Sokcho
Sokcho is the coastal base for Seoraksan National Park, with an east coast beach, a seafood market and local squid and sundae dishes.
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Sokcho is a port city on South Korea's east coast, in Gangwon-do province. Most people come for Seoraksan National Park, which lies right beside the city and has hiking trails through granite peaks. The city itself is small, built around a fishing harbor and a sandy beach on the East Sea, the name Koreans use for the water that many outside Korea call the Sea of Japan.
Two or three days covers the basics: one for the park's trails, one for the beach and the harbor market, and an evening for seafood, including squid and sundae, the Korean blood sausage that is a local favorite. Autumn foliage draws the biggest crowds, winter brings snow to the peaks, and spring and summer suit the beach. The town suits hikers and slower trips. It is a poor pick for anyone wanting nightlife.
Sokcho in five
- Get a K-ETA before you fly if your passport needs oneSome passports that are visa-exempt for Korea still need a K-ETA before boarding. Apply only on the official site, k-eta.go.kr, and check your passport before you book flights.Visas and entry
- Take the express bus from Dong Seoul TerminalExpress buses to Sokcho leave from Seoul's Dong Seoul Terminal and take about 2.5 to 3 hours. Buy seats ahead on weekends and holidays, when seats sell out.Getting around
- Load a T-money card for local busesT-money is the transit card used across Korea, and it works on Sokcho's local buses. Buy one at a convenience store and load it before your first ride.Money and costs
- Download Naver Map or KakaoMap before you arriveGoogle Maps gives limited directions in Korea, while Naver Map and KakaoMap show local bus routes and walking directions. Save offline maps for the trails.Phones and eSIM
- Start Seoraksan hikes earlyPopular trails such as Ulsanbawi get crowded on weekends and in autumn. Check closures and trail conditions on the Korea National Park Service site, knps.or.kr, before you set out.
Need to know
- Currency
- Won (KRW)
- Entry
- Visa-free for many passports; K-ETA needed by some visa-exempt visitors Read more
- Emergency
- 112 police, 119 fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- Not expected
- Time
- UTC+9, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCold, snow
- FebruaryCold, snow
- MarchCool, early spring
- AprilSpring blossom
- MayMild, dry
- JuneRainy season starts
- JulyRainy, humid
- AugustRainy, humid
- SeptemberRains ending
- OctoberAutumn colour
- NovemberCool, quiet
- DecemberCold, snow
Right now in Sokcho
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
12
- Feels like
- 7°
- Humidity
- 43%
- Wind
- 21 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Sokcho
05:41 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today17°12°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 17°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed17°13°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 17°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu18°12°35%Thursday: Cloudy. High 18°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 35%.
- Fri13°3°0%Friday: Partly cloudy. High 13°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat11°0°0%Saturday: Clear. High 11°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sun11°2°2%Sunday: Fog. High 11°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Mon12°3°2%Monday: Fog. High 12°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 2%.
Updated 04:59 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 1,333 KRW
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Every year
- May–JunGangneung DanojeGangneung, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Seoraksan National Parka short taxi rideUlsanbawi rock and the valley trails, the main reason to visit Sokcho.Read the guide
- Gangneungby busA coastal city with coffee streets and a historic pavilion by the lake.Read the guide
- Seoulabout 2.5 to 3 hours by express busThe capital, possible in a long day, but the bus each way takes most of it.Read the guide
Before you go to Sokcho
Rules for Sokcho, checked
- Check whether your passport needs a K-ETA before you book, and apply only on the official site, k-eta.go.kr.
- Declare meat, dairy and plant products on arrival, since Korea's quarantine rules are strict.
- Dial 112 for police and 119 for fire or an ambulance anywhere in Korea.
- Check trail closures and park notices on the Korea National Park Service site, knps.or.kr, before you hike Seoraksan.
- Tipping is not expected in restaurants or taxis.
Plan around Sokcho
Entry, transport and money for a Korea trip
Read the guideGangwon-doThe province with Seoraksan and the east coast
Read the guideGetting around KoreaExpress buses, local transit and car rental
Read the guideWhere to stayOptions near the harbor, Abai Village and the park
Read the guideMoney and costsCards, cash and typical prices for a trip
Read the guideVisas and entryEntry rules and the K-ETA for your passport
Read the guideSokcho FAQ
Is Sokcho worth visiting?
Yes for hiking in Seoraksan National Park, the harbor market and a quiet base on the east coast. It has fewer headline sights than Seoul or Gyeongju, so it suits a slower trip.
How do you get to Sokcho?
By express bus from Seoul's Dong Seoul Terminal, about 2.5 to 3 hours. Buy seats in advance on weekends and holidays, when buses fill up.
Can you visit Sokcho on a day trip from Seoul?
It is possible, but the bus takes about 2.5 to 3 hours each way and leaves little time on the ground. Plan at least one night if you want to hike Seoraksan.
How many days do you need in Sokcho?
Two nights cover Seoraksan, Abai Village and the harbor market. One night is enough for a quick visit if you start the trail early.
When is the best time to visit Sokcho?
Spring and autumn are the usual choices for hiking Seoraksan. Winter is cold with snow on the high trails, and summer brings the rainy season.
Is Sokcho or Gangneung better?
Gangneung has a bigger city feel and its coffee streets. Sokcho is closer to Seoraksan and quieter, so pick it if hiking is your main reason to go.