinerary itself, there are a few things we want to mention about travelling around South Korea.

How to get to South Korea: Flying in and out of Seoul Incheon Airport

Since South Korea is located on a peninsula and blocked by North Korea to the north, the country can essentially be considered an island in terms of how to get there. Either, you fly to South Korea or get there by ferry.

While South Korea has several airports, the most prominent one in terms of international travel is definitely Seoul Incheon Airport. That means that it is highly likely you will be flying in and out of Seoul when travelling to South Korea.

For that reason, all our South Korea itineraries have Seoul as their starting and end point!

How to get around South Korea

Once in South Korea, there are several ways to get around. For this particular 2-week South Korea itinerary, which takes you to Seoul, Jeonju, Gyeongju and Busan, you will be using the following modes of transportation:

• 🚌 Bus Travel. South Korea has quite a prominent bus system. And, personally, we think the bus system is the best way to travel around mainland South Korea as it can get you pretty much anywhere.
• 🚄 Train Travel. While a tat more limited than the bus, the railway system can get you to quite a number of places as well. Especially the KTX, South Korea’s high speed train is an efficient way to travel longer distances.

Throughout this post, we tell you the best way to get to each place mentioned in this itinerary and direct you to the appropriate resources for navigating South Korea. That way, nothing stands in between you and a smooth trip!

Tips for travelling South Korea on a budget

In general, South Korea is a country that we would consider ideal for a mid-range budget. Travelling South Korea won’t be as budget friendly as travelling around Southeast Asia. However, it is by far not as expensive as travelling e.g. Singapore or Western Europe either.

• A lot of attractions in South Korea are actually free or can be visited for only a small entrance fee.
• Accommodation prices are fairly decent. On average we paid ~40€/$ per night for accommodations in South Korea. We stayed in a mix of budget & mid-range hotels/hostels.
• Due to South Korea’s great Express Bus System, transportation is quite affordable too. Still we would suggest to reduce travel days to a minimum if your budget is very tight.
• And lastly, if you are not that much into fancy cafés, food expenses won’t break the bank either. Especially, if you stick to local restaurants and convenience stores.

South Korea Travel Essentials for Itinerary #2

🛜 Get a SIM Card or eSIM. In case you prefer physical SIM Cards - get the Unlimited KT SIM Card via Klook*. For eSIM we recommend the Unlimited KT eSIM also obtainable via Klook*.

📱 Naver Map. The best app for navigating public transport and getting directions. We wouldn't want to travel South Korea without it. Especially, since Google Maps is more unreliable in South Korea when it comes to getting directions.

💳 T-Money Card. Get a T-Money Card to pay for public transport. You can ask the cashier at any convenience store to buy one.

🈯 Google Translate. Very helpful for translating signs and menus that are written only in Korean. Happens more often than you would think, even in the big cities!

🔌 Power Plug Adapter. In South Korea you will find the power plug type C or F, which is the same one as in Continental Europe. If your home country has a different one, bring an adapter!

Itinerary #2: For History Lovers: Explore Seoul, Jeonju, Gyeongju and Busan

📍 Day 1 – 4: Arrival + Explore Seoul

Upon arrival, you will spend the first few days exploring the bustling city of Seoul. Seoul is South Korea’s capital and the country’s biggest city. You could easily spend a week exploring the many quarters of Seoul and still not manage to cover it all. However, 3 – 4 full days are a good amount of time to cover the main sights and get a feel for what Seoul is like!

💸 Budget Tip: Stick mostly to free activities in Seoul. This is actually way easier than you might think, because there are quite a lot of great free activities in the city. Find out which ones in our separate post on the 20 Best Free Things to do in Seoul!

🌟 Seoul Highlights Not To Miss

🏯 Gyeongbokgung Palace. The most well-known palace in Seoul. It is quite big and really stunning! A MUST-SEE spot if this is your first time in Seoul.

📷 Bukchon Hanok Village. The famous Hanok Village in Seoul. Great spot for strolling around, taking pictures and visiting some lovely cafés in the area! Since it's also a residential area, you have to be quiet while exploring. 

