Korea Public Holidays Guide: Seollal, Chuseok, Closures, and Business Hours
Korea remains open to travelers during most public holidays, but transportation demand, business hours, attraction schedules, restaurant availability, and accommodation prices can change significantly. The biggest disruptions usually occur around Seollal and Chuseok, when millions of people travel between major cities and their hometowns.
Public holidays do not affect every business in the same way. A palace may operate a special holiday program while a nearby museum closes. A major shopping mall may stay open while an individual store inside follows shorter hours. A convenience store may operate normally while banks, post offices, clinics, and government offices close for the day.
Yes, travelers can visit Korea during public holidays, Seollal, and Chuseok, but transportation, business hours, attraction closures, restaurant availability, and accommodation prices may change. Major tourist districts usually remain active, while small family-run businesses, banks, government offices, and some museums may close.
Can You Travel in Korea During Public Holidays?
Korea is absolutely visitable during public holidays, but the travel experience changes depending on the type of holiday, destination, and activity.
What usually stays available
- Major hotels
- Convenience stores
- Airport facilities
- Many subway and bus services
- Large malls
- Tourist districts
- Some palaces and cultural attractions
What may close or reduce hours
- Banks
- Post offices
- Government offices
- Local clinics
- Small museums
- Family-run restaurants
- Independent shops
The biggest issue is often transportation
During Seollal and Chuseok, KTX, SRT, express buses, domestic flights, ferries, and rental cars can sell out long before the holiday begins.
Public holiday does not mean nationwide closure
Operating decisions are made by each facility, company, store, and local authority. Travelers should confirm every important reservation directly.
Use holidays as part of the itinerary
Traditional events, palace programs, folk games, performances, and special exhibitions can make a holiday visit memorable when planned carefully.
Types of Public Holidays in Korea
Fixed-date holidays
Some public holidays occur on the same calendar date every year. These may affect government offices, banks, schools, and private businesses.
Lunar-calendar holidays
Seollal and Chuseok move each year because their dates are based on the lunar calendar.
Substitute holidays
Some holidays that overlap with weekends or other designated days can lead to an additional weekday holiday.
Temporary public holidays
The government may designate an extra holiday in specific circumstances. Travelers should not rely on an old annual calendar.
Election-related holidays
Some election days may be public holidays. Public offices and business hours can change, while transportation generally continues.
Common holidays travelers may encounter
- New Year’s Day
- Seollal
- Independence Movement Day
- Children’s Day
- Buddha’s Birthday
- Memorial Day
- Liberation Day
- Chuseok
- National Foundation Day
- Hangeul Day
- Christmas Day
Always check the current year
Holiday dates, substitute holidays, and temporary holidays can vary. Use a current official Korean calendar or tourism source.
Official tourism reference: VISITKOREA Public Holidays
How Substitute Holidays Work
Why substitute holidays matter
An extra weekday off can extend a long weekend and sharply increase domestic travel demand.
Possible effects
- KTX and bus tickets sell faster.
- Hotels become more expensive.
- Jeju flights fill early.
- Attractions become crowded.
- Banks and public offices remain closed longer.
- Small businesses may add another day off.
Do not assume every business follows the same schedule
Private companies, restaurants, malls, hospitals, and tourist attractions can use different holiday policies.
Temporary holidays can appear after plans are made
Keep transport and accommodation bookings flexible when traveling near a possible long weekend.
Check the day after the holiday
Some cultural facilities open on the holiday but close the following day instead.
Best booking practice
- Confirm the exact calendar date.
- Check for a substitute day.
- Review cancellation rules.
- Verify the attraction schedule.
- Recheck one week before arrival.
Traveling During Seollal
Seollal is one of Korea’s most important family holidays. It creates heavy domestic travel as people return to their hometowns.
What changes around Seollal
- High demand for KTX and express buses
- Expensive domestic flights
- Heavy highway traffic
- Restaurant closures
- Shorter business hours
- Special cultural programs
- Busy palaces and folk villages
Advantages of visiting during Seollal
- Traditional performances
- Folk games
- Hanbok experiences
- Palace programs
- Seasonal food
- Quieter office districts
Disadvantages
- Regional tickets may be unavailable.
- Some family restaurants close for several days.
- Local taxis may be harder to find.
- Tourist information centers may reduce hours.
- Small shops may reopen later than expected.
Safer Seollal plan
Stay in one city during the central holiday day and complete long-distance travel before the holiday begins.
Best backup options
Hotels, large malls, palace areas, major tourist streets, chain cafes, and convenience stores are often the most reliable choices.
