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In My Korea

25 Best Day Trips From Seoul: Tours From Seoul To Try In 2024

As the pulsating capital of Korea, Seoul offers a dizzying array of sights and experiences for visitors. This massive metropolis packs in enough attractions, entertainment, and diversity to keep travellers occupied for months. Yet just beyond the city limits lies a fascinating array of day trip destinations await you. Discover the best Seoul day trips and see more of Korea today.

Ranging from tranquil islands to preserved historic villages that transport you back in time, these easy excursions provide a compelling taste of Korean history, culture and natural beauty. This list of the 25 best day tours from Seoul will ignite your exploration outside the capital and show you many of the wonderful sights Korea has to offer. There’s definitely a day trip that will suit you here.

All of the day trips from Seoul covered in this article are accessible within a day, meaning you can travel out for an action packed day of exploration and return to your hotel in Seoul. Several of these locations can be combined into one day trip, such as Nami Island, Garden of Morning Calm, and Alpaca World. I’ll include tour links to combined tours when they are as they’re a convenient way to see more.

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Why Book A Day Tour From Seoul?

Embarking on a day tour from Seoul is a must when you visit Korea as it offers you a unique opportunity to explore the country’s rich heritage , stunning natural landscapes , and vibrant local culture beyond the bustling capital. I think these Seoul day trips will provide deeper insights into Korea than you’ll find in the capital and leave you with a better understanding of what Korea’s really like.

These day trips give you a way to discover historical sites like the Suwon Hwaseong Fortress , natural wonders such as Nami Island , and unique attractions like the DMZ , showcasing the poignant history and beauty of Korea. These destinations, which are all accessible in a day, give you the chance to contrast Seoul to other parts of Korea and I’m sure you’ll notice some big differences.

Whether it’s indulging in traditional Korean experiences at the Jeonju Hanok Village or exploring the enchanting Gwangmyeong Cave , these day tours from Seoul cater to a wide range of interests, ensuring memorable experiences from your journey. Moreover, they offer insights into Korea’s diverse regions, making them essential for those looking to experience the country’s cultural charms.

Quick links : Looking for a certain type of day tour from Seoul? Use the links below to jump straight to the section that interests you, or keep on reading to discover all of these tours.

Most Popular

Korean Culture

Family Friendly

Nature Lovers

Offbeat Korea

How To Book Day Tours From Seoul

The most convenient way to book a day trip from Seoul is through user-friendly online platforms like Klook , Viator , Trazy , and Get Your Guide . These sites make exploring beyond Seoul simple by aggregating reliable tours complete with reviews, easy online booking in your chosen currency, e-tickets, and even transportation coordination from central pick-up points. I use them to book tours myself.

I recommend booking day tours in advance when visiting Korea (especially if you’re travelling in spring or autumn) for these reasons:

• Guarantee your booking and avoid disappointment.
• Almost always cheaper than buying on the day.
• You can read reviews and see if the tour is right for you.
• You can pay with your home credit card.

Learn more : Paying in your home currency is often easier and cheaper than converting money into Korean won. Booking ahead is one of the tips included in my guide to paying in Korea , which covers ways to save on travel money in Korea and alternatives to relying on exchanging cash to travel.

Where To Stay For Seoul Day Trips

Tour companies offering day trips out from Seoul might collect you directly from your hotel, but more often they prefer to arrange pickups in these three popular districts:

If you’re planning to take some day trips while you’re staying in Seoul, then I recommend staying in one of these locations as you’ll find it easier to arrange tour pickups. There are some excellent hotels in Myeongdong , Hongdae , and Gangnam and these are the most popular areas to stay. To learn more about Seoul’s districts, check out my guide about where to stay in Seoul .

Using Public Transport In Korea

Public transport in Seoul and Korea in general is amazing and services run frequently, actually turn up on time, and cost little. You can travel between cities for less than $10 and tickets cost the same regardless of when you use them. Transportation in Seoul is provided in multiple languages and is easy to use. While it’s great in Seoul, relying on public transport beyond the city can prove challenging.

Destinations outside Seoul may not be well connected, especially in the Korean countryside. Infrequent services, complex transfers and language barriers leave DIY day trips prone to confusion and wasted time, even for experienced travellers. Booking a guided tour ensures stress-free travel to and from Seoul on comfortable buses or vans, direct to each location with expert commentary, too.

It’s certainly possible to use public transport for some destinations, such as Nami Island, but for a hassle-free day trip from Seoul, tours are much simpler than using public transport, which requires research and planning. If you want to use public transport for your day trips, I recommend Naver Map or Kakao Map for directions, along with Papago to help translate Korean to English as you travel.

Planning to visit Korea? These travel essentials will help you plan your trip, get the best deals, and save you time and money before and during your Korean adventure.

Visas & K-ETA: Some travellers to Korea need a Tourist Visa , but most can travel with a Korean Electronic Travel Authorisation (K-ETA). Currently 22 Countries don’t need either one.

How To Stay Connected : Pre-order a Korean Sim Card or a WiFi Router to collect on-arrival at Incheon Airport (desks open 24-hours). Alternatively, download a Korean eSIM for you travels.

Where To Stay : For Seoul, I recommend Myeongdong (convenient), Hongdae (cool culture) or Gangnam (shopping). For Busan, Haeundae (Beach) or Seomyeon (Downtown).

Incheon Airport To Seoul : Take the Airport Express (AREX) to Seoul Station or a Limo Bus across Seoul. Book an Incheon Airport Private Transfer and relax to or from the airport.

Korean Tour Operators : Tour companies that have a big presence in Korea include Klook , Trazy , Viator , and Get Your Guide . These sites offer discounted entry tickets for top attractions.

Seoul City Passes : Visit Seoul’s top attractions for free with a Discover Seoul Pass or Go City Seoul Pass . These passes are great for families and couples visiting Seoul – you can save lots.

How To Get Around : For public transport, grab a T-Money Card . Save money on Korea’s high speed trains with a Korea Rail Pass . To see more of Korea, there are many rental car options from Klook , EconomyBookings , and RentalCars .

Travel Money : Use money exchanges near Myeongdong and Hongdae subway stations for the best exchange rates. Order a Wise Card or WOWPASS to pay by card across Korea.

Flights To Korea : I use flight comparison sites such as Expedia and Skyscanner to find the best flights to Korea from any country. Air Asia is a good option for budget flights from Asia.

Travel Insurance : It is important to insure your trips to protect yourself against the unexpected. World Nomad is a specialized travel insurance provider with options for different coverage for travellers from around the world. You can also purchase cover when you are already travelling.

How To Learn Korean : The language course from 90 Day Korean or Korean Class 101 both have well-structured lessons and lots of useful resources to help you learn Korean.

Top 10 Seoul Day Trips For Sightseeing

With endless fascinating sights and experiences to discover beyond the capital, narrowing down the most celebrated Seoul day tours offers a great starting point to explore more of the country. These ten destinations repeatedly rate as top favourites amongst both Korean and international visitors seeking to unlock the cultural, historical and natural highlights waiting beyond Seoul’s borders.

1: Nami Island

Nami Island , located in Chuncheon, is a half-moon shaped isle known for its breathtaking landscapes and cultural attractions. Established as a tourist destination in 1965, the island covers an area of 430,000 square metres and is renowned for its tree-lined walking paths, making it a picturesque escape from the urban hustle of Seoul and one of Korea’s best day trips.

What to see and do : The island offers a variety of attractions, from its beautiful tree lanes, such as Ginkgo Tree Lane and Metasequoia Lane, to cultural sites like the UNICEF Charity Train. You can enjoy cycling, zip-lining to the island, traditional Korean foods, and seasonal events. The island also features art galleries, performance stages, and water sports during the summer.

Suitable for : families, couples, and nature enthusiasts.

Recommended day tours from Seoul:

• Nami Island and Gapyeong Sights Day Tour by Klook
• Nami Island, Korean Garden & Rail Bike Day Trip by Get Your Guide

How to get there : If you want to make your own way to Nami Island, check out my guide about how to get to Nami Island from Seoul by car, tours, and public transportation.

2: Garden Of Morning Calm

The Garden of Morning Calm is a serene botanical garden located in Gapyeong County. Established in 1996, it spans 30,000 square meters and features Korean traditional garden concepts. The garden is a tranquil retreat showcasing Korea’s natural beauty through its diverse plant species and landscaped gardens. One of the most beautiful of these Seoul day trips, especially in spring and summer.

What to see & do : You can explore themed gardens, scenic walking paths, and seasonal festivals, including the Spring Garden Festival and the Winter Illumination Festival. Highlights include the Wild Flower Garden, Pine Garden, and the picturesque Pond Garden. The garden also offers cultural experiences and workshops, making it a place of learning and relaxation.

Suitable for : nature lovers, families, and photographers.

• Garden of Morning Calm and Gapyeong Sights Day Tour by Klook
• Garden of Morning Calm Tours by Get Your Guide

3: Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) Area

The DMZ, or Demilitarised Zone , separates North and South Korea, extending 250 kilometres across the peninsula. This buffer zone, established in 1953, is a significant symbol of the Korean War’s cessation (but not end). It offers a unique insight into the geopolitical tensions and history of the region, making it a compelling destination for Seoul day trips.

What to see and do : Tours from Seoul to the DMZ allow you to explore observation posts, tunnels dug by North Korea, and the Joint Security Area (currently unavailable). The area also hosts exhibitions and historical sites, providing educational insights into the Korean conflict. These tours often include visits to key landmarks, such as the Freedom Bridge and the Third Infiltration Tunnel.

Suitable for : history buffs, political enthusiasts, and modern history lovers.

Current DMZ tour issues : Due to the recently increased tensions with North Korea, as well as a swine flu outbreak in the area, the Joint Security Area is currently closed to tourists.

• Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) Tour by Klook
• DMZ, 3rd Tunnel & Suspension Bridge Guided Tour by Get Your Guide

4: Suwon Hwaseong Fortress

Suwon Hwaseong Fortress , a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a late 18th-century fortification in Suwon, South Korea. It represents the pinnacle of 18th-century military architecture, combining Eastern and Western design principles. The fortress encompasses a wall stretching nearly 6 kilometres, featuring four gates and numerous defensive structures, making it a standout destination for Seoul day trips.

What to see & do : You can explore the fortress walls, offering panoramic views of Suwon city. The site includes impressive gates, watchtowers, and pavilions. The Hwaseong Haenggung Palace, within the fortress, showcases royal residences and administrative buildings. Cultural events, martial arts performances, and traditional archery experiences are also available, enriching tours from Seoul.

Suitable for : history enthusiasts, architecture lovers, and families.

• Suwon Hwaseong Day Tour by Klook
• Suwon Hwaseong Fortress & Folk Village Day Tour by Get Your Guide

5: Yongin Korean Folk Village

The Yongin Korean Folk Village is a living museum located in Yongin that recreates traditional Korean life from the Joseon Dynasty. Spanning over 243 acres, it features over 260 traditional houses, offering a deep dive into Korea’s cultural heritage, making it a popular choice for day trips. This tour from Seoul is often combined with the Suwon Hwaseong Fortress and other attractions nearby.

What to see & do : Witness traditional Korean crafts, such as pottery and weaving, watch folk music and dance performances, and explore a traditional marketplace. The village also offers hands-on experiences like traditional games and seasonal activities, including farming. Attractions include martial arts demonstrations and traditional wedding ceremonies, providing a look into historical Korean culture.

Suitable for : cultural enthusiasts, families, and anyone interested in Korea’s traditional lifestyle.

• Yongin Korean Folk Village Tour by Klook
• Korean Folk Village and Suwon Hwaseong Fortress Tour by Get Your Guide

6: Jeonju Hanok Village

Jeonju Hanok Village , located in the heart of Jeonju, is a vibrant cultural district renowned for its 800 beautifully preserved traditional Korean hanok houses. This picturesque village serves as a living museum, encapsulating the essence of the Joseon Dynasty’s architectural and cultural heritage.

You are transported back in time, as you wander through narrow alleys lined with tile-roofed houses, artisanal workshops, and quaint tea houses. The village’s commitment to maintaining traditional Korean crafts, cuisine, and culture makes it perfect for those seeking an authentic tour from Seoul.

What to see & do : You can explore traditional tea houses, artisan workshops, and cultural museums. The Jeonju Hanji Museum, dedicated to traditional Korean paper, and the Jeonju Korean Traditional Wine Museum are highlights. Traditional Korean dress (hanbok) rental is popular, along with sampling authentic Jeonju bibimbap, making it a vibrant mix of cultural exploration and culinary delight.

Suitable for : cultural enthusiasts, photographers, and foodies.

• Jeonju Hanok Village Day Tour by Klook
• Jeonju Hanok Village Korean Food Tour by Trazy
• Jeonju Hanol Village Tours by Get Your Guide

7: Alpaca World

Alpaca World is a scenic area within easy reach from Seoul and one of the best places to see cuddly critters in leafy surroundings. This expansive park is not just about alpacas; it’s an animal haven set against the backdrop of Korea’s beautiful natural landscape. You have the chance to interact closely with alpacas, deer, and other animals in an environment that prioritises their wellbeing and freedom.

What to see & do : Beyond feeding and walking with alpacas, you can try activities such as horse riding, exploring the ecological forest, and crafting. The park also features thematic gardens, picnic areas, and walking trails, making it an ideal spot for leisure and learning about animal care and nature conservation. The hands-on interactions with the animals provide a memorable experience for all ages.

Suitable for : families, animal lovers, and nature enthusiasts.

• Alpaca World & Popular Sights Day Tour by Klook
• Gangwon-do Day Trip with Alpaca World & Nami Island by Get Your Guide

8: Gangchon Rail Park

Gangchon Rail Park offers you an outdoor adventure combining scenic beauty with physical activity. The repurposed old railway tracks allow you to pedal rail bikes through tunnels, over bridges, and along rivers. Covering a distance that showcases the stunning rural landscapes of Korea, it’s an innovative way to explore the countryside, making it a popular choice for day trips from Seoul.

What to see & do : The main attraction is the rail biking experience, where you can pedal along old railroad tracks while enjoying the surrounding nature. The course includes features like tunnels, adorned with lights and music, and panoramic views of the river and countryside. Additionally, the park offers rest areas with scenic photo spots to witness the beauty of the Korean landscape.

Suitable for : active travellers, families, and groups seeking a unique experience in nature.

• Gangchon Rail Park and Gapyeong Sights Day Tour by Klook
• Gangchon Rail Bike, Nami Island & Korean Garden Day Trip by Get Your Guide

9: Petite France

Petite France is a French-themed village that stands as a beacon of European charm within Korea. This cultural village is designed to emulate the atmosphere of a quaint French town, featuring brightly coloured buildings, cobblestone streets, and a collection of European dolls, antique musical instruments, and French literature. It’s a eccentric enclave that offers a uniquely European escape.

What to see & do : Within its boundaries, you can explore a variety of attractions including the Saint-Exupéry Memorial Hall dedicated to the author of “The Little Prince,” puppet shows, and street performances that capture the essence of French culture. The village also offers workshops on French crafts and cooking, making it a place of both entertainment and learning with lots of photo opportunities.

Suitable for : families, couples, and Francophiles.

• Petite France and Gapyeong Sights Day Tour by Klook
• Petite France, Nami Island, and Garden of Morning Calm Tour by Get Your Guide

10: Gwangmyeong Cave

Gwangmyeong Cave is a former gold mine transformed into a cultural and recreational space. This subterranean complex is a fusion of historical, cultural, and entertainment elements, offering a unique experience beneath the earth’s surface. It boasts illuminated caverns, underground lakes, and themed exhibitions, making it a great destination for those seeking an adventurous day trip from Seoul.

What to see & do : In Gwangmyeong Cave you can explore a variety of interesting attractions including the Wine Cave, where Korean wines are showcased and available for tasting, and the Golden Road, which tells the history of the mine’s gold extraction era. The cave also hosts art installations, a concert hall, and an aquarium, providing diverse entertainment options.

Suitable for : adventurers, families, and those interested in geologic phenomena.

• Gwangmyeong Cave & Hwadam Botanic Garden Day Tour by Klook

Korean Culture Lovers Day Trips From Seoul

These day trips from Seoul are for the K-culture lovers, both modern and traditional, who want to spend a day away from Seoul to see unmissable destinations from TV, movies, art, and nature. If you’re a fan of BTS or modern K-culture, then you’ll love the BTS tour and a visit to Dae Jang Geum Park. Families and couples will be pleasantly surprised with day tours in Pocheon and Gangneung, too.

BTS ARMY Fan Tours From Seoul

BTS-themed tours from Seoul offer fans of the global K-pop sensation a unique journey through the places associated with BTS’s rise to fame. These tours cover iconic sites outside Seoul that hold significance to the band’s history, such as music video locations, favourite hangouts, and significant locations in their career. It’s an immersive experience that brings fans closer to the footsteps of BTS.

What to see & do : Participants can visit sites inside and outside of Seoul, like the BTS bus stop at Hyangho Beach from the “Spring Day” music video, Yongin Daejanggeum Park where Suga recorded “Daechwita”, and Seoul sights such as Hakdong Park , Yoojung Sikdang , and the old Big Hit headquarters . Some tours offer exclusive merchandise and photo shoots at famous BTS-related spots.

Suitable for : ARMYs, K-pop enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the cultural phenomenon of BTS.

• BTS Fan ARMY Must Visit Day Tour from Seoul by Klook
• BTS Fan Tour with Gangneung Beach by Get Your Guide

Yongin Dae Jang Geum Park Tour

Yongin Dae Jang Geum Park , previously known as MBC Dramia, is an expansive outdoor film set. This site is famous for being the filming location of numerous popular Korean historical dramas, including “Dae Jang Geum.” Tours from Seoul offer fans of K-dramas and K-movies a behind-the-scenes look at the settings of their favourite productions, showcasing traditional Korean architecture and culture.

