Fares and hours checked on 26 Oct 2026 against Gyeongju City, Bulguksa and Seokguram official pages. Take the KTX from Seoul (just over 2 hours), walk the old Silla capital on Day 1 and finish at Donggung Palace after dark, then do Bulguksa, Seokguram and the national museum on Day 2. Bulguksa and Seokguram have been free since May 2023, but many English guides still list ₩5,000–6,000.
Gyeongju (경주) was the capital of the Silla kingdom for almost 1,000 years. Today, the royal tombs, temples and palace ponds sit close together, so two days by train and city bus is enough.
This plan is for first-time visitors who use public transport. Every fee below comes from an official Korean page. Where we could not confirm a number, we say so.
Gyeongju at a Glance
- 📍 Where
- North Gyeongsang Province (경상북도), southeast Korea
- 🗓 Best time
- Early to mid November for autumn leaves (2026 forecast for the Gyeongsang region)
- ⏱ Days needed
- 2 days (1 night) for the main sights
- 🚆 From Seoul / Busan / Incheon Airport
- KTX from Seoul Station about 2 h 10 min / KTX from Busan Station about 30 min / Airport rail to Seoul Station, then KTX
- 💳 Pay
- Transit card for buses, foreign cards in most shops, a little cash for markets
- 🛂 Entry (K-ETA)
- 22 countries and regions are K-ETA-exempt until 31 Dec 2026 (KST). Check k-eta.go.kr for 2027
- 🔤 Search names
- 경주역 · 대릉원 · 첨성대 · 동궁과월지 · 불국사 · 석굴암 · 국립경주박물관
Before You Go (2026 Changes)
- KTX and SRT merged on 1 Sep 2026. Booking moved to the Korail+ app (코레일+), and KTX fares dropped about 10% on average. Seoul–Gyeongju standard class is now ₩44,500 (was ₩49,300).
- Train tickets now open 2 months ahead (since 1 Oct 2026, before it was 1 month).
- Naver Map passport verification (since 4 June 2026): you can book, order and pay in Naver Map without a Korean phone number.
- K-ETA exemption ends 31 Dec 2026. No 2027 extension was announced as of 26 Oct 2026.
- Gyeongju city buses cost ₩1,500 in cash or ₩1,450 with a transit card (since July 2025).
Getting There
Gyeongju’s KTX stop is Gyeongju Station (경주역). Until 28 Dec 2023 it was called Singyeongju (신경주). It is outside the city center, so plan a bus ride into town.
| From | Mode | Time | Fare (checked) | How foreigners book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seoul Station | KTX to Gyeongju Station | about 2 h 10 min – 2 h 50 min | ₩44,500 standard class (fare table from 1 Sep 2026) | Korail foreign-language website or Korail+ app, from 2 months before |
| Busan Station | KTX to Gyeongju Station | about 30 min | about ₩10,000–11,000 (check the app) | Same as above |
| Bujeon Station (Busan) | Donghae Line ITX-Maum or KTX-Eum | about 1 h 05 min – 1 h 30 min | about ₩10,100–12,500 (check the app) | Same as above |
| Incheon Airport | AREX train to Seoul Station, then KTX | AREX express about 43 min + KTX | KTX ₩44,500 + AREX ticket | AREX at the station, KTX as above |
| Incheon Airport | Direct airport bus to Gyeongju (경북아진) | check on the day | ₩41,300 | Airport bus counter |
| Gimhae Airport (Busan) | Airport shuttle bus to Gyeongju (금아관광) | check on the day | ₩9,000 | At the airport |
Fares checked on 26 Oct 2026. Busan and Bujeon fares are from a July 2026 timetable, before the September fare cut, so they may now be a little lower.
- 🚆 Train
- KTX from Seoul Station (서울역) to Gyeongju Station (경주역)
- ⏱ Time
- about 2 h 10 min on faster trains
- 💳 Fare
- ₩44,500 standard class, one way
- 🎫 Booking
- Seats open 2 months before departure. The foreign-language booking site supports 7 languages, with 3 more planned by year-end
- 🚌 After arrival
- Bus 70 (and other city buses) from the station to the bus terminal and Hwangnidan-gil (서라벌사거리·황리단길 stop)
Getting Around
Downtown is walkable. Daereungwon, Cheomseongdae, Gyochon Village, Woljeonggyo Bridge and Donggung Palace sit in one flat area of about 2 km. You do not need a bus for Day 1 once you are in town.