Traveling During Chuseok
Chuseok is another major family holiday with intense movement between Seoul, regional cities, islands, and rural hometowns.
Common travel effects
- Highway congestion
- Train-ticket competition
- Domestic flight demand
- Family restaurant closures
- Regional hotel demand
- Traditional events
- Market schedule changes
Seoul during Chuseok
Some business districts may feel quieter, but palaces, hanok neighborhoods, shopping areas, parks, and cultural attractions can become busy.
Chuseok day checks
- Restaurant opening
- Museum closure
- Department-store schedule
- Hospital and pharmacy availability
- Bus frequency
- Hotel breakfast hours
Regional travel risk
Transportation into and out of smaller cities can be more difficult than normal, especially near the start and end of the holiday.
Do not rely on walk-in tickets
Book major transport before finalizing hotel and attraction plans.
KTX, Buses, Flights, and Holiday Transportation
Book in this order
- KTX or SRT
- Express or intercity bus
- Domestic flight
- Jeju flight
- Ferry
- Rental car
Holiday transport patterns
- Popular departures sell quickly.
- Booking websites may have waiting systems.
- Round trips can be difficult to secure.
- Highways become congested.
- Airport queues grow.
- Taxis face high demand.
Safer timing
- Avoid long-distance travel on the evening before the holiday.
- Avoid returning to Seoul on the final holiday evening.
- Do not connect from Jeju directly to an international flight.
- Arrive at stations and airports earlier than usual.
Prepare alternatives
Check slower trains, alternate bus terminals, nearby airports, and refundable accommodation in case the preferred route sells out.
Planning KTX, buses, driving, ferries, or Jeju travel?
Open the Korea Regional Travel GuideWhat Stays Open in Seoul?
Often available
- Convenience stores
- Hotels
- Airport facilities
- Large malls
- Chain cafes
- Tourist districts
- Movie theaters
- Major subway-station areas
More variable
- Family-run restaurants
- Independent cafes
- Traditional-market stalls
- Local clinics
- Small museums
- Private galleries
Tourist districts and residential areas differ
Myeongdong, Hongdae, Gangnam, Dongdaemun, and major hotel areas may remain active while neighborhood businesses close.
Use large mixed-use buildings as backups
Shopping malls, department-store food halls, cinemas, and large hotels can combine meals, restrooms, indoor activities, and transportation access.
Need help choosing Seoul neighborhoods, transportation, hotels, and luggage options?
Open the Seoul Travel GuidePalaces, Museums, and Tourist Attraction Closures
Check more than the opening day
- Regular closing day
- Holiday opening
- Substitute closure
- Last admission
- Night opening
- Reservation requirement
- Special exhibition schedule
Palace schedules vary
Do not assume every palace follows the same weekly closing day or holiday schedule.
Museum rules vary even within one city
Some museums close on Mondays, others on a public holiday, and others on the day after a holiday.
Outdoor attractions can still restrict access
Weather, crowd control, repairs, ceremonies, or security events can change entry even when the facility is officially open.
Last admission matters
A museum that closes at 6 p.m. may stop admitting visitors much earlier.
Holiday events may require reservations
Free entry does not always mean unlimited entry. Special programs can fill in advance.
Monday Closures in Korea
Monday closures can affect a trip more often than public holidays because many cultural facilities use Monday as a regular maintenance day.
Places that may close on Monday
- National and municipal museums
- Art museums
- Small exhibition halls
- Cultural centers
- Regional attractions
- Some palaces or heritage sites
Good Monday alternatives
- Shopping malls
- Traditional markets
- Cafes
- Parks
- Observation decks
- Neighborhood walks
- Open palaces
- Confirmed private museums
Holiday Monday can be especially confusing
A facility may open on the holiday Monday and close on Tuesday instead.
Check each branch
A national museum and its regional branch may not share identical schedules.
Build one movable indoor day
This allows a museum day to shift when a closure or special event appears.
Restaurants and Cafes During Holidays
More reliable options
- Hotel restaurants
- Chain restaurants
- Shopping-mall food courts
- Tourist-area restaurants
- Airport and station restaurants
- Convenience stores
More likely to close
- Family-run Korean restaurants
- Independent cafes
- Traditional-market stalls
- Reservation-only restaurants
- Small regional restaurants
Prepare several meal options
Save at least three lunch and three dinner candidates near the hotel or main attraction.
Check last order
A restaurant may appear open but stop seating or taking orders earlier on a holiday.
