Korea Autumn Foliage 2026: Peak Dates by Mountain, Seoul Ginkgo Timing, and What a Day Trip to Seoraksan, Nami Island or Naejangsan Really Costs
2026 peaks: Seoraksan ~Oct 20, ginkgo ~Oct 30, Naejangsan ~Nov 4. Budget day trips from Seoul ₩23,100–₩50,500; Nami is ₩19,000 incl. ferry.
Disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links (marked "Partner links"). If you book through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It does not change which options we list, and every price on the page comes from the sources cited, not from partners.
- Seoraksan peak~Oct 20 (KFS)
- Nami Island₩19,000 incl. ferry
- Budget day trip₩23k–51k
Contents
- What a foliage day trip costs in 2026
- When the leaves peak: the 2026 forecasts
- Seoul city: palaces, Namsan, Seoul Forest
- Nami Island: the ₩19,000 ticket
- Seoraksan: free entry, ₩16,000 cable car
- Naejangsan: free entry, heavy weekend traffic
- Festivals, tours and other trips
- Where to eat and stay: Sokcho, Seoraksan and Nami Island (rated on Kakao Map and Google)
- Crowds, safety and a cost-cutting checklist
Korea's autumn leaves — 단풍 (danpung) — start in the northeast mountains in early October and roll south at roughly 20–25 km a day. The official 2026 forecast puts the peak at Seoraksan around October 20, ginkgo trees around October 30 (national average) and Naejangsan around November 4. The good news for your wallet: the big parks are free to enter, and a budget day trip from Seoul costs about ₩23,100 in the city and ₩39,500–₩50,500 to Nami Island, Seoraksan or Naejangsan.
What a foliage day trip costs in 2026
- Transport (round trip)
- Tickets & entry
- Lodging (per person)
- Food & drink
Show as table
| Festival | Transport (round trip) | Tickets & entry | Lodging (per person) | Food & drink | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Naejangsan | ₩34,600 | ₩0 | ₩0 | ₩15,900 | ₩50,500 |
| Seoraksan | ₩34,400 | ₩0 | ₩0 | ₩15,900 | ₩50,300 |
| Nami Island | ₩4,600 | ₩19,000 | ₩0 | ₩15,900 | ₩39,500 |
| Seoul city foliage | ₩6,200 | ₩1,000 | ₩0 | ₩15,900 | ₩23,100 |
| Budget, per person | Seoul city | Nami Island | Seoraksan | Naejangsan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transport (round trip) | ₩6,200 | ₩4,600 | ₩34,400 | ₩34,600 |
| Tickets & entry | ₩1,000 | ₩19,000 | ₩0 | ₩0 |
| Lodging | ₩0 | ₩0 | ₩0 | ₩0 |
| Food & drink | ₩15,900 | ₩15,900 | ₩15,900 | ₩15,900 |
| Total | ₩23,100 | ₩39,500 | ₩50,300 | ₩50,500 |
Assumptions: one adult, from Seoul, a weekday, same-day return (so lodging is ₩0), transit card fares. Budget transport is subway in Seoul, the Gyeongchun Line to Nami, and the regular express bus plus local bus to Seoraksan and Naejangsan. Food is an estimate: 김밥 (gimbap) and a bowl of 칼국수 (kalguksu) at Seoul average prices from the Korea Consumer Agency's price survey, plus ₩2,000 for drinks — tourist-area restaurants can charge more.
