Thinking about purchasing a Discover Seoul Pass for your trip to Seoul but not sure if it’s worth the money? Not sure about where to use the pass and what features it provides? Then check out these Discover Seoul Pass itineraries and detailed guide to the Discover Seoul Pass and start planning and saving today.
In this article you’ll find 8 one-day Discover Seoul Pass itineraries that you can piece together to cover the 24 | 48 | 72 hour time limits of the pass. Whether you’re travelling as a family, a couple, with friends, or by yourself, there are itineraries that will suit your interests.
There’s also information about how to buy the Discover Seoul Pass, the key features, and tricks to get the most from the pass. Furthermore, these are all realistic Discover Seoul Pass itineraries that won’t require you to rush from attraction to attraction all over Seoul.
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Discover Seoul Pass Itineraries Info
These Discover Seoul Pass itineraries have been created with different types of travellers in mind. After all, not everyone’s perfect itinerary is the same.
To help make it easier to find the best Discover Seoul Pass itinerary for you, I’ve created two different types of itinerary for the 24 hour, 48 hour, and 72 hour Discover Seoul Passes.
The first itinerary type focuses on families and those travelling with children. These itineraries will feature lots of family-fun places and premium attractions that kids will love.
The second itinerary type focuses on friends and couples who want to explore the best of Seoul. These itineraries still feature some places that can be considered family-friendly, but focus more on things that adults will enjoy.
I recommend looking at both itineraries and choosing parts from either one to create your own perfect Discover Seoul Pass itinerary.
Unrealistic Discover Seoul Pass Itineraries
Some travel bloggers create Discover Seoul Pass itineraries that cram in loads of different activities to make it look like you’re saving more money. While these look appealing, they’re often unrealistic and the savings aren’t as high as you end up abandoning some activities.
The Discover Seoul Pass itineraries in this article provide a recommended amount of time in each location and a practical number of activities that you can do each day. They also include activities that are close to each other or within a 30-40 minute commute by public transport.
I will give you a realistic guide to how you can save money with the Discover Seoul Pass and how many activities you can do in one day. This is especially important when travelling with children as they aren’t going to want to run from location to location all day long.
Planning to visit Korea? These travel essentials will help you plan your trip, get the best deals, and save you time and money before and during your Korean adventure.
Visas & K-ETA: Some travellers to Korea need a Tourist Visa, but most can travel with a Korean Electronic Travel Authorisation (K-ETA). Currently 22 Countries don’t need either one.
How To Stay Connected: Pre-order a Korean Sim Card or a WiFi Router to collect on-arrival at Incheon Airport (desks open 24-hours). Alternatively, download a Korean eSIM for you travels.
Where To Stay: For Seoul, I recommend Myeongdong (convenient), Hongdae (cool culture) or Gangnam (shopping). For Busan, Haeundae (Beach) or Seomyeon (Downtown).
Incheon Airport To Seoul: Take the Airport Express (AREX) to Seoul Station or a Limo Bus across Seoul. Book an Incheon Airport Private Transfer and relax to or from the airport.
Korean Tour Operators: Tour companies that have a big presence in Korea include Klook, Trazy, Viator, and Get Your Guide. These sites offer discounted entry tickets for top attractions
Seoul City Passes: Visit Seoul’s top attractions for free with a Discover Seoul Pass or Go City Seoul Pass. These passes are great for families and couples visiting Seoul – you can save lots.
How To Get Around: For public transport, grab a T-Money Card. Save money on Korea’s high speed trains with a Korea Rail Pass. To see more of Korea, there are many Rental Car Options.
Travel Money: Use money exchanges near Myeongdong and Hongdae subway stations for the best exchange rates. Order a Wise Card or WOWPASS to pay by card across Korea.
Flights To Korea: I use flight comparison sites such as Expedia and Skyscanner to find the best flights to Korea from any country. Air Asia is a good option for budget flights from Asia.
How To Learn Korean: The language course from 90 Day Korean or Korean Class 101 both have well-structured lessons and lots of useful resources to help you learn Korean.
What Is The Discover Seoul Pass?
In case you’re not sure what the Discover Seoul Pass (DSP) is and how it works, here’s a quick overview of the essential features and different pass types you can buy. If you already know how to use the Discover Seoul Pass, you can jump ahead to the itineraries section.
Discover Seoul Pass Types
There are three different Discover Seoul Passes available and the only difference between them is validity time.
The Discover Seoul Pass types are:
- 24 Hour Discover Seoul Pass
- 48 Hour Discover Seoul Pass
- 72 Hour Discover Seoul Pass
The Discover Seoul Passes are all fixed-time passes. That means once you activate them, the clock is ticking and they’ll expire after that amount of time. This is actually very important information and the key to getting even more out of a Discover Seoul Pass, which I’ll tell you about soon.
BTS Discover Seoul Pass Special Edition
Fans of the Korean supergroup BTS can purchase a special edition of the 24 hour Discover Seoul Pass that comes with a special BTS design. The special BTS Discover Seoul Pass designs first went on sale in March 2019 and were limited to only 50,000 editions.
Since summer 2022, the BTS Discover Seoul Pass designs are back in stock and are available for everyone to purchase. Even if you’re not ARMY, you can still buy these special designs to share with friends when you get back or keep for yourself in case you convert later on.
The BTS Discover Seoul Pass costs 50,000 KRW, which is the same price as the regular 24 hour Discover Seoul Pass. You can get the same benefits from this pass as the regular pass, but with the added benefit of the exclusive design.
Please note: the BTS edition often goes out of stock. Check back later if it’s currently unavailable.
Who Is The Discover Seoul Pass For?
The Discover Seoul Pass is available for foreign tourists (non-South Korean passport holders) visiting or living in Korea. The Discover Seoul Pass is not available to Korean citizens.
Families travelling with children will need a Discover Seoul Pass for each member of the family. Unfortunately, there are no discounts for children when buying the pass and no free entry for children accompanied by an adult.
Please note: because this pass is for tourists, you’ll need to bring your passport with you to collect the pass and also when you use the pass.
Key Features Of The Discover Seoul Pass
The key features of the Discover Seoul Pass are the large number of premium attractions in Seoul that you can enter for free.
