Traveling from Seoul to Daegu, South Korea: How Long Does It Take and How to Get There?

Are you planning a trip to South Korea and considering Daegu as one of your must-visit destinations? However, you're unsure about the distance from Seoul to Daegu, what transportation to use, and what makes Daegu so appealing? This article by Vietjet will help you answer all those questions!

1. Where is Daegu, South Korea?

1.1 An Overview of Daegu

Daegu is located in the southern part of South Korea, serving as the capital of Gyeongsangbuk-do province, near the Geumho River. It is one of South Korea's most renowned economic and cultural centers. Additionally, Daegu is an ideal tourist spot because it combines modernity with antiquity, bustling urban life with majestic, serene nature. This city offers shopping districts, museums, theaters, mountains, ancient villages, and temples, creating a captivating destination that enchants many visitors.

Daegu is an ideal tourist destination as it blends modernity with antiquity, bustling life with serene nature.

1.2 Does Daegu Have a Beach?

Daegu is a mountain city with numerous rolling hills, creating a picturesque natural landscape hidden behind a modern city, sparking curiosity among visitors wanting to explore and learn. You can visit the mountains using advanced cable car systems or go trekking to admire the majestic nature and challenge your endurance. Additionally, there are many beautiful coastal areas near Daegu for visitors to explore.

1.3 How Long Does It Take to Travel from Daegu to Seoul?

South Korea's modern and developed transportation network makes traveling between cities easy. Traveling from Daegu to Seoul takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes, equivalent to a distance of approximately 310 kilometers. You can choose to travel by train, high-speed rail, bus, car, or even airplane to save the maximum amount of time.

2. How to Travel from Seoul to Daegu

2.1 Traveling from Seoul to Daegu

Depending on your time, travel style, or financial condition, you can choose one of the following means to travel from Seoul to Daegu:

Airplane:

This is the most chosen means of transportation for the trip from Daegu to Seoul. Currently, many international airlines operate direct flights between these two cities. Ticket prices range from 2,000,000 to 10,000,000 VND depending on the airline. Flight time is about 1 to 1.5 hours. It is advisable to book tickets 1-2 months in advance to select the desired departure time and get better prices.

KTX Train:

The most convenient means of transportation from Seoul to Daegu is the KTX train. The travel time is comparable to flying, but the ticket prices are much cheaper. Daegu has two KTX stations: Seodaegu and Dongdaegu (East Daegu), with Dongdaegu being the main station as it connects with the subway system, making it very convenient for your travels. The ticket price from Seoul to Daegu is about 43,500 Won (approximately 808,000 VND).

The most convenient means of transportation from Seoul to Daegu is the KTX train.

SRT Train:

The SRT fast train is also a popular option with quick travel time and flexible ticket prices. It takes less than 2 hours to get to Daegu, with tickets costing about 36,900 Won (approximately 686,000 VND).

Car:

Traveling by car gives you more control over your travel time, so if you're traveling with family or a large group, this might be a good option. However, it takes longer (about 3 hours).

Bus:

If you want to save costs and enjoy the city views, the bus is an ideal means of transportation. Depending on the bus type and the station you depart from, ticket prices range from 18,400 to 38,800 Won (approximately 342,000 to 720,000 VND). The travel time ranges from 1 to 2 hours.

Similarly, you can travel from Daegu to Seoul using these means with the same travel time.

2.2 Getting Around Daegu

Subway:

The subway is the most popular means of transportation for tourists in South Korea in general and Daegu in particular. Daegu has a total of three railway lines, each distinguished by a unique color: Line 1 (red) and Line 2 (green) are underground, while Line 3 (yellow) is an elevated monorail. The operating times for the trains vary, but typically there is a train every 5-13 minutes.

You can buy single-use tickets at vending machines in front of the stations. The fare for a one-way trip is about 1,400 Won (approximately 26,000 VND) regardless of distance. If you use a T-Money transportation card, you can transfer for free between the subway and bus services.

The subway is the most popular means of transportation for foreigners in South Korea.