- Transport (round trip)
- Tickets & entry
- Lodging (per person)
- Food & drink
Show as table
| Festival | Transport (round trip) | Tickets & entry | Lodging (per person) | Food & drink | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Naejangsan | ₩82,000 | ₩11,000 | ₩0 | ₩35,800 | ₩128,800 |
| Seoraksan | ₩43,800 | ₩16,000 | ₩0 | ₩35,800 | ₩95,600 |
| Nami Island | ₩31,000 | ₩19,000 | ₩0 | ₩35,800 | ₩85,800 |
| Seoul city foliage | ₩6,200 | ₩24,000 | ₩0 | ₩35,800 | ₩66,000 |
| Comfort, per person | Seoul city | Nami Island | Seoraksan | Naejangsan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transport (round trip) | ₩6,200 | ₩31,000 | ₩43,800 | ₩82,000 |
| Tickets & entry | ₩24,000 | ₩19,000 | ₩16,000 | ₩11,000 |
| Lodging | ₩0 | ₩0 | ₩0 | ₩0 |
| Food & drink | ₩35,800 | ₩35,800 | ₩35,800 | ₩35,800 |
| Total | ₩66,000 | ₩85,800 | ₩95,600 | ₩128,800 |
Comfort means the Secret Garden tour plus the Namsan cable car in Seoul, the direct shuttle bus to Nami, the 우등 (udeung, wider-seat) express bus plus the cable car at Seoraksan, and KTX plus the cable car at Naejangsan; meals are 비빔밥 (bibimbap) and 삼계탕 (samgyetang) at Seoul averages plus ₩6,000 for coffee and snacks.
What drives the cost. Entry is almost nothing: national parks have been free since 2007, and the temple "cultural heritage" fees at Seoraksan, Naejangsan, Bulguksa and Beomeosa were scrapped on May 4, 2023. So the bill is transport and food. Seoraksan and Naejangsan cost the same on the budget line (about ₩34,000–35,000 of bus fares), but Naejangsan's comfort line jumps because it uses KTX. That KTX figure is the pre-merger Yongsan–Jeongeup fare of ₩39,500 each way; KTX fares fell about 10% on September 1, 2026, so the real round trip is probably closer to ₩74,000 than ₩82,000 — check in the Korail Plus app. Staying a night in Sokcho or Jeongeup adds a room, and weekend prices climb in peak weeks.
When the leaves peak: the 2026 forecasts
Two sets of dates are circulating, up to a week apart, because they measure different things.
- The Korea Forest Service, 산림청 (Sallimcheong), published its "2026 foliage peak map" on September 22. It calls the peak the day 50% of the leaves on a mountain have turned.
- The private forecaster Weather-i, 웨더아이 (Wedeoai), follows the Korea Meteorological Administration method: first color when about 20% have turned, peak at about 80%. Waiting for 80% instead of 50% naturally lands a few days later.
In practice: the Forest Service date is when the mountain starts to look properly red and gold; the Weather-i date is closer to full color, just before leaves drop. Anything between the two is a good day to go.
| Place | Korea Forest Service peak (50%) | Weather-i peak (80%) |
|---|---|---|
| Seoraksan (Sokcho) | Oct 20 (Tue) | Oct 25 (Sun) |
| Songnisan | Oct 28 (Wed) | — |
| Bukhansan (Seoul) | — | Nov 4 (Wed) |
| Naejangsan (Jeongeup) | Nov 4 (Wed) | Nov 11 (Wed) |
| Hallasan (Jeju) | Nov 6 (Fri) | Nov 13 (Fri) |
| Ginkgo trees, national average | Oct 30 (Fri) | — |
| Maples, national average | Oct 31 (Sat) | — |
All dates are forecasts, not confirmed. The Forest Service says 2026 runs about 0.8 days later than the last five years; Weather-i says about 8 days later than the 30-year normal — different baselines, same message: a warm autumn, slightly late color. The first leaves were spotted on September 14 on Jeombongsan in Inje. Another private forecaster, K-Weather, has Seoraksan peaking October 19 and Bukhansan November 1, and Jeongeup city expects Naejangsan's best color on November 7–8. For Seoul's city trees, the 은행나무 (eunhaengnamu, ginkgo) yellow tends to come first and the maples a few days behind, so October 28 – November 5 is the safe window. Pack layers for cold mountain mornings (what to pack by month).
Seoul city: palaces, Namsan, Seoul Forest
You do not need to leave Seoul. The city lists 138 foliage roads on its official autumn map; the four below chain into one subway day for about ₩6,200 in fares (which transit card to use).
- 덕수궁 돌담길 (Deoksugung Doldamgil) — the stone-wall road beside Deoksugung, 0.3 km of old wall under ginkgo and zelkova. The road is free; the palace is ₩1,000. Continue up 정동길 (Jeongdong-gil) for more ginkgo.
- 남산 (Namsan) — the north and south loop roads around N Seoul Tower are on the city's list and free to walk. The Namsan cable car is reportedly ₩15,000 round trip (₩12,000 one way), 10:00–23:00; check the price at the station.
