Know the holiday and the surrounding break
Seollal (설날) is Korean Lunar New Year. Chuseok (추석) is the autumn harvest holiday. Many people visit relatives during these periods, which increases demand for intercity travel.
| Holiday | 2026 public-holiday break | 2027 public-holiday break |
|---|---|---|
| Seollal | 16–18 February | 6–9 February, including a substitute holiday |
| Chuseok | 24–26 September | 14–16 September |
The main celebration days are 17 February and 25 September in 2026, and 7 February and 15 September in 2027. Surrounding weekends and personal leave can extend travel demand beyond the official break.
Check the official calendar for your travel year. Substitute-holiday rules differ by holiday, so do not infer the dates from a weekend overlap alone.
Confirm opening hours individually
Banks and government offices generally close during the public-holiday break. Many clinics, pharmacies and family-run businesses also take time off, but the dates vary.
Department stores publish branch-specific closure calendars. Restaurants, cafés, convenience stores and leisure venues may remain open, reduce their hours or close temporarily. No business category guarantees that every branch opens.
Museums may close on the central celebration day even when they have no weekly closing day. Check the attraction's own notice instead of assuming that all cultural sites follow the palace schedule.
Check palace holiday programmes
The royal sites sometimes offer free admission, special programmes or additional opening days during Seollal and Chuseok. These arrangements are announced for a particular holiday and may exclude separately ticketed areas such as Changdeokgung's Huwon garden.
Check the Royal Palaces and Tombs Centre for the exact dates and any closure after the holiday. A previous year's free-entry programme is not a guarantee for your visit.
Book intercity travel carefully
Holiday train sales can use special booking dates, eligibility rules and payment deadlines. Read the current notice from the operator serving your route. Do not rely on the ordinary booking window or assume that a previous holiday's rules still apply.
If the initial sale is unavailable to you, check when remaining or cancelled tickets become available through your booking channel. Have an alternative plan rather than relying on a cancellation appearing.
Express buses and flights can also sell out, and road congestion can greatly lengthen journeys. Allow extra time, especially when connecting to an international flight. Staying in one city for the busiest part of the break can make planning easier.
Check local transport separately
City buses and subways continue to operate, but holiday timetables and special late-night services vary by date and route. Check the last service for your actual journey; a city announcement about extended service does not cover every station or bus.
Taxis may also be in demand at terminals and busy attractions. Leave time to reach your accommodation without depending on an immediate pickup.
Prepare for practical needs
Complete any necessary bank-counter or government-office visit before the holiday. Check essential medication and identify nearby food options that confirm they will be open.
Use E-Gen to find holiday clinics and pharmacies, then call before travelling. For an emergency, call 119.
A holiday visit can still include walks, cultural programmes and meals out. Confirm the activities that matter most and keep the rest of the day flexible.