Expect ingredient shortages
Popular dishes can sell out early when suppliers or staff use holiday schedules.
Hotel breakfast can be valuable
During Seollal or Chuseok, an included breakfast reduces the risk of starting the day without an open restaurant.
Department Stores, Malls, Markets, and Shops
Department stores
- May close for part of a major holiday
- Use branch-specific schedules
- May shorten hours
- May separate food-hall and restaurant hours
Large shopping malls
Many remain open, but individual tenants can follow different hours.
Traditional markets
A market rarely operates as one single business. Some stalls may open early, others may close for several days, and food areas may follow separate schedules.
Holiday shopping timing
Markets can be extremely busy before Seollal and Chuseok as local residents buy food and gifts.
Duty-free and regular retail are different
Airport duty-free stores, downtown duty-free stores, department stores, and street shops may use different calendars.
Planning Korean food, shopping, souvenirs, markets, and cultural experiences?
Open the Korea Food, Shopping, and Culture GuideBanks, Post Offices, and Government Offices
What usually closes
- Bank counters
- Post-office counters
- Government offices
- Administrative service desks
- Many public-document services
Possible alternatives
- ATM
- Airport exchange counter
- Hotel exchange service
- Mobile banking
- Online administrative service
- Convenience-store parcel service
Travel tasks that may be delayed
- International mail
- Bank disputes
- Government certificates
- Tax or customs paperwork
- Passport-related follow-up
Complete urgent tasks before the holiday
Do not wait until the first holiday morning to exchange a large amount of cash, mail documents, or resolve a card problem.
ATMs can have limitations
Foreign-card acceptance, withdrawal limits, maintenance, and cash availability vary by machine.
Hospitals, Clinics, and Pharmacies
Emergency care
Emergency rooms and designated emergency medical facilities remain the main option for serious illness or injury.
Medical and fire emergency: 119
Police: 112
Korea Travel Helpline: 1330
Local clinics
Neighborhood clinics may close or use reduced hours on weekends and public holidays.
Holiday pharmacies
Some pharmacies operate on duty schedules, but hours vary by district and date.
Prepare before the holiday
- Carry enough prescription medicine.
- Refill medication early.
- Save the nearest hospital.
- Keep insurance details.
- Bring a passport.
- Keep payment methods available.
- Save allergy and medication information.
Use emergency care for emergencies
Minor symptoms may be better handled by an open clinic or pharmacy when available.
Convenience Stores and Essential Services
Commonly available items and services
- Food and drinks
- Umbrellas
- Basic toiletries
- Charging cables
- Transportation-card top-up
- ATMs
- Parcel service
- Printing or copying at selected locations
Not every store is open 24 hours
Operating hours depend on the owner, building, neighborhood, and holiday schedule.
Services vary by branch
ATM access, parcel delivery, printing, transportation-card functions, and hot-food availability are not identical everywhere.
Use the nearest store as a backup, not the entire plan
Convenience stores are useful during closures, but travelers with allergies, infants, or medical needs should prepare more carefully.
Keep small essentials in the room
- Water
- Simple breakfast
- Medication
- Charging cable
- Emergency cash
Regional Travel During Korean Holidays
What changes outside major cities
- Less frequent local buses
- Fewer taxis
- Restaurant closures
- Shorter information-center hours
- Rental-car shortages
- Busy parking lots
- Limited late-night options
Check before departure
- Last bus
- Hotel check-in
- Restaurant hours
- Fuel station
- Taxi availability
- Attraction closure
- Nearest hospital
Arrive during daylight
A regional destination is much easier to manage when buses, restaurants, and hotel staff are still available.
Do not confuse terminals
Train stations, express-bus terminals, and intercity-bus terminals may be in different parts of the city.
Prepare food before remote travel
Mountain, island, and countryside areas may have fewer holiday meal options.
Jeju Travel During Public Holidays
Main holiday pressures
- Higher airfare
- Rental-car sellouts
- Popular hotels filling early
- Parking congestion
- Long restaurant waits
- Slower bus travel
- Airport crowds
Book as one connected plan
Secure the flight, rental car, hotel, and key attractions before treating the itinerary as final.
Protect the international flight
Do not return from Jeju on the last possible domestic flight before an international departure.
Rental-car timing
- Allow shuttle time.
- Allow pickup queues.
- Refuel before return.
- Allow vehicle inspection.
- Expect airport congestion.
Holiday traffic and weather can combine
Wind, rain, or snow can turn a busy holiday itinerary into a major delay.