There are more than 56 tourist attractions in Seoul with free entry for Discover Seoul Pass holders. To get free entry, simply show the QR code on the pass, collect an entrance ticket, and enter without having to pay.
Some of the free attractions with the Discover Seoul Pass include:
- N Seoul Tower
- Lotte World Adventure
- Gyeongbokgung Palace
- COEX Aquarium
- Color Pool Museum
- Seoul Zoo
- Alive Museum
- Han River Cruise
- Hanbok Rental
- And many more…
There are also more than 150 tourist attractions and experiences that offer discount tickets for Discover Seoul Pass holders.
Some of the discounted attractions with the Discover Seoul Pass include:
- Dynamic Maze
- Lotte World Tower Seoul Sky
- Seoul Land
- Everland Theme Park
- National Gugak Centre
- Makgeolli Making Class
- Rice Cake Making Experience
- Taekwondo Experience
- Various Shopping Discounts
- And many more…
The discounted attractions are mostly cultural and shopping related activities.
Please note: you can only access these discounted attractions during the time your Discover Seoul Pass is active.
These free and discounted attractions are some of the key features of the Discover Seoul Pass, but there’s a lot more you can get.
Extra Features Of The Discover Seoul Pass
Besides free and discounted entry to some of Seoul’s top attractions, the Discover Seoul Pass comes with several other great benefits that make it value for money. Here’s a quick summary of those extra features.
Free Airport Express (AREX) Ticket (One-Way)
You can use the Discover Seoul Pass to get a free ride between Incheon Airport and Seoul Station on the tourist-friendly Airport Express (AREX). A one-way ticket normally costs 9,500 KRW. The AREX is a high speed train with lots of space for suitcases.
Please note: This activates the Discover Seoul Pass, so you should consider whether or not you want to use the pass immediately after you arrive.
Free Airport Limousine Bus Ticket (One-Way)
If the AREX isn’t convenient for where you want to go, you can take an airport limousine bus instead. The Discover Seoul Pass gives you a one-way free ride between Incheon Airport and destinations in Seoul. An adult bus ticket is normally 18,000 KRW.
Please note: This activates the Discover Seoul Pass, so you should consider whether or not you want to use the pass immediately after you arrive. The free airport limousine bus is only valid with the mobile version of the Discover Seoul Pass.
Free Seoul Public Bike Rental
After you activate your Discover Seoul Pass, you can rent a Seoul Public Bike for free. You can rent the bike for 24 hours during the period your pass is active.
Free Transportation Card
The Discover Seoul Pass comes with either a T-Money Card or Rail+ Card, both of which are transportation cards that allow you to travel on Korea’s public transportation (buses and subway) more easily and also save you money on the fare for each journey.
Unlike the other features of the Discover Seoul Pass, the transportation card feature is permanent and doesn’t count towards your time limit. You can activate your transportation card as soon as you get your Discover Seoul Pass.
Please note: There are full details about each of these extra features later on in this guide. Check the ‘About The Discover Seoul Pass‘ section to find out more.
What Is The Discover Seoul Pass Price?
The official price of the different Discover Seoul Pass is 50,000 Korean won for a 24 hour pass, 70,000 won for a 48 hour pass, and 90,000 won for a 72 hour pass. You can see these prices below:
| Time Limit | Cost (KRW) |
|---|---|
| 24 Hours | 50,000 KRW |
| 48 Hours | 70,000 KRW |
| 72 Hours | 90,000 KRW |
Where To Collect The Discover Seoul Pass
You can collect the Discover Seoul Pass at four different locations. You can collect the Discover Seoul Pass at Incheon Airport in either Terminal 1 or Terminal 2. You can also collect it in central Seoul at the Myeongdong Tourist Information Center or the Seoul Tourism Plaza Tourist Info Center.
Here are details about where to collect the Discover Seoul Pass at Incheon Airport Terminal 1 or 2 and in Seoul at the Myeongdong Tourist Information Center and Seoul Tourism Plaza, as well as opening hours and addresses.
Incheon Airport Terminal 1
Location:
SKT Roaming Center
(1F, between Gates 9 and 10)
Opening Hours:
6:00am to 10:00pm
Open Every Day
Incheon Airport Terminal 2
Location:
SKT Booth
(Near the East Immigration area – 2F)
Opening Hours:
Open 24 Hours
Open Every Day
Location:
SK Roaming Center
(1F, between Exit 4 and Exit 5)
Opening Hours:
5:00am to 10:00pm
Open Every Day
Myeongdong Tourist Information Center
Address:
66, Euljiro, Jung-gu, Seoul
서울특별시 중구 을지로 66
Contact Number:
+82 2 778 0333
Opening Hours:
9:00am to 6:00pm Daily
Closed:
Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving)
Seollal (Lunar New Year)
Seoul Tourism Plaza Tourist Information Office
Address:
85 Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
서울특별시 종로구 청계천로 85
Contact Number:
+82 2 6365 3100
Opening Hours:
9:00am to 6:00pm Daily
Closed:
Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving)
Seollal (Lunar New Year)
Best Place To Buy A Discover Seoul Pass
If the Discover Seoul Pass is right for you, and you plan to get one when you travel to Seoul, then I recommend buying it from the official website or from an official reseller, such as Klook or Trazy. Resellers can be convenient as you can manage all your tour and travel bookings with one account.
I’ve worked with these two companies for many years and they’re two of the biggest providers of tours and tourist services in Korea. They offer reputable services and good customer support. If you need sim cards / portable WiFi, tours, or car rental, I also recommend them for those, too.
The Discover Seoul Pass can also be purchased from CU convenience stores. However, this is the digital version of the pass and you won’t get a physical card. You will need a Korean sim card or portable WiFi router to get access to the Internet and use the pass.
How To Save More With The Discover Seoul Pass
Finally, here’s a small trick that I want to share so you get more from these Discover Seoul Pass itineraries. It could save you an extra 50,000 KRW on top of other savings.
