Gimhae Airport by light rail and subway
From Gimhae International Airport (PUS), take the Busan-Gimhae Light Rail to Sasang, then subway Line 2 toward Seomyeon and Haeundae.
Busan Travel Guide
Korea's second city, where beaches, a busy port and hillside villages meet the sea. Enjoy Haeundae and Gwangalli beaches, bridge night views and market food, and reach it easily by high-speed KTX train from Seoul or by air.
Plan your Busan trip
We never take payment — compare, then book on the official partner site.
At a glance
- Currency
- KRW (₩)
- Power & plugs
- 220V · Type C/F
- Driving side
- Right
- Tipping
- Not expected
- Local language
- 한국어
- How long to stay
- 2 to 3 days
Emergency numbers
When to go
May-June and September-October are mild and clear, the best times to visit. July-August is peak beach season, crowded, with rainy spells and possible typhoons. Winter is milder than Seoul, but sea winds are cold. Hotels fill quickly during big festivals.
Airport to the city
Gimhae Airport by limousine bus or taxi
Airport limousines run two routes, Haeundae–Gijang and Seomyeon–Bujeon; check official information for stops, times and booking. Taxis are easiest with luggage.
KTX from Seoul Station
From Seoul Station, the KTX high-speed train arrives at central Busan Station, near Nampo-dong and connected to subway Line 1. From Incheon Airport, first get to Seoul Station.
Getting around
Transit card (T-money and others)
One card covers the subway, buses and light rail. Buy and top up at convenience stores; cards from other Korean cities work too.
Subway
Lines 1-4 link Seomyeon, Haeundae, Nampo-dong and more. Haeundae and Nampo-dong are far apart, so allow time.
Buses
Handy for places the subway doesn't reach, such as Gamcheon Culture Village and Taejongdae. Use a map app to find routes.
Taxis and ride-hailing apps
Easiest for hillside villages and late nights. Korean map apps (such as Naver Map or KakaoMap) give better directions in Korea than international map apps.
City tour bus
A sightseeing bus linking Haeundae, Taejongdae and other highlights; check official information for routes and times.
Where to stay
Haeundae
Good for: Beach, first visit, hotels
High-rise hotels and restaurants right on the beach. Very busy and pricier in summer.
Gwangalli
Good for: Night views, beach cafes
A beach facing the illuminated Gwangan Bridge, a little quieter than Haeundae.
Seomyeon
Good for: Transport hub, food
The downtown hub where subway Lines 1 and 2 meet, with late-night food everywhere.
Nampo-dong and Jungang-dong
Good for: Markets, old downtown
Close to Jagalchi and Gukje markets and not far from Busan Station; a good base for Gamcheon and Taejongdae.
Map of stays in Busan
Compare prices from many booking sites on the map
Search stays in Busan in the appMap & prices: Stay22 — you book on each site
Top sights
Haeundae Beach
Busan's most famous beach with a long promenade. Swim only in lifeguarded areas during the official season.
Gwangalli Beach and Gwangan Bridge
Best after dark when the bridge lights up, with cafes and restaurants along the sand.
Gamcheon Culture Village
Colorful houses stacked up a hillside. People live here, so keep your voice down.
Haedong Yonggungsa Temple
A temple built on seaside rocks, unusual in Korea. It's on the city's eastern edge, reached by bus or taxi from Haeundae.
Haedong Yonggungsa Temple · Photo: Kramertron / CC BY-SA 4.0 Taejongdae
A clifftop park at the tip of Yeongdo island with walking trails and viewpoints. Check official information for the park's road train.
Taejongdae · Photo: Christophe95 / CC BY-SA 4.0 Jagalchi Fish Market
Korea's largest seafood market. Choose seafood downstairs and have it prepared upstairs; confirm prices first.
Gukje Market and BIFF Square
Old market lanes and street food, great for trying ssiat hotteok, a seed-filled sweet pancake.
Huinnyeoul Culture Village
A narrow clifftop village on Yeongdo with sea views. It's a residential area, so walk quietly.
What to eat
Dwaeji gukbap
Rice in rich pork-bone soup, Busan's signature dish. About 9,000-12,000 won.
Milmyeon
Busan-style cold wheat noodles in chilled broth. About 8,000-11,000 won.
Ssiat hotteok
A sweet pancake stuffed with nuts and seeds. About 2,000-3,000 won.
Eomuk (fish cakes)
Busan is famous for fish cakes; try skewers with hot broth at a market stall.
Raw fish and seafood
Best at Jagalchi or seaside restaurants. Many places charge market price, so check before ordering.
Daily budget (per person)
Budgetabout 60,000-90,000 won per day: guesthouse, subway, market food
Mid-rangeabout 150,000-220,000 won per day: city hotel, restaurant meals, some taxis
Comfortabout 350,000 won+ per day: sea-view luxury hotel, seafood feasts
Amounts are rough figures in local currency. Check exchange rates before you go.
Sample itinerary
- Day 1
Arrive and walk Haeundae Beach, visit Haedong Yonggungsa in the afternoon, then Gwangan Bridge at night from Gwangalli.
- Day 2
Gamcheon Culture Village in the morning, a seafood lunch at Jagalchi, Gukje Market and BIFF Square, then Huinnyeoul Culture Village.
- Day 3
A morning walk at Taejongdae, dwaeji gukbap or milmyeon for lunch, then Busan Station or the airport.
Local tips
- Haeundae and Nampo-dong are almost an hour apart by subway; group sights by area.
- Beach-area hotels fill up and get pricey in summer and on weekends, so book early.
- Seafood at markets is often sold by weight or market price; confirm the price and any table charge before ordering.
- Gamcheon and Huinnyeoul are residential villages; don't peer into homes or make noise.
- Swim only in lifeguarded areas during the official beach season, and stay out when waves are high.
- Entry rules for Korea (including electronic travel authorization for some nationalities) can change. Check official Korean government information before you travel.
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