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Trip.com South Korea Review: Best Hotels in Seoul, Busan & Jeju Island
South Korea has become one of Asia's most exciting destinations. Seoul blends ancient palaces with K-pop, cutting-edge design and 24-hour street food. Busan offers beaches, seafood markets and colourful hillside villages. Jeju Island tempts visitors with volcanic landscapes, waterfalls and beach resorts. Fast KTX trains, efficient subways and affordable domestic flights make it easy to explore the whole country in one trip.
Trip.com South Korea helps you compare hotels, guesthouses and resorts, book flights and train tickets, and save with member deals and Trip Coins, all in English. In this Trip.com South Korea review, you'll discover the main accommodation options, how to combine KTX trains and hotel bookings, which partner tools to use, and a step-by-step booking guide.
Find the best hotels in South Korea on Trip.com
South Korea Accommodation Overview
Hanok guesthouses
A hanok is a traditional Korean house with wooden beams, tiled roofs, paper doors and heated floors (ondol). Staying in a hanok guesthouse is a memorable cultural experience.
- Bukchon Hanok Village (Seoul): Hundreds of traditional houses between Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung palaces.
- Ikseon-dong (Seoul): Trendy hanok alleys with cafés and boutiques.
- Jeonju Hanok Village: Over 700 hanok houses and famous bibimbap.
- Gyeongju: The ancient Silla capital, with hanok stays near historic tombs and temples.
Tip: Many hanok rooms have floor bedding (yo) rather than Western beds. Some guesthouses offer both.
Luxury stays in Gangnam and Seoul
- Gangnam: Upscale district with luxury hotels, shopping at COEX and the Starfield Library.
- Myeongdong: Central shopping area with many mid-range hotels, close to street food and Namsan Tower.
- Hongdae: Youthful, artsy area with nightlife, near universities and the airport railroad.
- Jongno and Insadong: Traditional atmosphere near palaces and tea houses.
- Itaewon: International dining and nightlife.
- Yeouido and Yongsan: Modern business hotels, parks and the Han River.
Busan
- Haeundae: Busan's famous beach, lined with high-rise hotels and resorts.
- Gwangalli: Beach with views of the illuminated Gwangan Bridge.
- Seomyeon: Busan's downtown, with shopping and nightlife.
- Nampo-dong: Near Jagalchi Fish Market and Gamcheon Culture Village.
Beachfront resorts in Jeju
- Jungmun Resort Area: Luxury resorts near beaches, waterfalls and golf courses.
- Seogwipo: Southern coast with waterfalls and Olle Trail walks.
- Jeju City: Near the airport, with markets and restaurants.
- East coast: Near Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak) and Udo Island.
Other options
Business hotels, guesthouses, love motels (surprisingly comfortable and affordable), pension (self-catering holiday rentals) and temple stays at Buddhist temples.
KTX High-Speed Train & Hotel Bookings on Trip.com
KTX trains
South Korea's high-speed KTX trains, operated by Korail, along with SRT trains from southern Seoul, connect major cities quickly.
| Route | Typical KTX journey time |
|---|---|
| Seoul – Busan | About 2.5–3 hours |
| Seoul – Daejeon | About 1 hour |
| Seoul – Gyeongju (Singyeongju) | About 2 hours |
| Seoul – Jeonju | About 1.5–2 hours |
| Seoul – Gangneung | About 2 hours |
Booking trains on Trip.com
Trip.com lists Korean train tickets, letting you book KTX journeys alongside hotels in English with an international card. Availability may vary by route, so compare with Korail's official website, which also offers the Korea Rail Pass for foreign visitors.
Getting to Jeju
Jeju is an island, so you'll need a domestic flight (about 1 hour from Seoul) or a ferry. The Seoul–Jeju air route is one of the busiest in the world, with frequent and affordable flights on Trip.com.
Hotel + flight bundles
Trip.com offers Flight + Hotel packages to Seoul and Jeju, which can save money.
Budget and Practical Tips
Sample hotel budgets (per room, per night)
| Destination | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seoul | ₩60,000–110,000 | ₩120,000–250,000 | ₩400,000+ |
| Busan | ₩50,000–100,000 | ₩110,000–220,000 | ₩350,000+ |
| Jeju | ₩60,000–110,000 | ₩120,000–250,000 | ₩400,000+ |
Prices are indicative and rise during holidays and peak seasons.
