Seoul to Busan Itinerary: 3-Day Guide to Busan & Gyeongju (Days 5-7)

Seoul to Busan Itinerary onn Day 5, you’ll leave Seoul behind and head south to Busan. The KTX gets you there in just 2.5 hours, so even if you catch a morning train, you’ll have the whole afternoon to explore.

Day 5: Seoul to Busan (KTX, Haeundae & Gwangalli)

How Should I Get from Seoul to Busan?

Take the KTX from Seoul Station. It’s fast (2.5 hours), comfortable, and drops you right in central Busan. Leave in the morning, and you’ll have the entire afternoon to explore.

Now, about transportation costs—I’ve been there. When I traveled through Europe, language barriers and expenses made me appreciate Eurail Pass. Korea has something similar for foreign visitors: the KORAIL PASS.

Here’s my honest take: if the price difference between individual tickets and the pass isn’t huge, I’d recommend the pass for the convenience alone. No fumbling with ticket machines, no language stress, just one pass that covers everything. But everyone’s budget is different, so check out my separate KORAIL PASS Guide to decide what works best for you.

Alright, ready to head to Busan?

Morning: KTX to Busan

Catch a morning KTX from Seoul Station to Busan Station. Once you arrive, drop your bags at your accommodation (most hotels and guesthouses offer luggage storage even before check-in).

Afternoon: Haeundae Beach + Haedong Yonggungsa Temple

Haeundae is Busan’s most famous beach. Take a stroll along the shore, feel the sea breeze, and soak in the coastal atmosphere that Seoul simply doesn’t have.

After the beach, head to Haedong Yonggungsa Temple. Unlike most Korean temples hidden in mountains, this one sits dramatically on ocean cliffs. It’s one of the most photogenic temples in all of Korea—especially at sunrise, though late afternoon light is beautiful too.

Getting there: From Haeundae, take Bus 181 to Yonggungsa Temple (about 30 minutes).

Evening: Gwangalli Beach Night View

End your day at Gwangalli Beach, famous for its view of the illuminated Gwangan Bridge. The beachfront is lined with cafes and restaurants where you can enjoy:

• Hoe (Korean-style sashimi)
• Ssiat Hotteok (Busan’s famous seed-filled sweet pancake)

Grab a seat facing the ocean, order some fresh fish, and watch the bridge light up as the sun sets. Busan’s night sea has a completely different energy from Seoul’s urban nightscape.

Day 6: Exploring Busan (Gamcheon, Jagalchi & BIFF Street)

Morning: Gamcheon Culture Village

Often called “Korea’s Santorini,” Gamcheon Culture Village is a hillside neighborhood filled with colorful houses, murals, and art installations. Every alley offers a new photo opportunity.

Pro tip: Arrive early around 9 AM to avoid crowds. The village gets packed by midday, especially on weekends.

Getting there: Take Bus 1-1, 2, or 2-2 from Toseong Station (Line 1) to Gamcheon Elementary School stop.

Lunch: Jagalchi Fish Market

Jagalchi Market is Korea’s largest seafood market, and lunch here is an experience in itself.

Here’s how it works:

1. Browse the first floor and pick your fish (vendors will slice it fresh)
2. Take it upstairs to the second floor
3. Pay a small fee, and they’ll serve it with all the side dishes

It’s interactive, fun, and incredibly fresh. Don’t be intimidated—just point at what looks good.

Afternoon: BIFF Street + Gukje Market + Nampodong

Walk off lunch at BIFF Street (Busan International Film Festival Street). The main attraction here? Street food. Try the famous hotteok and ssiat hotteok—you’ll see the lines.

Right next door is Gukje Market (International Market). This market was started by refugees after the Korean War and offers a glimpse into Korea’s modern history. It’s a maze of shops selling everything from vintage goods to hanbok (traditional clothing).

Evening: Seomyeon Food Alley or Nampodong

For dinner, skip the tourist spots and head to Seomyeon, where locals actually eat. The food alley here is packed with restaurants serving:

• Dwaeji-gukbap (pork rice soup)—Busan’s signature comfort food
• Milmyeon (cold wheat noodles)—perfect for summer

Day 7: Gyeongju Day Trip → Return to Seoul

Why Should I Visit Gyeongju?

Gyeongju was the capital of the Silla Kingdom for nearly 1,000 years. Today, the entire city feels like an open-air museum—ancient tombs sit in the middle of downtown, thousand-year-old temples dot the hillsides, and UNESCO World Heritage sites are around every corner.

If you have any interest in Korean history, Gyeongju is unmissable.

Morning: Busan to Gyeongju

Two options:

• Mugunghwa train: About 1.5 hours from Busan Station to Gyeongju Station
• Bus: About 1 hour from Busan Central Bus Terminal

Both are covered if you have the KORAIL PASS (train) or KORAIL PASS+ (bus).

Morning to Afternoon: Gyeongju Highlights

Bulguksa Temple

A UNESCO World Heritage Site and the finest example of Silla-era architecture. The stone pagodas and bridges here are over 1,200 years old. If you visit in autumn, the fall foliage is spectacular.

Seokguram Grotto

A short bus ride from Bulguksa takes you up the mountain to Seokguram, a stone grotto housing a serene Buddha statue overlooking the East Sea. The craftsmanship is extraordinary—many visitors find it genuinely moving.

Tip: Buses connect Bulguksa and Seokguram regularly. Plan about 3-4 hours for both sites.

Daereungwon (Tumuli Park & Cheonmachong)

Back in central Gyeongju, Daereungwon is a royal tomb complex right in the middle of the city. You can actually walk on top of these grass-covered burial mounds and look out over the city. Cheonmachong (Heavenly Horse Tomb) is open to enter, showing how Silla royalty were buried.

Cheomseongdae Observatory

The oldest astronomical observatory in East Asia still standing. It’s small but significant, and particularly atmospheric when lit up at night.

Lunch in Gyeongju

• Hwangnam-ppang: A traditional Korean pastry filled with sweet red bean paste—Gyeongju’s most famous souvenir. Buy a box to take home.
• For a proper meal, try hanjeongsik (Korean set meal) or sundubu-jjigae (soft tofu stew) at a local restaurant.

Evening: Return to Seoul

You have two options:

Option A: Gyeongju → Busan → Seoul

• Return to Busan Station by train or bus
• Take KTX from Busan to Seoul (2.5 hours)

Option B: Gyeongju → Seoul (Direct)

• Take KTX directly from Singyeongju Station to Seoul (2 hours)
• Faster, but Singyeongju Station is outside the city center

Choose based on your timing and what you want to see before leaving.