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Private One-Day Tour in Seoul – Partially Customizable Itinerary + Free Photography Service

Gyeongbokgung Palace

the Change of the Royal Guard Ceremony

Bukchon Hanok Village

Gwangjang Market

Namsan Seoul Tower

Private One-Day Tour in Seoul – Partially Customizable Itinerary + Free Photography Service

Art, Culture, & Historical

Car Tour (driving guide)

Joined 2021

Thomas K.

5.00 / 5

(54 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

Seoul

English, Korean (Native)

9 hours

Private tour (only you and Thomas K.)

Up to 6 people

If it’s your first time in Seoul, this full-day private tour is a great way to fall in love with the city — where old traditions and modern life come together beautifully. As you explore and enjoy the day, I’ll capture your special moments with a high-resolution camera and provide professionally edited photos after the tour. The itinerary is flexible and can be customized to match your interests. Just let me know what you’d like to see or do!

Itinerary

This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!

09:00 AM

Meeting Point

At your hotel

- Meeting point: your hotel lobby - I’ll pick you up there.

09:00 AM

Meeting

At hotel lobby

09:20 AM

Bugak Skyway Palgakjeong Pavilion

Enjoy the peaceful beauty of nature along Bugak Skyway and take in panoramic views of the entire city from Palgakjeong Pavilion — a perfect spot for your first photo stop.

10:00 AM

Gyeongbokgung Palace & Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony

Step into the heart of Korean royal history at Gyeongbokgung Palace — the first and largest palace of the Joseon Dynasty. We’ll arrive in time to watch the colorful Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (~15 minutes), then explore the palace grounds and take photos in traditional architecture settings.

11:20 AM

National Folk Museum of Korea

Explore Korea’s everyday history at the National Folk Museum, where traditional artifacts reveal the domestic life, agriculture, and cultural beliefs of the Korean people. It’s located inside the Gyeongbokgung complex, making it a convenient and meaningful stop.

12:00 PM

Lunch

We’ll enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. You can choose from authentic Korean dishes or let me know your preferences — I’ll recommend something you'll love!

01:00 PM

Bukchon Hanok Village

Stroll through Bukchon Hanok Village, a living neighborhood where hundreds of modernized hanok (traditional-style houses) built in the mid-20th century still serve as real homes, galleries, and guesthouses. This area offers a unique blend of traditional architecture and contemporary urban life — and it’s one of the most photogenic spots in Seoul.

02:00 PM

Insa-dong

Discover Insa-dong, a cultural street filled with antique shops, art galleries, tea houses, and street snacks. It’s the perfect place to shop for souvenirs and experience Korea’s artistic spirit.

03:00 PM

Gwangjang Market

Dive into the vibrant atmosphere of Gwangjang Market, one of Korea’s oldest and most beloved traditional markets. The bustling food alley is especially famous — try local favorites like mayak gimbap, bindaetteok, or freshly made noodles.

03:50 PM

Namsangol Hanok Village

This village has five restored hanok (traditional Korean house) premises, a pavilion, traditional garden, performance art stage and a time capsule plaza, making it a perfect spot for both locals and tourists to take a leisure walk.

04:50 PM

Namsan Seoul Tower

Stroll through Namsangol Hanok Village, home to five beautifully restored hanok houses set against a scenic backdrop of gardens, a pavilion, and a time capsule plaza. It's a relaxing space where tradition meets calm, perfect for both cultural insights and photos.

06:00 PM

Back to the hotel

We’ll return to your hotel safely after a full day of exploring, tasting, and capturing unforgettable moments around Seoul.

Ending Point

Drop-off at your hotel for a comfortable finish to the day.

Want to personalize this tour?

This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.

Inclusions & Exclusions

What‘s included

- Private guide fee

- Free private transportation (minivan), including fuel, tolls, and parking

- Complimentary professional photo service (taken with high-resolution camera)

- One bottle of mineral water per person

What‘s not included

- All admission fees

- Meals and drinks (except one bottle of mineral water, which is provided)

- Personal expenses (shopping, snacks, etc.)

- Travel insurance

Tour Important Information

Gyeongbokgung Palace is closed every Tuesday. On those days, the itinerary will include [Changdeokgung Palace] instead.

My minivan is ideal for 5 passengers, but if your group includes children and you are not bringing large luggage, it can accommodate up to 7 people. Please note that it may feel a bit cramped.

This tour involves moderate walking, so please wear comfortable shoes.

Let me know in advance if you have any food allergies or dietary restrictions.

Please provide your hotel name and address in advance for smoother pickup.

- A foldable stroller can be accommodated, but please inform in advance."

- Child car seats are not provided by default, but let me know if one is needed.

- The 4th-row seats are used when more than 6 passengers join, which may reduce legroom.

Important message from the supplier

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or special requests. I’m flexible with tour arrangements and happy to customize the itinerary based on your interests. Let’s plan a comfortable and memorable trip together!