What to see & do : You can explore the meticulously constructed sets that replicate historical palaces, villages, and landscapes from various periods of Korean history. Tours provide insights into the filming processes and stories behind the scenes. There’s the opportunity to dress in traditional Korean costumes, and occasional reenactments and performances really bring the drama to life.

Suitable for : fans of Korean dramas, history buffs, and those interested in traditional Korean culture.

• Yongin Dae Jang Geum Park Tour by Klook
• Classic K-Drama Dae Jang Geum Park Tour by Get Your Guide

Pocheon Art Village And Herb Island

Day tours from Seoul to Pocheon Art Valley and Herb Island offer a blend of natural beauty, art, and aromatic experiences. Pocheon Art Valley, a transformed granite quarry, now serves as a cultural space featuring sculptures, an art museum, and a picturesque lake. Herb Island, focusing on Mediterranean herbs, lights up with fairy-tale illuminations at night, creating a magical atmosphere.

What to see & do : In Pocheon Art Valley, you can enjoy scenic landscapes, explore art installations, and take part in craft workshops. The monorail provides easy access to stunning views. Herb Island gives you a chance to wander through lavender fields, participate in soap-making classes, and explore themed gardens and greenhouses. Visit at night to see the entire island aglow with decorative lights.

Suitable for : art lovers, nature enthusiasts, and families looking for a creative day of delights.

• Pocheon Art Valley & Herb Island Day Tour by Klook
• Pocheon Art Valley, Herb Island, & Fruit Picking by Get Your Guide

Gangneung K-Culture Day Trip

Gangneung is a beautiful beach city on the east coast of Korea accessible from Seoul in under 2 hours by KTX high speed train. Known as a city of coffee, nature, and culture, the city boasts festivals dedicated to coffee (Gangneung Coffee Festival), cherry blossoms (Gyeongpo Cherry Blossom Festival), and beach life (Gyeongpo Beach Beer Festival & Gangneung Gyeongpo Summer Festival).

What to see & do : Day trips will take you to some top cultural destinations in the area, including Jumunjin to see the filming location of the popular Korean drama “Goblin”. Nearby, K-pop fans can visit the bus stop featured in BTS’s “Spring Day” music video – a must-see for diehard A.R.M.Y fans! The area also offers new attractions like the immersive light and shadow art experience – ARTE Museum.

Suitable for : art lovers, culture vultures, and those interested in modern K-culture.

• Gangneung hotspot Tour! BTS Bus Stop, Goblin, Arte Museum by Klook
• Gyeongpo Lake, BTS Bus Stop, Jumunjin Beach Tour by Trazy

Family Friendly One Day Trips From Seoul

If you’re looking for a family-friendly break from Seoul, then these theme parks and attractions will provide a whole day of outdoor fun for all. While Seoul offers great theme parks like Lotte World Adventure , the destinations outside Seoul are bigger and have more to see and do – making them worth a visit. Here are some fun day trips from Seoul to enjoy during summer and other seasons.

Caribbean Bay Water Park

Caribbean Bay Water Park , part of the Everland Resort in Yongin, is one of the largest water parks in the world. Offering a tropical Caribbean theme, it features a wide range of water-based attractions, including wave pools, water slides, and a lazy river. Tours from Seoul to Caribbean Bay provide a refreshing escape from the city, allowing visitors to enjoy thrilling rides and relaxation in a picturesque setting.

What to see & do : You can experience exhilarating water slides of varying heights and speeds, the expansive wave pool capable of generating artificial waves, and the relaxing lazy river that meanders through the park. The Aqua Loop, a high-speed slide with a 360-degree loop, is a must-try for thrill-seekers. If you’re just looking to relax, the spa and sauna facilities offer a serene retreat.

Suitable for : families, groups of friends, and anyone seeking fun and adventure in a water park setting.

• Caribbean Bay Water Park in Yongin One Day Pass by Klook

Everland Theme Park

Everland theme park , also in Yongin, is Korea’s largest theme park and offers a diverse range of attractions across its zones – Global Fair, American Adventure, Magic Land, European Adventure, and Zootopia. Combining thrilling rides, themed areas, and a zoo, tours from Seoul to Everland provide a day of adventure and fun, making it a top choice for those seeking excitement outside the city.

What to see & do : Visitors can enjoy high-speed roller coasters, such as the T-Express, family-friendly rides, and seasonal festivals. Zootopia offers close encounters with animals, including a panda habitat and a safari ride. The park’s beautifully landscaped gardens and parades add to the festive atmosphere. For those looking to cool down, check out the aforementioned water park, Caribbean Bay.

Suitable for : families, thrill-seekers, and anyone looking for a fun-filled day out.

• Everland Theme Park Day Tour by Klook
• Everland Admission Ticket with Transfer by Get Your Guide

Legoland Korea

Legoland Korea is a newly opened theme park that brings the iconic Lego brand to life. This family-oriented park features over 40 rides, shows, and attractions across various themed zones, each dedicated to the creativity and fun of Lego building blocks. Day tours from Seoul to Legoland Korea offer an immersive experience into a world of imagination and innovation for Lego fans of all ages.

What to see & do : The park is divided into themed areas, including Miniland, where iconic landmarks from around the world are recreated in Lego form. Visitors can enjoy interactive rides, build and test their own Lego creations, and watch 4D cinema presentations. For younger guests, Duplo playgrounds provide a safe and exciting environment. The park also hosts seasonal events.

Suitable for : families with children, Lego enthusiasts, and those looking for a creative day out.

• Legoland Round-trip Shuttle from Seoul by Klook
• Legoland Korea Trip with Rail Bike or Luge Racing Car by Get Your Guide

Day Trips From Seoul To See Nature

Some of the most-loved day trips from Seoul introduce you to the abundant green sights you’ll find outside Korea’s capital, including the aforementioned Nami Island, Garden of Morning Calm, and Pocheon Art Valley. There are plenty more natural wonders awaiting you in the Korean countryside, with massive mountains , serene rivers , picturesque forests and gardens , and more, to discover.

Seoraksan National Park

Seoraksan National Park is renowned for its breathtaking natural scenery, including rugged mountains, narrow valleys, and dense forests. It’s a UNESCO Biosphere Protection site, offering an escape into nature’s tranquility. Day tours from Seoul to Seoraksan allow you to explore Korea’s natural beauty, with the park’s changing seasons offering many wonderful sights, especially during autumn.

What to see & do : The park features a range of hiking trails for all abilities, from easy walks to challenging climbs, leading to stunning vistas and natural landmarks like the Ulsanbawi Rock. Don’t want to hike? Take the cable car to Gwongeumseong and see panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. You can explore Buddhist temples in the park, including picturesque Sinheungsa Temple.

Suitable for : nature lovers, hikers, and those seeking a peaceful retreat into natural beauty.

• Seoraksan & Nami Island One Day Tour by Klook
• Seoraksan Hike with Naksansa Temple or Nami Island by Get Your Guide

• Hwadam Botanical Gardens And Forest

Hwadam Botanical Garden is a meticulously designed ecological space that combines traditional Korean and modern landscaping techniques. This self-sustaining garden is known for its extensive collection of native and exotic plants, making it a haven for botany enthusiasts. Day tours from Seoul to Hwadam Botanical Garden offer a serene escape into nature and a literal breath of fresh air.

What to see & do : Meander through themed sections, including a conifer garden, medicinal herb garden, and a wetland ecosystem, each offering unique plants and educational insights. The garden’s walking paths and scenic bridges over ponds create a peaceful environment for your to relax and take photos. Visit for seasonal events, such as the spring cherry blossom festival and autumn foliage viewing.

Suitable for : nature enthusiasts, families, and photographers looking for a tranquil day out.

• Hwadam Botanical Gardens & Popular Sights Day Tour by Klook

Namhansanseong Fortress

Namhansanseong Fortress , a UNESCO World Heritage site, stands as a testament to Korea’s historical military architecture and strategic significance. Located on a mountainous terrain south-east of Seoul, this fortress offers panoramic views of the surrounding area. Tours from Seoul provide insight into Korea’s rich history, with well-preserved fortifications that date back to the 17th century.

What to see & do : The fortress encompasses several walking trails leading to historical sites, including ancient gates, command posts, and Buddhist temples like the Sudoksa Temple. You can explore the Emergency Palace, which served as a refuge for kings during invasions. The combination of natural beauty and historical discovery waiting to be found here makes for a fulfilling experience.

Suitable for : history enthusiasts, hikers, and anyone interested in exploring Korea’s cultural heritage.

• Namhansanseong Fortress Walking Tour by Klook

Yangpyeong Dumulmeori

Yangpyeong Dumulmeori is famed for its picturesque natural landscapes that have inspired countless photographers and filmmakers. This tranquil spot, easily accessible via day tours from Seoul, is named ‘Dumulmeori’ for its water’s resemblance to a ‘head of two waters’. It’s an ideal destination for those seeking a peaceful retreat into nature, with its stunning vistas and serene atmosphere.

What to see & do : You can enjoy leisurely walks along the riverbank, take memorable photographs of the traditional Korean boats and the iconic willow trees lining the water’s edge, or explore the nearby Semiwon Garden. Seasonal changes bring a dynamic beauty to the area, with lush greens in summer, vibrant blooms in spring, and fiery colours showcasing gorgeous autumn foliage.

Suitable for : photographers, nature lovers, and anyone looking for a day of scenic beauty.

• Yangpyeong Dumulmeori Yongmun Temple & Paragliding Tour by Klook

One-Day Tours From Seoul With A Difference

This final set of Seoul day trips offer a chance to see more offbeat sights, join in exciting outdoor activities, and visit other notable cities in Korea. There are lots of extreme sports and cities you could visit on a day trip, which will be covered in other articles. These four destinations will give you a chance to get away from the main tourist areas, see some unusual sights, and try fun activities.

Danyang Paragliding & Sightseeing Tours

Danyang paragliding tours offer an exhilarating escape into the skies, showcasing some of Korea’s most breathtaking landscapes from a bird’s-eye view. Danyang is renowned for its scenic beauty, including lush mountains and clear rivers. This tour provides a unique opportunity to experience the thrill of flight, making it a popular choice for adventure seekers looking to get away from the urban jungle.

What to see & do : You can soar above the picturesque landscapes of Danyang, taking in views of the winding rivers, rugged cliffs, and verdant forests. The experience is made safe and enjoyable under the guidance of experienced instructors, ensuring a memorable adventure. Besides paragliding, you can explore the local attractions, such as the Gosu Cave and Dodamsambong Peaks.

Suitable for : thrill-seekers, nature enthusiasts, and anyone looking to experience an adrenaline rush.

• Danyang Paragliding & Popular Sights Day Tour by Klook

Jebu Island Marine Cable Car

Jebu Island (Seohaerang) Marine Cable Car offers a unique vantage point to explore the natural beauty and coastal landscapes of Jebu Island. This is a great opportunity to experience this island’s scenic views from above, including its famous tidal flats, surrounding waters, and the impressive Siwha Sea Barrier. The cable car ride presents panoramic vistas that will surely captivate you.

What to see & do : The cable car journey allows you to witness the dramatic changes of the tide at Jebu Island’s mudflats, a phenomenon that reveals the seabed at low tide and hides it beneath the waves at high tide. Additionally, you can explore the island’s attractions, such as the Jebu Island Lighthouse and various coastal trails, offering leisurely walks with stunning seaside views.

Suitable for : families, couples, and photography enthusiasts interested in Korea’s coastal landscapes.

• Jebu Island Marine Cable Car, Uiwang Railbike & Starlight Village Tour by Klook

Day Trip To Busan By KTX Train

As the country’s second-largest city, Busan offers a diverse array of attractions, from ancient Buddhist temples to modern skyscrapers that line the waterfront. Day tours from Seoul to Busan are an excellent way to experience the unique blend of culture, cuisine, and natural beauty that this city has to offer. However, as this is a large city, I would recommend staying at least 1 night to see the sights.

Although there aren’t really any guided tours to Busan from Seoul, it’s easy enough to get to Korea’s second biggest city and back in a day thanks to the KTX high speed train network that links the two cities. This is a good way to use the unlimited Korean rail pass . Once you’re in Busan, the main sights can be accessed by public transport or a city tour that starts once you arrive.

What to see & do : Highlights of a Busan tour include Haeundae Beach, renowned for its scenic beauty and festive atmosphere; Gamcheon Culture Village, with its brightly painted houses and artistic vibe; and Jagalchi Fish Market, where you can taste fresh seafood. The Haedong Yonggungsa Temple offers spiritual serenity by the sea, and Taejongdae Park presents panoramic ocean views,

Suitable for : beach lovers, cultural explorers, and food enthusiasts keen to try culinary delights.

• Busan One Day City Tour by Klook
• Busan Coastal Wonders & Cultural Gems Tour by Get Your Guide

Day Trip To Incheon City

Incheon City is Korea’s third-largest city and known for its historical significance, modern landmarks, and cultural diversity. Incheon blends history with modernity, featuring attractions from its time as a major port during the late 19th century to its current status as a global city. A day trip to Incheon offers an insightful journey into the city’s rich heritage, vibrant markets, and scenic coastal areas.

What to see & do : Explore Korea’s first Chinatown with its colourful streets, traditional architecture, and authentic cuisine. The Songdo district showcases futuristic urban planning and green spaces. Historical sites like the Incheon Landing Operation Memorial Hall offer a glimpse into Korea’s modern history. For a relaxing end to the day, Wolmido Island provides seaside attractions and amusement parks.

Suitable for : history enthusiasts, foodies, and urban explorers looking for a mix of cultural experiences.

• Incheon City Day Tour by Klook

Seasonal Day Tours From Seoul

There are various day tours from Seoul that only run during certain seasons and will whisk you away to gorgeous destinations that only dazzle for a short time. These day tour destinations shine bright and bold during their respective seasons, but often don’t offer much during the rest of the year, or at least not as much. Below are some of the best tours from Seoul that you can take in each season.

Spring Day Tours From Seoul

Spring is all about nature and beautiful blossoms , which you can see across the country with tours to cherry blossom festivals, flower festivals, and areas of natural beauty. Spring is a wonderful time to travel in Korea thanks to the warm weather and clear skies, as well as the many spring festivals that are on. April is one of the best times to visit Korea, and May is also really good.

Here are some of the best spring destinations with tours from Seoul:

• Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival
• Gyeongpodae Cherry Blossom Festival
• Garden Of Morning Calm Spring Festival
• Gurye Sansuyu Flower Festival
• Taean Tulip Festival

Summer Day Tours From Seoul

Summer in Korea is hot and wet, but there are loads of fun festivals and events happening across the country, including a giant mud festival that embraces the rainy weather. It’s also a time when nature is in full flow and there are many lush forests and parks to walk through, as well as rose gardens and tea plantations . Trips to the beach are popular and Seoulites will flock to the east coast for summer sun.

Here are some of the best summer destinations with tours from Seoul:

• Boseong Green Tea Plantation
• Boryeong Mud Festival
• Gangneung & Sokcho Beaches
• Caribbean Bay & Everland
• Daegu Chimac (Chicken & Beer) Festival

Autumn Day Tours From Seoul

Autumn in Korea starts from September and runs until early November and is arguably the best time to visit Korea, thanks to the many Korean autumn foliage spots that begin showing their colours from early October, and the weather is great. Besides autumn leaves , there are also harvest and culture festivals going on and tours to farms and countryside towns to try local produce are popular.

Here are some of the best autumn destinations with tours from Seoul:

• Seoraksan Autumn Foliage
• Daedunsan Autumn Foliage
• Gangneung Coffee Festival
• Jinju Lantern Festival

Winter Day Tours From Seoul

Winter in Korea is not the easiest time to visit, but it’s a season packed with fun winter activities and snowy sights . You will find dozens of winter festivals in Korea to enjoy on day trips from Seoul, including ice fishing festivals, snow and ice festivals, and winter illuminations. Winter sports lovers and families looking for snowy sights in Korea will love the many ski resorts accessible from Seoul.

Here are some of the best winter events with tours from Seoul:

• Hwacheon Ice Fishing Festival
• Chilgapsan Ice Fountain Festival
• Garden Of Morning Calm Illuminations
• Vivaldi Park Ski Resort
• Wondaeri Birch Forest

Best Time To Take Seoul Day Trips

While remarkable sights encircle Seoul in every season, temperate spring and autumn offer ideal weather for day trips. Summer is hot, so being outside can be difficult for long periods of time, the same can be said of winter as it’s so cold. However, you shouldn’t let the weather put you off as the right clothes and frequent indoor breaks can solve most problems from the adverse weather conditions.

Not only are spring and autumn warm and sunny, they’re not too wet. It mostly rains in Korea from June to August . Winter in Korea is very dry, making it a good time to take day trips out to the aforementioned winter destinations, as long as you’re wrapped up warm. Summer rains aren’t that bad though as the weather is a bit cooler when it rains, although it’s not good for the beach.

I recommend booking day tours on weekdays as these are less busy and you’ll encounter fewer local tourists. Koreans make the most of their free time and weekends and public holidays are a time to get out and enjoy popular sights outside the city (and in). If there’s a festival on then definitely visit during the week as some of the big festivals can see over 100,000 people per day on weekends!

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about day tours from Seoul. These answers are based on my own experience and from research conducted to write this article. If you have any more questions about this topic, please feel free to post a comment at the end of this article.

What are the best day trips from Seoul?

Some of the best day trips outside Seoul include Nami Island in Chuncheon, Korean Folk Village in Yongin, tours to the North Korea border DMZ area, and Suwon’s UNESCO site Hwaseong fortress. For nature lovers, the Garden of Morning Calm and Seoraksan National Park are also exceptional day trip destinations.

What are the best family-friendly day trips?

Everland Theme Park, with its wide range of rides and attractions, offers fun for the whole family. Nami Island is ideal for outdoor activities in a picturesque setting. Other family-friendly Seoul day trips include Legoland Korea, Alpaca World, and Gangchon Rail Park in Gangwon-do.

Can you see Busan on a day trip from Seoul?