As mentioned, the Discover Seoul Pass is valid for a fixed time-period. For example, if you activate the card at 10:00am, it’s valid until 9:59am the next day. Instead of activating the pass early in the morning, wait until about 10:00am. This way it’ll still be active on the next day and you can use it for an all-day activity on the second day as well (starting before 9:59am).
Examples of all-day activities for the Discover Seoul Pass for include visiting Lotte World Adventure theme park, renting a Seoul Public Bike, or renting a hanbok and exploring the royal palaces.
Tip: If you use the Discover Seoul Pass to rent hanbok on the second day, you get free entry to all of Seoul’s royal palaces – you won’t need to use the Discover Seoul Pass for entry.
I haven’t included these money-saving tips to the 24 | 48 | 72 hour Discover Seoul Pass itineraries, but it’s worth remembering so you can get more free things for your money.
Now, here are the Discover Seoul Pass itineraries for the 24 | 48 | 72 hour passes.
24 Hour Discover Seoul Pass Itineraries
Want to see the best of Seoul’s premium attractions in just one day? Then these Discover Seoul Pass itineraries are for you. They’ll cover some of the most expensive attractions within 1 day to get the most value from your pass.
As mentioned, these Discover Seoul Pass itineraries are designed to be realistic, giving you enough time to enjoy each activity and to travel between locations.
Each of these itineraries is focused on just one or two areas of Seoul to reduce travel time. If you want to mix & match these itineraries, please check the locations of each attraction.
For some of these itineraries, I’ve added the Seoul City Tour Bus Downtown Palace Route. You can use this to get between many tourist hotspots for free. This is especially useful to get between Seoul’s palaces, Bukchon Hanok Village, Dongdaemun Design Plaza, and N Seoul Tower.
Please note: I’ve given a rough time estimate for each the locations in these Discover Seoul Pass itineraries. These estimates don’t include time to move between locations or meals. You might also want to spend more time in each place, or less.
If you want to purchase the 24 hour Discover Seoul Pass, you can visit the official Discover Seoul Pass website, or order one from these great tour companies in Korea.
Family-Friendly 24 Hour Discover Seoul Pass Itineraries
I’ve included two 24 hour Discover Seoul Pass itineraries for families in this section as there are two very different parts of Seoul you can cover in one day – central Seoul and the Gangnam & Jamsil districts.
Central Seoul Family Itinerary
The first of these itineraries is a family-friendly day out in central Seoul that involves dressing up in hanbok, seeing the historical sights, an afternoon of fun activities, and an evening seeing the sights of Seoul from the N Seoul Tower and downtown Dongdaemun.
Head to Gwanghwamun Square to activate the Seoul City Tour Bus ticket before walking towards Gyeongbokgung Palace and the hanbok rental shops. Wearing hanbok, enter the palace and take some beautiful photos before it gets too busy. You can also explore parts of nearby Bukchon Hanok Village, too.
Drop the hanbok off and get ready for an afternoon of fun activities in Insadong, home to the Color Pool Museum, Alive Museum, and Dynamic Maze – all premium attractions that kids (and adults) will love. Grab refreshments and lunch in the many cafes, teahouses, and restaurants in the side streets.
Ride the Seoul City Tour Bus to Myeongdong for the SBA Seoul Animation Center and a quick look at the markets and street foods. After, you can either jump back on the bus or take the Namsan Cable Car to the N Seoul Tower.
When you’ve seen all you want from the N Seoul Tower, head back to Myeongdong for night markets, or Dongdaemun to see the futuristic Dongdaemun Design Plaza and night views as you walk along the Cheonggyecheon Stream.
| Activity | Time |
|---|---|
| Seoul City Tour Bus (Course A) | All day |
| Hanbok Rental | Morning |
| Gyeongbokgung Palace | 2 hours |
| Color Pool Museum | 1.5 hour |
| Alive Museum or Dynamic Maze | 1.5 hour |
| SBA Seoul Animation Center | 1 hour |
| N Seoul Tower | 1 hour |
| Dongdaemun Design Plaza | 1 hour |
Where To Eat
Grab breakfast at your hotel or cafe before heading to Anguk Station where you can activate the Seoul City Tour Bus and rent hanbok. There’s a great cafe in this area called Fritz Coffee (Wonseo branch) – one of my favourites in Seoul.
For lunch, check out some of the traditional Korean restaurants or street food stalls around insadong. Depending on your schedule, you can eat dinner before the N Seoul Tower in Myeongdong, or wait until after and get something near Dongdaemun Design Plaza.
Other Sights
Some of the other sights you’ll pass on the way include Jogyesa Temple, Museum Kimchikan (Free with DSP), Bukchon Hanok Village, Anyoung Insadong, Ssamzigil Shopping Center, and Myeongdong Street Markets.
Gangnam & Jamsil Family Itinerary
The second of these 24 hour itineraries covers Seoul’s wealthy Gangnam & Jamsil districts, home to Seoul’s richest residents, K-Pop stars, and a load of family-fun activities that you can enjoy for free with the Discover Seoul Pass. Kids will love this one day itinerary as it features thrilling theme park rides, fishy fun, and incredible sights from one of the world’s tallest buildings (and a scary glass floor!).
Start the day at the COEX Mall in Gangnam and see the wall-to-wall bookshelves of the Starfield Library before gazing at the fish and sea animals at the COEX Aquarium. Browse the shops of this giant mall and other sights before shedding the materialistic world with a quick visit to the nearby Bongeunsa Temple.
After the spiritual sights of Bongeunsa Temple, ride the subway a few stops to Jamsil Station, home to all things Lotte. Enjoy an afternoon of thrilling rides and attractions at Lotte World Magic Island & Lotte World Adventure – the world’s largest indoor theme park. This is a perfect Rainy Day Activity in Seoul.
Step outside and take a peaceful stroll around the Seokchon Lake, one of the top cherry blossom spots in Seoul. Take some pictures of the world’s 6th tallest building, the Lotte World Tower, before entering and zooming up to the 117th floor to see incredible views of Seoul from the Seoul Sky observatory.