Cancellation Policy

Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time

Joined 2021

Thomas K.

5.00 / 5

(54 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

About Tour Guide Thomas K.

Hi, I’m Thomas — a licensed tour guide based in Seoul since 2016.

With nearly 30 years of experience as a personnel manager at a major company, I’ve learned how to understand people and provide thoughtful service. Now, as your private tour guide, I’m here to help you discover Korea your way — at your own pace and based on your interests.

Whether you're into history, culture, food, or hidden local gems, I’ll tailor your tour just for you. Simply let me know what you’d like to see, do, or eat, and I’ll take care of the rest.

ㅁ What I offer:

- Fully customized private tours

-Free transportation (van service included)

- Free professional photo service (with high-quality camera)

- Comfortable, safe, and memorable experiences

Let’s make your time in Korea unforgettable — and I’ll be there to capture it through photos you’ll treasure.

Thank you, and I look forward to meeting you!

Reviews

Vivek D.

5 / 5

Sep 15, 2026

Private Day Trip: Folk Village & Hwaseong + Starfield – Flexible Itinerary - Free Photo Service

Sep 15, 2026

Gyeonggi

9 hours

“Our Visit to Seoul with Thomas K.”

We recently spent three days in Seoul and had the pleasure of touring with Thomas. Before our trip, I shared with him the places we hoped to see, including a Seoul city tour, the DMZ, and a day trip to Suwon. From the very beginning, he was friendly, professional, and incredibly knowledgeable. He has a true talent for creating an itinerary that is convenient and comfortable. Day 1: Thomas guided us through a wonderful Seoul city tour that included Hanok Village, Seoul Tower, Bugak Skyway and Palgakjeong Pavilion, Gyeongbokgung Palace with the Royal Guards, the National Folk Museum of Korea, Bukchon Hanok Village, Insa dong, and Gwangjang Market. He brought the city’s rich heritage to life with stories, historical context, and insights that only a passionate local expert can offer. Day 2: He drove us to the DMZ for a full day experience, showing us major highlights such as the Odusan Unification Observatory, Gamaksan Suspension Bridge, Freedom Bridge, the U.S.–Korea War Memorial, the Third Tunnel, Dora Observatory, and Unification Village. His explanations throughout the day added depth and meaning to each site. Day 3: Thomas took us to Suwon, where we visited the Korean Folk Village, Hwaseong Fortress, and the Suwon Starfield Library. He also introduced us to fantastic local restaurants for lunch—each one outstanding. . Thomas is a professional photographer, and his photography service is included in his tours, which made the experience even more special. Throughout all three days, Thomas shared history, culture, and personal reflections that enriched every moment. He went out of his way to arrange airport pickup for us and even added a few extra sites we hoped to visit that were not originally on the itinerary. Thomas is an excellent guide—knowledgeable, patient, generous, and truly committed to giving his guests the best possible experience. We wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone visiting Seoul and the surrounding region.

Thomas K.

Thank you so much for your wonderful and thoughtful review. It was truly a pleasure spending those three days with you and sharing the history, culture, and everyday life of Korea. I’m very happy to hear that you enjoyed the tours, restaurants, and photos. Thank you again for choosing me as your guide, and I hope the photos and memories from Korea will stay with you for many years to come. Warm regards, Thomas

Carolyn M.

5 / 5

Aug 23, 2026

Private One-Day Tour in Seoul – Partially Customizable Itinerary + Free Photography Service

Aug 23, 2026

Seoul

9 hours

“Incredible VIP tour”

Thomas is an expert on Seoul and Korean history. He was cery efficient in getting us to different destination. He has a true love for Korea and Korean history, which made the tour even more special. We were thankful for the variety of photos he took with his professional camera, and are excited to keep those memories. Thank you so much for this amazing day!

Thomas K.

Thank you so much for your wonderful review. It was a pleasure spending the day with you and your sister and sharing Seoul and Korean history with you both. I’m very happy to hear that you enjoyed the tour and the photos. I hope they will bring back many wonderful memories of your time in Korea. Thank you again, and I wish you and your sister all the best!

Brian S.

5 / 5

Jul 29, 2026

Seoul Highlights Private Tour

Jul 29, 2026

Seoul

12 hours

Customized

“Thomas K. Was an Excellent Guide!”

Two friends and myself had the pleasure of spending a day with Thomas K. touring Seoul, Korea. Thomas exceeded our expectations. We experienced sites that we never would have thought about on our own. His historical knowledge and insights added so much to the experience. He knew all the great spots and how to access them efficiently. I highly recommend his services if you're looking for an excellent tour.

Thomas K.

Thank you so much for your wonderful review! It was truly a pleasure spending the day with you and your friends. I'm delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour and that my knowledge and recommendations helped make your visit to Seoul even more memorable. Thank you for your kind words and recommendation. I sincerely hope to welcome you back to Korea someday. Wishing you all safe travels and many more wonderful adventures! Best regards, Thomas K.