Hotels and Accommodation During Holiday Periods
Where prices can rise
- Jeju
- Busan beaches
- Ski resorts
- Family resorts
- Pensions
- Hanok villages
- Festival areas
Check before booking
- Refund rules
- Front-desk hours
- Late arrival
- Breakfast
- Restaurant closure
- Luggage storage
- Parking
- Extra guest fees
- Extension availability
Holiday staffing may be reduced
Housekeeping, breakfast, shuttle service, and luggage assistance can use modified schedules.
Small properties need direct confirmation
Guesthouses, hanok stays, pensions, and unmanned apartments may have stricter holiday check-in procedures.
Keep one flexible night when possible
This is especially useful for Jeju, ferries, severe weather, and long-distance holiday travel.
Holiday Prices, Crowds, and Reservations
Services that can become more expensive
- Domestic flights
- Hotels
- Pensions
- Rental cars
- Family rooms
- Festival accommodation
- Popular tours
Reserve in priority order
- Intercity transportation
- Jeju flights
- Rental car
- Accommodation
- Timed attractions
- Performances
- Reservation-only restaurants
- Airport transfer
Keep an emergency reserve
- One extra hotel night
- Taxi fare
- Meals
- Transport change
- Cancellation fee
- Luggage storage
Expect crowds at family attractions
Theme parks, aquariums, zoos, museums, and shopping malls can become busier during long weekends.
Early morning is valuable
Visiting popular attractions near opening time can reduce queues and transport congestion.
How to Check Current Opening Hours
Best verification order
- Official facility website
- Official social-media notice
- Official reservation page
- Direct phone call
- Current map listing
- Hotel staff confirmation
Words to look for
- Closed
- Temporary Closure
- Holiday Hours
- Last Admission
- Last Order
- Substitute Closure
- Reservation Required
- Sold Out
Map hours can be outdated
Holiday schedules may be entered automatically, copied from normal hours, or updated too late.
Check more than once
- During initial planning
- Before booking
- One week before arrival
- The evening before the visit
- The morning of the visit
Use Korean names for searches
Saving the official Korean name of a museum, restaurant, terminal, or store can help locate current notices and the correct branch.
Confirm the branch
Department stores, museums, restaurants, and hospital networks can have several branches with different schedules.
Airport businesses need separate checks
Airline counters, lounges, restaurants, tax-refund desks, transportation counters, and shops may use different operating hours.
Need help with airport arrival, baggage, transportation, security, and departure timing?
Open the Incheon Airport and Korea Flight GuideHow to Build a Holiday-Proof Itinerary
Core rules
- Minimize long-distance travel on the central holiday day.
- Secure transport before hotels and attractions.
- Do not schedule every museum on Monday.
- Prepare several restaurant options.
- Use malls and indoor attractions as backups.
- Arrive in regional cities during daylight.
- Avoid a Jeju connection immediately before an international flight.
- Confirm the day after a holiday for substitute closures.
- Use refundable bookings when practical.
The day before the holiday
- Complete intercity travel.
- Withdraw necessary cash.
- Refill medication.
- Confirm restaurant reservations.
- Save attraction notices.
- Buy simple breakfast food.
The holiday itself
- Visit confirmed palaces or cultural events.
- Use a major mall or hotel area.
- Choose a district with several meal options.
- Keep walking distances compact.
- Avoid unnecessary terminal transfers.
The day after the holiday
- Check substitute closures.
- Expect return-travel congestion.
- Keep outdoor or shopping alternatives.
- Confirm restaurant reopening.
- Allow extra airport time.
Choose season and holiday together
A Chuseok trip can overlap with warm weather or early autumn conditions, while Seollal can bring freezing temperatures, snow, and icy roads.
Comparing monthly weather, crowds, blossoms, foliage, heat, and snow?
Read the Best Time to Visit Korea Guide
Common Public Holiday Travel Mistakes
Assuming the entire country closes
Many tourist districts, malls, hotels, convenience stores, and transport services remain available.
Assuming every attraction stays open
Individual museums, palaces, galleries, and cultural centers use different schedules.
Waiting to buy KTX tickets
Major holiday trains can sell out well before travel day.
Planning intercity travel on the busiest day
Even with a ticket, stations, roads, airports, and local transfers can be crowded.
Ignoring Monday closures
A carefully planned museum itinerary can fail when every chosen facility closes on the same day.
Missing substitute closures
A facility may open on the public holiday and close the next weekday.
Trusting map hours without checking
Holiday information can be inaccurate or incomplete.
Expecting every department-store branch to match
Branches can use different closure dates and restaurant schedules.
