View of Bukchon Hanok Village in Seoul.
View of Bukchon Hanok Village in Seoul.

South Korea tours

Travel your way

Get your Topdeck trip to South Korea sorted

POV: you’re thinking of travelling to a unique destination that’s always intrigued you and now you're ready to visit the place that brings together a mash up of culture, tragedy, hope, colour, peace and cute af vibes. We’re talking about South Korea if the title wasn’t obvious enough. This country is FULL of awesome things you’ll wanna experience for yourself. Like...?

Famous South Korea landmarks that include Gyeongbokgung Palace, Namsan Seoul Tower, Bulguksa Temple, Myeongdong, Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), Haeundae Beach... *takes breath*. It’s also a top tier place to actually sink your teeth into, too. Into legit recipes that’ve fed generations for YEARS. Honestly, we’re drooling just thinking about it. And the culture? Next level.

Travel South Korea with Topdeck to delve deep into this destination.

Don’t take our word for it. Experience it for yourself. Join the South Korea party.

Topdeck South Korea tours

Corner of indoor Gwangjang Market, dimly lit with laterns. Woks of traditional Korean food are laid out with customers ordering their meals.
Delve Deep: South Korea 2025-26 map.
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South Korea: K-Pop & Kimchi

9 days
18 guests (max)
 South Korea

Was $2,179

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Places to visit in South Korea

Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul surrounded by trees with orange leaves during autumn

Seoul

Seoul in three words: eclectic, bold, unforgettable. This place is a vibrating hub with something new at every turn. Things to do in Seoul? Get your notes app ready. Visit Gyeongbok Palace. Explore Bukchon Hanok Village. Eat your way around Gwangjang Market. Other Seoul attractions? Book the trip to find out.

South Korea: K-Pop & Kimchi
Colourful carriages on the Haeundae Sky Capsule rail experience.

Busan

Is Busan worth visiting? Short answer: a big fat YES. It's got sea views. It's got hot springs. It's got its own film festival. That's the tip of the iceberg. What to do in Busan, you ask? It's not a visit without a trip to Jagalchi Fish Market and Gamcheon Village. Get a taste of K-pop culture, too, at an optional dance class.

South Korea: K-Pop & Kimchi
Korean dish Bibimbap with vegetables, rice, egg yolk and sliced meat.

Jeonju

Not to be confused with Gyeongju which is a little (a lot) more to the right of the South Korean map. Jeonju is the home of bibimbap. The birthplace of the Joseon dynasty. And traditional hanoks that'll transport you back in time. That's intriguing enough, right?

South Korea: K-Pop & Kimchi

Things to do in Korea

Freedom bridge in Paju-si, South Korea.

Learn about Korea’s past during a DMZ tour

A super important part of Korean history, a trip to the DMZ is crucial when you travel South Korea. What is DMZ? Created at the end of the Korean War in 1953, it’s a 160-mile-long demilitarized zone between North and South Korea. During our included DMZ tour, you’ll learn of the war’s shattering history, spot North Korea through a telescope and explore the secret underground tunnels.

The entrance to Golgulsa Temple located near Gyeongju City.

Stay overnight at a Buddhist temple

Zen. Discipline. Devotion. If these words ignite you in any way, you’re gonna LOVE the overnight temple stay we offer on our South Korea tour. Explore the temple and allow that inner peace to wash over you like a wave of serenity. You’ll also get all the deets on the local etiquette which is followed by a martial arts session complete with meditation. We’re not saying you’ll leave this experience a completely different person, but you might unlock an inner dialogue you’ve not had the key to before. And that’s why we do what we do.

Your South Korea Qs answered 

It depends! You’ll need to budget for spending money, meals (only the ones which aren’t included, obvs) and those immense optional activities. Go through your itinerary and think about the optionals you’re keen to experience – it’s all part of the fun!

For summer, the usual essentials like t-shirts (especially those that cover your shoulders), shorts, loose-fitting pants (for comfort and stuffing your face with all the local eats), trainers (those 10k steps will occur daily), light jackets and a hoodie. Travelling South Korea during winter? Add in essentials like a scarf, a (long) warm coat, gloves, thermals and boots. Your full packing list will be included in your trip notes! 

