Korea Private Tour and Charter: Seoul, Busan, Gyeongju and Jeju

Korea by private tour covers a country that changes landscape every two hours by road: the capital's palaces and markets, the old Silla capital at Gyeongju, the seafood port of Busan, and Jeju's volcanic coast. Trains connect the big cities well; a car is what lets you stop at the temple, the tea field and the lookout in between.

包車 — charter, the car and driver

A charter is a vehicle and driver for the day or the week, with the itinerary in your hands. It suits Seoul less (the subway is faster than any car in the centre) and everywhere else more: Gyeongju's tombs and temples are spread across a valley, Jeju's coast road needs a car to be worth driving, and Busan's beaches and markets sit in different corners of the city.

包團 — private tour, the route planned too

A private tour adds hotels, the order of the nights, restaurant bookings and a guide through the days where the detail matters — a hanok stay in Jeonju, a tea plantation in Boseong, a market walk in Seoul with someone who knows which stall. We plan it as one route and quote it once.

The routes that work

• 5 days: Seoul (palaces, Bukchon, markets) → KTX to Gyeongju → Busan, out from Busan.
• 7 days: add Jeju by air from Busan or Gimpo, two nights on the island with a car.
• 9 days: the same plus Jeonju's hanok village and the Boseong tea fields by road.

Getting around

The KTX from Seoul to Busan runs in about two and a half hours, and Seoul to Gyeongju in about two. Jeju needs a flight. Between the stations is where a car earns its keep: Gyeongju to Andong, Boseong's terraces, the coastal road east of Busan.

When to come

Cherry blossom in early April, autumn foliage in late October to early November, and the monsoon in late June to July that nobody plans a trip around. Winter is cold and dry, and the palaces look their best under snow.

Frequently asked questions

Do we need a visa or an entry card for Korea?

It depends on your passport. We have a separate guide comparing the arrival card and the K-ETA, and we will flag what applies to your nationality when we plan the route.

Is a car useful in Seoul?

Not in the centre. We usually start the car on the day you leave the city, and use the subway while you are there.

Can you drive us in Jeju?

Yes, with a car and driver arranged on the island. Jeju is the one place in Korea where a vehicle is close to essential.

Do your drivers speak English or Chinese?

We match the driver to the party. Tell us the language you need when you ask, and we confirm availability for your dates.

How many days do we need for Korea?

Five days covers Seoul, Gyeongju and Busan at a sane pace. Seven adds Jeju. Fewer than four means one city and no countryside, which is a waste of the country.