Busan, on Korea’s southern coast, can be accessed by KTX high speed train in under 3 hours, so it’s certainly possible to visit as a day tour. However, it’s difficult to fully appreciate Busan’s attractions like Haedong Yonggungsa seaside temple or Gamcheon Culture Village in one quick day trip and staying overnight is recommended.

Can you visit gyeongju from Seoul in one day?

While challenging due to the distance, a one-day trip to Gyeongju is possible with early departure by KTX. This allows for a visit to key historical sites like Bulguksa Temple and the Gyeongju National Museum, offering a glimpse into the Silla Kingdom’s rich heritage. However, an overnight stay is recommended or a day trip from Busan instead of Seoul.

Is Jeonju worth visiting from Seoul?

Jeonju is definitely worth visiting for the Jeonju Hanok Village, which offers an immersive experience into traditional Korean culture, architecture, and cuisine, particularly the famous Jeonju Bibimbap. The city’s rich history and cultural festivals add to its appeal, making it a rewarding day trip.

Which beach is the best for a day Tour from Seoul?

Eurwangni Beach, near Incheon, is accessible and family-friendly, featuring fine sand, shallow waters, and amenities like restaurants and cafes. Its proximity to Seoul makes it an ideal seaside escape for a day trip, especially during the warmer months. The beaches in Gangneung and Sokcho are also worth visiting from Seoul for a day or two.

Which national park is best for a Seoul day trip?

Seoraksan National Park is arguably the best national park for a day trip from Seoul with its stunning mountainous landscapes, autumn colours, and accessible hiking trails. The park’s natural beauty, including the famous Ulsanbawi Rock and scenic cable car rides, offers a refreshing escape into nature.

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The 6 Best Taiwan Tour Packages: My Most Recommended Operators

Dear reader: This article contains links to products and services that I may be compensated for at no extra cost to you.

In my decade+ of working in the Taiwan tourism industry, I have become acquainted with multiple tour providers here, either professionally or as friends.

In this article, I’ve handpicked a handful of companies which I feel truly provide the best tours in Taiwan. The one you choose is most likely going to depend on what kind of trip you’re hoping for. That’s why I’ve separated each one by category, as follows:  

For Adventure Tours: Taiwan Outdoors

For luxury tours: life of taiwan, for east coast tours: island life taiwan.

• For a Tour Bus Tour: Edisor Tours
• For Budget Day Tours: Klook & KKday
• For Tours in Taipei: TourMeAway (use code Nick15 for 15% off!)

I’ve also got this guide to the best free walking tours in Taipei . If you’re only a short a layover, also see these Taoyuan Airport free layover tours .

If you’re just looking for a driver or private guide, then see my list of recommended drivers and guides .

Now, let’s cover each tour company in detail to help you decide which is the right one for you!

Table of Contents

According to Taiwan Outdoors founder Michael McCreesh, Taiwan is the “adventure capital of Asia”. As a fellow Canadian who has also chosen Taiwan as a second home, I wholeheartedly agree with Michael.

Take one look at the tours offered by Taiwan Outdoors to see what we are talking about. Hiking, adventure activities, and Taiwan’s unique aboriginal culture are under the spotlight here.

Whether you want to climb the tallest peak in East Asia , get way off the beaten track while staying in remote indigenous villages , go wildlife spotting at night , or find out why river tracing is my favorite summer activity in Taiwan, they’ve got you covered.

Taiwan Outdoors is not a typical big chain tour company where you will be treated like a number. This is a family-owned business run by an extremely passionate team, so you can expect nothing but the most dedicated service, thoughtful planning, and knowledgeable local tour guides.

The company is associated with Parkbus Taiwan , which offers hiking day trips to remote parks and forest recreation areas all over the country. Check them out, too!

Please tell them Nick sent you!

When it comes to high-end tours of Taiwan, Life of Taiwan stands out from the pack. This extremely professional operator will plan and customize your Taiwan experience down to every minute detail.

You can expect a fully tailored experience, staying in some of the country’s finest hotels, and days filled with one-on-one cultural experiences.

Choose from one of their themed offerings, such as tea tours , family tours , food tours , or natural wonders tours . But even these are not set itineraries – they will serve as a general theme for your trip, but Life of Taiwan will further customize any of them to your group or family’s precise needs. 

If you want to be more involved in the planning, then tell them exactly what you want to do or experience in Taiwan, and they will execute it seamlessly for you.

The reviews speak for themselves – after many years of doing this, LOT maintains a 5-star rating on TripAdvisor .

When booking, please also let them know Nick sent you over!

Sometimes one operator stands out for its dedication to a specific region, and that is the case with Island Life Taiwan in Eastern Taiwan.

To begin, IslandLife’s Better Taroko Tour is hands-down the best Taroko Gorge tour available. The tour stands out for having smaller groups, leaving earlier to beat the crowds, better communication, better food stops, and better guides.

Yes, we all know Taroko Gorge is closed for the time being due to the 2024 earthquake, but that doesn’t mean you should omit Hualien and the east coast!

To still experience the region and do something you could never do in Taroko (go swimming in its turquoise rivers!), I recommend their Hualien Rivers and Valleys tour or river tracing tour .

To explore the region even more thoroughly, hop on their East Coast tour . You can also contact them directly for a customized tour or to arrange a private driver for your East Coast road trip.

Just like I said for the above two, please do me a favor and let them know you were referred by Nick.

For a Tour Bus Tour: Edison Tours

If you are looking for a general package tour of Taiwan, where you will be driven around in a tour bus and visit several of the country’s top attractions in a relatively short period of time, then I recommend Edison Tours.

Edison’s signature listing is their Taiwan 5 Day tour . I’m not aware of any other tour provider that manages to fit this much of Taiwan into five days.

The tour does a full circle around Taiwan, covering Sun Moon Lake, historic Lukang and Tainan, Fo Guang Shan in Kaoshiung, the beaches of Kenting , and the remote east coast.

Notably, the tour does not include Taipei. Therefore, I suggest you add at least a day or two to explore Taipei on your own or with one of their other tours.

For Day Tours: Klook & KKday

Instead of booking a full Taiwan tour package, many travelers take a hybrid approach. Take advantage of the country’s amazing train and HSR system to travel between cities on your own, then book individual day tours as you go.

Klook and KKday offer literally hundreds of day tours across the country. These are usually budget friendly and efficient. While Klook is more popular, choose KKday to support a Taiwan-based company .

Below are just a few examples, but you can find so many more.

• Shifen and Jiufen day trip on Klook and KKday
• Taroko Gorge private driver on Klook or KKday
• Sun Moon Lake day trip on Klook of KKday
• Cingjing Farm day trip on Klook or KKday
• Taichung highlights on Klook of KKday
• Alishan day trip on Klook or KKday
• Kaohsiung day trip on Klook or KKday
• Kenting day trip on Klook or KKday
• Turtle Island whale watching tour on Klook or KKday

You can also use these sites to find things like discounted HSR tickets ( Klook / KKday ), Taoyuan airport transfer ( Klook / KKday ), Taipei Fun Pass ( Klook / KKday ), and EasyCard ( Klook / KKday ).

Also use them for discounted entry to attractions like Leofoo Village theme park ( Klook / KKday ), Spring City Hot Springs in Beitou ( Klook / KKday ), Taipei 101 ( Klook / KKday ), and more.

For Tours in Taipei: TourMeAway

Last but not least, if you’re looking for a tour in Taipei City, then I recommend TourMeAway. This company’s tours (both free and paid) are run by young, passionate individuals.

The company is best known for its free walking tours. They offer an Old Town tour and Longshan Temple tour (read all about Longshan Temple here ).

However, you can also visit Taipei’s most famous attractions and create your own plan with their paid custom tours . Their Taipei Food Tour , Pub Crawl , and Shrimping Tour are also some of the best nighttime activities in Taipei .

Use my discount code Nick15 to get 15% off any of TourMeAway’s paid tours.

Before your trip, starting practicing some of these Mandarin phrases !

Fenqihu Old Street: Bentos, Bamboo & Fireflies in Alishan Region

15+ snacks in taiwan that make the perfect food souvenirs, leave a comment.

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How to Use Klook to Book Travel Experiences (And Save Hundreds of Dollars While Doing It)

What is Klook? Is Klook safe to use? Read on for my Klook review!

If you aren’t already using Klook , then you need to – especially if you’re planning to travel around Asia . Though it has already been around for 4 years, it’s really starting to pick up steam and more travelers are starting to use it to find things to do and book travel experiences.

Whether it is an organized tour to Doi Inthanon National Park in Chiang Mai , special skip-the-queue tickets for the iconic Peak Tram in Hong Kong , a day tour from Athens to Delphi , a portable WiFi device that works throughout Europe or a private car charter in Siem Reap , Klook has you covered and often offers activities, entrance tickets and services at a lower cost than elsewhere.

Klook works directly with attraction managers and owners to cut out the middleman so that you can book food tours, walking tours, attraction entry tickets, transportation, local SIM cards and so on all in one place. It’s a must-have travel app for the modern day independent traveler – read on for my Klook review!

How to use Klook

For now most of the deals are found in Asia , though there are increasingly more options for Australia, Europe and the US. You can search for travel experiences by destination, or simply explore the multitude of options by filtering through the various categories . You can use Klook via desktop or via their dedicated mobile app (available for Android and iOS).

When you see the “Instant Confirmation” lightning bolt next to the activity name, it means that you will receive your booking voucher via e-mail or the Klook app within 5 minutes when you complete the payment. Most entry tickets booked through Klook are confirmed immediately, and often you use the QR or bar code provided to enter the attraction directly so that you can skip-the-queue. Almost all of the tour experiences are confirmed within 24 hours, and if your selected date is not available the Klook team will try to schedule you on another date or give you a refund.

Is Klook legit? Yes! But here’s the thing: once you’ve selected an attraction, ticket or service, read the reviews . Klook encourages people who have completed the travel experience to leave a review and offers bonus credits if you add photos. You can then use these credits towards your next travel booking on Klook.

One of my favorite things to use Klook for is the Airport Express train in Hong Kong that takes you from the Airport to the city in 24 minutes. Whereas it usually costs HK$115 (US$15) for a one way trip, it costs just HK$80 (US$11) on Klook – a whole 35% off (or 1 glass of wine at happy hour!).

You receive immediate confirmation and use the QR code sent via e-mail or via your Klook mobile app to enter the gate. No queues, no waiting around – don’t waste your time lining up! You can read more about how to buy discounted Airport Express tickets by clicking here.

Is Klook safe to use? Is Klook a scam?

Klook is legit! In general, simple entry tickets for attractions are 100% safe and convenient, especially if instant confirmation is provided. However, Klook does not operate the tours – instead they are provided by third-party tour companies who have listed their services (similar to GetYourGuide or Viator) on the Klook platform so make sure you read the reviews carefully. If you have any questions, disputes or problems, you can always reach Klook via live chat and quote your booking reference number.

Sign up for a Klook account using this referral link and get HK$25 (US$3.5) off your first travel booking. You should also download the Klook app so that you can check whether you can get a better deal for entrance tickets on-the-go – for example, I checked out the Marina Bay Sands Observation Platform in Singapore and tickets bought on-site from the counter cost 23 SGD or US$17. The price of the entry ticket on Klook is 20 SGD, and because I had some Klook credits I ended up paying 17.8 SGD – nearly 25% off the regular price!

And I did that all while standing in front of the ticket counter at the Marina Bay Sands – within 2-3 minutes, I had booked my ticket, received the instant confirmation, and the staff simply scanned the bar code and I was let right in. During this time, people were still queuing to purchase a ticket!

Can I use Klook to book expensive tours?

Yes! I have used Klook to book travel experiences upwards of US$50-100 per person. I booked this pink dolphin sighting tour in Hong Kong using Klook, and because the tour required a minimum number of people to run, Klook got in touch to see if I could join on another date instead. Soon after I confirmed, I received the confirmed booking voucher in my inbox and absolutely loved the dolphin sighting tour.

I also used Klook to book a boat trip in Ang Thong Marine National Park in Koh Samui , and the tour operator cancelled the tour (for whatever reason) ahead of time. I received an e-mail from Klook and a full refund was issued on the same day via Paypal. However, I ended up losing about HK$50 or US$7 due to the exchange rate that Paypal was using on that particular day. A bit annoying seeing as I didn’t cancel the booking, but what can you do? At least a full refund was given promptly, and the 7 bucks pales in comparison to how much I’ve saved using Klook.

Sign up for a Klook account using this referral link and get HK$25 (US$3.5) off your first travel booking!

Long story short, Klook is a fantastic travel booking platform that you should use to find great deals abroad and even at home. Make sure that you read the reviews and also leave reviews and photos to accrue credits towards your next booking!

I hope this Klook review comes in handy for your next trip. Have you used Klook before? What did you think of your experience?

Did you find this helpful? Pin it for later!

Just so you know, this is not a sponsored post. This post does, however, contain affiliate links. If you choose to book travel experiences using these links, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you . Thank you for supporting my website by using these links, I only recommend products or services that I have had positive personal experiences with and think you would love too.

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7 must-do activities in seoul from klook, kkday and trazy.

Services like Klook have been real lifesavers for people like me, especially when I was in Seoul, South Korea . I’m not exactly an obsessive planner but I’m definitely more of the type who likes to prepare in advance compared to the kind that does everything spontaneously. Being able to get tickets and book tours before I step into my destination is definitely a godsend. Especially with attractive platform and credit card promos !

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links to Klook. I may get a commission if you purchase through my links but they are at no cost to you.

Jump straight to:

• N Seoul Tower (Klook)
• Day tour to Nami island, Garden of Morning Calm, Ganchon Rail Park & Petit France (Klook)
• Everland (Klook)
• Hanbok experience near Gyeongbukgung (KKday)

Lotte World

• Day trip to demilitarized zone (DMZ) 
• Seoraksan National Park

Why book your Seoul tours and activities from Klook, KKday and Trazy etc. in advance?

I relied heavily on Klook and KKday for the 5 days I spent in Seoul, mainly because of the language barrier and I didn’t want to end up getting incorrect tickets. Backstory: There was once I bought the wrong entrance tickets and it was ridiculously laughable. Even though I have a basic command of Japanese and can decipher most Kanji because of the similarity to Mandarin, somehow I still screwed up. 😂

I wanted to get tickets to the garden in Tenryu-ji, a beautiful temple in Kyoto, Japan so I went inside this hall with a ticket booth, got my tickets and realised that I had to walk an entire round inside the hall to get out since they had a one-way direction set up. Since I had my companions waiting, I was eager to get out, which I did in about 30 seconds. And this was when the revelation hit…could the tickets I just bought, be for the entry to this hall?! Wish the revelation hit earlier then maybe I could have saved USD15. 🤦‍♀️

So without further ado, here are the activities you should check out when in before you visit Seoul, South Korea –

N Seoul Tower

Originally built as a broadcast tower, the N Seoul Tower attained landmark status with its gorgeous 360-degree view of Seoul city.

We visited in the evening. The weather wasn’t great so we missed the sunset but thankfully, the night views were great.

To get to N Seoul Tower, you can either take a bus, cable car or go by car. Buses start from KRW15,000 (~SGD17) but would have given you access to other places of interest . We opted for the cable car which was KRW9,500 (~SGD11) for a return trip. Unfortunately, the cable car tickets were not included in any of the packages we found online so we paid for them separately.

There wasn’t much else to do apart from the city views so we only stayed for about an hour or two. The tickets are only $6.55 via Klook so we weren’t expecting more either.

Buy N Seoul Tower tickets on Klook

Day tour: Garden of Morning Calm, Nami Island, Ganchon Rail Park, Petit France

Klook is currently having a 1-for-1 for Nami Island + Petite France tour for Citibank cardmembers. Use code CITIVTLNAMI  to check out the tour for two units of the Nami Island + Petit France only option to get one free. Promo expires on 29 Jun 2022.

This is one of those intensive day tours that cramps every must-do activity into a grueling 12-hour itinerary. Perfect for us since we were pretty time-strapped in Seoul. The downside is the limited time you get at each stop.

We booked this day tour from Seoul on Klook for about SGD100+ per person . The tour has a couple of options which allows you to choose the places you want to go. We went for the option with all four destinations.

After the experience, I’ll recommend skipping Petit France and go for the option with Garden of Morning Calm, Nami Island and Ganchon Rail Park. Honestly, I wasn’t a big fan of Petit France and would rather get more time at the other stops.

Meetup at Myeongdong

At about 8 AM, we showed up at the Myeongdong meeting point, which was a convenient 10-minute walk from our hotel. We were met by a knowledgeable guide and were picked up by a comfortable tour bus. Note that the mode of transport may vary depending on the number of participants.

Garden of Morning Calm

a 30,000-square metre private garden conceptualised and built by Professor Han Sang-kyung to share the beauty of Korea with the world.

Our day started at the Garden of Morning Calm, and it was absolutely breathtaking. There were more than 5000 species of flowers and plants and the entire compound was impeccably maintained. Pity we only had an hour to explore the grounds.

I saw a couple of locals doing their morning walks in the garden too. The entrance fee, which was included in the tour, is KRW9,500 (~SGD13) so I wonder how that works out for the wallet though.

Some key spots to visit:

Nami island

One of the most popular day trips from Seoul, Nami island rose in popularity when it was featured in the 2002 hit Korean drama series “Winter Sonata”.

The most popular sites on the island are the rows of pine trees that were featured prominently in the drama. The pine trees are the most accessible but there are also gingko, metasequoia and cherry tree lanes further into the island.

Honestly, the island is not my favourite as there isn’t much to do beyond the tree lanes. Most of the tours will include Nami island because it’s so iconic and overall, the tour packages are still a more economical option then arranging your own transport to the other locations.

Ganchon Rail Park

Built from a discontinued train line, the Gangchon Rail Park is the largest bike course in Korea which brings you around the bucolic countryside.

I’ve always wanted to visit the rail park after seeing it on one of the Running Man episodes. They made it look like so much fun that I wanted to try it out myself. The tour brought us to the starting point of the railway and our guide informed us that it would take about 30 minutes to complete the entire track.

