Seollal and Chuseok are two of the most important holiday periods in Korea, and they can change a trip more than a normal public holiday. Intercity trains sell out, highways become congested, some family-run businesses close, museums or heritage sites operate special schedules, and large urban districts can feel unusually quiet in the morning but busy again later in the day.
The mistake is assuming either extreme: “everything is closed” or “nothing changes because Seoul is a big city.” The reality is mixed. Major attractions, chain stores and tourist districts may continue operating, while independent businesses and transport demand change significantly.
1. Transportation is the first thing to solve
During Seollal and Chuseok, millions of people travel to family homes across the country. KTX, SRT and intercity-bus tickets can sell quickly when holiday reservations open. If your itinerary requires Seoul–Busan, Seoul–Gyeongju or another intercity move, secure transport before finalizing hotels.
The direction of crowds matters. Before the main holiday day, major flows often move out of the Seoul metropolitan area; afterward they reverse. A hotel in Seoul can therefore feel calm while expressways and intercity terminals are extremely busy.
Do not build a same-day connection between a long-distance train and an international flight with a small buffer during a major holiday. Traffic near stations and airports can also increase, and domestic flights to Jeju and international holiday travel can crowd terminals even when downtown is quiet. Arrive earlier than on a normal weekday and check airline notices for counter hours and baggage deadlines.
If tickets are sold out, check official cancellation inventory rather than buying from an unofficial reseller. Train tickets are frequently returned as plans change.
2. Seoul does not completely shut down
Tourist areas such as Myeongdong, Hongdae, major department-store districts and popular palaces may have significant activity, but individual opening hours can change. Traditional markets can be partly closed because many vendors are independent businesses.
Restaurants are especially variable. A large chain may open while a famous family restaurant closes for several days. Search the business’s official notice or call on the day if a meal is important to your itinerary.
Use the holiday for outdoor neighborhoods, riverside walks and flexible areas where one closure does not ruin the entire plan.
3. Museums, palaces and heritage sites need date-specific checks
Government-run attractions often publish special holiday operation notices. Some may open on a normal weekly closing day, offer free admission or run cultural programs, while others close on the main holiday date.
Never copy the normal Tuesday or Monday closure rule into a holiday itinerary without checking. Special holiday schedules can override ordinary weekly patterns.
Save the official site for each priority attraction and check again the night before.
4. Restaurants, markets and essentials: have a backup
Holiday dining is easiest when you avoid one “must-eat” restaurant as the only plan. Choose a district with multiple options, then keep one chain or hotel restaurant as a fallback.
Convenience stores are useful, but do not assume every branch operates the same hours. Large supermarkets and department stores also follow company-specific holiday schedules.
If you have dietary restrictions, the holiday can reduce your alternatives. Buy breakfast items in advance if your accommodation does not include breakfast.
Some pharmacies and clinics close, while designated emergency medical institutions and holiday medical services remain available. Bring enough prescription medicine for the holiday period and use official local-government or emergency-medical information rather than searching shop to shop on the holiday morning. Bank-branch hours and some exchange counters can also change; international cards usually continue working, but withdraw or exchange a reasonable amount of cash beforehand and keep at least two payment methods.
5. What can actually be better during a holiday
Major business districts may have lighter commuter traffic. Traditional-culture programs can be more visible at palaces, museums or folk villages. Families in hanbok and special seasonal activities can make the holiday meaningful for a visitor who plans with flexibility.
Road tolls may be temporarily waived during government-designated periods, but that benefit often comes with heavy traffic. A free highway is not necessarily a fast highway.
For visitors staying entirely in Seoul, the holiday can be comfortable if you avoid intercity travel and choose attractions with confirmed opening schedules.
6. A practical holiday-trip strategy
- Book intercity transport before non-refundable hotels.
- Stay in one city for the main holiday day if possible.
- Use official attraction notices, not normal weekly hours.
- Keep two restaurant options for every important meal.
- Buy essential medicine and special food before the holiday starts.
- Add larger airport and station buffers.
- Expect reduced or changed schedules in rural areas.
If your trip dates are flexible, travel between cities one or two days before the peak family-travel window and use the holiday itself for local sightseeing.
Official sources
For national travel updates, use the Korea Tourism Organization and the official websites of Korail, local transit agencies and individual attractions. For the 2026 Chuseok period, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport designated September 23–27 as a special transportation period and forecast the heaviest return traffic on September 25 afternoon. Last verified September 26, 2026.
Bottom line: Korea is very travelable during Chuseok and Seollal, but the trip must be transport-first and closure-aware. Stay flexible on meals and lock down long-distance travel early.