green and brown mountain beside sea during daytime

Busan

South Korea's second-largest city is a port on the southeast coast, known for its beaches, seafood markets and hillside villages.

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Busan is South Korea's second-largest city, at the southeast corner of the peninsula, with Japan across the Korea Strait. Its port is the busiest in South Korea and one of the largest container ports in the world. The city was also one of Korea's first ports opened to foreign trade, under the 1876 Treaty of Ganghwa. During the Korean War it served as the temporary capital and a refuge for displaced people, and some hillside villages grew out of those refugee settlements.

The beaches draw the crowds, especially Haeundae, lined with luxury hotels and the setting for many Korean films and TV shows. Jagalchi is a large seafood market, and dwaeji gukbap and dongnae pajeon are local dishes to try. Summer is peak beach season, but October and November are generally the most comfortable months, with clear skies. The KTX from Seoul ends at Busan Station, a trip of about 150 minutes.

Busan in five

KTX from Seoul in about 2.5 hoursTrains run from Seoul Station to Busan Station through the day. Book ahead for Fridays and Sundays.
Your T-money card works hereThe same card covers Busan's metro and buses.
Eat at JagalchiPick your seafood downstairs and have it cooked at a restaurant upstairs.
Go up Gamcheon, walk downThe village is steep. Take a taxi or bus to the top and walk down through the lanes.

Things to do in Busan

See all attractions in Busan

Beach · BusanHaeundae BeachSwimming is not allowed after 6 pm, even though it is still light, so plan your swim earlier in the day.

Landmark · BusanSongdo Bay Station (Songdo Cable Car)Buy tickets in advance. Third-party booking sites may list discounts, so compare prices first.

Temple · BusanBeomeosa Temple

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to BusanPut the places you like in Busan on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Gimhae (PUS), linked by light rail and airport buses
Getting there: KTX from Seoul, about 2.5 hours
Getting around: Metro, buses and taxis; T-money works
Best base: Haeundae for the beach, Seomyeon or Nampo for the city
Time needed: 2–3 days

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed

JanuaryClear4 rainy daysHigh7°Low0°Cold, dry
FebruaryClear5 rainy daysHigh9°Low2°Cold, clear
MarchPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh13°Low6°Cool, spring
AprilPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh17°Low10°Cherry blossom
MayPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh21°Low14°Warm, clear
JuneRain10 rainy daysHigh24°Low19°Rainy season
JulyRain15 rainy daysHigh27°Low23°Hot, humid
AugustRain14 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Typhoon risk
SeptemberRain13 rainy daysHigh25°Low21°Warm, clearing
OctoberPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh21°Low15°Autumn color
NovemberClear4 rainy daysHigh16°Low9°Crisp, quiet
DecemberClear4 rainy daysHigh9°Low2°Cold, windy

Average daily high and low in Busan, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Busan

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 8°
Humidity: 52%
Wind: 23 km/h
Chance of rain: 0%

Busan

05:41 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+9

Today18°9°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 18°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 0%.
Wed18°12°11%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 18°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 11%.
Thu19°12°92%Thursday: Rain. High 19°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 92%.
Fri17°6°0%Friday: Clear. High 17°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 0%.
Sat11°2°0%Saturday: Partly cloudy. High 11°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 0%.
Sun9°3°2%Sunday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 2%.

Updated 02:02 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 1,333 KRW

Amount

Converted to

KRW · South Korean Won

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Gyeongjuabout 30 min by KTXSilla tombs, Bulguksa and the lit palace pond.Read the guide
Haedong Yonggungsaabout 1 hour by metro and busA temple on a sea cliff at the east edge of the city.

Before you go to Busan

Haeundae or Seomyeon staysBeach or city, both on the metroCheck availability

Gamcheon and temple toursGuides for the hill villagesCompare day trips

eSIM for BusanNaver Map for metro and busesRead the guide

Insurance for BusanTyphoon-season delays and cancelsRead the guide

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Rules for Busan, checked

Many nationalities can enter South Korea visa-free for short tourist stays, but some need a K-ETA first. Check your status on the K-ETA site before you book.Source
Dial 112 for police and 119 for fire or an ambulance anywhere in South Korea.
Tipping is not customary in South Korea, so restaurants and taxi drivers do not expect it.
Declare cash above the legal limit on the customs form at arrival or departure. Check the current limit with Korea Customs Service before you travel.

Plan around Busan

All of South Korea

Cities, KTX routes and entry rules

Read the guide Seoul travel guide

Palaces and markets, 2.5 hours by KTX

Read the guide Gyeongju travel guide

A half-hour KTX to the Silla capital

Read the guide Jeju travel guide

Fly across the strait to the volcanic island

Read the guide K-ETA explained

Who needs it and where to apply

Read the guide Trains and transport

KTX, metro and airport links

Read the guide

Busan FAQ

Is Busan worth visiting?

Yes, if you want a beach city with seafood markets, hill villages and temples, and a calmer pace than Seoul. It works as a two- or three-night stop after the capital.

How many days do you need in Busan?

Two nights cover Haeundae, Jagalchi and Gamcheon. Add a third day for Haedong Yonggungsa or a half-day trip to Gyeongju.

How far is Busan from Seoul?

About 2.5 hours by KTX from Seoul Station to Busan Station. Book Friday and Sunday trains ahead; midweek seats are easy.

Where should I stay in Busan?

Haeundae for the beach, Seomyeon for transit and cheap food, Nampo for markets and Gamcheon, Gwangalli for café evenings and the bridge view.

When is the best time to visit Busan?

April and May for blossom and mild weather, and October for clear autumn days. July and August are hot and crowded, and typhoons can hit in late summer.