After getting off the bike, we took a short 5-minute train to the exit where they would pick us up again. The romantic train, as it was named, apparently only comes once every hour (or so) and our tour guide had to emphasize that if we missed the train, we would not be able to visit Petit France since it would be closed by the time we got there. That was how tight the schedule was.

Gangchon Rail Park

You get really nice views along the way!

Despite the warnings, the rail ride is really manageable and relaxed. We had a lot of time to spare before we caught the romantic train, which was hardly romantic at all; it was super crowded and we just wanted to get off the train as quickly as possible.

You couldn’t really speed up on the tracks even if you wanted to since you couldn’t overtake the bikes before you. We just did the entire track in a leisurely pace and went through farms and hills and unused tunnels which were repurposed with lights, bubbles and music to make the ride more exciting. It was pretty fun.

Petit France

So apparently, this was built by a rich man with a love for France.

We had just a little more than 30 minutes at the park. Maybe it was a lack of time or we were just too tired after the 3 locations, I couldn’t bring myself to enjoy the park. The park captured iconic, recognisable elements of Europe which made for a good location for photos. Beyond that, there was little else.

Book day tour to Nami island

Rose festival in Everland

A month-long extravagant festival starting from mid-May, celebrating different species of the gorgeous flower

Seoul’s largest theme park spanning 99 hectares of land, which is more than 8 times the size of Lotte World (Seoul’s other theme park) and twice the size of Tokyo Disneyland!

I absolutely enjoyed Everland! It was so huge they even have cable cars in the park. We purchased the tickets via Klook which meant we were able to skip the queues at the ticket booth and enter the park immediately.

We waited no more than 40 minutes for the popular rides, which I think it’s pretty decent since queues for popular rides in Universal Studios and Disneylands routinely went over 60 minutes. Some rides I’d recommend:

• T-Express: a huge wooden rollercoaster which was absolutely adrenaline-pumping
• Double Rock Spin which brings you through like five 360-degree spins at one go
• X-Scissors with its crazy rotating action.

They also have a Safari World where you travel in the bus and catch animals like big brown bears, flamingoes, alpacas, and hyenas.

I think the staff also helped to make the entire experience more enjoyable – just look at this staff rap to the music from the ride!

Get Everland tickets on Klook

Hanbok experience near Gyeongbukgung Palace

There are several options for the hanbok experience on Klook, KKday and Trazy but we ultimately went for the package at Seohwa Hanbok on KKday because:

• Location – super near Gyeongbukgung Palace. We could have done this in Nami island, Gamcheon village in Busan or even Insadong (a neighbourhood known for its traditional wares and cozy cafes). After doing some research, we felt that the Gyeongbukgung Palace was the most appropriate for hanboks. We would have felt really out-of-place in more modern settings. From Seohwa Hanbok, the palace is only a 5-minute walk away so we wouldn’t have to take the public transport in the hanboks. This is great because hanboks are not really the most comfortable clothing to walk in.
• Reviews – They have a rating of 4.5, which is pretty amazing considering that they did almost 32k purchases raking more than 5k reviews.
• Price and value – Seohwa Hanbok’s packages are really value-for-money. Unlike some other hanbok shops, they do not differentiate between premium hanboks and normal hanboks. Additionally, they do not charge extra for ‘addons’. We paid only slightly more than $20 per person for a 6-hour rental period (more than enough), loan of hair accessories and purse and storage of our bags.

The selection of hanboks was decent. Seohwa Hanbok also allows their customers to have a change of mind once; if you try on a hanbok and you don’t like it, you get another chance to pick out and try on another hanbok. Bear in mind that it takes a staff 5 to 10 minutes to help dress you up so they do have to control the number of fittings. But of course, if the size doesn’t fit, you can keep trying until you find the right size.

They have sizes up to UK18 but the selection does get smaller as the sizes go up. The staff is really friendly and will help you as much as they can.

Tips for picking out your hanboks in Seoul

They do have quite a fair bit of clients so you don’t really get the luxury of picking out your hanbok in comfort. To make sure you pick something you’re satisfied with, here are some tips:

• Research and decide on the colour scheme beforehand so you can just zoom in on those colours when picking out the hanbok.
• Make sure to have a good look at how your hanbok looks to make sure it fits well on you. Don’t end up like me with a top that’s too short. They have full-length mirrors around the shop.
• I’m not too sure if coming early helps, but I’ll definitely suggest to skip the first hour of opening if you’re not planning to queue up before the shop opens. The customers before you would have picked out the nicer hanboks and no one would return the hanboks within the first hour, which means you will have less of a selection.

We had a blast taking photos at the palace in our hanboks! I think we snapped more than 200 photos there. 😛 If you prefer to have more options, here’s another recommendation for cheap hanbok rental in Seoul .

Book your hanbok experience on KKday

Among our other sightseeing, shopping and eating, we could only fit in 4 pre-planned activities from Klook and KKday in Seoul but here are 3 others I would have gone for if I had the time:

This is the other theme park in Seoul. We only had time for one theme park so we picked Everand over Lotte. I visited once nearly 10 years ago and I remembered the rides to be pretty cool. It is also a lot more convenient than Everland since it’s closer to city center.

Buy Lotte World tickets on Klook

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Day trip to Demilitarised Zone

Visit the truce village between North and South Korea and also the third tunnel of aggression, a tunnel burrowed by the North to infiltrate South Korea. The North Korean operation was intercepted before the tunnel could be completed. The tunnel is now opened to visitors with the end covered in concrete to prevent North Korean soldiers from crossing. This day tour has been rated 4.6 by 500+ reviews and visitors have lauded it for the knowledgeable guides.

Book your day trip to DMZ on Klook

Seoraksan National Park (Autumn)

Take in the magnificent autumn foliage at Seoraksan National Park. The journey to-and-fro is almost 6 hours so it’s best to book a tour. You can rest on the way there and visit the park fully recharged.

Klook has a really economical package for less than SGD70 per pax but there were a couple of reviews lamenting that the tour only allocated about 2.5 to 3 hours of time in the park. An alternative would be this package on Trazy ; it’s about 30% more expensive but at least no one complained about the lack of time in the park.

I would have totally done this if I visited Seoul in the autumn, but alas.

Book your tour on Klook

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13 comments.

You’re truly making me want to jump on a plane and go to Seoul. Thanks for sharing. So informative.

Hope you find the chance to visit!

Great ideas here. So many fun things to do from Seoul and booking day trips really can be a much more convenient way of seeing them, especially if you don’t speak any Korean!

I’m all for convenience!

Such a complete and informative guide, very well done. Thank you for sharing this.

Glad you found it useful!

Love your pictures! Seoul has been on my bucket list for quite a while now and I’m hoping to visit very soon!

I hope you make it there soon! It’s lovely.

Wow. I love the traditional dress. So pretty. I never considered visiting South Korea but your post was so informative.

I haven’t been to Korea, but Seoul certainly looks beautiful with so many great places to see. Nami Island looks wonderful and Everland would be ideal with the kids. Will keep these activities in mind for when I go to Seoul.

Yes, Seoul completed exceeded my expectations. I always felt that Seoul has a really modern city image but there’s so much more to the city!

Beautiful city, the gardens look gorgeous! I love booking day trips at times when traveling to a new destination where they may be some sort of barrier (such as the language barrier) in order to get the most out of the trip with less stress. Not always, but sometimes it makes the trip that much more enjoyable.

Definitely less stressful!

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Klook Vs. Kkday: Which Activity Booking Site Is Better For Travelers?

Activity and attraction booking sites like Klook and KKday have become increasingly popular among travelers in recent years.

These sites allow you to easily book tours, tickets, and other experiences for your upcoming trip. But with two major players in the space – Klook and KKday – how do you choose which one to use?

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll compare the key features of Klook and KKday to help you decide which booking platform is better suited for your travel needs.

We’ll cover their business models, reliability, use cases, and do a detailed feature comparison. Read on to find out which site comes out on top!

A Brief Comparison Table

Overview of klook and kkday.

Founded in 2014, Klook is a Hong Kong-based travel activities and services booking platform. It offers a huge selection of attraction tickets, tours, shows, and other experiences in over 390 destinations worldwide.

KKday was founded a year later in 2015 in Taiwan. It’s a sister company of KKday and also focuses on activity bookings for travelers. KKday covers over 9000 experiences in 104 countries and territories.

Both platforms have raised significant funding, with Klook raising over $1 billion to date. They have strong regional footprints – Klook being larger in Southeast Asia and KKday bigger in East Asia.

Also Read: You may choose travel bag between Samsonite and Calpak Luggage

Key Differences Between Klook And KKday

Till now we explored the basic’s of the two booking site. Now let’s dive deeper and compare some of the key features of Klook and KKday:

• Business Model

Klook and KKday operate on a similar commission-based business model . They don’t charge any booking fees to users. Rather, they take a cut from the activity operators.

The platforms aggregate tours, attractions and other experiences from local suppliers around the world. When a user books and pays for an activity, the platforms take a commission from the operator – typically 10-30%. The rest of the payment goes to the local supplier.

This allows Klook and KKday to offer a huge selection of conveniently bookable activities, while users don’t have to pay any extra fees. It’s a win-win for both travelers and operators.

Reliability and Trustworthiness

With any travel booking site, reliability is a key concern. Here’s how Klook and KKday fare on this front:

• Both have strong track records  – With millions of users served, Klook and KKday have established themselves as reliable activity platforms. They generally get favorable reviews from travelers.
• Quality controls in place  – The sites claim to rigorously vet suppliers before listing them. Travelers can report issues, and low-rated operators are removed. This helps maintain service quality.
• Support for issues  – In case of booking problems, both offer 24×7 customer support via chat, email or phone. Users can get full or partial refunds if services are not as promised.
• Secure payments  – Klook and KKday use secure encryption and protocols like SSL, 3D-Secure, PayPal to process payments. Users’ financial data remains protected.

So both booking platforms take measures to ensure a reliable booking experience. Overall, Klook seems to have a slight edge with generally higher user ratings. But thousands of travelers vouch for KKday’s reliability as well.

Klook and KKday can both be used to book a vast range of activities anywhere in the world. Here are some of the most popular use cases of these platforms:

• Sightseeing tours  – Book Skip-the-Line tickets for top attractions like the Burj Khalifa or Vatican museums. Go for half-day or full-day guided tours in various global destinations.
• Local experiences  – Sign up for cooking classes, tea ceremonies, walking tours, bar crawls and other immersive local experiences.
• Shows and concerts  – Get tickets for sought-after musicals, circus shows, concerts etc.
• Outdoor activities  – Book hiking, snorkeling, surfing, zip-lining and other outdoor adventures.
• Transport passes  – Purchase handy transport cards and passes for metro, buses, trains etc.
• WiFi devices  – Rent pocket WiFi gadgets so you stay connected during your trip.
• Sim cards  – Buy local SIM cards with data packs so you can use mobile internet while traveling.

The main use case is booking convenient sightseeing tours and skip-the-line tickets. But the platforms truly offer a diverse range of fun activities for all types of travelers and interests.

Also Read: Comparison Between Outside Agents And KHM Travel Group

Based on the above brief comparison table, we can see some key differences between the two platforms:

• Klook has wider  global coverage  with activities in over 390 destinations worldwide. KKday focuses more on Asia.
• Klook offers a  larger inventory of experiences  – over 500,000 to choose from. KKday also has 150,000+ options but not as extensive.
• For key destinations, Klook generally has better availability of  skip-the-line tickets  and  sought-after shows .
• Klook has better selection for  outdoor activities  and  local experiences  like cooking classes.
• Klook allows  SIM card rental  in various countries. KKday doesn’t offer this.
• Klook has more  flexible cancellation  policies generally. KKday has stricter cut-offs for cancellations.
• Klook supports  Apple Pay  while KKday only accepts credit cards and bank transfers.
• Klook provides  24×7 phone support  while KKday is limited to chat and email.

Considering these factors, Klook emerges as the winner with its wider global inventory, flexible policies, diverse offerings, and robust customer support.

However, KKday can still be a good option for destinations where it has strong coverage – namely East and Southeast Asia. Its prices are sometimes cheaper too. But overall Klook takes the lead.

Also Read: Comparison Between Viator And Klook

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The key differences are: Klook has wider global coverage while KKday focuses on Asia, Klook offers more activities and experiences – over 500,000 Vs. 150,000 on KKday, Klook has better availability of skip-the-line tickets and sought-after shows, Klook has more flexible cancellation policies, Klook supports more payment methods like Apple Pay, Klook provides 24×7 phone support.

Klook operates on a commission-based model. When a user books and pays for an activity, Klook keeps a 10-30% commission and passes on the rest to the local supplier. Klook does not charge any booking fees to users.

Yes, Klook is generally considered a reliable booking platform based on its long track record, quality control measures, secure payments system, and robust customer support. It has a rating of 4.3/5 on Trustpilot which indicates most users have positive experiences.

The main uses of Klook are: Booking skip-the-line attraction tickets, Local sightseeing tours. Shows, concerts and events. Outdoor activities like hiking and watersports. Local experiences like cooking classes. Transport cards and passes. WiFi and SIM card rental. So Klook allows travelers to easily book tours, tickets and fun activities for their trips.

Also Read: Comparison Between Travelocity and KAYAK

Final Thought

While both Klook and KKday offer convenient booking of travel activities, Klook emerges as the superior platform based on this comparison.

Klook simply has more comprehensive worldwide coverage, extensive inventory with over 500,000 options, better support for top attractions and shows, more flexible policies, and robust customer support.

KKday does hold its ground in East and Southeast Asia. But for a one-stop global activity booking site, most travelers will be better served by Klook.

So if you’re planning an international trip and want to conveniently book tours, tickets and local experiences, try out Klook. Use the website or mobile app to see the huge array of activities available at your travel destination.

With Klook’s seamless booking process, comprehensive listings, and competitive pricing, you’re sure to find exciting things to do that will make your trip memorable. Happy booking!

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• South Korea / Travel

Day Tour with Klook – Nami Island + Rail Bike + Petite France + The Garden of Morning Calm

by John Marx Velasco · June 5, 2018

One of the places in South Korea that I was dreaming to visit is Nami Island. When I went on a solo trip to South Korea in 2014, I intentionally did not visit this because I was saving it for someone special. A beautiful island known for being a location for Korean Dramas including Winter Sonata, I thought it would be lovely to go here with someone that I love. But destiny is so elusive. Four years later, I still haven’t found that someone yet. I think it’s a sign telling me not to wait anymore. Just go to South Korea and enjoy the picturesque Nami Island whether I’ll be alone or whoever I’ll be with. So when an airline offered a promo fare a few months ago for a flight from Manila to Seoul , I grabbed the chance and booked that plane ticket right away.

My first two visits to South Korea were all solo trips. I didn’t want to travel solo again for my third time so I asked my brother to come with me. He hasn’t been to South Korea but he has already a tourist visa ready. I knew he won’t hesitate so he excitedly joined me. Then I realized, we haven’t really traveled together yet as in just the two of us. So this trip is special. Now, I can say I fulfilled my word to visit Nami Island with someone who I love. Well, with my brother.

Listed as one of the top attractions in South Korea , Nami Island is a great destination to visit. This half-moon shaped island has breathtaking views and perfect scenery. Walking around is a dream of its own. It has a sanctuary of vast, tall trees that has become witness of the changing seasons of South Korea. Nami Island is also a place of history and home to several galleries.

My brother and I only had a weekend to spend. To make it convenient for us, we decided to go on a day trip to Nami Island by booking a tour from Klook.

Booking a Tour with Klook

Klook is a technology company that offers tours and attraction tickets at the best prices. By visiting its website or mobile app, finding activities and things to do has been made easy. I know Klook for a while already. In fact, I was able to book a tour and buy a ticket here when my friend and I went to Beijing last December. It’s easy to use and searching for activities is very convenient. It’s like a one stop shop for all the activities you want to experience in your choice of destination. Honestly, Klook made me not to prepare comprehensive itineraries for my trips anymore. With few clicks or taps, I could simply select and book my desired activity for my trip already.

There are numbers of interesting day trip activity available in Klook for Nami Island. My brother and I wanted to make the most out of our vacation in South Korea. Gladly, Klook has this Nami Island, Petite France, Gapyeong Rail Bike and Garden of Morning Calm Day Tour. All these four attractions in one day. I reckoned it was the most ideal day tour to choose. So I booked this tour and instantly got the confirmation and voucher details in my email. On the day of the tour, my brother and I went to the meeting place and I simply showed the voucher from my mobile. But I still prepared a printout of it, just in case. Very easy and convenient, isn’t it?

Our Day Trip with Klook – Nami Island + Rail Bike + Petite France + The Garden of Morning Calm

This full day tour is a visit to four of South Korea’s most popular attractions outside of Seoul. It’s a convenient day trip complete with transfers, lunch and admission tickets. The meet up place for the tour is at Myeongdong Station. When we arrived, we easily recognized the vehicle that we would be using since it has a Klook name on it. We approached the driver and he asked for our names. I showed him the voucher. After checking his list, he told us to enter the car. I was surprised that we’ll be using a car and not a shuttle nor a bus for this tour. Surprisingly, this tour is dedicated for four persons only. Amazing! We haven’t begun yet but I already started loving this tour that we booked. We had a comfortable ride and a semi-private tour.

It was around 8:30 AM when we left Seoul. Gapyeong is about 45 minutes to an hour travel outside the capital city. With a day to explore four attractions in this area, here’s how our day tour with Klook went.

Garden of Morning Calm

The Garden of Morning Calm was our first destination. It is a 30,000 square meter garden filled with beautiful plants and flowers. It was founded by Professor Han Sang-kyung with a vision to set up a world-class garden that embraces the natural beauty of South Korea. Now it has more than 20 themed sections that houses about 5,000 kinds of plants. The Garden of Morning Calm also offers wonderful landscape and scenic walkways.

