Busan’s location on Korea’s south-eastern coast makes it an excellent base for day excursions. Gyeongju — Korea’s ancient Silla capital — is under an hour away by fast rail. The port city of Tongyeong takes 90 minutes by bus. Within Busan itself, Gamcheon Culture Village and Haedong Yonggungsa Temple function as half-day excursions from the city centre. Here is how to reach each one and what to expect.
Gyeongju: Korea’s Ancient Capital
Gyeongju (경주) was the capital of the Silla kingdom for almost a thousand years, from 57 BCE to 935 CE. The city holds the highest concentration of historic sites in South Korea — royal tombs, Buddhist temples, stone pagodas, and palace ruins spread across a compact area. UNESCO designated the historic zones of Gyeongju as a World Heritage Site in 2000.
Key sites:
- Daereungwon (Tumuli Park): A park containing 23 royal burial mounds, the largest of which rise to 23 metres. Entry approximately KRW 3,000 as of 2026. Cheonmachong tomb inside the park allows entry into one excavated mound. Open 09:00–21:30 in summer.
- Bulguksa Temple: One of Korea’s most celebrated Buddhist temples, built in 751 CE on a terraced mountainside outside the city. Entry approximately KRW 6,000 as of 2026. Open 07:00–18:00 (17:00 in winter). Take city bus 10 or 11 from Gyeongju station (30 minutes, approximately KRW 1,500).
- Seokguram Grotto: A UNESCO-listed stone grotto housing an 8th-century granite Buddha, above Bulguksa on Tohamsan mountain. Entry approximately KRW 6,000 as of 2026. Reachable by shuttle bus from Bulguksa (approximately KRW 5,000 return) or a 40-minute walk uphill.
- Cheomseongdae: A 7th-century astronomical observatory, the oldest surviving in East Asia. Free to view from outside; small park entry fee approximately KRW 2,000.
- Anapji Pond (Donggung and Wolji): Restored Silla pleasure garden with evening illuminations. Entry approximately KRW 3,000. Best visited in the evening when lights reflect on the water.
Getting there: KTX from Busan Station to Singyeongju Station takes approximately 24 minutes and costs around KRW 14,000 as of 2026. From Singyeongju station, city buses (route 700, approximately KRW 1,500) or taxis (approximately KRW 15,000–20,000) run to Gyeongju city centre in around 20 minutes.
Alternatively, intercity buses from Busan Central Bus Terminal (near Busan Station) or Nopo Bus Terminal to Gyeongju take approximately 60–90 minutes and cost around KRW 5,000–7,500 as of 2026. The bus drops you at Gyeongju Intercity Bus Terminal, centrally located.
Budget for the day: A full Gyeongju day including Bulguksa, Seokguram, Tumuli Park, and lunch at a local restaurant typically costs KRW 30,000–50,000 per person as of 2026, excluding transport.
For more on Gyeongju, see our things to do in Gyeongju guide.
Tongyeong: Korea’s Southern Port City
Tongyeong (통영) is a small port city on South Korea’s south coast, about 90 km west of Busan. It sits on a peninsula surrounded by islands and has a strong maritime and artistic identity — painter Lee Jung-seob and composer Yun I-sang were both from here. The city is compact, walkable, and far less visited by international tourists than Gyeongju.
Key things to see:
- Hanryeo Waterway (한려해상국립공원): The water around Tongyeong is part of Hallyeo Maritime National Park. Boats to nearby islands depart from Tongyeong Ferry Terminal. The most popular destination is Bijindo (비진도), a small island with two connected beaches — boats take approximately 30 minutes (return fares around KRW 14,000 as of 2026). Somaemuldo island is similarly scenic and slightly closer.
- Dongpirang Village (동피랑): A hilltop neighbourhood with murals covering its walls, similar in character to Gamcheon in Busan but smaller and less commercialised. Free entry, 20–30 minute walk through.
- Tongyeong Cable Car (통영 케이블카): A gondola rising to the summit of Mireuksan (461 m) with views across the islands. Round trip approximately KRW 15,000 as of 2026.
- Jungang Market: Tongyeong’s covered market with local street food including gul (oysters), this being one of Korea’s main oyster-producing regions. Grilled or raw oysters from approximately KRW 10,000 per portion.
Getting there: Intercity buses run from Busan Seobu Intercity Bus Terminal (연산 방면 버스; Sasang metro station, line 2) to Tongyeong Bus Terminal in approximately 90 minutes to 2 hours. Fares are approximately KRW 9,000–14,000 as of 2026. Services run frequently throughout the day. From Tongyeong Bus Terminal, the main sights are reachable by taxi or a short walk.
No direct train runs to Tongyeong — bus is the only practical option.
Budget for the day: Tongyeong is inexpensive by Korean standards. Lunch of local seafood (oysters, fried fish cake, raw fish) at the market costs approximately KRW 10,000–18,000. A full day including cable car, island ferry, and meals typically runs KRW 40,000–70,000 per person, excluding buses.
Gamcheon Culture Village (Half-Day from Central Busan)
Gamcheon Culture Village (감천문화마을) sits in the Saha district of Busan, roughly 6 km south-west of Busan Station. It is technically within city limits and functions as a half-day outing rather than a full day trip, but it requires sufficient planning to be worth the journey.
The village is a steep hillside of densely packed, brightly painted houses that were transformed into an open-air art space from 2009. Narrow alleys connect murals, small galleries, and cafés. A route map (approximately KRW 2,000 at the visitor centre) marks key murals and viewpoints. The walk through the full circuit takes 60–90 minutes at a relaxed pace.
Entry to the village is free. Best visited on weekdays or early morning on weekends to avoid the peak crowds at the central viewpoint.
Getting there: From Toseong metro station (line 1, 5 stops from Busan Station), take bus 1-1 or bus 2 to Gamcheon Culture Village — approximately 15–20 minutes. Alternatively, taxi from Busan Station takes around 20 minutes (approximately KRW 8,000–12,000 as of 2026).
Haedong Yonggungsa Temple (Half-Day from Haeundae)
Haedong Yonggungsa (해동용궁사) is a Buddhist temple built on coastal cliffs north of Haeundae, with stone stairways descending almost to the waterline. The combination of rock faces, sea spray, and temple architecture makes it one of the most distinctive Buddhist sites in South Korea.
Entry is free. The temple faces east and is particularly striking at sunrise — arriving before 07:00 means you will see it at its most atmospheric, before tour groups arrive from around 09:00.
Getting there: From Haeundae metro station (line 2), buses 100 and 181 run to Haedong Yonggungsa in approximately 30 minutes (KRW 1,600 with T-money). Taxis from Haeundae cost approximately KRW 10,000–14,000.
Combining with other sites: Haedong pairs well with a morning at Haeundae Beach. Leave the beach mid-morning, take the bus north to the temple, then return to Haeundae or continue north to the Gijang area’s seafood restaurants, where fresh lobster and crab are a local speciality.
Practical Notes
- Timing: Gyeongju works best as a full day (7–8 hours minimum to cover the main sites). Tongyeong works as a full day. Gamcheon and Haedong are half-day excursions.
- Transport apps: Kakao Maps and Naver Maps are more accurate than Google Maps for Korean bus routes and schedules. Both have English interfaces.
- Booking: Gyeongju and Tongyeong day tours can be booked through GetYourGuide if you prefer a guided option with transport included — this simplifies the logistics considerably if you are combining multiple Gyeongju sites in a single day.
For transport options around Busan itself, see our getting around Busan guide. For Busan accommodation, see our Busan hotels guide.