- 서울숲 (Seoul-sup, Seoul Forest) — free, with a ginkgo grove that turns around the national ginkgo date.
- Bukhansan National Park — free; Weather-i's peak is November 4, K-Weather's November 1. Go on a weekday; the trails are packed on weekends.
창덕궁 후원 (Changdeokgung Huwon), the Secret Garden is Seoul's best foliage and its hardest ticket. Entry is by guided tour only, and English tours run at 10:30, 11:30, 14:30 and 15:30 (March–November, closed Mondays). You pay ₩3,000 for the palace plus ₩5,000 for the garden (foreigners 19–64); the garden ticket cannot be bought on its own. Each tour takes 100 people. Online tickets open 6 days ahead at 10:00 Korean time, and by most accounts half the seats are kept for on-site sale; in foliage season the online seats reportedly go in minutes and the on-site line forms before 08:30. Best color: mid-October to mid-November.
Wearing 한복 (hanbok) gets you into the palaces for free, as does being a foreigner aged 18 or under or 65 and over. Whether hanbok also waives the ₩5,000 Huwon fee is unclear — assume you pay it. A proposal to raise palace fees (Gyeongbokgung to around ₩9,200) was reported in September 2026 for early 2027; it does not affect this autumn.
Nami Island: the ₩19,000 ticket
남이섬 (Namiseom, Nami Island) in 가평 (Gapyeong) costs ₩19,000 for adults in 2026, including the round-trip ferry, with no separate foreigner price (official ticketing). Many English blogs still say ₩13,000 — that fare is out of date. Ferries run 08:00–21:05. The island's ginkgo and maple lanes are best from late October into early November.
| Getting to Nami | Price | Time / notes |
|---|---|---|
| 경춘선 (Gyeongchun-seon) Line subway to Gapyeong | about ₩2,300 one way | about 1 hour+ from eastern Seoul; fare may be slightly higher after the 2025 base-fare rise |
| ITX-Cheongchun train (Yongsan/Cheongnyangni–Gapyeong) | about ₩6,000–7,000 one way | faster, reserved seats; sources disagree on the exact fare |
| Direct shuttle bus | ₩31,000 round trip (ticket not included) | leaves Hongdae 09:00, Myeongdong 09:40, DDP 09:50; returns 16:30 |
| Gapyeong Station → ferry wharf | free on foot (1.5 km), bus 10-4, or taxi about ₩6,000–10,000 | taxi lines are long on weekends |
Tip: be on the first ferries before 10:00 on a weekday. The shuttle is convenient but fixes your return at 16:30, just before the golden-hour light.
Seoraksan: free entry, ₩16,000 cable car
설악산 (Seoraksan) near 속초 (Sokcho) peaks first, around October 20 (Forest Service) to October 25 (Weather-i). Entry to 설악산 소공원 (Seoraksan Sogongwon), the main gateway, is free since the ₩4,500 Sinheungsa temple fee was abolished in May 2023 — ignore guides still quoting ₩3,500 or ₩4,500.
The Seorak cable car is ₩16,000 round trip for adults (₩12,000 children), sold on the day only — no reservations. You get a numbered ticket with a boarding time, and the senior discount does not apply from September 19 to November 15, 2026. On peak weekends the wait is long, and some tour groups reportedly switch to the free Biryong Falls trail instead.
| Seoul → Seoraksan | Fare (one way) | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Express bus, Seoul Express Bus Terminal → Sokcho, regular | ₩15,600 | about 2 h 20 min; first bus 06:30 |
| Same route, udeung (premium seats) | ₩20,300 | same; newest "Premium" coaches ₩26,300 |
| Intercity bus, Dong Seoul → Sokcho | ₩19,700 | about 2 h |
| Sokcho city bus 7 or 7-1 → Sogongwon | ₩1,600 (card) / ₩1,700 (cash) | to the park entrance |
Timing: take the 06:30 bus on a weekday, go straight to the cable car booth, and pick up the return bus by early evening. With about five hours of travel, the day is long; if you would rather stay, Sokcho is a pleasant beach town (more regional cities).