It was raining during the tour. But that didn’t stop our group to walk around and take beautiful photos of this huge attraction. Our driver gave us an hour and a half to enjoy the place. The garden is massive. As much as we wanted to visit all the themed sections, we weren’t able to. But with the help of the map that we got from the ticket office, my brother and I were able to visit the most meaningful and popular ones. Some of my favorites are Rose of Sharon Garden, Sunken Garden, Road to Heaven, Pond Garden and Moonlight Garden.

The Garden of Morning Calm also hold exhibitions of different flowers and variety of festivals. Depending on the season, some of the sections of the garden transform into a unique and magnificent display. It was during Spring when we went. That time, there was a Wild Flower Exhibition and Spring Flower Festival was happening. The garden became more stunning with lush green and colorful spring flowers.

Our visit to Garden of Morning Calm was an enjoyable start. Even it was raining, my brother and I had a great time exploring the place. It is a beautiful and relaxing garden with colorful flowerbeds and fascinating landscape.

Nami Island

We went for lunch in one of the restaurants in Chuncheon-si after visiting the Garden of Morning Calm. We had Dak-galbi, a popular Korean dish made by stir-frying marinated diced chicken. Afterwards, we went to the most anticipated part of the tour, Nami Island.

Famed for its romantic landscapes, Nami Island is one of the best tourist spots to visit outside of Seoul. It is a beautiful place with rows of majestic redwoods, ginkgo and pines, making it an ideal attraction for leisure walk. The island is also home to roaming deer, ostriches and various waterfowl. It also features interesting display of art and other photography exhibits.

Guests visiting Nami Island need to buy tickets. Our driver took care of it for us already. When we had our tickets, we then lined up for the ferry ride. The island can be reached through a five-minute ferry ride.

I couldn’t contain my excitement when we arrived at Nami Island. I was too excited to roam around and take photos. Our driver gave us two hours so my brother and I didn’t waste our time. We wanted to get to as much as many places so we started to walk around. Most of the walking paths in the island are surrounded by tall verdant trees. There are also beautiful grassy areas that are perfect for photo opportunities. The island also has several villages. Some of these that we were able to check out are Forest Village, Happiness Village and Love Village. But the most picturesque spot that we visited in Nami Island is the Metasequoia Lane. This site has become a symbol of the island. The path is lined with giant redwood trees that offers a stunning scenery.

Two hours wasn’t enough for us to cover everything. My brother and I still missed a lot of sites that makes me wanted to go back again. But even though we only had a few hours here, we certainly had a great experience. Nami Island island was really lovely with plenty of opportunities for photos. It was an amazing place with beautiful scenery. If you love nature and culture, you’ll definitely love this place.

Petite France

It was around 4:00pm when we paid a visit to Petite France . It’s a French-style theme park with lots to discover. We were given an hour to explore the place. It has colorful buildings with beautiful French architecture. This French-inspired village also features traditional homes and a Little Prince gallery. Petite France also holds marionette shows. Other interesting attractions to see inside are Butterfly Park, European doll house, antiques flea market, traditional French house, Fountain Square, Pond de Fabre and “Bonjour” walkway.

Petite France is also well-known for being a setting for Korean drama shows. Some of it are “My Love from The Star”, “Secret Garden” and “Beethoven Virus” . So if you’re a fan, you’ll definitely enjoy this place.

Gangchon Rail Park

When I was still looking for a day trip to Nami Island, I was a bit hesitant if it would be worth it to include Gangchon Rail Park . I thought we wouldn’t have enough time to do this activity anymore. But since it is not often that we visit South Korea, I just decided to include Rail Bike when I booked our tour in Klook.

Built on the discontinued train line, Gangchon Rail Park is a popular tourist attraction where visitors can pedal along the old train track. Visitors can cycle through tunnels and see the lush countryside. It was quite interesting since it is only sometimes that I could experience biking through the rail. My brother and I were already tired from all the places that we visited that day but we were still able to enjoy this part of our tour. It was exciting with fantastic views. I was just glad that we included this activity.

The entire activity took about an hour. It was already past 7:00pm when we were able to go back to the parking lot, where our driver was already waiting for us. We left the rail park and drove back to Seoul. Travel time is about two hours. We reached Myeongdong area around 9:00pm and there my brother and I had our late dinner.

Our tour was an amazing day trip from Seoul . Booked through Klook, my brother and I had a very good experience with the tour. Despite that it was raining that day, our friendly driver made sure that we could visit and enjoy all the attractions. In one day we were able to visit four notable attractions such as Garden of Morning Calm, Nami Island, Petite France and Gangchon Rail Park.

Discover and book amazing things to do at exclusive prices. Klook is your guide to tourist attractions, travel activities and local experiences around the world. Book tickets at the best prices anywhere and enjoy huge savings. Visit the official website or mobile app of Klook to book your next adventure.

Contact Information Manila, Philippines Email: [email protected] www.klook.com

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase after clicking through the link. For more information, see my disclosures here .

Tags: Asia East Asia Seoul South Korea Travel

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Klook in Review – The Best way to book Unique Experiences in Asia?

There has been plenty of booking apps for unique experiences and sightseeing that have made their way through the years, and Klook is one of them. The travel site has proven its name and people have started talking about it. But do you really have a full understanding of the site?

That is why we’ve put together this very informative Klook Travel Review that will definitely give a better understanding of the app. We have enumerated several points and highlights that you may find important while using the app.

You may know and you may not know about Klook , but we hope this article gives you more than you need. We have also added tips and step by step instructions on how to use the app.

In this guide we compare Klook with other websites like GetYourGuide and Tiqets.com .

Find out more about what we have in store for you.

In this guide we cover:

• What is Klook?
• Advantages of the platform
• How to use Klook
• Key Features
• Is it safe to use Klook?
• How to pay?
• Changes, cancellations, and refunds
• Is it worth it to try Klook?
• Klook vs Airbnb vs GetYourGuide vs Tiqets.com
• Klook discount code

(last updated 2024)

1. What is Klook?

Founded in 2014, Klook is an online booking platform with more than 60,000 activities in 250 major destinations around the world. Short for “ Keep Looking ”, the platform is one of the leading brands today that makes each traveler’s trip more easy and fun.

You are free to personalize each trip and plan everything as you wish. From their long list of activities in each tour destination, you will come up with your itinerary at a very affordable price.

They cover almost everything from local tours and food options to rail tickets and airport transfers – you name it, they have it.

Personally, we have been using them mainly in Asia, like Taiwan and Japan . It works really well and is so useful!

You can also download their app on your iOS and Android phones.

2. Advantages of using Klook

Being used by many, and by us, too, here are the advantages of using the site that might convince you to plan your next itinerary with them.

• Instant confirmation

One of the things we love is how fast you can get tickets without stress and hassle. In an instant, you will receive your voucher once you have completed the booking process.

This is perfect for those who need booking right then and there.

• No long queues 

Once you get your tickets confirmed, you are ready to go. You will no longer need to stay in long lines to buy tickets and wait for your turn.

You’re always good to go. Not to mention, in some destinations like Tokyo Disneyland and Universal Studios Japan, there are designated Klook queues that allow you to enter faster.

• Booking is fast and easy

Klook offers very easy to follow steps that make each transaction smooth and fast. Steps are as easy as one, two, three. You just have to create an account, choose the activities you’re interested in, pay, and Viola! You’re ready to go!

• Personalized itinerary

Whether you have an itinerary planned or activities in mind, you can always search for these. And whatever it is, you will find it there. Or if not, you can click on the destination you’re planning to visit and check out the activities available for you.

We can personalize our trips even with booking activities. We can always choose what we like, how much budget we have, and where we are planning to go.

Even more, each activity comes with complete details like the description, package details, and instructions which makes you decide easier and faster. There are also reviews for each activity to help you weigh up what is what.

Plus, they have featured travel inspirations from their Blog that can give a glimpse of where you’re going and what exactly you should do.

• Payments are made easy

There are several payment methods available in Klook from credit to debit card to Paypal and more. But as a growing booking platform, the site has made more payment methods available especially those in various local markets.

Other payment methods supported by other regions include Apple Pay, Google Pay, Alipay, WeChat Pay, online banking, and more.

Payment methods can also vary depending on the location. For example, in the Philippines, locals can pay over-the-counter for online transactions in Dragonpay.

• Excellent customer service

Another thing we look for in a booking platform is their responsiveness when it comes to customer service.

They have several customer support teams that are available in different methods. You can reach them below.

• 24-Hour Live Chat – If you’re browsing in a desktop, you can reach them at their website  and message them at the bottom right corner.
• Ask Klook – Fill-out and submit issues or queries at Ask Klook inquiry form
• Email – Send them an email at support(at)klook.com
• Klook Hotline – At the bottom part of your voucher are listed numbers for customer service. Dial and drop them a call.
• No printing needed

With today’s technology, Klook helps save mother earth by going paperless. With just your mobile e-voucher, you are free to enter the attraction without needing to print your voucher unless stated.

You can save it on the app so you will be able to show it even without the use of your data.

• Great Deals

Among other booking platforms today, Klook competitively offers one of the best rates. Not to mention the price guarantee and 60% off retail prices.

• Unique Offers as well – My Own Experience with Klook

Yes, I already covered great deals. But I want to mention this unique offer as well. When I arrived to Taiwan, more precise Taipei , I needed a 4G SIM Card. Klook offered an incredible deal!

I booked it online, and picked up the 4G Sim Card from the Airport. BAM! I had 4 times more data than my hostel mates. No need to say, but many of my hostel mates as well changed their SIM since they stayed longer in the country.

My point is, it is worth it to check it as well as other sites. Some sights really have some gems, like unique tours, experiences, offers, you name it.

This is why we always use several websites, not just one. This goes for booking hotels and hostels, booking flights and finding tours.

For tours and experiences we check:

• Get Your Guide

For hotels and hostels we check:

• Hostelz.com
• Hostelworld.com
• Booking.com

For flights we check:

• Google Flights
• Qatar Airways and other direct airline websites

3. How to use the travel site

As we mentioned earlier, there are easy steps to follow in using this travel platform. To help you better understand each step, we have added a short description below.

Step 1. Sign up!

Whether it’s on the website or the mobile app, you have to sign up and create your account for you to get started.

You can create an account using your email address, through Facebook, or WeChat. This process applies to the mobile app, too.

Klook is downloadable from the iOS App Store or Google Play Store .

Step 2. Find your activity!

First, what does it offer? Here are several services they provide.

• Airport transfer
• SIM CARD or WiFi Dongle
• Sightseeing pass or City pass
• Walking Tour
• Tour or Day Trip
• Theme Park tickets

Klook offers pretty much everything you would need during your holiday. Name it, they have it. Even your personalized itinerary and dream activities can be achievable.

So once you have found your activity, like when you’re shopping online, you just “Add To Cart” . You can even check out different activities from different destinations all at the same time.

After adding everything to the cart, you can now pick your preferred date and how many tickets you need (if traveling with a group). Then, you are good to check out.

Step 3. Promo Codes / Redeem credits

This step is only applicable to those who have promo codes or Klook credits. Enter the promo code or redeem credits before you pay for your items. And remember that you can only use one promo code per each booking. However, you can use the promo code together with your credits.

We have explained a more detailed step-by-step in number 6. How to Pay

Step 4. Payments

Now you have applied your promo codes, you can now pay for your items. Payments can be done through credit/debit cards, PayPal, and more.

Other payments are also available depending on each location.

Step 5. Vouchers

Once the payment has been successful, you will receive your order summary. And only when the booking has been confirmed will you receive your confirmation email with your vouchers. These vouchers now will serve as your ticket to get your product or activity.

However, receiving the confirmation booking may vary depending on the activity or product. Some may take a little longer than the others.

Easy as that, you can easily enjoy the activities you booked without the hassle and long queues.

4. Key Features

Key features are what you see right below each activity or product name. These features may vary depending on each activity. We have shortly elaborated on some of the most common features you will see on the page.

• Instant Confirmation  – Activities or products with this feature means in a matter of a few seconds, you will be able to receive your confirmation booking, without the need to wait.
• 24-hours Confirmation –  Within 24 hours, you will be able to receive your confirmation booking. If it goes beyond the 24-hour frame, you may report directly to the support team.
• Open date ticket –  You can use your voucher on any date as long as it’s within the validity period.
• Fix date ticket –  The exact opposite of an open date ticket. You are only allowed to use your ticket on the exact date you have chosen.
• Show Mobile or Printed Voucher – Just present your printed voucher or e-voucher to the operator on the date of your activity.
• Enter Directly with Voucher – Just present your printed voucher or e-voucher, then skip the long lines and enter the facility directly.
• Collect Physical Ticket – This feature will require you to present your printed/e-voucher and get a physical ticket before you can enter the facility.

5. Is it safe to use Klook?

When we are offered something cheap, we always ask, “Is it legit?”

With more than 250 destinations around the world, around 60,000 activities, and many third-party partners, we can say this site is safe and legit. And add over 5 million verified user-generated reviews.

Important : We also used them and booked our SIM Card with them in Taiwan!

So this is a first-hand experience!

Not to mention the features they got from reputable publications such as Forbes, Travel Daily News, CNBC, Wall Street Journal, and more. And we all know if it is to be featured in these publications, it’s always something big.

6. How to pay?

Several payment methods are available made for users from credit to debit cards and Paypal. And we have already mentioned in the earlier part of this article other methods.

Other available payment methods will also vary depending on the location. Other regions can pay through Apple Pay, Google Pay, Alipay, WeChat Pay, online banking, and more.

Accepted Currencies

In each activity, different currencies are displayed to choose from. Among the currencies available are USD, HKD, SGD, TWD, EUR, GBP.

However, only transactions in USD, HKD, SGD, TWD (excluding AMEX card), MYR, and KRW are accepted currently.

Note:  All other Southeast Asian currencies (except PHP), charges will be in SGD. And the rest of the displayed currencies available will charge you in USD.

Paying with Promo Codes

Here’s a step-by-step process on how you can use your promo codes.

Step 1. Redeem promo code

On the mobile app – Tap “Promo Codes” under your account, key in your promo code, and redeem, the promo is now saved and can be applied during check out.

On the website – Tap “Promo Codes” on the Homepage, key in your promo code, and save it in your wallet.

Step 2.  Add products to the cart

On the mobile app – Tap “Add To Cart” on your chosen activity or product, choose the desired date and quantity then click “Add to Cart” again.

On the website – Select package, date, and quantity then select “Add To Cart”.

Note: Some may have a minimum spend in order to get the discount depending on the promo code. However, do not select “Book Now” if you’re not done or you have not yet reached the minimum spend. This will bring you out of the check out page.

Always use the “Add to Cart” to make sure you get the minimum spend to maximize your savings.

Step 3. Check out

On the mobile app – Apply the promo code during checkout and once it’s successful, the total bill will show the discounted amount.

On the website – Click the “Use Promo Code”, select the promo code you want to use, and once it’s successful, the total bill will show the discounted amount.

Remember: You can either save the promo code in your wallet or you can type it in during the process. Just make sure you input the code before you proceed to payment.

7. Changes, Cancellations, and Refunds

• Changes  – Changes can be possible if the corresponding activity allows this policy. If changes are not allowed, you can simply rebook the ticket with the correct details.
• Cancellations –  Do take note that every activity may have different cancellation policy so this will vary. You can check the cancellation details in the “Terms and Conditions” section of your chosen activity is eligible for changes or cancellations.

Here’s a short definition of each cancellation policy.

Free Cancellation   Policy  – You can get a full refund if the cancellation is within the specified time.

Conditional Cancellation Policy – Refer to the “Terms and Conditions” section for the conditions of the activity.

No Cancellation Policy  – No refunds will be given.

We have also made a step-by-step process on how you can cancel by following the steps below.

Step 1. Proceed to the “Bookings” option

Step 2. Choose the item you want to cancel and select “View More”

Step 3. Click “Apply for Refund”

Step 4. Fill out the information needed then submit.

When your activity is approved for cancellation, the refund will be immediately available only when it was paid through PayPal. However, when it was paid through a credit or debit card, it will usually take 5-7 working days. And it can last up to 30 days to certain banks.

If it exceeds the given time frame, contact the support team.

And in rare cases that your activity is canceled, you will be given a chance to choose between a full refund or a rebooking.

A good travel partner is the one who can be reliable even before and after your booking. The one that answers your queries and complaints in a very timely manner.

Of course, we wouldn’t want customer support that rarely replies to our questions. And Klook has managed to maintain to give customer support to its increasing customers through the years.

Below are there different customer support methods.

• 24-Hour Live Chat – If you’re browsing in a desktop, you can reach them at their website and message them at the bottom right corner.
• Email – Send them an email at support[at]klook.com

9. Is it worth to try Klook?

If you believe in our word, we will certainly say it’s worth to try them. Among the thousands of verified ratings given on Klook, we are one with them when they said that Klook is one best booking partners you can find on the internet.

With its credibility, it has proven its name through its year of service and we were part of that. We have purchased several activities and SIM Cards here and it has never failed us. Aside from that it’s cheap, the process is very smooth and instant.

In a matter of seconds, you’re good to go. So if ever that your bookings have late-changes or cancellations, Klook is your instant hero. But why the need to risk your trip to uncertain platforms if you can trust Klook in the first place?

Plus, the activities are fun and interesting. Reviews also come with actual trip photos so you know what to expect.

10. Klook vs Airbnb vs GetYourGuide vs Tiqets.com

As you know by now, Klook is a great booking platform for unique tours, experiences and sightseeing in general.

Yet, it is obviously not the only one in the online world. So, how is the site doing compared to the other players? We want to offer a quick and simple comparison.

Airbnb Experiences vs Klook

Airbnb is a huge player and it is always worth considering them. They really offer super unique tours (and accommodation).

It is really hard to compare both. Both websites offer cool and unique tours. I would say, Airbnb offers more, personal tours and experiences while Klook has as well the touristic highlights you want to experience when in town.

Have a look for instance at airbnb experiences in New York City. You can find anything from photo shootings with an influencer, to private yoga and zen classes as well as bike tours.

