This is a 2-day plan for first-time visitors who want Busan’s famous sights and the Busan Fireworks Festival on Saturday, 7 November 2026. Friday is Gamcheon, Jagalchi Fish Market and Nampo. Saturday is a temple by the sea, Haeundae Beach, then Gwangalli Beach for the 19:00 show. Fares, seat prices and hours checked on 27 Oct 2026.
Busan at a Glance
- 📍 Where
- Southeast coast of Korea. Busan (부산) is the second-largest city.
- 🗓 Best time
- Early November: clear, cool days. Bring a light jacket for the sea wind at night.
- ⏱ Days needed
- 2 days is enough for the classic sights. 3 is more relaxed.
- 🚆 From Seoul / Busan / Incheon Airport
- Seoul Station to Busan Station by KTX, about 2.5 hours. From Incheon Airport take AREX to Seoul Station first. From Gimhae Airport take the light rail (Busan-Gimhae Line), then the subway.
- 💳 Pay
- Foreign credit cards work in most shops and restaurants. Buy a T-money card at a convenience store for subway and bus.
- 🛂 Entry
- Many passports can enter without K-ETA until 31 Dec 2026. Check your country on the official K-ETA site before you fly.
- 🔤 Search names
- 부산역 · 감천문화마을 · 자갈치시장 · 해동용궁사 · 해운대해수욕장 · 광안리해수욕장
Before You Go (2026 Changes)
- KTX and SRT merged on 1 Sep 2026. Fares fell by about 10% on average. Seoul to Busan in standard class went from ₩59,800 to ₩54,400.
- Train tickets open 2 months before departure from 1 Oct 2026, so 6 Nov tickets are already on sale.
- Naver Map accepts passport verification since 4 Jun 2026. You can book and pay in Naver Map without a Korean phone number.
- Paid fireworks seats are on sale (₩100,000 R seat, ₩70,000 S seat). The early-bird batch sold out in one minute.
- The K-ETA exemption ends 31 Dec 2026. No extension had been announced as of 27 Oct.
Getting There
Checked on 27 Oct 2026.
| From | Mode | Time | Fare (checked) | How foreigners book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seoul Station (서울역) | KTX to Busan Station (부산역) | about 2.5 hours | ₩54,400 standard class (was ₩59,800) | Korail English site or Korail+ app. Use your passport name. |
| Incheon Airport | AREX to Seoul Station, then KTX | AREX about 1 hour, then KTX | AREX fare at the machine, plus KTX | Buy AREX at the airport |
| Gimhae Airport (김해공항) | Busan-Gimhae Light Rail, then subway | about 40–60 minutes (rough) | About ₩1,600 base subway fare, check at the gate | T-money or card at the gate |
The KTX fare comes from news reports of the official fare table. Check the final price in the app: letskorail.com.
- 🛤 Route
- KTX from Seoul Station. The platform is on the board and in the app.
- 🎫 Book
- Choose Seoul → Busan, standard class, enter your passport name.
- 📱 Tip
- Save the ticket in the app. You do not need a paper ticket.
- 🚇 Next
- Busan Station connects straight to subway Line 1.
Getting Around
- Subway. Busan Metro is simple. Line 1 goes through Busan Station, Jagalchi, Nampo and Seomyeon. Line 2 goes through Seomyeon, the Gwangalli area (Geumnyeonsan and Gwangan stations) and Haeundae. The base fare is about ₩1,600 with a T-money card.
- Taxi. Use Kakao T or a street taxi. Show the Korean name from your phone.
- Bus. Useful for Gamcheon and the temple. Use Naver Map for the live bus number.
- Luggage. Busan Station has lockers. Leave your bag there if your hotel check-in is late.
Day 1 · Friday 6 Nov: Gamcheon, Fish Market, Nampo
| Time | Stop | Time there | Move |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10:30 | Arrive at Busan Station, drop bags | 20 min | Subway Line 1 to Toseong (토성) Station |
| 11:30 | Gamcheon Culture Village (감천문화마을) | 90 min | Bus from Toseong, check Naver Map |
| 13:15 | Lunch near Jagalchi | 60 min | Bus or taxi |
| 14:30 | Jagalchi Fish Market (자갈치시장) and the waterfront | 60 min | Walk |
| 16:00 | Nampo-dong and BIFF Square (남포동) | 90 min | Walk |
| 18:00 | Yongdusan Park (용두산공원) and Busan Tower | 45 min | Walk |
| 19:00 | Dinner and rest | Subway to your hotel |
- 📍 Address
- 203 Gamnae 2-ro, Saha-gu, Busan. Open in Google Maps
- 🕘 Hours
- Open all year. People live here, and some plans limit visits to daytime. Go before 18:00.