Arriving in a regional town late
Bus frequency, taxis, restaurants, and hotel staffing may be limited.
Waiting until the holiday to refill medicine
Clinics and local pharmacies may be closed.
Connecting Jeju directly to an international departure
Holiday congestion and weather can combine to break the connection.
Booking only nonrefundable services
A schedule change can become much more expensive.
Failing to plan meals
Popular restaurants may close, shorten hours, or sell out.
Ignoring last admission and last order
Closing time does not always mean visitors can enter or order until that minute.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can tourists travel in Korea during public holidays?
Yes. Transportation and many tourist services continue, but individual schedules should be confirmed.
Does Korea close during Seollal?
No. Some businesses close, while many hotels, convenience stores, malls, and tourist attractions continue operating.
Does Korea close during Chuseok?
No, but regional transportation, restaurants, banks, and small businesses can be affected.
Are restaurants open during Korean holidays?
Many are open, especially in tourist areas and malls, but family-run restaurants may close.
Are cafes open during Seollal?
Many chain cafes stay open, while independent cafes may close or shorten hours.
Are convenience stores open during public holidays?
Many remain open, but not every location operates 24 hours.
Are shopping malls open during Chuseok?
Many are, but mall and tenant hours should be checked separately.
Do department stores close during Seollal?
Some branches close for part of the holiday period. Branch-specific notices are essential.
Are Korean palaces open on public holidays?
Some may open or hold special events, but each palace has its own schedule.
Are museums open during Korean holidays?
Some open, some close, and some use a substitute closing day.
Why are museums closed on Mondays?
Many cultural facilities use Monday as a regular maintenance or closing day.
What happens when a holiday falls on a weekend?
A substitute holiday may apply depending on the holiday and current rules.
What is a substitute holiday in Korea?
It is an additional day off used for certain holidays that overlap with weekends or other designated days.
Do Korean trains run on public holidays?
Yes, but schedules and demand can change.
Is KTX crowded during Seollal?
Yes. Seollal is one of the busiest periods for intercity rail travel.
Is KTX crowded during Chuseok?
Yes. Tickets on popular routes can be difficult to obtain.
Do buses run during Korean holidays?
Yes, but local frequency and intercity availability can differ.
Are flights more expensive during Chuseok?
Popular domestic routes, especially Jeju, can become more expensive as demand rises.
Is Jeju crowded during public holidays?
Yes. Flights, rental cars, hotels, parking, and restaurants can be heavily booked.
Are banks open on Korean public holidays?
Bank counters are generally closed, although ATMs remain available.
Are post offices open during Seollal?
Post-office counters generally close for public holidays.
Are hospitals open during holidays?
Emergency facilities operate, while ordinary clinics may close or reduce hours.
How can tourists find an open pharmacy?
Ask hotel staff, an emergency medical service, or an official local information channel for current duty-pharmacy information.
Are tourist information centers open?
Some operate with normal or reduced hours, while others close.
Do hotels close during Korean holidays?
Major hotels remain open, but staffing and restaurant schedules may change.
Are hotel prices higher during Chuseok?
Prices can rise in Jeju, resorts, regional destinations, and family-oriented properties.
Should I avoid Korea during Seollal?
Not necessarily. Stay in one city, reserve transport early, and prepare meal alternatives.
Should I avoid Korea during Chuseok?
Not necessarily, but long-distance travel requires advance booking and flexibility.
What should I book first for a holiday trip?
Book intercity transportation, flights, rental cars, and accommodation before timed attractions.
How do I check holiday opening hours?
Use the official website or social account, then confirm again close to the visit.
Are markets open during Korean holidays?
Some stalls open while others close, so market schedules are not always uniform.
Is Seoul empty during Chuseok?
Some office districts become quieter, while palaces, malls, parks, and tourist neighborhoods can remain busy.
Is public transportation free during holidays?
Travelers should not assume it is free. Special policies, when offered, are usually limited and should be confirmed officially.
Do subway operating hours change?
They can change for special events or holiday plans, so check current operator notices.
What is the best itinerary for a Korean public holiday?
Stay within one city, visit confirmed attractions, keep several meal options, and avoid unnecessary intercity transfers.
Reserve intercity transportation first, confirm every major attraction and restaurant directly, prepare one indoor backup, and avoid combining a holiday travel day with a critical international connection.
Public-holiday dates, substitute holidays, temporary holidays, transportation schedules, business hours, attraction closures, and medical-service availability can change. Confirm current details through official Korean government, tourism, transport, facility, and accommodation sources.