Naejangsan: free entry, heavy weekend traffic
내장산 (Naejangsan) in 정읍 (Jeongeup) is the classic late-season trip: Forest Service peak November 4, Jeongeup city's estimate November 7–8, Weather-i November 11. The park and 내장사 (Naejangsa) temple are free. The cable car is ₩11,000 round trip (₩7,000 children), apparently after a September 2025 fare change — older guides say ₩10,000 — and waits of 30–60 minutes are reported even on weekdays in peak season.
From October 30 to November 15 a free shuttle loops between the Naejang Lake parking lot and Wollyeong Bridge. Jeongeup expects about 350,000 visitors and runs special traffic control from October 31 to November 15: on weekends the approach road jams badly, so go midweek and use the bus rather than a car.
| Seoul → Naejangsan | Fare (one way) | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Express bus, Central City → Jeongeup, regular | ₩15,800 | about 3 h; 9 buses a day |
| Same route, udeung | ₩23,200 | about 3 h |
| KTX, Yongsan → Jeongeup | ₩39,500 before Sep 1, 2026; probably about ₩35,000 now | fastest option; check Korail Plus |
| 무궁화 (Mugunghwa) train, Yongsan → Jeongeup | ₩18,800 | slower |
| City bus 171, Jeongeup Station/Terminal → Naejangsan | fare not published (budget table assumes ₩1,500) | about 30 min; 31 runs a day |
The KTX figure matters: fares fell about 10% on September 1, 2026, when KTX and SRT merged (Seoul–Busan went from ₩59,800 to ₩54,400, per Hankyung); the new Jeongeup fare had not been published when we checked.
Festivals, tours and other trips
Autumn events that line up with the leaves (confirmed dates, Seoul area):
| Event | Dates (2026) | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 서울억새축제 (Seoul Eoksae Chukje), Seoul Silver Grass Festival, 하늘공원 (Haneul Gongwon) | Oct 17–23 | park entry free |
| 정동야행 (Jeongdong Yahaeng), Jeongdong night walk, Deoksugung stone-wall road | Oct 29–31 (opening show 19:00 on Oct 30) | street is free; historic buildings open late |
| 화담숲 (Hwadamsup), Hwadam Forest, Gonjiam | reservation required Oct 23 – Nov 15 | ₩11,000 adult; monorail extra |
Jeongdong's night walk falls right on the ginkgo peak (October 30), so the Deoksugung wall is at its most yellow and most crowded. Hwadam Forest's peak-season bookings opened September 16 on NOL; weekend slots go fast. Note that Seoul's big fireworks festival was already held on September 5 this year — see the festival calendar for October and November events elsewhere.
Organized day tours. If you would rather not handle buses, Klook lists a Seoraksan autumn day tour at about US$62 and a Nami Island combo (with Petite France, the rail bike or the Garden of Morning Calm) from about US$60, entry included and lunch not — prices move with promotions, so check before you book. Trazy runs foliage shuttle tours to Seoraksan (October 12–31) and Naejangsan (October 28 – November 27), transport and entry included, meals extra.
Where to eat and stay: Sokcho, Seoraksan and Nami Island (rated on Kakao Map and Google)
How we picked these: we pulled the rated places around the venue on Kakao Map (카카오맵 (Kakao Map), the map most Koreans use for reviews) and checked each one on Google Maps on 2026-09-23. The combined score weights each platform by how many ratings it has and pulls small samples toward 4.0, so a 5.0 from five people cannot beat a 4.4 from a thousand. Places rated well on only one platform (for example 4.8 on Kakao but 4.1 on Google) were left out. Naver Map no longer shows star averages, so it is not in the score — but the Naver link on each row opens the place there, which is where Korean visitors read the most recent reviews. Ratings move and places close; check the map before you go, and book dinner on fireworks nights and holidays.
