Check the weekday first
Seoul's major royal sites have different regular closing days:
| Site | Regular closing day |
|---|---|
| Gyeongbokgung and Jongmyo | Tuesday |
| Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung and Deoksugung | Monday |
| Most Joseon royal tomb sites | Monday |
| Gyeonghuigung, managed by Seoul city | Monday |
For sites managed by the Royal Palaces and Tombs Centre, a regular closure that coincides with a public or substitute holiday moves to the first following non-holiday. Check the official hours and notices for your date.
Gyeonghuigung is managed separately by the Seoul Museum of History. Museums and city-run sites do not all follow the royal-sites rule.
Check last admission as well as closing time
Hours vary by season and site. For example, Gyeongbokgung normally closes at 17:00 in November–February, with last admission at 16:00. Arriving just before last admission leaves little time to explore.
Changgyeonggung and Deoksugung normally remain open until 21:00, with last admission at 20:00, on their operating days. Individual halls, tours and special exhibitions can close earlier or require reservations.
At Jongmyo, entry arrangements also depend on the day. Ordinary weekday visits generally use timed guided entry, while designated days allow independent visits. Check the current schedule and available places before arriving.
Compare palace ticket options
The combined ticket costs ₩6,000 and covers one visit each to Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung and Jongmyo within six months. Their standard individual admission fees total ₩9,000.
Whether it saves money depends on which sites you will visit and whether you qualify for free entry. Three sites do not always cost more than the pass. Changdeokgung's Huwon garden requires separate admission and may require a reservation.
Check age-based exemptions and the rules for visitors wearing hanbok, traditional Korean clothing, before buying tickets. Special tours and exhibitions may have different terms.
Museums have separate schedules
The National Museum of Korea, National Folk Museum and MMCA Seoul do not have the same weekly pattern as many Monday-closing museums. They can still close on specified holidays or temporarily close individual galleries.
Check the museum's current visitor information and the exhibition you want to see. A building being open does not guarantee that every gallery is accessible, and different branches of the same museum can have different hours.
The National Hangeul Museum has been closed for construction following its expansion project and the 2025 fire. Check its official reopening notice before including a visit.
Make a plan for the actual date
On an ordinary Monday, Gyeongbokgung or Jongmyo may fit your plan. On an ordinary Tuesday, consider Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung or Deoksugung. Confirm the date's notices before travelling, particularly immediately after a public holiday.
Keep an alternative nearby and allow time for entry, security checks and the visit itself. A closing time is the time to leave, not the latest useful arrival time.
