Plotting the Perfect K-Getaway
- wanderingazuki
- Jul 2
- 8 min read
Table of Content
🌺 Introduction 🫘
"By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail." – Benjamin Franklin
The adventure doesn’t start at the airport—it begins long before, with late-night itinerary planning, deep dives into YouTube vlogs, and an ever-growing list of saved locations. Prepping for Korea wasn’t just about packing the right clothes; it was about making sure I had the right tools, tips, and bookings to make the trip smooth and stress-free.
Since this was a two-week trip covering Seoul, Jeju, Busan, and back to Seoul before flying home to London, I had to carefully piece everything together. From flights and trains to hotel stays and local transport, every detail needed planning. Here’s how I prepped for my Korean adventure:
📝 Mapping Out the Adventure: From Seoul to Jeju to Busan 🤯
Every great trip starts with an itinerary—one that’s flexible enough for spontaneity but structured enough to avoid unnecessary stress.
For my first trip to South Korea, starting with the capital city was a no-brainer. Seoul was a must. I also knew I wanted to visit Busan—not only because it’s the second-largest city in the country, but also because my K-pop bias is from there. Call it what you will, but I felt drawn to see his hometown. Fantasy forever.
Jeju made the list thanks to glowing recommendations from friends who called it “the Hawaii of Korea.” With just two weeks to explore, I decided that three cities—Seoul, Jeju, and Busan—would be enough to get a taste of the country without feeling overwhelmed.
The next challenge? Figuring out how long to spend in each place, how to travel between them, and how to make sure everything flowed smoothly. It wasn’t just about booking flights and hotels—it was about ensuring the transitions were seamless. Would I have enough time to get from the airport to the hotel? How early would I need to leave for the next leg? Should I spend more time in one city than another?
When I landed in Seoul, I didn’t want to rush off immediately. I also didn’t want to finish the trip with a domestic flight. So I decided to save the second half of my trip for Seoul—a chance to settle back in before flying home. Since the connections between Seoul and Busan are excellent (hello, KTX trains), I ruled out another domestic flight and had to choose: Jeju first or Busan first?
Then I heard about Busan’s Saturday night drone show—and as I had just one Saturday during my trip, that became my anchor. That settled it: Seoul → Jeju → Busan → Seoul.
Note📝: Google Maps doesn’t work properly in Korea. Instead, I relied on Naver Map, which quickly became my go-to for:
✔️ Pinning must-visit attractions, food spots, and shopping areas
✔️ Exploring what’s nearby to group activities and minimise travel time
✔️ Reviewing friends’ shared itineraries to refine my own and discover hidden gems
To make the most of each location, I also browsed Trip.com, Trazy, and Klook for tours and activities. These platforms helped me:
✨ Book experiences in advance (no last-minute panic)
✨ Snag bundle deals and compare prices
✨ Reserve popular attractions and day trips that might sell out
By planning ahead and using these tools, I made sure my itinerary was logical, efficient, and filled with fun—without wasting time figuring things out on the go.
✈️ From Runway to Seoul: Choosing the Perfect Flight to Korea 🧑✈️
When it came to choosing a flight, I knew I wanted to start my Korean experience the moment I boarded the plane. For me, that meant flying with a Korean airline—there’s something about immersing yourself in the culture from the get-go, and what better way than with a taste of Korean hospitality mid-air?
I had two main options: Korean Air and Asiana Airlines. Both are well-known, highly rated Korean carriers, but I didn’t want to make the decision based on reputation alone. To get a real feel for the experience, I spent some time watching YouTube videos and reading reviews from past passengers. I wanted to know which airline provides the best service, comfort, and in-flight experience, especially in business class.
As part of my criteria, I was looking for:
✔️ A direct route – No layovers, no extra hassle, just a smooth ride straight to Seoul.
✔️ A Korean airline – I was determined to keep the experience authentically Korean, starting from the moment I boarded.
✔️ Value for money – I wanted to make sure the business class would be worth the upgrade. Would it offer the comfort and service I expected for the price?
I compared prices on Trip.com and the airlines’ direct websites, looking for the best deals and extra perks. After careful consideration, I opted for Asiana Airlines. The price was competitive, and the reviews on business class service were excellent, especially when it came to the seating comfort, food, and the overall experience. It felt like the perfect balance of value and comfort for my long flight, and I was excited to get a taste of Korean luxury even before stepping foot in the country.
🏨 The Great Hotel Hunt: Finding the Perfect Stay 🔍
With multiple cities to cover, booking accommodation took extra time and care. I wanted to be comfortable in every destination—aiming for a touch of luxury without going overboard. Since I was travelling with my mum again, I had a better sense of what she preferred, and thankfully, she’s a fan of nice hotels too! I decided to stick with 4-star properties and above, ensuring a good mix of comfort, quality, and convenience.
