South Korea Seoul Weather in October — Climate Guide
October in Seoul is Excellent
Seoul Weather in October — Quick Answer
As of 2026- Avg temp
- 19° / 9°
- Rainfall
- 50mm · 6 days
- Crowds
- Very busy
As of 2026, Seoul in October averages a high of 19°C and low of 9°C with 50mm of rain over about 6 days. Long sleeves and light jacket. Daytime mild (18-20°C), evenings cooler (10-12°C). Ideal for long walks and outdoor sightseeing.
October is Excellent for Seoul.
October is Seoul's most photogenic month. Cherry blossoms have their April moment, but October's autumn foliage at Bukhansan National Park (within Seoul), Naejangsan (3h south), and Mt. Seorak (3h east) creates the most dramatic landscapes Korea has to offer.
Cheonggyecheon Stream Lantern Festival (mid-October to early November) installs massive light displays along 1.5km of restored urban stream. Free entry; runs 17:00-23:00 daily. The most underrated Seoul cultural event for international visitors. Combines well with autumn foliage at Namsan.
Travel score
Best month of the year — autumn foliage begins
October Weather at a Glance
October averages 68°F / 20°C highs and 48°F / 9°C lows — tied with April for the year's most comfortable weather. Humidity 60%, mostly clear days. Late October starts foliage at Bukhansan, Naejangsan, and Seoraksan.
October Travel Advice
Long sleeves + cardigan + walking shoes. Hangul Day (October 9) + National Foundation Day (October 3) are national holidays. Japanese colonial reconciliation + foliage + autumn festivals stack. Seoul foliage spots: Changdeokgung Secret Garden (late October - mid November), Deoksugung, Namsan, Bukhansan, Seoul Forest.
Flying In from Overseas
Korean Hangul Day and Foundation Day combined drive domestic travel surges. Foliage season approaches. International fares climb 1.5x in late October ($350-550 round-trip from Tokyo).
October Pricing Trends
Late October hotels enter foliage pricing: Gangnam 4-star $170-310/night. Changdeokgung Secret Garden, Bukaksan, and Seoul Forest district hotels lead the price hikes.
Seoul October Weather Stats
Avg High
19°C
Avg Low
9°C
Rainy Days
6
50mm total
Sunshine
7h
Daily avg
Humidity
65%
Comfortable
UV Index
5
Moderate
Wind
11 km/h
Gusts 22
Crowds
Very busy
At attractions
October Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
23 μg/m³
PM10
35 μg/m³
Status
Moderate
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
18°C
Nighttime
9°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
11 km/h
Max gust 22 km/h
Activities Recommended for October
October Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Best weather of the year (clear, mild, low humidity)
- Cheonggyecheon Lantern Festival
- Peak autumn foliage at Namsan and Bukhansan
Cons
- Hotel prices match April peak
- Foliage spots crowded weekends
- Daylight shortening rapidly
October Events & Festivals
- Cheonggyecheon Stream Lantern Festival (mid-October to early November)
- Autumn foliage at Bukhansan, Naejangsan, Mt. Seorak (mid-late October)
- Open House Seoul (mid-October) — historic homes and architecture tours
- Seoul Gourmet Festival (varies)
Seoul in October — Full Picture
October is Seoul's most photogenic month. Cherry blossoms have their April moment, but October's autumn foliage at Bukhansan National Park (within Seoul), Naejangsan (3h south), and Mt. Seorak (3h east) creates the most dramatic landscapes Korea has to offer.
Cheonggyecheon Stream Lantern Festival (mid-October to early November) installs massive light displays along 1.5km of restored urban stream. Free entry; runs 17:00-23:00 daily. The most underrated Seoul cultural event for international visitors. Combines well with autumn foliage at Namsan.
Autumn foliage in Seoul itself peaks late October at Namsan (around N Seoul Tower), Changdeokgung Palace's secret garden, and Bukhansan National Park. Day trips to Mt. Seorak (KTX + bus, 3h) for the iconic Korean autumn experience.
Open House Seoul (mid-October, varies year to year) opens normally-closed historic homes, embassies, and architecturally significant buildings to free public tours. Genuinely unique behind-the-scenes Seoul experience.
Weather is ideal for walking — mild daytime (17-20°C / 63-68°F), cool but not cold mornings/evenings (9-12°C / 48-54°F). Lower humidity than spring or summer. Hotel prices match April peak.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Long sleeves and light jacket. Daytime mild (18-20°C), evenings cooler (10-12°C). Ideal for long walks and outdoor sightseeing.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
17.3°C
7°C
8/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
29.7°C
20.7°C
13.3/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
Current19°C
9.3°C
7.3/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
3.7°C
-4.7°C
5.3/mo
Seoul Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2° | -6° | 6d·21mm | 5.5h | 60% | 2 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 5° | -4° | 5d·23mm | 6h | 58% | 3 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 11° | 1° | 7d·49mm | 7h | 58% | 4 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| April (Best) | 18° | 7° | 8d·70mm | 7.5h | 60% | 6 | Very busy | Peak |
| May (Best) | 23° | 13° | 9d·105mm | 8h | 64% | 8 | Busy | Peak |
| 28° | 18° | 10d·130mm | 7.5h | 70% | 9 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 30° | 22° | 16d·405mm | 4.5h | 78% | 9 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 31° | 22° | 14d·290mm | 5.5h | 75% | 9 | Busy | Peak | |
| 27° | 17° | 10d·165mm | 6.5h | 72% | 7 | Busy | Peak | |
| October (Best) | 19° | 9° | 6d·50mm | 7h | 65% | 5 | Very busy | Peak |
| 11° | 2° | 6d·50mm | 6h | 65% | 3 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 4° | -4° | 5d·22mm | 5h | 65% | 2 | Moderate | Shoulder |
View Other Months
Seoul October Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is October a good time to visit Seoul?
Seoul in October is Excellent. Tourist crowds are very busy and flight/hotel prices are peak.
What's the average temperature in Seoul in October?
Seoul October averages a high of 19°C and a low of 9°C.
Does it rain much in Seoul in October?
Seoul October averages 50mm of rainfall over about 6 rainy days.
What should I wear in Seoul in October?
Long sleeves and light jacket. Daytime mild (18-20°C), evenings cooler (10-12°C). Ideal for long walks and outdoor sightseeing.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Seoul in October?
Seoul October sunrise is 06:35 and sunset is 17:50, with 11h 15m of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Seoul in October?
Seoul October air quality (AQI) averages 55, rated Moderate. PM2.5 averages 23μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Seoul in October?
In October, Seoul is great for Cheonggyecheon Lantern Festival, Bukhansan autumn foliage, Namsan autumn walks.
Is October peak season in Seoul?
Seoul October crowds are very busy and prices are peak. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.
Best Months to Visit Seoul
View Other Months
Planning a October trip to Seoul?
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Why you can trust weather guide
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.