Most Seoraksan day-trippers eat in Sokcho city after the hike: seafood noodles, cold raw-fish soup (물회 (mulhoe)) and red snow crab. The tofu village of 학사평 (Hakasapyeong) sits on the road between the park and the city.
| Place | What | Kakao Map | Combined | Maps | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. 영금물회 (Yeonggeum Mulhoe) Yeonggeumjeong, north Sokcho | Cold raw-fish soup (mulhoe) | ★4.4 (443) | ★4.6 (381) | 4.46 | Kakao Naver |
| 2. 승진호 홍게무한리필 (Seungjinho) Seorak–Geumgang Bridge road | All-you-can-eat red snow crab | ★4.5 (405) | ★4.5 (288) | 4.46 | Kakao Naver |
| 3. 아바이회국수 (Abai Hoe-guksu) Cheongho-dong (Abai Village) | Spicy raw-fish noodles, Abai Village style | ★4.4 (614) | ★4.3 (388) | 4.33 | Kakao Naver |
| 4. 팔팔순대국 (Palpal Sundaeguk) Near Jungang Market | Blood-sausage soup — cheap, filling | ★4.0 (329) | ★4.6 (238) | 4.26 | Kakao Naver |
| 5. 함흥냉면옥 (Hamheung Naengmyeon-ok) Cheongchoho lake road | North Korean-style cold noodles | ★4.0 (860) | ★4.5 (410) | 4.22 | Kakao Naver |
| 6. 김영애할머니순두부 본점 (Kim Yeong-ae Halmeoni Sundubu) Hakasapyeong tofu village | Soft tofu, on the road to Seoraksan | ★4.2 (3,552) | ★4.0 (279) | 4.12 | Kakao Naver |
| 7. 대청마루 (Daecheong Maru) Gwangwang-ro, towards Seoraksan | Tofu set meals near the park entrance road | ★4.0 (2,627) | ★4.1 (671) | 4.04 | Kakao Naver |
| 8. 청초수물회 속초본점 (Cheongchosu Mulhoe) Expo-ro, Cheongcho Lake | The most-reviewed mulhoe place — expect a queue | ★4.0 (12,375) | ★4.0 (2,165) | 4.00 | Kakao Naver |
If you stay overnight to be on the trail at opening, the park-entrance hotel saves the morning bus; the Sokcho hotels are cheaper and closer to dinner.
| Place | What | Kakao Map | Combined | Maps | Book | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. 속초 마리비스타 호텔 앤 리조트 (Marivista Hotel & Resort) Daepo, south Sokcho | Sea-view hotel | ★4.7 (255) | ★4.7 (237) | 4.62 | Kakao Naver | Check rates |
| 2. 호텔 해든 (Hotel Haeden) Cheongchoho | Small, cheaper lakeside hotel | ★4.4 (71) | ★4.8 (45) | 4.38 | Kakao Naver | Check rates |
| 3. 씨크루즈호텔 (Sea Cruise Hotel) Cheongchoho, 20 min by bus to Seoraksan | Large hotel by Cheongcho Lake | ★4.2 (2,404) | ★4.2 (249) | 4.19 | Kakao Naver | Check rates |
| 4. 더케이 설악산가족호텔 (The-K Seoraksan Family Hotel) Seoraksan-ro, Seorak-dong | Closest of the five to the park entrance | ★4.2 (763) | ★4.2 (20) | 4.16 | Kakao Naver | Check rates |
| 5. 라마다 바이 윈덤 속초 (Ramada by Wyndham Sokcho) Daepo Port | Chain hotel over Daepo Port | ★4.1 (4,527) | ★4.1 (455) | 4.10 | Kakao Naver | Check rates |
At Nami Island the ferry-wharf road is lined with 닭갈비 (dakgalbi) restaurants; these three rate consistently on both maps.
| Place | What | Kakao Map | Combined | Maps | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. 남이섬꼬꼬춘천닭갈비 (Namiseom Kkokko Chuncheon Dakgalbi) By the Nami ferry wharf | Spicy stir-fried chicken (dakgalbi) | ★4.0 (1,030) | ★4.7 (557) | 4.32 | Kakao Naver |
| 2. 힐링닭갈비 (Healing Dakgalbi) Ferry-wharf road | Dakgalbi, grilled or pan | ★4.3 (195) | ★4.3 (120) | 4.25 | Kakao Naver |
| 3. 조무락닭갈비 (Jomurak Dakgalbi) Ferry-wharf road, 2nd floor | Charcoal-grilled dakgalbi | ★4.1 (656) | ★4.0 (135) | 4.05 | Kakao Naver |
Crowds, safety and a cost-cutting checklist
- Avoid the long weekends. October 3–5 (National Foundation Day with a Monday substitute) and October 9–11 (Hangeul Day, Friday) fill buses and trails; see what closes on public holidays.
