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Free Style Private Tour: Essence of Seoul or DMZ
5.0
110 Ratings
Eulji-ro
Experience the best of Seoul and the DMZ with our customizable private tour. Choose from a variety of attractions and create your perfect itinerary. Don’t miss out on the essence of each course!
Experience the best of Seoul and the DMZ with our customizable private tour. Choose from a variety of attractions and create your perfect itinerary. Don’t miss out on the essence of each course!
Duration:
8 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Gyeongbokgung Palace - Guests will be picked up from their hotel or a designated location. The first stop is Gyeongbokgung Palace, the primary palace among the five in Seoul. After exploring Gyeongbokgung, the tour proceeds to the top of Bukak Skyway, offering a view of the other side of Seoul and known as the infiltration point of 31 North Korean…
- Gyeongbokgung Palace - Guests will be picked up from their hotel or a designated location. The first stop is Gyeongbokgung Palace, the primary palace among the five in Seoul. After exploring Gyeongbokgung, the tour proceeds to the top of Bukak Skyway, offering a view of the other side of Seoul and known as the infiltration point of 31 North Korean spies in 1968. Gilsangsa Temple, a hidden gem for foreign tourists, offers beautiful scenery and intriguing stories. Lunch will be served at the authentic Korean restaurant, Maple Tree House, recommended by TripAdvisor and CNN. Visitors will also explore historic streets like Insadong or Iksundong, which are adjacent to each other. Finally, the tour includes a cable car ride to N-Seoul Tower, providing a panoramic view of Seoul from the mountains and a chance to explore the charming streets of Seoul.
- Insadong - Insadong is situated between Gyeongbokgung Palace and Chandeokgung Palace. It was once a flea market for the upper class, where valuable items were sold.
- Bugak Skyway - This is the northern mountain of Seoul, comparable to Namsan, where N-Seoul Tower is located. The drive, known as Bugak Skyway, is considered the best driving route in Seoul, passing by the Blue House, the presidential residence.
- DMZ - The DMZ is Korea’s most famous tourist attraction. If opting for the 3rd Tunnel tour, it requires a full day dedicated to the DMZ. However, there are other options like Odusan Observatory and the DMZ gondola, which can be combined with a city tour.
What's Included
- Private transportation
- English speaking guide
- Hotel pick up & drop off
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Private transportation
- English speaking guide
- Hotel pick up & drop off
- In-vehicle air conditioning
What's Not Included
- Lunch
- Air port pick up(optional)
- Lunch
- Air port pick up(optional)
Additional Information
We are planning the best itinerary according to the customer’s needs. You can choose either a Seoul city tour or a DMZ tour. Sometimes, a combination of both is possible, depending on the time and situation. Our priority is to showcase the highlights of each tour. However, please note that a full Seoul city tour and a full DMZ tour cannot be done…
We are planning the best itinerary according to the customer’s needs. You can choose either a Seoul city tour or a DMZ tour. Sometimes, a combination of both is possible, depending on the time and situation. Our priority is to showcase the highlights of each tour. However, please note that a full Seoul city tour and a full DMZ tour cannot be done simultaneously. You have two options when selecting the tour: Seoul city or DMZ plus.
- Passport required for DMZtour
Location
LOTTE HOTEL SEOUL
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(110 Ratings)
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Christer_h
Jul 9, 2025
Lay over DMZ tour - We had some difficulty leaving the airport and were relieved that Jun waited and communicated with us through the entire time. He picked us up when we got out and we were able to cover a lot in the few hours of our lay over. He gave us a choice of traditional dishes for lunch and we throughly enjoyed our meal. When we said we were ready to wrap things up, he got the car and got us back to the airport in time for a smooth check in. I would recommend Jun as his car was spacious and it was easy with our luggage stored in the back.
Review provided by Viator
Juliet_f
Jul 5, 2025
Great with kids too - Wonderful and educational tour of the DMZ, our guide Jun shared a lot about the local culture during our drive and found ways to keep our kids (3 & 7) entertained as a part of the tour. Highly recommend.
Review provided by Viator
Storms955
Jul 4, 2025
Great tour Jun won choi - Jun was an amazing guide.
