When is the best time to visit Korea? It depends on what you want: cherry blossoms, beaches, autumn leaves or snow. Move the meter below to explore Korea month by month, with the official average weather for Seoul, Busan and Jeju, the top things to do, what’s on, travel tips and my guides for each month.
My favourite month in Korea is April, when cherry blossom season turns streets, rivers and palace grounds pink and the whole country seems to head outside to enjoy them.
Best Time To Visit Korea At A Glance
- Spring (March to May): warming up fast, from an average high of 11.0°C in Seoul in March to 23.6°C in May. On average, Seoul’s official cherry tree flowers on 8 April. See my cherry blossom guide.
- Summer (June to August): hot and wet. On average the rainy season runs from 25 June to 26 July in central Korea, July brings Seoul 414.4mm of rain, and August is the warmest month, with an average high of 30.0°C. See my summer in Korea guide.
- Autumn (September to November): cooler and drier, with autumn leaves. The 2026 forecast put the peak in the Seoul area and Gangwon-do from late October. See my autumn leaves guide.
- Winter (December to February): cold, with Seoul averaging −1.9°C in January, but it’s the season for ice festivals, snow and skiing. See my winter in Korea guide.
For mild weather, April, May and October are the months to look at: Seoul’s average highs are 17.9°C, 23.6°C and 20.2°C.
Korea Weather By Month
Average weather in Seoul by month, from the Korea Meteorological Administration (1991–2020). The explorer above also shows Busan and Jeju.
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 2.1°C | −5.5°C | 16.8mm |
| February | 5.1°C | −3.2°C | 28.2mm |
| March | 11.0°C | 1.9°C | 36.9mm |
| April | 17.9°C | 8.0°C | 72.9mm |
| May | 23.6°C | 13.5°C | 103.6mm |
| June | 27.6°C | 18.7°C | 129.5mm |
| July | 29.0°C | 22.3°C | 414.4mm |
| August | 30.0°C | 22.9°C | 348.2mm |
| September | 26.2°C | 17.7°C | 141.5mm |
| October | 20.2°C | 10.6°C | 52.2mm |
| November | 11.9°C | 3.5°C | 51.1mm |
| December | 4.2°C | −3.4°C | 22.6mm |
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). Until the end of 2026, citizens of many countries, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan and many European 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 from Klook, EconomyBookings, and RentalCars.
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.
Travel Insurance: It is important to insure your trips to protect yourself against the unexpected. World Nomad is a specialized travel insurance provider with options for different coverage for travellers from around the world. You can also purchase cover when you are already travelling.
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.
Public Holidays To Plan Around
If your trip overlaps one of the longer holidays, book trains and accommodation early. The official list of public holidays includes:
- Seollal (Lunar New Year): three days around the 1st day of the 1st lunar month. In 2027 the holiday runs from 6 to 9 February, including a substitute day.
- Chuseok: the 14th to 16th days of the 8th lunar month.
- Buddha’s Birthday: the 8th day of the 4th lunar month.
- Fixed dates: 1 January, 1 March, 1 May, 5 May, 6 June, 17 July, 15 August, 3 October, 9 October and 25 December.
Want more detail on one month? Read my guide to Korea in October, or my Korea travel guide.
Best Time To Visit Korea FAQs
When is the best time to visit Korea?
It depends on what you want to do. For mild weather, look at April, May and October, when Seoul’s average highs are 17.9°C, 23.6°C and 20.2°C. Come in early April for cherry blossoms, in late October for autumn leaves, or in January for the Hwacheon ice festival (9 to 31 January 2027) and Seoul’s coldest weather.
What is the rainiest month in Korea?
July in Seoul and Busan, with 414.4mm and 326.8mm of rain on average. In Jeju, August is the wettest month, with 272.3mm (Korea Meteorological Administration, 1991–2020 averages).
What is the coldest month in Korea?
January. Seoul averages −1.9°C in January, with an average low of −5.5°C. Jeju is much milder, averaging 6.1°C.
When is cherry blossom season in Korea?
On average, Seoul’s official cherry tree flowers on 8 April and is in full bloom by 10 April. Dates change every year, so check the forecast before you book.
When is the rainy season in Korea?
On average, the rainy season (jangma) runs from 25 June to 26 July in central Korea, and from 19 June to 20 July in Jeju.
When can you see autumn leaves in Korea?
The 2026 forecast put the peak in the Seoul area and Gangwon-do from late October, and in the Gyeongsang and Jeolla regions in early to mid November.
Support In My Korea
Thanks for reading. If you want to help me to create more great content in the future, why not buy me a coffee? A strong coffee helps me write more and is a simple way to show gratitude for this free content.
