At a Glance
Compared to this destination's peak season High season all month: the weather is the best of the year, and fireworks night on Yeouido draws one of the biggest crowds of the Seoul year.
Seoul in October — Travel Guide
By Harry Nara · Last updated
Seoul in October offers some of the best conditions of the year, ideal for autumn foliage, festivals & hikers. Expect temperatures of 11–20°C, around 5 days of rain, and high crowds across the city. Daily budgets typically land around ₩90,000–150,000 for mid-range travellers. Book accommodation two to three months ahead — the most popular rooms sell out fast during peak visiting windows.
Contents12 sections
#Weather in Seoul in October
Seoul in October averages 11–20°C (52–68°F) with around 5 days of rain, and crowds are high.
| Measure | October |
|---|---|
| Daytime high | 20°C / 68°F |
| Overnight low | 11°C / 52°F |
| Rain | 5 wet days and about 52 mm |
| Daylight | About 11 hours 50 minutes on the 1st, falling to under 10 hours 45 minutes by the 31st |
If Seoul has a perfect month, it is October. The humidity of summer has gone, the air is dry and clear, highs sit around 20°C, and rain falls on only five days in the month. Visibility is the best of the year: from Namsan or any of the city's mountains, you can see the ridgelines on every side.
The evenings cool quickly, to around 11°C by night, and the days shorten noticeably. By the end of the month the sun sets before six, and the first leaves are turning on the mountaintops.
#What to Do in Seoul in October
The fireworks over the Han
The Seoul International Fireworks Festival, usually held on a Saturday in early October, lights up the sky over Yeouido with teams from several countries. Crowds are often reported at around a million. The best spots in Yeouido Hangang Park are claimed from the morning; the opposite bank, around Ichon and Noryangjin, is calmer.
Silver grass at Haneul Park
Haneul Park, a former landfill mound in World Cup Park turned into grassland, is covered in eulalia, silver grass, in October. The city usually holds a silver grass festival there in the middle of the month, with the park open later in the evening. The grass turns silver-gold at sunset.
Two national holidays
3 October is National Foundation Day, marking the legendary founding of the first Korean kingdom; in 2027 the 3rd is a Sunday and the day off moves to Monday the 4th. 9 October is Hangul Day, celebrating the Korean alphabet; the King Sejong Story exhibition beneath his statue at Gwanghwamun explains how and why it was invented.
The first colour on the mountains
The leaves turn first at the tops of the mountains and move down through the month. By late October, the upper slopes of Bukhansan are red and gold. The trails are busy at weekends; go on a weekday if you can.
#Getting Around
October's holidays and festivals move the crowds. On the night of the Seoul Fireworks Festival, usually held on a Saturday early in the month, the subway stations around Yeouido are closed or crowded to capacity for hours before and after; plan to arrive very early or watch from the other bank.
No month suits the Han riverside cycle paths better, on Ttareungi, the public bikes, and it is the month to walk between neighbourhoods instead of riding the subway.
#Budget & Costs
October is high season: the weather is the best of the year, and both domestic and international visitors know it. Rooms are dear, especially over the fireworks weekend and the holiday weekends. Book early.
The fireworks, Haneul Park and the mountains are free, so the money goes on the room and on eating well.
#Food & Dining
October is harvest season. New-crop rice, chestnuts, jujubes and the first persimmons fill the markets, and roasted chestnuts appear on the street carts at the end of the month.
It is also the month for jeon-eo, gizzard shad, grilled whole over coals, and for hot pots as the evenings cool. A market lunch at Gwangjang or Mangwon is at its most pleasant in October's dry weather.
#Nightlife
October evenings are cool and clear, and the pavement tables of Euljiro and the bars of Hannam and Seongsu stay busy until the cold arrives.
The riverside night markets usually run on weekend evenings through October.
#Shopping
Autumn and winter collections are in the shops. Hiking gear is at its most visible: Koreans take their mountain clothing seriously, and the outdoor shops near the trailheads and in the department stores are full.
#Culture & Etiquette
On Hangul Day, the alphabet is celebrated across the city. Koreans are rightly proud of it, and learning to read a few letters of Hangul before a trip is one of the most appreciated things a visitor can do.
On the mountain trails, the crowds of well-equipped hikers greet each other on the way up. Keep to the paths and carry out your rubbish.
#Essential Local Phrases
| Korean | Meaning | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 불꽃축제 (bulkkot chukje) | Fireworks festival | Early October posters |
| 억새 (eoksae) | Silver grass | At Haneul Park |
| 한글날 (hangeullal) | Hangul Day | 9 October |
| 등산로 (deungsanno) | Hiking trail | On every mountain signpost |
| 밤 (bam) | Chestnut | At the street carts |
| 단풍놀이 (danpungnori) | An outing to see the leaves | Weekend plans in the second half of the month |
#Packing List
- A light jacket for evenings
- Layers for days that range from 11°C to 20°C
- Hiking shoes with grip
- A small daypack
- Sunglasses for bright, clear days
- A refillable water bottle
- A picnic mat for the fireworks or the park
- Gloves for late-month evenings
#Safety & Health
October is one of the safest months for outdoor activity. The main risks are on the mountains: start early, carry water and a layer, and be down before dark, which comes earlier as the month goes on.
On fireworks night, the crowds in Yeouido are enormous. Leave before the finale if you want an easy journey home, because the nearby stations are shut or crammed for an hour afterwards.
#Backup Plans
Rain is rare in October. If it comes, the National Museum of Korea, the National Museum of Contemporary Art and the Leeum all make a good day. The King Sejong Story exhibition at Gwanghwamun is free.
You might also like
Destinations picked for travellers with similar taste or climate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is October the best time to visit Seoul?
For weather, most people would say so. The air is dry and clear, highs sit around 20°C, and only five days in the month are wet. The trade-off is that everyone knows it: rooms are dear and the trails are busy at weekends.
When is the Seoul fireworks festival?
The Seoul International Fireworks Festival is usually held on a Saturday in early October over the Han at Yeouido. The exact date is announced each year. Arrive in the morning for a spot, or watch from the opposite bank around Ichon and Noryangjin.
What holidays fall in October in Korea?
National Foundation Day on 3 October and Hangul Day, celebrating the Korean alphabet, on 9 October. In 2027 Foundation Day falls on a Sunday, so Monday 4 October is a substitute holiday, as published in the government’s 2027 calendar.
How much does an October trip to Seoul cost?
October is high season, so the room is the big cost; book early, especially for the fireworks weekend. The fireworks, the silver grass at Haneul Park and the mountains are free, and ₩90,000–150,000 a day covers eating and moving around well.
What’s the weather like in Seoul in October?
Seoul in October typically sees temperatures of 11–20°C with around 5 days of rain across the period. Pack lightweight layers that suit both cooler mornings and warmer afternoons.