April/Spring or October/Fall?
 

I can't answer directly, as I went in May. I didn't see any cherry blossoms -- much too late for that! I did see some lovely flowers as I traveled around. And Japanese maples were scattered about, so I saw their deep red leaves against a backdrop of lush green foliage in many parts of the country.

I would urge you to do some research before committing to a rental car: South Korea has an extensive public transportation network that will allow you to see a great deal of the country -- and will let you see the countryside without having to keep your attention on the road. (And some of those roads would definitely require your attention!) And at least when I went, it had among the highest car accident / car accident fatality rates in the world. None of my friends who are from South Korea will drive when they visit family or friends who still live there -- they consider it far too unsafe.

If you haven't already seen it, you might find some useful information in report of the month I spent in South Korea:
https://www.fodors.com/community/asi...korea-1018842/

We were in South Korea for around three weeks at the beginning of April a couple of years ago. We saw a lot of cherry blossom as we travelled around. Beautiful but nothing compared to Japan.

We got around the country by public transport; the train and bus systems are excellent. Didnt rent a car, not because of any safety issues ( I have driven in far more dangerous places!) but it just wasn’t necessary for the places we wanted to visit on that trip. That said, there were a number of places we would visit should we return, where a car would be beneficial.
If basing you self in Seoul, I can inmagine a car would be a hindrance rather than a help in getting in and out of the city.

Some photos on our blog @ https://accidentalnomads.com/category/asia/south-korea/

Haven’t been in the autumn but have been contemplating a return there or, more likely Japan and SK in October/November time.

In terms of the weather in April. It was mostly ok. A few wet days but a lot of blue skies too. Quite cold at times. A little like spring here in the U.K. Unlike Japan, it didn’t seem crowded at all.

Roads, traffic, and driving norms in South Korea are not like those in the US or Europe, and as already noted, you can visit almost any place in South Korea (including national parks, mountains, and country areas) by public transportation -- with the option of actually seeing the scenery, rather than focusing your attention the roads themselves. The problems my friends mentioned were not associated with city driving -- they were with driving OUTSIDE the cities. My friends won't drive in SK. Their family members who still live there drive ONLY when absolutely necessary. They offered extremely strong advice to avoid driving if at all possible -- and as a rule, it is possible to avoid driving. Once you have a plan, I would encourage you to give serious consideration to whether you actually need a car.

And do think about your priorities. Many people want at least 2, if not 3, weeks for a first visit to Japan. Singapore can easily take the better part of a week, and the weather in Singapore causes some travelers to visit at times of year other than those that are best for Japan or South Korea. You can, of course, have a wonderful trip that includes one or more of these destinations, but thinking through your priorities in advance could prove advantageous.

Good luck!

Good that you have narrowed it down to the autumn. I am still trying to do the same! Maybe Japan and a return to Taiwan or a visit to son, wife and new grandchild in Australia and one of those places on the way back. So many places, so little time.... :-)

We just spent a couple of months in Mexico but didn’t drive but got around by bus. It seemed ok there. I have driven in many other countries in Asia, Africa and South America. The first time driving in Thailand was many years ago and it took me several days before I was absolutely sure on what side of the roads they were supposed to be driving! The worst was in Colombia. The driving there was so appalling, after seeing dozens of accidents and being involved in one whilstbon a bus we just gave up and flew the longer journeys.
I drove in Taiwan a couple of years ago and despite all the warning ps I read before I went, it really wasn’t that bad.

I need to check out the weather in SK but my current thinking is to travel down through Japan and then get the ferry to Busan in SK and fly back from there.

I’m glad that I have given myself more time to plan. My way of traveling is not for everyone. I don’t make a jam packed itinerary trying to fill each day full of a lot of things to see and do. Also I don’t make a lot of advance reservations but make them as I travel to allow for staying longer or less time as I choose then. Sometimes I just want to take a 1/2 day resting at hotel.

I hope you have a great time on your trip in the fall to Japan and SK.

Next year I have promised my sweet 17 year old grandson I will take him on a road trip to Europe for a month. He loves history and I know he will love London and all the museums.. For sure I won’t be driving there on the other side of the road. My passenger is too precious!

I fear that I may have raised a concern unnecessarily! While trying to find a link about traffic safety in South Korea to send you, what I found instead were several articles about successful efforts undertaken within that country in recent years to reduce the risk of both car accidents and accident-related fatalities. So even though my friends and their families still refuse to drive there, the warnings I read about the risks may have been outdated. I didn't read the information I found -- I just skimmed a few summaries -- and so I'm not offering an assessment of the safety of driving in SK. But I am offering my sincere apology for raising and reiterating a concern that might have no current substantive merit.

Good luck with your planning!

Thanks for being so understanding! :star:

Don't hesitate to let me know if you have any questions about the various places I visited. IMO, a trip to South Korea can be very rewarding. :tu:

I just visited this autumn, and I've previously been to Cherry blossom season also. I think cherry blossom is more special because autumn colors can be found in many places around the world. However, autumn colors are amazing as well, and the weather is actually nicer in autumn I think. However, there's not much of a difference in terms of weather and you will need a jacket for both seasons.

Autumn is definitely less crowded. Cherry blossom is crazy. Autumn colors can also be tricky to predict in a long way ahead, and depending on the temperature it can differ a couple of weeks when it goes into full bloom.