Klook on the other hand has a bit more touristic character for New York City . You can find museums entrances, river cruises and sights. It is worth it checking both when traveling!

GetYourGuide vs Klook

GetYourGuide is a big European player. You can book many sights and different types of tickets for the same sight.

For instance the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. Here you can find 5 different tickets. You can have a tower climb included or a guided tour. You can even choose to have a audio guide and so on. So this is really handy.

As for the cons about Get Your Guide, well, it is really only fantastic for traveling Europe. When I was in Taiwan and South-East Asia, it was not as useful. Here Klook gets more points from our side.

Tiqets.com vs Klook

Tiqets.com is a relatively small player, compared to GetYourGuide and Airbnb Experiences. Yet, it is a cool travel booking site to use. They mainly offer tours and sights for key destinations like Amsterdam and Berlin.

While this is a disadvantage, you can find good deals for these major destinations. So in that sense, it is worth taking a look at Tiqets.com as well.

Read : my full review of Tiqets.com

11. Klook Discount Code

Who does not love a discount? We checked directly if there is any valid Klook Promo Code. And yes, score.

$20HK discount for Klook (only for our readers)

The coupon code is

The code is valid for your first mobile booking. It is valid for 2024.

How to apply?

• Download the app from your AppStore
• choose your date and destination
• apply the discount

That’s it! =)

Condition : The voucher is valid for every booking made in 2024. There should be no minimum payment. In case you have any issue with the voucher for Klook, please get in touch with us.

This guide is always up to date. As soon as other promo codes are available, we will publish it here. You can bookmark this page to stay up to date or subscribe to our free and (hopefully) cool newsletter .

Summary: Klook Review

If you are looking for a legit, reliable, cheap, and hassle-free booking platform, then include Klook on your list. They are truly a traveler’s best friend in this growing world of technology. They offer e-vouchers which are very handy and earth-friendly.

Before you run off, booking your next experience, here is more useful travel sites we honestly reviewed:

• Hostelworld in a review – how to book hostels?
• iVisa – the easiest way to get your worldwide visa
• HeyMondo Travel insurance – compared to Safetywing
• Omio in Review – best travel site for trains and buses

Over to you

Have you tried Klook.com? Which country did you use it in and what was your experience with it? Is there anything you want to know? Then please, hit the comment section.

We would love to hear from you.

Your comments, your feedback, and your questions will make this article and guide even more useful for all fellow travelers.

Safe travels!

We are 100% Independent: Some links on Hostelgeeks are so-called affiliate links. If you decide to book through these links, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you . Your support allows us to keep producing high-quality, independent content free of influence from hostels or external advertisers. Learn more here . 🙏

✏️ Read our Editorial Guidelines

While Klook is very easy to use they have extremely disappointing/disgusting customer care and will waste your time and your money!

Beware! Our experience with Klook’s airport transfer service at Narita Airport was nothing short of disgusting. We booked our transfer while in transit in Dubai, specifically requesting a 6 PM pickup time and even providing our flight number for added clarity. However, upon arrival, we faced a frustrating situation that ultimately left us without transportation and out of pocket.

After clearing customs and collecting our luggage, 4 sets of eyes searched for our driver, who was nowhere to be found. After frantic searching and inquiries at the information desk, my husband finally located the driver, who turned out to be unprofessional, rude, and unhelpful. He demanded additional payment, claiming he had waited for 100 minutes, despite our voucher stating the driver would wait for one hour and 40 minutes.

When we refused to pay extra, the driver abandoned us, leaving us stranded with our children and luggage.

To make matters worse, Klook’s customer service has been ABYSMAL. They dragged their feet in addressing our concerns (not getting back to us within the 2 days as promised), made us provide photographic evidence (which they totally disregarded), spent hours going back and forth on chat and refused to get a manager to call us, failed to provide a refund and ultimately refused to take responsibility for their flawed system, which completely disregarded our requested pickup time (inputting the flight number overrides the clients requested pickup time and communicates to their operator to pitch up at the time the flight lands- so stupid!).

Klook admitted to poor communication with their operator but still denied us our hard-earned money back. Save yourself the headache and avoid Klook’s unreliable and unprofessional service!

I also used the Klook platform to book Shinkansen (bullet train) tickets and while one pays more for reserved seating it does not allow one to choose seats so we had 4 tickets in 4 separate rows with my young kids sitting on their own. I waited over an hour to get through to their customer support chat and they could do absolutely nothing to help!

2 out of 2 failed Klook bookings. Deleting the platform and will NEVER USE IT AGAIN!

Booked for transport to airport from BKK hotel and driver did not show up. Had to find alternative transport last minute which cost much more. Reached out to Klook for refund and after 4 days still no near resolution to the matter. My hotel is on a narrow side road where it is only one way in or out. If the driver was there, he cannot be missed. This service is unreliable and non responsive. Would not recommend anyone to use it at all.

The absolute worst! We booked a 24sqm room in E-hotel Higashi Shinjukul through the Klook app, only to find out that they booked a 12sqm one for us instead. We could barely fit our things here! In addition, there is no customer service number you can call for help in Klook. Worse off, the E-hotel Higashi Shinjuku kept passing on the blame to Klook instead of helping us out. WORST EXPERIENCE EVER! PLEASE AVOID BOOKING ANYTHING THROUGH KLOOK. GO FOR RELIABLE APPS LIKE BOOKING.COM.

Here is my experience:

During a trip to Sydney, we booked a rental car company through Klook at the Sydney Airport. The process was efficient, and the price appeared reasonable. We booked for a flight landing at 16:30, and included this information on the reservation times and booking information.

On the day of our arrival, we were greeted with a text message from the rental company indicating that our rental must picked up by 17:00 at a location that was offsite from the airport. This is despite the site having intentionally misleading information that the booking was direct from the airport, and failing to include any information about the shuttle. This resulted in an expensive taxi fare ($54.39) in order to rush to the office in time to pick up our car.

After reaching out to Klook, their response was to send the shuttle information (too late) which also included the incorrect operating hours for the shuttle (until 18:00 on Sundays, which was incorrect). Their response was to first tell me that:

1. I simply didn’t read the paperwork correctly 2. After further discussion and proof of missing information, to offer me a Klook credit in the amount of $10 (less than 20% of the cost of the taxi).

In summary, avoid booking with Klook at all costs. They won’t back up any mistakes to your bookings, and you will be left figuring out travel yourself. Read the other reviews online which confirm this. Save yourself the headache from our experience, and book with a reputable company.

I had a similar experience with train tickets – they claimed I must have just presented the wrong voucher, wrong email, etc., when I went to pick up the tickets I paid for through their website, despite the fact that I had to purchase entirely new tickets because nothing they gave me worked, and their customer service was genuinely horrendous. I tried reaching out through their website and they kept emailing my husband who isn’t the account holder, and when I just asked them to cancel the voucher and refund me the money, they said that they needed proof that the rail office wouldn’t accept their voucher.

Then they claimed that I needed to show the printed out voucher that I had cut in half, NOT to work through the official Payment vendors, not to work through my credit card company, etc., before they’d do anything. Literally, the single worst travel company I have ever had the misfortune to purchase any vacation stuff through.

It’s clear that they must have paid someone to get this review, because Trustpilot and several other websites document these horrendous experiences in detail and all Klook will say in response is “well, we’re sorry this was your experience.” No offer to rectify, no attempts to resolve, nothing.

Thank you for reaching out to us and sharing your first-hand experience. I know these experiences are frustrating; been there with some other companies. Personally, I never had an issue with Klook yet. And I have used them to purchase SIM Cards in Taiwan and for tours around South-East Asia. We had only good experiences with Klook, the last one being a DMZ Tour in Seoul.

Regarding the suggestion that someone may have been paid for a review, I can assure you that we have not engaged in any such practices. If this article would be paid or sponsored, it would be labeled as such. Our reviews are genuine and reflect our personal experiences. In fact, we make it a point to provide honest feedback on different platforms, even, no, especially when we have encountered issues . This is also why we think it’s a great idea to leave the comment section open for all the other travelers sharing their experience here, too.

Safe travels, Matt

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A 2024 Taiwan Travel Guide for Planning a Totally Epic Trip

Last updated on Aug. 21, 2024 by Nick Kembel

Taiwan is a small island nation that packs a serious punch. At only 36,193 km², it is about the size of Vancouver Island in my native Canada, but home to a staggering 23.9 million people.

Do not be fooled by its compact size, however. There are many reasons to visit Taiwan : the tallest mountains in Northeast Asia, rich history & culture, welcoming locals, some of the best night markets and street food in the world – the list goes on. To get a better idea, see my ever-growing list of things to do in Taiwan .

I’ve lived in Taiwan for over 10 years. I’m married to a Taiwanese, and my two kids were born and raised in Taiwan. I’ve written articles about Taiwan for CNN, National Geographic Traveller, Discover Taipei, and Taiwan Travel Magazine, as well as my book, Taiwan in the Eyes of a Foreigner , which has sold more than 7000 copies.

This Taiwan travel guide links out to all of my most useful articles for planning a Taiwan trip. Here on my Taiwan travel blog, Spiritual Travels, you’ll find some of the most comprehensive Taiwan travel information Taiwan tourism details available in English online, all based on years of on-the-ground research. 

Let the below be your personal guide to traveling in Taiwan. I’ll be covering a wide variety of topics below, so use the table of contents to jump to the info you need! If you prefer Q&A format, you can find all the same info in these FAQs about Taiwan .

Table of Contents

Travel restrictions and visas.

As of October 13, 2022, Taiwan is totally open for travel. All COVID-related  travel restrictions  are finished.  That brought to an end the 938 days total that Taiwan’s borders were closed to some or all international tourists!

Currently, you just need to find out if your country is eligible for visa-free entry  (most are), and for how many days. If you need a visa for Taiwan, or want to stay for longer than the visa-free period, you’ll need to apply at the Taiwan office in your country before coming. 

Besides the visa, there are no special forms, tests, vaccines (these were never needed) for entering Taiwan. You just need to fill in the normal arrival card when you arrive, or do it online before you come. Note that some people have reported not receiving an email confirmation after filling in the online form, so you may want to just do it when you arrive in Taiwan. You can stay in any hotel or accommodation you want, including hostels (these weren’t allowed until March 20, 2023). 

The outdoor mask mandate ended in late 2022 and the indoor mask mandate ended in early 2023. Now, you only need to wear masks in medical facilities in Taiwan. However, many locals are still wearing them in public.

Following the April 2024 Hualien Earthquake , Taroko Gorge in Hualien is totally closed to visitors for an estimated 6 months to 1 year. Everywhere else in Taiwan is open as normal and fine to visit. Here’s my list of things you can still do in Hualien besides Taroko Gorge .

If you ever have any questions about anything related to traveling in Taiwan, you can call the 24-hour English tourist hotline at 0800-011765 (from outside Taiwan dial 886-800-011765). For COVID-specific questions, dial 1922 (from outside Taiwan dial 886-800-001922). 

A Guide to Taiwan’s Quarantine Hotels and COVID Travel Restrictions

Taiwan travel planning group.

The absolute best place you can go for any questions about planning your Taiwan trip is my free Facebook group, Taiwan Travel Planning .

Literally any question you have about traveling in Taiwan or planning your Taiwan trip will be answered within 1-2 days by me or other members of the group. I’m also happy to look over your itinerary and give you suggestions. Because I do spend a lot of time every day in the group answering questions, I’ve created this Buy Me a Coffee account for anyone who wants to say thanks (my readers requested this!)

Take a Tour or DIY Travel?

The main purpose of this page, my website, and my Facebook group is to help you plan a DIY trip to Taiwan. Taiwan is an incredibly safe and easy country to travel around. However, this does require some advance planning, especially as trains and hotels in popular destinations in Taiwan often sell out. Generally, Taiwan is not a very suitable country for just showing up and figuring it out once you get there. Even more so since COVID, advance bookings for almost everything are the norm. 

If you’re looking for a luxury, fully customized tour of Taiwan, I recommend Life of Taiwan . Their team of experts are some of the most knowledgeable in the industry. They provide personalized tea, food, cultural, or family tours of Taiwan and put you up in some of the country’s most exquisite hotels. If you contact them, please let them know that Nick sent you over!

For a hiking or adventure-focused tour, I recommend Taiwan Outdoors . The affiliated Park Bus Taiwan also provides awesome hiking day trips from the city.

If you’re in a rush and just want to see the best of Taiwan in a short period, I recommend this Taiwan 5-day tour . It doesn’t include Taipei, which is best visited in a day or two on your own before or after the tour.

I describe these and other tours in Taiwan in more detail here.

What most visitors to Taiwan do, however, is plan their trip on their own. The country’s amazing TRA train (round-island) and High Speed Rail (down the west coast from Taipei to Kaohsiung) systems are actually faster than driving. 

Then, when you get to your destination city, you can hire drivers for the day or go on guided day trips only when necessary. This is a very common approach, and there are numerous popular day trips and drivers available on Klook (sign up with this link for a TWD 100 credit in your account). You’ll find that I recommend Klook tours, drivers, car/scooter rentals, discounted attraction tickets, train tickets, and more throughout my Taiwan articles. There are many good deals on there, so you can save a lot of money by using the platform for planning your Taiwan trip.

And for truly DIY or budget travelers, you can certainly do it all on your own, especially with all the articles you’ll find on my website, covering how to visit almost every corner of Taiwan.

Renting a car is also a great option – read my tips for driving in Taiwan here and why I rented my car with Klook .

One good idea is to try one of these free Taipei waking tours on Day 1, then take it on your own from there!

Before Your Trip: Flights, Insurance, Apps, Guidebooks

If you’re coming from a country in Asia, there are numerous budget flights to Taiwan. I’ve prepared this list of the cheapest budget flights to Taiwan .

I’ve tried many different flight websites for finding long haul flights to Taiwan (I live in Canada). My two favorites are Kiwi.com and WayAway . I usually try both these sites when booking my Taiwan flights. They are often (but not alway) cheaper than booking directly with the airlines.

What I like about Kiwi.com is special features like searching not only your departure point but other cities nearby and being able to enter “anywhere” as a destination, and “anytime” as a flying time. For flexible travelers, this allows you to find the cheapest possible flights and dates without searching a million times. Unlike other aggregate flight sites, Kiwi includes budget airlines (many of which fly to Taipei!) and routes combining multiple airlines that are not affiliated.

WayAway is an even newer site and is now my favorite. Like Kiwi, it includes budget airlines, plus it displays awesome calendars showing the price of flights on every day. But the really special feature on WayAway, which will appeal to frequent travelers, is WayAway Plus. Basically, for a small annual fee, you can get cashback (like real cash, deposited to your account) not just for your flights but also any hotels you book through their system. Sign up with this link and you’ll get 10% off WayAway Plus !

Having said that, there are benefits to going with the airline directly, such as being able to easily contact them when needed. rather than going through a third party. China Airlines and Eva Airlines (the one with the Hello Kitty planes!) are two of Taiwan’s largest carriers.

For travel insurance , it’s pretty much a must nowadays. I recommend SafetyWing  or Insubuy . Find more details about why in my guide to choosing travel insurance for Taiwan .

Which apps should you download for Taiwan? I’ve got you covered in this guide to the best Taiwan apps for travelers. You can also start learning Chinese with my Mandarin beginner’s guide .

Last but not least, I may be old school, but I still love using travel guidebooks for planning my Taiwan trips. My favorite is and always has been the Taiwan Lonely Planet (I have about 5 different issues of it). I also recommend the Bradt Taiwan , written by long-term Taiwan resident Steven Crook. He also co-authored this amazing book covering the history of Taiwanese food, which I highly recommend.

Moving to Taiwan?

If you’re planning on moving to Taiwan for work, family reasons, or simply because Taiwan is an awesome place to live, then you should head over to my novella-sized guide to living in Taiwan . 

In that article, I focus more on visa issues, getting a job in Taiwan, finding an apartment, making friends, and all other aspects of daily life in Taiwan, whereas below, I’ll stick mainly to things you need to know for traveling around Taiwan.

Taiwanese History & Culture

How much do you know about Taiwan? Having lived in Taiwan for many years and married a Taiwanese, I know for a fact that many people around the world know little to nothing about Taiwan. Even some of my friends and family members back home think it is the same as Thailand. For this reasons, I’ve even written this article to explain the differences between Taiwan and Thailand  as this one to share some fun and interesting facts about Taiwan .

Taiwan is a small island nation in East Asia. Culturally, it is usually considered part of Northeast Asia, but geographically, some argue that it is closer to Southeast Asia. Taiwan was the original homeland of the Austronesian people, who went on to populate many islands of the Pacific in canoes. Today, their descendants include the 16 recognized aboriginal tribes of Taiwan .

Taiwan was briefly colonized by the Dutch and Spanish, while the Portuguese famously called it “Formosa”, or “beautiful island”, a name which stuck for centuries. Over the last 500 years, millions of people have migrated to Taiwan from China, especially Fujian province in the southeast. That’s why the local language of Taiwan, “Taiwanese” , is also called Minnan; it is the same as the Chinese dialect spoken in the Minnan region of Fujian. Taiwan remained on the fringe of Chinese imperial influence for centuries, then fell to Japanese occupation from 1895 to 1945.

In the Chinese Civil War, the nationalist KMT party of the Republic of China lost to the Communist Party in 1949 and fled to Taiwan, along with millions of Chinese soldiers and refugees from all over China, bringing their language (Mandarin), food, and culture. They thought they’d take back China someday, but they never did. That’s why Taiwan is still officially (and confusingly) called Republic of China, but their passports now finally say “Taiwan” in bigger letters . In 2000, the DPP were the first non-KMT party to win an election in Taiwan. Current President Tsai Ing-wen belongs to the independence-leaning DPP party.

The relationship between Taiwan and China remains complex and is the source of much tension. China claims that Taiwan is a province of China and bullies Taiwan from entering the UN and WHO, and from using the word “Taiwan” in international events like the Olympics (they have to call their team “Chinese Taipei”. But most Taiwanese consider Taiwan independent, and anyone who has been to both countries knows just how different they are. Few countries officially recognize Taiwan, but it acts as an independent country in virtually every way.

