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.
Contents15 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 in Seoul |
|---|---|
| Daytime high | About 20°C / 68°F |
| Overnight low | About 11°C / 52°F |
| Wet days | About 5, with about 52mm of rain |
| Sunset | 6:16pm on the 1st, 5:35pm by the 31st |
| Big dates | National Foundation Day weekend, 2 to 4 October 2027; Hangul Day weekend, 9 to 11 October |
| Crowds and prices | Busy, with two long weekends and the first foliage |
Figures are Korea Meteorological Administration 1991–2020 normals for Seoul.
What that actually means for your trip:
- This is Seoul's best weather. Dry, clear and mild, with comfortable afternoons and only five wet days.
- The visibility is the best of the year. From Namsan or the mountains, the ridges around the city stand out sharply on most days.
- The evenings cool quickly. Nights fall to about 11°C, so a jacket is needed after dark by the middle of the month.
- The colour arrives from the top. The leaves start turning on the mountain peaks and move down through the month; the city's own trees peak in late October and early November.
Is October a good time to visit Seoul? Yes, it is the best month of the year for most visitors. The weather is dry and pleasant, the city is outdoors on the river and the mountains, and the autumn colour begins. The catch is popularity: two long holiday weekends and the first foliage fill trains, trails and hotels, so book ahead and hike on weekdays.
#October in the city
National Foundation Day, 3 October, marks the legendary founding of the first Korean kingdom.
In 2027 it falls on a Sunday, so Monday 4 October is a substitute holiday and the long weekend runs from Saturday 2 to Monday 4 October.
Hangul Day, 9 October, celebrates the Korean alphabet; it falls on a Saturday, with a substitute holiday on Monday 11 October. Both weekends fill the trains and the mountain trails.
The Seoul International Fireworks Festival over Yeouido Hangang Park, with teams from several countries and crowds often reported at around a million, was for years an early-October event; it moved to September in 2025 and 2026, on the 27th and the 5th. Check the organiser's announcement for the 2027 date before planning October around it.
In mid-October, Haneul Park in World Cup Park usually holds its silver grass festival, when the former landfill mound turns silver-gold with eulalia at sunset.
By late October, the upper slopes of Bukhansan are red and gold.
#What to Do in Seoul in October
Solo Travellers
Walk the Seoul City Wall trail over Inwangsan or Bugaksan for the clearest views of the year, then explore Bukchon and Seochon on foot. October is the month for long walks.
Couples
Climb Namsan for the city at sunset, watch the silver grass glow at Haneul Park, and picnic by the river in the long, golden afternoons.
Families
Seoul Forest, the river parks and the Children's Grand Park are at their best in the mild weather.
On Hangul Day, the King Sejong Story exhibition under his statue at Gwanghwamun explains the alphabet he created.
Groups
Take a weekday hike on Bukhansan, followed by makgeolli and pajeon, savoury pancakes, at the restaurants by the trailhead, a classic Seoul hiking ritual.
#Getting Around
The AREX line connects Incheon Airport with central Seoul, with an express to Seoul Station and an all-stop service.
The subway is fast and signed in English, and a T-money card covers the subway, buses and taxis.
October is the month to walk between neighbourhoods and to cycle the Han River paths on Ttareungi, the city's public bikes. On the two long weekends, the trains and express buses out of the city fill early, so book any day trip ahead.
#Budget & Costs
| Travel style | Per day | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | ₩80,000–125,000 | Guesthouse, markets and set lunches, subway and buses |
| Mid-range | ₩210,000–350,000 | Hotel in Jung-gu or Mapo, restaurants, palace and museum entries |
| Luxury | ₩600,000+ | Five-star hotel, fine dining, private guide |
October is one of the busiest and dearest months for Seoul hotels, especially over the two long weekends and the foliage weekends at the end of the month.
Costs worth knowing:
| What | Price |
|---|---|
| Gyeongbokgung entry | ₩3,000 |
| Haneul Park silver grass | Free |
| National Museum of Korea | Free permanent galleries |
| A subway ride with T-money | Under ₩2,000 |
| Makgeolli and pajeon after a hike | A modest bill for a group |
- Book early for the holiday weekends.
- Hike on weekdays to avoid the crowds.
- Check the K-ETA rules for 2027 before you travel.
#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 late in the month.
It is also the season for jeon-eo, gizzard shad grilled whole over coals, and for hot pots as the evenings cool.
