Tips · South Korea
Seoul autumn leaves: when and where should you go?
September-November is the time for walking Seoul. Leaf timing changes yearly, so check the official forecast. Secret Garden, Sep-Dec normals, 3-day plan.
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Short answer: September-November, with dates from the official forecast
Leaf timing changes every year. In Seoul, April-May and September-November are mild months with clear skies, good for walking. For an autumn trip, pick your dates within those three autumn months.
The exact timing of the leaves changes every year, so check the official autumn-leaf forecast before you go. This article gives no peak dates and no dates from last year.
- Good time to visit: September-November
- Leaf timing: changes every year, check the official autumn-leaf forecast
- Classic foliage spot: Changdeokgung Secret Garden
- Weather figures: Korea Meteorological Administration normals (Sep-Dec)
When do the leaves turn?
The month the leaves turn varies from year to year. September-November is mild with clear skies and good for walking, and autumn foliage slots at the Changdeokgung Secret Garden sell out early.
Leaf timing changes every year, so this article does not set a peak date. Check the official autumn-leaf forecast before you book, and again just before you leave.
Where to go: the Secret Garden and autumn walks
A classic foliage spot is the Changdeokgung Secret Garden, the rear garden of UNESCO-listed Changdeokgung. You can enter only on timed guided tours, and it is closed on Mondays. Autumn foliage slots sell out early, so book as soon as your dates are fixed.
Many other places in Seoul are pleasant to explore on foot in autumn: Gyeongbokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village and Samcheong-dong, N Seoul Tower on Namsan, and Seoul Forest. Check leaf timing for these places in official information before you go.
- Changdeokgung Secret Garden: guided tours only, closed Mondays, autumn slots sell out early
- Gyeongbokgung Palace: changing of the guard, closed Tuesdays, free entry if you wear hanbok
- Bukchon Hanok Village: residents live here; red-zone visits only 10:00 to 17:00
- N Seoul Tower (Namsan): views at sunset; cable car, shuttle bus or on foot
- Seoul Forest: close to Seongsu-dong
September-December weather and what to wear
These are Korea Meteorological Administration 30-year normals for 1991–2020 at Seoul station. Each line shows average high / average low / monthly rainfall. They are long-term averages, so check the forecast just before you go.
From September to November the average high falls from about 26°C to about 12°C, and highs and lows differ within the same day, so layers you can take off and put on are easiest. September rainfall (about 142 mm) is higher than October (about 52 mm) and November (about 51 mm).
December has an average low of about -3°C. December-February is cold and often below freezing. If you travel in late November or December, bring a warm coat.
- September: high about 26°C / low about 18°C / about 142 mm
- October: high about 20°C / low about 11°C / about 52 mm
- November: high about 12°C / low about 4°C / about 51 mm
- December: high about 4°C / low about -3°C / about 23 mm
A 3-day autumn plan
Seoul suits 3 to 5 days, and a basic itinerary runs 4 days. For a short autumn trip, use days 1 to 3 as they are: palaces, hanok lanes, Namsan and Seoul Forest, mostly on foot.
Gyeongbokgung closes on Tuesdays and Changdeokgung on Mondays, so make sure Day 1 isn't a Tuesday and Day 2 isn't a Monday. With an extra day, add a Han River park on Day 4. The Banpo Bridge fountain runs from April to October.
- Day 1: Gyeongbokgung and the guard ceremony in the morning, Bukchon and Samcheong-dong in the afternoon, then Insadong and a pancake dinner at Gwangjang Market
- Day 2: Changdeokgung Secret Garden tour, Myeongdong shopping and N Seoul Tower in the afternoon, then drinks in Euljiro's old alleys
- Day 3: Seongsu-dong cafes and pop-ups, a walk in Seoul Forest, then street music and a night walk in Hongdae and Yeonnam-dong
Getting there and getting around
From Incheon Airport, the AREX Express Train runs to Seoul Station without intermediate stops in about 40-50 min for about 10,000 won (check the AREX official site). The AREX All-Stop Train stops at Hongik University, Gongdeok and other hubs and takes about 60 min for about 4,000-5,000 won. The Airport Limousine Bus takes about 60-90 min, with fares varying by route. From Gimpo Airport, the subway reaches the city in about 20-40 min for about 1,500-2,000 won.
In the city, use a T-money card on the subway and buses; transfer discounts apply automatically. City buses are useful for Bukchon and Namsan. There are also 1/2/3/5/7-day Climate Card short-term passes for unlimited Seoul subway and bus rides; check Seoul's official site for prices and coverage.
Subway service ends around midnight, and taxis are hard to hail late at night, so install a ride-hailing app in advance. Entry rules depend on your nationality; check official information before you travel.
How to avoid the crowds
Autumn foliage slots at the Changdeokgung Secret Garden sell out early. Book them first, as soon as your dates are set.
Gwangjang Market queues peak at lunch and dinner, and Myeongdong and Euljiro are always crowded with tourists. Bukchon is a residential area, so keep noise down and check the red-zone visiting hours in the official notice. The Airport Limousine Bus hits traffic at rush hour.
Many shops close over Chuseok. Check this alongside the official autumn-leaf forecast when you choose your autumn dates.
- Secret Garden: book as soon as your dates are set
- Gwangjang Market: avoid lunch and dinner times
- Bukchon: keep quiet, check red-zone hours
- Chuseok: many shops close
Plan your Seoul trip
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FAQ
When do Seoul's autumn leaves peak?
The timing of the leaves changes every year. September-November is a good time to visit, so check the official autumn-leaf forecast for dates.
Do I need to book the Changdeokgung Secret Garden?
You can enter only on timed guided tours, and autumn foliage slots sell out early. It is closed on Mondays.
How cold is Seoul in October and November?
By the Korea Meteorological Administration 1991–2020 normals (Seoul station), October averages a high of about 20°C and a low of about 11°C, and November a high of about 12°C and a low of about 4°C. Check the forecast just before you go.
How many days do I need in autumn?
Plan on 3 to 5 days. For a short trip, use days 1 to 3 of the basic itinerary.
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ⓘ Photo credits
- Gyeonggijeon Shrine · Motoko C. K. / CC BY 4.0
- Bojeru Pavilion, Sinheungsa Temple · Bernard Gagnon / CC0
- Inner moat of Osaka Castle · Joli Rumi / CC BY-SA 4.0