- 🎟 Admission (checked)
- Free
- 🚌 Getting there
- Toseong Station (Line 1), then a bus. Use Naver Map for the live number.
- ⏱ Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- ✅ Must / Nice / Skip
- Must, for the colours and the stairs. Weekends are crowded. Keep your voice low and stay on the marked paths.
- 📍 Address
- Jagalchihaean-ro, Jung-gu, Busan. Open in Google Maps
- 🕘 Hours
- Stalls open from morning to evening. Hours differ by shop.
- 🎟 Admission (checked)
- Free
- 🚌 Getting there
- Jagalchi Station (Line 1)
- ⏱ Time needed
- 1 hour
- ✅ Must / Nice / Skip
- Nice. See the fish on the ground floor. If you want sashimi upstairs, ask the price first.
- 🍲 Dish
- Dwaeji-gukbap (돼지국밥, pork and rice soup), around ₩10,000–12,000. Milmyeon (밀면, cold wheat noodles), around ₩9,000–11,000.
- 📍 Where
- Search “돼지국밥” or “밀면” in Naver Map near Jagalchi or Busan Station. Prices are approximate, so check the sign.
Day 2 · Saturday 7 Nov: Temple, Beach, Fireworks
| Time | Stop | Time there | Move |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08:30 | Haedong Yonggungsa (해동용궁사) | 90 min | Bus or taxi from Haeundae, about 30–45 min |
| 11:30 | Haeundae Beach (해운대해수욕장) | 60 min | Bus or taxi |
| 12:30 | Lunch at Haeundae Market (해운대시장) | 60 min | Walk |
| 14:00 | Haeundae Blue Line Park (해운대 블루라인파크) or a free coast walk | 90 min | Walk or taxi |
| 15:30 | Move to Gwangalli (광안리) and find your spot | Subway Line 2 | |
| 19:00–20:00 | Fireworks | 60 min | You are already there |
| 20:30 | Go home slowly | See below |
- 📍 Address
- Yonggungsa-gil, Gijang-gun, Busan. Open in Google Maps
- 🕘 Hours
- About 04:30–20:30 in Korea Tourism data. The last entry may be earlier, so check on the day.
- 🎟 Admission (checked)
- Free
- 🚌 Getting there
- Bus from Haeundae, or a taxi. Use Naver Map for the live number.
- ⏱ Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- ✅ Must / Nice / Skip
- Must, for the cliff and sea view. There are many steps. Dress simply and walk quietly.
- 📍 Address
- Haeundae Beach, Haeundae-gu, Busan. Open in Google Maps
- 🕘 Hours
- Open all day
- 🎟 Admission (checked)
- Free
- 🚌 Getting there
- Haeundae Station (Line 2), then a short walk
- ⏱ Time needed
- 1 hour
- ✅ Must / Nice / Skip
- Nice. The water is cold in November, but the beach walk is lovely.
Fireworks Night: Busan Fireworks Festival (부산불꽃축제)
The 21st festival is on Saturday 7 Nov 2026. The show is over the water in front of Gwangan Bridge (광안대교). The main show runs 19:00–20:00, and events start in the afternoon. Times can change with the weather, so check the festival notice the day before.
| Option | Where | Cost (checked) | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free viewing | Both sides of Gwangalli Beach and the promenade | Free | Budget travellers who come early |
| Paid R seat | Beach in front of Hotel Aqua Palace and Homers Hotel | ₩100,000 (table and chairs) | Small groups who want a table |
| Paid S seat | Same seating area | ₩70,000 (chairs only) | Couples and solo travellers |
Tickets are on NOL Ticket (World NOL has an English page) and the Busan Bank app. Busan Bank branches sell S seats only. Busan residents get 10% off. The early-bird round sold out in one minute, so check NOL Ticket to see what is left. Official source: Busan Metropolitan City press release.
If you have no ticket: 1. Arrive in the Gwangalli area by 15:00. Free spots fill from the afternoon. 2. Bring a mat, a warm layer, water and a bag for your trash. 3. Use the toilet before 18:00. The lines get long. 4. The sea wind is cold at night in November.
Getting home. The roads and stations near Gwangalli are very crowded right after the show. Two simple plans: – Walk 15–20 minutes to a quieter Line 2 station before you use the subway. – Or sit down for a late snack and leave around 21:00.
Extra subway trains and road closures were not announced when this was checked on 27 Oct. Look at the Busan Transportation Corporation notices and Naver Map nearer the date.
Back to Seoul. The last KTX may be too early to catch after the show. A Saturday-night stay and a Sunday-morning train is calmer.
- 🚆 Idea
- Day trip to Gyeongju from Busan. See our 2 Days in Gyeongju plan.
Where to Stay
- 🌊 Feel
- Beach and big hotels. Good sea views, but far from Busan Station by subway.
