SOUTH KOREA · CITY BREAK

Cheap city break Seoul

Seoul is K-pop, K-food, K-drama: old palaces next to neon neighbourhoods, a 24-hour culture, the best BBQ restaurants in the world. Flights from Schiphol from €600 return, 7 days from €1200 per person.

Quick answer

Seoul blends 5,000 years of Korean culture with K-pop, 24-hour street food and some of the world's best BBQ restaurants. The best time to visit is April-June (cherry blossom season, 15-22 degrees) or September-November for autumn colours. From Amsterdam you fly direct to Seoul in around 10-11 hours, with return fares from about 600 euros. A week in Seoul typically costs around 1,200 euros per person including flights.

Updated on 2 August 2026

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When is the best time to go?

April-June for cherry blossom and mild weather. September-November for autumn colours. Avoid July (rain + heat).

The best neighborhoods in Seoul

Myeongdong Shopping district.
Gangnam Modern luxury.
Hongdae Students + indie music.
Insadong Traditional.
Itaewon International.

Top 5 things to do in Seoul

Gyeongbokgung palace €2, hanbok rental €10/day.
Bukchon Hanok Village Traditional wooden houses, free.
Namsan tower €10, covered in love locks.
Hongdae street performance Free, liveliest on Saturday evening.
Korean BBQ From €15 p.p. unlimited.

Flights + transport from the Netherlands

Directly from Schiphol to Seoul (ICN) in 11 hours. KLM, Korean Air. AREX Express to Seoul Station €7.

What costs a trip to Seoul?

Hostels from €20, hotels €60-130, vacation rentals €80/night. Food: bibimbap €6, BBQ €15, bar €8.

Hostel

from €10

Hotel mid-range

€50-180/night

Flight return

from €600 return

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Practical: flights, prices and an insider tip

KLM flies daily direct from Schiphol to Seoul Incheon in about 12 hours; a return starts around 720 euro. Three highlights: Gyeongbokgung Palace (3,000 won, around 2 euro, free if you wear a hanbok), the N Seoul Tower (observatory 29,000 won at the counter, around 19 euro, online from around 12 euro) and the hanok neighbourhood Bukchon (free to wander). Insider tip: rent a traditional hanbok near the palace gate, then you get in free and take the best photos at once. A hotel in Myeongdong costs around 120 euro per night, simple hotels from around 40 euro.