One Week in Seoul: The Practical Guide
All my tips for organizing a week in Seoul - transport, budget, apps, accommodation, and tried-and-tested recommendations.
Introduction
Seoul is a huge city but very accessible thanks to its ultra-efficient metro network. After two trips to South Korea (2024 and 2026), here is everything I wish I had known before spending a week in the Korean capital.
The Climate Card: The Transport Essential
The Climate Card (기후동행카드) is an unlimited transport pass for Seoul’s metro and buses. For one week, it costs about 20,000₩ (~11€). It pays for itself by the 2nd day if you move around a lot.
Why the Climate Card and Not the T-Money?
The T-Money is a rechargeable per-trip card (1,350₩ minimum per metro trip). If you take the metro 4 to 6 times a day for a week, you spend between 38,000₩ and 57,000₩. With the Climate Card at 20,000₩ per week, the math is clear.
⚖️ Climate Card vs T-Money
✓ Avantages
- ✓ Unlimited metro + bus for 7 days for ~11€
- ✓ No need to top up or monitor your balance
- ✓ Pays for itself by the 2nd day of intensive exploration
- ✓ Rechargeable via the app or at metro kiosks
✗ Inconvénients
- ✗ Doesn't work on intercity buses or the KTX
- ✗ Doesn't cover the AREX (Airport Express) - airport transfer is separate
- ✗ Only available for Seoul (not Incheon or Gyeonggi-do)
- ✗ The recharging app can be finicky in English
How to Get the Climate Card?
- Download the app “Climate Card” (기후동행카드) on your phone
- Buy the card at a metro station kiosk or at a convenience store
- Top up for 20,000₩ (7-day pass) via the app or at kiosks
- Tap at every metro/bus entry and exit
The Climate Card can only be topped up in won - bring cash or a bank card accepted at kiosks. European cards generally work at metro kiosks.
Naver Map: Forget Google Maps
Google Maps does not work properly in South Korea. Walking directions are often wrong, public transport is poorly referenced, and many places don’t show up. Download Naver Map before you leave - it’s the local GPS and infinitely more reliable.
Why Google Maps is unusable:
- South Korea prohibits the export of detailed mapping data for national security reasons (proximity to North Korea)
- Google therefore doesn’t have access to precise data - routes are approximate or outright wrong
- Naver Map (the Korean Google) has all the data: metro, bus, walking, cycling, and even restaurant floor numbers
Essential Apps
| App | Use | Essential? |
|---|---|---|
| Naver Map | Navigation, transport, place search | Yes, absolutely |
| Papago | Korean to English translation | Yes |
| KakaoTalk | Messaging (everyone uses it) | Recommended |
| Climate Card | Transport pass management | If you get the Climate Card |
| Coupang Eats | Food delivery | Handy but not essential |
Where to Stay in Seoul
The choice of neighborhood completely changes the experience. Here is my feedback after staying in Dongjak-gu (off-center) in 2026.
Budget for One Week
💰 Realistic Budget for 7 Days in Seoul (March 2026)
| Catégorie | Estimation |
|---|---|
| Round-trip flight Paris-Seoul Booked 2-3 months in advance | 450 - 700 € |
| Accommodation (7 nights) Airbnb or guesthouse | 175 - 315 € |
| Transport on site Climate Card + AREX round trip | 23 € |
| Meals (7 days) Street food, local restaurants, cafes | 105 - 245 € |
| Activities Palaces, Lotte Tower, various admissions | 30 - 80 € |
| Shopping Souvenirs, cosmetics, clothes | 30 - 150 € |
| Specialty coffee Because it's a separate budget in Seoul | 20 - 50 € |
| Total estimé | 833 - 1 563 € |
1€ ≈ 1,730₩. South Korea has become a bit more affordable for Europeans in recent years. Bank cards are accepted almost everywhere, but keep some cash for markets and small shops.
Transport in Seoul
🚀 Getting Around Seoul
Metro
Avantages
- ✓ Covers the entire city
- ✓ Very punctual
- ✓ Signage in English
- ✓ Air-conditioned
Inconvénients
- ✗ Crowded during rush hours (8am-9am, 6pm-7pm)
Bus
Avantages
- ✓ Covers areas not served by metro
- ✓ City views
Inconvénients
- ✗ Slower than metro
- ✗ Routes harder to understand
AREX (Airport Express)
Avantages
- ✓ Fast and direct
- ✓ No traffic
Inconvénients
- ✗ Not included in the Climate Card
Taxi
Avantages
- ✓ Cheap compared to France
- ✓ Easy via Kakao Taxi
Inconvénients
- ✗ Heavy daytime traffic
- ✗ Language barrier with some drivers
Street Food: Where and What to Eat
Must-Visit Markets
- Gwangjang Market - The king of street food: bindaetteok, mayak-gimbap, tteokbokki
- Myeong-dong - More touristy but amazing evening atmosphere: corndogs, hotteok, skewers
- Namdaemun - Seoul’s oldest market, more local and less touristy
Dishes You Must Try
- Tteokbokki (떡볶이) - Spicy rice cakes (~3,000₩)
- Bindaetteok (빈대떡) - Mung bean pancake (~5,000₩)
- Mayak-gimbap (마약김밥) - Addictive mini rice rolls (~3,000₩)
- Hotteok (호떡) - Pancake filled with sugar and nuts (~2,000₩)
- Chimaek (치맥) - Fried chicken + beer, the national combo (~15,000₩ for 2)
Mistakes to Avoid
Sample 7-Day Schedule
Here is a suggested organization by geographic zone to optimize your travel:
| Day | Zone | Neighborhoods |
|---|---|---|
| D1 | Arrival | Airport to accommodation to Myeong-dong |
| D2 | South-East | COEX to Bongeunsa to Lotte Tower |
| D3 | Historic center | Gwanghwamun to Gyeongbokgung to Bukchon to Ikseon-dong to Insadong |
| D4 | West | Itaewon to Hongdae to Ewha |
| D5 | Marathon | Cheongdam to Gwangjang to Cheonggyecheon to Namsan to Han River |
| D6 | East + South | Seongsu to Seoul Forest to Apgujeong to Garosu-gil |
| D7 | Free | Coffee, shopping, revisiting favorites |
Group visits by geographic zone to avoid back-and-forth metro trips. Seoul is huge - without organization, you can easily spend 2 hours a day in transport.
Conclusion
Seoul is an incredible city for a one-week city trip. With the Climate Card for transport, Naver Map for navigation, and a well-located accommodation, you have all the keys to make the most of it. The rest is street food, coffee, and discoveries around every corner.