Included: all your accommodation, 11 meals, every activity on the itinerary — the DMZ tour, the temple stay, the taekwondo class, the K-pop class and the rest — all transport between destinations including the KTX bullet train, and a licensed guide with you throughout.
Not included: international flights, airport transfers at either end, travel insurance, and spending money for the meals that are not listed, drinks and shopping.
Groups on this trip usually run between 8 and 14 people, with a maximum of 18. Everyone is aged 18 to 40s and comes from all over the world.
Most people book on their own, so if you are travelling solo you are in very good company. Your group leader will email you around two weeks before you fly.
Because everything on the itinerary is already paid for, your spending money is just for the extras. Most travellers on this trip budget around £500 / $650 USD / €550 / $1,000 AUD for the ten days, covering the meals that are not included, drinks, shopping and any onward travel.
South Korea is very card-friendly, and a Wise travel card lets you spend in Korean Won without your bank's exchange fees. Carry a little cash for markets and smaller places.
No special fitness needed, but this is a trip you walk. Palaces, hanok villages, the Busan coastline, Gyeongju by bike, and a lot of getting around on foot and by public transport — it adds up over ten days.
A reasonable level of fitness and a properly comfortable pair of shoes will do more for you here than anything else you pack.
We have a minimum age requirement of 18 years old to join the tour. Group members aged 16-17 years old are welcome to join the tour but only with a family member that will act as their guardian whilst on tour. Aside from that, no age requirements at all! While our target age is 20-45, what matters most is mindset. If you’re looking for a backpacking-style experience, with hostel-style stays, local transport, and optional evening activities - you’re welcome to join us.
We highly recommend that you travel with insurance for complete peace of mind. Please click here.
WiFi is available at all accommodations during the trip.
South Korea generally has safe drinking water. The country has established water treatment and distribution systems that meet or exceed international standards for water quality. Tap water in South Korea is usually treated to make it safe for consumption, and it is regularly tested to ensure that it meets quality standards.
However, water quality can vary from one region to another, and some areas might have water with a different taste or smell due to local water sources or the treatment processes used. In some cases, people may choose to use water filters or purchase bottled water for their personal preferences.
South Korea is generally considered a safe destination for travelers. It has a low crime rate, and it is known for its safety and well-developed infrastructure.
Yes! Travel insurance is a must for all our trips. You’ll need to show proof (on your phone or printed) to your group leader when you arrive.
Need to grab a policy? Get a quote and buy travel insurance here.
We recommend using a Wise travel card. It works in most places and supports Apple Pay and Google Pay. ATMs are widely available, but some places may accept cash only, so it’s good to carry some local currency.
For sure! Around 1–2 weeks before your trip, you’ll get a welcome email with a welcome message and more trip info.
Absolutely. Your payment is secure. Backpacking Tours is a licensed tour operator in Thailand (TAT Licence No.11/12642), and we use trusted international payment providers. Your booking is safe, and our team is here to support you every step of the way.
Your passport must have at least six months’ validity and two blank pages. You should also have proof of onward travel.
Mostly hotels, in twin or multi-share rooms. Solo travellers are roomed with someone of the same gender in twin rooms, and where there are multi-share rooms we do our best to keep those same-gender too, though occasionally they may be mixed.
Two nights are deliberately not hotels, and they are two of the best on the trip: a night at a working Buddhist temple, in the monks' quarters, and a night in a traditional hanok in Gyeongju, sleeping on floor mattresses.
If you would rather have your own space, a private room is available as an add-on — just ask us when you book.
While we try to cater to all dietary requirements, South Korea has extremely limited options for vegans. Please email us with your dietary requirements before booking.
Seoul, at both ends — the trip starts and finishes there. Fly into either Incheon International Airport (ICN) or Gimpo International Airport (GMP); both connect easily into the city.
There are no activities on day 1, but the group meets for a welcome dinner that evening, so landing earlier in the day gives you time to settle in. The trip finishes in Seoul on day 10 and you can fly out any time that day.
Your K-ETA or visa application will ask for an address in Korea. Use your first night's accommodation in Seoul — get in touch and we will send you the full address and contact details to put on the form.
Do it in good time. The K-ETA is usually quick, but you want it approved well before you fly.
At this time we do not offer airport transfers, however, Korea has one of the best rail networks in the world and we will provide you with clear instructions on how to get from the airport to your starting accommodation with ease.
International flights are not included in the price of any tour and will need to be booked separately. You’re free to book your own flights or book here.
Once you’ve booked your flights, log in to the Manage My Booking area of our website and enter your flight arrival details. That is how your group leader knows when you are landing.
Arriving before the tour starts, or staying on at the end? Let us know as early as you can so we can check availability and pricing on extra nights.
For group tours, your place is confirmed once enough travellers have booked, and always at least four weeks (28 days) before your tour starts. Most group tours are confirmed around six months before departure.
For volunteer or private bookings, please allow 2-3 working days.
If a tour does not run, you get a full refund.
Either is fine — plenty of our travellers bring a suitcase and plenty bring a backpack. A backpack or holdall is a bit easier on the stairs at train and metro stations, and you will meet a few of those.
Whatever you bring, try to keep it under 20kg. You carry your own bag between destinations and you will be glad of a lighter one.
Short and comfortable. Most of the travelling is on Korea's public transport, which is one of the best networks anywhere — including the KTX bullet train down to Jeonju on day 4, which is a highlight in its own right rather than something to endure.
There are no overnight journeys and no long hauls. Expect plenty of walking once you are in each city, though.
The trip starts and finishes in Seoul.
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