Buses 10 and 11 are the “golden loop.” They run the same circle in opposite directions: bus terminal → downtown → Bomun Lake → Bulguksa → Gyeongju National Museum → Donggung Palace → terminal. First bus 06:00, last bus 21:40 from the terminal, about every 20 minutes.
- To Bulguksa fast: bus 11 (via Donggung Palace and the museum).
- From Bulguksa back to the museum: bus 10.
- Seokguram: bus 12 runs only between Bulguksa and Seokguram. Waits can be long in peak season.
- From Gyeongju Station: bus 70 (also 50, 51 and others) to the terminal area; express bus 1150 goes to Bomun Lake and Bulguksa.
Bus routes in Gyeongju change from time to time. Check the live arrival time in Naver Map or KakaoMap, and type the stop name in Korean.
| Stop name (Korean) | English | For |
|---|---|---|
| 월성동주민센터 (01-280) | Wolseong-dong Community Center | Cheomseongdae, Daereungwon, Donggung Palace |
| 서라벌사거리·황리단길 | Seorabeol Intersection / Hwangnidan-gil | Hwangnidan-gil, Daereungwon |
| 불국사 (01-161) | Bulguksa | Bulguksa, bus 12 to Seokguram |
| 국립경주박물관 | Gyeongju National Museum | Museum, Donggung Palace (short walk) |
| 고속버스·시외버스터미널 | Express/Intercity Bus Terminal | Buses 10, 11, 70 |
Admission & Hours, Checked on 26 Oct 2026
Many English guides copy old prices. We checked each place on the official Gyeongju City tourism site and the temple websites on 26 Oct 2026.
| Place | Often written | Official (checked 26 Oct 2026) | Hours in November |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bulguksa Temple (불국사) | ₩5,000–6,000 | Free (since 4 May 2023) | 09:00–17:00 entry (Nov–Jan), every day |
| Seokguram Grotto (석굴암) | ₩5,000–6,000 | Free (since 4 May 2023) | 09:00–17:00 entry (Nov–Jan), every day |
| Daereungwon Tomb Complex (대릉원) | ₩3,000 | Free | 09:00–22:00 (tickets for Cheonmachong until 21:30) |
| Cheonmachong Tomb (천마총, inside Daereungwon) | included / free | ₩3,000 adult · ₩2,000 youth · ₩1,000 child | Enter by 21:30 |
| Cheomseongdae Observatory (첨성대) | paid in some guides | Free | 09:00–22:00 (until 21:00 in winter) |
| Donggung Palace & Wolji Pond (동궁과 월지) | various | ₩3,000 adult · ₩2,000 youth · ₩1,000 child | 09:00–22:00, last ticket 21:30 |
| Woljeonggyo Bridge (월정교) | — | Free | 09:00–22:00 |
| Gyochon Village (교촌마을) | — | Free | No set hours (shops and workshops vary) |
| Gyeongju National Museum (국립경주박물관) | — | Free (except paid special shows) | 10:00–18:00 · Sat to 20:00 (Mar–Oct only) |
| KTX station name | Singyeongju Station | Gyeongju Station (renamed 28 Dec 2023) | — |
| City bus fare | ₩1,300 | ₩1,500 cash / ₩1,450 card (since 1 Jul 2025) | — |
Checked on 26 Oct 2026: Gyeongju City tourism admission page, Bulguksa and Seokguram official sites, Gyeongju city bus fare table. Under 7 and 65+ enter Donggung Palace and Cheonmachong free.
So for the whole route below, you pay only ₩6,000 in admissions.
