South Korea in October

Clear skies, autumn colour in the mountains, festivals everywhere; Chuseok falls here some years.

• Seoul and north-west · Seoul, Incheon, Suwon, the DMZbest weather

  Continental: dry winters down to −15 °C on cold snaps, hot humid summers. Fine dust (yellow dust and pollution) peaks Mar–Apr; the monsoon runs late Jun – Jul.

• Busan and south-east coast · Busan, Gyeongju, Tongyeong, Ulsanbest weather

  Milder winters than Seoul, rarely below freezing; typhoons most likely Aug–Sep and ferries to Japan stop when they pass.

• Jeju · Jeju City, Seogwipo, Hallasanbest weather

  Windy and wet; the island takes the first hit of most typhoons. Hallasan summit gets snow in winter; flights stop in strong crosswinds.

• Gangwon mountains and east coast · Sokcho, Seoraksan, Gangneung, Pyeongchangbest weather

  Coldest region: ski season Dec–Feb, peak autumn colour mid-October in Seoraksan; summer beaches crowded in late Jul – Aug.

• Seoul20° / 10°, 6 rain days

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• Chuseok (harvest festival) big impact

  Chuseok: 24–26 Sep 2026 (passed); about 14–16 Sep 2027 (check)

  Same three-day shutdown as Seollal; the largest travel peak of the year.

• National Foundation Day

  3 Oct

  Public holiday; often joins Chuseok or a long weekend.

• Hangul Day

  9 Oct

  Public holiday for the alphabet; events at Gwanghwamun.

• Seoul International Fireworks Festival check

  An early-October Saturday · Seoul

  Huge crowds; nearby stations skip stops in the evening.

• Autumn leaves

  Late October to mid-November · Seoul

  The best walking weeks; palace gardens crowded on weekends.

Crowds · South Korea

High

Prices · South Korea

High

High-price month: see what to book ahead.

Nothing unusual for the weather this month.

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Rated best or good this month

• Seoul and north-west

  Best weather of the year (Seoul, Incheon, Suwon, the DMZ)

• Busan and south-east coast

  Best weather of the year (Busan, Gyeongju, Tongyeong, Ulsan)

• Jeju

  Best weather of the year (Jeju City, Seogwipo, Hallasan)

• Gangwon mountains and east coast

  Best weather of the year (Sokcho, Seoraksan, Gangneung, Pyeongchang)

• Seoul

  Best month for walking; autumn colour.

• Busan

  Best months: Apr–Jun and Sep–Nov (mild, dry, before/after the summer beach crowds)

• Jeju City

  Best months: Apr–Jun and Sep–Oct (mild, before summer humidity and after typhoon season)

• Incheon

  Best months: Apr–Jun and Sep–Nov