Best time to visit South Korea
April to May and October. Month by month below, with the weather, what's on and what it costs to fly there from your city.
April to May and October
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are named most often, for mild weather, blossom and foliage; summer monsoon is the weak spot.
- “The best time to go to South Korea is spring (March–May) or autumn (September–November).” jacadatravel.com
- “The best time to visit Korea from Singapore is between March to May, in Spring” wise.com
- “we recommend Sep-Nov as the best time to visit South Korea” responsiblevacation.com
5 of the 6 travel guides we read name these months.
South Korea month by month
Average high and low in Seoul, and days with rain
JanuaryChecking fares…Coldest and snowiest month; Seoul average high is about 1C. Gangwon Province has most ski resorts.Ski season is in full swing with good conditions in many areas.Crowds are low.Taebaek mountain snow festival · Seollal (Korean Lunar New Year)FebruaryChecking fares…Slightly warmer than January but still bitterly cold, with sub-freezing temperatures; Seollal (lunar new year) is sometimes in February.Still freezing but starting to thaw late in the month.
MarchChecking fares…Start of spring but cool until the latter half of the month; first cherry blossoms often appear at month end, and the Jeju Fire Festival is held.Yellow dust (air pollution) can occur for several days in March or April.Jeju sees early blossoms in the south.Jinhae Gunhangje Cherry Blossom Festival · Canola flower season at Jeju
Best timeAprilChecking fares…Early April is peak cherry blossom season in Seoul, with highs around 17C.Among the most popular travel times, so cities and sites get crowded.Yellow dust can irritate and lower air quality.Boseong Green Tea Festival
Best timeMayChecking fares…Highs around 22 to 25C across the country, sunny days are the norm, and the cherry blossoms are over.Good for outdoor activities with sunny days and warm temperatures.Crowds rate as high.Gangneung Danoje
JuneChecking fares…Monsoon is just beginning; highs 25 to 28C. Still much better weather than July and August.Shoulder season with clear days and the start of monsoon rains; tourist demand drops.Good for avoiding crowds at temples and palaces.Seoul Gugak Festival
JulyChecking fares…Rainiest month; monsoon (jangma) in full swing with extremely high humidity.Schools are closed, so it can be busy.About 18 rain days; the cheapest window due to weather.Boryeong Mud Festival · Busan Sea FestivalAugustChecking fares…Hottest month, up to 30C, monsoon continues and rain is likely; beaches busy.Beach destinations are busy because of school holidays.
SeptemberChecking fares…Tail end of summer heat and monsoon, highs about 23 to 27C.Temperatures drop and humidity eases, though occasional rain remains.Chuseok harvest festival falls at the end of September or early October; transport and services book up.Andong Mask Dance Festival · Busan International Film Festival
Best timeOctoberChecking fares…Autumn leaves at their best; good for hiking and photography at Seoraksan and Bukhansan.Cultural festivals amid comfortable temperatures and less rain.Peak autumn crowds come in late October.Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival · Naejangsan Autumn Leaves
NovemberChecking fares…Fresh, crisp weather; Seoul lantern festival; cheaper after the autumn peak.Post-autumn-peak month with lower flight and hotel prices.Seoul Kimchi Festival
DecemberChecking fares…Temperatures drop and ski season starts; Gangwon resorts can be reached as day trips from Seoul.Early December is good for avoiding crowds.Garden of Morning Calm Lighting Festival · Pyeongchang Trout Festival
Weather: Seoul averages from Korea Meteorological Administration (1991 to 2020 averages), as listed in its climate table on Wikipedia.
Every date to South Korea from your city
Live fares from your airport. Watch them and we alert you when they drop.
What's on in South Korea
Festivals and seasons through the year
- Taebaek mountain snow festival
Seollal (Korean Lunar New Year)- Jinhae Gunhangje Cherry Blossom Festival
Canola flower season at Jeju
Yeouido Spring Flower Festival- Boseong Green Tea Festival
- Gangneung Danoje
- Seoul Gugak Festival
- Boryeong Mud Festival
Busan Sea Festival- Andong Mask Dance Festival
Busan International Film Festival- Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival
Naejangsan Autumn Leaves- Seoul Kimchi Festival
- Garden of Morning Calm Lighting Festival
Pyeongchang Trout Festival
Busy, quiet and what to watch for
Busiest
- April and May; late OctoberSpring blossom and autumn foliage bring crowds; April is peak tourist season.
- Mid-July to end of AugustSchool vacations raise crowds.
Quietest
- December to FebruaryCold, dry and low on crowds, except at ski resorts.
- November and late February to MarchShoulder seasons with lower flight and hotel prices.
Watch for
- June to AugustMonsoon brings torrential rain and muggy weather; one source does not recommend summer.
- March to AprilYellow dust from China and central Asia can fill the air for several days.
- Late summerJeju is vulnerable to late-summer typhoons.
- Late September or early OctoberChuseok: services and transport often booked up in advance.
Questions people ask
- Which month is best for South Korea?
- April to May and September to November are named most often; one source rates April top for warmth and fewer rain days.
- What is the weather like in South Korea in April?
- Highs around 17C in Seoul, with rising temperatures and some rain.
- What is the weather like in Korea in May?
- Highs of 22 to 25C, mostly sunny, with rain chance rising slightly.
More about South Korea
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