How To Take A Weekend Trip To Busan
One of my absolute favorite parts of living in South Korea is how safe, affordable, and fun weekend trips can be within the country. Here are some of my best tips and recommendations for visiting Busan!
Getting There
You can get to Busan by plane, train, or bus. I opted for the train. After work, I took a taxi to Seoul Station for about 16,000 won, which is only about $11 USD! Taking public transportation is totally feasible, but I decided to splurge to get there a little faster. The train stations are extremely easy to navigate in Korea. Once I was there, I grabbed some snacks for the journey and boarded the high-speed KTX bullet train. Two and a half hours later, I was in Busan! (One-way tickets can be as cheap as $25 USD for a regular train and $37 USD for a high speed train.)
Where To Stay
Korea has all the accommodation options you would expect to see in the U.S. from AirBnB to hotels and hostels! There’s something for everyone regardless of budget. I actually met up with some family from back home, and we splurged on a nice AirBnB overlooking Gwangalli Beach. However, budget travelers don’t need to worry. We saw many inexpensive accommodations along the coast. While Haeundae Beach is another popular area in Busan, I loved staying near Gwangalli Beach!
What To Do
Now that you’ve gotten yourself to Busan and have somewhere to stay, the fun part begins: Exploring the city! Here are a few recommendations I have from my recent trip!
- Mereumereu: With a balcony view and a cute puppy to greet customers, this little cafe is a great brunch spot for anyone taking a weekend trip to Busan! If you’re staying near Gwangalli Beach, this cafe is on the way to Haedong Yonggung Temple! I recommend the souffle pancakes!
- Haedong Yonggung Temple: A temple by the sea! Haedong Yonggung Temple is a must see for anyone wanting to see what a Buddhist temple is like and enjoy the beautiful South Korean coast!
- Yungkangjjie: We stumbled upon this Taiwanese restaurant completely by accident, but it turned out to be a Michelin star restaurant! Casual, delicious, and quick, this restaurant is a must visit while in Busan. I especially recommend the mapo tofu and fried eggplant!
Be Spontaneous
Korea has taught me to be spontaneous and look off the beaten path when it comes to travel. Whether you’re hoping to move to Korea or already live here, I encourage you to book the train, plane, or bus ticket and start exploring this beautiful country on the weekends!
Diana Richtman is a writer and ESL teacher living in Seoul, South Korea. Originally from Savannah, Georgia in the United States, Diana holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia in English & Women’s Studies. After receiving her TEFL certification, Diana moved to South Korea where she works at one of Creverse’s April Institutes. When Diana isn’t working, she loves exploring Korea, drinking warm cups of tea, and scaring away her friends with her karaoke performances.