Today Taiwan is a modern, vibrant democracy with a free press. It is known for its welcoming people, efficiency, safety, and incredible street food. It has been chosen as the top country in the world for expats . It was also the first country in Asia to legalize equal (gay) marriage rights. Taiwan was one of the success stories in its handling of the COVID pandemic. Also read about some of the most famous people from Taiwan here .

Should you tip in Taiwan? Most often the answer is no. Learn all about Taiwan’s money and currency here .

Taiwanese Food

One of the great pleasures of visiting Taiwan is enjoying the country’s incredible food. Indeed, may travelers from Asian country’s come to Taiwan JUST for the food. Taiwanese is especially known for its incredible variety of cheap and delicious street food .

The best place to try Taiwanese street food is in night markets. Every city in the country has a night market (here are the best night markets across Taiwan ), while Taipei has more than 50. Here I introduce the best night markets in Taipei , night markets in Taichung ,  night markets in Tainan , and night markets in Kaohsiung . Also don’t miss my favorite night market in the country, Keelung Night Market !

Besides street food, some restaurant experiences you may want to enjoy in Taiwan are DIY barbecue joints, all-you-can-eat hot pot, quick fry (a kind of local eatery suitable for groups, and with lots of cheap dishes meant for sharing, with lots of beer), this weird toilet-themed restaurant , and Din Tai Fung, the country’s most famous restaurant, which specializes in xiaolongbao (soup dumplings). 

In this article, I recommend 80+ of my favorite restaurants in Taipei , arranged by style, and the best restaurants open all night in Taipei here !

Seafood lovers should also visit Addiction Aquatic Development , an upscale gourmet seafood market in Taipei, or consider visiting one of the country’s many port markets.

For vegetarians and vegans, I’ve got all the tips you need in my guide to being vegan or vegetarian in Taiwan , how to find vegetarian food in night markets , and the best vegetarian restaurants in Taipei .

Last but not least, don’t forget about Taiwanese snacks ! These make the perfect food souvenirs, especially pineapple cakes .

Besides all the articles below, I’ve got several newer food and night markets guides here  on my other website, TaiwanObsessed.

Ximending Food Guide: What to Eat & Best Restaurants (2024 edition)

Taiwan Street Food Bucket List: 101 Taiwanese Foods To Try

Yongkang Street, Taipei for Foodies: Best Teahouses, Mango Ice, and More

The 80 Best Restaurants in Taipei (by food type!)

The Top 9 Night Markets in Kaohsiung (& what to eat at each one!)

A Guide to Feasting at Fengchia Night Market in Taichung

20 Best Night Markets in Taipei (+ What To Eat at Each One!)

The “Big 5” Night Markets in Taichung (+ What to Eat at Each One!)

How to Binge Eat Your Way Through Keelung Night Market

What to Eat at Addiction Aquatic Development, Taipei’s Seafood Mecca

Anping Old Street (& other things to do in Anping, Tainan)

The “Big Five” Night Markets in Tainan & What to Eat at Each One

Shenkeng Old Street: A Food Tour of Taipei’s Stinky Tofu Village

A Food Tour of Burma Street in Zhonghe, New Taipei City

When to visit taiwan.

Deciding on a season or month for your trip to Taiwan is the first step to planning your Taiwan travels, and thus the first topic to cover in this Taiwan traveling guide.

To make things easier, I’ve written this dedicated guide to the best time to visit Taiwan . In it, you’ll find a description of every season and month of the year in Taiwan, and links to my 12 individual guides for visiting Taiwan in every month of the year. I update these articles constantly to add upcoming events and Taiwan travel news.

To summarize that article for you here, there’s no real “high” or “low” season for travel to Taiwan; each season of the year comes with some ups and downs. Summer is extremely hot and humid and comes with the chance of typhoons, but it’s also the best time for Taiwan’s beaches , outlying islands , and water-based activities.

For hiking, cycling , flower viewing, and hot springs, try to visit in late fall, winter, or early spring.

Meanwhile, winter can be gray and chilly, but is the best time for hot springs and seeing cherry blossoms. Be careful if planning a trip around Chinese New Year , as many things will close (see my list of attractions and what days they close ), and it can be really difficult to travel around when half the country is on the road. Spring has warm weather but also a mini rain season, while autumn is my personal favorite for these reasons .

Below you’ll also find my individual guides to each season in Taiwan. But don’t fret too much about it; if you can only visit at a certain time of the year, there’s really no bad time to be in Taiwan!

The Best Time to Visit Taiwan: A Month-by-Month Guide

2024 Chinese New Year in Taiwan: Tips for Visiting & Things to Do

Summer in Taiwan: Everything You Need to Know

Winter in Taiwan (Xmas, NYE, LNY & Where to See Snow!)

Spring in Taiwan: Everything You Need to Know

Autumn in Taiwan: Everything You Need to Know

Best taiwan travel deal.

Who doesn’t want to find a good deal when traveling to Taiwan? Here are some of the websites and services I regularly use for planning my Taiwan travels:

• Klook : Get big discounts on everything from High Speed Rail & attraction tickets to restaurant vouchers and guided tours. Sign up with this link to get a free TWD100 credit !
• KKday : While Klook is a Hong Kong compared, KKday is the Taiwan version of it. Some activities are the same as Klook, while some are unique. I prefer Klook because KKday sometimes has poor English, but I still sometimes use KKday for things that Klook doesn’t have. 
• Booking : My preferred site for finding the best hotel deals in Taiwan.
• Agoda : Some users say they find cheaper prices on Agoda for Asian destinations, including Taiwan.
• Cookly : Find the best cooking courses in Taiwan.

These are some examples of great travel deals you can find on Klook:

Taiwan Travel Passes

One way to save money on travel around the world nowadays is by using city travel passes. Taiwan has a few available, but in order for them to actually save you money, you have to understand how they work, and get the right one for your needs.

Here are some travel passes in Taiwan that you may consider getting:

Taiwan Fun Passes

These 1 to 3-day passes include all transportation in and around Taipei, entrance fees to a long list of attractions, and some tourist shuttle buses for day trips out of Taipei. The most popular one is the Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass , which you can buy here .

Read my detailed review of all the Taipei Fun Passes to see how they work and determine if any of them will be worth it for your Taiwan trip. It only makes sense to get one if you plan to do a lot of sightseeing and MRT riding in Taipei in 1-3 days. Otherwise, I recommend just getting an EasyCard.

You’ll get a TWD 100 credit toward your Fun Pass if you sign up for Klook with this link first before booking!

I haven’t reviewed it yet, but there is a new Klook Taipei Pass . This one is for attractions only, but you have more time to use it, so it’s better for people who will have more time in the city.

Don’t confuse Taipei Fun Passes with the EasyCard , which is what everyone in Taipei uses to swipe onto the MRT and city buses. Read my detailed EasyCard guide for more info than I’ll provide here.

Taipei Fun Passes are designed for tourists, while the EasyCard is a reloadable card used by everyone else, including tourists who don’t get a Taipei Fun Pass. They cost TWD 100 (you can no longer get this deposit back), plus whatever money you load onto them. You can swipe them to ride the MRT in Taipei, Taichung, and Kaohsiung, all city buses in Taiwan, some ferries, and to pay for taxis, items in convenience stores, and more. 

You can get an EasyCard from any MRT station, including the Taoyuan Airport MRT station, and load money onto it.  You can also order an EasyCard for pickup when you arrive in Taiwan . 

Sun Moon Lake Passes

The other place you will find travel passes in Taiwan is at Sun Moon Lake , one of the country’s most popular attractions (we’ll get to those below). There are numerous Sun Moon Lake passes to choose from, and you can buy them from 7-Eleven iBon machines or from train stations in Taichung, the nearest major city.

Like the Taipei Fun Passes, these only save you money if you use them for enough avtivities. Most also include transportation to and from Taichung.

Learn all about the passes and how to use them in my Sun Moon Lake Pass review . Note that these pass prices and what they include are often changing.

Taipei Fun Pass: Is it Worth the Money?

Sun Moon Lake Pass: Is it Worth the Money? (updated 2024)

Best sim card and wifi device.

There’s no doubt that having an Internet connection while traveling in Taiwan is super convenient. You can check GoogleMaps to find the way, communicate with hotels, find bus times, etc. Nowadays, it’s pretty much essential. 

A SIM card is the best idea in my opinion, but some people also go for an eSIM like this or pocket Wifi device . I compare all three in my guides to SIMs for Taiwan and eSIMs for Taiwan . 

I recommend pre-ordering your SIM card for pickup when you arrive at Taoyuan International Airport. If you go with a WiFi device, then I recommend this one . Note the pick up times – if you arrive in the middle of the night, you may have to pick one up in the city.

You’ll get a TWD 100 credit toward your Taiwan SIM card or WiFi device if you  sign up for Klook with this link  first before booking it.

Another option that I have yet to fully understand myself is  eSIMs for Taiwan  – especially considering that the newest iPhones don’t even have SIM card slots anymore. If you are tech-savvy, check them out!

Taipei: The Tantalizing Capital of Taiwan

In some countries, you want to get out of the capital as soon as you arrive. This is not the case with Taipei . For most visitors to Taiwan, I recommend budgeting at least two full days for Taipei City alone, plus add 1-2 more days for day trips from Taipei (even more if you can!)

Taipei is always buzzing with activity; by day, you’ve got atmospheric historical neighborhoods to explore, towering Taipei 101, landmark Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, Beitou Hot Springs, Maokong Gondola, Longshan Temple , and hikes in the hills (and volcanoes!) surrounding the city. After the sun goes down, it’s time to eat ’til you drop in the city’s famed night markets : the most famous ones are Shilin , Raohe , Ningxia , Tonghua , Nanjichang , and Huaxi Night Market .

As if that weren’t enough, Taipei is incredibly safe, and getting around is a breeze on the MRT, one of the best metro systems in the world.

Things to Do & Taipei Itineraries

Here is the most popular article on my website: 50+ awesome things to do in Taipei . For the less famous spots, see my off-the-beaten-track guide to Taipei and my list of things to do in Taipei at night . Below I’ve also linked to all my Taipei articles.

Besides the below articles, I’ve also got guides to spending one day in Taipei and how to plan a Taipei layover on my other website, TaiwanObsessed.

50 Unmissable Things to Do in Taipei in 2024

How to Spend 2 Awesome Days in Taipei

How to Spend 3 Awesome Days in Taipei

How to Spend 4 Awesome Days in Taipei

The above itineraries will make things easier for those will little time for planning. But my recommendations for Taipei don’t stop there.

For people who want to dig a little deeper and further customize the Taipei portion of their Taiwan trip, here some useful resources that further explore how much Taipei has to offer, including its best temples , night markets , hikes , and beaches .

Also see the my post below for the best times of the year to visit Taipei; the weather of Taipei is quite different to that of other parts of Taiwan, so if your trip to Taiwan is mainly focused on Taipei, you’ll find this article more useful than my “Best time to visit Taiwan” article I linked to above.

The Best Time to Visit Taipei City: An Insider’s Guide

Hiking in Taipei: My 21 Favorite Taipei Hikes

30 Jaw-Dropping Temples in Taipei and New Taipei City

7 Beaches around Taipei You Can’t Miss

The Best Cat Cafes in Taipei, the Birthplace of Cat Cafe Culture

Coolest neighborhoods & where to stay.

Deciding where to stay in Taipei can be rather intimidating, as there are so many cool neighborhoods to choose from.

Let me make life easier for you by breaking it down to the best neighborhoods to stay in Taipei , with my hotel recommendations for each one. For each area of Taipei, I’ve included hotel recommendations for budget, mid-range, and luxury travelers, also pointing out which ones are suitable for travelers with kids. I’ve also got specific guides to the best hostels and luxury hotels in Taipei.

Besides my “where to stay in Taipei” article below, I’ve got detailed guides to some of my personal favorite neighborhoods in Taipei: Beitou for hot springs, historic Dadaocheng , and funky, gay-friendly Ximending . Start planning your walking tours with these guides!

If you have a very early or late flight, here are my recommended hotels in and around Taoyuan Airport .

Where to Stay in Taipei in 2024 (by area & budget)

The Ultimate Beitou Hot Spring Guide (2024 info!)

A Guide to Dihua Street in Dadaocheng, Taipei’s Oldest Street

30+ Fun (& WEIRD) Things to Do in Ximending, Taipei

Day trips from taipei.

When deciding how long to stay in Taipei, you have to factor in that there some really incredible day trips from the city!

I normally recommend that, if you can, dedicate two full days to exploring Taipei, then another one or two days for day trips. If you only have one day in your Taiwan travel plan to do a day trip from Taipei, I would suggest that you plan it carefully. This way, you’ll be able to squeeze in several of my recommended 40 day trip ideas into one day.

The following five stops are some of the most popular day trips from Taipei, and since they are all fairly close together, you can combine them into one killer day trip from Taipei. There are even some shuttle buses deals like this that can make this even easier to accomplish.

• Jiufen : A former gold mining town on top of a mountain, famous for its atmospheric staircases and teahouses
• Shifen Waterfall : The widest in Taiwan, accessed from a cute train station where people set off sky lanterns
• Houtong : The “Cat Village”, literally a village full of cats
• Keelung : A harbor city with the best night market in Taiwan, forts, beach, and more
• Yehliu Geopark : Odd, wind-blown rock formations on the coast
• Tamsui : A popular riverside promenade with unique foods, beaches, and picturesque colonial forts

If you don’t want to drive or figure out public transportation, there’s an awesome English service called Parkbus Taiwan , which takes guests on day trips from the city for hiking and other activities. Use my discount code “ Spiritual10 ” at checkout to get 10% (may not be available for some events). 

There are practically unlimited day trip possibilities from Taipei. This is why myself and so many other expats love living in Taipei; you get the excitement of the city, but you can go somewhere different every weekend. Because Taiwan is so small, and thanks to its amazing transportation system and the High Speed Rail, you can go almost anywhere in Taiwan in a day or weekend trip. 

20+ Fun Things to Do in Keelung, Northern Taiwan’s Port City

40 Day Trips from Taipei You Can’t Miss

Getting from Taipei to Jiufen and Shifen (with pictures and times)

Jiufen Old Street: A 2024 Guide to this Classic Taipei Day Trip

Tamsui, Taiwan: Fishermen’s Wharf, Old Street, & other Things to Do

Wulai Hot Spring & Old Street: A 2024 Guide

Planning your trip around taiwan.

One of the hardest parts of planning a Taiwan trip is mapping out the perfect Taiwan travel itinerary .

What a lot of people do is book their trip first, and then realize they didn’t budget enough time for everything they want to see. Moreover, some of the best things to do in Taiwan are on opposite coasts, with 3000-meter mountains between them!

For example, many people only schedule around one week for their Taiwan trip. Then they decide they want to visit Taipei, Taroko Gorge on the east coast, and Sun Moon Lake and/or Alishan , which are in Central Taiwan but accessed from the west coast. On the map, these three top scenic attractions in Taiwan look fairly close together. But guess what? There are no buses that cross the Central Mountain Range of Taiwan. You can do it in a car, but the road is super winding and takes a long time.

So what I see a lot of visitors doing is going from Taipei to Taroko Gorge first (2.5 to 4 hours on the train, one way). Then they have to return to Taipei, and then travel a similar amount of time down the west coast to reach Sun Moon Lake and/or Alishan. It’s certainly possible, but it means you have to use up an entire day of your trip on the road.

How can you resolve this common Taiwan travel dilemma? I feel the answer is in planning your trip better before you book it, so that you can budget enough days to travel all the way around Taiwan and see everything that you want to without rushing. Which leads to the next important question: 

How Long Do I Need to Visit Taiwan?

With a week or less, you will probably only have time to visit Taipei, including some day trips, and perhaps do a 1 or 2-night trip to Taroko Gorge on the East Coast, or Taichung, Sun Moon Lake, and/or Alishan in Central Taiwan (and this would be really rushed).

If you want to do a full circle around Taiwan, these are the most obvious destinations along the way, going in a clockwise direction around Taiwan by riding the train: Taipei, Hualien (Taroko Gorge), Taitung, Kaohsiung, Tainan, Alishan, Sun Moon Lake, Taichung, and back to Taipei.

To do this, you are going to need two weeks or more . With exactly two weeks, you may even have to cut out one or two of the above stops, otherwise you’ll just be checking in and out of hotels every day or two.

With even more time, you can be less rushed, and potentially add more stops, such as the beaches of Kenting on the southern tip of the island (as a side trip from Kaohsiung), Lukang, spend more time in laid-back Taitung, or visit some of the offshore islands, like Green Island, Orchid Island, or Penghu. This is why I think 3 weeks is a great amount of time for visiting Taiwan, and if you can go even longer, all the better!

Taiwan Travel Itineraries

Here are my recommend itineraries for traveling around Taiwan.

The five-day itinerary is for a very short visit, while the second article provides Taiwan itineraries for 1, 2, or 3 weeks. These are tried-and-tested itineraries that I have done in some form or another several times, including with my kids (see more on that below)!

The itineraries for 2 weeks and up involve doing a full circle around Taiwan mostly by train, with a few buses as well. See the end of this article for more information on transportation options for getting around Taiwan.

A Taiwan Itinerary for 1, 2, or 3 weeks (Slow & Fast Options!)

A Simple Taipei & Taiwan 5 Day Itinerary

Visiting taiwan with kids.

My kids Sage and Lavender were born and spent the first handful of years of their life in Taiwan. They’ve seen more of the country than most visitors ever will!

Below are my super detailed guides to visiting Taipei with kids and how to plan a complete circle around Taiwan with kids . The latter article is very similar to my above Taiwan itinerary for 1-3 weeks, but with tweaks along the way to focus on sights that my kids loved the most, as well as recommendations for kid-friendly hotels in each stop along the way. On my other website, I have an even newer article, our favorite places to visit in Taiwan with our kids .

