Korea Weather in November 2026: Temperatures, What to Pack and Where to Go

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November is the month when Korea changes its clothes. The first week can feel like a perfect autumn: blue sky, yellow ginkgo trees, light jacket weather. By the last week, people in Seoul are in long padded coats and the first snow is a real possibility. If you plan a November trip using one average number, you will pack wrong.

This guide is written from Korea, where the change happens outside the window every year. Here is what the weather actually feels like, city by city, and how to plan around it.

Checked on October 19, 2026. Temperatures are long-term averages, rounded. Check the Korea Meteorological Administration forecast a few days before you fly, because one cold front can move everything by a week.

Korea weather in November, by city

Two things the averages hide:

• Early versus late November. The first ten days are usually mild. After mid-month, cold air from the north arrives in waves. A week can swing from 15°C afternoons to mornings below freezing.
• Indoor heat. Subways, shops, cafes and hotels are heated hard. You will spend the day moving between 3°C streets and 24°C rooms, which is why layers matter more than one heavy coat.

Snow in November is not normal, but it happens. In late November 2024 Seoul had its heaviest November snowfall in more than a century. Most years the first flakes in Seoul come around the end of the month and melt quickly.

Where the autumn colours are in November

Korea’s colours move south. By November, the northern mountains such as Seoraksan are past their best, and the colour is in the south and in city parks.

• Seoul city parks and palaces stay colourful into the first half of November. Ginkgo-lined streets turn bright yellow, then drop their leaves almost overnight.
• Naejangsan in the southwest is one of the last big foliage spots. The forecast peak this year was around November 4 (see our Naejangsan foliage guide).
• Jeju stays mild all month. Silver grass on the oreum (volcanic hills) and tangerine harvest season make it a good late-November choice; our Jeju November itinerary is built around it.
• Busan is the mildest big city on the mainland. Our 3-day Busan itinerary works well into late November.

What to pack

If you only bring one warm piece, make it a light down jacket that packs small. Korean shops sell good thermal underwear cheaply if the cold surprises you; any large clothing store or supermarket will have it from late October.

Short days, early dark

Sunset in Seoul moves from around 5:35 pm at the start of November to about 5:15 pm at the end. Plan outdoor sights for the morning and early afternoon, and keep the evening for markets, night views and indoor places. Mountain trails empty out quickly after 4 pm, and it gets cold fast once the sun drops.

Getting around in the cold

Public transport is the easy part of a Korean winter: subways are warm, KTX trains are reliable, and buses run on time. What you need is a working map on your phone. Google Maps does not give full walking directions in Korea, so most visitors use Naver Map or KakaoMap, and both need mobile data. A Korean eSIM before you land saves you from standing at a cold bus stop trying to find Wi-Fi.

For more on the apps, see Naver Map in English.

Where to stay

In November, staying near a subway line matters more than a view. You will come back to the hotel to drop layers or warm up between sights. In Seoul, one well-reviewed option on a current deal is near Sindorim Station, a big interchange on Line 1 and Line 2: when we checked on October 19, 2026 it was rated 9.3/10 from 851 reviews and listed about 23% below its usual rate.

November checklist

• Check the 10-day forecast, not the monthly average
• Pack layers and one light down jacket
• Plan foliage trips for the first half of the month
• Put outdoor sights before 4 pm
• Set up Naver Map or KakaoMap and mobile data before you fly
• Carry a little cash for street food and T-money top-ups

FAQ

Is November a good time to visit Korea?

Yes, especially the first half. Crowds are lower than in October, the air is clear, and there is still colour in the south and in city parks. The second half is colder but quieter.

Does it snow in Korea in November?

Sometimes, usually in the mountains and occasionally in Seoul late in the month. Heavy snow is unusual, but it did happen in late November 2024.

What should I wear in Seoul in November?

Early in the month, a light jacket over a sweater. Late in the month, a padded or down jacket, a scarf and warm shoes. Always layers, because indoors is warm.

Is Jeju warmer than Seoul in November?

Yes, by several degrees, but it is windy and showers are common. A windproof jacket is more useful there than a thick coat.

Is Busan or Seoul better in November?

Busan is milder and its beaches are pleasant for walking. Seoul has more autumn colour in the parks in the first half of the month. Many visitors do both by KTX.

The short version

Expect autumn in early November and winter by the end. Pack layers and a light down jacket, see the colours in the first half of the month, plan outdoor sights before the early sunset, and get mobile data so the Korean map apps work.