Gyeongju 2 days 1 night public transport: UNESCO Sites and Downtown Delights

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Gyeongju 2 days 1 night—follow this route and you can’t go wrong. Gyeongju is a city where “UNESCO-level history” and “trendy, aesthetic streets” coexist, so one day isn’t quite enough.
The itinerary I recommend most often to my international clients is built around these four key spots.

  • Mountain-side UNESCO duo: Bulguksa Temple + Seokguram Grotto
  • Downtown essentials: Daereungwon Tomb Complex + Hwangridan-gil

Bulguksa and Seokguram are on the Tohamsan side (east), so you’ll spend time getting there, while Daereungwon and Hwangridan-gil are walkable and right next to each other in the city center. If you split it into “one day in the mountains, one day downtown,” the route becomes really clean and efficient. (VISITKOREA – Imagine Your Korea)

Option 1: Best Route for Walkers/Public Transportation

Day 1 (Downtown)

  • Check-in → Daereungwon walk → Hwangridan-gil café hop & dinner

Day 2 (Mountain side)

  • Bulguksa Temple → (bus transfer) → Seokguram Grotto → head back to downtown/station and depart

Option 2: If You Arrive in the Morning

Day 1 Bulguksa & Seokguram first → Day 2 finish with Daereungwon & Hwangridan-gil

Gyeongju 2 days 1 night

Key Hours & Fees (Quick Summary)

PlaceEnglish NameHoursAdmissionNotes
Bulguksa TempleBulguksa Temple09:00-18:00 (exit by 19:00)FreeListed as open year-round (VISITKOREA – Imagine Your Korea)
Seokguram GrottoSeokguram Grotto09:00-18:00 (viewing until 19:00)FreeGuidance: 3km on foot trail / 9km by car from Bulguksa (VISITKOREA – Imagine Your Korea)
DaereungwonDaereungwon Tomb Complex09:00-22:00Daereungwon: FreeCheonmachong is paid separately (VISITKOREA – Imagine Your Korea)
Hwangridan-gilHwangridan-gilAlways openFreeIntroduced as an “aesthetic street” around Hwangnam-dong (Visit Korea)

※ Hours and fees for temples/tourist sites may change, so it’s recommended to check once more before you go. (Gyeongju City Hall)

How to Get to Seokguram Grotto (Even Without a Car)

The Key Is: “Bus 10 (or 11) + Transfer to Bus 12”

  • Gyeongju Bus No. 10 is presented as a “golden route” that departs from the terminal → passes major downtown heritage sites → Bomun Tourist Complex → and goes to Bulguksa. (Gyeongju City Hall)
  • Terminal → Bulguksa takes about 35–45 minutes, with service about every 20 minutes, and first/last bus times are also provided. (Gyeongju City Hall)
  • There is no direct bus from downtown to Seokguram; the official guidance 소개 says to go to Bulguksa first and then take Bus No. 12 in front of Bulguksa to Seokguram. (GJ Smart Tour)
    • Bus 12: first bus 05:30, last bus 22:30, interval about 1 hour (GJ Smart Tour)

Tip: Check Buses in Real Time

The City of Gyeongju advises checking real-time bus info via the Bus Information System (BIS) and a smartphone app (“Nationwide Smart Bus”). (Gyeongju City Hall)

City Bus Fare

  • From July 1, 2025, Gyeongju city bus fares are provided as a unified guide: Adult 1,500 KRW / Youth 1,200 KRW / Child 800 KRW (Gyeongju City Hall)
  • There is also guidance that using a transit card gives a 50 KRW discount. (its.gyeongju.go.kr)

Day 1 Downtown Course: Start with Daereungwon and Hwangridan-gil

Why It Works Even If You Arrive in the Afternoon

Daereungwon is listed as operating 09:00-22:00, so “a loop walk even if you arrive late” is possible. (VISITKOREA – Imagine Your Korea)

  1. Hotel check-in (recommended: near Hwangridan-gil/Daereungwon)
  2. Walk around Daereungwon
  3. Cheonmachong is “optional” if you’re interested
  1. Around sunset, head to Hwangridan-gil
    Hwangridan-gil is introduced as a street in the Hwangnam-dong area where cafés, shops, and hands-on craft studios are clustered. (GJ Smart Tour)