You may also be interested in the best amusement parks in Taiwan , where to see capybaras in Taiwan , and my guide to Yilan, the “kid-friendly county” .

Taiwan with Kids: How to Plan a Round-Island Trip

Taipei with Kids in 2024: Ideas from a Local Family

Best attractions around taiwan.

When trying to decide which destinations in Taiwan to include on your itinerary, it will be useful to take a deeper look at each of them to decide which ones are for you.

I’ll start with a list of some of the top scenic attractions. These five are the most common stops that people include on their Taiwan itineraries. I’ll follow that up with the best cities in Taiwan besides Taipei, best hot springs in Taiwan, best off-the-beaten track places to visit, and finally the  offshore islands of Taiwan . Again, these are described in clockwise order going around Taiwan.

Top Scenic Attractions in Taiwan

• Taroko Gorge : dramatic canyon in beautiful Hualien County  (currently closed indefinitely due to April 2024 earthquake)
• Taitung : Laid-back, rural corner of Taiwan, including the famous Brown Boulevard Cycling Path
• Kenting : Beaches on the southern tip of Taiwan
• Alishan : Mountain resort in Nantou famous for huge trees, high mountain tea, and sunrises above seas of clouds. Don’t miss the bamboo forests in Fenqihu and tea plantations in Shizhuo and Eryanping !
• Cingjing (Qingjing) Farm : A high mountain farm and resort village that looks like a slice of Europe in Taiwan
• Hehuanshan : The best place to see snow in Taiwan (usually possible in January to March)
• Yushan : Tallest mountain in Taiwan and Northeast Asia, requires permits and planning to climb
• Sun Moon Lake : Beautiful lake surrounded by mountains

Here are my extremely detailed guides to the ones that almost all visitors try to include on their Taiwan travel itinerary:

A 2024 Guide to Taroko Gorge and Taroko National Park

Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan: A 2024 Visitors’ Guide

A Guide to Chishang, Taitung and Cycling Brown Boulevard

Alishan, Taiwan: A Super Detailed 2024 Guide

40 Unmissable Things to Do in Hualien, Taiwan

30 Incredible Things to Do in Taitung, Southeastern Taiwan

Best cities in taiwan.

Besides Taipei, which is a given, city lovers are going to find there are a few other cities they may want to include on their Taiwan travel itinerary. You can see my above-linked Taiwan travel itineraries to see how to fit these cities into your schedule.

Since there is one only train line around Taiwan, you’ll have to pass through all of them anyway if doing a full circuit around Taiwan. Since most cities in Taiwan are located on the developed west coast, the below are in counter-clockwise order. The varying time to reach them depends on whether you take the regular train/bus or the much faster High Speed Rail.

• New Taipei City : Taiwan’s largest city literally surrounds Taipei and is home to many of the most popular day trips from Taipei .
• Taoyuan : Best known for the international airport, consider stopping here to visit the impressive Xpark Aquarium on the way to/from the airport.
• Taichung : 1 – 2 hours south of Taipei on the west coast and the largest city in central Taiwan. Known for its artistic attractions like Rainbow Village , Gaomei Wetland , and as the birthplace of pearl milk tea.
• Lukang : 2-3 hours south of Taipei. Historic city famous for its traditional culture, food, and Old Street, and home to one of the most important temples in the country.
• Tainan : 1.75 – 5 hours south of Taipei on the west coast of southern Taiwan. Former capital of Taiwan famous for its temples , night markets , and considered by locals as the food capital of Taiwan.
• Kaohsiung : 2 – 6 hours south of Taipei in the southwest of Taiwan and end of the High Speed Rail line. Port city known for its revitalized harbor front, night markets , street art and Pier 2 Art Center , and the largest Buddhist monastery in Taiwan, Foguangshan . Here are my recommended hotels in Kaohsiung .
• Hualien : 2.5 – 4 hours from Taipei, only major city on the wild, scenic east coast of Taiwan. Mostly people stay in the city to visit nearby Taroko Gorge, but the city has a good night market and opportunities to experience Taiwanese aboriginal culture, such as this aboriginal cooking course .
• Taitung : 3.5 – 6 hours from Taipei, small city known for its aboriginal culture and end-point of most road trips down the east coast of Taiwan

Lukang Old Street (& other Things to Do in Lukang, Taiwan)

Gaomei Wetlands in Taichung: A Detailed Visitor’s Guide

A Detailed Hualien Itinerary for 1-4 Days

Fo Guang Shan, Kaohsiung: How to Visit and Stay at Taiwan’s Biggest Monastery

70 Things to Do in Tainan, Taiwan’s Ancient Capital

Our Visit to Rainbow Village Taichung (before it was destroyed)

50+ Things to Do in Kaohsiung, Southern Taiwan

A Guide to Pier 2 Art Center in Kaohsiung City’s Harbor

25 Unique Things to Do in Taichung, Taiwan

20+ Awe-Inspiring Temples in Tainan, Taiwan

Best hot springs in taiwan.

I happen to be a hot spring lover. Because Taiwan sits on the meeting point of two major tectonic plates, the island is geologically active, with dormant volcanoes and over 100 major hot springs! The most famous is surely Beitou Hot Spring in Taipei , while Wulai , Jiaoxi , and Jinshan can be visited as day trips from Taipei.

Here is my detailed guide to the 20 best hot springs in Taiwan , including information on hot spring etiquette.

The 20 Best Hot Springs in Taiwan for a Blissful Winter Soak

Jiaoxi Hot Spring: A Guide to My Favorite Spa Village in Taiwan

Lovely Tai’an Hot Spring in Miaoli, Taiwan

Wenshan Hot Spring: Taroko Gorge’s Spectacular Secret

Off-the-beaten-track places to visit in taiwan.

Just to make things more difficult for you, besides the many must-see places to visit in Taiwan I mentioned above, which already require at least two weeks to visit, there are loads of off-the-beaten-path destinations that are just as worthwhile.

Serious off-the-beaten track travelers should head to my other site, where I’ve got guides to relatively unexplored cities and counties like Taoyuan , Hsinchu , Yilan , Miaoli , Changhua , Yunlin , and Pingtung . I’ve also got this guide to  off-the-beaten-track things to do in Taipei .

The below are articles cover some of the more remote or less visited (by foreign tourists) places in Taiwan. These are just the tip of the iceberg, but they are some of my personal favorites.

Depending on what kind of traveler you are, these may appeal to you more than the “must see” attractions I covered above!

The Stunning East Coast of Taiwan Part 1: Yilan to Hualien and Taroko Gorge

Is Sicao Green Tunnel in Tainan Worth the Trip?

Strawberry Picking at a Strawberry Farm in Dahu, Taiwan

The Stunning Qigu Salt Mountain and Jingzijiao Wapan Salt Fields in Tainan

50+ Fun Things to Do in Yilan, Taiwan (2024 Updated!)

Quirky Xitou Monster Village in Nantou, Taiwan

A Guide to Luye & the Taitung Hot Air Balloon Festival 2024

A Guide to Dulan, Taitung: Taiwan’s Coolest Beach Hangout

The Stunning East Coast of Taiwan Part 2: Hualien to Taitung and Kenting

Anping Tree House: How to Visit this Must-See Tainan Attraction

The offshore islands of taiwan.

Yet another list of places you’ll want to visit during your Taiwan travels is the offshore islands. However, a visit to any of the offshore islands is like a trip within a Taiwan trip; visiting most of them involves a little more planning and time. 

There are about half a dozen main ones to choose from. Also, the offshore islands are best visited in spring, summer (high season due to domestic tourists, but can be very hot), and early fall. In winter, they become very windy (especially Penghu) and/or many traveler’s services totally shut down (especially Orchid Island ).

The first four below are most commonly reached by ferry, with Xiao Liuqiu being the closest to the Taiwan mainland. Orchid Island also has the option of flights in very small airplanes from Taitung, while Penghu has regular flights from Taipei and other cities in Taiwan. Kinmen and Matsu are much closer to China than Taiwan (they are so close to it that you can see China from their shores), so they require flights.

Here are the small islands of Taiwan that you may want to visit someday.

• Green Island : Off Taitung’s coast, best for scenery and snorkeling or scuba diving, and a saltwater hot spring.
• Orchid Island : Harder to reach/plan, and home to Taiwan’s most remote aboriginal tribe.
• Xiao Liuqiu : Snorkeling with sea turtles, and easily done as a day trip from Kaohsiung. 
• Cijin : A long, skinny island protecting Kaohsiung’s huge harbor.
• Penghu : Best for beaches, sailing, island hopping and a fireworks festival.
• Kinmen : Much closer to China than Taiwan, known for military history and Kaohliang, a strong liquor.
• Matsu : Also very close to China, known for its tunnels and forts.

Orchid Island, Taiwan: A Detailed 2024 Guide

How to Visit Cijin Island in Kaohsiung City’s Port

A 2024 Guide to Xiaoliuqiu Island, a Turtle Spotting Hot Spot

A 2024 Guide to Penghu Islands, Taiwan’s Offshore Paradise

Transportation: how to get around taiwan.

Taiwan has an amazing transportation system, and getting around the country is a breeze thanks to its extremely reliable metros, buses, and railway systems.

It is still important to understand some things about getting around Taiwan, though, in order to avoid disruptions on your trip (like finding out all the trains to your next stop are sold out!)

If you follow my Taiwan itineraries, you’ll mostly be taking trains around Taiwan, with some exceptions. Getting to Alishan is more complicated, as it can involve a train, bus, or combination of the two. Sun Moon Lake and Kenting are also only accessed by bus. Luckily, you don’t need to book any of these bus rides in advance.

See here if you’d like to find a private driver in Taiwan .

For cyclists, riding a bike around the country is considered a rite of passage among locals. See my guide to cycling in Taiwan for all the info.

Getting Around Taipei

Upon arriving at Taoyuan International Airport, you can takes a bus (TWD135, 1 hour), the new Airport MRT (TWD 165, 35-50 min), or a taxi (TWD1000-1500, 45 min to 1 hr) to Taipei.

I recommended  pre-booking a private transfer to your hotel , which is usually a little cheaper than taking a taxi. Also see my more detailed guide to getting from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei . If your flight is very early or late, stay in one of these airport hotels .

The MRT is the lifeline and pride of Taipei. It is considered one of the best metro systems in the world. You’ll love it, and use it to get almost everywhere you go in Taipei.

In order to ride the MRT, it’s best to get an EasyCard from any station (or order it before your trip ) and load some money onto it. This makes it easy to swipe in & out. You have to pay a TWD non-refundable deposit plus however much you want to load onto the card.

The EasyCard also works for buses and taxis in Taipei, ferries in Tamsui, and local buses in cities across the country. It can also be used on the Taichung and Kaohsiung MRT, and regular/local train tickets between cities that don’t require seat reservations. Note that for most long distance buses or trains, you won’t be able to use it.

Taxis are also cheap and plentiful in Taipei. Taipei has Uber, too, but it often isn’t any cheaper than taxis. Taxi drivers speak varying levels of English, and some not at all, so it’s a good idea to have your destination written in Mandarin when taking local taxis. Taxi drivers in Taiwan are honest and won’t try to scam you or rip you off.

Taking the Regular Train (TRA) around Taiwan

The regular (TRA) train does a full circle around Taiwan. Tickets can be booked online  up to exactly 28 days in advance (or 29 days for Saturday trips and 30 days for Sunday trips). See details and screenshots for how to book train tickets online or on the app .

Trains sell out in Taiwan very often, especially on weekends and holidays. Sometimes they even sell out minutes after they go on sale, such as for long weekends, or for very popular rides (like the express train from Taipei to Hualien/Taroko Gorge).

For this reason, it’s very important to book your tickets in advance. Note that 28 days in advance means the tickets go on sale at precisely 12:00 a.m. (midnight). For example, if you want to travel on September 28, you should try to book your ticket at 12:00 a.m. on September 1, which is actually the night of August 31, Taiwan time of course.

If your train sells out, don’t freak out. You can always buy standing tickets on most trains. A lot of people do this, and just stand in the aisle or sit on the floor between train cars (see which ones below). It’s not comfortable for a long ride, but at least you’ll get there. Another option is to try a different time, or take a bus (but beware that there are very few buses running down the east coast).

Note that you are allowed to eat and drink on trains in Taiwan, and they all have toilets on board. You can even discreetly drink a beer on Taiwan trains, although most train station 7-Elevens no longer sell them. But be warned that Taiwanese people tend to be very quiet (and often sleep) on buses and trains, and they don’t appreciate noisy passengers. To be respectful, keep talking to a whisper, or just don’t talk at all. I can’t say how many times we have been “shhed” just for having a conversation at a reasonable volume on buses or trains in Taiwan.

There are different types of TRA trains in Taiwan, and it’s useful to know the names of them when searching for train times. Here they are:

• Local Train (區間車): Slowest, stops at every small stop, cheapest, least comfortable, and you can sit or stand anywhere. Buy ticket at station or swipe with EasyCard.
• Chu Kuang Express (莒光號): Regular trains that circle around Taiwan. Reserved seats, but you can always buy standing tickets from the train station ticket window.
• Tze-Chiang (Express / 自強號 ): Same as the above, but faster and fewer stops. Standing tickets also possible.
• Taroko / Puyuma Express (太魯閣號): Super express train from Taipei to Taroko Gorge/Hualien. Reserved seats only, and always sells out very quickly.
• Tze Chiang Lmt. Express 3000 ( 自強EMU3000 ): A new express train that is also reserved seats only.

The High Speed Rail (HSR)

Taiwan has a Japanese-made high speed rail (HSR) sytem. The single line has 12 stops along the highly developed west coast of Taiwan, from Taipei city in the north to Kaohsiung city (called Zuoying Station) in the south. 

The first station in Taipei is Nangang, while Taipei Main Station is the most useful, and connects to the Taipei City MRT, regular (TRA) trains, and Airport MRT. Banqiao is located in New Taipei City (the large city that surrounds Taipei City), and Taoyuan is close to the Taoyuan International Airport. To get to Taoyuan HSR station from the airport, you have to ride the Airport MRT a few stops in the opposite direction from Taipei.

Generally speaking, HSR tickets costs about twice as much as the regular train, but get you there twice as fast.

It’s important to note, however, that in most cities, the HSR station is located outside of the city center, just like airports tend to be, so you have to factor in time (and money) to get to the city center once you arrive. This is the case for every stop except for Taipei.

In some cases, though, the location of the HSR station can be more useful. For example, in Taichung, the HSR station is closer to Rainbow Village, and has direct buses to Sun Moon Lake. Similarly, in Chiayi, you can catch a bus directly from the HSR station to Alishan, and thus avoid going into Chiayi City. In Kaohsiung, the HSR station is right beside Lotus Lake, one of the city’s top attractions. To get to the Kaohsiung City center, you just have to hop onto the KMRT.

You can buy HSR tickets online up to 28 days in advance, and buying them early usually gets you an early bird price. 

You can also buy discounted HSR tickets on Klook  – buying them here allows you to get the early bird discount even when you’ve missed it on the official site. Note that if you buy your tickets on Klook, you have to follow the instructions provided to actually book your seat after you receive the voucher. You can do this online or in person at the station. You’ll need to show your passport. Note that this Klook deal is for short term tourists only; residents/ARC-holders aren’t supposed to buy them.

Unlike TRA trains, the HSR has three cars (#10-12) of unreserved seats. This means you can show up at an HSR station anytime and buy an unreserved ticket at full price from one of the machines. These never sell out.

You aren’t guaranteed a seat, but you can often get one. The only time when demand is crazy high is Lunar New Year and on long weekends, and even then, we’ve always managed to get on without waiting too long.

Special Trains in Taiwan

Besides MRTs (city metros), TRA trains, and the HSR, there are a few special small-gauge train lines in Taiwan. Mostly these are restored old trains that run along former logging lines, built by the Japanese when they were logging during their colonial rule of Taiwan. They tend to be fun and highly scenic rides for tourists.

Here are some of these special small train lines that you may encounter or seek out on your trip:

• Pingxi Line : this small train line provides access to some of the most popular day trips from Taipei, including Houtong, Shifen, and Pingxi. Most people board it at Ruifang, which has direct connections to Taipei by bus or TRA train.
• Alishan Forest Railway : This is the most interesting way to get from the city of Chiayi to the mountain resort of Alishan. However, the final section was destroyed in a typhoon, so you have to take a bus for the final leg. There are also parts of the train line running to scenic spots within Alishan National Scenic Area. You can find all the relevant information in my guide to getting to Alishan .
• Neiwan, Jiji, and Bong Bong Lines : These are three more scenic small train lines that far few foreign tourists ever make it to. They are in Hsinchu, Changhua, and Yilan (on top of Taipingshan Mountain), respectively. 

Buses in Taiwan

There are some cases where you will need to take buses in Taiwan. Here are a few common routes that many visitors take: 

• In Taipei City, you’ll need to take buses for getting to Yangmingshan National Park or to National Palace Museum
• You’ll also need to ride buses to popular day trip places in New Taipei City, like for getting to Jiufen or Yehliu Geopark. You can swipe EasyCard for all of the above.
• Buses are the only direct way for getting from Taichung to Sun Moon Lake , Sun Moon Lake to Alishan , and Chiayi to Alishan . Click these links to find out how to book them.
• You’ll also need to ride the Kenting Express bus from Kaohsiung to Kenting National Park .
• Buses also run between all major cities on the west coast of Taiwan. They are cheaper but usually a little slower than the train. There are no buses from Taipei to Hualien on the east coast.

Final Thoughts on Planning a Taiwan Trip

Well, I hope you’ve found more than enough information in my Taiwan travel blog for planning your trip. Taiwan remains largely closed to international visitors for the time being, but hopefully big changes are on the horizon.

Please feel free to check back again, as I’m constantly updating my Taiwan travel content to reflect the current situation. And if you’ve got any questions, please join my Taiwan Travel Planning group and I’ll answer them there!