Seoul Palace Pass: Can You Visit All Five Palaces on One Ticket?

Yes, you can see all five of Seoul's main royal sites on one ticket. The Royal Palace Pass (often called the "Integrated Palace Ticket") covers Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung and Jongmyo Shrine. It costs less than buying the five entry tickets separately, you can buy it at any of the five ticket offices, and it has typically been valid for about three months from purchase, so you don't need to cram everything into one day. Check the official palace websites for the current price, validity and what is included before you go.

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What the palace pass covers

Seoul has five sites from the Joseon dynasty (1392–1910) that most visitors mean when they say "the palaces":

Gyeongbokgung – the largest and most famous palace, home of the changing of the guard ceremony at Gwanghwamun Gate.
Changdeokgung – a UNESCO World Heritage palace that follows the shape of the hills instead of a strict grid.
Changgyeonggung – quieter, connected to Changdeokgung, with a lovely glass greenhouse and pond.
Deoksugung – a compact palace in the middle of downtown, where traditional halls stand next to Western-style stone buildings.
Jongmyo Shrine – not a palace but the royal ancestral shrine, also on the UNESCO list, famous for its very long main hall.

Each site gets one entry on the pass. Once you use your entry at a palace, you can't use the same pass to re-enter it later.

What is usually not included

The Secret Garden (Huwon) behind Changdeokgung is run as a separate, capacity-limited guided tour. Sources disagree on whether the pass gets you into the garden, and the rules have changed over the years, so assume you need to book the Secret Garden separately and check the official Changdeokgung site. We explain the booking process in our Changdeokgung Secret Garden tour guide.

Special night openings, seasonal events and limited-time festival passes are also sold separately. Don't confuse the year-round pass with short-term festival products that have different rules.

Is the palace pass worth it?

For most first-time visitors, the honest answer is: it depends on how many sites you will actually visit.

Visiting 4–5 sites: the pass is worth it. You save money and skip the ticket line at each gate.
Visiting 2–3 sites: individual palace tickets are cheap, so compare the totals. The saving may be small or zero.
Visiting only Gyeongbokgung: just buy a single ticket – or wear hanbok and enter for free (see below).

The biggest advantage is flexibility. Because the pass lasts for weeks, you can see Gyeongbokgung on day one, Deoksugung on a rainy afternoon, and Changdeokgung on your last morning.

Who can enter for free anyway

Before buying any ticket, check whether you already qualify for free entry:

Hanbok wearers – visitors in Korean traditional dress (including rented hanbok) have long been allowed in free. See our hanbok rental and free palace entry guide for the dress rules.
Children, seniors and some other groups – age-based free entry exists, and the age limits can apply differently to foreign visitors. Bring your passport.
Culture Day – on certain designated days (traditionally the last Wednesday of the month), palace entry has been free. Check the official calendar.

If you plan to wear hanbok for your whole palace day, you may not need the pass at all.

Hanbok options to look at

Gyeongbokgung Hanbok Rental (KKday) – a rental shop near the main palace, good if you start your day at Gyeongbokgung.
Hanbok Rental & Photo Shoot (KKday) – for travelers who want proper photos rather than phone selfies.

Closing days: the mistake most people make

The five sites do not all close on the same day. This is the single most useful thing to know when planning:

Closed on Tuesdays: Gyeongbokgung and Jongmyo Shrine.
Closed on Mondays: Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung and Deoksugung.

From Wednesday to Sunday, all five are normally open. Monday and Tuesday visitors simply need to pick the right palaces. Opening hours change by season (longer in summer, shorter in winter) and last entry is usually about an hour before closing, so check the official hours for your travel dates.

Jongmyo Shrine has its own rules

Jongmyo works differently from the palaces. On most weekdays, entry has been by guided tour only, with tours running at set times in several languages, including English. On Saturdays (and at some other times), visitors have been allowed to walk around freely. The schedule varies by source and season, so look up the current tour times on the official Jongmyo website and plan to arrive a little early for your language slot.

Many people skip Jongmyo, but it is one of the most atmospheric places in central Seoul – quiet, wide and almost empty compared with Gyeongbokgung.

A sample plan for using the pass

Day 1: Gyeongbokgung (2–3 hours)

Arrive in the morning, watch the guard ceremony at Gwanghwamun, then walk to the back of the palace to see Gyeonghoeru Pavilion and Hyangwonjeong. The National Folk Museum sits inside the grounds. Afterwards, walk to Bukchon or Samcheong-dong for lunch.

Day 2: Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung and Jongmyo (half day)

These three are neighbors. Start at Changdeokgung (add the Secret Garden tour if you managed to book it), walk through to Changgyeonggung, and finish at Jongmyo. Depending on the current access arrangements, there may be a direct walkway between Changgyeonggung and Jongmyo; otherwise it's a short walk around the outside. Gwangjang Market is close by for an early dinner.

Day 3: Deoksugung (1–1.5 hours)

Deoksugung is small and right next to City Hall Station, so it fits into any day. It's especially pleasant late in the afternoon. Walk the stone-wall road (Deoksugung Doldam-gil) afterwards – it's one of the nicest short walks in downtown Seoul.

"I always save Deoksugung for the evening – the stone wall road is perfect for a slow song in your headphones." – LUMI, POPORO CITY

How to buy the pass

Go to the ticket office of any of the five sites.
Ask for the "integrated ticket" or "palace pass" (in Korean: tonghap gwallamgwon, 통합관람권).
Keep the ticket safe – each site's section gets checked or torn at the gate.

Payment by card is normally accepted. If you're wondering which card or payment app works best, see our guide to paying in Korea as a foreigner.

Quick tips

Monday? Go to Gyeongbokgung or Jongmyo. Tuesday? Go to Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung or Deoksugung.
Book the Secret Garden separately and early – it sells out, especially in autumn.
Wearing hanbok usually means free entry, so you may not need the pass at all.
Bring water and comfortable shoes – Gyeongbokgung alone involves a lot of walking on gravel.
Free English guided tours run at several palaces at set times; check each palace's website.
Prices, hours and pass rules can change – always confirm on the official sites before your trip.

FAQ

Can I visit all five palaces in one day with the pass?

It's possible but tiring, and you'd rush the best parts. Two or three relaxed half-days are much better, and the pass's long validity allows that.

Does the palace pass include the Changdeokgung Secret Garden?

Treat the Secret Garden as a separate booking. It runs as a limited-capacity guided tour, and inclusion rules have changed over time, so confirm on the official Changdeokgung website.

Can I buy the palace pass online?

The standard pass is mainly sold at the palace ticket offices. Third-party sites sometimes sell limited-time festival passes, which are different products with different rules – read the details carefully.

Is the pass worth it if I'm wearing hanbok?

Usually not, because hanbok wearers have generally been admitted free. Check the current dress guidelines, since not every outfit counts as hanbok.

Which palace should I see if I only have time for one?

Gyeongbokgung for the classic big-palace experience, or Changdeokgung (with the Secret Garden) if you prefer something more natural and less crowded.