Explore the rest of the Lotte World Tower, which includes shops, restaurants, and other attractions before heading home to rest or setting out to explore Korea’s night sights.
| Activity | Time |
|---|---|
| Starfield Library | 30 mins |
| COEX Aquarium | 1.5 hours |
| Bongeunsa Temple | 30 mins |
| Lotte World Adventure | 2+ hours |
| Lotte World Magic Island | 2+ hours |
| Seokchon Lake | 30 mins |
| Seoul Sky* (Lotte World Tower) | 1 hours |
Where To Eat
There’s a wide range of dining options inside the COEX Mall, including plenty of traditional Korean and western dishes. Grab something here for lunch before a busy afternoon in Lotte World Adventure.
If you fancy a night of fine dining and views, you can book a table at the 123 Lounge inside Seoul Sky. Otherwise, head to Apgujeong in Gangnam for fine dining and local food options.
Other Sights
K-Pop fans will know Gangnam as the home of not only Psy (Gangnam Style), but also the location of K-Pop company headquarters. Although some of these have moved, you can still see K-Pop’s influence in the area, including at the K-Star Road.
Near to Lotte World Tower you can see the beautiful Olympic Park and Seokchon-dong Ancient Tombs. Cross the river and you’ll find the delightful Seoul Forest, a great place to see Autumn Leaves In Seoul.
If you want to do some shopping, head to the Hyundai Department Store in Gangnam where you can get 5-10% off goods there with the Discover Seoul Pass
Friends & Couples 24 Hour Discover Seoul Pass Itinerary
There’s only one 24 hour itinerary for friends & couples as I think the two family itineraries are mostly suitable for adults, too. This itinerary covers similar areas to the first family itinerary, so you can mix & match between the two to build your own schedule.
Please note: These activities aren’t that expensive and probably cost about the same as the Discover Seoul Pass. However, don’t forget you can add a second day’s activity with the tricks I mentioned before, as well as the Airport Express (9,500 KRW) and T-Money Card (2,500 KRW) savings. These extras make the Discover Seoul Pass worth it, even if you don’t visit a lot of expensive places.
Central Seoul Cultural Itinerary
For adults who want to see more of Seoul’s history, culture, and sights, this one day itinerary will be perfect for you. This schedule will take your through Seoul’s royal palaces and a traditional hanok village before showing you the artistic streets and attractions of Insadong and the sights from the N Seoul Tower.
As with the family itinerary, I’ve included the Seoul City Tour Bus (free with DSP) as it will take you between the palaces, central Seoul, and N Seoul Tower. Start early with hanbok rental from near Anguk Station and see the Jongmyo Shrine and Changdeokgung Palace before exploring the traditional streets of the Bukchon Hanok Village.
After returning the hanbok (or before), get lunch and indulge in the artwork of the National Museum of Modern & Contemporary Art near Bukchon Hanok Village. A short walk to Insadong will bring you to Museum Kimchikan, where you can learn all about Korea’s national dish (and its many varieties).
Take a break from the culture and history and have some fun in Insadong at the Color Pool Museum, Alive Museum, or Dynamic Maze. Whichever one sounds most exciting for you. If you want some fun Instagram pics, I recommend the Color Pool Museum.
Use the Seoul City Tour Bus to get to N Seoul Tower and see the night sights. If you arrive just before sunset, you’ll be treated to the changing views as Seoul’s lights come on. After exploring the observatory area and the many attractions there, head back down and enjoy a relaxing evening at Ohui & Whoo Spa in Myeongdong.
| Activity | Time |
|---|---|
| Seoul City Tour Bus (Course A) | All day |
| Hanbok Rental | Morning |
| Jongmyo Shrine | 30 mins |
| Changdeokgung Palace | 2 hours |
| Bukchon Hanok Village | 1 hour |
| Bukchon Traditional Museum | 30 mins |
| National Museum of Modern & Contemporary Art | 1-2 hours |
| Museum Kimchikan | 1 hour |
| Color Pool / Alive Museum | 1.5 hours |
| N Seoul Tower | 1 hour |
| Ohui & Whoo Spa* | 1 hour |
Where To Eat
Grab breakfast at your hotel or cafe before heading to Anguk Station where you can activate the Seoul City Tour Bus, rent hanbok, and make your way to Jongmyo Shrine.
For lunch, check out some of the traditional Korean restaurants or street food stalls around Bukchon Hanok Village. Grab dinner in Myeongdong or Jonggak Avenue of Youth before or after the N Seoul Tower.
Other Sights
When you visit Changdeokgung Palace, you can book a special tour that will take you around the Secret Garden. This is only available to a limited number of visitors per day, so get there early and make a reservation.
If you need a coffee break, there are loads of great cafes in Samcheongdong-gil Road, an area north of the Bukchon Hanok Village. There are plenty of other small galleries and art shops in the Bukchon Hanok Village and Insadong areas, too.
48 Hour Discover Seoul Pass Itineraries
These 48 hour Discover Seoul Pass itineraries are meant to be second day activities after you’ve already completed one of the 24 hour itineraries. Therefore, these only cover 1 day of activities that you can add on to one of the previous itineraries.
There are loads of fun attractions and activities to enjoy in Seoul, many more than you’d fit in one day. These second day activities move out from the central area of Seoul and into some of the beautiful riverside areas and historic sights.
If you want to purchase the 48 hour Discover Seoul Pass, you can visit the official Discover Seoul Pass website, or order one from these great tour companies in Korea.
Family-Friendly 48 Hour Discover Seoul Pass Itinerary
This itinerary is just as action packed as the first day and features lots of fun places that children and adults will enjoy and shows you two different parts of Seoul.
Yeouido Island is a charming spot located on the Han River that’s popular with locals. You’ll see them flocking here on the weekends to relax and unwind by the water.
Rent a bike to help you get around between locations (free with DSP) and enjoy the greenery of the riverside parks. Also book your evening cruise while you’re in this area.
Explore the Yeouido Hangang Park outside Yeouinaru Station and ride down to the impressive 63 Building for Aqua Planet 63 and 63 ART. You can’t miss it, it’s bright gold! Ride back to Yeouido Hangang Park to drop the bikes and take a bus to Zoolung Zoolung indoor zoo in the Times Square Mall.
From Times Square Mall, take the subway to Hapjeong Station and walk to the Real K-Pop Dance Studio. Afterwards, explore Nature Labs: Pieces of Time in Hongdae, an interactive digital art exhibition featuring flower art and images and an awesome photo shoot area.