Seollal (Korean New Year) on the first day of the lunar calendar. Families get together to pay tribute to their ancestors.Independence Movement Day on 1 March which commemorates the beginning of public protest against Japanese colonial rule in 1919. Children’s Day is a pretty unique one celebrated on 5 May – parents give presents to their kids and spend the whole day together. Parents Day is a week later. Hangul Day on 9 October celebrates the creation of the Korean Hangul alphabet – that’s pretty awesome if you ask us.  

South Korean won (KRW). 

Bonus questions... 

The best time to visit South Korea has to be between March and May! Warm weather? Check. Less rain spots? Check. Cherry blossoms. Check! October and November are awesome to see those trees in peak autumn, too. 

You must have comprehensive travel insurance to participate in a Topdeck trip to South Korea. You will be unable to join us without it.  

It’s your responsibility to obtain the correct visas for your trip. Ask your travel agent or check with the relevant embassies before you depart.  

Find travel advice for Australia citizens here, for New Zealand citizens here for US citizens here, for Canadian citizens here and for British citizens here. If you’re travelling from a country not listed here, head to the relevant government website for more information.  

We recommend you consult your doctor about health and vaccination requirements before you travel to South Korea.  

For current travel safety advice, please check your home country’s travel advisories. 

Mobile phone reception in South Korea varies. Signal is likely to be better in cities and towns than in rural areas. Remember to check your network provider’s roaming fees to avoid any nasty surprises on your next bill! Alternatively, an eSim is a great option to roam locally. Another thing to bear in mind, Google Maps doesn’t work in South Korea; the locals use the app Naver. 

The plug types in South Korea are Type C and F. South Korea operates on a 220V supply voltage and 50Hz.  

We recommend you bring a universal plug adapter – airports usually sell them, but it’s cheaper to buy one before you go. 

Go when the trees are in full blossom in spring, or when they’re burning orange during autumn. Be aware that your experience may change during Lunar New Year and Chuseok. Learn some basic Korean! Don’t expect heaps of personal space when you’re out and about – it's a BUSY place. Take a mask with you to protect yourself from local pollution and dust. For couples, leave the PDA at home. 

Hello = 안녕하세요 (annyeong haseyo)  

Yes = 네 (ne) or 예 (ye)  

No = 아니요 (aniyo)  

Maybe = 아마도 (amado)  

Please = 주세요 (juseyo)  

Thank you = 감사합니다 (gamsahamnida) or 고마워요 (gomawoyo)  

You’re welcome = 천만에요 (cheonmaneyo)  

Excuse me (for someone’s attention) = 저기요 (jeogiyo)  

Other sh*t hot destinations

Japanese pagoda surrounded by pink blossoms with Mt Fuji in the background.

Japan

Experience cherry blossom season in Japan with Topdeck. That's not all you're gonna experience. Get ready for a mesh of ancient traditions, quirky characters and modern style mixed into a potion that'll Blow. Your. Mind. Plus, all the sushi and ramen you can stuff your face with, too. 

I’m in!
View of a Palawan bay with bright blue water and lush tree covered islands.

Philippines

Serene waters. Beach bonfires. Classic karaoke. Add in a dash of colonial ruins. A splash of boat tour fun. And a stash of adrenaline-inducing activities and you've got a Philippines tour with Topdeck. This trip is a jumble of past meets present, and YOU get to go along for the ride. 

Let’s go
Houses along the river in Hoi An, Vietnam.

Vietnam

Reflective lagoons. Mammoth statues. Overgrown jungles. Travelling Vietnam is like taking the plunge into another world. Throw in heaps of history (think: Hoa Lo Prison, Halong Bay, Hoi An), alll the droolworthy eats (like bánh mì, pho, spring rolls), and some real local vibes for the time of your life. 

Gimme more
People sitting on a rock lookout while the sun comes up over the Phi Phi islands in Thailand.

Thailand

Glittering temples. Glittering waters. Glittering cities. Thailand's a disco ball of culture, history and bliss. When you tour Thailand with us, you get all that PLUS mouth-watering street eats, intros to traditional Muay Thai boxing and all the jaw-dropping palace riches you can dream of. You in? 

Yes pls!