Short answer: a South Korea group tour costs from $2,999 per person for 10 days, or $7,599 for 22 days through South Korea and Japan, in AUD. The 10-day trip loops from Seoul to the DMZ, Jeonju, Busan and Gyeongju and back. It includes 9 nights’ accommodation (one of them in a Buddhist temple), 11 meals, the KTX fast train and buses, every activity on the itinerary and a group leader from the airport. Flights, travel insurance and your other meals are extra. Australians don’t need a visa or a K-ETA for a tourist visit until at least 31 December 2026.
Prices are per person, from our listings on 25 October 2026. Each tour is priced by departure date, and departures run year-round, several times a month. The “from” price is the cheapest date we can book right now, and each tour page shows every date with its price.
The two South Korea group tours
| Tour | Days | Route | Meals | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Korea Adventure | 10 | Seoul, DMZ, Jeonju, Busan, Gyeongju, Seoul | 11 | $2,999 |
| South Korea + Japan Adventure | 22 | The 10-day Korea loop, then Tokyo, Nagano, Hakone and Osaka | 27 | $7,599 |
Both are for travellers aged 18 to their 40s, in groups of about 20, and most people join solo.
The 10-day route, day by day
- Arrive in Seoul. Meet the group and your leader, then a first night out together.
- Palaces and hanoks. Gyeongbokgung Palace, the traditional houses of Bukchon Hanok Village, shopping and street food on Insadong, then the bars of Hongdae. A local guide runs the morning.
- The DMZ. North to the fortified border with North Korea, to learn why the peninsula split and look across the line.
- KTX to Jeonju. The high-speed train south to Jeonju and its hanok village, then a family-run cooking class: you make bibimbap, then eat it with soju and rice wine.
- Busan. On to the coast: the scenic coastal monorail, and a Korean dinner night with the group.
- Taekwondo. A class with a proper instructor, from basic kicks and blocks to breaking a wooden board at the end. Two nights in Busan, in a hotel steps from the beach with a rooftop pool.
- Temple stay. A night in a Buddhist temple in the hills, sleeping on traditional floor mattresses. It’s the quiet day of the trip, and many people’s favourite.
- Gyeongju. The capital of the Silla kingdom for about a thousand years, seen by bicycle: royal tombs, pagodas and palace ruins. You sleep in a hanok hotel on ondol-heated floors.
- Back to Seoul. A K-pop dance class with a professional instructor, then a last dinner together.
- Trip ends. Fly home from Seoul or stay on. The Japan leg starts here for the 22-day trip.
Accommodation is twin or double share with ensuites: four nights in a Seoul hotel near Myeongdong, one in Jeonju, two in Busan, one temple stay and one hanok night.
What the price includes
- 9 nights’ accommodation on the 10-day tour (21 on the 22-day)
- 11 meals (27 on the 22-day)
- All transport between stops, including the KTX fast train
- Every activity listed above, with no pay-on-arrival extras: the Seoul city tour and Gwangjang market, the DMZ tour, cooking class, soju and rice wine tasting, taekwondo, temple stay, Gyeongju bike tour and K-pop class
- A group leader from the airport pickup to the last day
Not included: international flights, travel insurance (required by the operator), your other meals and drinks, and spending money.
What to budget on top
With 11 meals included over 10 days, you’ll buy most breakfasts and lunches and a few dinners yourself. Korea is good value for food: markets, street stalls and convenience stores cover a quick meal cheaply, and Korean barbecue with a group is a night out rather than a splurge. Seoul and Busan public transport is cheap and easy with a T-money card for your free time.
South Korea or Japan?
On today’s prices, 10 days in South Korea ($2,999) is cheaper than 13 days in Japan ($4,299). Korea is the shorter, easier first trip to East Asia: smaller distances, one fast train line doing most of the work, and a route that mixes city nights with a temple stay and a hanok village. Japan has more variety and more famous sights. If you can’t choose, the 22-day South Korea + Japan tour runs the two back to back with a leader handover in between, one booking for both. Our Japan group tour cost guide covers the Japan side in full.
When to go
Spring (April to May) brings cherry blossom in early April, and autumn (late September to November) has clear skies and red and gold leaves. Both are the most comfortable times to travel. Summer is hot, humid and has the monsoon rains of late June to July. Winter is cold and dry, with snow in the mountains, and the quietest season. Departures run all year, and prices vary by date.
FAQs
How much does a South Korea group tour cost?
From $2,999 per person for 10 days, or $7,599 for 22 days through South Korea and Japan, in AUD (October 2026). The price includes accommodation, 11 meals on the 10-day tour, all transport including the KTX fast train, every listed activity and a group leader. Flights and insurance are extra.
Do Australians need a visa or K-ETA for South Korea?
No visa is needed for a tourist visit. South Korea has waived the K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) for Australians until 31 December 2026, so you don’t have to apply for one. You do need to fill in the online e-Arrival Card within three days before you land. Rules change, so check Smartraveller before you book flights, especially for travel from 2027.
What is the best South Korea itinerary for 10 days?
Seoul for the palaces, markets and the DMZ, then south by KTX to Jeonju for food, Busan for the coast, a night in a Buddhist temple, and Gyeongju for the Silla kingdom’s tombs and temples, before heading back to Seoul. That’s the route of our South Korea Adventure.
Do I need to speak Korean?
No. Your leader is with you throughout, and Seoul is very easy for visitors. You’ll pick up a few words over dinner.
Can I combine South Korea and Japan on one tour?
Yes. The South Korea + Japan Adventure is 22 days: the full 10-day Korea loop, then a flight to Tokyo (included) and Japan by bullet train through Nagano and Hakone to Osaka, with a sushi class, soba noodle making and hot springs along the way. It’s one booking, and the leader handover is arranged for you.
When is the best time to visit South Korea?
April to May for spring blossom, and late September to November for autumn leaves and clear, mild days. July is the wettest month.
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