End the night with a Han River cruise back from Yeouido Hangang Park and see Seoul’s night sights. Reserve a seat in the morning so you’re guaranteed a cruise at night. Cruises available Friday, Saturday, Sunday.
If you’re travelling on a day without the cruise, you can still visit the park or spend more time in Hongdae. There are plenty of things to do in the area, including singing rooms (noraebang) gaming rooms, arcade machines, bars, escape rooms, and lots more.
| Activity | Time |
|---|---|
| Seoul Bike Rental | All day |
| Book Han River Cruise* | 30 mins |
| Yeouido Hangang Park | 1 hour |
| Aqua Planet 63 / 63 ART | 2 hours |
| Zoolung Zoolung Indoor Zoo | 2 hours |
| Real K-Pop Experience** | 1-2 hours |
| Nature Labs: Pieces of Time | 1.5 hours |
| Han River Cruise* | 1 hour |
Where To Eat
If the weather is warm and sunny, you can experience lunch like a local with some convenience store ramyeon by the river in Yeouido Hangang Park. Otherwise, there are restaurants in IFC Mall and similar buildings in Yeouido. If you go to the Real K-Pop Experience or Nature Labs, then grab dinner near Hapjeong Station, there are loads of great restaurants in this area of Hongdae.
Other Sights
Yeouido Island is a beautiful part of Seoul that’s especially pretty in spring (cherry blossoms) and autumn (fall foliage). If you rent a bike for the day, check out Yeouido Park and Yanghwa Hangang Park and see local sights.
On the other side of the river is Hongdae, a fun part of Seoul that’s full of youth culture and local art, fashion, and entertainment. Stop by in the evening to see late night performances, arcades, singing rooms, and the local night scene. Children will love the busy arcades and novelty shops.
Friends & Couples 48 Hour Discover Seoul Pass Itinerary
Learn about Korean history with some famous (and infamous) sites in central Seoul before heading over towards Gangnam for a relaxing time with the fish at COEX Aquarium and the peaceful scenes of Starfield Library and an evening stroll around Bongeunsa Temple.
Start the day at the Seodaemun Prison History Hall, which offers an interesting look into recent Korean history and tells the story of this dark prison where political prisoners were tortured daily. You can see the horrible devices and lock yourself up inside the prison.
Afterwards, head towards City Hall Station and walk around the charming Deoksugung Stone Wall Road, a famous K-Drama Filming Location, before entering Deoksugung Palace itself.
If you want to try cooking Korean food or experience life as a K-Pop star, sign up for a course in Mapo district and follow it up with the nearby Seoul Battle Ship Park. Stop off in Hongdae to soak up the local culture and a coffee in the afternoon and visit the Nature Labs: Pieces of Time media art exhibition.
Before the sun sets, take a subway to Gangnam to visit the COEX Aquarium and the COEX Mall, including the famous Starfield Library. When you’ve finished exploring the COEX Mall, head outside and you’ll find the beautiful Bongeunsa Temple – a charming Korean Buddhist Temple.
| Activity | Time |
|---|---|
| Seodaemun Prison History Hall | 1.5 hours |
| Deoksugung Stone Wall Road | 30 mins |
| Deoksugung Palace | 1.5 hours |
| Hello K-Cooking Class* / Real K-Pop Experience* | 1-2 hours |
| Seoul Battle Ship Park | 1 hour |
| Nature Labs: Pieces of Time | 1.5 hours |
| COEX Aquarium | 1.5 hours |
| Starfield Library & COEX Mall | 1 hours |
| Bongeunsa Temple | 30 mins |
Where To Eat
There are plenty of restaurants around the City Hall and Deoksugung Palace area, as well as many cafes. I recommend trying some Korean noodles. The best ones usually come from the small shops tucked into corners or basements of buildings on the side streets.
For dinner, there are dozens of restaurants in and around the COEX Mall. For fine dining, eat in the mall. For something a bit more fiery and local, head out the west exit and you’ll find a variety of delicious restaurants and bars. Alternatively, you can always find great food in Hongdae for lunch or dinner, as well as late night bars.
Other Sights
Next to Deoksugung Palace is Seoul City Hall, both the new one and the traditional old one. There are often protests outside here and sometimes cultural performances, too. Avoid the first, join the latter.
In Hongdae, I highly recommend a stroll along the Gyeongui Line Forest Park or Gyeongui Line Book Street, both of which start at Hongik Uni. Station and follow an abandoned train line. You can also watch street performances near this area in the evening.
72 Hour Discover Seoul Pass Itineraries
These 72 hour Discover Seoul Pass itineraries are meant to be third day activities after you’ve already completed 48 hours of activities on other itineraries. Therefore, these only cover one day of activities that you can add on to one of the previous itineraries.
The difference between the 48 and 72 hour pass is only 20,000 KRW, which means any extra activities that cost more than this make it worth upgrading from a 48 hour pass to a 72 hour pass. It’s easy to find free activities with the Discover Seoul Pass that make the third day pay for itself.
Unlike the other Discover Seoul Pass itineraries, this section will give you a range of day trip activities that you can do with the pass. The pass actually covers more than just Seoul and will get you into some of Korea’s top attractions for free.
If you want to purchase the 72 hour Discover Seoul Pass, you can visit the official Discover Seoul Pass website, or order one from these great tour companies in Korea.
72 Hour Discover Seoul Pass Itineraries
Here are a couple of all day activities you can do with free or discounted entry from the Discover Seoul Pass that will save you more than 20,000 KRW – the difference between the 48 and 72 hour passes. These are all family-friendly activities that will also be enjoyed by adults without children.
Nami Island
One of the top Day Trips From Seoul is Nami Island – a unique island republic that sits in the middle of a wide river which you can access by ferry or zip line. Nami Island is a top attraction that always has something to offer, no matter what season you visit in.
Nami Island features long tree-lined streets that you can walk or ride along, wild bunnies and deer that live on the island, and lots of cultural attractions, performances, and displays. There’s also a number of good cafes and restaurants where you can sit and enjoy the view.