🥡 Myeongdong Night Market. A busy night market in Myeongdong area! Perfect location to stroll around in the evening and try delicious street food!

🏯 Changdeokgung Palace. While Gyeongbokgung is the most popular palace in Seoul, Changdeokgung Palace was actually our favourite one. Highly recommend!

🎨 Ihwa Mural Village. Visit Seoul's most well-known mural village, a quarter filled with colourful wall art. And quite a bit of stairs. 

🌳 Naksan Park. Right next to Ihwa mural village you will find Naksan Park. The latter is located on top of a hill and home to parts of the Seoul City Wall, remnants of the fortifications surrounding the former city of Hanyang during the Joseon dynasty.

🏮 Bongeunsa Temple. The largest Buddhist temple in the city during the Joseon dynasty. It is still quite a stunning temple to pay a visit!

Where to stay in Seoul

If this is your first time in Seoul and you want to mostly focus on sightseeing while here, then we highly recommend staying in/near Insadong.

Why stay in Insadong? The latter is located close to

• some of Seoul’s MUST SEE attractions (e.g. Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung Palace),
• lovely walking streets (e.g. Insadong Culture Street, Ikseon-dong Hanok Village), and
• connections to public transport are great!

📍 Day 5: Daytrip to DMZ or Bukhansan NP

On your fifth day in Seoul, it is time to escape the city for a bit. We would suggest either doing a day trip to the DMZ or going hiking in Bukhansan National Park. We won’t be going into too much detail on each day trip here since we have done so already in the South Korea Itinerary #1 as well as in our Seoul Travel Guide. Check out the latter for more information.

What day trip from Seoul is best for you?

💸 If you are on a tighter budget and not that interested in seeing the DMZ, then opt for a hike in Bukhansan NP or spend one more day in Seoul instead.

🪖 If you wish to learn more about South Korea's history, then definitely opt for the day trip to the DMZ*! 

📍 Day 6 – 7: Explore Jeonju

On your 6th day in South Korea, it is time to leave the bustling city of Seoul and head to a more rural and definitely quieter area of the country. Jeonju itself is by no means a small city. However, you will spend the next 2 days mostly exploring Jeonju’s charming Hanok Village and the latter has definitely a small-town-feel to it!

Jeonju Hanok Village is famous for being a food hub. And, if spending a few relaxed days in a Hanok Village, sleeping inside a Hanok, trying on a Hanbok and eating your way through Jeonju Hanok Village sound good to you, then you will have the best time exploring Jeonju!

How to get to Jeonju from Seoul

There are three ways to get to Jeonju from Seoul. Either by Express or Intercity Bus, by KTX (South Korea’s high speed train) or by regional train. Typically, the price is inversely correlated to the travel time.

As such, the KTX is the fastest way to get to Jeonju from Seoul. However, it is also the most expensive option. The regional train is the cheapest option, but at the same time the slowest one. Personally, we would recommend either taking the KTX or the Express Bus depending on your budget.

Jeonju Highlights Not To Miss

🍵 Traditional Korean Tea House. Learn how to pour tea in a traditional Korean tea house!

🍜 Bibimbap. Jeonju is quite famous for its bibimbap, which is why a trip to this city would not be complete without having bibimbap at least once!

🎎 Rent a Hanbok. Jeonju Hanok Village is the ideal place to rent a Hanbok. There are numerous rental shops to choose from and the town itself is a perfect backdrop for strolling around and taking pictures!

🏠 Hanok Stay. Stay in a Hanok, a traditional Korean house at least for one night! The experience is truly worthwhile! Find our suggestions on where to stay in Jeonju in the next section.

🎨 Jaman Mural Village. Jeonju is home to a stunning mural village. Personally, it was our favourite one among all the mural villages we visited in South Korea!

Where to stay in Jeonju

As already mentioned before, one of Jeonju’s highlights is a stay in one of its many traditional Hanok that make up Jeonju Hanok Village. You actually should not be short on options when it comes to choosing a Hanok Stay. Down below you can find our personal suggestions in case you cannot decide😉.

