01Weather
Seoul weather in October
Afternoons in October average 20.1 °C (68 °F) and nights cool to 11.2 °C (52 °F). Compared with September it is 7.0 °C cooler; November is 6.8 °C cooler again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical October | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 24 °C / 76 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | 15 °C / 59 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | 6 °C / 42 °F | one night in ten is colder than this |
| Days above 30 °C (86 °F) | 0.0 | per month, average 2016–2025 |
| Nights at or below 0 °C (32 °F) | 0.0 | frost mornings per month |
| Hottest / coldest October day 2016–2025 | 29.0 °C / 0.7 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 October | 06:27 | 18:15 | 11.8 h |
| 15 October | 06:40 | 17:55 | 11.2 h |
| 31 October | 06:56 | 17:35 | 10.7 h |
Daylight shrinks by about 66 minutes over the month. Times are local (Asia/Seoul), including the clock change on the last Sunday of October.
03Crowds
How busy Seoul is in October
very busy The main sights are very busy in October. What drives it:
- autumn foliage
- Seoul Lantern Festival
- Hangul Day on 9 October
- best weather
04Public holidays
Public holidays in October 2027
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 4 Oct 2027 | National Foundation Day |
| 11 Oct 2027 | Hangul Day |
On public holidays many shops close and museums run on Sunday hours; check opening times for the day before and after as well.
05Events
What's on in Seoul in October
Every year in October
| Event | When | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Seoul International Fireworks Festival | a Saturday in October, Yeouido | fireworks |
| Hangul Day | 9 October | national |
| Busan International Film Festival (regional draw) | October | culture |
07Packing
What to pack for Seoul in October
- layers: t-shirt plus a light jacket for evenings
- comfortable walking shoes
- a compact umbrella for occasional showers
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
October is the finest month: dry, sunny, with afternoons around 20 °C and crisp nights, foliage turning on the mountains from mid-month, the Fireworks Festival on the Han, Hangul Day on 9 October and National Foundation Day on 3 October as public holidays. It is peak season for a reason. Book early, especially around Chuseok if it falls in October. Rain falls on about five days.
The Seoul Lantern Festival and the palace night openings run into November. Hiking on Bukhansan is at its best, with the ginkgo in the Changdeokgung gardens turning gold in the final week. The Busan Film Festival draws visitors south for ten days. For the last of the foliage and the first cold snaps, see November.
09Compare
Seoul month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun h | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 3 °C | -5 °C | – | – | quiet | Good |
| February | 6 °C | -3 °C | – | – | quiet | Good |
| March | 13 °C | 3 °C | – | – | moderate | Good |
| April | 20 °C | 9 °C | – | – | very busy | Good |
| May | 24 °C | 14 °C | – | – | busy | Excellent |
| June | 28 °C | 20 °C | 17 | – | moderate | Good |
| July | 31 °C | 24 °C | 20 | – | quiet | Mixed |
| August | 31 °C | 25 °C | 19 | – | moderate | Mixed |
| September | 27 °C | 19 °C | – | – | busy | Excellent |
| October | 20 °C | 11 °C | – | – | very busy | Good |
| November | 13 °C | 4 °C | – | – | moderate | Good |
| December | 4 °C | -4 °C | 11 | – | moderate | Mixed |
Not sure about October? See the best time to visit Seoul.
10Elsewhere
October in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| Kyoto in October | 24 °C | 8 |
| Shanghai in October | 24 °C | 8 |
| Beijing in October | 20 °C | 5 |
| Tokyo in October | 22 °C | 10 |
| Bangkok in October | 33 °C | 22 |
| Singapore in October | 32 °C | 12 |
11FAQ
Seoul in October: your questions
Is October a good time to visit Seoul?
October is a good month to visit Seoul. Daytime highs average 20 °C (68 °F), and hotel arrivals run above the yearly average, so the main sights are very busy.
What is the weather like in Seoul in October?
Expect mild days around 20 °C (68 °F) and nights near 11 °C (52 °F). One October in ten brings afternoons above 24 °C, and one in ten stays below 15 °C.
Does it rain a lot in Seoul in October?
October in Seoul, by the 1991–2020 station normals.
What should I wear in Seoul in October?
Pack layers: t-shirt plus a light jacket for evenings, comfortable walking shoes, a compact umbrella for occasional showers.
Is Seoul crowded in October?
The main sights are very busy in October. Main drivers: autumn foliage; Seoul Lantern Festival; Hangul Day on 9 October.
What time does it get dark in Seoul in October?
Around the middle of October the sun sets at about 17:55 and rises at 06:40, giving 11.2 hours of daylight.