- 🎟 Cheonmachong Tomb
- ₩3,000
- 🎟 Donggung Palace & Wolji Pond
- ₩3,000
- 🆓 Free
- Bulguksa, Seokguram, Daereungwon, Cheomseongdae, Woljeonggyo, Gyochon, National Museum
- 💰 Total
- ₩6,000 (about US$4)
Day 1 · Downtown Tombs and Donggung Palace at Night
| Time | Stop | Time there | Move |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08:00 | Seoul Station | — | KTX, about 2 h 10 min |
| 10:15 | Gyeongju Station | 15 min | Bus 70 to 서라벌사거리·황리단길, then drop bags |
| 11:15 | Daereungwon + Cheonmachong | 1 h 15 min | Walk 5 min |
| 12:45 | Lunch: ssambap near Daereungwon | 1 h | Walk 10 min |
| 14:00 | Cheomseongdae | 20 min | Walk through Gyerim Forest |
| 14:30 | Gyerim Forest + Gyochon Village | 1 h | Walk 5 min |
| 15:30 | Woljeonggyo Bridge | 30 min | Walk 20 min back |
| 16:15 | Hwangnidan-gil café break / check in | 1 h 15 min | — |
| 17:30 | Dinner | 1 h | Walk 15–20 min |
| 18:30 | Donggung Palace & Wolji Pond | 1 h 15 min | Walk or taxi back |
| 20:00 | Back to your stay | — | — |
Donggung Palace is the night view most people come for. Go after dark, but not right before 21:30, when the ticket line can be long.
- 📍 Address
- 경주시 황남동 31-1 · bus stop 월성동주민센터, 5–7 min walk · Map
- 🕘 Hours
- 09:00–22:00
- 🎟 Admission
- Free (checked 26 Oct 2026). Cheonmachong Tomb inside: ₩3,000
- 🚌 Getting there
- Bus 70 from Gyeongju Station to 서라벌사거리·황리단길, or bus 10/11 to 월성동주민센터
- ⏱ Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- ✅ Must / Nice / Skip
- Must. Cheonmachong is the only tomb you can walk inside
- 📍 Address
- 경주시 인왕동 839-1 · bus stop 월성동주민센터, 5–7 min walk · Map
- 🕘 Hours
- 09:00–22:00 (until 21:00 in winter)
- 🎟 Admission
- Free (checked 26 Oct 2026)
- 🚌 Getting there
- 5 min walk from Daereungwon
- ⏱ Time needed
- 20 minutes
- ✅ Must / Nice / Skip
- Must, but it is small. It is lit up at night too
- 📍 Address
- 경주시 교촌길 39-2 · Map
- 🕘 Hours
- No set hours (workshops have their own hours)
- 🎟 Admission
- Free
- 🚌 Getting there
- Walk from Cheomseongdae through Gyerim Forest (계림), about 10 min
- ⏱ Time needed
- 45 min – 1 hour
- ✅ Must / Nice / Skip
- Nice. Hanok houses, the Choi family house and the old Confucian school
- 📍 Address
- 경주시 교동 274 · Map
- 🕘 Hours
- 09:00–22:00
- 🎟 Admission
- Free
- 🚌 Getting there
- 5 min walk from Gyochon Village
- ⏱ Time needed
- 30 minutes
- ✅ Must / Nice / Skip
- Nice by day, better lit up at night
- 📍 Address
- 경주시 원화로 102 · bus stop 월성동주민센터, 8–10 min walk · Map
- 🕘 Hours
- 09:00–22:00, last ticket 21:30, open every day
- 🎟 Admission
- ₩3,000 adult · ₩2,000 youth · ₩1,000 child (checked 26 Oct 2026)
- 🚌 Getting there
- 15–20 min walk from Hwangnidan-gil, or bus 10/11
- ⏱ Time needed
- 1 hour
- ✅ Must / Nice / Skip
- Must, after dark. The palace halls reflect on the pond
Day 2 · Bulguksa, Seokguram and the National Museum
| Time | Stop | Time there | Move |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08:30 | Bus stop near your stay | — | Bus 11 to 불국사, about 40 min – 1 h |
| 09:20 | Bulguksa bus stop | — | Bus 12 up to Seokguram (or hike 3 km) |
| 10:00 | Seokguram Grotto | 45 min | Bus 12 down |
| 11:15 | Bulguksa Temple | 1.5 h | Walk to the restaurant street |
| 13:00 | Lunch near Bulguksa | 1 h | Bus 10 to 국립경주박물관 |
| 14:45 | Gyeongju National Museum | 2 h | Bus or taxi to Gyeongju Station, allow 40 min |
| 17:00 | Gyeongju Station | — | KTX after 18:00, Seoul around 20:30 |
Go to Seokguram first. Tour buses usually arrive later in the morning, and the mountain road is quieter early. If bus 12 has a long wait, the forest trail between the two temples is about 3 km (allow about an hour uphill).