I got the reccomendation from a co-worker for the DMZ tour offered by him. The tour included him picking up four of us at our hotel and driving us to different DMZ spots to have the true experience. He handles all the tickets and has plenty of useful information that he can share with you. he is a very personable and kind guide that gives a great experience.
I asked before the tour if he could reccomend a lunch spot and he did not disappoint. He drove us to a very wonderful, authentic Korean BBQ restaurant where the food was already ready for us, arranged in advance by him.
I know he offers different tours, next time I'm in Seoul I'll have to get a city tour.
I highly recommend Jun won choi and can't wait to see him again!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Marc_n
Jun 27, 2025
Fantastic experience! - We booked this experience for my son and I to visit the DMZ and Gyeongbokgung Palace. Jun was our guide and he was wonderful. We were able to skip the crowds, have a personalized itinerary and see the highlights. We were also able to see North Korea from a less busy observatory and it was the highlight of my son’s day. We were able to get some great insights on the Gyeongbokgung Palace as well. If you want a meaningful experience without the large tour group, this is the tour to book. Thank you Jun for a fantastic trip!
Review provided by Viator
Seema_k
Jun 13, 2025
Excellent 1 day tour of Seoul - Informative tour with guide that speaks fluent English. Tour can be tailored to your preferences, we did cultural sites, shopping and food market streets. He was a great guide and we saw so much in 1 day.
Review provided by Viator
Nancy_j
Jun 10, 2025
Fabulous Tailor-Made Tour - Jun was a fabulous guide! He tailored the tour exactly to our needs, knew a great deal of history, and communicated clearly and effectively. He's also a lot of fun to be with! Also, because of the size of our group, we had the added benefit of delightful George as our driver. A two-for-one deal!
Review provided by Viator
Stephen_w
Jun 10, 2025
Amazing Jun!!! - Oppa Jun has been amazing. He arrived 30minutes earlier and waited for us. Communication was precise. He accomodate to my elderly mother and served her with care during lunch and make sure some of the route are suitable for her. He is very knowledgeable, accommodative and did the sharing (just nice, not overloaded us with info). Most people told us that there is nothing to see at DMZ but visit with June was worth it as he made it memorable. We had special request and he is very accommodative, he brought us to emart traders to shops for ginseng and fruits. He went overtime for us without any complains… oh my.. he is good. We are grateful to have him as our guide & booking him again for other trips next few days.
Review provided by Viator
Karen_p
Jun 8, 2025
Private tour to the DMZ - We booked a day trip to the DMZ with pick up from the cruise terminal and drop off after at the airport. Our guide Sophia was amazing, despite a very messy disembarkation at the terminal, with huge queues of cars and taxis trying to collect the cruisers, she picked us up on time and drove us away from the chaos. Sophia is a very well informed guide and shared lots of information about her home country, making it a very interesting day at the DMZ. She took us to an authentic local restaurant for lunch The food was delicious and was incredibly good value. Sophia is very friendly and helpful and tailored the trip to meet our needs. All through the trip she took lots of photos for us. We enjoyed the whole day, the DMZ is unique and the experience did not disappoint and Sophia is lovely.
Review provided by Viator
Michelle_g
May 21, 2025
THE Best Way to Experience the DMZ! - We had a glorious day at the DMZ with Jun. He was professional, punctual and very knowledgeable about Seoul and the surrounding areas. Jun is the exact reason why we book private tours. He had valuable insights into how to arrange the stops on our tour for optimal results. Lunch was delicious and authentic! My husband and I really enjoyed it. I HIGHLY recommend this tour! You won’t be disappointed.
Review provided by Viator
Gabriela_j
May 19, 2025
A Perfect Day in Seoul with an Exceptional Guide - We had a wonderful private tour in Seoul yesterday, and our experience was truly enhanced by our amazing guide. She was incredibly kind, attentive, and flexible—always adapting to our pace and interests.
She took us to some of the city’s most iconic spots and also shared great recommendations for local places to eat and explore on our own. Her company was genuinely pleasant, and she created a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere throughout the day.
What really stood out was her deep knowledge of Korean history and culture. It’s clear she is very well-prepared and passionate about what she does. We left Seoul with a greater appreciation for its beauty and rich heritage, thanks to her thoughtful insights.
Highly recommend this tour for anyone looking to experience Seoul in a personal and enriching way!
Review provided by Viator