This is another famous K-Drama filming location and was made famous from the drama Winter Sonata. Tourists flock to Nami Island during spring for cherry blossoms and autumn for the incredible autumn leaves. It’s an extremely photogenic place and definitely worth visiting.
The Discover Seoul Pass provides free entry to Nami Island, as well as a free ferry ride to the island. For info about travelling to Nami Island, check out my Seoul To Nami Island travel guide, which includes public transport options.
Seoul Land & Seoul Zoo
Take the subway (line 4) from Seoul Station to Seoul Grand Park and have a fun day out with all the family at Seoul Land and Seoul Zoo. Located just outside of Seoul, the Seoul Grand Park is nestled between forested mountains and is a beautiful place to see cherry blossoms and autumn leaves.
Seoul Land is a theme park that provides dozens of fun rides and activities that kids will love. Seoul Zoo is Korea’s largest zoo and has a wide range of animals from all corners of the globe. There’s also a chair lift that will take you over the zoo and an elephant train to get between places.
Outside the zoo is a relaxing forest area with walking paths, a big lake to walk around, petting zoos, and picnic areas to rest in next to the water.
Access to Seoul Zoo and the chair lift is free with the Discover Seoul Pass, while holders can get 40% off the entry price of Seoul Land.
Korean Folk Village
The Korean Folk Village offers a fun day out full of traditional cultural performances detailing traditional life in Korea through plays, dances, and music. You can play traditional Korean games and explore hanok buildings to see how Koreans lived and worked.
This is the largest folk village in Korea covering almost 1 million square metres and is surrounded by forests and mountains, providing attractive backgrounds and places to explore.
It’s not all about looking, however. You can also try your hand at traditional activities such as pottery making, horse riding, fabric dyeing, mask making, bamboo crafting, and lots more. This place is the perfect location to learn and experience traditional Korean culture.
Discover Seoul Pass holders get free entry to the Korean Folk Village. As with these other Discover Seoul Pass itineraries, if you have extra time, there are always plenty of other activities you can add on to make the pass even more worthwhile.
More About The Discover Seoul Pass
This final section offers up a lot more information about the Discover Seoul Pass and how these Discover Seoul Pass itineraries can help save you money when you visit Seoul.
You’ll find more details about how to use the free transportation services from the Discover Seoul Pass, the different types of pass, and some final tips and conclusions about whether the pass is right for you.
How To Get A Free AREX Ride With The Discover Seoul Pass
If you’ve preordered your Discover Seoul Pass online through Klook or Trazy, you can collect the pass and use it to get a free AREX ride into Seoul when you arrive.
Collect your card from one of the aforementioned collection points and then go to the AREX terminal in Terminal 1 of Incheon Airport. Use the ticket vending machine to scan the QR code on the back of the Discover Seoul Pass and enter in your unique number (from the card).
You’ll receive your tickets and you can ride straight away. This will activate the time limit on your Discover Seoul Pass, so be sure you’ve planned your day with this in mind.
How To Get A Free Airport Limousine Ride With The Discover Seoul Pass
Use the Discover Seoul Pass to get a free airport limousine ride to or from Incheon Airport to locations across Seoul, including Gimpo Airport. You can only use the mobile version of the pass for the free limousine bus ride, not the physical card version.
This is run through the Korean Airlines Limousine service. You can check which routes are available through the KAL Limousine website.
When you enter the limousine bus, scan the QR code from the Discover Seoul Pass mobile pass to travel for free. You can ride the limousine bus from Terminal 1 or Terminal 2. The bus stop locations are in the picture above.
How To Use Discover Seoul Pass Transportation Card
In order to use the transportation card functions in the Discover Seoul Pass (T-Money or Rail+), you first need to top up the card with cash at locations at Incheon Airport, subway stations, or at a convenience store. You can’t top up transportation card balances in Korea with anything but cash.
Once the transportation card has a credit balance, you can use it to pay for items in shops, travel on subways and buses across Korea, and anywhere you see the T-Money or Rail+ logo. Each time you use the Discover Seoul Pass as a transportation card, it will show you the remaining balance.
How To Get Free Bike Rental With The Discover Seoul Pass
Rent a bike through the Ttareungi (Seoul Public Bike) rental system at any of the 1,100 locations across Seoul. Here are the steps needed to activate the bike rental with the Discover Seoul Pass:
- Log into the Ttareungi App
- Select ‘Foreigner’ on the log-in screen and select ‘purchase pass’.
- Select the ‘Discover Seoul Pass’ option.
- Select ‘All day 24h’ option.
- Enter the 10-digit QR code on your Discover Seoul Pass.
- Enter your email address.
- Select ‘Agree’.
- Select ‘Pay amount’ to complete the payment (it’s free).
- Screenshot the 8-digit rental code to and use it to unlock the bike.
- You can also access the unlock code via email.
Once you’ve activated the Discover Seoul Pass, you can rent a bike as many times as you like while the pass is active. For example, you can rent one in the morning and return it, travel to a different area, and then rent another bike there.
There are lots of places to ride a bike in Seoul, such as along the Han River. There are over 240km of riverside bike paths in and around Seoul alone, meaning you’ll always have somewhere to ride. I recommend riding along the river paths near Seoul Forest.
What’s The Difference Between The Mobile & Card Versions?
As well as the card version of the Discover Seoul Pass, there’s also a mobile version that you can download with your phone and activate whenever you like. There are some advantages and disadvantages of the mobile pass vs. the card pass, which I’ll summarise below:
Advantages of the Discover Seoul Pass Mobile Version
The biggest advantage of the Discover Seoul Pass mobile version is the instant availability. You won’t need to go anywhere to collect the mobile pass and you can download it and use it on the day. You can check the remaining time of the pass and get details of the available discounts and locations where you can use the Discover Seoul Pass. You can also only get the free airport limo bus ride with the mobile pass.
Disadvantages of the Discover Seoul Pass Mobile Version
The biggest disadvantage of the Discover Seoul Pass mobile version is the lack of the transportation card function. This is because there’s no physical card to swipe when you want to use public transportation. You will need to purchase a T-Money Card or WOWPASS and carry that instead.