- 💡 Tip
- On 7 Nov the Gwangalli and Haeundae areas fill early. Book early.
- 🌆 Feel
- The city centre. Subway Lines 1 and 2 cross here. Easy for fireworks and the station.
- 💡 Tip
- Good if you want food and a short ride to both Gwangalli and Haeundae.
- 🚆 Feel
- Easy for the KTX and for Day 1. An older part of the city.
- 💡 Tip
- Good if you leave early on Sunday by train.
What to Eat
- 🍲 Dish
- Pork and rice soup from Busan. Add salted shrimp and chives to taste.
- 💵 Price
- around ₩10,000–12,000
- 🍜 Dish
- Cold wheat noodles in a sweet and tangy broth.
- 💵 Price
- around ₩9,000–11,000
- 🥞 Dish
- Fried sweet pancake filled with seeds, sold in the Nampo and BIFF Square streets.
- 💵 Price
- around ₩2,000–3,000
Prices are approximate. Check the sign or menu.
Budget for 2 Days
Checked on 27 Oct 2026. US$1 is about ₩1,350 (rough guide).
| Item | Budget | Mid-range |
|---|---|---|
| KTX Seoul–Busan, one way | ₩54,400 (about US$40) | ₩54,400 |
| Subway and bus, 2 days | ₩10,000 (about US$7) | ₩20,000 with some taxis (about US$15) |
| Hotel, 1 night (twin) | ₩70,000–100,000 (about US$52–74) | ₩150,000–250,000 (about US$110–185) |
| Food, 2 days | ₩45,000 (about US$33) | ₩100,000 (about US$74) |
| Entry fees (Gamcheon, Jagalchi, the temple and the beach are free) | ₩0 | ₩0 |
| Fireworks | Free viewing | S seat ₩70,000 (about US$52) or R seat ₩100,000 (about US$74) |
| Total, without the return KTX | about ₩180,000 (about US$133) | about ₩400,000 (about US$296) |
Hotel and food prices are rough. Festival-night rooms cost more, so check a booking app.
Practical Tips for Foreign Visitors
- Pay. Cards work widely. Keep ₩20,000–30,000 in cash for small stalls. A T-money card works on the subway, on buses and in convenience stores.
- Apps. Naver Map (best in Korea), Kakao T (taxi), Papago (translation). The Google Maps links in this guide still open the place.
- Tax refund. Shops with a Tax Free sign give an instant refund if you spend over the minimum. Ask at the shop.
- Help. Call 1330, the Korea Travel Helpline (24 hours, English, Japanese, Chinese). From abroad: +82-2-1330.
FAQ
Where do I buy KTX tickets as a foreigner? Use the Korail English site or the Korail+ app. Enter your name as in your passport.
Do I need a paid seat for the fireworks? No. The beach sides and the promenade are free, but they fill up from the afternoon. A paid seat gives you a fixed place.
What if it rains? Check the festival notice and your ticket terms on NOL Ticket. Do not book a late train home the same night.
Can I leave my bags? Yes. Busan Station has lockers. You can also ask your hotel to keep bags before check-in.
日本語まとめ
- どこ：釜山（プサン）。ソウルからKTXで約2.5時間、ソウル～釜山は一般室54,400ウォン（9月から値下げ、以前は59,800ウォン）
- おすすめ時期：11月初め。11月7日（土）19:00～20:00に広安里で釜山花火大会
- 流れ：1日目 甘川文化村・チャガルチ市場・南浦洞／2日目 海東龍宮寺・海雲台・広安里で花火
- 入国：K-ETA免除は2026年12月31日まで。ネイバー地図はパスポート認証で予約・決済が可能
- ひとこと：有料席はR席10万ウォン・S席7万ウォン。無料エリアは午後から混むので15時には場所取りを。帰りの電車は日曜朝が安心
中文简介
- 地点：釜山。首尔乘KTX约2.5小时，首尔—釜山普通座54,400韩元（9月起降价，原为59,800韩元）
- 最佳时间：11月初。2026年11月7日（周六）19:00–20:00 广安里釜山烟火节
- 行程：第1天 甘川文化村、札嘎其市场、南浦洞／第2天 海东龙宫寺、海云台、广安里看烟火
- 入境：K-ETA免除至2026年12月31日。中国大陆护照个人旅游需先确认签证；团体限时免签请再核实
- 小贴士：收费座位R席100,000韩元、S席70,000韩元。免费区域下午开始爆满，建议15:00前占位。回程火车建议周日早晨
Sources (checked 27 Oct 2026): Busan Metropolitan City press release, 4 Sep 2026 · SBS Biz on the KTX fare cut · Korail · Korea Tourism Organization · K-ETA notice, Korean Embassy in the US