Gyeongbokgung Palace Guide: Tickets, Hours, Guard Ceremony & Free Hanbok Entry

Gyeongbokgung Palace (경복궁) is the largest of Seoul’s five Joseon-dynasty palaces and the one almost every first-time visitor puts at the top of their list. It is also the easiest to get wrong: people show up on a Tuesday when it is closed, miss the changing of the guard by ten minutes, or pay for a ticket when they could have walked in free in a rented hanbok.

Last checked: October 2026. Palace hours and ticket rules change from time to time — confirm on the official Royal Palaces site before you go.

This guide covers the practical part: hours, tickets, guard ceremony times, a simple route through the grounds, and how to walk on to Bukchon Hanok Village afterwards.

On this page

• Quick facts
• Tickets and free entry
• Changing of the guard
• A simple route through the palace
• Hanbok rental tips
• Best time to visit
• Getting there
• FAQ

Gyeongbokgung Palace quick facts

Gyeongbokgung Palace tickets and free entry

You don’t need to book daytime tickets in advance. Buy them at the ticket booths just inside Gwanghwamun, in front of Heungnyemun Gate. An adult ticket is 3,000 KRW, which makes this one of the cheapest major sights in Seoul.

There are three ways to get in free:

• Wear hanbok. Visitors in traditional Korean dress get free entry, and this applies to foreigners too. Walk past the ticket booth to the gate and show your outfit.
• Culture Day. On the last Wednesday of each month, entry is free for everyone. Expect bigger crowds.
• Age discounts. Young children and some older visitors get free or reduced entry. The rules differ by age group and nationality, so check the official site if this applies to you.

Planning to see more than one palace? Ask at the booth about the integrated palace pass, which bundles the main palaces and Jongmyo Shrine (종묘) into one ticket.

Changing of the royal guard: times and where to stand

The Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (수문장 교대의식) recreates the Joseon-era changing of the palace gate guards, with drums, flags and costumes. It runs at 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM in front of Gwanghwamun Gate (광화문) and lasts about 20 minutes. Watching is free, and you don’t need a palace ticket.

• Arrive 10–15 minutes early and stand facing the gate. The best spots fill up fast on weekends.
• There’s no ceremony on Tuesdays, when the palace is closed.
• It’s cancelled in heavy rain or snow and may be shortened in extreme heat or cold.

A simple route through the palace

1. Gwanghwamun → Heungnyemun. Watch the guard ceremony, then buy your ticket and enter through Heungnyemun Gate (흥례문).
2. Geunjeongjeon (근정전). The throne hall and the palace’s main photo spot. Look for the rank stones lining the courtyard, where officials once stood by rank.
3. Gyeonghoeru Pavilion (경회루). The banquet hall on the lotus pond, and the most photogenic corner of the palace.
4. Hyangwonjeong (향원정). A small hexagonal pavilion on an island near the back of the grounds. It’s quieter here.
5. Exit east toward Bukchon, or north-east to the free National Folk Museum of Korea (국립민속박물관).

Hanbok rental tips

• Where: Rental shops cluster around Gyeongbokgung Station (Exits 4 and 5) and along the streets west of the palace. Most open around 9:00 AM.
• How long: Basic rentals usually run for a few hours. Upgrades like hair styling and accessories cost extra, and prices vary a lot between shops, so compare two or three before you choose.
• What to bring: Comfortable shoes. Palace paths are gravel and dirt, and you’ll walk more than you expect. Some shops ask for ID or a deposit.
• Timing: On weekends, rent early. Shops get busy by late morning and you’ll want daylight for photos.

Best time to visit Gyeongbokgung

• Weekday mornings right at opening are the calmest, and the light on Geunjeongjeon is softer.
• Spring (early April) and autumn (late October to early November) are the most scenic and also the busiest seasons.
• Night openings happen in limited seasons and need advance booking. Watch the official site’s notices if you want to see the palace lit up.

How to get to Gyeongbokgung Palace

• Subway Line 3, Gyeongbokgung Station (경복궁역), Exit 5: the closest exit, leading straight toward the palace grounds.
• Subway Line 5, Gwanghwamun Station (광화문역), Exit 2: comes up on Gwanghwamun Square, a short walk to the main gate. Use this one if you want to catch the guard ceremony first.
• Luggage lockers: Gyeongbokgung Station has about 88 T-Lockers near Exit 7 (B2, next to the customer safety office and under the Exit 7 stairs). Here’s how Seoul luggage storage works.

Map — Gyeongbokgung Palace: Google Maps · Naver Map (Naver Map is still the most reliable app for walking and subway directions in Korea)

FAQ

Is Gyeongbokgung Palace open on Mondays?
Yes. It closes on Tuesdays instead.

Do I need to book tickets online?
Not for daytime visits. Buy at the booth. Only seasonal night openings need advance booking.

Can foreigners get free entry in hanbok?
Yes. Free hanbok entry isn’t limited to Korean visitors.

How long should I spend there?
Plan for 2–3 hours for the main halls and Gyeonghoeru, or half a day if you add the museum and walk on to Bukchon.

Sources: Korea Heritage Service – Royal Palaces (official) · Royal Guard Changing Ceremony guide (2026) · KoreaPeek – Gyeongbokgung hours & tickets (2026)
Photos: Brady Bellini / Wikimedia Commons, CC0 · Republic of Korea from Seoul, Republic of Korea / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Frank Schulenburg / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Republic of Korea from Seoul, Republic of Korea / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0