Seoul

Seoul charges almost nothing to see and a record amount to sleep in. The four royal palaces cost 3,000 won each, and nothing at all if you are 18 or under, 65 or over, wearing hanbok, or visiting on the last Wednesday of the month. The Royal Palace Pass covers all four plus Jongmyo Shrine for 6,000 won, so it pays for itself at the second palace. Against that, hotel rates across the Seoul and Incheon area reached a record average of about 296,000 won a night in September 2026 on STR’s numbers, up 14.6 percent in a year, with occupancy above 81 percent. Book the room first and budget the sightseeing afterwards, because that is the half of the trip that can still absorb a surprise.

The transit pass maths changed this year and most advice has not caught up. A subway ride starts at 1,550 won by card. The 30-day Climate Card stopped being sold and was replaced on 1 September 2026 by a Climate Pass restricted to Seoul residents, which leaves visitors the short-term passes: 5,000 won for one day, 10,000 for three, 20,000 for seven. At 1,550 won a ride the three-day pass breaks even at just over two rides a day.

Four to five days is the right length. Come late March to May, or late September to November, and avoid July, when 414mm of rain falls in that single month.