Lunar New Year Travel Guide to Korea — Closures, Transport Tips, and Cultural Experiences

The Lunar New Year, or Seollal, is both an opportunity and a challenge for travelers. While the city becomes quieter and more relaxed, you might find yourself stuck if your preferred restaurants are closed or if you can't secure train tickets.

In 2026, Seollal falls on February 17, with the official holiday period running from February 16 to 18. We have prepared a checklist to help you navigate this period without stress and enjoy the holiday atmosphere like a local.

What you will learn in this guide:

General closure trends for shops and restaurants during the holiday.
Major tourist attractions in Seoul that are open on Seollal.
Strategies for surviving the holiday transportation rush.
Information on traditional cultural experiences suitable for foreigners.

Are all restaurants and shops closed during the Lunar New Year holiday?

While the city used to grind to a halt in the past, things have changed recently.

Major Tourist Areas (Myeong-dong, Hongdae, Gangnam): Large stores, franchise restaurants, and cafes in these areas often remain open throughout the holiday.
Small Independent Restaurants & Traditional Markets: These frequently close for 2–3 days, including the day of Seollal. If there is a specific spot you want to visit, check their status in advance via Instagram, Naver Maps, or your hotel front desk.
Department Stores & Large Supermarkets: They almost always close for at least one day (usually the day of or the day before Seollal). Policies vary by location, so check before visiting.

Which tourist attractions can foreigners visit on the day of Seollal?

Most of Seoul's key landmarks remain open even on the day of the holiday.

The 5 Grand Palaces (Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, etc.): They remain open throughout the holidays, and admission is often free during this period.
Namsan Seoul Tower: Open all year round, it is the perfect spot to view the quiet Seoul cityscape.
Theme Parks (Lotte World, Everland): They operate normally and host various traditional folk game events for the holiday.
Museums and Art Galleries: Major state-run facilities like the National Museum of Korea are open, with the exception of one day during the holiday period.

Is it impossible to book public transport (trains, buses) during the holidays?

Seollal is the time of the "great national migration" in Korea.

Trains (KTX/SRT): Tickets for departures from Seoul before the holiday and returns to Seoul at the end are sold out months in advance. However, seats for the "reverse" direction (to Seoul at the start, to the provinces at the end) are relatively easier to find.
Express Buses: Generally easier to book than trains, but highway traffic is severe, and trips can take twice as long as usual.
Strategy: It is wisest to avoid long-distance travel and stay within one city, such as Seoul or Busan, during the holiday period.

Are there free admissions or special events at the palaces?

Yes, visiting the palaces during Seollal is an excellent choice.

Free Admission: The Cultural Heritage Administration usually opens the four major palaces, Jongmyo Shrine, and the Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty for free during the holiday. (Confirm official announcements for 2026).
Hanbok Perks: While admission is usually free if you wear a Hanbok, you can also take special photos mingling with locals wearing traditional attire during the holiday season.

Where can I try Korea's Lunar New Year food, 'Tteokguk'?

On the morning of Seollal, Koreans eat 'Tteokguk' (sliced rice cake soup) as a symbol of becoming one year older.

Traditional Korean Restaurants: Spots around Insadong or Bukchon Hanok Village often offer Tteokguk on their menus.
Cultural Event Sites: Venues like Namsangol Hanok Village or the National Folk Museum of Korea often offer Tteokguk tasting experiences during their holiday events.
Hotel Breakfasts: Many hotels offer Tteokguk as a special item in their breakfast buffets during the holiday.

Is it harder to catch a taxi during the holiday?

While there may be fewer taxis, there is no major inconvenience within downtown Seoul.

Reduced Traffic: As many citizens leave the city, local roads are actually very quiet, making taxi travel times shorter than usual.
Use Calling Apps: You can still easily catch a taxi using the Kakao T app. However, wait times may be longer during late-night holiday hours.

Etiquette when invited to a Korean friend's home for the holidays

If you are invited to a local home, keep these points in mind:

Small Gift: It is customary to buy a 'Seollal gift set' from a large supermarket, such as fruit sets, traditional confectionery (Hangwa), or a premium seaweed set.
Sebae (New Year's Bow): This is a tradition of bowing to elders. Even if you don't bow yourself, offer a polite greeting: "Saehae bok mani badeuseyo" (May you receive many blessings in the New Year).
Attire: Neat and modest clothing is more welcome than flashy or revealing outfits.

Are convenience stores or large supermarkets closed during the holidays?

Convenience Stores: 99% are open 24/7 all year round. You can handle emergencies like buying medicine, snacks, or withdrawing cash at any time.
Large Supermarkets (E-mart, Lotte Mart, etc.): They are closed for one day (usually the day of Seollal). Pharmacies or optical shops inside these marts will also be closed, so check in advance.

Is it true that Seoul becomes a 'ghost town' during Seollal?

It isn't a literal ghost town, but you can experience a 'peaceful Seoul' that is quite different from its usual bustling self.

Roads: You can experience the miracle of seeing typically jammed roads like Gangnam-daero or Sejong-daero completely empty.
Tourist Sites: While places like Myeong-dong remain busy, areas with many office buildings like Jongno or Yeouido become very quiet. Enjoying this serenity while strolling is a wonderful travel experience.

Recommended alternative destinations for a relaxing trip

If you want to leave Seoul but are worried about traffic?

Jeju Island: Since you travel by plane, you are free from road congestion. Note that airfares rise and rental car bookings fill up quickly.
Busan (via KTX): If you can secure a 'reverse' KTX seat, you can peacefully enjoy the winter sea of Busan.
Ski Resorts: Since most people head to their hometowns, the ski slopes are surprisingly spacious on the afternoon of Seollal.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Are subway or bus operating hours extended during the Seollal holiday?
A: In Seoul, subways and major bus lines usually extend their last train/bus times until 2:00 AM on the day of Seollal and the following day for those returning to their homes. (Check official annual announcements.)

Q2: Is it pointless to visit traditional markets during Seollal?
A: Food alleys in large markets like Gwangjang Market or Namdaemun Market remain partially open on the day of Seollal, but most clothing and goods shops will be closed. If you want to feel the full holiday atmosphere, visiting the day before the holiday is best.

💡 Traveler Tip

When searching for restaurant information during the Lunar New Year, it is much more accurate to check the 'Naver Map' or 'CatchTable' apps rather than Google Maps, as they are often updated in real-time with temporary holiday closures.