- 📍 Address
- 경주시 불국로 873-243 · Map
- 🕘 Hours
- 09:00–17:00 entry (Nov–Jan), 09:00–17:30 (Oct), every day
- 🎟 Admission
- Free since 4 May 2023 (checked 26 Oct 2026). Parking ₩2,000
- 🚌 Getting there
- Bus 12 from the Bulguksa stop, or the 3 km trail from Bulguksa
- ⏱ Time needed
- 45 minutes
- ✅ Must / Nice / Skip
- Must. You see the stone Buddha through a glass wall, so the visit is short
- 📍 Address
- 경주시 불국로 385 · bus stop 불국사 (01-161), 3–5 min walk · Map
- 🕘 Hours
- 09:00–17:00 entry (Nov–Jan), every day. No pets
- 🎟 Admission
- Free since 4 May 2023 (checked 26 Oct 2026). Parking ₩2,000
- 🚌 Getting there
- Bus 10 or 11 from downtown; express bus 1150 from Gyeongju Station
- ⏱ Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- ✅ Must / Nice / Skip
- Must. Note: the main hall (Daeungjeon) needs urgent repair, and a temporary cover may go up around late 2026. No start date was announced as of 26 Oct
- 📍 Address
- 경주시 일정로 186 · bus stop 국립경주박물관 · Map
- 🕘 Hours
- 10:00–18:00 · Sat to 20:00 (Mar–Oct only). Closed 1 Jan, Seollal, Chuseok
- 🎟 Admission
- Free (paid special exhibitions excepted)
- 🚌 Getting there
- Bus 10 from Bulguksa
- ⏱ Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- ✅ Must / Nice / Skip
- Must for a rainy day or a first visit. See the Silla gold crowns and the Divine Bell of King Seongdeok outside
Autumn leaves are around all three Day 2 stops. Many visitors also stop at the ginkgo road near Tongiljeon (통일전), on the bus 10/11 route between Bulguksa and the museum.
Where to Stay
- 🏘 Good for
- Walking to Day 1 sights, cafés and hanok guesthouses
- 👍 Plus
- You can walk to Donggung Palace at night and back
- 👎 Minus
- Busy and pricier on weekends; small rooms in hanok stays
- 🚌 Transport
- Bus 70 from Gyeongju Station; buses 10/11 nearby
- 🏘 Good for
- Budget travelers and early buses
- 👍 Plus
- Buses 10, 11 and 70 start or stop here; 10 min walk to Hwangnidan-gil
- 👎 Minus
- Plain streets, less atmosphere
- 🚌 Transport
- Airport buses and intercity buses arrive here
- 🏘 Good for
- Big hotels, lake walks, families with a car
- 👍 Plus
- Bus 10/11 stops in front of many hotels; closer to Bulguksa
- 👎 Minus
- Far from downtown for dinner and the night view; you will need a bus or taxi
- 🚌 Transport
- Express bus 1150 from Gyeongju Station
What to Eat
- 🍽 What
- Rice with many leafy greens and side dishes, often with grilled bulgogi
- 📍 Where
- Restaurant street around Daereungwon
- 💰 Price
- around ₩15,000 and up per person
- 🍽 What
- Small baked buns with red bean filling; a classic gift box
- 📍 Where
- Shops on Hwangnidan-gil and near the station
- 💰 Price
- sold by the box; check the shop
- 🍽 What
- Hot beef soup for breakfast; local Korean beef for a bigger dinner
- 📍 Where
- Haejangguk street near Paluijeong (팔우정) downtown; hanwoo restaurants across the city
- 💰 Price
- soup is the cheap option, hanwoo the splurge
Budget for 2 Days
Per person, round trip from Seoul, 1 night. Transport and admissions are checked. Food and rooms are rough estimates. US$1 ≈ ₩1,350.
| Item | Budget | Mid-range |
|---|---|---|
| KTX Seoul ↔ Gyeongju (₩44,500 × 2) | ₩89,000 (US$66) | ₩89,000 (US$66) |
| City buses, about 6 rides by card (₩1,450) | ₩8,700 (US$6) | ₩8,700 (US$6) |
| Admissions (this route) | ₩6,000 (US$4) | ₩6,000 (US$4) |
| Food, 2 days (estimate) | ₩60,000 (US$44) | ₩100,000 (US$74) |
| 1 night stay (estimate) | ~₩65,000 guesthouse (US$48) | ~₩150,000 hotel (US$111) |
| Taxi (estimate) | ₩0 | ₩20,000 (US$15) |
| Total | about ₩228,700 (≈ US$170) | about ₩373,700 (≈ US$277) |
Transport and admission prices checked on 26 Oct 2026. Room prices go up on November weekends, so book early.