Bus:

Buses in Daegu are also color-coded: red, green, and blue. Red buses are express buses with fewer stops, making them very useful when you are in a hurry.

Similar to buses in Vietnam, you board through the front door and exit through the rear door. You can pay by swiping a transportation card at the reader near the entrance or by inserting cash into the box next to the driver's seat. The fare for regular buses is 1,400 Won (about 26,000 VND) and 1,800 Won (about 33,400 VND) for express buses.

Taxi:

You can easily hail a taxi on the street or at tourist spots. There are two types of taxis in Daegu: regular taxis and Deluxe taxis (luxury taxis with black and gold trim). The cost depends on the type of taxi, travel time, and destination. Payment methods include cash, credit cards, and T-Money cards.

Car:

Alternatively, you can rent a car for self-driving at bus terminals, airports, or rental locations in the city center. Rental prices start at 22,000 Won (approximately 408,000 VND).

3. Tourist Attractions in Daegu, South Korea

3.1 Palgongsan Mountain

Palgongsan Mountain is located in the northeast of Daegu, with its central peak, Birobong, standing at about 1,192 meters above sea level. Birobong Peak is considered a spiritual land as it is home to many famous temples such as Dorimsa, Buinsa, Donghwasa, and Pagyesa. It also features the thousand-year-old Gatbawi Medicine Buddha statue, renowned for its sanctity. You can reach the summit by cable car or hiking trails. The best time to visit is during the Cherry Blossom Festival in spring or when the paths are covered with romantic falling leaves in autumn.

3.2 Donghwasa Temple

This is the largest and most famous Buddhist temple on Palgongsan Mountain. Besides its unique ancient architecture, the temple houses a meticulously sculpted 17-meter-tall Unification Medicine Buddha statue. Donghwasa Temple is surrounded by majestic and serene mountain forests, offering a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere for visitors.

Donghwasa is the largest and most famous Buddhist temple on Palgongsan Mountain.

3.3 Otgol Village

A place rich in traditional Korean culture that you shouldn't miss when visiting Daegu is Otgol Village. This village has 20 Hanok houses, traditional Korean houses that are up to 400 years old, owned by the Gyeongju Choi clan. Despite numerous renovations, the houses have retained their ancient and original charm.

The village also boasts captivating natural scenery, especially in spring when it is blanketed with apricot, peach, and forsythia blossoms, creating a romantic and tranquil landscape away from the city's hustle and bustle.

3.4 Duryu Park

If you love colorful festivals and events and want to enjoy fun outdoor activities with family and friends, head to Duryu Park. This park is a vast green space in the city, often chosen as a dating spot by couples. Duryu Park frequently hosts traditional Korean events and festivals such as the Dalgubeol Lantern Festival and the International Bodypainting Festival. Notably, from Duryu Park, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city from Daegu Tower.

Traveling from Seoul to Daegu, South Korea: How Long Does It Take and How to Get There?

At Duryu Park, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city from Daegu Tower.

3.5 Daegu Opera House

This is the first city opera house to open in South Korea. The theater is designed with a curved dome resembling a grand piano, featuring modern sound and lighting systems inside, a magnificent rotating stage, and horseshoe-shaped seating for the audience. The opera house regularly hosts high-art performances at very reasonable prices. Additionally, there are special performances for international visitors every week.

4. Tips for Traveling to Daegu, South Korea

To ensure a wonderful and complete trip to Daegu, you should plan early and keep the following points in mind:

Apply for a Korean visa 2-3 months in advance: This allows ample time in case your application faces any difficulties or delays.
Book flights and hotels as early as possible: Early booking will help you secure the best accommodations and flight times at the most favorable prices.
Visit Daegu in spring or autumn: These seasons offer the most beautiful landscapes and the most pleasant weather.

We hope this article provides you with useful information for a memorable journey to Daegu! Don't miss the chance to grab enticing flight deals to Daegu and the special 0-won ticket promotion for international flights every Friday HERE.

For more insights, check out: Daegu International Airport, South Korea: Information, Locations, and Tips.

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