- Book buses early. Early weekend buses to Sokcho and Jeongeup sell out; buy your seat the day before.
- Leave bags in Seoul. Day trips are easier without luggage (lockers and delivery).
- Mountain safety. Days are short by late October (sunset before 18:00). Carry water, a headlamp and a charged phone; for emergencies call 119, and for English travel help call 1330.
Cost-cutting checklist
- Go on a weekday between the two forecast dates for your mountain.
- Take the regular express bus, not udeung: you save ₩9,400 round trip to Sokcho.
- Skip the cable car and hike: Seoraksan and Naejangsan entry is ₩0.
- At Nami, use the subway, not the shuttle: about ₩4,600 round trip instead of ₩31,000.
- In Seoul, do the free roads (Namsan, Seoul Forest, Deoksugung wall) and pay only ₩1,000 for Deoksugung.
- Wear hanbok for free palace entry — but budget ₩5,000 for the Secret Garden anyway.
- Eat gimbap and noodles instead of restaurant set meals (typical prices).
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to see autumn leaves in Korea in 2026?
The Korea Forest Service's 2026 map (published September 22) puts the peak at Seoraksan around October 20, Songnisan October 28, Naejangsan November 4 and Hallasan November 6, with Korea's ginkgo trees peaking around October 30 and maples around October 31 on the national average. Private forecaster Weather-i gives later dates (Seoraksan October 25, Naejangsan November 11) because it counts 'peak' as 80% of leaves turned, not 50%. For Seoul itself, aim for the last week of October to the first week of November.
How much does Nami Island cost in 2026?
The 2026 adult ticket is ₩19,000 and includes the round-trip ferry; there is no separate foreigner price. Many English blogs still quote ₩13,000, which is an old fare. Getting there costs about ₩2,300 each way on the Gyeongchun Line subway, or ₩31,000 round trip on the direct shuttle from Hongdae, Myeongdong or DDP (ticket not included).
Is Seoraksan free to enter?
Yes. The ₩4,500 Sinheungsa temple fee that used to be charged at the Seoraksan entrance was abolished on May 4, 2023, so walking into the park is free. The Seorak cable car costs ₩16,000 round trip for adults, is sold on the day only (no reservations), and the senior discount is suspended from September 19 to November 15, 2026.
Can I see the Changdeokgung Secret Garden in English?
Yes, on guided tours only, at 10:30, 11:30, 14:30 and 15:30 (closed Mondays). You pay ₩3,000 for the palace plus ₩5,000 for the garden. Each tour takes 100 people: tickets go online 6 days ahead at 10:00 and, by most accounts, half are kept for on-site sale — in foliage season the online seats go in minutes.
What does a foliage day trip from Seoul cost?
Per person, with two cheap meals and public transport: about ₩23,100 for a Seoul city day, ₩39,500 for Nami Island, ₩50,300 for Seoraksan and ₩50,500 for Naejangsan. A comfort version (shuttle or faster transport, cable cars, better meals) runs about ₩66,000 to ₩128,800. Organized day tours from Seoul on Klook start around US$60–62.
Sources
- Korea Forest Service 2026 foliage peak map (Money Today, Sep 22, 2026)
- Royal Palaces (Korea Heritage Service) — Changdeokgung admission and Huwon
- Nami Island official ticketing — 2026 admission
- Seorak Cable Car — official fares and guide
- Seoul Metropolitan Government — autumn foliage roads
- Fun Seoul — Seoul Silver Grass Festival 2026
- Segye Ilbo — Weather-i and K-Weather 2026 foliage forecasts, Sep 11, 2026
- Seoul Express Bus Terminal to Sokcho timetable and fares (Sep 2026)
- Hankyung — KTX and SRT merger, fares cut about 10% from Sep 1, 2026
※ This article summarises publicly available rules as of the date shown. Your situation may differ; confirm with the relevant Korean authority (National Tax Service, Ministry of Employment and Labor, National Pension Service, Immigration) or a licensed professional before making decisions.