I focused on hotels that were:
✔️ Well-located – within walking distance of main attractions and public transport
✔️ Highly rated for safety and cleanliness
✔️ Comfortable enough for longer stays
I combed through TripAdvisor and Booking.com, diving into reviews to avoid any surprises. It was important to me that each hotel felt like a peaceful retreat after a full day of exploring.
🏨 Seoul – Myeongdong
For my first stop, I chose to stay in Myeongdong—a vibrant hub that’s popular with first-time visitors. It offered easy access to the market, public transport, and was close to landmarks like Gyeongbokgung Palace. I loved being able to walk to most places without relying heavily on transit. I stayed at Lotte Hotel Seoul, which delivered on every front: exceptional service, a plush room, and a prime location. A perfect welcome to the city.
🌊 Jeju – Jeju City
In Jeju, I stayed in Jeju City, which is near the airport and where most day tours begin. Since public transport on the island isn’t the most convenient, this area made it easier to join guided tours and get around. I booked Grand Hyatt Jeju, which offered stunning views, excellent amenities, and the luxury touches I was after. It was the perfect base for exploring the island’s natural beauty.
🌴 Busan – Haeundae Beach
For the more relaxing part of the trip, I stayed near Haeundae Beach in Busan. I wanted to be by the water and close to Busan X the Sky for a bit of sightseeing. This area had the best of both worlds—chilled beach vibes and plenty to see and do. I stayed at Signiel Busan, known for its modern luxury and sweeping coastal views. It absolutely lived up to the hype and felt like a true escape.
🏙️ Back to Seoul
For my final nights in Korea, I planned to try a new hotel in Myeongdong. But due to availability, I ended up returning to Lotte Hotel Seoul—and honestly, I was glad I did. It delivered the same reliable comfort and convenience I had appreciated at the start of my trip, making for a seamless ending.
Quick Reflection🌸:
Looking back, I’m thrilled with all my choices. Lotte Hotel Seoul, Grand Hyatt Jeju, and Signiel Busan each lived up to my expectations for a luxurious yet practical stay. I’ve come to realise that luxury hotels really do suit my travel style—they offer the peace of mind, comfort, and quality that help me truly enjoy the journey. I don’t think I can go back to anything else now.
🛬 Booking Ahead to Stay Ahead 🚆
Since my trip involved multiple flights and a train journey, I knew that booking ahead would save me a lot of stress—and potentially money. Here's how I approached it:
✈️ Seoul → Jeju – I secured this flight early to avoid last-minute price hikes. The flight price was reasonable, and the timings worked perfectly for my schedule. As far as baggage allowance, I made sure I chose a flight that allowed for enough luggage, knowing I would likely be buying souvenirs in both Jeju and Busan. I also decided to leave one bag behind in Seoul for storage (luckily, my hotel kept it for me for free, which was a huge relief!). I booked this flight via Trip.com, and it was nice to have everything organized well in advance.
✈️ Jeju → Busan – I booked this internal flight the same way, keeping an eye on pricing and availability. Again, I made sure the flight had a baggage allowance that worked for me, anticipating the possibility of buying more stuff in both cities. Pre-booking these flights helped me avoid any last-minute stress and ensured I had enough luggage space.
🚅 Busan → Seoul – For this KTX train journey, I focused on finding the most efficient option. After looking at train durations, I opted for the newer, faster Blue Dragon KTX train. I was willing to pay a few extra pounds for the first-class seat, which turned out to be a good decision, especially with the luggage we were carrying. I wanted a more comfortable ride, and I felt it was worth the investment for peace of mind on this part of the journey. After the KTX ride, I took a bus to the hotel—luckily, the hotel was right outside the station, and the bus ride wasn’t too long. It was a smooth transfer, which was a relief after a busy travel day.
🚖 Airport transfers & key taxi rides – Knowing I’d be exhausted after long travel days, I pre-booked some taxis, especially for the transfers between airports and hotels. Having everything arranged ahead of time made it so much easier to get around without worrying about finding transport at the last minute.
Booking everything early meant I got lower prices, secured better seats, and avoided the stress of last-minute planning. The part of the trip I was most stressed about was the logistics, especially with the luggage, but all the pre-booking paid off and made the entire journey much smoother.
🌕 Final Thoughts: The Work Before the Wander 🫶
By the time my trip rolled around, I felt prepared, excited, and ready to explore. While planning can sometimes feel overwhelming, all the effort paid off—I could enjoy Korea without constantly worrying about logistics.
There’s always room for spontaneity, but having a solid plan ensured I made the most of my time in each city. Now, all that was left was to step onto the plane and let the adventure begin.
🧳Your Turn to Wander In 🧋
What’s the first thing you do when planning a trip—book flights, research cities, or start a mood board?
Do you prefer to stay in one place or hop between cities when visiting a new country?
How do you decide where to stay—location, price, reviews, or something else?
Have you been to Korea? If so, which city stole your heart?
Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear your stories and experiences!
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