Gyeongbokgung Palace Admission Fee and Complete Guide (2024)

Gyeongbokgung Palace Basic Information and Admission Fee

Gyeongbokgung Palace was built in 1395 as the main royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty and is the largest palace in Seoul. The magnificent building that you see right from Exit 2 of Gwanghwamun Station is Gwanghwamun, the main gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace.

Currently, the admission fee for Gyeongbokgung Palace is ₩3,000 for adults. However, if you wear a school uniform, you can get the youth rate of ₩1,500. University students can also enter at the youth rate with just their student ID.

Why We Recommend the Combination Ticket

While seeing only Gyeongbokgung Palace is enough, honestly, the ₩10,000 combination ticket is much better. You can visit Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, and Deoksugung Palaces within 3 months. If you buy them separately, it costs ₩12,000, so it's a ₩2,000 discount.

Operating Hours and Closing Days

Gyeongbokgung Palace has different operating hours depending on the season:

March to May, September to October: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
June to August: 9:00 AM to 6:30 PM
November to February: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

It's closed every Tuesday, so avoid visiting on that day. And admission is only allowed until 1 hour before closing.

Useful Information About Entrances

Most people think that they can only enter through Gwanghwamun, but Gyeongbokgung Palace actually has 4 entrances.

Gwanghwamun (South Gate) - This is the main entrance. It is close to Exit 5 of Gyeongbokgung Station on Subway Line 3 or Exit 2 of Gwanghwamun Station on Subway Line 5.

Sinmumun (North Gate) - This entrance is near the Blue House. If you exit here, Samcheong-dong Cafe Street is right in front of you, so it's great to have a cup of tea after touring the palace.

East Entrance of the National Folk Museum of Korea - If you want to see the Folk Museum first, enter here.

Yeongchumun (West Gate) - This entrance reopened in December 2018 after 43 years. It's much closer for those coming from Seochon. Take Exit 3 of Gyeongbokgung Station on Subway Line 3 and walk along Seochon-gil.

Must-See Attractions in Gyeongbokgung Palace

Geunjeongjeon and Gyeonghoeru Pavilion

Geunjeongjeon is the main hall of the Joseon Dynasty, where the king held meetings with his officials. The magnificent appearance you've seen a lot in dramas is this place. Gyeonghoeru Pavilion is a pavilion where banquets were held, and its beautiful appearance floating on the pond is impressive.

National Palace Museum of Korea and National Folk Museum of Korea

There are two museums inside Gyeongbokgung Palace. At the National Palace Museum of Korea, you can see relics of the Joseon royal family, and at the National Folk Museum of Korea, you can experience traditional Korean life and culture. Admission to both museums is free with a Gyeongbokgung Palace ticket.

Useful Tips Before Visiting

Go in Time for the Royal Guard Changing Ceremony

The Royal Guard Changing Ceremony is held at Gwanghwamun every day at 10:00 AM, 2:00 PM, and 3:30 PM. You can see the ceremony of the Royal Guards in colorful traditional costumes. It's great for taking pictures, and kids especially love it.

Free Admission When Wearing Hanbok

Admission is free if you wear Hanbok. There are many Hanbok rental shops near Gyeongbokgung Palace, so it's a good idea to rent one in advance and go. However, Hanbok rental fees are usually around ₩20,000, so approach it as an experience rather than just to save on admission fees.

Seasonal Visiting Points

The cherry blossoms around Gyeonghoeru Pavilion are beautiful in spring, and the autumn foliage is beautiful in fall. In summer, it is recommended to go early in the morning because it is hot. In winter, you can see really wonderful scenery on snowy days.

Transportation and Parking Information

It is most convenient to go by subway. Both Gyeongbokgung Station on Line 3 and Gwanghwamun Station on Line 5 are within a 5-minute walk. There is a parking lot, but the fee is expensive and it is full on weekends.

If you plan to visit restaurants in Seochon together, we recommend taking the course of entering through Yeongchumun and exiting through Sinmumun. Then it naturally leads to Samcheong-dong.

Estimated Time

If you roughly tour only Gyeongbokgung Palace, 1 hour and 30 minutes is enough. However, if you also see the museums and take a lot of pictures, you should set aside about 3 hours. Especially if you wear Hanbok, it takes much longer because you are busy taking pictures.

Gyeongbokgung Palace is one of the best-restored palaces in Korea. Restoration work is still ongoing, so you will be able to see a new look even if you go again in a few years. I recommend that even those who live in Seoul visit occasionally to feel the changing seasons.