Practical Tips for Foreign Visitors
- Transit card. A Korean transit card such as T-money saves ₩50 per bus ride and makes transfers easier. Top it up at convenience stores. Keep some cash, because bus cash fares need coins and small notes.
- Foreign cards. Most restaurants and shops take Visa and Mastercard. Some apps and very small shops may not accept foreign cards, so carry ₩30,000–50,000 in cash.
- Naver Map. Better than Google Maps for buses and walking in Korea. Since 4 June 2026 you can verify with your passport and book or pay without a Korean number.
- Kakao T and Papago. Kakao T for taxis, Papago for translating menus and signs.
- Tax refund. Look for “Tax Free” shops. From 2024, purchases from ₩15,000 qualify, and an instant refund at the shop works up to under ₩1,000,000 per purchase and ₩5,000,000 per trip. Ask at the shop, as rules can change.
- 1330 travel hotline. 24-hour help in English, Japanese and Chinese. Dial 1330 in Korea or +82-2-1330 from abroad.
- Night view timing. Donggung Palace stops selling tickets at 21:30. Arrive by about 20:30 on weekends.
FAQ
Is Bulguksa Temple free in 2026? Yes. Bulguksa and Seokguram have been free since 4 May 2023 (checked on both temples’ official sites on 26 Oct 2026). Parking costs ₩2,000.
Can I do Gyeongju as a day trip from Busan? Yes. The KTX takes about 30 minutes. But if you want Donggung Palace at night and both temples, stay one night.
Do I need a K-ETA to visit Korea in 2027? The exemption for 22 countries and regions (including the US, UK, Australia and Japan) ends on 31 Dec 2026 (KST). As of 26 Oct 2026, no 2027 extension was announced. Check k-eta.go.kr before you book.
When do the leaves peak in Gyeongju? The 2026 national foliage map (Korea Tourism Organization and Korea National Arboretum) expects the Gyeongsang region to peak in early to mid November.
Is Singyeongju Station the same as Gyeongju Station? Yes. Singyeongju KTX station was renamed Gyeongju Station on 28 Dec 2023. The old downtown Gyeongju Station closed in 2021.
The best single tip: book your KTX seat as soon as the 2-month window opens, then plan Day 1 around Donggung Palace after dark.
日本語まとめ
- どこ：慶州（キョンジュ／경주）— ソウル駅からKTXで約2時間10分、降りるのは「慶州駅（경주역）」（旧・新慶州駅）
- おすすめ時期：11月上旬〜中旬の紅葉（2026年慶尚圏の予想）
- 2日間の流れ：1日目 大陵苑・瞻星台・校村・月精橋・東宮と月池（夜）／2日目 石窟庵・仏国寺・国立慶州博物館
- 入国：日本国籍はK-ETA免除が2026年12月31日まで（2027年は公式サイトで確認）
- ひとこと：仏国寺・石窟庵は入場無料、東宮と月池は3,000ウォン（2026年10月26日確認）
中文简介
- 地点：庆州（경주）— 首尔站乘KTX约2小时10分，到“庆州站（경주역）”（原新庆州站）
- 最佳时间：11月上中旬红叶（2026年庆尚圈预测）
- 两天行程：第1天 大陵苑·瞻星台·校村·月精桥·东宫与月池（夜景）／第2天 石窟庵·佛国寺·国立庆州博物馆
- 入境：中国大陆护照需办理签证（不适用K-ETA免除），出发前请查官方信息
- 小贴士：佛国寺、石窟庵免费；市内公交1,500韩元；Naver地图可用护照认证预约付款（2026年6月起）
Sources: Gyeongju City tourism – admission fees · Gyeongju City – getting here · Gyeongju City – bus 10 route · Bulguksa – hours & fees · Seokguram – hours & fees · Gyeongju city bus fares · Korean Embassy in the US – K-ETA notice · VisitKorea – 2-day Gyeongju · Korail · KTX fares: Kyongbuk Maeil (24 Aug 2026) · Rail booking window: MTN (20 Sep 2026). All checked on 26 Oct 2026.