The other big disadvantage is that you will pay full price vs. the discounted versions you can buy from the official resellers. There are sometimes special editions of the Discover Seoul Pass, such as the BTS special edition, which can double as souvenirs – mobile versions can’t be collected.
Whether you use the mobile or card version, you’ll still have access to all of the same discounts and features (except for T-Money) and these Discover Seoul Pass itineraries can be enjoyed with either version. If you get the card version, you can still download and use the app.
Which Is Better: Discover Seoul Pass Or The Korea Tour Card?
The Korea Tour Card is another option available to tourists in Korea. This is a premium version of the T-Money Card that offers exclusive discounts to tourists. These discounts are small compared to the savings you can make with the Discover Seoul Pass and can cover different attractions and activities.
If you’re travelling to Seoul and want to save money on expensive attractions, I would recommend getting the Discover Seoul Pass instead of the Korea Tour Card.
Which Is Better: Discover Seoul Pass Or T-Money Card?
The T-Money Card is a transportation card that’s used across Korea. The T-Money function is included in the Discover Seoul Pass, so if you want to both save money on premium attractions and travel on buses and subways in Korea, I would recommend getting a Discover Seoul Pass.
If you don’t plan to follow one of these Discover Seoul Pass itineraries but still want to travel around Korea for less, then get a T-Money Card.
Which Is Better: Discover Seoul Pass Or Klook Pass Seoul?
A new entry to the premium attraction discount market is the Klook Pass Seoul. This pass from Klook allows you to visit multiple attractions within a 30 day period. This is great for travellers who want to spread out big days out at Seoul’s attractions and those moving around Korea a lot.
However, the number of attractions offered by the Klook Pass Seoul (9) is much lower than the Discover Seoul Pass and it also doesn’t come with additional benefits such as a T-Money Card and airport transfers.
You can find out all about that pass in my Klook Pass Seoul Review where I compare it to the Discover Seoul Pass and give you my thoughts about which is best.
Is The Discover Seoul Pass Worth it?
If you’ve read this far, congratulations. I hope all of this information and these different Discover Seoul Pass itineraries have been useful in helping you decide if the Discover Seoul Pass is worth the cost.
Personally, I think the Discover Seoul Pass is a great way for tourists to save money and see the sights, especially if this is your first trip to Seoul. If I was visiting Seoul for a few days, I’d get a pass like this and I have actually purchased similar passes when travelling to other cities, including London.
However, you might not think the Discover Seoul Pass is worth it. This can be true if you’re not too bothered about the expensive attractions such as aquariums and theme parks, or you have lots of time and want to travel more slowly and relaxed.
Here’s a summary of whether the Discover Seoul Pass worth it or not. The Discover Seoul Pass is worth the cost for many types of travellers, but some will find the Discover Seoul Pass is not worth the cost. It all depends on your situation, who you’re travelling with, and your travel style.
The Discover Seoul Pass Is Worth it For People Who:
- Have a short stay in Seoul
- Are visiting Seoul for the first time
- Like to see as much as possible
- Want to see many things quickly
- Are interested in expensive shows and attractions
- Are travelling as a family (many attractions are great for families)
- Plan to stay in one area each day
- Like convenience when planning and won’t book all activities separately in advance
The Discover Seoul Pass Is Not Worth it For People Who:
- Have plenty of time in Seoul
- Have visited major sights in Seoul before
- Want to focus on specific sights
- Prefer to travel slowly
- Are budget travellers and aren’t interested in expensive attractions
- Are likely to spend lots of time in cafes, restaurants, or bars each day
- Want flexibility to explore all over Seoul
- Plan and book tours in advance and search for the best price for each attraction
Whether you get a pass or not, I hope you have a great time in Seoul. Thanks for reading.
Discover Seoul Pass Itineraries By Users
This section is made from travellers to Seoul to help you see how people actually used the Discover Seoul Pass and what their itinerary was like. I’m sharing these real-life experiences as I hope this can help you plan your own Discover Seoul Pass itinerary and see if it’s worth the money for you.
I want to say a big thank you to travellers who have shared their experiences and helped me to create this section. Thank you!
Review 1: Pamela from the USA
Pass Type: 48 Hour Pass
Number of Travellers: 4 (family)
Using the Discover Seoul Pass with a family of 4 is super cheap if you visit some pricier places. We visited Lotte World, Aqua Planet 63, Zoolung Zoolung, animation centre (kid-friendly), COEX Aquarium, took a night tour of the palace, a night cruise on the Han River, and rented hanbok.
The hanbok rental has a photo studio downstairs with the lockers. The pass allowed us 1.5 hours at the studio, which was enough time to get some pictures. Visiting the palace at night was a bonus as we got to see beautiful lights and even if the tickets are sold out, you are guaranteed entry if you’re wearing hanbok!
My little girl loved it. This is her 3rd time dressing up in hanbok. You can also see the 3D TV screens nearby. We picked up the passes at night and planned to start the Discover Seoul Pass timer at this point because the passes are nearby.
We also went to the Animation Centre, which is more of an indoor play area where my son loved the 3D games and the stop motion movies he created. My daughter played everywhere! We spent 2 hours here in total and the kids loved it.
Lotte World has a huge area indoors (the outdoors is geared towards teens and I wish we skipped it altogether). We rode the swings then went indoors for the rest of the day. It feels very Disney and I want to go back.
The 7:30pm Han River cruise area was packed. It was hard to get in and out of and I got out of the car and walked ahead to get tickets. I planned to do the mermaid show first, which was the only reason we made it on time to the cruise at all. It took 2 hours to arrive and only 30 minutes to get back to the hotel. Check Naver Maps to help you navigate.
We ate a hurried dinner from the convenience store there and boarded before realising we could have gotten a few options of snacks and drinks on board so we didn’t have to rush.
The top gets crowded quickly. If you don’t mind standing, there’s a secret spot near the back of the boat – the space where the glass windows are. You can squeeze back there and enjoy the view if it’s too crowded elsewhere. I’d try to stand in the front down below if you can.
At night, the lights above competed with the cityscape, but in the day I’m sure it would be great. My kids enjoyed it, but after a while they were ready to do something else. Luckily, there were 2 people downstairs on a keyboard and violin playing Disney and other familiar music.