#Nightlife
Cool, clear evenings keep the pavement tables of Euljiro and the bars of Hannam and Seongsu busy until the cold sets in. The riverside night markets usually run on weekend evenings through the month.
#Shopping
Autumn and winter collections fill the department stores, and outdoor gear is everywhere: Koreans take hiking clothes seriously, and the shops near the trailheads are full.
Insadong and Ikseondong are pleasant to browse in the mild weather.
#Culture & Etiquette
- On the trails, greet other hikers, keep to the right on narrow sections, and carry your rubbish down.
- On Hangul Day, the alphabet is a source of national pride; the exhibitions at Gwanghwamun are worth an hour.
- Remove your shoes at any entrance where others have.
- Fill others' glasses before your own, and take a drink from an elder with two hands.
#Essential Local Phrases
| Korean | Meaning | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 단풍 (danpung) | Autumn leaves | All month |
| 억새 (eoksae) | Silver grass | Haneul Park in mid-October |
| 한글날 (hangeullal) | Hangul Day | 9 October |
| 등산 (deungsan) | Hiking | Weekend plans for half the city |
| 막걸리 (makgeolli) | Rice wine | After the hike |
| 날씨 좋네요 (nalssi jonneyo) | Lovely weather | Small talk, all month |
#Packing List
- Layers for warm afternoons and cool evenings
- A light jacket, and a warmer one for late October
- Hiking shoes and a daypack
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- Socks without holes, for floors where shoes come off
- A reusable bag for market shopping
- A portable charger for photo-heavy days
#Backup Plans
If it rains: spend the day at the National Museum of Korea or the Leeum in Hannam, and save the mountains for the next clear morning.
If the holiday weekends fill everything: stay in the city, where the centre is quieter as people travel, and visit the palaces on the substitute Mondays.
If the long weekends fill the palaces: walk a stretch of the Seoul City Wall or spend the day in Seoul Forest, both of which absorb crowds far better.
#Safety & Health
October is safe and comfortable. On the mountains, wear proper shoes, carry water, and start early, as the days are shorter and the descent can be slow on busy weekends. On the long weekends, the trails close to the city are crowded; keep your group together on the narrow sections.
Emergency: 119 for fire and ambulance, 112 for police, and 1330 for the travel hotline.
#What's New for October 2027
- National Foundation Day falls on a Sunday, with Monday 4 October as a substitute holiday
- Hangul Day falls on a Saturday, with Monday 11 October as a substitute holiday
- The fireworks festival moved to September in 2025 and 2026; check the 2027 date
- The K-ETA exemption for many nationalities ran to 31 December 2026; check the 2027 rules
- Labour Day and Constitution Day have been public holidays since 2026, in May and July
#About This Guide
By Harry Nara (founder of WhenToWander), updated October 2026 for October 2027. Climate figures are Korea Meteorological Administration 1991–2020 normals for Seoul. Dates and prices verified against:
- Korea AeroSpace Administration for the 2027 holidays and substitute days
- Hangang Parks for Yeouido and the river parks
- Korea Tourism Organization for autumn events and the 1330 hotline
- K-ETA for travel authorisation
- Korea Meteorological Administration for the October averages
For the month before, see Seoul in September, and for the month after, Seoul in November.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is October the best time to visit Seoul?
For most visitors, yes. Korea Meteorological Administration normals give about 20°C by day and 11°C at night, with only five wet days and the clearest air of the year. It is also busy, with long weekends on 2 to 4 and 9 to 11 October 2027, so book ahead.
When is the Seoul fireworks festival?
It was long held on a Saturday in early October, but in 2025 and 2026 it moved to September: 27 September 2025 and 5 September 2026, over Yeouido Hangang Park. Check the organiser’s announcement for the 2027 date, and watch from Ichon Hangang Park across the river, or from around Noryangjin, to avoid the worst crowds.
What holidays fall in October in Korea?
National Foundation Day on 3 October and Hangul Day on 9 October. In 2027 the first falls on a Sunday and the second on a Saturday, so both have substitute holidays, on Monday 4 and Monday 11 October, making two long weekends.
How much does an October trip to Seoul cost?
October is one of the dearer months for hotels, especially over the long weekends and the fireworks night. Allow about ₩80,000–125,000 a day on a budget and ₩210,000–350,000 mid-range; the fireworks, parks and mountains are free.
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.