Gyeongbokgung Palace Guide: Tickets, Hanbok and Guards
Gyeongbokgung Palace costs 3,000 won for adults and is closed on Tuesdays. Entry is free if you wear a complete hanbok. Hours run from 09:00 to between 17:00 and 18:30 depending on the season, with last entry one hour earlier. Reach it from Gyeongbokgung Station Exit 5 or Gwanghwamun Station Exit 2.
- Admission
- 3,000 won (adults); free in complete hanbok
- Closed
- Tuesdays
- Hours
- 09:00 to 17:00, 18:00 or 18:30 by season
- Official site
- Royal Palaces and Tombs Center
What should I know before I arrive?
Details checked October 13, 2026
Check the closing day and the season's last-entry time first, because both decide whether your visit works. The palace is at 161 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, and the main entrance is Gwanghwamun, the large gate facing the wide avenue. Hours, closures and special openings change, so use the official palace site for the final word.
- Worth knowing: Tuesday is the closing day, and VisitKorea adds that a Tuesday public holiday moves the closure to the next business day.
- A common mistake: Arriving close to closing time. Last admission is one hour before closing, and the grounds are large.
- Local tip: Wear comfortable shoes. The courtyards are paved with uneven stone and there is little shade in summer.
How much are tickets and who enters free?
Adult admission is 3,000 won, and anyone wearing a complete hanbok enters free. Visit Seoul lists 3,000 won for foreign adults aged 19 to 64 and says you can enter free in a complete hanbok; VisitKorea also gives 3,000 won for adults.
| Visitor | Cost | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (19 to 64) | 3,000 won | Listed by Visit Seoul and VisitKorea |
| Complete hanbok | Free | Fusion or very short costumes may be questioned at the gate |
| Under 19 or over 65 | Listed as free | VisitKorea's wording is unclear; carry a passport and confirm |
| Combined palace ticket | About 6,000 won | Reported to cover several Seoul palaces and Jongmyo; confirm validity |
The combined ticket price and a reported free day on the last Wednesday of each month come from secondary sources, so confirm both on the official palace site. For hanbok rules and rental shops, see our hanbok rental guide.
What are the opening hours?
The palace opens at 09:00 and closes at 17:00, 18:00 or 18:30 depending on the month, with last entry one hour before closing. Visit Seoul and VisitKorea agree on the seasonal pattern below.
| Months | Hours | Last entry |
|---|---|---|
| November to February | 09:00 to 17:00 | 16:00 |
| March to May | 09:00 to 18:00 | 17:00 |
| June to August | 09:00 to 18:30 | 17:30 |
| September to October | 09:00 to 18:00 | 17:00 |
Evening openings happen only in certain windows and the dates change each year, so check the official palace site before planning around one. In November the palace closes at 17:00; see Korea in November for weather and clothing.
When is the royal guard ceremony?
The guard changing ceremony is reported at 10:00 and 14:00, lasts about 20 minutes and is held in front of Gwanghwamun. Visit Seoul's palace page does not list the schedule, so these times come from secondary travel guides; confirm them on the official palace site.
- Cost: Reported as free to watch from outside the ticket gate.
- Days: Not held on Tuesdays, and it can be cancelled in heavy rain or extreme heat.
- Timing: Arrive 15 to 20 minutes early if you want a spot near the front.
How do I get to Gyeongbokgung?
Take Subway Line 3 to Gyeongbokgung Station Exit 5, or Line 5 to Gwanghwamun Station Exit 2. Visit Seoul puts them at about 492 and 471 metres from the palace respectively. New to the system? Read our Seoul subway guide.
- Pick your station. Gyeongbokgung Station (Line 3) is closest to the ticket area; Gwanghwamun Station (Line 5) leads to the main gate.
- Follow the exit sign. Use Exit 5 or Exit 2 and walk toward the palace walls.
- Buy a ticket or show your hanbok. Go to the ticket office, or show your outfit to staff at the gate.
- Enter before last entry. Check the season's last-entry time in the table above.
How long should I spend inside?
Allow about two hours for the main halls and gardens, longer if you add a guided tour or a museum. This is a planning estimate, not an official figure. Visit Seoul lists English guided tours daily at 11:00, 13:30 and 15:30 except Tuesdays, with no reservation needed for groups under ten.
Practical example: a visitor arriving at 09:30 on a spring day can see the guard ceremony at 10:00, enter right after and finish the main halls before the 11:00 English tour.
Planning a longer stay? Compare areas in First Time in Seoul: The Neighborhoods Worth Your Time.
FAQ
How much is Gyeongbokgung Palace admission?
Adult admission is 3,000 won. Entry is free if you wear a complete hanbok, and the palace lists other free categories on its official site, so check before you go.
What day is Gyeongbokgung Palace closed?
Tuesday. If a public holiday affects the closing day, the closure can move to the next business day, so confirm on the official site.
Can I enter Gyeongbokgung free in a hanbok?
Yes, visitors wearing a complete hanbok enter free. Fusion or very short costumes may be questioned at the gate, so check the palace's hanbok guidelines.
When is the royal guard changing ceremony at Gyeongbokgung?
It is reported to take place in front of Gwanghwamun at 10:00 and 14:00 for about 20 minutes, except Tuesdays, and can be cancelled in bad weather. Confirm on the official site.
Which subway station is closest to Gyeongbokgung?
Gyeongbokgung Station (Line 3) Exit 5 or Gwanghwamun Station (Line 5) Exit 2, each roughly 470 to 490 metres from the entrance according to Visit Seoul.
Official sources and useful links
Links open in a new tab. Fees, hours and ceremony times above are approximate; verify on these pages.
- Royal Palaces and Tombs Center (Korea Heritage Service) official palace site for tickets, closures and notices
- Visit Seoul: Gyeongbokgung Palace fees, hours, hanbok entry, tours and subway exits
- VisitKorea: Gyeongbokgung Palace address, hours, closing day and parking
- VisitKorea (Korea Tourism Organization) official tourism information in English
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