The next day we visited Zoolung Zoolung. Go! It’s worth it. There is a wait there, too. Sign in at the kiosk and wait to be called. Buy the sets of food there for $1 each ($5 for 5 different foods) or else you have to pay more later on. You definitely want these. We got 3 for 4 of us to share. This was one of the top highlights of our trip.
We swung over for the mermaid show at Aqua Planet 63. I wish we had more time, but we were concerned about time so we headed to COEX Aquarium. It didn’t feel as big as the Audubon in New Orleans or the Atlanta Aquarium, but it was very nice. Because it was the end of our 48 hours of the Discover Seoul Pass, we took our time.
If I planned a Discover Seoul Pass itinerary again, I would leave Lotte World for the end. It was a blast using the Discover Seoul Pass and making sure we got our money out of it.
The last thing worth mentioning, I see why it’s called a Discover pass – there isn’t much worth doing close together and each area is huge and you could spend hours doing the other things the destination offers. Most places are attached to mall like shopping areas with a variety of stores, restaurants, and other things to do.
I wouldn’t advise doing all I listed above in 48 hours unless you do Lotte World last. I’d probably do 2 full days starting at 11ish the first day then on day 3 (after 46.5 hours into your pass) go to Lotte World for the whole day (this is my tip as well).
If you have a Discover Seoul Pass itinerary or experience you want to share, please feel free to contact me via email (contact@inmykorea) or send me a message on Facebook – In My Korea.
Discover Seoul Pass Itineraries FAQs
Finally, here are a few FAQs about these Discover Seoul Pass itineraries, in case the above information didn’t cover enough for you.
How much is the Discover Seoul Pass?
The Discover Seoul Pass is 50,000 KRW (24 hours), 70,000 KRW (48 hours), or 90,000 KRW (72 hours). You can buy discounted passes online that will save you as much as 10% off the standard price.
Where can I buy a Discover Seoul Pass?
You can buy a Discover Seoul Pass from the Discover Seoul Pass website, from the mobile application, or from a number of official resellers, including Trazy and Klook.
Does the Discover Seoul Pass expire?
The Discover Seoul Pass expires 5 years after purchase. You can check the time until expiration on the Discover Seoul Pass website. The time limit (24 | 48 | 72 hours) of each card expires within that many hours after you first activate the card and can’t be paused and continued later.
Where can I collect a Discover Seoul pass?
You can collect the Discover Seoul Pass from the Myeongdong Tourist Information Centre in Seoul. However, if you purchase the Discover Seoul Pass from an official reseller, you can collect it at Incheon Airport T1 or T2. If you purchase the mobile version of the pass, you can download it instead of collecting it.
Does the Discover Seoul pass include a T-Money Card?
Yes, the card version of the Discover Seoul Pass contains a T-Money Card or Rail+ Card that can be used the moment you arrive in Korea and should last as long as the Discover Seoul Pass – 5 years. If you purchase the mobile version of the Discover Seoul Pass, you won’t be able to use the T-Money functions.
Do children need a Discover Seoul Pass?
Yes. Everyone who wants to use the discounts of the Discover Seoul Pass needs to have their own individual pass. Adults and children must pay the same price for the Discover Seoul Pass and there are no discounts for children. At locations where children under a certain age can enter for free, they won’t need a Discover Seoul Pass.
Can Discover Seoul Pass itineraries be spread over more than one day?
Yes. You can create Discover Seoul Pass itineraries that spread over more than one day. Even with the 24 hour pass. The time limit on the pass expires 24 | 48 | 72 hours after you start using the card. For example, it’s possible to activate the Discover Seoul Pass in the afternoon on one day and then continue to use the pass until the afternoon of the next day.
Which Discover Seoul Pass itineraries are best for children?
There are many Discover Seoul Pass itineraries that are good for children. There are premium attractions that are family-friendly in the Gangnam & Jamsil areas, as well as in the Insadong & Myeongdong areas.
Is the Discover Seoul Pass worth it?
The Discover Seoul Pass is definitely worth it if you’re planning to visit many of Seoul’s premium attractions in a short period of time. The Discover Seoul Pass can save a significant amount of money and the extra benefits such as the free Airport Express ticket, limousine bus ticket, and T-Money Card are extra savings tourists can get when buying the pass. For some travellers, the Discover Seoul Pass is not worth it. Typically travellers who like to travel slowly, travel alone, or have visited Seoul before would not benefit as much from the Discover Seoul Pass.
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Really a good guide,I enjoyed a lot for my visit, except that my card version is NOT a T-money card(do not have a t-money logo on the card, in that place is Rail+). I have no idea is only me or for all, cause I am travel on my own. I find that out cause I can not pay by T-money in 7-eleven, after a check on the text at back of my card, it says “convenience stores( CU, emart24, Storyway)”
Hi, thanks for letting me know. It looks like the Discover Seoul Pass added in the Rail+ cards to some of their cards in March this year. There was no real announcement about it except a press release hidden on their site. The site doesn’t say whether people will get a T-Money card or Rail+ card – both of which are listed on their website. I’ll try to find out more info and update my article.
Hi Joel, I am Tata and came across your super informative website on DSP deal. I would like to tap on your expertise as I will be travelling with my 2 young kids (6 and 4 years old) and would like to know the attractions nearby to one another to make full use of the pass. Also, would like to know the Rail+ and T-card that came as a package for this pass. Please let me know if we are able to connect via KakaoTalk or whatsapp so that it will be easier for me to reach out to you. 🙂
Thank you, and look forward to speak with you soon.
Hi, thanks for reading my article, glad you found it useful. There are itineraries included that cover certain areas within this article, including ones that should be good for children. If you need help planning a personalised itinerary, I recommend posting in a dedicated Korean travel group like the Korean Tours & Travel Advice group. There are thousands of people who can offer their thoughts about what’s suitable for young children in Seoul.
As for the T-Money / Rail+, there isn’t any information from the DSP company about which is being issued and I’ve not found a way to see which one you’ll get. But don’t worry, they both do the same thing and can be topped up the same.