If You Came by Car (Parking/Drive)

  • Daereungwon: public parking information is provided together. (Gyeongju City Hall)
  • Hwangridan-gil: guidance is provided for Nodong Public Parking Lot (paid) and Hwangridan-gil Public Parking Lot (temporarily free). (Gyeongju City Hall)

Day 2 UNESCO Course: Bulguksa and Seokguram in One Go

Why This Order Works Well

Bulguksa and Seokguram are introduced together as one UNESCO World Heritage site (inscribed in 1995), notable for being a “religious architectural complex.” (UNESCO World Heritage Centre)

  1. Bulguksa Temple
  1. Move from Bulguksa → Seokguram
  • Guidance says about 3km via the walking trail (hiking path), or 9km by car. (VISITKOREA – Imagine Your Korea)
  • If you’re relying on public transport, transferring to Bus No. 12 (explained above) is the standard route. (GJ Smart Tour)
  1. Seokguram Grotto

Tips for Visiting Seokguram

  • UNESCO materials also note that Seokguram’s interior is protected by a glass barrier for preservation. (UNESCO World Heritage Centre)
  • Many travel guides also note that photography may not be allowed, so please follow on-site signs/staff guidance. (Lonely Planet)

Parking Summary

Tips Especially Useful for International Visitors

Temple Etiquette: This Is All You Need

  • It’s explained that it’s polite to remove your shoes when entering buildings such as the main hall. (Visit Seoul)
  • Rather than very revealing outfits, clothing that covers shoulders and knees to some extent is a safe choice (especially in summer).

For Transportation, “Transit Card + Real-Time Bus App” Dramatically Lowers the Difficulty

  • Since there’s guidance about transit card discounts, using a card is more convenient than cash. (its.gyeongju.go.kr)
  • Bus No. 10 is introduced as the golden route linking the downtown core and Bulguksa, and interval/travel time are provided, making “time planning” easier. (Gyeongju City Hall)

2 Days 1 Night Budget Guide

Your travel budget will vary far more by meals, cafés, and accommodation than “admission fees.” Still, if you frame the basics like below, budgeting becomes straightforward.

One-Line Closing Recommendation

If you split a Gyeongju 2 days 1 night trip into “UNESCO (Bulguksa & Seokguram) + downtown essentials (Daereungwon & Hwangridan-gil),” you won’t burn out from transit—and you’ll get a perfectly full, satisfying trip. (UNESCO World Heritage Centre)

FAQ

Is Bulguksa Temple admission really free?

Yes. According to VisitKorea, Bulguksa is listed as Fees: Free. (VISITKOREA – Imagine Your Korea)

Is Seokguram Grotto free too?

Yes. Seokguram is also listed as Fees: Free. (VISITKOREA – Imagine Your Korea)

Can you enter Daereungwon at night?

According to VisitKorea, Daereungwon’s hours are listed as 09:00-22:00. (VISITKOREA – Imagine Your Korea)

Is there anywhere in Daereungwon where you have to pay?

Daereungwon itself is listed as free, but Cheonmachong inside is paid separately (3,000 KRW for adults). (VISITKOREA – Imagine Your Korea)

Is it difficult to get to Seokguram without a car?

There’s no direct bus from downtown to Seokguram; the guidance is to go to Bulguksa first, then transfer to Bus No. 12. Since the interval is about 1 hour, it’s absolutely doable as long as you plan your timing well. (GJ Smart Tour)

Where exactly is Hwangridan-gil?

Hwangridan-gil is an “aesthetic street” area around Hwangnam-dong, Gyeongju, and address/parking guidance is provided. (Visit Korea)

How much is the Gyeongju city bus fare?

According to the City of Gyeongju official notice, from July 1, 2025, it’s listed as Adult 1,500 KRW / Youth 1,200 KRW / Child 800 KRW. (Gyeongju City Hall)

Can you take photos inside Seokguram?

Many travel information sources note that photography is not allowed. On-site rules take priority, so please follow the posted signs. (Lonely Planet)

Gyeongju 2 days 1 night walking itinerary

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