Busan

Busan, South Korea’s vibrant coastal metropolis, welcomes visitors with its unique blend of dynamic urban life and tranquil seaside charm. As the nation’s second-largest city, Busan is renowned for its beautiful beaches, bustling seafood markets, and scenic mountains. Whether you are seeking cultural experiences, culinary delights, or picturesque landscapes, Busan offers something for everyone.

Explore the famous Haeundae Beach, stroll through the lively Jagalchi Fish Market, and discover the colourful Gamcheon Culture Village. With its friendly locals, excellent public transportation, and a fascinating mix of tradition and modernity, Busan is the perfect destination for travellers eager to experience the rich diversity of South Korea.

How to travel to Busan

While direct flights to Busan are mainly available from Asian cities, travellers from other continents can reach Busan efficiently using major international hubs for smooth connections. We listed some recommendations for your perusal below. This is only for your information, so you have a starting point when looking into your personal travel planning.

General Tips for International Travellers

Check visa requirements for South Korea before booking your flight.
Allow sufficient transit time, especially when changing airlines or airports.
Seoul has two airports. When booking your flight, ensure you do not need to switch airports, or ensure you have enough time to collect your luggage and transfer to the other Airport.
In case of long layovers in Seoul, the KTX high-speed train offers a direct connection from Seoul to Busan as an alternative to flying.

There are no direct flights from Africa to Busan. Multiple stopovers are usually required.

Common Routes: Fly from major African cities (e.g., Johannesburg, Cairo) to European or Middle Eastern hubs (e.g., Istanbul, Doha, Dubai), then onward to Seoul or another Asian hub, and finally to Busan.
Airlines: Qatar Airways, Emirates, Turkish Airlines, and Korean domestic airlines for the final leg.

Busan is most accessible from within Asia. Gimhae International Airport (PUS) in Busan serves as the primary gateway for international flights.

Direct Flights: Major cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, Shanghai, Beijing, Taipei, and Hong Kong offer direct flights to Busan.
Airlines: Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, Air Busan, Jeju Air, and other Asian carriers frequently operate these routes.
Transit Options: If a direct flight is not available, travelers can easily connect via Incheon International Airport (ICN) in Seoul, which has frequent domestic flights to Busan.

There are currently no direct flights from Europe to Busan. However, travellers can conveniently reach Busan with a single stopover, usually in Seoul or a major Asian hub.

Common Routes: Fly from cities such as London, Frankfurt, Paris, or Amsterdam to Seoul-Incheon (ICN) or Tokyo (NRT/HND), then transfer to a connecting flight to Busan (PUS).
Major Airlines: Korean Air, Lufthansa, Air France, British Airways (to Seoul), then Korean domestic or regional airlines to Busan.

There are no direct flights from North America to Busan. Travellers typically transit via Seoul or other East Asian cities.

Common Routes: Fly from cities like Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Vancouver, or Toronto to Seoul-Incheon (ICN).
Transfer: From Seoul, take a domestic flight (about 1 hour) to Busan.
Airlines: Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines (to Seoul), with onward flights to Busan.

Travelers from Australia and New Zealand can reach Busan with a stopover in major Asian cities.

Common Routes: Fly from Sydney, Melbourne, or Auckland to Seoul-Incheon (ICN), Tokyo, or Hong Kong, then connect to Busan.
Airlines: Korean Air, Qantas, Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific, and other Asian carriers.

Traveling from South America to Busan also requires at least two stopovers.

Common Routes: Fly from São Paulo, Buenos Aires, or Lima to U.S. or European hubs, then to Seoul, and finally to Busan.
Airlines: LATAM, American Airlines, United, Korean Air, and Asiana Airlines.