Gyeongbokgung Palace Free Entry 2026: Dates Until Nov 15, Normal Price, and Which Palaces Count

Bottom line: Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung and Deoksugung — the four grand palaces — plus Jongmyo Shrine and the Joseon royal tombs are all free to enter through November 15. Gyeongbokgung and Jongmyo are closed every Tuesday; the rest are closed every Monday, so plan around that. Changdeokgung's Huwon rear garden and any paid reserved programs are not included in the free admission.

If you didn't know: a regular adult ticket to Gyeongbokgung is 3,000 won. That's real money saved even solo — a family of four visiting both Gyeongbokgung and Changgyeonggung would normally pay 24,000 won total, and right now it's free. Korea Heritage Service has announced it plans to raise palace and royal-tomb admission fees starting January 1, 2027, for the first time in 20 years (though some reports say the date could slip) — meaning once this free window closes, higher prices may be waiting.

Gyeongbokgung is already the most-visited palace among foreign tourists even on a normal day, but a stretch where admission is completely free only happens a few days a year. This round is timed with the "2026 Korea Grand Festival." Free doesn't mean everything is open, though — Changdeokgung's Huwon rear garden requires its own separate, limited reservation and isn't part of this free window, and ticketed events like Gyeongbokgung's night tours still cost money on top. Hanbok experiences or special exhibitions held inside the palace grounds can also carry their own fee separate from the entrance ticket, so check on site. With autumn colors lingering later than usual this year, a free run through the palaces until mid-November is not an opportunity that comes around often.

Journey stage: During the trip · Verified 2026-11-07