Do note that the good Hanok Stays are usually booked out 2-3 months in advance. Therefore our tip is to not leave booking an accommodation in Jeonju to the last minute!

📍 Day 8 – 10: Explore Gyeongju (Optional: Do a Temple Stay)

After spending two relaxing days in Jeonju Hanok Village, it is time to hit the road again. On day 8, make your way to your next destination: Gyeongju! In some ways, Jeonju and Gyeongju are similar to each other, but in others completely different. Let us explain.

At first glance, both cities are known for their historical city centres, both are home to lovely cafés, you can rent Hanbok and take pictures roaming around the aesthetic side streets. However, while these experiences are the core experiences you can have in Jeonju (hence why it is perfect to spend two relaxing days after your busy time in Seoul) Gyeongju does offer a bit more in terms of sightseeing.

But first, let’s see how you can get to Gyeongju when coming from Jeonju.

How to get to Gyeongju from Jeonju

When travelling between Jeonju and Gyeongju, there is one direct Intercity Bus connection between the two cities which we recommend making use of. Otherwise you can also travel via Daegu and transfer there.

Head to the Jeonju Intercity Bus Terminal from where you can catch said direct Intercity Bus. The latter will take you to Gyeongju in a little over 3 hours.

Gyeongju Highlights Not To Miss

In case you did not know, Gyeongju used to be the capital of the Silla Dynasty, which prevailed (in varying forms and extends) for ~1000 years (to be more specific from 57 BC to 935 AD)! Today the city still holds numerous remnants of that time period and thus remains a site of significant cultural and historical importance.

Down below you can find a few of our personal highlights we wouldn’t want to miss in Gyeongju. More detailed information on what to see and do in Gyeongju can be found in this separate post: How to spend 2 wonderful days in Gyeongju – A Perfect Gyeongju Itinerary!

🏮 Bulguksa Temple. One of the most stunning temples in all of South Korea! This is also where you can do a temple stay should you be interested. But more on that later.
🫓 Hwangnam-ppang or Gyeongju Bread. A great snack for in between sightseeing. The original bakery still exists in Gyeongju!
🌉 Woljeonggyo Bridge. Stunning reconstruction of a bridge from the Silla Dynasty! Plus, if you are in the area also check out Gyochon Traditional Village as well as Gyerim Forest!
🎎 Rent a Hanbok. In Gyeongju you can find Silla-style Hanbok, which are different from the Joseon-style Hanbok you can typically find in Jeonju and Seoul! Stroll around Gyeongju historical centre and/or go shopping or café-hopping around Hwangnidan-gil.
🌳 "Hill" tombs. Scattered all over Gyeongju, you will find these "hill" tombs which were typical burial sites for nobles and royals during the Silla Dynasty. Most well-known is the Daereungwon Tomb Complex in Gyeongju's historical city centre.

Where to stay in Gyeongju

In Gyeongju, you essentially have 2 options in terms of accommodation. Either you stay in a Hanok inside the historical city centre or in a standard hotel. Since you already staying in a Hanok in Jeonju, we would recommend staying at a hotel in Gyeongju. This option also has the advantage that a lot of hotels are located in walking distance from the Intercity Bus Station in Gyeongju.

If you would like to stay in a Hanok in Gyeongju nonetheless, or in general for a bit more information on where to stay in Gyeongju, also read: Ultimate Gyeongju Travel Guide – Where to stay.

Optional: Do a Temple Stay in Gyeongju

South Korea is home to a Temple Stay Program, a cultural program that allows tourists to stay at selected temples throughout Korea and experience the daily life of Korean monks. And honestly, where better to take part in this program than in one of Gyeongju’s ancient temples?

Your best options from Gyeongju are either Bulguksa or Golgulsa Temple. While the former is easier to reach from Gyeongju and focusses mostly on meditation, the latter offers quite an interesting program with a martial arts demonstration and the option to try out archery. All in all an experience that you won’t easily forget!

