Korea Palace Free Entry Schedule: Your Complete Guide to Seoul's Royal Sites

After three years in Seoul, I've visited practically every palace in this city, and I've learned that timing is *everything* if you want to explore these incredible historical sites without breaking the bank. Let me share what I've discovered about getting free or cheap palace entry!

The Five Major Palaces and Their Free Days

Seoul has five main royal palaces (궁궐), and here's the good news: they all offer free entry on specific days!

Gyeongbokgung Palace (경복궁) - The most iconic palace with that stunning South Gate

Free entry: Every Wednesday (Cultural Heritage Day)

Regular admission: 3,000 KRW

Hours: 9 AM - 6 PM (closes Mondays)

Changdeokgung Palace (창덕궁) - My personal favorite, less crowded than Gyeongbokgung

Free entry: Every Wednesday

Regular admission: 3,000 KRW

Bonus: The Secret Garden (비원) tour is 5,000 KRW on regular days, but the guided tour is absolutely worth it!

Deoksugung Palace (덕수궁) - Smaller but charming, great for sunset photos

Free entry: Every Wednesday

Regular admission: 2,000 KRW

Bonus: Free changing of the guard ceremony at 11 AM and 2 PM

Gyeonghuigung Palace (경희궁) and Unhyeongung (운현궁) - Lesser-known gems

Free entry on Wednesdays as well

Regular admission: 1,000-1,500 KRW

Pro Tips I've Learned

Plan for Wednesdays - Seriously, if you're flexible, visit on Wednesdays. Yes, it's busier because everyone knows about the free entry, but it's still manageable compared to weekends.

Download the app - Use the "Korea Palace" app or visit the official Korean Palace website (www.royalpalace.go.kr) to check exact hours and book guided tours in advance. Some tours fill up fast!

Book guided tours - Even on paid entry days, the official palace tours (usually 1,500-2,000 KRW extra) are genuinely educational. The English-language tours at Gyeongbokgung are at 11 AM and 3 PM daily.

Bring comfortable shoes - These palaces are HUGE. I'm talking 40+ hectares for Gyeongbokgung. You'll be walking for 2-3 hours easily.

Get a combo ticket - If you're visiting multiple palaces, grab a combo ticket. Five palaces cost around 10,000 KRW total instead of 15,000 KRW separately. Check at any palace entrance.

Bonus: Free Entry for Everyone on Certain Days

May 18 (Museum and Cultural Institutions Free Day)

November (around Cultural Heritage Day - exact date varies yearly)

What to Bring

Sunscreen (seriously, no shade in most palace grounds)

Water bottle (convenience stores are nearby but prices are steep)

Small backpack for shoes if you visit temples adjacent to palaces

My Personal Recommendation

If you're only visiting one palace, make it Changdeokgung on a Wednesday. Book the Secret Garden tour in advance (even though it costs extra), explore the main palace grounds first, then enjoy the peaceful gardens. Grab lunch in the nearby Insadong (인사동) neighborhood afterward—you'll feel like you've actually gotten a slice of Korean royal life, not just checked off a tourist box.

Trust me, spending a Wednesday at a Seoul palace is one of those experiences that reminds you why you moved here in the first place!