Money-saving tips
- Avoid Korean holidays: Seollal (Lunar New Year) and Chuseok (autumn harvest festival) see huge domestic travel.
- Best seasons: Spring (cherry blossoms in April) and autumn (foliage in October–November) are beautiful but busy; book early.
- Summer: Hot, humid and the rainy season (jangma) in July.
- Stay near subway lines: Saves time and money.
- Use T-money or Climate Card: Rechargeable transport cards for subways and buses.
- Free cancellation: Book early and re-check prices.
- Trip Coins and coupons: 100 Trip Coins = US$1 in value.
- Try a jjimjilbang night: Some Korean spas allow overnight stays at a very low price.
Entry rules
Many nationalities need a K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) before travelling. Citizens of 22 countries, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, Italy, Spain and Japan, are exempt until 31 December 2026, but must complete Korea's e-Arrival card. Check your nationality before you travel.
Useful apps
Google Maps has limited directions in Korea, so download Naver Map or Kakao Map. Papago is a great translation app.
Getting from the airport
- Incheon (ICN): The AREX airport railroad reaches Seoul Station in about 45–60 minutes, and limousine buses serve major hotels.
- Gimpo (GMP): Closer to Seoul, mainly for domestic flights, including to Jeju.
- Busan Gimhae (PUS): Light rail and buses connect with the city.
Top experiences
- Gyeongbokgung Palace: Watch the changing of the guard; visitors wearing hanbok often get free entry.
- Bukchon and Ikseon-dong: Wander hanok alleys and cafés.
- Gamcheon Culture Village (Busan): Colourful hillside houses.
- Seongsan Ilchulbong (Jeju): Sunrise from a volcanic crater.
- Korean BBQ and street food: Try samgyeopsal, tteokbokki and hotteok.
- Jjimjilbang: Korean spas with saunas and relaxation rooms, open around the clock.
Seasonal highlights
- Spring: Cherry blossoms along Yeouido and in Gyeongju.
- Summer: Beaches in Busan and Jeju.
- Autumn: Spectacular foliage in Seoraksan and Naejangsan national parks.
- Winter: Skiing in Gangwon Province and winter festivals.
Aviasales and Tiqets
Aviasales for flights to Korea
Aviasales compares flights to Seoul Incheon (ICN), Gimpo (GMP), Busan (PUS) and Jeju (CJU). Use the price calendar to find the cheapest dates and consider combining Korea with Japan or Taiwan.
Tiqets for attractions
Tiqets offers mobile tickets for Seoul attractions like Lotte World, N Seoul Tower, palaces, museums and DMZ tours, as well as experiences in Busan and Jeju.
Shopping and tax refunds
Seoul is a shopping paradise for K-beauty, fashion and electronics. Foreign visitors can get instant tax refunds at many stores for eligible purchases, or claim refunds at the airport. Bring your passport when shopping.
Step-by-Step Booking Guide
- Search: Go to Trip.com South Korea or open the app. Enter your destination, dates and guests.
- Filter: Filter by property type (hanok, hotel, resort), price, guest rating, free cancellation, breakfast and distance to subway.
- Check details: For hanok stays, check bed type and bathroom arrangements.
- Read reviews: Look for comments on location, cleanliness and noise.
- Add trains or flights: Book KTX tickets between cities and domestic flights to Jeju.
- Apply discounts: Use member prices, coupons and Trip Coins.
- Pay and confirm: Pay with an international card.
- Before you travel: Complete your K-ETA or e-Arrival card, and download Naver Map.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I stay in Seoul for the first time?
Myeongdong for central convenience, Hongdae for nightlife, Jongno or Bukchon for traditional atmosphere, or Gangnam for luxury.
What is a hanok stay?
A night in a traditional Korean house with wooden architecture and heated floors, often with floor bedding.
How long is the KTX from Seoul to Busan?
About 2.5–3 hours.
Do I need a K-ETA for South Korea?
Many nationalities do. Citizens of 22 countries, including the US, UK and much of the EU, are exempt until 31 December 2026 but must complete the e-Arrival card.
How do I get to Jeju Island?
By a domestic flight of about 1 hour from Seoul or other cities, or by ferry from mainland ports.
From hanok guesthouses in Seoul's historic alleys to luxury hotels in Gangnam, beachfront high-rises in Busan and resorts on Jeju, South Korea offers stays for every style. Ready for Korea? Find the best hotels in Seoul, Busan and Jeju on Trip.com and start planning today.
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