📍 Day 11 – 13: Explore Busan

Your next and final stop on this 14-Day South Korea Itinerary is the beautiful coastal city of Busan. After having spent so much time in South Korea’s historical towns and more rural areas, it is time to make your way back into the big cities. Although (in our opinion) Busan still has quite a relaxed feel to it when compared to Seoul.

💸 Budget Tip: Stick mostly to free activities in Busan. Same as Seoul, Busan is home to some really great free activities. Find out which ones in our separate post: 10 Very Best Free Things Not to Miss in Busan!

How to get to Busan from Gyeongju

Travelling between Gyeongju and Busan is relatively easy since both destinations are located quite close to each other. As such you can get to Busan in ~50 minutes by Express/Intercity Bus or in ~35 minutes by KTX or SRT. Bus Travel is slightly cheaper than train travel but honestly not by much (we are talking about 2-3€/$ here).

In Gyeongju, the bus station is located pretty much in the city centre while the train station is situated further outside (~20 minuted by local bus). On the other hand, the KTX will take you straight to Busan Station while the Express Bus Station in Busan is located further outside (it is connected to Busan’s subway system though – 39 minutes on Line 1 will also get you to Busan Station).

Busan Highlights Not To Miss

Busan is one of South Korea’s MUST-VISIT cities and honestly, we even dare to say that Busan was our favourite city in all of South Korea. If like us, you love a beautiful coastal city that combines all the advantages of city life with awesome views, being close to nature and a relaxed coastal vibe – you too will love Busan.

🧺 Haeundae Traditional Market. A side street filled with street food and souvenir shops. Perfect to get take-way to take to Haeundae Beach for a picnic at sunset.

🏮 Haedong Yonggungsa Temple. South Korea’s most beautiful temple! We think it this is a self-proclaimed title, we could be wrong though. No matter what, it is a truly stunning temple!

🎨 Gamcheon Culture Village. Perched at the foothill of a mountain, Gamcheon Cultural Village is filled with terraced colourful houses, mural art and sculptures.

🌊 Igidae Coastal Walk. This walk was definitely one of our highlights in Busan as it winds its way alongside the most breathtaking coastal stretch! 

🌟 BIFF Square. Korea’s version of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. There is a street food market here every night.

Where to stay in Busan

Busan has a number of interesting neighbourhoods and choosing the right one to stay in, based on your interests and preferences, can absolutely make or break your trip.

For this particular itinerary, our personal recommendation would be to either stay in Nampo-dong or in Haeundae. Why? Both are great areas to stay at if you are in Busan for sightseeing and exploring the city. Which one suits your preferences best can be determined by answering the following two questions:

• Do you prefer the fancier but at the same time more relaxed beach/vacationing-mode location? Then Haeundae is where you’ll find your best fit.
• Do you prefer the more authentic, affordable and local experience? In that case, opt to stay in Nampo-dong.

📍 Day 14: Take the KTX back to Seoul + Departure

And, just like that, we reached the end of this particular 14-Day South Korea Itinerary! Today you will make your way back to Seoul from where you will likely catch your flight back home.

The best way to travel between Seoul and Busan is by KTX, South Korea’s high-speed train. You can comfortably travel from one city to the other in a little over 2 hours.

Train tickets can most easily be bought in advance via Trip.com* or 12 Go Asia*!

As a tip: If your plane leaves early morning the next day, consider staying at Incheon Airport’s very own capsule hotel! We did so and would highly recommend to anyone who has to catch an early (aka a 6 a.m.) flight out of Incheon Airport. Especially since public transport doesn’t run through the night!

You can find more information on the airport capsule hotel in our separate travel guide to Seoul!

South Korea Itinerary for Budget Travellers & History Lovers : Final Thoughts

Within South Korea you will find many awesome destinations. And deciding what to see and do can be quite a daunting task. In this particular itinerary, we focus a lot on South Korea’s more historically important sites and coincidently this itinerary is also quite budget friendly!

If there are any topics we did not cover or questions that remain unanswered, do not hesitate to leave them in the comments down below! Save this post for later if your trip isn’t for another while!

We wish you safe and happy travels!🍀