Major city · South Korea
Samcheok삼척
Spend 1–2 days in Samcheok for the caves and beaches; longer only if you plan a coastal road tour.
Samcheok is a small coastal city in Gangwon-do with 104 km of East Sea shoreline, two major caves, and a range of beaches and parks. It is reachable by frequent express buses from Seoul and works well as a half‑day or overnight stop on a Gangwon itinerary.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- KRW
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot, humid, occasional typhoons)
- Airport
- GNI
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 5
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- South Korea ↗Check K-ETA and visa status on the official sites before you fly; the list of nationalities exempted from registering online changes year by year.
- South Korea ↗Google Maps gives poor walking and driving directions in Korea; use Naver Map or Kakao Map for routes.
- South Korea ↗Buy a T-money card (or use a phone-based transit pass) for subway and buses; it also pays at convenience stores and many taxis.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Samcheok112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Samcheok, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Cards work almost everywhere, including taxis, convenience stores and many market stalls; carry ₩30,000–50,000 (≈ US$25–40) in cash for street food…South Korea-wide
- SIM or eSIMSK Telecom, KT and LG U+ sell tourist SIMs and eSIMs at airport arrivals; a passport is required, and data-only plans are cheapest.South Korea-wide
- Tap waterOfficially safe from the tap; most people drink filtered water, and restaurants serve it free.South Korea-wide
- TippingRestaurants and cafés: No tip; a service charge appears only in top hotels.South Korea-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.South Korea-wide
- SafetySamcheok is generally safe; keep an eye on bus schedules at night and follow beach safety signs.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree, clean public toilets in every subway station; paper goes in the toilet in new buildings, in the bin where a sign asks.South Korea-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police · 119 fire & ambulance · 1330 Travel helpline (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysPalaces close one weekday (Gyeongbokgung Tuesday, others mostly Monday); national museums open daily but close on 1 Jan, Seollal and Chuseok days.South Korea-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportGNI Gangneung Airport (About 45 km (28 mi) north, shuttle bus or taxi 1 h).GNI Gangneung Airport (About 28 mi (45 km) north, shuttle bus or taxi 1 h).
- Getting aroundCity and regional buses run hourly from the bus‑terminal stop to most attractions; taxis are cheap; most beaches are a 10‑20 min walk from downtown.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a café₩3,000–5,000 (≈ US$3–4)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km))₩15,000–20,000 (≈ US$11–15)
- Museum or sight ticketHwanseon Cave entry₩4,000 (≈ US$3)
- Budget bedMotel room, a night, per room₩50,000 (≈ US$40)
- Mid-range bedMotel room, a night, per room₩80,000 (≈ US$60)
- High-end bedMotel room, a night, per room₩120,000 (≈ US$90)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₩55,000 (≈ US$40) · Mid ₩85,000 (≈ US$65) · High ₩130,000 (≈ US$95)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- GNI Gangneung Airport (About 45 km (28 mi) north, shuttle bus or taxi 1 h)GNI Gangneung Airport (About 28 mi (45 km) north, shuttle bus or taxi 1 h)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Feb
not flagged
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Mar
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Apr
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
May
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jul
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Aug
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Nov
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Dec
not flagged
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)), coolest Jan (−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C) low), wettest Jul (10 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Samcheok: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
2 rd
Feb
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
2 rd
Mar
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
3 rd
Apr
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
5 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
7 rd
Jun
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
9 rd
Jul
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
10 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
10 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7 rd
Oct
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
5 rd
Nov
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
3 rd
Dec
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
City and regional buses run hourly from the bus‑terminal stop to most attractions; taxis are cheap; most beaches are a 10‑20 min walk from downtown.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Donghae
goDoor to door: ≈45 min
Intercity bus from Samcheok terminal, about 30 min
Coastal walk and fresh‑seafood market.
Seoraksan National Park (Sokcho base)
cautionDoor to door: ≈2 h
Bus to Sokcho (≈1 h 20 min) then local bus or taxi
Longer travel; consider overnight in Sokcho.
Gangneung
goDoor to door: ≈1 h 15 min
Express bus, about 1 h
Beach promenade and Ojukheon museum.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Motels near Samcheok Express Bus Terminal
Rooms ₩50,000–150,000; walk 10 min to bus terminal
Palace Hotel
105 rooms, phone +82 33‑575‑7000
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₩55,000–85,000 (≈ US$40–65) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₩85,000–130,000 (≈ US$65–95) excl. bed
- High
- ₩130,000 (≈ US$95)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel room1 × 1 night × ₩80,000 | ₩80,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ₩85,000 | ₩170,000 |
| Seoul → Samcheok express bus (round‑trip, adult)2 × ₩35,000 · check | ₩70,000 |
| City bus day pass2 × ₩5,000 · check | ₩10,000 |
| eSIM (1 week data)2 × ₩25,000 · check | ₩50,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₩38,000 |
| Trip total≈ ₩209,000 per person per day, bed included | ₩418,000≈ US$350 |
check
2026 estimate in KRW; flights and intercity bus tickets excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a café | ₩3,000–5,000 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Seafood bowl (e.g. hoe bibimbap) | ₩8,000–12,000 (≈ US$6–9) |
| Hwanseon Cave entry | ₩4,000 (≈ US$3) |
| Daegeum Cave entry (adult) | ₩12,000 (≈ US$9) |
| Taxi (5 km) | ₩15,000–20,000 (≈ US$11–15) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- First bus from Seoul departs 06:30, last 23:30; verify seat‑type (3‑seat vs 4‑seat) at ticket office.First bus from Seoul departs 6:30 AM, last 11:30 PM; verify seat‑type (3‑seat vs 4‑seat) at ticket office.
- Cave opening hours change seasonally – Hwanseon 08:00‑19:00 (summer) / 08:30‑17:00 (winter); Daegeum 09:00‑17:00 (summer) / 09:30‑16:00 (winter).Cave opening hours change seasonally – Hwanseon 8:00 AM‑7:00 PM (summer) / 8:30 AM‑5:00 PM (winter); Daegeum 9:00 AM‑5:00 PM (summer) / 9:30 AM‑4:00 PM (winter).
- Some beaches (Gungchon) are open only July 10‑Aug 20; check local signs.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 112
- Fire & ambulance
- 119
- Travel helpline
- 1330
Pocket card
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Samcheok삼척
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
이 주소로 가 주세요To this address, please
Emergency
- Police112
- Fire & ambulance119
- Travel helpline1330
Embassy
US Consulate in Busan (check address); other embassies in Seoul.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Seoul → Samcheok express bus: about ₩30,000 (≈ US$25) one‑way, 2–2.5 h (check)
- City bus day pass: about ₩5,000 (≈ US$4) per person
- Taxi downtown → bus terminal: ≈₩8,000–12,000 (5 min)
Say or show
- 죄송합니다 — Excuse me / Sorry (joesonghamnida)
- 감사합니다 — Thank you (gamsahamnida)
- 얼마예요? — How much is it? (eolmayeyo?)
- 버스 터미널이 어디예요? — Where is the bus terminal? (beoseu teominaleodi yeyo?)
- 영어 할 수 있어요? — Do you speak English? (yeongeo hal su isseoyo?)
- 택시가 필요해요 — I need a taxi (taeksiga piryohhaeyo)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Samcheok. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (hot, humid, occasional typhoons) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Bus‑terminal‑to‑motel contract for night stays.
- Walking clusters: bus terminal‑cave area, beach strip, city centre market.
Sources
Ask about Samcheok
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